The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are one of just three teams (No. 7 Washington and No. 20 Kentucky are the other two) in the Associated Press Top 25 that is facing four consecutive ranked teams this season. After losing to No. 6 Ohio State two weeks ago and defeating No. 17 Duke last weekend, the Fighting Irish take on the No. 25 Louisville Cardinals in prime time on Saturday night. Following this weekend’s clash, Notre Dame hosts the No. 9 USC Trojans on Oct. 14.
With four consecutive showdowns against top-ranked teams, the Fighting Irish are amid a span of games that would test the mettle of any program in the country. At 5-1, the Fighting Irish head into Saturday’s match-up against Louisville as a battle-tested squad. It’s a good thing as the next two games harbor the potential to define Notre Dame’s season.
Fighting Irish Favored on the Road
Facing the Cardinals, another Atlantic Coast Conference opponent, on their home turf will be no easy task. Louisville, 5-0 for the first time since 2013, will be playing in front of a sold-out stadium for the first time since its 2019 matchup with the Irish. Notre Dame has won two of the last three games against the Cardinals, and the Irish are a six-and-a-half-point favorite on Saturday.
Irish quarterback Sam Hartman has performed admirably through the first six games. He has been efficient, and decisive in his decision-making, and he takes care of the football. This season, Hartman has thrown for 1,458 yards, connecting on 96 of 145 throws. He has thrown 14 touchdowns and most importantly, he has not thrown an interception.
In the come-from-behind win at Duke, Hartman’s late-game heroics kept the Irish alive. Facing a crucial fourth and 16 in the waning moments, Hartman dropped back to pass. Unable to spot an open receiver, he scrambled. Despite Duke’s success in containing Notre Dame’s potent rushing attack, Hartman evaded Duke’s defenders long enough to extend the game. He rushed for 17 yards, resulting in a fresh set of downs. Two snaps later, an Audric Estime touchdown put the Irish ahead to stay.
All told on the season, the Fighting Irish have gained 2,767 yards on offense. Notre Dame has scored 16 passing touchdowns and 12 on the ground. Estime has led the running game with 95 carries for 672 yards (7.1 average) and seven touchdowns. Against Duke, he rushed for 81 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. The Irish have racked up 130 first downs this year, and they have committed 39 infractions for 320 yards. They have turned the ball over just twice this year.
What to Expect from the Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals have become a pass-first team under first-year head coach Jeff Brohm, a star quarterback for Louisville (1989-93) under the late Howard Schnellenberger. Brohm went on to play professionally in the NFL and XFL before returning to the sidelines as a coach. He spent the previous four seasons at Purdue—recording an overall record of 36-34 before taking over the Louisville program when Scott Satterfield left for Cincinnati.
In ushering in a new era at Louisville, Brohm brought in California graduate Jack Plummer at quarterback. Brohm and Plummer know each other well. Plummer spent his first four seasons with Brohm at Purdue and then spent one season with the Golden Bears. In his lone season at California, Plummer threw for 3,095 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. This season, Plummer has completed 86 of 132 attempts (65.2 percent) for 1,406 yards. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Plummer struggled in last week’s win over NC State. He threw two interceptions to just a single touchdown and completed just 60 percent of his passes. A similar performance against a stout Notre Dame defense likely won’t be enough to upset the Irish. Notre Dame’s defense allows an average of just 12.5 points per game and ranks 11th in the country, allowing just 271 yards per game through the first six games. The Irish are fourth in passing yards allowed (146.8 yards per game) and 52nd in rushing yards allowed (124.2 yards per game).
Jawhar Jordan anchors Louisville’s rushing attack. The Syracuse transfer accumulated 815 yards for the Cardinals last year. This season, he has carried the ball 66 times for 510 yards (7.7-yard average) with six rushing touchdowns. He is also effective in catching the ball out of the backfield. He boasts seven receptions for 159 yards and a score. Like Plummer, Jordan also struggled in last week’s game. He rushed for just 32 yards on 16 carries with the longest run going for just eight yards.
Irish Need to Make a Statement
Saturday’s game against an ascending Louisville squad is an important one for Notre Dame. With the Cardinals trending in the right direction, and Notre Dame at a critical juncture in its season, the Fighting Irish have a golden opportunity to keep their slim College Football Playoff aspirations alive. A statement victory over a top-ranked Louisville team that is sure to come out firing will secure their spot among the country’s elite teams with the formidable USC Trojans up next.
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