BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #7 NOTRE DAME

October 24, 2008


Even though Notre Dame is sitting at 4-2 with what looks to be a revitalized squad here in 2008, this weekends trip to the Great Northwest is a key game for the Irish hopes as the hope to land in one of the better college football bowl games this season.

Charlie Weiss' squad is coming off a tough 29-24 road loss to North Carolina and have had two weeks to prepare for the trip to winless Washington. The Irish have had plenty of time to continue to get their young squad, led by Jimmy Clausen on the same page with their new spread offense. Against UNC, the offense moved the ball (472 yards) with Clausen throwing for 383, but 5 turnovers, compared to NONE for the Tarheels, were easily the difference in the ball game. Expect the Irish to take MUCH better care of the pigskin this weekend.

While much of the primetime attention Saturday night will focus on Ohio State/Penn State, Notre Dame will be another popular draw on the tube and ESPN2 will broadcast the match-up. College Football Odds peg the Irish as 10 1/2 point road favorites, which seems a little rich. Sure, the Huskies are winless (0-6) and coming off a 34-13 home loss to the Beavers of Oregon State, but expect them to play up to the competition ND provides.

Prediction:

Notre Dame 33
Washington 24