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Notre Dame football: Keys to victory against Oklahoma State

By Brad Weiss

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. (21) runs the ball as USC Trojans safety Xavion Alford (29) attempts to tackle in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 3 Keys to victory against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl

Take shots downfield

Throughout the 2021 season, we got to see the Irish utilize the vertical passing game a bit more, opening up games with talent like Lorenzo Styles Jr., Braden Lenzy, and Kevin Austin Jr. The Irish need to get that going early on against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, especially with the team being without running back Kyren Williams due to him sitting out after declaring for the NFL Draft.

Notre Dame is going with young running backs in Chris Tyree, Logan Diggs, and Audric Estime, and they should find easier sledding if the Irish offense can soften the defense with deep passes. Whether Jack Coan or Tyler Buchner, the Irish have to take some chances against this Cowboys defense, especially with how good Oklahoma State can be against the run.

Will the Irish take down the Cowboys to win the head coaching debut for Freeman? Or will they suffer another tough loss in a big-time bowl game? One thing is for sure, the Irish have a golden opportunity to change the narrative surrounding the program in this one, and seem to have enough talent on both sides of the ball to finish their season with their eighth straight victory.

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