Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/413403
GAME PREVIEW: NORTHWESTERN Penn State (29-6) and Wisconsin (20- 14) before losing at Minnesota on a 100-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. TURNOVER TRIUMPHS In each of the last two seasons, heavy underdog Navy gave itself a chance to win against Notre Dame by winning the turnover battle, including committing none in 38-34 and 49-39 defeats in 2013 and 2014, respectively. That's where Northwestern also must prevail to put itself in a position to spring an upset on the Irish. The Wildcats have a 33-14 all-time mark under Pat Fitzgerald in games when they win the turnover battle, and it's been one area of strength for them this season. Entering their Nov. 8 game versus Michigan, Northwestern ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 15 nationally in fewest turnovers lost this year with nine (three fumbles and six intercep- tions). After committing only one turnover in the first three games this season, Notre Dame did not win the turnover battle in its next five contests, enter- ing the showdown at Arizona State Nov. 8. ✦ Predictions Douglas Farmer: Notre Dame 41, Northwestern 17 Up until its 48-7 pasting against Iowa to open November, Northwestern presented itself as a competi- tive team. The Wildcats had suffered only one loss by more than one possession, to Big Ten contender Nebraska. The Hawkeyes then exposed the Wildcats' impotent offense along with their average, at best, defense. Expect Notre Dame to do the same. Tom Loy: Notre Dame 50 Northwestern 17 The Wildcats are struggling this season, and it doesn't look to get much better heading into the matchup with the Irish on the road. There is far too much firepower offensively at Notre Dame for Northwestern to hang around in this contest. This could get out of hand early with Fighting Irish senior quarterback Everett Golson leading a comfortable win. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 35, Northwestern 20 Which Northwestern team will show up? The one that beat Wisconsin or the one that lost to Northern Illinois? The Wildcats have had an up-and-down season, and while they will be excited about playing at Notre Dame — perhaps no one more so than head coach Pat Fitzgerald — one of the nation's worst of- fenses won't be able to keep up with the Irish. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 31, Northwestern 16 Northwestern strikes me like a Purdue, Boston College, Pitt or Navy in that no matter how much it might be outmatched on paper, it is likely to play one of its best two or three games of the season against the Irish. The Wildcats probably will need to force three or four turnovers to stay within striking distance, but Notre Dame often plays up or down to the level of its foe.