Game Predictions: #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Central Michigan Chippewas

Notre Dame (3-0) will look to win its fourth straight of the season when they host Central Michigan (1-1). The ninth-ranked Fighting Irish have won each of its first three games by at least 21 points, while the Chippewas are coming off a 45-42 win over New Hampshire.

Where: Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame, Ind.)
When: Saturday - September 16th
Time: 2:30 PM ET
Network: Peacock
Line: Notre Dame -34.5; O/U 51.5

We broke down the game all week and now it is time to make our score predictions.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Central Michigan 10

The last time Notre Dame hosted a MAC opponent they needed Jack Coan to lead the offense on a come-from-behind victory, with the Irish barely beating Toledo. That was early in the 2021 season, but this Notre Dame team looks quite different than that squad, and Central Michigan isn't as good as Toledo.

Central Michigan has struggled defending the pass through its first two games, giving up an average of 386 yards per game through the air, and it has allowed 9.1 yards per pass attempt while giving up six touchdown passes in just two games. As long as Notre Dame can protect Sam Hartman I expect him to have a field day against the CMU defense. The Chippewas also haven't faced a run game like the one Notre Dame will put on the field Saturday, and that inside-out combination should allow the Irish offense to feast.

Quarterback Bert Emanuel is the biggest threat on the CMU offense thanks to his running ability, but the Irish have already faced multiple mobile quarterbacks. Notre Dame should thrive against the undersized CMU offensive line, which also lacks the foot speed to hang with the Notre Dame defensive line. It could be a rough day for the Central Michigan offense against a Notre Dame defense giving up just 10 points per game.

VINCE DEDARIO, FOOTBALL ANALYST

Prediction: Notre Dame 49, Central Michigan 10

Notre Dame kicks off the second quarter of the season with Central Michigan at home. Of course all Irish fans have next week circled but they have to get through this week first. Notre Dame is in a great place right now with scoring margin, turnover ratio, defensive scoring and many other categories you look at when trying to dissect whether a team is elite or not. To me, the biggest question is are they ready for the other elite programs yet? I would say the answer is now. Here is the thing though, most teams are not at this point in the schedule. This is the definition of a "get right game." There are a few things this Irish team needs to get better at before the fateful September 23rd matchup with Ohio State.

For example we need to see better play from the offensive line. No one is questioning their toughness or fight. It is there and it is there in spades although I would like to see it from the first whistle of the game and not need a weather delay to get there. We need to see them be more technically sound. We need to see them make quicker decisions when things are thrown at them. CMU will throw the kitchen sink at Notre Dame just like NC State did and they have to be ready to adjust on the fly. Another very interesting aspect of this game will be the absence of JD Bertrand. He is the heart and soul of this defense and this will be the first time this year that they are going into a game knowing he will not be in the middle making things happen.

It will not be the difference in whether the Irish win or lose but it will be very interesting to see how the defense operates with a new man in the middle. Look, the bottom line is Notre Dame is going to win this game and they are going to win handily, which they should. They are not competing against CMU, they are competing with themselves. Set the benchmarks high and reach them. Then fire on all cylinders going into next week.

RYAN ROBERTS, RECRUITING DIRECTOR

Prediction: Notre Dame 59, Central Michigan 10

There’s little question who the better team is coming into the game. Notre Dame has the advantage at pretty much every position on the field. They also have a terrible pass defense. This should be a field day for Sam Hartman and the pass catchers.

On defense, it’ll be about harassing Bert Emanuel at quarterback. He is prone to mistakes. Notre Dame will need to be opportunistic and cash in on turnover opportunities.

SEAN STIRES, STAFF WRITER

Prediction: Notre Dame 49, Central Michigan 6

Notre Dame and Central Michigan are only 200 miles apart but this is the first time the two programs have ever met on the gridiron. Marcus Freeman did his best Lou Holtz hard sell on the Chippewas this week. He noted their ability to score points. It’s true, to a point. Jim McElwain’s Chippewas hung with Michigan State in the first half of their opener but ultimately lost 31-7 when the Spartans outscored them 21-0 in the second half.

All of Central Michigan’s scoring came in last week’s 45-42 win over FCS New Hampshire. The CMU player to watch is redshirt freshman quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr, who ran for 101 yards and two scores and passed for 193 yards (on 7 of 19 passing) and two more touchdowns. Emanel's dual threat ability also helped running back Miles Bailey rush for 108 yards. The Chippewa defense is another story. In addition to giving up 73 points in two games, they surrendered 71 and 80-yard touchdown passes to New Hampshire, but it is also only giving up 86 rushing yards per game

Like last week against Brennan Armstrong, containing the mobile Emanuel is a must this week, but the Irish offense will just be too much for the Chippewas.

ANDREW McDONOUGH, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Central Michigan 7

With one final tune-up remaining before the massive showdown with Ohio State, the Fighting Irish will cruise to another easy win and top 40 points for the fourth consecutive game to start the 2023 season.

Overall, I expect the offense to come out incredibly focused after an uneven performance against NC State, as this team takes on more and more of Marcus Freeman's image. In contrast to the previous head coach, Freeman consistently preaches how the process itself produces the desired results, rather than only focusing on the actual results. Against an overmatched Chippewa defense, QB Sam Hartman will be back to his efficient self after an up-and-down performance against NC State and will total more touchdown passes than incompletions. RB Audric Estime will rumble for another 100-yard outing, and like against Navy in the opener, we will see the five-headed backfield monster on full display.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line will rack up multiple sacks against a Chippewa offensive line that has started the season ranked 104th in the nation in sacks allowed. With the game well in hand, the Irish defensive coaching staff will take advantage of the opportunity to rotate a number of younger players in, and a fourth quarter touchdown against the reserves is the only blemish on another strong defensive performance. Notre Dame will be able to turn its focus to Ohio State in what is shaping up to be a program-defining week - for better or worse.

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