GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Notre Dame secondary vs. Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson. This is a great opportunity for the Fighting Irish’s back seven to show what it can do against a high-level quarterback in Thorson. The pro-style signal caller has passed for more than 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, but he also has looked vulnerable in throwing 10 interceptions. Can the Fighting Irish pounce on his mistakes?
DRAFT SLANT
–CB Julian Love has all of the ingredients NFL teams are looking for in a dependable pass defender. He’s a good athlete with terrific quickness, and his instincts to find the ball help to set him apart. Love will be on the scouts’ radar under the lights Saturday as he looks to shut down an draft prospect in QB Clayton Thorson.
ROSTER REPORT:
–LB Drue Tranquill is questionable to play against Northwestern because of an ankle injury. If Tranquill cannot go, look for Notre Dame to lean more heavily on Jordan Genmark Heath, Drew White and Asmar Bilal on defense.
–TE Alize Mack was concussion protocol early in the week, and his status was uncertain for Saturday against Northwestern. Mack has caught 27 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown this season.
–LB Bo Bauer should be good to go this week after coming off the field against Navy with difficulty breathing. Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly said Bauer had the wind knocked out of him but nothing more serious.
