(Photo: Chad Ryan)
It’s now game six, and Notre Dame has won three straight. This week, the Irish host a 4-2 NC State team in South Bend. Here’s how the Fighting Irish Preview staff sees it playing out:
Phillip Houk – Senior Editor
Just in case you’ve missed every video, article, and social media post I’ve done this week, I’ll repeat: defense is back in style in South Bend!
And I’m pretty sure NC State quarterback CJ Bailey is going to learn the truth of that statement by the end of this one. Add in ample opportunities for CJ Carr, the Love-and-Price show, and Notre Dame’s stellar receiving corps against a middling Wolfpack defense, and the Irish will roll.
And for the love of all things holy: Bonus prediction: the Irish will clean up those penalties that plagued last week’s game, and I’m happier in my post game video.
Prediction: Notre Dame 42, NC State 17
Caleb Conrad – Staff Intern
The Irish have now won three straight and have had a complete momentum shift after losing their first two games. CJ Carr and the Irish offense have been firing on all cylinders, and I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon.
Chris Ash and the defense have done a complete 180 and now look more like what everyone expected before the season. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey has 13 touchdowns and four interceptions so far; look for the Irish secondary to add an interception or two to that stat line.
NC State is not a team to overlook, but Notre Dame will ride the momentum and get a blowout win in South Bend.
Prediction: Notre Dame 52, NC State 14
Jesse Craig – Webmaster
I’ve been back and forth on this one. I have a gut feeling this game may be uglier than we hope when looking at the spread.
NC State’s much-maligned defense is getting an emotional boost with their defensive coordinator returning after the tragedy that struck his family. I expect an inspired game from NC State and maybe a few defensive struggles reappearing for the Irish, who might be peeking ahead to USC.
Irish win—but don’t cover.
Prediction: Notre Dame 40, NC State 27
Chad Ryan – Photojournalist / Multimedia Editor
Could this be a battle of the CJs?
NC State’s CJ Bailey boasts a 75% completion rate, leading an offense averaging 38 points per game. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr isn’t far behind at 67%, with the Irish averaging 43 ppg. Passing yards per game are about equal. Bailey has thrown for 13 touchdowns versus four interceptions; Carr has 11 and two.
With the resurgence of Notre Dame’s secondary and the pressure Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young bring—plus the one-two punch of Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price—I’m saying advantage Notre Dame.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, NC State 20
Connor Fitzharris – Staff Writer
All of the heat was on Chris Ash and the Irish defense through two weeks, and they’ve responded in a big way. There’s no doubt QB CJ Bailey is a heck of an athlete, but this is also a team that lost to Virginia Tech at home a few weeks back.
The Irish simply have too many weapons and too much firepower on both sides of the ball. Carr, Love, Price, and the rest of the offense continue to steam past opposing defenses.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, NC State 10
Adam Schenkel – Producer / Audio Editor
Notre Dame’s defense appears to have stabilized after some early-season inconsistencies, showing signs that they’ve righted the ship.
While the offense seemed to take a slight step back last week, the overall talent and depth still put the Irish comfortably ahead of a mediocre NC State team. Expect Notre Dame to control the game on both sides of the ball from start to finish.
Prediction: Notre Dame 35, NC State 13
AJ Houk – Photojournalist / Director of Brand Strategy
The theme this week for every unit on Notre Dame’s roster is simple: keep improving.
The offense needs to clean things up and stay sharp. The defense? Keep building on what we saw last week. And special teams—keep being the spark that flips the game.
The Irish are a three-score favorite for a reason, and if this team keeps trending the right way, this one should be wrapped up before the fourth quarter even rolls around.
Prediction: Notre Dame 42, NC State 10