Notre Dame has earned an opportunity to host a home game in the first round of the playoffs and their opponent will be in-state rival Indiana. However, the Irish have an opportunity to go deep in the playoffs and could even win it all. This has probably been the best side in South Bend since 1990 which had a great chance of winning it all, but this version has been clicking on all cylinders ever since the loss to Northern Illinois. They have won convincingly against ranked opponents and crushing the ones who were not. However, with the playoffs happening, Notre Dame will have to face some really great teams from around the country. So, how can the Irish go deep or even win it all? This article will take a look at that.
The Running Game
One of the most dangerous aspects of Notre Dame's offense is the running game. The Irish boast two running backs who average over seven yards a carry and 22 touchdowns combined on the season. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been a lethal duo for Notre Dame this season as they have been very hard to beat. Price technically has a better yard per carry rate than Love, but with 45 less carries. Love has been an absolute monster on the ground as well as a problem for any opposing defenses. Then there is Riley Leonard whose legs have absolutely made opposing defenses frustrated. While the yards per carry (5.8) aren't as good as Love and Price, he has rushed for the second most yards on the team (721), carries (124), and touchdowns (14). With those three guys, the Irish should have a fighting chance in every game they play this postseason. It's like a three headed monster
Speaking Of Riley Leonard
Even without his legs aspect of his game, Leonard has been on fire the last 10 games and has been a huge reason for why Notre Dame hasn't lost a game since. Since Week 3, Leonard has been the seventh best quarterback nationally just based on Total QBR. He has completed 68% of his passes and as well as thrown for 16 touchdowns, plus only allowing only three interceptions. He might not have the arm quite like fans were hoping for, but he's been efficient.
The Defense
This defense is absolutely elite. When looking at the names for the Irish, it's jaw dropping at some of the names being listed as it goes to show how good they really are. The defensive line boasts Rylie Mills, Donovan Hinish, Howard Cross III, and Junior Tuihalamaka and those four are imposing enough. The linebackers employ Jack Kiser, Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, and Jaylen Sneed as that already sounds like a corps filled with All-Pros. Then in the secondary, despite the injury to Benjamin Morrison, has been great as well with Xavier Watts, Christian Gray, Adon Shuler, and Leonard Moore. That sounds like a lock down secondary right there. It is going to be difficult for any offense to play this defense as elite doesn't even describe how good this unit is. Al Golden has done a great job as the defensive coordinator and it feels like that this defense is going to be even better in the future under his leadership.
Finally Getting Healthy
Injuries has been an issue for the Irish all season long. That being said, this is a sport of bumps and bruises and injuries happen. So, with the couple of weeks of having off, the injuries should be healed. Even to certain key players like Billy Schrauth, Jeremiyah Love, Kahanu Kia, or even Howard Cross could really be the big difference going into these playoffs. Rest always helps and getting the key players at full health might be the reason for why this team goes deep.
Notre Dame Is Red Hot
Winning 10 games in a row is no joke. Even after losing that pitiful game against Northern Illinois, every contest afterwards has been a playoff like matchup as this team recognized that another loss probably would've cost them at a higher seed let alone even a playoff berth. However, the Irish have shown to dominate when needed to and win comfortably against teams that are better than the worse ones on Notre Dame's schedule. They have shown how good to really be and being that red hot is hard to beat. The only thing that seems to be stopping them? The time between their last game played to their first playoff matchup. Football isn't like baseball where it's about timing and rhythm, so that point is just about moot.
The Side Of The Bracket Is Favorable
Notre Dame getting this seeding is actually favorable towards them. Indiana is a good defensive team and have a strong quarterback, but the Irish have seen that all season long and proven to defeat that, plus the Hoosiers haven't played a team as difficult as Notre Dame except Ohio State which they lost to. If the Irish were to win, they take on Georgia who hasn't been particularly as strong as seasons past, they are still missing their top quarterback Carson Beck, which makes things favorable. Then after that it's either between the three of Boise State, Penn State, and SMU. All three of these teams are beatable as Boise State is clearly the weakest of all the conference sides and SMU played against a weak ACC. Penn State was a good team all year, but when playing the elite sides have shown to be vulnerable. The playoffs might be a crapshoot, but this seems like a favorable ride to the championship. Plus, on the other side of the bracket, outside of Oregon, all these sides look beatable. And speaking of crapshoots, if someone beats Oregon before they make it to the championship, then it's anyone's to win. Even if Oregon looks scary, are they actually that much better than the Irish? Again, playoffs are crapshoots and Notre Dame can win it on a good day. With all the confidence in the world, the Irish have a great chance against anyone in these playoffs.
So there you have it, that's why Notre Dame can make a deep run or even win a national championship. That being said, the Irish need to stick to what they do and not to take anyone for granted. Confidence certainly helps, but as red hot as they are, a championship parade in South Bend is possible.
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