Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM NOV. 18, 2023 37 GAME PREVIEW: WAKE FOREST WAKE FOREST PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE So if Wake Forest is just so-so in the running game, it's got to be the passing game that strings the Demon Deacons along, right? Wrong. Truth is, this is just a middling offense. The passing numbers prove it. Wake Forest's SIS points earned per passing play of 0.011 through Week 9 ranked 116th in the FBS. The Demon Deacons just haven't been able to get it right with any of the three quarterbacks — redshirt sophomores Mitch Griffis and San- tino Marucci, and redshirt junior Michael Kern— they've tried this season. Griffis has been QB1 for most of the season. He learned from Hartman for three seasons but has completed only 57.3 percent of his passes with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions through the De- mon Deacons' first eight games. He ranked 166th in the country in points earned per passing play among all FBS quarterbacks who had attempted at least 20 passes through Week 9. Considering there are only 133 teams in the FBS, 166th is not where you want to be on any list as a supposed starter. It probably won't matter who gets the nod at quarterback for Wake Forest against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish had the nation's No. 3 passing efficiency defense through Week 9. The Irish's points saved per passing play against of 0.580 was second in the country behind only Michigan's mark of 0.583. Through Week 9, nobody in the country had more interceptions than Notre Dame senior safety Xavier Watts. The Irish secondary gets after op- posing quarterbacks and wideouts in waves. It's Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 48, Wake Forest 10 Wake Forest's offense has taken a mighty fall this season after standout quarterback Sam Hartman transferred to Notre Dame. Hartman led the Demon Deacons to eight wins, 36.1 points per game and a No. 9 national ranking in passing offense in 2022. The Demon Deacons were ranked just No. 99 in passing offense this season and were averaging only 22.2 points per outing through eight games this season. The reunion between Hartman and many of his former teammates will remain a top storyline before this game. But none of those gushy sidebars will play a factor in a blowout Irish win. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 45, Wake Forest 6 The Demon Deacons have really missed quarterback Sam Hartman this season. Through Week 9, Wake ranked 89th nationally in passing efficiency (124.6 rating), 99th in passing offense (201.2 yards per game) and 100th in scoring offense (22.2 points per game). It'll hurt even more when he's on the same field with them. Wake was 82nd in pass efficiency defense (137.2 rating) and 112th passing defense (256.5 yards allowed per game), which means Hartman has an excellent chance to have the type of big day he had earlier this season in his last game at Notre Dame Stadium. The Deacons simply don't have the talent to hang with the Irish in this one. Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 48, Wake Forest 16 Even when Sam Hartman was on the Demon Deacons' sidelines Wake For- est could not beat the Irish. Now that he is Notre Dame's signal-caller, I like the Irish to win … and win big in their home season finale. Hartman will be on his A-game facing his former team and I expect him to have one of the best games of his one-year Notre Dame career. Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 38, Wake Forest 13 It'll be a happy day for Sam Hartman against his former team. Wake For- est just doesn't have enough offensive firepower to go into South Bend and beat Notre Dame — especially against a Fighting Irish defense that is playing as well as this one. Hartman might not light up the stat sheet — he really hasn't done so since the first month of the season — but he'll make enough plays to flash his fa- miliar smile on the sideline in the second half when the game is in hand. He'll obviously be bolstered by a Notre Dame run game that loves to grind down opponents this time of year, too. Irish win big on senior day. Jack Soble: Notre Dame 41, Wake Forest 10 Wake Forest does not run the ball particularly well, which is the only way to beat the Irish defense. It allowed the third-most sacks (36) in the FBS through Week 9. This won't be a revenge game for Sam Hartman — there is a lot of love in his heart for Wake Forest — but it will be emotional for a few reasons. He'll win his last game at Notre Dame Stadium. Staff Predictions Through eight contests, junior defensive end Jasheen Davis paced Wake Forest in both tackles for loss (11) and sacks (5.5). PHOTO COURTESY WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS