Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Virginia Tech Hokies: Staff Picks

The staff picks are in for this weekend’s game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Virginia Tech Hokies (and others). Let’s not beat around the bush, and get right to it...

Bobby Norell

Notre Dame 38, VT 17

I think Ian Book responds to the criticism he’s taken since last season and leads the Irish offense to a great game. I like to think the Irish will bounce strong from last week’s debacle. We’ll see what this team really is made of after this week’s game. Will they fold or come out determined to finish the year strong. I lean to the latter.

Indiana Hoosiers 35, Northwestern Wildcats 13

Despite Northwestern being 1-6, this is one of the bigger games IU has had in some time. A primetime game at home in Bloomington on national TV with a chance to win your 7th game of the year? That almost never happens to IU. Peyton Ramsey proved me wrong, as he helped the Hoosiers gut out a victory in Lincoln last week. I still have more confidence in Michael Penix, but if Ramsey goes this game still shouldnt be a problem for IU. On the other side, Northwestern’s offense STINKS. Might be one of the worst offenses I’ve seen in a while. The Hoosiers should win this one to improve to 7-2...#9WINDIANA baby!

Billy Gorman

Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 17

After two weeks without playing a football game the Irish come into this one with something to prove. Notre Dame is a more talented team than anybody left on their schedule, expect them to show that while they play to erase any lingering memories from Michigan.

Washington State Cougars Bye Week

Brad Wechter

Notre Dame 28, Virginia Tech 13

Notre Dame wins with superior talent, but I still don’t think they will play up their potential. Not expecting a blowout, but I’m not expecting this one to ever really be in doubt.

Miami-Ohio Redhawks 21, Ohio Bobcats 20

OU OH NO. Stupid Bobcats. Miami eeks out a close win over their rival, and Chuck Martin’s seat gets a little bit cooler. Much to many fans’ dismay.

Mike Whitlow

Notre Dame 27, Virginia Tech 20

You would think that the beats own the Irish were handed last Saturday night in Ann Arbor would wake this team up, but time and time again, Brian Kelly’s teams have had a severe trickle-down effect and a late-season slump into a bowl is always on the table. Despite the Playoff hopes being gone now, I’ll give the Irish the benefit of the doubt at home against the Hokies in some likely frigid weather. They’ll do just enough to squeak past Virginia Tech this weekend.

Kentucky Wildcats have a BYE

Joe Londergan

Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 14

Time for a rebound. VT have been pretty lackluster all year and don’t have the kind of offense to keep pace with what we know Notre Dame can do.

Oregon State Beavers 27, Arizona Wildcats 38

Two pretty good offenses against two pretty terrible defenses. Pac-12 football everybody! Nevertheless, Arizona have some good capability with Khalil Tate at QB and he could really have a day against OSU.

Lisa Kelly

Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 17

Despite their lack of talent at key positions, the Hokies are well coached and play a very physical brand of football. Even with their obvious weaknesses, Virginia Tech is not to be taken lightly. Notre Dame can’t help but be “down” after their performance at Michigan. “Something is happening here” and it is not exactly clear what the rest of this season holds for Notre Dame. One thing is clear, and that is Notre Dame needs to get focused and take it one game at a time. Forgetting the performance at Michigan will not be easy, but is a must if they are to beat Virginia Tech. This is an opponent that the Irish should beat soundly. I’m predicting whatever leadership there is on this Irish football team, it will surface as the game nears, and the Irish will get a hard fought victory.

Mississippi St. Bulldogs 28, Arkansas Razorbacks 20

Both of these SEC teams are apparently heading in different directions. Arkansas is still fighting growing pains and seems to be improving slowly. Mississippi St. has more talent than does Arkansas but are not playing anywhere near what they are capable of. Just ask Bulldog fans. Mississippi St. is down and are ripe for a upset, but I’m not sure Arkansas has the skill and ability this year to win here.

Pat Sullivan

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34, Virginia Tech Hokies 23

Ya gotta believe in something, so I believe the Irish play a MUCH better game against an inferior opponent and enjoy a rebound win that won’t make the pain go away, but will at least build up some positive mojo. Tony Jones Jr. will have himself a nice day, methinks, and the defense will force a couple turnovers to shift the game in the Irish’s favor early in the second half.

Kansas Jayhawks 41, Kansas State Wildcats 35

OUR Kansas Jayhawks got back on track last weekend, taking down the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a wild one. Their reward? Just a home date against the Kansas State Wildcats, who are fresh off a huge upset of the Oklahoma Sooners. But, that upset meant truly showing their hand in terms of game plan and abilities, and also was likely a draining experience that has the Wildcats pretty full of themselves, considering they are ranked now. Look for Les and the boys to knock them down a peg or two and win a close one, putting them in the driver’s seat to win the Big 12 and head to the CFP. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS BAY-BEEEEEE.

Connor Leichtle

Notre Dame 33, VT 21

The hangover will be real. The Irish get off to a sluggish start, and the tension will be palpable in the stadium. However, Jafar Armstrong will make his presence felt in a big way this weekend. Ian Book against this Hokie defensive line scares me a bit. Great programs don’t lose in back to back weeks. Show me, BK.

Iowa Hawkeyes Bye

Matt Greene

Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 21

I do not see the Irish losing this one, with the game at home, I’m hoping for a little bit of a bounce back here. I don’t know why the spread is so high, as VT has the same record that the Irish do. But, I see the team scoring some points, but it won’t be some insanely large margin of victory. Book throws a couple TDs to get some confidence back. The Irish roll against another unranked team.

Central Michigan Chippewas 34, Northern Illinois Huskies 28

Central lost last week to an overall struggling Buffalo team. However, the Chips come back home to Kelly-Shorts Stadium. NIU is under .500, and the Chips go into the Bye Week already locking up a bowl bid.

Philip Gough

ND 31, VT 20

ND controls this game but never really blows them out to the fans dismay. The angry mob is slightly pleased, but not going away. Here is to hoping someone steps up big time. Look for the Claypool/Book connection to be strong.

Holy Cross 31 Lehigh 17

Holy Cross beats Lehigh in a very anticipated matchup against its former head coach (mine as well) Tom Gilmore. HC is on a crash course towards the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Joshua Vowles

Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 20

I have no idea how Notre Dame is going to do this. The Irish have no identity on offense, and yet they somehow manage to score a large number of points against unranked teams — it’s as if recruiting rankings matter in these games. I actually have a hard time believing Tech gets more than 13, but I’m feeling like this game may be more of a headache than planned.

Eastern Michigan Eagles 27, Buffalo Bulls 24

Eastern had such promise before the MAC season got underway — but their opponents aren’t the Illinois Fighting Illini... they’re better. EMU finds a way to give the good people of Ypsi a solid win over Buffalo.