Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech

No. 16 Notre Dame will look to get back on track tomorrow when it takes on the 5-2 Virginia Tech Hokies.

We spent the week breaking down the game, now it's time to make our predictions for this matchup.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Prediction: Notre Dame 37, Virginia Tech 34

Notre Dame should control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Ian Book should be able to shred arguably the worst Power 5 pass defense he will face this season. The Irish should be able to cover the 17.5-point spread.

But there are a lot of things that should have happened this season, but the team's inconsistency has kept it from playing to its full potential. At some point this team is going to put it all together in a game and they are going to thrash someone. Maybe it's this week.

If I had to guess, however, it would be that Notre Dame struggles to contain Hokie QB Hendon Hooker and his potent weapons, but the Irish offense does enough against a bad Virginia Tech defense to win the game.

SEAN CAMERON, STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Notre Dame 35, Virginia Tech 17

The Irish come out angry and sprint to a 21-0 lead. The emotion wanes a bit and the rest of the game is a back and forth affair.

MARK MACHIEDO, STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Notre Dame 21, Virginia Tech 17

My heart is pleading for a furious, wounded Notre Dame team to take the field and punish the Hokies in front of the home crowd at Notre Dame Stadium.

But it’s more likely that a still dazed and lethargic Irish team slogs through portions of the game and even endures boos at the hands of those “faithful” who can’t be bothered to stand and cheer even when things are going well.

I am picking ND to win but I highly doubt many people will be feeling much better after the final whistle Saturday night.