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Notre Dame Vs. Louisville: Four Key Matchups

4 Key Matchups: Notre Dame Vs. Louisville

Notre Dame Football
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame limps into Senior Day as a battered football team. The Irish have lost three of their past four games and seem to suffer injuries to key players on defense each week. Meanwhile, Louisville comes in as a rested football team following their bye week and will look to add to Notre Dame’s misery. Here are four key matchups and a prediction for Saturday’s contest in South Bend.

4. Reggie Bonnafon Vs. Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

4. Reggie Bonnafon Vs. Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith Notre Dame
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Bonnafon, a true freshman, takes over for the injured Will Gardner at quarterback for the Cardinals. Bonnafon has completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 662 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 138 yards rushing. Smith is the leader of the Irish defense that will look to confuse the young quarterback. Smith has racked up 78 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. Smith will need a strong performance to help a young Notre Dame defense shut down Bonnafon.

3. DeVante Parker Vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Devante Parker Louisville
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

3. DeVante Parker Vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Devante Parker Louisville
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Parker is arguably the best receiver Notre Dame has seen all year. He has played in only four games, but leads the Cardinals with 490 yards receiving on 25 catches. He is averaging an impressive 19.6 yards per catch and 122.5 receiving yards per game. Cole Luke and Cody Riggs have both been standouts for the Irish on the backend, and they will likely key on Parker to make Bonnafon look elsewhere in the passing game.

2. Everett Golson Vs. Gerod Holliman

Gerod Holliman Louisville
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2. Everett Golson vs. Gerod Holliman

Gerod Holliman Louisville
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This one is pretty simple if you’ve watched either team this year. Golson has been one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the country, while Holliman leads the country in interceptions with 13. Golson has shouldered the load offensively for the Irish, but will need to be aware of Holliman at all times. With one more interception, Holliman will set a new NCAA record for interceptions in a season.

1. Ronnie Stanley Vs. Lorenzo Mauldin

Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ronnie Stanley Vs. Lorenzo Mauldin

Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Stanley is Notre Dame’s best and most athletic lineman at the left tackle position. He will need to use that athleticism to help contain Louisville’s aggressive defense and keep the pressure away from Golson. Mauldin is the best of Louisville’s pass rushers from the outside linebacker spot with 12 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. He sat out the previous game against Boston College but should be back to lead the pass rush following the off week.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Louisville 28

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Louisville 28

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It’s gut-check time for Notre Dame following the comedy of errors that plagued the Irish against Northwestern. Under Brian Kelly, the Irish have been able to respond when times have been tough. Notre Dame will get just enough stops from its defense and senior Kyle Brindza will bounce back to kick the game-winning field goal on Senior Day.





Notre Dame and Louisville will both look to reach eight wins as the Irish hope to snap their November skid with a win on Senior Day. Here are four key matchups and a prediction for Saturday's contest.

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5 Bold Predictions for Notre Dame vs. Louisville

5 Bold Predictions for Notre Dame-Louisville

Louisville
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As one of the newest members of the CFB Playoff Top 25 this week, the Louisville Cardinals are looking to embarrass the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at home. However, the Irish won't let themselves lose four games in their past five contests -- will they?

Let's take a look at five bold predictions for this interesting matchup.

Everett Golson Won't Commit a Turnover

Everett Golson
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Everett Golson Won't Commit a Turnover

Everett Golson
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This shouldn't even be a bold prediction, but the reality of the matter is that Golson has been a turnover machine in recent weeks, leading to the poor stretch of games. Although Louisville's defense is top-notch, Golson will protect the ball and account for zero turnovers.

Michael Dyer Will Rush for Over 150 Yards

Michael Dyer
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Michael Dyer Will Rush for Over 150 Yards

Michael Dyer
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When he gets a decent amount of touches this year, Michael Dyer has been more than effective. In fact, the only two times he has rushed more than 20 times in 2014, he has racked up well over 100 yards. Expect the Cardinals to notice this trend and to get him the ball early and often.

Tarean Folston, Golson Will Combine for 200 Rush Yards

Tarean Folston
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Tarean Folston, Golson Will Combine for 200 Rush Yards

Tarean Folston
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With a mobile quarterback under center, it opens up the rush attack for the running back. That will be the case in this one as Folston will rack up over 130 yards on the ground and Golson will use his legs to account for 75 more yards.

Will Gardner Will Throw Three INTs

Will Gardner
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Will Gardner Will Throw Three INTs

Will Gardner
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On the year, Gardner has played three tougher defenses and has thrown all three of his interceptions in those games. While he's not prone to turnovers, he will match his season total of three interceptions in this contest thanks to a ticked off Notre Dame secondary.

Notre Dame Wins by Two Touchdowns

Notre Dame
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Notre Dame Wins by Two Touchdowns

Notre Dame
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Sure, Louisville is the ranked team in this matchup, but it should be the other way around. Notre Dame is playing at home and it has been tested by multiple ranked teams this year while Louisville has played just Florida State and lost at home. Notre Dame will win this one easily, 35-21.





Louisville will travel to Notre Dame in week 13. What are five bold predictions for the must-see matchup?

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