Preview: Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Prediction: Notre Dame 31 – Wake Forest 10

The 10-0 Fighting Irish in a must win scenario against the Demon Deacons to keep the championship drive alive                     

In their final to last game in what has turned out to be a miracle season The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0) are back at home this Saturday in South Bend to host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-5, 3-5 ACC). Kick off is at 3:30 PM EST and will be broadcast on your local ABC affiliate.

In retaining its unbeaten status Notre Dame got the better of its arch Catholic rival Boston College in Chestnut Hill last week 21-6. The Demon Deacons of Wake Forest were drubbed by its ACC rival North Carolina State Wolfpack 37-6 by. The Fighting Irish and the Demon Deacons met for the first time last year in Winston-Salem in week 9 in a closely contested 24-17 Notre Dame victory. Fighting Irish QB Tommy Reese threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns on that day including one to terrific TE Tyler Eifert

This week’s rematch marks Wake Forest’s first visit to South Bend. The Demon Deacons should get comfortable with their new surroundings, as the Fighting Irish will see them more often on their schedule as a new member of the ACC. This game is important to Wake Forest who need only one more win to become bowl eligible this season.

Notre Dame has a chance to finish undefeated at home for the first time since 1998. The blue and gold’s last home loss came against their long-time west Coast nemesis and final team standing in their way of possible national championship aspirations this season, USC, 31-17 on October 22, 2011.

Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly is not satisfied with the recent wild Fighting Irish success.  He hopes to build a South Bend legacy like that of coach Bob Stoops’  in Oklahoma who boasts a robust 80-5 home record. (The fifth loss coming earlier this season to Notre Dame)

"We want to have that kind of legacy. We want to build that kind of dominance at home. The first step is winning all your games at home, which hasn't happened in a long time," Kelly said. "So we actually talked about that yesterday, how important it is for us to finish the season undefeated at home. Our guys know that as a real goal."

Here’s a look at how both Notre Dame and Wake Forest stack up this week:

Notre Dame Offense
QB Everett Golson led Notre Dame over Boston College with 200 plus yards passing (his consecutive 200-yard game) finding WR John Goodman and Sophomore Troy Niklas for touchdowns. He did reliably rush for a score as well, but his arm strength and his improvement in checking runs to passes is making him a more dependable pocket quarterback for the Fighting Irish. Golson should have no trouble scoring on a Wake Forest defense that has given up over 28 points  and 400 total yards of offense per game to its opponents this season.

Theo Riddick led the dependable and volatile rushing attack with 104 yards on 18 carries in last week’s Holy War win. He, along with RBs Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III, are averaging 176 yards combined a game making it the 33rd-ranked attack in the country.  The Notre Dame offensive line, particularly LT Zack Martin and LG Chris Watt, has ensured the team’s rushing success and solid pass protection for Golson

​
Nster.com