Final score prediction for Notre Dame vs. Boise State matchup: Can HC Marcus Freeman avoid an upset bid against the Broncos?
Notre Dame football will be welcoming Boise State to South Bend on Saturday. Here is everything you need to know, including a final score prediction.
After beginning the year with a 0-2 record, Notre Dame football has gotten back to its winning ways in each of the last two weeks. It was an ugly victory against the Purdue Boilermakers, but head coach Marcus Freeman’s squad put together a complete performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the team’s 56 to 13 victory. That was a positive sign, and the Fighting Irish faithful are hopeful it was a great sign of growth and stability.
The team now welcomes the Boise State Broncos to South Bend, which promises to be a very unique and interesting matchup. The Broncos offense is going to come in and try to run the football at a high clip, led by the trio of Dylan Riley, Sire Gaines, and Malik Sherrod. That rushing attack is averaging over 220 yards on the ground so far, and will do its best to get quarterback Maddux Madsen comfortable.
For the Notre Dame defense under defensive coordinator Chris Ash, they will need to prove that the progress we saw in the second half against Arkansas was sustainable. The pass defense has been more of the issue, but there is a possibility that they could be welcoming back All-American cornerback Leonard Moore from injury. It will be interesting to see if Boise State allows Madsen to test the secondary early on, or if they try to get the running game going. The Irish will need to be ready for anything, including some trick plays.
When you compare the Notre Dame offense to the Boise State defense, that is where the biggest advantage lies. As always, it will be important for the Irish to get their running game going with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Quarterback CJ Carr is riding a lot of momentum over the last couple of weeks, and has a matchup against the Broncos that he should be able to exploit. Continuing that tremendous play by getting the likes of Malachi Fields and Jordan Faison the football could prove to be the biggest separator on Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium.
Boise State Snapshot
- Tied with Oklahoma as the 2nd most winningest team in CFB since 2000 (219 wins)
- Spencer Danielson holds an 18-4 overall record as Boise State’s head coach
- Playoff berth during the 2024 CFB season
- Boise State’s famous “Blue Turf” originally installed back in 1986
- Became an FBS team back in 1996 when moving from the Big Sky conference to the Big West
Final Score Prediction
Notre Dame 38, Boise State 17
We know that Notre Dame is going to be able to score. While the Broncos present a unique challenge, their defense isn’t good enough to hold down the Irish attack for too long, unless the offense shoots itself in the foot a bit. Whether it does or not, this game will be about the defense under Ash. Did this team start to figure something out last week in the second half against Arkansas, or are things broken beyond repair? I’m going to do my best to be optimistic that growth is happening.
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