The Anti-Preview: Notre Dame VS North Carolina

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish head into their last game of the first half of the season relatively healthy, but with enough battle wounds to raise an eyebrow or two. The running backs have been incredibly productive with Josh Adams leading the way, and fourth string running back, Deon McIntosh, carrying the ball a majority of times the last two games.

The wonderful @phillykelly

Yeah, it’s been that weird. Notre Dame is 4-1, running the ball incredibly well, developing a Heisman-worthy running back, and hasn’t allowed more than 20 points to an opposing team. There’s all sorts of other non-Notre Dame like stats (at least for the last 15 years) but not all of them are good.

The passing game has been “not great” but also “not horrible.” Brandon Wimbush is going through a learning process that we all hope gets a little smoother. Wimbush is a little banged up as well, and I suppose there is still real questions about how much he will even play Saturday against...

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS

North Carolina is having the opposite season to Notre Dame. They are 1-4 on the season with their lone win coming against Old Dominion. Instead of being “banged up,” the Tar Heels have basically walked their entire team over a field of land mines and lost about 13 (or more) players.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

That’s INSANE for a football team for an entire season - let alone before the halfway point. I wish I held the same disdain for their football team as I do their basketball team, but a Butch Davis-less North Carolina falls short on that radar.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DRINKING?

We’re diving deep into North Carolina culture here with the soft drink, Cheerwine, and the Cheerwine Cocktail. There are two different ways to make it (either with gin or with bourbon) and seeing how the next game is USC, we’ll go with the bourbon version.

Cheerwine Bourbon Cocktail

• 1 part bourbon
• 3 parts Cheerwine
• splash of lime juice (about ¼ ounce)
• optional garnish: lime wedge and/or maraschino cherry

Pour bourbon and Cheerwine in a mason jar over ice. Splash with lime juice and stir well to combine. Garnish with maraschino cherry and lime wedge, if desired.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE EATING?

Two of my favorite things are going on this week; 1) trip to beautiful North Carolina 2) National Taco Day. Thankfully, I can do at least one of these things. (Just remember BURRITO > TACO 4EVER).

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE WEARING

I don’t want to spoil Jude’s upcoming weather report - but it’s going to be really fucking hot on Saturday in Chapel Hill. I’ll let the ladies figure out their own outfit, but fellas... if you haven’t already found joy in a pair of Chubbies, perhaps now is the right time to put them to work.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS GAME?

Honestly, I’m not really sure. The Heels are about as downtrodden this season as any Power 5 team, but even in their losses, they put up a hell of a fight. That’s generally bad news for Notre Dame.

But at least there is this:

5 REASONS TO HATE NORTH CAROLINA

1. 2008 Game
2. Greg Little
3. Basketball
4. For not winning more this season
5. Bathroom politics

SHAMROCK STARS

Ian Book. SURPRISE! I think that no matter if Wimbush starts the game or not, Ian Book will see plenty of snaps. Book uses these snaps to help create a ridiculous “quarterback controversy,” that really won’t exist outside of the minds of overzealous fans and lazy journalists.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Shaun Crawford. Crawford was pretty quiet against Miami - a little too quiet. One thing leads to another and Shaun Crawford does Shaun Crawford things (which is making up for last weeks Shamrock Stars pick).

AT THE END OF THE DAY...

Notre Dame is really putting together a dream season on the ground, and the Tar Heels haven’t been able to stop anyone using said ground. The Irish run all over this one: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 17.