BGI Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Texas

The 2016 season is upon us, and this weekend the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Texas Longhorns in the program's first true road opener since 2006.

Notre Dame enters the season ranked 9th in the preseason USA Today Coach's Poll and 10th in the preseason AP Poll. That puts the Irish squarely in position to make a run at the College Football Playoffs, but the Longhorns will look to stop Notre Dame in its tracks Sunday night.

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

NOTRE DAME 23, TEXAS 20: When I look at this matchup strictly from an “on paper” perspective and the offensive and defensive lines versus each other, I can see a double digit Notre Dame victory. What I fear is the law of averages because Notre Dame is 4-0 in Austin, an amazing 9-2 overall against the Longhorns — and eight of the nine wins have been by double digits (21.2 points have been Notre Dame’s average margin of victory in this series). Thus, I envision it becoming a white knuckler this time, like the last meeting in Austin (1996) when the Irish had to rally in the fourth quarter for a 27-24 win as time expired. Just get the W, because this is a game I have been leery about since last year.

NOTRE DAME 34, TEXAS 20: This is not the same Texas team that Notre Dame throttled 38-3 to start the 2015 season. Texas is athletic and should be able to run the football with more effectiveness than it did last season, when Notre Dame held it to just 60 yards on the ground. Notre Dame will give up some yards, but Texas won't be able to control the line of scrimmage and the Irish defense will force the Longhorns to go to the air more than they want. Notre Dame's offense will come out early and hit some quick throws on the perimeter to loosen up the Texas defense, which will then open up a ground attack that will wear the Longhorns down in the second half.

(Note: I predicted 31-20 in the recent magazine edition, but feel Notre Dame wins by a bit more)

NOTRE DAME 27, TEXAS 21: I expect both quarterbacks DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire to sputter early, failing to settle into their individual games. I look for the Irish rushing attack to carry the team early, racking up yards against a young Texas front. After some halftime adjustments, the quarterbacks find their groove and Notre Dame gives itself some breathing room, though Texas will have its chances to score. Brian VanGorder’s defense won’t steal the show, but they’ll do enough to escape with a tough road victory.

NOTRE DAME 34, TEXAS 24: Both teams will be using two quarterbacks in this game and I think both teams will struggle a little to start off given the possible switching of quarterbacks early on. The difference is Notre Dame has two really talented guys at quarterback and won’t have to change the offense when either one is in. Texas can’t say the same with Shane Buechele and Tyrone Swoopes. Notre Dame will eventually find consistency on offense and will hold off the Longhorns and win a tough game in Austin.

NOTRE DAME 27, TEXAS 17: Anything can happen in college football, especially in week one. It’s certainly possible that Texas could pull the upset on Notre Dame, but it isn’t likely. The Notre Dame offensive line is huge, and should dominate in the trenches against the Longhorns. That will open up things for the Irish’s stable of running backs, and in turn, open things up in the passing game for quarterbacks Malik Zaire and Deshone Kizer. A strong defensive backfield should stymie Texas’ offense and help the Irish start the season with an impressive road win.

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