Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 4 Bold predictions in Week 5

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the game against the Toledo Rockets at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 4 Bold predictions in Week 5

Michael Mayer Will Have 10 Catches

Let’s establish something right now, Notre Dame is going to struggle against Cincinnati on offense. The Irish offensive line is still a mess, the quarterback situation is up in the air and it wouldn’t be crazy if all three quarterbacks played against the Bearcats, and the wide receivers are better but not consistent. If there is one reliable option, though, it’s Michael Mayer.

Mayer is the best tight end in college football, and it shows week in and week out.

The Bearcats are going to put pressure on the Irish, and unless the line improves it’s going to be difficult to run. That leaves the passing game, but Cincinnati has an elite secondary, particularly at the corner spot. That might mean that Braden Lenzy and Kevin Austin struggle on Saturday. It also leaves Michael Mayer as the key player to attack Cincinnati in the middle of the field.

Whether as a safety valve or a way attacking downfield, the Bearcats don’t have a linebacker fast enough or a safety big enough to cover Mayer. He’s going to be vital to the offense moving the ball, and expect it to lead to an almost overreliance on Mayer. 10 catches should do the job.

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