Tomorrow, Notre Dame (5-2) travel to Chestnut Hill for the first time since 2020 to take on Boston College (1-7). This season didn't start the way most Irish fans believed it would, but they've turned it around and are now winners of five straight games. The Eagles are reeling and have lost seven straight games. Their last loss to Louisville knocked them out of post season contention. This game for Notre Dame isn't just about the opponent lining up across the field, it's also about their willingness to come out of the bye week strong and continue rolling through the month of November. Here are the three biggest storylines, two key battles and a player to watch in Saturday afternoon's matchup.
Three Biggest Storylines
1. Hot Out Of The Bye - We've seen a trend from offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock throughout his time at offensive coordinator. This unit comes out refreshed and charged up out of bye weeks. Last season, they put 49 points on the board against Stanford and 52 points on the board against Florida State out of bye weeks. As a team, they scored 40 points at home against Texas A&M out of the bye week; this week, they'll look to do the same against a struggling Boston College defense. Quarterback CJ Carr had an up and down performance against USC in their last outing. I'm sure the redshirt freshman has put that performance behind him and will look to exercise some inconsistency demons against this Eagles' secondary.
2. Who Joins The Party? - By now, it's not a secret who the major players are on Notre Dame's offense. Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have put on a show this season, and I don't see it slowing down any time soon. Their main three pass catchers, Jordan Faison, Malachi Fields and Eli Raridon account for 1,131 of Carr's 1,738 passing yards. It's time to get some other weapons involved in the offense. Redshirt sophomore KK Smith had a coming out party against NC State but was a non-factor against the Trojans a week later. If Jaden Greathouse is able to return, he's also a player Denbrock will have to get going on offense. This unit currently ranks No. 10 in the country in points per game and No. 11 in the country in yards per play. Getting these players involved will help get this offense closer to their ceiling.
3. Rebuilt Interior Offensive Line - The injury bugs looks to have remained in the trenches for Notre Dame. Two weeks ago, they lost center Ashton Craig for the season with another knee injury. Last weekend, they lost left guard and offensive captain Billy Schrauth with an MCL injury; Schrauth isn't expected back until the end of the regular season. Redshirt sophomore Joe Otting stepped into the starting lineup against USC and performed extremely well in his first collegiate start. This weekend, redshirt sophomore Sullivan Absher will step into the starting lineup in place of Schrauth. As of right now, their most experienced interior player is redshirt freshman Guerby Lambert who will be making his 8th career start at right guard. The talent is there, but this unit is significantly less experienced heading into November than they were heading into October.
Two Key Battles
1. Sullivan Absher vs Sedarius McConnell - Defensive tackle Sedarius McConnell is one of Boston College's most productive defensive lineman. He currently leads the team in tackles for a loss (6.5) and sacks (2.5). At times throughout the afternoon, Absher will be matched up with McConnell and will have to perform at a high level to keep Carr's jersey clean. This isn't a big interior for the Eagles defensive line, and Absher is 6-8, 325-pounds so size is clearly on his side. Experience, on the other hand, is not. McConnell has started every game for Boston College this season along the interior and while Absher has rotated in throughout the season, he will be making his first collegiate start tomorrow. This will be a battle to watch in both the run and pass game.
2. Malachi Fields vs Carter Davis - The last two weeks have been relatively quiet for Fields. He had one catch for 20 yards against NC State and one catch for nine yards against USC. Tomorrow, he'll be matched up with Carter Davis who is listed as a safety but has started the last three games for Boston College at boundary corner. The 6-1, 190-pound sophomore brings some size to the boundary and is a better matchup against the 6-4, 223-pound Fields. This offense can't reach it's full potential without Fields operating and producing at a high level. Ideally, Denbrock has worked some schematic shifts in the gameplan for Saturday to get Fields the ball down field.
One Player To Watch: Left Guard Sullivan Absher
Once again, the Irish are dealing with significant injuries along the offensive line. Thankfully, they have the depth to replace and load in the next man like they did last season. This time, 6-7, 325-pound Absher steps into the starting lineup at left guard. He was in a position battle this fall camp with Lambert for the right guard spot. They rotated throughout the Miami game, but Lambert eventually won out and has been the full-time right guard ever since. Absher has came in at right guard at times since the Miami game due to injuries elsewhere on the offensive line. Now, it's his time to cement himself as the starter, at least throughout the next couple of weeks, and ensure this unit doesn't skip a beat until Schrauth's return.
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