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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish make the trip to Tobacco Road to take on the Duke Blue Devils. Here’s how the OFD staff sees this game being played out (and other games across the country):
Matt Greene
Notre Dame 28, Duke 21
These games have been super weird lately, whether a blowout loss or whatever the hell that was against VT. The Irish I think still have what it takes to beat a Duke team that has underperformed this season. I’m not putting it above anyone to struggle again in the game, but I think the defense once again does its job, and the offense puts up enough points to win this one. Hopefully getting Tony Jones, Jr. back can put a bit of a spark back in the running game.
Central Michgian Chippewas - BYE
They can’t lose!
Lisa Kelly
Notre Dame 31, Duke 27
The “game theme” for the Irish could be “Road to a Bowl Game”. Not something Irish football players wanted, but it’s in their hands. The key ingredient to success at this point is “pride”. We live in an age where bowl games are not what anyone cares about. Players who have a future in the NFL, and are likely opting out for the draft, usually do not play in a bowl game. I don’t blame them.Duke, like other Irish opponents, is not to be taken lightly, particularly at Duke. This win will not come easy and it will take a mistake free effort to beat this Blue Devil squad. The real pressure is obviously on Coach Kelly. I look for the Irish players to rise up and play for themselves.
Arkansas Razorbacks 28, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 25
The Razorbacks, coming off a homecoming loss, continue to struggle. Growing pains are not pleasant, but the degree of improvement simply is not acceptable. A loss to Western Kentucky would be devastating. It’s debatable if Arkansas has what it takes to win this game, but I will remain confident. Western Kentucky, however, will not lay down here.
Brad Wechter
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 17, Duke Blue Devils 14
I almost picked Duke to win this game. The Irish have finally lost my trust, and as such, I feel like this game is a toss-up. I’ll stay optimistic and pick the Irish to win, but I think it could be ugly.
Miami-Ohio Redhawks 31, Bowling Green Falcons 6
I get to see a Brian VanGorder defense again next Wednesday! If Miami scores less than 20 points, then fire Chuck Martin. I’m picking the RedHawks to win their fourth straight.
Billy Gorman
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24, Duke Blue Devils 20
After the last two games I’ve almost completely lost confidence in Notre Dame’s offense. The good news is, even when the offense struggles they’re at least passable, and the defense is good enough to win the remaining games on their schedule. I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m picking them to lose, but I’m preparing for close games through November.
Washington State Cougars 35, California Golden Bears 24
Washington State is coming off of a bye where the week before they scored 35 and only lost by 2 on the road at Oregon. A repeat of that performance and they should go into Berkeley and leave with a win relatively easily. The problem is the Cougars have been pretty inconsistent this year and so you never really know which performance you’re going to get from them.
Bobby Norell
Notre Dame 30, Duke 20
I loved how Ian Book responded to the critics last week as he led the Irish to a last second victory. That being said, I think we could see a similar game where the Irish let an inferior opponent hang around. Notre Dame’s offense just hasn’t been all too impressive since the second half of the USC game. I’ll go with the Irish but it won’t be pretty
Indiana Hoosiers - Bye Week
Your 7-2 (SEVEN AND TWO!!!) Indiana Hoosiers are off this week, gearing up for an upset special in Happy Valley next week. #9WINDIANA is alive and well!!
Joe Londergan
Notre Dame 28, Duke 17
Like most of the ACC, Duke has been pretty inconsistent this season. None of their offensive performers are particularly threatening and their defense has given up more than 40 points in two of the last three games. A Notre Dame win is very doable.
Oregon State Beavers 27, Washington Huskies 35
I may have gotten the wrong idea about the Beavers...Somehow, they’ve picked up four wins on the season, but it seems likely that their luck will run out with this one considering the level of talent that Washington has compared to some of Oregon State’s other opponents this season.
Pat Sullivan
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34, Duke Blue Devils 20
Duke absolutely destroyed Virginia Tech IN BLACKSBURG, so I don’t think a road tilt against them will be a cakewalk for the Irish. With that said, I think ND plays much better than last weekend and pulls away in the second half for a solid but not spectacular road victory over a middling ACC opponent.
Kansas Jayhawks 1 Billion, BYE 0
OUR Kansas Jayhawks suffered a shocking setback last weekend, dropping a close one 38-10 to the Kansas State Wildcats. This weekend, Les and the Lads have the weekend off to right the ship and prep for a game on 11/16 against the #23 Oklahoma State Cowboys that will essentially be a play-in game for the College Football Playoff. Rock Chalk Jayhawks, BAY-BEEEEEEE
Connor Leichtle
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27, Duke 24
Nothing comes easy for this team, and I don’t expect that to change this week. Defense always travels though, which is why I think the Irish pull it out. I am curious to see if Tony Jones Jr. and Jafar Armstrong play at the same time and what that could add to the offense.
Iowa Hawkeyes 10, Wisconsin Badgers 7
This is your classic gritty Big 10 showdown. Neither team cracks 200 yards of offense as yards will be at a premium. . Ferentz has not beaten the Badgers since 2015, and Nate Stanley typically plays his worst game of the year against his hometown team. The tide is due to turn in this rivalry. The Badgers were a bit overrated to start the year, and I think their second-half slide will continue.
Lauren Dangel
Notre Dame 35, Duke 31
I predict another close one as the Blue Devils bring everything they have to a packed stadium. Ian Book will find the right flow this time around.
Ohio State Buckeyes 52, Maryland Terrapins 14
The Terps’ defense has given up an average of 262.8 yards per game this season, and will be their downfall this weekend. No. 1 OSU will lock it all in early in the game as this Maryland team continues to fade.
Philip Gough
ND 38, Duke 17
No real rhyme or reason, but I think this game closely aligns with Syracuse 2018. ND comes out into what is “supposed” to be a pretty close game, but dominates all phases. Look for Ian Book to look like we thought he would look all year (albeit against an average defense). Irish win big and fans lower their pitchforks, but as always have them close to their chests.
Holy Cross 34, Lafayette 20
Holy Cross remains undefeated in Patriot League play, and continues its path towards its first league title since 2009. Chesney will have the boys ready to play as they are hungry. For the first time really ever HC has more speed and better athletes than the rest of the league, and it will continue to show.
Joshua Vowles
Notre Dame 41, Duke 13
Regardless of most of the Virginia Tech game, there was a huge weight lifted off of the shoulder of Ian Book and the offense. I think they come out loose and hungry and look more dynamic than at any point this season against a Power 5 school. The defense clamps down on a mediocre Duke offense.
Eastern Michigan Eagles — BYE
Thank god. It’s been a rough season for EMU because of missed opportunities. So... let me take THIS opportunity to predict a few other games this Saturday: