With its bowl hopes on the line, Notre Dame faces its toughest test to date when the 7-3 Virginia Tech Hokies visit South Bend for Notre Dame's Senior Day.

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

NOTRE DAME 31, VIRGINIA TECH 23: The 4-6 Fighting Irish will attempt to avoid their first season since the 2-8 debacle in 1960 under head coach Joe Kuharich of not winning at least two games in a row during the season. Meanwhile, 7-3 Virginia Tech has not yet lost two in a row this season, but is coming off a 30-22 loss to Georgia Tech at home.

Because I’m a law of averages guy, I’ll go with both of those streaks coming to an end on Notre Dame’s Senior Day. It’s worth noting that in all 10 Notre Dame games this season, the victor finished with more yards rushing.

VIRGINIA TECH 31, NOTRE DAME 27: I'm torn between what I think should happen based on the talent level of the two teams, and what will happen based on how Notre Dame has played all season. The Irish have a more talented roster, and they hold advantages in most matchups, although Virginia Tech does present some problems. But that was also the case against Texas, Michigan State, Duke, NC State, Stanford and Navy.

I'm with Matt Jones on this when it comes to how this game should play out. Notre Dame should be able to stop Virginia Tech's run game, it should be able to pressure Jerod Evans, i t should be able to run the ball and it should be able to generate big plays. But what it should do and what it will do are two different things, and what should happen hasn't played out this season.

For me, Notre Dame has to show me it can come out and play good football in all three phases of the game for four quarters. If it does that, and protects the ball, tackles well and plays sound football it will win. I just don't think Notre Dame will do that at this point.

NOTRE DAME 35, VIRGINIA TECH 24: I expect Notre Dame to be able to move the ball in this game. Virginia Tech’s defense has been subpar on the road this season, allowing 4.4 yards per carry (just 3.06 at home). DeShone Kizer, Josh Adams and Notre Dame’s massive offensive line will find success running against the Hokies.

Notre Dame fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones should have his way with the interior of Virginia Tech’s offensive line, similar to what Jones did against Miami (six tackles for loss). I expect the Irish to shut down Virginia Tech’s already limited rushing attack — which ranks 52nd in the country at 186.1 ypg — led by junior quarterback Jerod Evans (60.8 ypg rushing). Forced to throw, Evans will connect on some deep passes, but Notre Dame’s young defensive backs can match up with Virginia Tech’s receivers.

This game has no impact on Virginia Tech’s season. The Hokies only need a win in their regular-season finale against rival Virginia to win the ACC’s Coastal Division. Notre Dame is in must-win mode to reach a bowl game, and this game will come down to the line of scrimmage, where the Irish simply have more talent than the Hokies.

VIRGINIA TECH 31, NOTRE DAME 27: The Hokies could present several problems for the Irish on the offensive side of the ball. Jerod Evans is a dual-threat quarterback who is having a very good year throwing for over 2,000 yards, 21 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding almost 500 yards on the ground. He can struggle with his accuracy at times, but has two very good targets to throw to in wide receiver Isaiah Ford and and 6-foot-7, 245-pound Bucky Hodges. Will the Irish be able to matchup with the size of Hodges on the outside? Notre Dame’s defense has been better, but shutting down Ford and Hodges in the passing game could be too much to handle.

Virginia Tech has been statistically solid on defense, but has been prone to giving up yards and inconsistency. Good performances of under 200 yards allowed versus Boston College and North Carolina have been negated by 500 yards allowed against Syracuse and over 450 against Pittsburgh. Can the Irish put back-to-back complete games together? It hasn’t done so all season and the Irish will need to be sound in all three phases in order to come one game closer to gaining bowl eligibility.

Establishing the run game will go a long way in helping Notre Dame continue the offensive success it experience against Army. A solid run game will open up the play-action pass and the overall passing game for DeShone Kizer.

Virginia Tech is arguably the best team Notre Dame has faced this season and will have a ton of motivation for winning this one. But the Irish make one too many mistakes and come up short in a close game yet again in 2016.

VIRGINIA TECH 34, NOTRE DAME 31: Having spent the last two weeks facing option opponents, it will be interesting to see what happens when this Notre Dame defense lines up against a more traditional offense again. Virginia Tech has been good in spurts this season, and has had some bad stretches as well.

From talking with them, you can tell that this a game that Notre Dame players desperately want to win to attempt to somewhat change the narrative of this season. Beating a solid opponent like Virginia Tech on Senior Day would be a big step in the right direction for this team, but I don't see it happening.

Notre Dame has struggled in close games all year, and I certainly don't foresee them blowing the Hokies out.

----

• Talk about it inside Rockne's Roundtable

• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes

• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue & Gold Illustrated.

• Follow us on Twitter: @BGINews, @BGI_LouSomogyi, @BGI_CoachD, @BGI_MattJones and @BGI_CoreyBodden.

• Like us on Facebook.