Staff Picks: #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Bowling Green Falcons

It’s a dirty week. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Bowling Green Falcons — one of the absolute worst teams in college football. If it wasn’t for the return of Brian VanGorder, we would have even less to look forward to on Saturday.

A home slate that includes New Mexico, Navy , and Bowling Green you said... what a waste.

We better get to the staff picks before I get myself in trouble...

Bobby Norell

Notre Dame 61, Bowling Green 10

I expect Ian Book and the Notre Dame offense to get back on track and have similar results as the New Mexico game. BVG is the Bowling Green DC, so that should spot ND 30ish points. The talent gap should cover the other 31. The Irish look dominant going into the big one next week against USC.

Indiana Hoosiers 479, Bye Week 0

The Hoosiers are going to DOMINATE the bye week. Merely a tune-up for that showdown with Rutger next weekend. #9WINDIANA is still happening.

Philip Gough

Notre Dame 62, Bowling Green 13

I expect Notre Dame to do the opposite of Ball State last year. The focus was on trying to establish Wimbush as a pocket passer as opposed to letting him focus on what he is good at. I think they get Ian Book back to basics and have him hitting the shorter timing and crossing routes. Fans will probably then be calling for him to chuck it deep, but he will spread the ball around via short/intermediate routes. Look for big YACs all around this week and for the Irish to win easily and hopefully come out healthy.

Holy Cross 20, Bucknell 13

A bit of a slow game that Holy Cross guts out. This is a MUST win game for the Crusaders as they start Patriot League play. Their offense has yet to get going and I can’t predict any real points until they show me something. Both squads are a bit of an unknown as their collective losses have been against 3 1A teams and some of the top teams in 1AA. Big week folks, big week.

Lisa Kelly

Notre Dame 58 - Bowling Green 9

After two straight tough games the Irish get an opportunity to do some much needed housekeeping. Bowling Green could not come at a better time. It won’t take much more than staying focused to beat this team. Good football teams never get enough work on fundamentals and at the same time use games like this to sharpen their skills. A good start in this game should give Coach Kelly a chance to rest players who are banged up as well as give those who are playing injured the proper rest. Winning this game by a great margin proves nothing. Getting a victory with no injuries is paramount. GO IRISH!

(Thank goodness) Arkansas Razorbacks have a bye this week.

Billy Gorman

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 52, Bowling Green Falcons 10

There isn’t much to say about this game. Notre Dame should dominate from the opening kickoff and come away with a massive victory. Expect to see second and even third stringers finish it up for the Irish.

Washington State Cougars Bye Week

Matt Greene

Notre Dame - 56 Bowling Green - 14

We win, by a lot. Piling it on and scoring half a hundred on a BVG defense will be sweet. The offense has a chance for a tune up game before taking on USC. That will be much needed after some offensive struggles in the last couple weeks. Just like New Mexico, the talent gap is way too much. Also, again I can’t pick us to cover the enormous spread.

Central Michigan Chippewas, 21 Eastern Michigan Eagles (offers no score because FEAR)

The Chips unfortunately lost the rivalry game against Western last week. They only had 15 points. Against comparable or even slightly better competition, the Chips struggle to score points. Joshua will be picking this one too for his Eagles. While I actually don’t think the Chips will win since Eastern has been doing well this season, I can’t pick them to win because I’m sure Joshua is. So, FIRE UP CHIPS!

Pat Sullivan

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 106, Bowling Green Falcons 13

Just gonna leave this projected statline here:

C’Bo Flemister: 17 carries, 16 yards, 15 touchdowns, 1 successful two-point conversion

Book it.

Kansas Jayhawks 69, #6 Oklahoma Sooners 63

OUR Kansas Jayhawks were absolutely SHOCKED on the road last week against the TCU Horned Frogs, losing a nailbiter, 51-14. This team is too talented and too well-coached by my guy Les for them to be down and out, though. Plus, there have been plenty of national champions who started the season 2-3, so I still believe Kansas can win out, take the Big 12, and destroy all competition in the CFP as they bring home yet another title for this storied football program. It starts this weekend with an Oklahoma team that boasts an impressive offense, but also an offense that hasn’t had to play an opponent named Hasan Defense yet. Kansas wins this one and gets things back to normal. Rock chalk, Jayhawks, BAYBEEEEEEEE.

Brad Wechter

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 55, Bowling Green Falcons 13

This seems like a nice game to get the offense back on track (did you know that BVG is the defensive coordinator at BGSU? No one has informed you of this magnificent fact? Excuse me what rock do you live under, jeez) and help Ian Book regain some confidence in his game. I also predict that I have zero fun in class all day on Saturday. Book it.

Miami-Ohio Redhawks 1,423, Bye 0

Miami will not lose this weekend. They also will not play.

Connor Leichtle

Notre Dame 63, Bowling Green 3

The offense will look darn near unstoppable this week. I want to see our offensive line bully Bowling Green and establish a run game. Let Book work on the intermediate passing game. I expect the defense to absolutely dominate. Over/Under on sacks is set at 10. Let’s get ready for USC.

Michigan Wolverines, 27 Iowa Hawkeyes 24

Whether we like it or not, we need Michigan to be good heading into our showdown later this month. This is a last stand for Harbaugh. Lose this weekend, and Michigan is looking for a new coach next year. I expect this to be a physical football game. Michigan defends its home field very well and gets the edge as a result.

Mike Whitlow

Notre Dame 56, Bowling Green 10

Basically, just rewatch the New Mexico game. That’s all this is going to be.

Kentucky Wildcats are idle this week, so here’s to hoping that they find a quarterback solution before the Arkansas game on the 12th.

Lauren Dangel

Notre Dame 52, Bowling Green 13

Ian Book will show his strengths this weekend after a frustrating start to his season. The Falcons just haven’t found the cohesion on offense necessary to beat the Irish, even as the guys in gold and blue develop young talent and recover from significant injuries. Kent State, I love ya, but a team fresh off a loss to the Flashes won’t be beating the Irish.

Ohio State Buckeyes 55, Michigan State Spartans 48

Spartan QB Brian Lewerke has recovered from last year’s injuries and will shake up the Buckeyes’ structure this weekend. However, it won’t be enough for a W. I’m predicting a win for tOSU, but they won’t earn it easily.

Joshua Vowles

Notre Dame 70, Bowling Green ZIP ZADA NUTHIN

That’s a legit prediction. The Irish will rack up over 700 yards and just gut every Falcon that swoops by. 1st team, 2nd team, and 3rd team — it really doesn’t matter because BG is just so bad.

Easten Michigan Eagles 33, Central Michigan Chippewas 20

EMU goes on the road once again, and this time it’s to the absolute worst place on the planet — Mount Pleasant (more like Mount Bulshit AMI RIGHT?) Mike Glass III and company keep a good thing rolling and the march for a MAC championship begins. HURONS FOREVER!