Central Michigan at Notre Dame Prediction - College Football Picks 9/16/23
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet the Central Michigan Chippewas in non-conference action this weekend in South Bend from Notre Dame Stadium. This will mark the first time these two schools face off.
Central Michigan Jayhawks Preview
Central Michigan moved to 1-1 after defeating New Hampshire by a final score of 45-42. The Chippewas avoided dropping their home opener with a last-second field goal, and they’ll face another uphill battle here in South Bend.!Through two games, the CMU offense is scoring 38.0 ppg, while totaling 489.5 yards per game, gaining 285.0 ypg through the air, and rushing for 204.5 ypg.
CMU Player Notes
• Bert Emanuel Jr. struggled to move the ball through the air last week, going 7/19 for 193 passing yards, with two touchdowns to two interceptions, but he did produce well on the ground, going for 101 yards and two rushing scores. Emanuel will be in for a long weekend if he’s unable to complete passes efficiently, and he’s totaled 280 passing yards, 142 rushing yards and five touchdowns (3 pass, 2 rush) to three interceptions through two games.
• Junior RB Myles Bailey led the backfield with 108 yards rushing and a score versus New Hampshire after struggle against Michigan State.
• Sophomore wideout Chris Parker scored against the Spartans, and he led the way with 124 yards in the win over UNH.
• The CMU defense held New Hampshire to 6/14 on third downs, while allowing a massive 538 total yards.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview
Notre Dame enters at 3-0 after defeating N.C. State in Raleigh by three touchdowns, 45-24. The Fighting Irish pulled away in the fourth quarter to remain undefeated, and they’ll look to keep rolling here against the Chippewas. Through three contests, the Notre Dame offense is averaging 47.7 points per game, while passing for 291.7 ypg, and gaining 194.1 ypg on the ground.
ND Player Notes
• Sam Hartman avenged his struggles in Raleigh with a four-touchdown performance against N.C. State, passing for a season-high 286 yards along the way. The veteran quarterback will look to keep things going with a date with Ohio State looming, and he’s totaled 731 passing yards, with ten touchdowns to no interceptions through three starts.
• Junior back Audric Estime played a big part in last week’s victory as well, gaining 134 yards and scoring twice on the ground against the Wolfpack. Estime is up to 345 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the season.
• Sophomore tight end Holden Staes led the team in receiving with four catches for 115 yards last weekend, as leading wideout Jayden Thomas missed the contests.
• The Notre Dame defense held N.C. State to 8/19 on third downs, while allowing 344 total yards.
Corey’s Free Pick
Notre Dame will face a massive spread this weekend, but there’s a very real chance they shut this Central Michigan team out, as their inability to stretch the field vertically will really limit them here. The Fighting Irish will likely be able to key into the run game, and they’ve been one of the best teams in the country on that side of the ball. It may look a lot like their one-sided matchup with Navy, so take a chance on Notre Dame with the five-score margin in their tune-up for Oho State, and give the Under a look as well.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
