1. Force passing downs. Notre Dame’s defense, for all the trouble it had against Texas on Sunday, should go with its base 4-3 look against Nevada’s spread-pistol offense. Stopping running back James Butler, a Chicagoland native who rushed for over 1,300 yards last year, is key — doing so will force Nevada’s offense into obvious passing situations (so second and long, third and five-plus). And the Wolf Pack have struggled in those spots, both in 2015 and in one narrow win over Cal Poly last weekend. If runs to Butler are taken off the table, Notre Dame’s defense should be in a pretty good position to limit Nevada’s offense and roll into Michigan State next weekend with some momentum.
2. Get production from young receivers. Torii Hunter Jr. is out with concussion-like symptoms, so DeShone Kizer will have to rely heavily on redshirt sophomore Corey Holmes, sophomores Equanimeous St. Brown and C.J. Sanders, redshirt freshman Miles Boykin and freshmen Kevin Stepherson, Chase Claypool and Javon McKinley, as well as tight ends in redshirt junior Durham Smythe and redshirt sophomore Nic Weishar. None of those players have a significant number of career receptions, and while some — like St. Brown and Sanders — showed flashes against Texas, Saturday could be the first time they’re relied on for an entire game. The good news: Nevada’s defense struggled mightily against the pass last year and faced a triple option team last week.
3. Get the backups in. This means pulling away to a margin comfortable enough for Brian Kelly to get guys like running back Dexter Williams, center/guard Tristen Hoge, defensive end Daelin Hayes, linebackers Asmar Bilal and Te’von Coney and safety Jalen Elliott plenty of playing time. Cornerback Nick Coleman could use some positive reps, too, after struggling against Texas. At some point, Notre Dame will need to count on these guys given the annual attrition that hits every football team’s depth chart, and facing a middling Mountain West team like Nevada may be their best opportunity to get some low-pressure action.
Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Nevada 28