Notre Dame vs Air Force Preview

Big game this weekend. This is the last real test before USC. I think the biggest thing we need to avoid is looking past Air Force at their stadium. The last thing you want to do is let Air Force stay in the game and get the crowd into it. If the crowd gets into the game in the 2nd half, anything can happen. Look at what happened to Louisville last night against Rutgers. We need to get up early and not let them into the game. Below is a breakdown:

ND Passing Offense vs. Air Force Pass Defense.

ND as usual should be able to smoke Air Force in this phase of the game. Brady should have another field day with his gamut of receivers. The line should pass block well against the undersized Air Force DLine, giving Brady plenty of time to find just about anyone.

Advantage: Notre Dame

ND Rushing Offense vs. Air Force Rush Defense.

I would love to say advantage Notre Dame here, but given the anemic game against North Caronlina last week, I have difficulty. Air Force is very good against the run, very fast. They give up less than 4 yards a carry. They have excellent inside linebackers and a Safety that's better than any of ours. I don't expect us to do well running the ball.

Advantage: Air Force

Air Force Passing Offense vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense.

Not much to say here. Air Force doesn't pass a whole lot. ND is, even though last week didn't show it at time, a good pass defense team. We just need to remember to stay home and maintain discipline. If we don't Air Force will burn us a few times on pass plays. We just need to limit those and the Safetys need to not bite so quickly, let the linebackers bite (can't believe in need to say this).

Advantage: Notre Dame

Air Force Rushing Offense vs. Notre Dame Rush Defense.

Air Force is a running team. It's starts with their QB, Carney. Their wingbacks will hurt us, no doubt. Hoefully it's only early in the game, and then we figure them out in the first quarter, as opposed to the second half (ala Navy). Our Linebackers learned in the Navy game how to play side to side, instead of biting up the middle early. That helped. This should be where the game is won or lost. If we can stop their running game, then we will win convincingly. If we can't, then it will be long game. Just don't bite inside early Linebackers and Safetys. Just don't know why this is so difficult for this team.

Advantage: Air Force (not by much).

Special Teams

We haven't shown much on special teams. Air Force has displayed considerably more. Air Force is 2nd in the country for blocked kicks, for example. We have yet to have a good special tems game.

Advantage: Air Force.

Overall

ND's passing game proves to be too much. ND stops the run early this time, having seen the option already in Navy.

Notre Dame 42, Air Force 14