Overview
Utah enters this week coming of an embarassing 47-7 loss at home to #3 TCU. The game was not as close as the final score would suggest as the Utes were dominated in all 4 phases of the game. They look to rebound in their first trip to South Bend.
Notre Dame is coming off a bye after losing their last game to Tulsa 27-28, where they had a last second pass intercepted in the endzone. The Irish lost starting QB Dana Crist for the season in the game as well.
Utah’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense
Passing Game
QB Jordan Wynn is coming of the worst performance of his short careergoing 16-35 for 148 yds with 1 TD and 2 INT's. Plagued by indecision, heavy pressure, dropped passes, and 3 turnovers, many fans were calling for him to be replaced in the 2nd half. It will be interesting to see how he responds to this much adversity. Will he allow it to affect him the rest of the season? If so, it is safe to say that his long term hold on the starting job could be in jeopardy. Jereme Brooks and DeVonte Christopher continue to be the go to threats for the Utes passing attack.
It is safe to say that Notre Dame has struggled on the defensive side of the ball, but especially against the pass. They give up 228.6 yards/game which ranks 80th nationally. This despite starting 3 seniors in the secondary. FS Harrison Smith and CB Darrin Walls lead the team with 2 picks each.
Look for the Utah passing game to rebound as the receivers should find more space to run and have a speed advantage over the stone footed Irish Secondary.
Advantage Utah
Running Game
Utah only gained 51 net yards against the stout TCU defense, but Utah only rushed 16 times(1 sack accounted for -9 yards) and averaged 3.8 yds a carry. The combination of Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide have gained over 1000 yards on the season.
Notre Dame has been scorched on the ground this season giving up 164.6 yards/game. The front 7 has been hit with injuries and has several underclassmen doting the 2 deep. The Irish run a standard 3-4 with ILB Manti Teo as the primary cog. The Sophomore standout has lived up the his recruiting hype as he has collected 100 tackles on the season(11th nationally), but he has had little help from his teammates against the run.
We may see more of Griff Robles in the Read option this week as the Utes look to establish the run against the porous Notre Dame front 7.
Advantage Utah
Utah’s Defense vs. TCU’s Offense
Passing Game
The Utah pass defense continued its free fall against TCU getting scorched for 381 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 pass completions of more than 20 yards, including a 93 yarder in the first quarter that broke the back of the defense. The secondaries woes were punctuated by the lack of any pas rush as Dalton was only hurried on 2 plays and was hit only one time.
Freshman Tommy Rees took over for the injured Crist against Tulsa and performed admirably with a 33-54, 334 yard performance. He threw for 4 TD's, but had 3 costly interceptions, including one in the end zone as the clock ran out. Michael Floyd is the leading receiver this season with 55-728-8 TD's. The loss of TE Kyle Rudolph for the season was a big blow to the Irish attack.
Unless the Utes are able to figure out their secondary issues, Notre Dame should be able to move the ball with the pass in this game. The key for the Utes is to limit the big plays that have plagued them the last 2 contests.
Advantage Notre Dame
Running Game
Despite giving up 177 yards to TCU on the ground, the run defense is still ranked in the top 20(16th) nationally allowing 111.0 yards a game. The linebacking corp should be at full strength for the first time this season as JJ Williams will likely make his first start, and Chad Manis is currently listed as starter in the 2 deep this week.
Notre Dame has been miserable in the running game this season with 111.3 yards/game which is 100th nationally. Things got worse when starter Armando Allen was lost for the season 3 weeks ago against Navy. Replacement Soph. Cierre Wood has 274 yards on 59 carries, 2 TD's on the year.
If the Irish are going to beat Utah, it will definitely not be with the ground game.
Advantage Utah
Special Teams
Shaky Smithson had little action in the PR game, but was able to break Jeremy Kerley's conference record on his single 10 yard return. Sean Sellwood has plenty of action and the coverage team had a good game containing the shifty Kerley with a combination of good hang time, and directional punting.
The Irish return teams have been average at best. They have averaged a paltry 6.2 yards a return, with John Goodman as the primary returner. The KR duties are shared by Cierre Wood and Bennett Jackson and have averaged only 20.1 yards on returns. Place Kicker David Ruffer has been a bright spot this year with 13-13 on FG's with a long of 50 yards.
Advantage Utah
Final Analysis
Utah has the superior team on paper, but is coming off of a demoralizing defeat. Notre Dame has had a disappointing season, but it is Senior day and weather looks like it will be a factor which should help neutralize some of Utah's speed advantage.
Utah should rebound adequately, but the Irish will ride their home crowd and exploit the Utah secondary to keep it a competitive game.
Utah 31 Notre Dame 24
Utah enters this week coming of an embarassing 47-7 loss at home to #3 TCU. The game was not as close as the final score would suggest as the Utes were dominated in all 4 phases of the game. They look to rebound in their first trip to South Bend.
Notre Dame is coming off a bye after losing their last game to Tulsa 27-28, where they had a last second pass intercepted in the endzone. The Irish lost starting QB Dana Crist for the season in the game as well.
Utah’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense
Passing Game
QB Jordan Wynn is coming of the worst performance of his short careergoing 16-35 for 148 yds with 1 TD and 2 INT's. Plagued by indecision, heavy pressure, dropped passes, and 3 turnovers, many fans were calling for him to be replaced in the 2nd half. It will be interesting to see how he responds to this much adversity. Will he allow it to affect him the rest of the season? If so, it is safe to say that his long term hold on the starting job could be in jeopardy. Jereme Brooks and DeVonte Christopher continue to be the go to threats for the Utes passing attack.
It is safe to say that Notre Dame has struggled on the defensive side of the ball, but especially against the pass. They give up 228.6 yards/game which ranks 80th nationally. This despite starting 3 seniors in the secondary. FS Harrison Smith and CB Darrin Walls lead the team with 2 picks each.
Look for the Utah passing game to rebound as the receivers should find more space to run and have a speed advantage over the stone footed Irish Secondary.
Advantage Utah
Running Game
Utah only gained 51 net yards against the stout TCU defense, but Utah only rushed 16 times(1 sack accounted for -9 yards) and averaged 3.8 yds a carry. The combination of Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide have gained over 1000 yards on the season.
Notre Dame has been scorched on the ground this season giving up 164.6 yards/game. The front 7 has been hit with injuries and has several underclassmen doting the 2 deep. The Irish run a standard 3-4 with ILB Manti Teo as the primary cog. The Sophomore standout has lived up the his recruiting hype as he has collected 100 tackles on the season(11th nationally), but he has had little help from his teammates against the run.
We may see more of Griff Robles in the Read option this week as the Utes look to establish the run against the porous Notre Dame front 7.
Advantage Utah
Utah’s Defense vs. TCU’s Offense
Passing Game
The Utah pass defense continued its free fall against TCU getting scorched for 381 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 pass completions of more than 20 yards, including a 93 yarder in the first quarter that broke the back of the defense. The secondaries woes were punctuated by the lack of any pas rush as Dalton was only hurried on 2 plays and was hit only one time.
Freshman Tommy Rees took over for the injured Crist against Tulsa and performed admirably with a 33-54, 334 yard performance. He threw for 4 TD's, but had 3 costly interceptions, including one in the end zone as the clock ran out. Michael Floyd is the leading receiver this season with 55-728-8 TD's. The loss of TE Kyle Rudolph for the season was a big blow to the Irish attack.
Unless the Utes are able to figure out their secondary issues, Notre Dame should be able to move the ball with the pass in this game. The key for the Utes is to limit the big plays that have plagued them the last 2 contests.
Advantage Notre Dame
Running Game
Despite giving up 177 yards to TCU on the ground, the run defense is still ranked in the top 20(16th) nationally allowing 111.0 yards a game. The linebacking corp should be at full strength for the first time this season as JJ Williams will likely make his first start, and Chad Manis is currently listed as starter in the 2 deep this week.
Notre Dame has been miserable in the running game this season with 111.3 yards/game which is 100th nationally. Things got worse when starter Armando Allen was lost for the season 3 weeks ago against Navy. Replacement Soph. Cierre Wood has 274 yards on 59 carries, 2 TD's on the year.
If the Irish are going to beat Utah, it will definitely not be with the ground game.
Advantage Utah
Special Teams
Shaky Smithson had little action in the PR game, but was able to break Jeremy Kerley's conference record on his single 10 yard return. Sean Sellwood has plenty of action and the coverage team had a good game containing the shifty Kerley with a combination of good hang time, and directional punting.
The Irish return teams have been average at best. They have averaged a paltry 6.2 yards a return, with John Goodman as the primary returner. The KR duties are shared by Cierre Wood and Bennett Jackson and have averaged only 20.1 yards on returns. Place Kicker David Ruffer has been a bright spot this year with 13-13 on FG's with a long of 50 yards.
Advantage Utah
Final Analysis
Utah has the superior team on paper, but is coming off of a demoralizing defeat. Notre Dame has had a disappointing season, but it is Senior day and weather looks like it will be a factor which should help neutralize some of Utah's speed advantage.
Utah should rebound adequately, but the Irish will ride their home crowd and exploit the Utah secondary to keep it a competitive game.
Utah 31 Notre Dame 24
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