Notre Dame vs. Michigan State Preview

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1:06Lockdown Podcast Network your team every day. Hello and welcome in to Lockdown Irish your daily home for Notre Dame football. I'm Tyler Wojtek and thank you for making this show your first watch or listen to the day on Wednesday September 16th. Notre Dame Michigan State is back and to get you ready we're going to start with what you need to know about the match up like what's at stake and why this rivalry still means something after nearly a decade apart. Then we're going to scout Michigan State on both sides of the ball and get into the biggest things I want to see from Notre Dame on offense and defense in this match up and we'll wrap things up with the look at special teams keys to the game and my predictions for how this one plays out. In today's episode is brought to you by Calci for limited time. Followed Calci in use code lock down to get $25 when you trade $25 Calci trade what's next. Alright let's set the stage for the return of this rivalry kick off is set for prime time 730 PM Eastern inside Notre Dame Stadium is the Irish in the Spartans Battle for the megaphone

2:06trophy. It is the first night game of the 2026 season at least at home for the Irish and the game is going to air on NBC featuring their big game crew of Noah Eagle and Todd Black in the booth with cappin tapin on the sidelines and the weather was just about perfect for the home opener safer a couple of degrees to hot but we might not be so lucky for the game against party it is going to be hot and humid during the day with temperatures in the mid 80s and an 88% chance of precipitation temperatures are going to drop into the high 60s in the evening but there is still a 60% chance of rain when it's hot and it's humid in the Midwest things can change quickly but that is something to monitor in the days leading up because obviously if it's storming during or around the game that could lead to delays or at the very least it could impact play on the field if the field in the ball is slippery. So we're going to be monitoring that over the next couple days but Saturday is going to mark the 80th meeting between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Michigan State Spartans.

3:07This series dates all the way back to 1897 do you remember that game I don't but the Irish lead the all-time series 49 to 29 and one these two schools have not faced off since 2017 which is really hard to believe but Michigan State is Notre Dame's fourth most played opponent in program history. Notre Dame won the last meeting 38 to 18 in East Lansing I remember that because I was actually at that game but it has been a back and forth rivalry dating back to the late 90s. Michigan State had a five game winning streak against Notre Dame starting in 1997 after losing eight in a row prior to that but then from 2002 all the way through 2017 it has been a great back and forth rivalry. The road team actually won every matchup from 2002 through 2007 and they were playing every single year at the time and then from 2008 through 2017 Notre Dame won five of eight so it's always been back and forth but it has been a rough go for Michigan State the last several years. The Spartans won 11 and 2 in 2021 they won a New Year's 6th Bowl and Mel Tucker's second year

4:11Tucker even got a huge contract out of it but then things went downhill in a hurry. He was fired less than two years later and since that 11 and 2 season Michigan State has not had a winning season going to combine 18 and 30 from 2022 through 2025. The Jonathan Smith era came and went after just two seasons and now Pat Fitzgerald has arrived after a three year hiatus from coaching. Fitzgerald was 110 and 101 during his time at Northwestern including three double digit win seasons and considering Northwestern had historically been one of the toughest place to win in college football. What Fitzgerald accomplished there was pretty impressive although the last couple seasons at Northwestern weren't that great on the field but he certainly has his work cut out for him as he tries to get Michigan State back on track now so far they are two and out with wins over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. The Spartans took care of Eastern Michigan 35 to 7 but they struggled a little bit with Toledo in the season opener they were actually trailing the rockets earlier in the fourth quarter. Can you imagine being in a dog

5:13fight with Toledo in the fourth quarter especially at home. I for one cannot but anyway, Sparty came back they won that game 30 to 20 and despite Michigan's 2 and 0 start. No name is currently favored by 29 and a half points on Fandall and the over under is 52 and a half so Vegas is predicting something in the ballpark of a 41 to 10 Notre Dame win. So I'll admit it is pretty difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that the spread is this big for Notre Dame Michigan's State game. This is a rivalry that has featured some iconic games like the famous 10 to 10 tie in the original game of the century in 1966 and growing up this was always one of the toughest games on the schedule for Notre Dame and it led to some truly memorable games I think back to 2005 when Notre Dame came roaring back after falling behind 38 to 17 in the second half only to ultimately lose and double over time before Michigan State players tried to plant a Spartan flag on the field inside Notre Dame Stadium. It was pretty funny though because Notre Dame at the time did not have

6:13the monogram in the middle of the field they thought they were planning at the 50 it was more like the 30 yard line but I was devastated after that game I was 9 years older and I vividly remember watching it with my dad one of my best friends at the time who was cheering for Notre Dame and his older brother who unfortunately was a big Michigan State fan. One year later 2006 Notre Dame had to come back once again against the Spartans it was this time it was on the road in the rain fresh off that terrible loss to Michigan when they got their doors blown off at home and for a while there during that game against Michigan State it looked like the season was going to be dead before the end of September and that's pretty tough for a scene that came into the season ranked number two in the country but Brady Quinn led another comeback but this time around the Irish finished the job. Trial Lambert's pick six but Notre Dame ahead for good and Lambert himself sealed the game with another interception on Michigan States ensuing possession and of course who could forget the 2010 game when Mark Dan Tony or the head coach for Michigan State at the time called the fake field goal they dubbed little giants on fourth and 14 and over time leading to the game

7:17winning touchdown. I will go to my grave saying that two flags should have been thrown on that play. First it was delay a game they did not get the snap off in time which would have pushed them back even further. Second offensive pass interference for literally tackling the Notre Dame defenders who were in coverage who recognized the fake they didn't call it so I digress. Now the more recent games between these two programs have not been quite as dramatic but this is still a historic college football rivalry and as a fan it feels great to have this game back but how much will any of that matter on Saturday. Well I doubt many players on either team can recall those games from the mid 2000s but Marcus Freeman said it was very important to teach us players about this rivalry and what it means and on the other side I am certain Pat Fitzgerald is going to impress the importance of this matchup on his team and former Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bula who is now codec at his own the moderate is definitely going to be as fired up as anyone and he's going to make sure that his guys on defense are ready to play. But once toe meets leather and this game is underway the only

8:22thing that matters is how the team in blue and gold plays because if Notre Dame plays anywhere near their full potential this should be a blowout. I think Fitzgerald is going to get this team and this program back on track at some point with three games in Michigan state is just not on the same level as Notre Dame or anywhere close to it. Now that doesn't mean the Irish can just show up and expect Michigan state to roll over. The Spartans are absolutely going to put up for put up a fight for as long as they possibly can. This is a team that's going to sign up for 60. This is not going to be a repeat of the rice game where one team was not even remotely competitive and for as close to perfect as that game was last week the Irish are still a work in progress in some areas. They've got to be more explosive in the running game which we'll talk more about in segment two. Car needs to continue building chemistry with his wide receivers and we'll see if someone can step up and become the true second option next to Jordan phase on the outside. The offensive line has been good but there is definitely another level or two for that group to reach and defensively it gets hard to nitpick much but they need to make sure they limit explosive

9:28plays. One big play in particular helped keep Wisconsin in the game at halftime but that unit on defense they have aspirations of not just being good they have what it takes to be the best defense in the entire country and if you want to hold that crown you've got to impose your will drive after drive week after week but more than anything this team as a whole has to continue improving from game to game. Marcus Freeman will never talk about going 15 to know or 16 to know or 14 one or openly discuss the pursuit of a national championship in any way but he somewhat showed his hand earlier this week when he said Notre Dame isn't a race to improve more and improve faster than every other team in the country. Now even though the improvements themselves are internal that quote really stood out to me it's one of the first times I can remember Marcus Freeman at least in recent years talking about Notre Dame's development relative to everyone else in college football this season and you know the teams he's really talking about are the ones

10:28Notre Dame expect to be competing with in December in January so Saturday night is another chance to improve against a big 10 team that is going to sign up for 60 minutes they're going to play Notre Dame tough for as long as they possibly can regardless of the score but that's the thing. Michigan say can play hard as they possibly can and it still won't matter if Notre Dame plays their best football this series has given us plenty of late night drama over the years but on Saturday Notre Dame's job is to make sure the only suspense left in the fourth quarter is which backups are making their case for more playing time. Alright coming up why Notre Dame's defense is built to make sure Michigan State's game plan doesn't last very long and the one thing the Irish offense still needs to prove that's next. Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi Kalsch football is back and so are the predictions who makes the playoffs who wins their conference who takes home the national championship. Kalshi America's number one prediction market platform lets you trade those predictions in a live market and obviously one prediction that's going to be pretty relevant around here all season is whether Notre Dame can finally win another

11:33national championship. Right now Notre Dame is trading at 11% to win it all meaning a $100 trade would pay out $725 if the Irish finish the job and bring home the title so if you're like me and you believe this is finally the year the Irish and the drought Kalshi gives you a way to trade on that prediction on Kalshi you're trading against peers in a live market meaning there's no house and as the probability changes you can buy in and out of your position. Trade the drapec the game and more on Kalshi download Kalshi use code locked on to get $25 when you trade $25 KAL SHI Kalshi trade what's next 18 older only restrictions in eligibility requirements apply event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions prices values and available markets may differ from those mentioned for more information see calciep.com slash regulatory

12:46hit it when you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day it matters where you stay held to for this day. All right let's dive into the Michigan State Scotting Report and I want to start with their offense so Paffet Cheryl to brought in Nick Sheridan to be his offensive coordinator and you might know the name Nick Sheridan he was actually the offensive coordinator at Alabama during Kalin DeBoer's first season with the Crimson Tide before DeBoer brought back Ryan Grub after Grub spent one season with the Seahawks so Ryan Grub Kaling DeBoer they were like a dynamic duo at Washington they were going to come together to Alabama Grub decides now he's going to try how he fares the NFL didn't work out he gets fired well now they're back together and that meant a demotion for Nick Sheridan he is now with Michigan State Michigan State also has former Notre Dame tight ends coach John McNulty on the staff but he is now their quarterbacks coach and Sheridan is tasked with turning around what was one of the worst offenses in the power for the last season and he has to do it without their best player from last year Nick Marsh Notre Dame's top

13:48target in the transfer portal who chose the Indiana Hoosiers instead but through two games against pretty poor competition in the Toledo defense and the Eastern Michigan defense Michigan State ranks 90th nationally in yards per play and they are not among the top 75 teams in the country in either yards per rush or yards per pass attempt all right players to know the quarterback number 11 I'm going to try to pronounce his name correctly right off the jump here Alessio Mielevojovic I thought he did pretty good there well he is the pride of Naperville Illinois and he took over the starting quarterback job of last November and he provided a spark he finished the season with 10 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions but the issue for him was staying upright he is not particularly mobile and he was pressured on 45% of his dropbacks last season that number is dipped to 21% through two games but the competition is going to get a lot tougher for him and that offensive line starting on Saturday another player no running back number zero cam Edwards he is their biggest pick up in the transfer portal he comes over from Yukon and he ran for more than

14:52twelve hundred yards and 15 touchdowns for the Huskies last season in two games with the Spartans he's rushed for over 250 yards and five point two yards per carry with three touchdowns he is their best player in offense and they are going to lean on him heavily in this game at wide receiver number three Rodney Bullard he is their leading receiver through two games with 10 catches for 116 yards in a touchdown yet a pretty nice game against Alito with seven catches for 90 yards they've gotten some production out of the tight end position keep an eye out for number 31 Jayden Savory he's a big dude six five two hundred fifty three pounds he's also a freshman who had a nice 46 yard reception against Eastern Michigan they're going to try to find him in the downfield passing game and then there's wide receiver K K Smith obviously a former Notre Dame player but he only has one catch for 10 yards so far this season now as for their strengths I mean cam Edwards is a good player and someone who can be tough to stop if he gets going but there's really nothing about this offense that scares me you look at the numbers it's pretty average across the board and it's not like Toledo or Eastern Michigan presented much of a threat defensively as for

15:56their weaknesses the offensive line has been an issue once again they have given up twelve tackles for loss in two games including five sacks both those numbers rank outside the top 100 nationally they're not particularly explosive and the running game or the passing game so they're going to try to nickel and I'm their way down field but there's going to be a lot of opportunities for the Notre Dame defense to create some negative plays so my keys for the Notre Dame defense number one is pretty obvious shut down cam Edwards Michigan State is going to want to slow this game down they're going to want to make it a slugfest the only way that they can do that and stay in this game is by running the ball killing clock and keeping the Notre Dame offense off the field their game plan is probably going to look somewhat similar to Wisconsin's although they don't have the same threat of a mobile quarterback it's really going to all be on the shoulders of cam Edwards and he's a true bell cowback yard he has 48 carries through the first two games in my guess he's probably going to get another 25 on Saturday night if Michigan State can keep the game somewhat competitive but Notre Dame has had one of the best run defenses in the

17:00country dating back to last season the Irish are allowing just two count them two yards per carry so far this year despite facing two offenses that were built entirely around running the football you go back to last season Notre Dame finished seventh in the country in yards per carry allowed it has been a point of emphasis under Chris Ash Sensei took over as defensive coordinator and they have been elite in that respect I think they're even better this year with the improved depth along the defensive line and more experience from the linebacking core guys like Teon a Gray and Frances brew have stepped into bigger roles and now that the linebackers are healthy and ready to go I don't expect cam Edwards to be able to get much going in this game my second key for the Notre Dame defense get pressure on the quarterback I don't think this is going to be particularly difficult given the issues Michigan State has had along its offensive line Wisconsin and rice did not really give this Notre Dame defense many opportunities to pin its ears back and get after the quarterback they did get nine pressures against Wisconsin with Colton Joseph was trying to get that get rid of that ball quickly because he knew what was coming after him but if Notre Dame builds

18:04an early lead that could change Saturday night if Michigan State is forced into passing the ball down field they do not have a single wide receiver or tight end who should consistently threaten the Notre Dame secondary so I expect to see plenty of man coverage in this game Chris Ash may initially see what kind of pressure he can generate with just four guys that might be enough but if he starts telling up some pressures I think the Irish could finish with at least four sacks in this game if they're able to do that it could be a very long night for a lessio mille voyage all right now flipping it over to the other side of the ball let's take a look at Michigan State's defense Joe Rossi was retained by Fitzgerald as defensive coordinator coordinator it is a position that he is held since 2024 and as I mentioned earlier they also brought in Max Bullock from Notre Dame the former Michigan State linebacker returns to his alma mater and Rossi is very well respected particularly for what he did at Minnesota where he put together a really nice four-year stretch but since coming over to Michigan State he hasn't had a whole lot of talent to work with

19:05and the Spartans have really struggled on that side of the ball last season they finished 97th nationally and points a lot of per drive 108th and red zone defense now this year they did hold eastern Michigan to seven points but Toledo put up 20 on the board again can you imagine being in a struggle against Toledo early on the air just could not be me okay players to know number five linebacker Jordan Hall senior linebacker he is the best player on this defense he did miss the eastern Michigan game but is expected to play against Notre Dame he led the team in tackles last season he has played a ton of football in his career as a multi-year starter Marcus Freeman gave a shout out to him in his press conference as well they think really highly of him he is definitely someone that they are going to have to account for on every play on the defensive line number 96 Eli Cohenin he leads the team with three sacks and seven quarterback pressures through two games which is a pretty big surprise because he only had one sack all the last season but he is off to a great start this year he's on the interior defensive line and then on the edge number one Kenny Sora is junior he has had a really nice start to the year he does not come off the field

20:08much despite playing on the defensive line he has four quarterback pressures and four run stops pretty good against a run and the pass so he'll provide a good test for Notre Dame's offensive tackles and in the secondary number two Devin Valle he's a transfer from Maine who is at a pretty strong start in the green and white is a really good tackler he plays particularly well in the box and he has made 13 tackles in two games and has not allowed a reception in coverage but when you think about the strengths of this defense they have actually been able to get after the quarterback effectively through two games already registering six sacks but going into the season the defensive line was a pretty big question mark so we're going to find out Saturday whether those numbers are just a product of playing lesser opponents or if they have actually improved Michigan state has been slightly better against the past than the run but it's not a sizable difference the Spartans ranked 69th in yards for past tent to loud compared to 86th in yards per carry out so they're not even in the top half of college football in either category weaknesses they have

21:10allowed points on 100% of their opponents red zone possession so far this year and they've also given up several explosive plays through the air and on the grounds who overall they have been pretty below average across the board they ranked 78th nationally yards per play allowed and there just is not one area where they've really distinguished themselves so by keys for the Notre Moffense number one the tried and true football trope established the run last week all the talk was about the lack of production from Notre Ames wide receivers against Wisconsin but this week it's been all about the running backs Notre Moffense scored 79 points in two games but there are still some questions about the skilled players and whether they can be elite especially at running back with the Irish are replacing two first round picks Wisconsin played a ton of too high safety looks they sold out to prevent the deep ball but rice on the other hand they took a different approach they played a lot of single high safety and CJ car absolutely torch them through the air my guess is Michigan state is going to be more concerned with preventing car from shredding them

22:13the way that he has shredded defenses over the last six quarters they're probably going to dare Notre Ames to run the football a little bit at least early on so it is time for the running backs and the offensive line to answer that challenge when I went back and I watched the all 22 of Notre Ames running game against rice I did not come away overly concerned and I've expressed that on the show this week yes there were a few plays where Nias Williams missed his opportunities he should have been more aggressive he should have been quicker to get downhill but there were also a couple plays where he didn't stand a chance because the blocking simply was not good enough in front of him running backs coach stay one cider admitted that Nias Williams has been feeling a little bit of pressure being the guy now but now he just needs to go out there and be the player that we have already seen him be he is such a confident guy he needs to bring that attitude to the field and if and when he does I think he's really going to take off so I think he's going to get it going Nolan James Jr is going to build off two impressive performances to start the season he continues to make plays and we could probably we could probably get more Jonah as well and as well I think we're going to see that on Saturday but Notre Ames does not need to prove that they can throw

23:16the football anymore CJ cars made that abundantly clear now I want to see whether this offense can punish a defense for choosing to respect the past the second key protect CJ car this honestly could be a key for every game in the rest of the season because CJ cars health is probably the single most important thing for this team when it comes to achieving their goals car was only hit one time last week against rights that's pretty good you want to see more of that and he took advantage of all of that time to throw by carving up the Al's defense it's not going to be quite as easy this week against Michigan State this Spartans have shown they can generate some pressure and they are going to try to get after car in obvious passing situations this is a really big game for the Notre Ames offensive line they've been good so far but if they dominate this matchup the iris should be able to light up the scoreboard car is in total control when he has time to throw and if Notre Ames keeps him upright I expect another big game from him on Saturday night so Notre Ames the advantage on offense they have the advantage on defense but Michigan State has one more place it can try to steal this game we're going to break down the third phase special teams coming up next

24:20then I'm going to share my final score and predictions it's coming right up today's episode is brought to you by fandal you have waited all off season for this well now it's time to make every NFL week count because fandal is making this your most rewarding season ever whether it's backing favor team building a same game parlay betting player props are making picks in the biggest matchups fandal gives fans more ways to play throughout the season and for anyone who is new to fandal there isn't even bigger reason to make this NFL season count get three hundred fifty dollars of bonus bets guaranteed when you bet five dollars every day for seven days and for me sundays are supposed to roll around watching the Cleveland Browns the problem is the Browns are usually so bad that I can barely stand to watch them there are only so many three and outs and terrible decisions by De Chon Watson that I can take before I need to find something else to keep me entertained but thankfully with fandal there's an entire NFL slate to follow I can find a more entertaining matchup follow some player props build a same game parlay and give myself plenty of other things to care about while the Browns are busy ruining another Sunday afternoon get three hundred fifty dollars of bonus bets

25:23guaranteed when you bet five dollars every day for seven days that's right bet five dollars each day and get fifty dollars of bonus bets every day for seven days visit fandal dot com to get started make this your most rewarding season ever with fandal yes is angus marksman this part has one dollar of a pound of hot sushi cooked to water angus feet it's more fish than a quarter pounder the battle is close and for only five ninety nine even regular juice can afford it like that guy give me that big old burger yeah he holds angus marks on us only five ninety nine is cold senior available for a limited time of participating restaurants tax on included not valid for use in a combo or in combination with any other offer discount okay before we get to the predictions we've got to take a look at Michigan state in the third phase of the game and this week it's even more important than ever because Michigan state really value special teams paffet's chilled brought in one of the best special teams coordinators in the sport in lavar woods and not

26:24only that they hired lavar woods away from Iowa which is where woods play linebacker and where they prioritize special teams as much as any program in the country I mean I swear Iowa head coach Kirk fans gets more excited seeing his punning team run onto the field than his offense and marks Freeman mentioned woods during his press conference on Monday so the Irish know Michigan state is going to be sound in the third phase their kicker Liam Boyd has been money dear the first two games he's made five of six field goal attempts and he is perfect on extra points his only miss came from beyond 50 yards and he's already connected from 51 this season so if Michigan state gets anywhere near scoring range they have a kicker who can put points on the board their punner is only at three opportunities so far this year he's been pretty average Michigan state currently ranked 60th nationally and net punning but keep an eye out for Kenneth Williams the backup running back he already popped a 47 yard kick return this season so they are good on special teams my keys for a note any month special teams pretty simple stay disciplined look out for trick plays given the

27:25talent mismatch in this game Michigan state is going to look for any possible advantage it can find and I would not be surprised at all if the Spartans try to steal something on special teams Notre Dame should be well aware of that especially considering Mark's treatment already mentioned woods as prowess during his press conference so if all goes well we won't see much from kicker Spencer Porath or ponder jasper scave just like last week they each got one opportunity against rice they did their jobs but they have to be aware of when Michigan states pun team is on the field they could run a fake pun they could try an onsite kick I'm just telling you be on the lookout for that now for Notre Dame they can be aggressive too Jordan phase on nearly broke a part return for a touchdown last week and he is going to get one this season I'm confident he's been too close too many times it reminds me of a hitter in baseball who keeps failing pitches straight back he hasn't barreled one yet but he's all over and eventually he is going to square one up and that is how I feel about phase on returning puns right now it's only a matter of times all right that's a prediction for the season let's get to my prediction for this game I like the Irish 45 to 13 in

28:29this game another big win and another covered despite a huge spread this team just feels like it's on an absolute mission right now they are so glad to be back out there playing football after nine months off and after everything that happened last season and I think the Irish shook off the early season jitters during that first half against Wisconsin since then the starters have played about as well as you could possibly ask and obviously the competition has helped but when this team comes ready to play there are only a select few teams in the country that can hang with Notre Dame and unfortunately for the boys and green and white I just don't think they're one of them I don't think any team is going to score two offensive touchdowns against this defense before BYU unless Notre Dame gives them unbelievable field position with a turnover or a special teams mistake like Notre Dame did not turn the ball over against Wisconsin but the badgers used great special teams play to consistently win the field position and even then it only amounted to 13 total points and one touchdown I expect more of the same on Saturday Michigan State does not have the playmakers to

29:30consistently beat Notre Dame secondary and even if they did have a guy who could create problems down field I'm not convinced their quarterback is going to have enough time to find him now as for Cam Edwards he's probably going to pop a couple of nice runs he's too good not to like maybe he gets one for 15 of 20 yards maybe gets two but over the course of four quarters I expect this Notre Dame run defense to bottle him up I think this is going to be a huge game for Teon Agree he has been really really good so far for the Irish since coming over from Oregon and judging by what the ducks have shown defensively in the first two games of the season they could probably use him well now Notre Dame has him he is going to clog things up inside and Notre Dame's linebackers are going to take care of the rest and in the secondary I'm predicting two interceptions in this game the Notre Dame defensive backs did not see much action in the passing game last week against rice and their gun choice option offense I mean let her more just didn't play after the first quarter after the first quarter by way I was completely fine with that I was glad that Leonard Moore got

30:31some time to rest because he had no business being out there they were going to throw the ball his way and just give some of the younger quarterbacks and reps but there should be more opportunities in this game even if Michigan State is going to try to establish run early with Cam Edwards Notre Dame should build a big lead they should force Michigan State into obvious passing situations and when that happens I think the Irish take away at least two passes on offense I already alluded to this earlier but I expect a big bounce back game from the rushing attack I'm not saying that NES Williams and Nolan James Jr. are each going to eclipse a hundred yards but I expect to see a couple more explosive runs and I think the entire rushing attack takes a step forward it's not going to be perfect and it may take a few drives to really get going but ultimately I believe the Irish will be able to impose their will like they did in the second half against Wisconsin and start ripping off some nice runs I especially think this is the game we're number 22 NES Williams starts looking more like the player we expected to see coming into this season and as for CJ Carr I expect more of the same he's going to take with the defense gives him

31:32if Michigan State wants to play deep and prioritize preventing explosive past plays Carr is already shown he's perfectly content carving up a defense in the short and intermediate game but eventually Michigan State is going to have to try to generate some pressure and when they start leaving those corners on islands and man coverage that's when Carr is going to take shots over the top and I believe they will convert so I think it's going to be a bit of a battle in the first half Michigan States probably going to hang around but then the Irish are going to get a touchdown before half time to take a 21 to seven lead then they'll add more points at the start of the third quarter and that my friends will be that so I'm calling for two interceptions from the Notre Dame defense a big game from Teon A Grey on the Notre Dame defensive line a nice bounce back performance from Notre Dame and their running game especially NES Williams and folks were on the myelin Graham anytime touchdown all season long the rivalry is back the megaphone trophies on the line and Michigan State is going to come into Notre Dame stadium ready for a fight but give me no today in 45 Michigan State 13 and the leave no doubt tour marches up all right that is a

32:37rat for me today and we have got a double header coming your way tomorrow we're going to start in the morning with our Michigan State crossover to get the Spartans perspective on Saturday night then we'll be back in the evening with the recruiting show featuring Irish illustrated recruiting analysts Eric Thomas then Friday morning it's time for the mailbag so get your questions in now drop them in the YouTube comments or send them my way on social media and if you have not already make sure that you're subscribed to the lock down Irish YouTube channel are following along wherever you get your podcasts hit that like button if you enjoyed today's episode and if you listen to the podcast a five star rating interview is one of the easiest ways that you can help more Notre Dame fans find the show and who wouldn't want that right thank you again for tuning in enjoy the rest of your Wednesday and we'll see you right back here tomorrow morning hey it's Kelly Rowland you may not know this but I have Exama so I get how it can steal your time but why let Exama take over when you can talk to your doctor about Epglis Epglis Lebrichizmab LBKZ a 250 milligram per 2 milliliter injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at

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