Notre Dame at Louisville 9/2/19 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to visit Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky for a Week 1 clash against the Louisville Cardinals. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to continue their success from the 2018 season as they went 12-1 with an appearance in the Cotton Bowl, and they return some key offensive pieces. The Fighting Irish will receive back the services of QB Ian Book after he exploded on the scene last year with 2628 passing yards, 18 TDs, and 8 interceptions. The ground attack will have a different look after Dexter Williams moved onto the NFL after contributing 995 yards and 12 TDs last season.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to continue their success on the defensive side of the ball as they finished the year ranked 13th in points allowed, but they did lose some key starters. The Fighting Irish will have to replace their leading tackler Te’von Coley as he moved onto the NFL after contributing 123 tackles. The secondary should once again be strong for Notre Dame as they return their interception leader from the 2018 campaign as Jalen Elliot pitched in 4 interceptions. The Louisville Cardinals are looking to rebound after going 2-10 during the 2018 season, but they will need to be much better on the offensive side of the ball as they finished the year ranked 123rd in points scored. The Cardinals return their starting QB from a season ago in Jawon Pass, but he struggled as he threw for 1960 yards, 8 TDs, and 12 interceptions. Louisville will need to find a new top target as WR Jaylen Smith moved onto the NFL after pitching in a team-high 550 receiving yards last season.

The Louisville Cardinals will need to be much better on the defensive side of the ball if they want to see an improvement in their record as they finished the year ranked 128th in points allowed. The Cardinals will have to replace their leading tackler from the 2018 campaign as Dee Smith moved on from the program after contributing 73 tackles. C.J. Avery will return to the middle of the defense after pitching in 56 tackles and 2 interceptions last season.