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Notre Dame still with a lot to play for entering Wallace Wade Stadium

By Kevin Connelly

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 02: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the football in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 02, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 02: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the football in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 02, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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The No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish still have a lot to play for as the enter Wallace Wade Stadium to face the Duke Football team on Saturday night.

Notre Dame has College Football Playoff aspirations heading into the 2019 season, but already two losses on the season, those dreams are out the window.

The Fighting Irish made its first CFP last season and were humiliated by the Clemson Tigers, losing  30-3.

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After starting the season 2-0 with wins on the road against Louisville and at home to New Mexico State, Notre Dame traveled to Athens to face the then No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs.

Notre Dame led 10-7 at halftime and then had a chance to win the game on a Hail Mary at the end of regulation, but couldn’t complete the pass, falling 23-17.

Despite the loss, many were impressed with the Irish’s showing, still leaving the door open to reach the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame responded to the loss with a trashing of Virginia followed up with wins of Bowling Green and Southern California, but in a showdown in the Big House against the Michigan Wolverines, the Irish didn’t show up, getting beat down 45-14 and ending the hope of making back-to-back College Football Playoffs.

Responding to the loss to two Wolverines was also tough for the Irish as Notre Dame needed a last minute touchdown drive to beat the Virginia Tech Hokies at home, 21-20.

Head Coach Brian Kelly leans on his sophomore quarterback Ian Book who is completing 58.2% of his passes this season, averaging 228.5 yards per game with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Book can also get things done on the ground with his feet, totaling 251 yards on the ground this season with four rushing touchdowns.

Running back Tony Jones Jr. is the lead horse in the backfield for the Irish as he has 571 yards total yards and four touchdowns.

ALSO READ: Game by game predictions for 2019 Duke Football season

While the Irish and Ian Book have leaned on its rushing attack, Book’s favorite receiver Chase Claypool has reeled in 37 receptions for 554 yards and four touchdowns and tight end Cole Kmet has a team-high five touchdowns with 27 receptions for 318 yards.

Notre Dame still has a chance to make a New Year’s Six Bowl and the Irish will have to take down the Blue Devils to get there and kickoff is set for 7:30pm EST on Saturday, November 9 on the ACC Network.

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