The Notre Dame Fighting Irish go up against the Texas Longhorns in both team’s first game of the season. This is a big first step for both programs as the Irish hope this season will end with a trip to the college football playoff and the Longhorns hope to get back on the right foot after a bad season last season.

The Keys to the Game

The keys for Notre Dame are to hold on to the ball and to start quickly against the Texas Longhorns. Last season after starting 6-0 the Irish fell apart and turned the ball over a lot. Texas is a good team they have to hold onto the ball against the Horns in order to get out on the right foot. They also have to put the pedal to the medal from the opening kickoff.

The keys for Texas are to pressure Malik Zaire Notre Dame’s QB in his first career start at Notre Dame Stadium. It is Zaire’s 2nd career start overall. The Longhorns also have to successfully run the ball against Notre Dame’s defense. If they can successfully run the ball with their star running back Jonathan Gray. Gray can be very dangerous in the backfield for the Longhorns. They also have to force Zaire into turnovers.  

Series History

This is not the first meeting between these two schools. The last time ND and UT played was 1996. Currently Notre Dame is on a 4 game winning streak against Texas, the start of the streak was a 24-11 win in 1971. The series record is in Notre Dame’s favor as Notre Dame is 8-2 in the all time series.

Players To Watch

The players to watch for Notre Dame are Malik Zaire looking to replace Everett Golson and Alize Jones. Jones is looking to be the next great Notre Dame tight end following in the foot steps in recent years of Tyler Eifert, and Kyle Rudolph. Zaire has to be better than Golson who played great for the Irish at times and was a Heisman candidate but at other times he was a very turnover prone QB.

The players to watch for Texas are Malik Jefferson and whoever starts between Tyron Swoopes and Jerod Heard. The winner of that QB battle will have a big challenge against a really good Notre Dame defense. The QBs will need to tear up the Irish defense. Malick Jefferson has big expectations being the 10th ranked recruit in the country coming into this year. He needs to live up to the expectations and play well against the Irish.

Why Notre Dame Will Win The Game

Notre Dame will win the game because they are probably the better team. Expect Malik Zaire to tear up the Longhorns defense and the defense to limit the amount of damage the Horns can do.

Why Texas Will Win The Game

Texas will win the game against Notre Dame because they will run all over Notre Dame’s defense and they will force Zaire into to turnovers.

Prediction

The Irish will beat Texas in this matchup and get on the right foot. Malik Zaire will play well in his home debut and the defense powered by Max Redfield will step up to the plate as the Irish will take down the Longhorns by a score of 28-7.

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About the author
Max ONeill
My name Is Max ONeill, I am currently a Senior at York Prep in NYC, I have written for multiple years for my own blog, Max2theMax. I love NYC Sports including the Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and Giants. Ithaca College Bound!!