Three keys and prediction: Notre Dame – Army

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1. No special teams mistakes. Until Notre Dame plays a game without a major special teams gaffe, this is key No. 1. While last week’s special teams turnover shouldn’t have been called, coach Brian Kelly admitted this week Devin Studstill shouldn’t have been close enough to getting off the field to leave anything to chance. Against another triple option team, getting a defensive stop only to give the ball back to Army on a punt return mistake could be as gutting as it was against Navy. 

2. Establish, and commit to, the run. Army’s defense is prone to allowing explosive running plays, but more importantly, it’s one that struggles to get stops when opposing offenses churn up efficient yards on first and second down. Notre Dame’s best bet will be to consistently deploy Tarean Folston, Josh Adams and/or Dexter Williams to pick up early yards and then beat Army downfield with some deep shots to receivers with significant size and athleticism advantages like Equanimeous St. Brown. But that’s been the formula all year for Notre Dame, and things haven’t played out that way, with the Irish instead over-relying on DeShone Kizer. Army’s defense hasn’t faced an offense with the kind of talent level Notre Dame possesses, but poor game planning an execution could negate whatever advantage the Irish hold there. 

3. Get Jarron Jones to have an impact. Notre Dame players and Kelly spent the week defending graduate student nose guard Jarron Jones, who only played two series against Navy (which were Notre Dame’s two best defensive series). While the cut blocking used by triple option offenses like Army and Navy isn’t exactly conducive to consistent success for a 6-foot-5 guy like Jones, Notre Dame does need his presence in the middle of its defensive line with Daniel Cage (concussion) out for the second consecutive week. There’s no doubt Notre Dame’s defense is at its best with Jones — who might be the team’s best defensive player this season — bossing the trenches. Even if it’s only for a few more series than he played against Navy, Notre Dame will need Jones to keep Army’s offense from operating with crippling efficiency 

Prediction: Notre Dame 33, Army 24. Army’s offense doesn’t have the same level of success Navy’s had, while an efficient Irish offense rolls to a relatively comfortable victory. 

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