BGI Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Duke

Notre Dame will look to even up its record this weekend when it hosts the 1-2 Duke Blue Devils. The Irish are the heavy favorites, but its scuffling defense could make this one interesting.

The Blue & Gold Illustrated staff has broken down this weekend's matchup, and now it is time to make some predictions:

NOTRE DAME 38, DUKE 13: If Notre Dame can own Duke in basketball — Mike Brey is 4-1 against Coach K the past five meetings, while the women have won 10 straight against the once ACC dominant team — then it should especially prosper on the gridiron.

I’ve been on the law of averages bandwagon. Texas was “due” with its 2-9 record against Notre Dame, including 0-4 in Austin. Michigan State was “due” after losing the last three to the Irish. Now Notre Dame, which joins Nevada as the only teams not to record a sack this year, is due for about three or four against the Blue Devils. Duke has some strong personnel in the secondary, but the line of scrimmage is where Notre Dame should be in control and get a Nevada-like result.

NOTRE DAME 44, DUKE 24: Duke has really struggled to run the ball in the early going, at least against FBS opponents. The Irish should be able to shut down the Duke offense, but the Notre Dame defense has not been very good thus far in the 2016 season. If the Irish can get right defensively, they can hold Duke well under 24 points, despite the Blue Devils having a strong-armed quarterback and a talented group of pass catchers.

Where Notre Dame should most dominate is with its offense against an undermanned Duke front. Notre Dame should be able to control the line of scrimmage, run the ball with ease and create a number of home run opportunities with its pass game. A clean game by the Notre Dame offense should result in this game being a blowout. If we see what we have the first three weeks, this game could be far more competitive than it should.

NOTRE DAME 38, DUKE 13: I picture a game much like Nevada in which Notre Dame asserts itself early and coasts the rest of the way, giving its young players snaps in the second half. Don’t expect Duke to put up much of a fight against DeShone Kizer and the Irish offense, with the running game again going over 200 yards. Defensively, the Blue Devils’ limited offense won’t be able to challenge the Notre Dame defense.

NOTRE DAME 38, DUKE 10: Blue Devils quarterback Daniel Jones can spread the ball around, but Duke has not had much success running the ball this season. Duke will have to be balanced in order to defeat the Irish in South Bend. It should be expected Notre Dame will prepare well for the pass and force Duke to run the ball to be effective overall on offense. Unless the Irish come out flat following the Michigan State game, it should be an easy double-digit victory for Brian Kelly and company.

NOTRE DAME 49, DUKE 20: Notre Dame is struggling, yes. I think we can all admit that. But it’s not as bad as it could be. However, if Notre Dame were to somehow drop a home game to Duke, the season would be effectively lost. I don’t see that happening. Notre Dame has a few games coming up that will give them a chance to build some confidence before heading to Stanford on Oct. 15 ,and it starts this weekend. The DeShone Kizer-led offense will over power the Blue Devils, even if Duke can sneak in a few touchdowns on the suspect and ever-thinning Notre Dame secondary.