The University of Notre Dame football team is one day closer to Culver Academy and the start of Team 130’s season. Today we are picking up where we left off. The boys at Wake Up The Echoes, Brandon Micheal Rhodes and Jason Sipe both have the Irish at 6-1 going into the bye week. The boys at Shake Down The Thunder Sports, Jimmy Grant and myself (George Bashura) are split on our mid-season picks. Jimmy has them at 6-1, while I have them at 7-0.
Once again, we will break down the games. The games will have nothing to do with Vegas odds. The picks are straight up from a final score. Our friends at Wake Up The Echoes will once again have a quote from a former Notre Dame Wide Receiver. Will the prognosticators give the Fighting Irish a winning record and a chance at the playoffs or do the prognosticators have them coming up short? Let’s take a look and see how #Team130ItsOurTurn finishes up the season.
ND at Navy 10/27/18
Jimmy-“Navy gave the Fighting Irish issues last year in the rain at Notre Dame. This year it’s beautiful San Diego. The weather is always great there. Navy returns nine starters, and are young. San Diego is a big Navy town, but there will be a big ND contingency at the neutral site.” ND wins 37-20
George-“Coming off a bye week and a prime time game once again. We all know Navy has that potent “Triple Option” play. Who is going to fill Greer Martini’s shoes? 11 tackles in 2016 against Navy and a career 15 tackles in 2017 against Navy. Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo went up him after last years game and asked if he was graduating. Niumatalolo was thrilled when he said yes. ND wins 32-21, Special Teams plays a role in this one.
ND at Northwestern 11/3/18
Jimmy-“The game at Lion”s Field is no tremendous home field advantage. I love Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats have had two consecutive 10 win seasons. Location of this game is key for Notre Dame. It’s a three game gauntlet for Northwestern. Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Iowa. That’s lot of pressure for the Wildcats.” ND wins 31-24.
George-“This can be a cold game after being on the West Coast in SD. November matters to this program. The Irish need to start November off on the right foot. November sets up for the playoffs and every game needs to be played with a playoff mindset from this point forward.” ND wins 31-13
FSU at ND 11/10/18
Jimmy-“FSU last season record was 7-6. Jimbo Fisher exited and this will have a dramatic impact on the team. The 93 National Championship still has a bitter taste to it. There is a lot on the line in this one.” ND wins 24-13
George-“Second weekend in November in SB it’s “hittin” weather. This is the last “home” game for the Seniors as it will be Senior Night. FSU has a swagger to them that just makes me uncomfortable. The need to win for the Seniors, coupled with a need to make the playoffs, it’s an emotional game. Emotions can cause losses.” ND wins on Senior Night 42-39.
Syracuse at ND 11/17/18 (Shamrock Series, Yankee Stadium)
Jimmy-“Syracuse is not a force to be reckoned with. They are self-destructive. Last year they beat Clemson and Pitt, but blown out by several other teams. Dino Babers has his players in place this season. Cuse is on the rise. Cuse is a bowl team, a minor bowl team.” ND wins 34-27.
George-“East Coast ND fans in the home that Jeter built. Cuse is not the football team of old. This also the Seniors last Shamrock Series. East Coast Domers will be in good supply. Playoff minded strategies once again. There is a need to run the table and cannot look ahead the season finale. “Squeeze the Cuse.” ND wins 42-14
ND at USC 11/24/18
Jimmy-“USC brings a new QB and a young team. USC brings back 13 starters. It is not in the Fighting Irish’s favor playing in the “Coliseum”. The Irish have had their fair share of heart breaks at USC. ND is 3-7 in the past 10 visits, though Kelly has two of those wins. USC plays at UCLA, that is in ND’s favor. ND just doesn’t do good on the left coast. USC wins 31-30.
George-“PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS!!!! ND win last year was a stunner. USC didn’t know what happened, ND fans were in shock over such a win. This is not the game to lose. This has the potential to be a prime time game. USC wants revenge and wants to right the wrong of last season. ND wins 35-32. A late ND touchdown gets the victory!
Final Forecast Records
Jimmy- 10-2
George- 12-0
Brandon- 10-2
Jason- 10-2
Well there you have it folks. One of the four has the Irish with a perfect season. Everyone else has them going 10-2. Which still would be good enough for a New Years Six match-up. This has been fun collaborating with our friends at Wake Up The Echoes. I want to thank Brandon for asking me to do this. Normally I would say no, but not this time. There is one thing for sure, win or lose we love our Irish! Thanks for taking your time and for partaking in our the 2018 season preview. Remember use the #Team130ItsOurTurn on all your Irish social media exchanges. Until next time, Cheers and Go Irish!
