Welcome to part two of Shake Down The Thunder Sports prognostication pre-season pick’em. Jimmy Grant had the Irish 5-1 at the bye I had Georgia losing to put the Irish at 6-0. The Irish coming off the bye week resume with a game at Michigan. A road game at Duke and they finish with a road game at Stanford. If the Irish are going to make the playoffs, they are going to have to make the road their home again.
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Week Nine/Game Seven: Notre Dame At Michigan
Jimmy
Harbaugh is horrible in big games against “rival” opponents. The Wolverines have a brutal schedule. They play Penn St just before ND.
Jimmy chooses ND 20-17 (game possibly won in OT)
George
There is a lot of hoopla around Michigan being a playoff team. The Irish definitely need to win this game in a hostile environment. 100,000 plus screaming can make a big difference in Book’s call at the line. ND will have to prepare for the noise of the “Big House” in Ann Arbor. Their “12th Man” is going to be a factor for sure.
George chooses ND 28-24
Week Ten/Game Eight: Virginia Tech At Notre Dame
Jimmy
The Hokiess will be a better team than last year. VT went 6-7 and return 17 starters from last season. ND is still a better team.
Jimmy chooses the Irish 30-20
George
The Hokies just want to beat the Irish. The first viewing of the CFP rankings will come out after this game. The Irish need another decisive win to impress the committee.
George chooses ND 36-21
Week Eleven/Game Nine: Notre Dame At Duke
Jimmy
Duke will drop in the ACC this year. Duke lost their QB to the NY Giants in the draft in 2019. They are definitely in a rebuild phase. The Blue Devils return 13 starters and there is a strong possibility of large ND crowd.
Jimmy Chooses ND 37-20
George
The Irish need to play Duke as a “faceless opponent” if they are to come away with a victory. They simply need to execute. Also, ND fans will be praying and hanging a rosary as they do not want rain again on a NC region football game. This has happened the last three year against opponents in the RDU (Raleigh-Durham Airport) area.
George chooses ND 42-17
Week Twelve/Game Ten: Navy At Notre Dame
Jimmy
Navy was 2-10 last year. the return 7 starters. Navy needs to re-tool and re-establish themselves in the football arena.
Jimmy chooses ND 38-9
George
Navy versus ND is still a game of respect. Navy will be happy that the triple-option threat on the defense is gone. The question will be, who on the defense will step into the triple-option whisperer? Execution and discipline will enable a good Irish victory.
George chooses ND 38-9
Week Thirteen/Game Eleven: Boston College At Notre Dame
Jimmy
BC is a middle of the road team. The Eagles are 38-38 the past seven years. They are returning 11 starters.
Jimmy chooses ND 33-24
George
This is always a big game for BC. BC always play the Irish tough and give them fits. This has the potential to be a season maker for BC. This is an important game for ND as it is also Senior Day. Emotions will be high bu the Irish persevere and continue their march on the CFP.
George chooses ND 42-27
Week Fourteen/Game Twelve: Notre Dame At Stanford
Jimmy
Stanford hasn’t had a double digit winning season for the last two years. Stanford is running in the middle of the PAC 12. They play at Washington St, home versus Cal then home against ND. That is a tough gauntlet to run. ND is better on paper. I am not sure if Stanford has the playmakers.
Jimmy chooses ND 27-20
George
Academically ND and Stanford are in the same boat. They both have high academic standards. Stanford always plays ND tough and ND will have a lot on the line in this one. A possible CFP bid may be on the line. Keeping the “Legends Trophy” on it’s perch in the “Gug” is a must.
George chooses ND 38-24 (securing a bid to the CFP 2019/2020 playoff)
Season Wrap Up
So there you have it. The second annual prognostication pick’em is complete. Jimmy has the Irish 11-1 (hoping they are really 12-0). George has gone with another 12-0 season for the Fightin’ Irish. This team has been hungry since they lost in the Cotton Bowl against Clemson. Book is going to lead this team like it has never been led before. The remaining Captain’s are going to hold everyone else accountable as well. Fans have been looking for change and this team will deliver it. Here is to another great season!
#Team131LetsGetItDone
Go Irish! ☘🏈⚡
