BYU Cougars at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview

By Thomas Hanson  |   Friday, October 21, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

One has to honestly wonder, when was the last time that a team was ranked ninth in the country in late October without having a single home victory?

Such is the case for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who play host to the BYU Cougars one week after Notre Dame outplayed the No. 1 team in the land, before losing in the final seconds, 34-31 to the USC Trojans. Notre Dame, at No. 9, is the highest ranked team in the nation with two losses.

The Notre Dame program has regained the respect of the national media in 2005 under Charlie Weis. Playing an enormously difficult early season schedule that has seen the team play five teams ranked in the Top Twenty-five at one time or another, the Irish have played four of their six games on the road this season. Amazingly, both of Notre Dame's losses (Southern Cal. and Michigan State) have come at home.

Meanwhile the Cougars come into the game as a 20 point underdog and an after thought by most to be able to compete with the Irish. But BYU heads to South Bend having won its last two games, topping New Mexico and Colorado State. The team also played exceptionally well in a 51-50, emotionally-draining OT loss to Texas Christian (6-1) earlier in the season, a team currently ranked 21st in the country and undefeated in the Mountain West Conference.

BYU quarterback John Beck is averaging more than 300 yards a game passing as the team often uses four and five receiver sets on offense. But the Cougars have proven they can run the ball as well, attempting just 18 passes against Colorado State while rushing for 274 yards on the ground in their win a week ago.

While Notre Dame has proven it can score with anybody, the team has been sub par overall on defense, leaving the Irish somewhat vulnerable. Notre Dame will need to be ready to play against a solid BYU offense if they expect to gain their first home win of the season.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report