Murtaugh: Alright, I wanna talk about some-
Me: I’d like to say something, that I have prepared…tonight.
Hello, how bout that first half of the season? Guess that’s why they call it Notre Dame Football. Ha, Ha.
Okay, I won’t do the whole speech by Alan from the 2009 movie The Hangover, but the first part of the sentiment still stands. This team has been a struggle to watch at times and fun at others. Sitting at 3-3, the Irish win column is looking for another win to join the 4-Win Wolfpack. (Okay the Hangover references are going to end there).
Ironically, two weeks after the Irish made the trip to Vegas, the team that actually resides there is coming into South Bend. Making their first trip to South Bend, are the UNLV Runnin Rebels.
Notre Dame (-25.5) vs. UNLV
Notre Dame Stadium
South Bend, IN
Date: Saturday, October 22th, 2022
Time: 2:30 PM ET
TV (Well Streaming): Peacock
The Second Annual Push a NBCSN (RIP) Game to Peacock is here. Doesn’t it feel like it snuck up on everyone? Well if not this is your reminder that this game will be exclusively on NBC’s OTT service. If you still have Peacock from last year, great! If not, this is your final reminder that you need to pick it up before tomorrow afternoon.
As for the Rebels, they bring their own up and coming Marcus into South Bend. Marcus Arroyo is in his third season in Las Vegas, and this one is the most promising. After a 2-18 first two years, UNLV seemed to turn a corner. Arroyo brought in two new coordinators to bring this new winning success to the program. OC Nick Holz is using his tenure with the Raiders to bring some life to the Rebels offense. Keith Hayward runs things on the other side of the ball, bringing Pac-12 pedigree in spades.
The pedigree is showing for both the offense and the defense, giving them a close loss to Cal and solid wins over mid-tier G5 programs North Texas and Utah State. The past two weeks have shown struggles for the Rebels against San Jose State and Air Force, but this is a feisty team on both sides of the ball.
UNLV’s Offense
The pedigree is showing for both the offense and the defense, giving them a close loss to Cal and solid wins over mid-tier G5 programs North Texas and Utah State. The past two weeks have shown struggles for the Rebels against San Jose State and Air Force, but this is a feisty team on both sides of the ball.
The offense runs entirely through starting QB Doug Brumfield. A holdover from the previous coach’s recruiting class, the sophomore has shown some of his potential for the Rebels in Holz’s system. He has dazzled in his efforts against North Texas and Utah State. However, he was concussed in their loss against San Jose State and has yet to return to game action. He is currently questionable this week. If he plays, he has a dual threat ability that could make the Irish LB think twice before giving him space. His backup is Cam Friel. He was the starting QB in 2021 after Brumfield got hurt. The Irish pressure may get the best of Friel if the DL wins the battle in the trenches. In the past two games, Friel struggled to find many passes due to the pressure the Spartans and Falcons brought.
The rushing attack appears to be a combination of Aidan Robbins, a Louisville transfer, and Courtney Reese. Robbins seemed to have big numbers as a potential threat in the backfield when Brumfield was making plays, but has slowed down as the defense seems to put pressure into the backfield. The pass catchers of note for UNLV are Kyle Williams and Ricky White. The two leading receivers for the Rebels are both averaging 13 yards per catch and 4 TDs a piece on the season. They are both around 6 feet, so the secondary will have their hands full with them if the defensive line can’t get pressure on whomever is playing QB.
UNLV’s Defense
The big stat that has been making rounds in certain circles is that the UNLV offense had less plays than Air Force had points (42-35 for those curious). While I don’t imagine Marcus Freeman is going to go full triple option given (gestures at Drew Pyne), the running game aspect is notable. This is mostly due to UNLV losing depth on the DL. Naki Fahina and Tavis Malakius appear to be out to the trip to Notre Dame. The key may be trying to replicate that success.
Elsewhere, the Rebels defense has stepped up. They have ballhawks in the secondary, getting 11 INTs on the year. They may also be in a tough position though, as two top safeties may also be out for this game as well. Jordyn Morgan is to watch to see if he is going to play. The Iowa State transfer could try and patch things together with potential JUCO transfers behind him on the depth chart. But, if they do get an interception or any turnover, I do hope they have the turnover Slot Machine. In a world of weird turnover relics, that one is pretty close to the top.
You’re highest scoring offense in FBS is currently UNLV. They win 52-21 over Idaho State. They also have a turnover slot machine. pic.twitter.com/pjykRZ9T7Y
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) August 27, 2022
Prediction
My gut is telling me a couple of things on first glance. It’s saying that this UNLV is an improving team that is dealing with a losing skid and injuries. That blueprint, combined with the plethora of offensive weapons to throw at the depleted defense. The UNLV offense has shown enough struggle on tape that the defense should be ready and not make this close. However, this is Notre Dame we’re talking about. Freeman needs to figure out how to right the ship and this team looks like a perfect chance to do so. But, so was Marshall.
You’d like to think that after a bad loss to Stanford and knowing where he went wrong with his prep for Marshall that this will be a runaway effort. Ultimately, I do think the Irish rushing attack wins the day. Big days for all of the big names, add a dash of Mayer strength and the Irish will pull away in this game.
A comfortable 20+ point win over a mediocre opponent? Where have I heard that before?
Who knows? Home game, so I’m presuming an unfocused, low-effort performance. I’m guessing we’ll score no more than 3 points in the first quarter and the defense will give up at least three 3rd and longs. Spicy prediction: Pyne is benched and replaced by Angeli, thus kicking off our next QB controversy.
ND escapes 19-16. ND beat reporters start hyping Tommy Rees to take over as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Rees taking over as PM seems like a win-win to me.
Should we start the Peanut Butter chants now?
Let’s put a headset on lettuce and have it call plays in short yardage situations.
Can’t be worse!
Deep cut, but perfect.
T=Lets be honest. this game should not worry anyone but the most nervous ND fans. The fact that it does says all you need to know about the state of the program.
Slack for TV games only?