Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 6, 2017 45 TURNOVER TRIO Entering the final weekend of October, it was notable that the top three teams in the 129-team Football Bowl Subdivision who had the few- est turnovers this season were North Carolina State, Miami and Wake For- est — the three consecutive oppo- nents Notre Dame was slated to play from Oct. 28 through Nov. 11. The Wolfpack led the FBS in the fewest turnovers with three, while Miami and Wake Forest had four apiece, although with Miami it was in only six games whereas the De- mon Deacons achieved it through seven contests. M e a n w h i l e , f i r s t - y e a r N o t re Dame defensive coordinator Mike Elko — who had the same job title at Wake Forest from 2014-16 — has transformed the Irish defense into a playmaking unit that has vastly improved in its ability to generate turnovers. During their 6-1 start, the Irish ranked fourth nationally in turn- over margin (plus-1.43 per game) and were tied for No. 8 in turnovers gained with 17 (10 fumbles and seven interceptions). The latter figure is particularly noteworthy because in 2015 and 2016 Notre Dame forced only 14 turnovers each time during 13- and 12-game seasons. The ability to continue to induce turnovers would go a long way to- ward the Irish remaining in the con- versation as a potential top-10 team. RECRUITING FROM WAKE FOREST Last year Wake Forest produced a winning season (7-6) and bowl vic- tory for the first time since 2008, and it was spearheaded by an overachiev- ing, salty defense that finished 10th nationally in turnovers forced, 12th in sacks and 20th in scoring defense. In vital need of overhauling the Notre Dame defense, Irish head coach Brian Kelly hired Demon Deacons coordinator Mike Elko and their linebackers coach, Clark Lea. The dramatic transformation was conspicuous through the first two months this season. Wake Forest also was able to hire an esteemed defensive coordinator in Minnesota's Jay Sawvel, who helped the Golden Gophers finish 9-4 last year while ranking 14th nationally against the run, and 21st in both total defense and scoring defense. Elko left a good base led by end Duke Ejiofor and safety Jessie Bates, both named third-team All-ACC in 2016, and through seven games this year the Demon Deacons were 28th nation- ally in scoring defense (19.7 points allowed per game). Elko should have a pretty strong understanding of his former team, although the same could be said of Wake Forest head coach Dave Claw- son regarding Elko's schemes. Nevertheless, in the 12-game reg- ular-season schedule, Wake Forest, whose recruiting the past five years ranked from 52 to 74, would join September foes Temple and Miami (Ohio), and Navy, as the bottom- third group least likely to defeat the Irish in 2017. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: WAKE FOREST Notre Dame hired defensive coordinator Mike Elko away from Wake Forest in an effort to improve its playmaking ability. Through seven games, the Irish ranked fourth nationally in turnover margin (plus- 1.43 per game) and were tied for No. 8 in turnovers gained (17). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Predictions Corey Bodden: Notre Dame 35, Wake Forest 17 A potential trap game, but Notre Dame's focus has been good all season. Wake Forest played Clemson even through the final three quarters and could make it interesting for a bit, but the Irish pull away. Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 38, Wake Forest 13 Wake Forest continues to improve under fourth-year head coach Dave Clawson, but it doesn't have the talent to hang with this physical Notre Dame team. David McKinney: Notre Dame 55, Wake Forest 13 It doesn't hurt that Mike Elko has a pretty good knowledge of the Demon Deacons. Maybe Wake Forest keeps it competitive for a quarter or so, but the Irish will pull away eventually. Lou Somogyi: 35, Wake Forest 10 After the crucial top-15 doubleheader versus USC and North Carolina State, I'm not sure how up the Irish will be again, but the talent disparity overall should show up.