Notre Dame football vs. UNC Tar Heels: 3 bold predictions in Week 9

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Notre Dame football could have a problem with Howell Friday

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 24: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drops back to pass during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Kenan Stadium on October 24, 2020, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football vs. UNC Tar Heels: 3 bold predictions in Week 9

Sam Howell is held under 200 yards passing

From weeks 2 through 5, Sam Howell was dominating in the passing game, throwing for over 300 yards in each contest. In Week 1, he barely got over 200 yards in primetime on the road against Virginia Tech, and in this primetime matchup, a bold prediction would be for the Irish defense to hold him under 200 yards passing.

The Miami (FL) defense was able to accomplish that before the Tar Heels by week, as he threw for a season-low 154 yards. That was on the heels of only a 203-yard effort against Florida State, a team that let Jack Coan throw all over them in the Irish’s season opener.

Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; The Notre Dame Leprechaun carries a Notre Dame monogram flag after a Notre Dame touchdown in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame football: Reviewing our Week 8 bold predictions vs USC

Ahead of every Notre Dame football game, we take a look at three bold predictions, and here is how we did in their latest matchup against USC.

Of course, if all three of these bold predictions come true, the Irish will likely be on their way to their seventh win of the season. The Tar Heels have talent, and Howell could certainly end up throwing for nearly 300 yards, but the defense was able to harass him all game long in 2020, and this unit is playing at a high level right now.

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