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Irish Put Playoff Hopes on the Line in Clash With Cavaliers

The No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1) is set to host the Virginia Cavaliers (5-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 16 in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame has dominated the all-time, head-to-head series 4-0, including a 28-3 win in the teams' last meeting in 2021.

What's at Stake?

Since dropping a shocking non-conference matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-4, 3-3 Mid-American Conference) in Week 2, the Fighting Irish have been dominant. A suffocating defense has highlighted a seven-game win streak in which Notre Dame has won by an average score of 44-10 and allowed just 262.4 yards per game. If the Fighting Irish can win out, then they will be nearly guaranteed to host a playoff game. One loss, though, and Notre Dame's playoff hopes would probably be put to rest.

After dropping three straight games, the Cavaliers' hopes of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019 seemed to be on life support. Thanks to a stunning upset win over the Pitt Panthers (7-2, 3-2 ACC) in Week 11, though, head coach Tony Elliott and Virginia have a renewed belief in the positive momentum of the program going forward. The Cavaliers have a brutal three-game closing stretch to the season, but just one win would be enough to secure a bowl berth.

Key Players: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Jeremiyah Love, Running Back

The Notre Dame ground attack has been unstoppable so far this season, averaging 214.8 yards per game. The Fighting Irish have opted for a run-by-committee approach, mixing their deep backfield talent with the dual-threat ability of quarterback Riley Leonard. Love has yet to break 100 carries for the season, but he has been explosive with the ball in his hands, averaging nearly 6 yards a carry and scoring a rushing touchdown in nine straight games.

Donovan Hinish, Defensive Tackle

Notre Dame's tenacious defensive line has been a pivotal factor in their success, but several injuries have dampened their momentum. Hinish will be tasked with replacing preseason All-American defensive tackle Howard Cross III and shutting down a dynamic Cavaliers' backfield.

Key Players: Virginia Cavaliers

Xavier Brown, Running Back

The explosive junior has been a key factor in the Cavaliers' success on offense in 2024, averaging 7.4 yards per touch in the rushing and receiving attacks. Virginia will need to find ways to get him involved in order to have success against a ferocious Notre Dame defensive front.

Jonas Sanker, Safety

Sanker has starred in an improved Cavaliers' secondary, leading the team with 69 tackles in 2024. In Virginia's upset win over Pitt, Sanker blocked a field goal and hauled in a crucial interception on back-to-back possessions to shift the momentum of the game toward the Cavaliers. Virginia will need him to come up with big plays against an explosive Notre Dame offensive attack.

Trends to Watch

Notre Dame has won 13 straight home games in November, a streak that dates back to 2016. Virginia, conversely, has lost 15 of their last 16 November games as a road underdog.