ESPN Makes Its Camping World Bowl Prediction

ESPN has already made its bowl predictions, which includes Notre Dame vs. Iowa State

Bryan Driskell | Dec 9, 2019

ESPN Makes Its Camping World Bowl Prediction /

We've spent the last month providing you with bowl projections, but now we know where Notre Dame will be playing to conclude the 2019 season, and we know who the Irish will be playing.

Now it is time to start analyzing that opponent, the Iowa State Cyclones. Irish Maven will have its final prediction much closer to the actual game, but ESPN already has made its prediction for the game, and it's good news for Notre Dame fans.

ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg predicts that Notre Dame will beat Iowa State by a 31-23 score. Here is what Rittenberg wrote about the game:

The coaching matchups here are fascinating, as Brian Kelly leads Notre Dame against Iowa State and Matt Campbell, who would be on the short list to succeed Kelly in South Bend. Defensive coordinators Jon Heacock (Iowa State) and Clark Lea (Notre Dame) are both excellent tacticians. Notre Dame's offense is a little more reliable, though, and gets the win behind the Ian Book-Chase Claypool passing connection.

Rittenberg's analysis was interesting. The score makes sense, but his comments on the defense vs. offense were intriguing. Rittenberg noted that Notre Dame's offense is more reliable. I'll have more stats in the coming days, but while Notre Dame averaged more points (37.1 to 34.1), but Iowa State averaged more yards (458.7 to 429.2) and yards per play (6.58 to 6.25).

Iowa State's offense also averaged more points, yards and yards per play against Power 5 opponents. Iowa State's averages against ten Power 5 opponents were 30.1 offensive points per game, 432.7 yards per game and 6.3 yards per play. Notre Dame's averaged 29.0 offensive points, 397.3 yards and 5.54 yards per play against its nine Power 5 opponents.

The two defenses are similar, but the Irish hold the advantage. Against nine Power 5 opponents, the Irish defense allowed 21.1 points per game, 326.7 yards per game and 4.81 yards per play. Against ten Power 5 opponents, Iowa State gave up 23.7 points per game, 365.9 yards per game and 5.39 yards per play.

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Published Dec 9, 2019

BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter