The Boston College Eagles are 1-7 on the season. The team sits at the bottom of the ACC standings. Their non-conference loss to perennial basketball school UConn two weeks ago just added insult to injury. Regardless of how the Eagles have fared this season, if there is one thing Marcus Freeman learned through his first three seasons on the job in South Bend is that underestimating any opponent is a recipe for disaster. Here are the Irish’ keys to victory this Saturday.
First-half dominance
Freeman has repeatedly used the phrase “play violent” during his press conferences this season. That fierce edge that Notre Dame embodies should be no less prevalent against Boston College, just as it was against USC right before fall break. The Irish need to establish dominance in the trenches early. Junior defensive lineman Boubacar Traore leads the Irish with 6.5 sacks. By the end of the first 30 minutes of play against Boston College, that statistic should increase.
On the flip side of the ball, junior running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price showed the entire country why they are the best one-two punch around. Freeman’s point of emphasis must be getting his workhorses in the backfield going early. The last thing Notre Dame needs is Love and Price taking hits in the second half. The Irish must be intent about getting the most they can out of their stars early at every position, taking a comfortable lead and then letting the backups get their chance to show off. This will only happen if they are dominant in every area of the field from the get-go.
Aerial attack
Of 136 eligible teams, Boston College ranks 111th in passing defense. While the Irish are not too far in front at the 107th rank, the Eagles’ case is different as the only ranked opponent they have played is No. 16 Louisville.
Through the entirety of the season, redshirt freshman CJ Carr has flourished as an excellent passer. His ability to thread the needle and remain poised in the pocket has been extraordinary to watch, especially since it’s a stark contrast from former quarterback Riley Leonard’s running-tendency a season ago. Carr has tallied 1,758 yards through the air. However, his least impressive performance came two weeks ago against USC. Carr didn’t appear to be himself, missing several typically automatic throws and making an errant decision to scramble far behind the line before tossing an interception.
Getting Carr back on track must be a priority for Notre Dame. The young gunslinger is among the best underclassmen quarterbacks in the country. With weapons galore in the likes of senior wide receiver Malachi Fields, junior wide receiver Jordan Faison and senior tight end Eli Raridon, Carr has all the help he needs in the guys running routes for him. Against a weak Boston College defense, the Irish have the chance to really instill the sense of confidence Carr was playing with prior to the USC game.
Clean brand of football
Over their last three games, the Irish are averaging 8.3 penalties per game. That mark ranks them tied for 16th in the country over that span. Against USC, Notre Dame was penalized eight times for 96 cumulative yards compared to the Trojans’ one penalty for five yards.
The Irish clearly had not learned their lesson from lackluster showings in the penalty department against Boise State and NC State. Against the Broncos, the Irish were penalized 11 times for 112 yards. After the game, Freeman stated in his press conference, “it’s just the lack of discipline that we got to clean up.” While Freeman’s militia didn’t reach double-digit penalties against the Wolfpack, they were still flagged six times for 55 yards against NC State.
Whether or not the refs are “against” Notre Dame, as many fans in and around Notre Dame Stadium shouted throughout recent games, remains uncertain. What is certain is that Notre Dame needs to clean up their play. Although they were able to get away with the sloppiness in the last three games, that kind of play will come back to bite them when they face stronger opponents. With the College Football Playoff rapidly approaching, the Irish must fix their act now.
Against Boston College, Notre Dame must prove it can play a complete, disciplined game. The habits they develop now will play a major role in how far this team can go.
