Three keys and prediction: Notre Dame-Temple

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1. Generate explosive plays. Temple’s defense is holding opponents to 4.38 yards per play, the 10th-best rate among FBS teams. Notre Dame’s offense is largely predicated on big plays, whether it’s running back C.J. Prosise ripping off 25-plus-yard runs or Will Fuller gouging secondaries for big touchdowns. The worry for Notre Dame is how it’s struggled in short-yardage situations, where Temple’s defense excels. That’s a problem that could be exacerbated on Saturday, and if the Irish offense can’t make up for those short-yardage woes with big plays, it could be a struggle to put up points.

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2. Don’t let Temple's offense be something it's not. Notre Dame’s defense is prone to allowing big plays, especially on gadget plays — they’ve been burned on three of those this year — but Temple isn’t an explosive offense. The Owls have only eight plays of 30 or more yards in seven games, the third-lowest total among FBS teams. That would seem to be good news for a Notre Dame defense that’s allowed 18 plays of 30 or more yards (92nd in FBS). Temple likely won’t be able to grind out long drives given opponents have only converted 29 percent of their third down tries against Notre Dame (12th in FBS), so as long as an offense that’s usually not explosive isn’t on Saturday, the Irish defense should be fine.

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3. Assert your athleticism. Temple has only signed three four-star recruits since Matt Rhule took over after the 2012 season, while Notre Dame signed 52 four- and five-star high schoolers in the same span. Whether it’s on offense, defense, or special teams — where freshman C.J. Sanders could make an impact Saturday — Notre Dame has the athleticism to overcome a few mistakes if need be.

Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Temple 21

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