Game Prediction: Stomp Sparty!

Notre Dame Fightin' Irish v. Michigan State Sparty Rockers

Saturday, Sep. 21, 3:30 p.m. ET, Notre Dame, IN

Key Matchup:  Fightin' Irish CB Bennett Jackson v. Sparty Rockers' questionable passing attack - Jackson's season, and his legacy at ND, stands at a crossroads.  I questioned Kelly's move when he named the emerging CB captain after reading about the kid's "me, me, me" attitude all over social media.  Apparently he sees himself as a stud male-model/football player combo?  That self-focus is a dangerous attitude for a captain to carry, especially if it rubs off on his teammates (Mathias Farley doesn't seem too far off in terms of his limelight-loving attitude).  Say what you will about Manti, but the dude simply made everyone around him play better.  No one has stepped into that role this year for the Fighting Irish, and until Jackson earns his "C" a huge gaping hole will remain unfilled (making it all the easier for opposing QBs to find wide open targets).  Let's hope he trades shirtless selfies for more pick-sixes, inspiring his secondary to stop playing so soft and make a damn tackle and/or play on the ball for once.



Fightin' Irish Offense v. Sparty Rocker Defense: UGH! Last week I wrote: "BRIAN KELLY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Your running backs averaged almost SIX YARDS A CARRY against the skunk bears!  Yet you still found a way to abandon the run!  Tommy Gun does not come with unlimited ammo.  This offense is best served when he conserves his bullets by opting to let his backs run out of the pistol rather than take snaps out of the empty set shotgun.  I hope and pray he never throws over 50 passes again in a single game, and if our backs combine for less than 20 carries ever again I will lose my mind."  

Well, I almost lost my mind while watching BK's offense play uninspired against lowly Purdon't.  The only thing that kept me sane was more balance between run/pass plays (35/33).  Still... what's with all the empty sets??  Hopefully Carlisle gets a fair shot at rebounding from a rough night and BK learns to rely on his emerging workhorse Cam McDaniel.  Tommy's late-game leadership was encouraging, but every outcome can't rest on his shoulders.  Utilizing the weapons around him will be key to the rest of the season.  

Fightin' Irish Defense v. Sparty Rocker Offense:  BK's defense looks soft so far this year.  Maybe losing Manti Te'o meant more than everyone expected, because it seems to have taken the life right out of the former top squad in the country.  I'm not seeing much team-first emotional leadership (see discussion of Jackson above), which doesn't bode well as the season wears on.  Someone needs to step up.  Maybe Jackson will set aside the glam shots and focus on leading his teammates rather than worry about whether or not he's trending on twitter at that moment...  Let's hope he and his defense grow up before it's too late. 

Final Outcome:  The Sparty Rockers love to punch ND in the mouth.  When the Fightin' Irish win, it's because they don't flinch.  Rather, they buckle their chinstraps and give it right back to 'em.  Let's see if BK can bring that "FIGHT" back to his Fightin' Irish this week.  If not, 2-2 will signal the beginning of a painful downward spiral.  I have faith, though.  Big Lou Nix and Stephon Tuitt can only stay caged for so long.  They must be getting pissed off by this point, and whatever opposing offense they finally decide to unleash their fury on is in for a world of pain.  If it happens this week, MSU will go home feeling sorry for Sparty Rocking.

Score Prediction:
Fightin' Irish: 31

Sparty Rockers: 13