Notre Dame Takes on Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, Looks to End New Years Six Bowl Game Drought
Marcus Freeman is taking over for the winningest head coach in Notre Dame history, and his first game is the Fiesta Bowl against a very good Oklahoma State team. This is a tall task for any coach, let alone what Marcus Freeman is stepping into, but I think this team is fired up to play for Freeman and to send the seniors off on the right foot. From day one, Freeman did not want to look to the future, with his focus on the Fiesta Bowl and Oklahoma State. If Notre Dame is going to end its 9 New Years Six/BCS game losing streak on Saturday, these 3 players and one position will be the reason why.
- Running backs – The reason I didn’t pick one running back is because it’s going to be running back by committee on Saturday. With Kyren Williams opting out of the game, that means three guys have a shot to step up. Those three will be Chris Tyree, Logan Diggs and Audric Estime. For those keeping track at home, that is one Sophomore and two true Freshmen that will get the workload. They may be young, but I have no reason to believe they can’t get the job done. Tyree is more of a speed back, where Diggs and Estime are the ground and pound. While we wish Williams was playing, it is going to be a blast watching the future of the running back shine on Saturday. With that said, it will be no easy task as Oklahoma State on average is giving up less than 100 yards per game on the ground. It will be a great test for the offensive line and three running backs.
- Jack Coan – This will be Coan’s last game for the Fighting Irish, and I see him making the most of it. Coan has played on a big stage like this while at Wisconsin, making the start in the Rose Bowl. Coan and Wisconsin didn’t get the job done but I see him using that as motivation this time around in the Fiesta Bowl. I am guilty of calling for Coan to be benched during the first half of the season, but ever sine the bye week Coan has been lights out for the Irish. Having great offensive line play has helped a ton, but Coan is making smarter and faster reads in order to get the ball out faster. Like the running game, Coan and the passing game are up against a tall task. The Oklahoma State defense is no joke, on average they are giving up less the 200 yards in the air. Look for Coan to find Michael Mayer and Kevin Austin if the Irish are going to have any success throwing the ball. I’m expecting big things from Coan during his last game in a gold helmet.
- Isaiah Foskey – In what could be (but hopefully isn’t) his last game for Notre Dame, Foskey will need to have a big game getting to the Oklahoma State QB if the Irish want to break the losing streak. The Notre Dame defense has gotten better week by week and may be playing its best ball at the perfect time. Foskey is third on the team in total tackles with 47, and leads the team in sacks with 10. He will need to be a force on Saturday if the Irish want to hold a very good Oklahoma State running game at bay. Foskey is considering skipping next year and heading to the NFL, a giant game on Saturday could help his case. He will be great at the next level, I just hope it’s after the 2022 football season.
- Ramon Henderson – Replacing superstar Kyle Hamilton is not all on the sophomore corner-turned-free-safety, but he happens to be taking his spot. Henderson has shown, with help, that he can be more than good enough to make sure the loss isn’t felt without Hamilton. Notre Dame has played half the season without Hamilton, and Henderson has been great during that time. Henderson has ten tackles and one interception since taking over the free safety position. Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders has thrown 12 interceptions this season, so look for Henderson and the secondary to give Sanders a headache on Saturday while adding to his interception total.
We know the history of Notre Dame in big bowl games, but this is hands down the most confident I am in Notre Dame getting a New Years Six Bowl game win. Yes, it has a lot to do with Marcus Freeman, but it has a lot more to do with the players. This team is the perfect team to end the streak. This team was left for dead after the first handful of games, when it looked like Notre Dame was going to lose 3 or 4 games. They have turned it around and are playing their best football of the year at the perfect time. I expect Saturday to be a great day to be a Notre Dame fan.