Notre Dame Vs. Boston College.

While the euphoria of defeating No.1 Clemson last Saturday in double overtime was one for the ages in Notre Dame football lore, it is now more so for the history books as the Fighting Irish head coach Brian kelly is concerned .

An even bigger old story is the last time Notre Dame beat the highest ranked team – Florida State in 1993 – it just turned out to lose to Boston College the following week.

Inconsequential, irrelevant and intangible when it comes to 27 years later this Saturday’s game at Boston College (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC).

“We’re talking a lot more about how we’re preparing for a team that is a very good football team – and certainly you’re the second team in the country, you’ve got a goal on your back,” Kelly “That’s a lot more relevant than the historical significance of the game. If you understand this, you will get the preparation you need to play at the level you need to play. “

Notre Dame enters the contest as a 13.5 point favorite.

Notre Dame 31, Boston College 24

Boston College held the Notre Dame number from 2001 to 2008 when they beat the Irish six times in a row. The Irish have since flipped the switch, earning seven straight wins in this unique Catholic school rivalry. Kelly is 6-0 against Boston College while coaching at Notre Dame – with a 40-7 win on Senior Day last year – and a 3-0 record on the road to Chestnut Hill, Mass.

This series has brought its share of memorable and forgettable games over the years, but the Eagles most often bring their “A game” when the Fighting Irish line up on the other side of the ball. Don’t be surprised if it happens again before Notre Dame pulls out after a close first half.

Notre Dame 34, Boston College 20

It’s a classic place of deception, and part of it might show up. If so, Boston College has enough offensive weapons and quarterback stability to profit early as it did against Clemson on Oct. 31 when he took a 28-10 lead before losing. 34-28.

Even if Notre Dame falls asleep in the game for a quarter, that should be OK against an improved Boston College defense – from one of the worst nationally last year to average at best. I can see the former Irish quarterback Phil Jurkovec and the Boston College attack scoring a few touchdowns and even 20 points. I can’t see Notre Dame’s offense scoring less than 30 against an average defense. If the Irish red zone diseases of the last week are cured, there is a strong possibility that they could affect five affected.

Notre Dame 35, Boston College 27

After a game the week before against No.1 Clemson, Notre Dame started off slowly against Boston College and fell back by a touchdown at the half. This, of course, prompts the show to make several references to the 1993 game, which only increases anxiety among the Fighting Irish loyalists.

Notre Dame then emerges rejuvenated in the third quarter and withdraws from the disjointed Eagles as during the quarterback Ian Book surpasses his former understudy Jurkovec, the current starter at Chestnut Hill after transferring this offseason.

Notre Dame 33, Boston College 24

Irish combat head coach Kelly has been criticized for failing to win the ‘big’ of his decade at Notre Dame. Well he did it last Saturday against former No.1 Clemson. How will his team react on the road against a gritty Boston College team with a talented and familiar quarterback under center?

One thing that people cannot criticize Kelly for – especially since 2017 – is the way the Irish “stand up” for inferior opponents. Boston College doesn’t nearly have Clemson’s talent, but the Irish could find themselves in a real battle if they’re not up for a fight. Kelly will prepare the Irish and take his school-record 31st consecutive victory against an unranked opponent. A late touchdown at Boston College will make him closer than the scoreboard shows.

Notre Dame 34, Boston College 16

It will be similar to the Oct. 31-13 victory at Georgia Tech: maybe tense moments early on, but gradually an efficient, methodical and professional performance that never really leaves you in doubt that Notre Dame is in charge. Boston College has been a non-factor with running, and one-dimensional attacks are not going to thrive against a Clark lea defense.

The Eagles tend to play up or down in competition which means they will play well against the Irish. They took a 28-10 lead at Clemson and missed a two-point conversion (which was returned for two the other way around) in the dying seconds of a 26-22 loss to North Carolina. But they also had to rally late to pass Texas State (24-21), then were under-five in turnovers in a 40-14 loss to Virginia Tech.

Because it’s Notre Dame and it’s the holy game of the red bandana (google, that’s an inspiring story), the Eagles will be groomed after taking a bit of a step back in the 16-13 win of the week last against 1-7 Syracuse.

Notre Dame will have a relatively lethargic performance somewhere over the next four games leading up to the CCA Championship on Dec. 19, but the Irish will be alert to the “upset special” at Boston College, and the competitiveness will be pitted against Jurkovec.

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