This is making for a very good game. You’ve got big receivers like Notre Dame’s Robby Parris, who, with a team leading 24 catches for 312 yards, creates matchup problems against any team he faces.

On Duke’s side, you’ve got a fast quarterback in Thaddeus Lewis who is leading the team with 2 rushing TDs. The hype has been building week after week, and after watching Notre Dame’s overtime thriller vs Navy, I couldn’t wait another week. There’s a lot riding on this game. If Notre Dame can get by with a win, they will be eligible for a BCS bid, per the rules of the BCS’ automatic bid for any Notre Dame team that wins multiple games.

To be sure, both Duke and Notre Dame have big games coming up this Saturday, so they can’t look ahead to November 17. Duke has to face Georgia Tech. Notre Dame has a considerable tougher matchup in Air Force.

However, as I am simply a member of the media, I will take it upon myself to look ahead to November 17 when Duke goes up to South Bend to take on the Irish in a battle of Catholics vs Devils. It’s a classic showdown of offensive firepower vs a stonewall defense. Duke is lighting up the scoreboard with almost 19 points per game. However, Notre Dame’s relentless defense only allows 31 per game. Something’s got to give.

Duke’s defense is a little bit worse than Notre Dame’s, though it still only allows 34 per game, but if they catch Notre Dame on an off game–and it can happen–they are in luck. Notre Dame has been shutout twice this season. But, with Evan Sharpley at quarterback, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Sharpley is averaging 5.3 yards per pass and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-to-3.

Perhaps the only quarterback who can match Sharpley in knowledge of the game is Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis. Disregard for the time being that his name is Thaddeus, and look at his numbers: 153/271 for 7.26 yards per pass, 18 TDs, and 10 INT.

If either quarterback gets stopped, both teams also have reliable running games to lean on. Notre Dame has racked up a total of 508 yards all season. Duke has 505. Just to put those stats in context, Ohio State’s Chris Wells was only able to run for 141 yards in the second half of the Buckeyes’ victory over Wisconsin last Saturday.

Even the special teams play of both teams has been outstanding. Duke is using a platoon for the kicking, but they have combined for double digit field goals. They are 2-out-of-6. Notre Dame’s Brandon Walker may not have the best range–he’s 1-of-5 from beyond 30 yards–but he makes up for in with accuracy. From inside 30, he is perfect: 4/4.

So, who do I expect to win? I usually don’t make predictions, but with this game being so important, I’m going to put my reputation on the line. I like Notre Dame by a score of 3-0. I think their offense might heat up in the second half and be able to get inside the 10 for a field goal.

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