Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2021 43 Using passing game deficiencies as a backdrop, the first question Nor- vell must answer before the Semi- noles host Notre Dame in the season opener is who starts at quarterback, and that may take until game day to find out. Despite throwing for only six touchdowns and six interceptions with 1,056 passing yards in six starts last season, Travis — a dangerous dual-threat athlete — entered fall camp as the favorite to start against the Irish. Yet, Central Florida transfer McK- enzie Milton played well in the spring during his return from a grue- some knee injury. Milton went 27-6 as a three-year starter for the Knights and became a two-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, prior to his injury. He threw for 72 touchdowns with just 22 picks and rushed for another 20 scores at UCF. Whomever earns the starting spot for FSU should have an adequate stable of targets. Last year 's leading receiver, red- shirt junior Ontaria Wilson, returns after catching 30 passes in 2020. Redshirt junior tight end Camren McDonald (23 catches for 263 yards and two scores) is experienced and played well in the spring. And speedy redshirt junior Keyshawn Helton (14 catches) is a breakout re- ceiving candidate for the Seminoles. FSU tallied 252 passing yards in the loss to Notre Dame last year — the second-most aerial yards the Seminoles recorded in a game last season. The Irish were solid but not spec- tacular defending the pass last sea- son, ranking No. 34 in pass efficiency defense (126.19), No. 40 in sacks per game (2.58) and No. 58 in total inter- ceptions (seven). Advantage: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. FLORIDA STATE RUN DEFENSE The good news is that Notre Dame piled up 353 rushing yards in the win over the Seminoles last year, easily a season high for the Irish. Tailback Kyren Williams recorded 185 yards — his season high — while backup Chris Tyree added 103 yards, his second- highest single-game total in 2020. GAME PREVIEW: FLORIDA STATE Staff Predictions Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 27, Florida State 17 Two programs moving in different directions, Notre Dame has been a playoff team two of the last three seasons while Florida State is only 14-20 during that same span. The Irish begin the season with many new faces in new places, but superior talent wins out in this one, even on the road. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 30, Florida State 26 This matchup feels eerily similar to Notre Dame's 2016 opener at Texas, which was coming off its second straight losing season (5-7) and had lost 38-3 in South Bend the year prior. The Irish lost 50-47 in two overtimes. Additionally, this will be the first game in Tallahassee since the passing of FSU legend Bobby Bowden. I expect a spirited effort from the Seminoles, but believe this edition of the Irish are better than the snakebitten 2016 group and will find a way to escape with a win. Patrick Engel: Notre Dame 23, Florida State 16 It's hard to call an opener a trap game, but Florida State's dismal 3-6 record last year sells short the upset potential in this one. The Seminoles raided the transfer portal in the offseason and snagged former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton, one of the nation's best passers in 2017-18 until suffering a horrific knee injury. He and the other transfer additions could plausibly help Florida State take a big jump. It creates just enough pause in an opener for an Irish team with its share of questions. Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 31, Florida State 17 It's going to take Notre Dame's offense a while to get in gear with a new starting quarterback, but defense will define the day for the Golden Domers. I predict either a defensive touchdown or a turnover that leads directly to a score to shift momentum in the Irish's favor. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 27, Florida State 20 Notre Dame is about an eight-point favorite against Florida State, which sounds right to me. The Seminoles have talent, and it may take a while for the offense to get rolling with a new starting quar- terback and a new-look offensive line. Still, I'll take the Irish to get it done on the road. Redshirt junior tight end Camren McDonald will be one of the Seminoles' top offensive weapons this fall, after notching 23 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. PHOTO COURTESY FLORIDA STATE ATHLETICS