Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 13, 2021 37 GAME PREVIEW: VIRGINIA Senior linebacker Noah Taylor has made 56 stops this sea- son, and leads UVA with 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS Staff Predictions Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 48, Virginia 24 After a disappointing 5-5 record last season, Virginia (6-3) and its high- powered offense that averages 401.0 passing yards and 38.9 points per game has returned to its winning ways. Cavaliers junior quarterback Brennan Armstrong has thrown for at least 300 yards eight times this season but a rib injury suffered against BYU Oct. 30 leaves his availability in question. Since 2016, Irish head coach Brian Kelly has lost only one regular-season game against an ACC team (Miami, 2017). He's 22-0 against the conference since. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 45, Virginia 31 If nothing else, the Cavaliers have been extremely entertaining to watch this season. Junior quarterback Brennan Armstrong leads the nation in passing yards (3,557), total offense (3,828) and points responsible for (212). However, Armstrong suffered a rib injury in the Cavaliers' 66-49 loss at BYU Oct. 30, and the severity of the injury was unknown heading into their bye week. If he doesn't play, the scales tip decidedly in Notre Dame's favor. The three signal-callers behind him are all freshmen and the Virginia defense has struggled mightily, allowing 30.8 points and 466.2 yards per game. The Irish should be able keep the good times rolling on the offensive side of the ball against the Cavaliers en route to another big point total and yet another victory. Patrick Engel: Notre Dame 42, Virginia 26 Quarterback Brennan Armstrong's uncertain status makes this one hard to peg. With him, the Cavaliers are a pass-happy, vertically focused offense that can put points on just about anyone. Can they be anywhere close to their normal selves if freshman Jay Woolfolk starts instead? If so, Notre Dame might have to win a shootout. If not, this one could quickly get out of hand. No matter the quarterback, Virginia's defensive issues are ripe for Notre Dame to exploit. The Irish offense has steadily moved the ball against mid- dling defenses the last few weeks. I don't see that changing here. Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 40, Virginia 31 This game hinges on whether or not Virginia quarterback Brennan Arm- strong is healthy and able to sling it like he has all season. If he is, it'll go down to the wire and likely be a shootout. If he isn't, Notre Dame might win in runaway fashion. The Fighting Irish are going to be favored either way. They have by far a better defense than the Cavaliers, and the offense has also come along in recent weeks. But Virginia can score with anybody when Armstrong is at full strength. Look for Notre Dame to win by a couple scores if Armstrong is out. Expect a back-and-forth high scoring affair if he's in. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 27, Virginia 20 It is tough to give a score prediction on the matchup when we don't know if the Cavaliers will have their starting quarterback back for the game. If Armstrong is out, give me the Irish by two touchdowns on the road. If he's at 90 percent or better, I'll take Notre Dame by a field goal. Since we don't have confirmation either way at the time of publishing, I'll go with Notre Dame by a touchdown. Sounds like solid logic, right?