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Notre Dame vs. LSU: Key Matchups, Prediction For Music City Bowl

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Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame vs. LSU: Key Matchups, Prediction

Notre Dame Football
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame and LSU enter their Music City Bowl matchup looking to end their season on a high note. The Fighting Irish are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Tigers are looking for a second consecutive bowl victory against Notre Dame. Here are four key matchups and a prediction for tomorrow’s contest in Nashville.

5. Leonard Fournette vs. Nyles Morgan

Leonard Fournette LSU
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

5. Leonard Fournette vs. Nyles Morgan

Leonard Fournette LSU
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Fournette anchors the vaunted LSU rushing attack, ranked 29th in the country, with 176 carries for 891 yards on the year and eight touchdowns. Morgan will be a key figure in stopping the LSU ground game as he racked up double-digit tackles in each of his last three starts to close out the season. Notre Dame has no chance if they cannot contain LSU’s ground-and-pound approach.

4. Anthony Jennings vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

4. Anthony Jennings vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The one distinct advantage Notre Dame has in this game is the lack of production from LSU’s passing attack. Jennings enters the game completing only 48.8 percent of his passes for 1,460 yards, with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Meanwhile, the Notre Dame secondary was adept at intercepting passes, having recorded 16 on the year, and will welcome back cornerback Cody Riggs for this contest.

3. Notre Dame Offensive Line vs. LSU Defensive Line

LSU Defense
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

3. Notre Dame Offensive Line vs. LSU Defensive Line

LSU Defense
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame struggled on the ground this year, ranking 84th in the country with 150.8 rush yards per game. Meanwhile, the LSU defensive front dipped a little from recent years in terms of stopping the run, but they still managed to finish 39th in the nation, allowing only 143.5 rushing yards per game. The battle in the trenches will determine if Notre Dame can maintain some balance in their offensive attack.

2. Will Fuller vs. LSU Secondary

Will Fuller Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

2. Will Fuller vs. LSU Secondary

Will Fuller Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Fuller had a breakout campaign for the Fighting Irish, hauling in 71 passes for 1,037 yards and 14 touchdowns, which is tied for third in the country. Fuller will need to beat LSU’s aggressive press coverage if the Irish are going to move the ball consistently. LSU’s secondary, led by cornerbacks Jalen Collins and Tre’Davious White, ranked fourth in the country allowing 162.3 passing yards per game.

1. Prediction: LSU 21, Notre Dame 14

LSU Football
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

1. Prediction: LSU 21, Notre Dame 14

LSU Football
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

This should be a low-scoring contest as both offenses will struggle to move the ball through the air. The key to the game will be whether the Notre Dame defensive front can handle the massive LSU offensive line and their running game. The Irish will keep it close, but eventually succumb to the constant pounding while not being able to generate enough offense in a hard-fought defeat at the hands of the Tigers.

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