Notre Dame chases their thirteenth straight victory in a rainy Battle for the Megaphone. Our experts break down why a dominant defense defines this historic rivalry clash.
The No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0) renew their storied rivalry with the Michigan State Spartans (2-0) this weekend as the Irish look to win the latest Battle for the Megaphone. Notre Dame is also looking to win its 13th straight game, which would mark the program's longest since an 18-game streak from 1992 to 1993.
Location: Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame, Ind.)
Date: Saturday - September 19
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Network: NBC/Peacock
Line: Notre Dame -29.5; O/U - 52.5
Here are the IB staff predictions for this game:
BRYAN DRISKELL
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 9
Notre Dame has been dominant in its first two wins and that should continue against the Spartans. While the offense is still getting its feet wet with a new look group, the defense has been outstanding. In fact, the Notre Dame defense has scored more points (14) in the first two games than it has allowed (13). Expect the Irish defense to once again dominate against a Michigan State offense that is improved, but still doesn't matchup against Notre Dame's group. This will be the best offensive line Notre Dame has faced this season, but it's still a matchup that favors the Irish. In a game that is expected to be wet, Notre Dame's ability to dominate the run game will be a major factor in the team's success.
On the other side of the ball, the Notre Dame offense needs its line to perform better. With heavy rain expected throughout the game, the ground attack will likely be needed more from the offense. That puts the line, which has struggled with run blocking for much of the first two games, in a position to have a major impact on the game. Even with the rain, quarterback CJ Carr will still make a lot of plays against the Spartans. If the line can hold up its end of the bargain the Irish offense should be able to eventually get rolling against an improved and quality Spartan defense.
TREVOR TROWBRIDGE
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 6
College football seasons just feel right when the Irish take on the Spartans. This is the first time since 2016 that these two have met inside of Notre Dame Stadium and there's some payback to be had. Having said that, I think this is going to be a disciplined Michigan State defense led by Joe Rossi and head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The margin of victory has the opportunity to be much more significant in Notre Dame's favor, but the offensive line has to show me they can come out and dominate for 60 minutes. This Spartan's offense doesn't have the overall talent to hang with this Notre Dame defense which is playing lights out right now. Weather could be a factor, but to me, this game comes down to the offensive line and I see this playing out similar to the season opener. It will be frustratingly close in the first half. Notre Dame will come out in the second half and put this one away quickly.
VINCE DEDARIO
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 7
Notre Dame has been dominant through the first two weeks, beating Wisconsin 41-13 and Rice 52-0, while CJ Carr has completed 71.4% of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Michigan State is 2-0 under Pat Fitzgerald and has looked solid, but this is a completely different level of opponent, and the Spartans are making their first road trip of the season. I expect Michigan State to have some success early with Alessio Milivojevic and its physical offense, but Notre Dame's defensive speed and overall talent take over early. Carr continues his strong start, Aneyas Williams provides enough balance, and the Irish pull away in the second half for a 38-7 victory.
ANDREW McDONOUGH
Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Michigan State 6
The talent difference between these 2 teams is wider than the final score, but with the strong likelihood of weather impacting the game, I see the Irish leaning on special teams and defense in this one. Despite opening the season with back-to-back games against MAC opponents, Michigan State ranks 90th in the country in yards per play, and if Notre Dame is able to control field position in this game, the Spartans are going to have a hard time finding the end zone and will come away with just a couple field goals.
On the other side, Michigan State is going to try to limit what has been a sputtering Notre Dame rushing attack and unless we see some additional creativity in the run game, I think the Spartans will have some success stalling Irish drives and forcing field goals in the red zone. Mike Denbrock knows that the only way Michigan State makes this a game is by forcing turnovers, so I expect some more conservative play calling in longer down and distances and a willingness to come away with 3 points. If Notre Dame is able to figure out their run game issues and stay ahead of the chains, you could see the Irish get over 40 points even with the weather.
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