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Five questions Notre Dame needs to answer to defeat NC State

michael chen
·4 min read
4

For the first time all year, the competition level for Notre Dame football is closer for everyone to really get an idea of how good this team really is.

After trouncing Navy and Tennessee State, the Irish have to hit the road for the first time this year (I know the game against the Midshipmen wasn’t in South Bend, but it was still considered a home game) to face NC State.

The Wolfpack present different problems that Notre Dame will have to solve on Saturday morning. Here are five questions that the Irish will have to answer for them to come out with their third win to start the season.

Will the weather have an impact?

Why

There is a potential for rain while the game is in progress and that could mean the ball could be a bit slippery. Does this shut down the Irish aerial attack and force them to run the ball more? This might not bad, but it still could be a factor. It works the same for the Wolfpack, although they might still have issues moving the ball without bad weather.

Will Sam Hartman’s struggles against NC State reappear?

Why

As Nick Shepkowski pointed out earlier this week, Hartman hasn’t been at his best against the Wolfpack. A loss in 2022 with three interceptions thrown, a win in 2021, but three picks in that game as well. Another loss in 2020 magnifies the transfer struggles. What Hartman didn’t have when he faced the Wolfpack before was this support cast. This Notre Dame team is significantly better than any of his Wake Forest losses. I don’t think Hartman will struggle this go around, but there is a history of it.

Will the defense allow a touchdown?

Why

This once again goes back to level of competition, which the Irish have owned in their first two games. Just a pair of field goals have been allowed and if that streak continues, so does the winning. The Wolfpack offense isn’t high powered, although Brennan Armstrong has a lot of experience, he’s had varying degrees of success. The Virginia transfer won’t make things easy on the Irish defense and they have enough weapons to find the end zone.

Can the Irish stop the Wolfpack ground attack?

Why

It was a surprise for me to see that NC State has rushed for more yards per game than the Irish, albeit a small sample size. UConn won’t ever be confused with a championship-caliber team, but they still didn’t just roll over in the season opener. If Notre Dame can stop the run and make their offense one-dimensional, they should be able to return to South Bend with a win.

Will another receiver emerge?

Why

Teams are starting to see which targets, Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse, Hartman likes to go to. Coverages are going to start moving their way, so for the success through the air to continue, someone else is going to have to emerge. Chris Tyree has done a solid job in moving out wide, he’s the guy that I see making the move. This many not even matter as Hartman will throw to whoever is open, even in bad conditions. Another option at receiver however, isn’t a bad idea.

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Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire