UNLV vs. Notre Dame: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
Break from Mountain West play for UNLV
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Can UNLV get a win?
WEEK 8: UNLV Rebels at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
WHERE: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
WHEN: Saturday, October 22, 2022 – 2:30 p.m. EST (11:30 a.m. PST)
TV: Peacock
STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, by following this link.
RADIO: ESPN 1100AM & 100.9 FM
SERIES RECORD: This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
WEBSITES: unlvrebels.com is the University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics official website. | https://und.com/sports/football/ is the official website for Notre Dame football.
GAME NOTES (PDF): UNLV | Notre Dame
ODDS: Notre Dame -24.5
SP+ PROJECTION:N/A (At the time of writing)
FEI PROJECTION: N/A (At the time of writing)
PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: N/A
The two teams head into this Week 8 matchup with a loss in the previous week. UNLV suffered a 42-7 loss at home to Air Force in Week 7. It was an uncompetitive game from the first quarter until the end of the game. UNLV dropped to 4-3 with the loss and the losing streak was extended to two games. This is UNLV’s most difficult stretch of the season and it will take a win over Notre Dame to avoid a three-game losing streak.
Notre Dame was expected to compete for a College Football Playoff, but with two losses to Ohio State and Marshall to start the season, those hopes were wiped away. Notre Dame fell to Stanford, 16-14, in a close rivalry game. Notre Dame dropped to a 3-3 record with the loss.
Here are three keys for UNLV to win this game:
Get Going Early Against Notre Dame:
UNLV had the misfortune of turning the ball over several times in the first half against Air Force. The turnovers cost UNLV the game and the deficit was insurmountable. If UNLV can shock Notre Dame early, it could help in the second half when Notre Dame sparks a comeback.
Keep Notre Dame’s Running Game In Check
UNLV’s defense was flattened by Air Force’s ground attack. Air Force running backs Brad Roberts and John Eldridge each had over 100 rushing yards in the game. Roberts punched in four rushing touchdowns from short distances. UNLV cannot afford to allow Notre Dame’s running backs to run the ball for the entire game. The secondary needs to force Drew Pyne into tough passing situations.
Be Prepared To Play Without Doug Brumfield
In the San Jose State game, UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield exited the game with a concussion. Since he left, the offense has struggled to produce any consistent scoring. Expect Cameron Friel or Harrison Bailey to play if Brumfield is unavailable for Saturday. Brumfield’s status will decide how difficult this game will be for the offense. In Week 7, Friel passed for 108 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He will need to find his receivers, if he plays against Notre Dame.
Prediction
Notre Dame fell apart at the end of the Stanford game. UNLV needs to keep it close and low scoring to have a chance at winning this game. Notre Dame will try to have Pyne test UNLV’s secondary and if that does not work, Notre Dame’s running game will be a factor.
Final Score: Notre Dame 23, UNLV 17
