Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/176703
Game Preview: Oklahoma coach Paul "Bear" Bryant all four times from 1973-80 when his teams had a combined 37-3 record entering those games. • Two is Notre Dame posting a 13game unbeaten streak (12-0-1) against archrival USC from 1983-95, with five of those Trojans teams going to the Rose Bowl. • Third, the amazing 9-1 all-time series record against the Oklahoma Sooners, including last year's 30‑13 victory that improved Notre Dame's record to 5-0 in Norman. Six of those wins came against Oklahoma teams that were ranked in the Associated Press top 10. Head coach Bob Stoops also is 0-2 against the Irish. In his debut season back in 1999, Stoops' Sooners built a 3014 lead before Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson (276 yards passing and 107 rushing) rallied his team to victory, 34-30, in the rain. Will Oklahoma have more incentive than ever with the proverbial chip on its shoulder, or will Notre Dame continue to have its number? ✦ Predictions Tom Loy: Oklahoma 34, Notre Dame 31 Blake Bell is a true dual-threat quarterback, and he will be difficult to stop if he plays as well as he already has this season. He will get double-digit carries and attempt to catch the Irish secondary cheating toward the line of scrimmage. The Notre Dame safeties will need to stay patient and stick to their assignments in order to not get beat deep on play-action passes. If Bell plays well, it will be difficult for Notre Dame to beat the Sooners. Dan Murphy: Oklahoma 33, Notre Dame 24 Notre Dame stuck another thorn in the Sooner faithful's side last year in Norman. A talented group of Oklahoma wide receivers racked up more than 300 yards receiving, but couldn't get into the end zone. This year's Irish haven't had the ability to slam the door shut on opposing offenses in the red zone like they did last fall. The Sooners have too many play-making athletes on offense for the Irish to keep pace even on their home turf. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 28, Oklahoma 27 Given the track records of college football heavyweights Notre Dame and Oklahoma, it is amazing that the series history is so imbalanced, with the Irish claiming nine of 10 previous meetings. A year ago, Oklahoma entered the red zone four times, but mustered just one touchdown and two field goals. Notre Dame must overcome its 2013 red-zone struggles on both sides of the ball if it is to avoid another early-season loss. Lou Somogyi: Oklahoma 27, Notre Dame 23 If both teams are at their best, then I believe Notre Dame wins. This is strictly a "law of averages" pick with the Irish holding a 9-1 series lead. I picked 10-2 in the preseason with the losses to Michigan and Oklahoma, and a late-season upset of Stanford. I couldn't pull the trigger on Michigan earlier this month, so it would be hypocritical for me not to do it versus Oklahoma. Hope I'm wrong again.