Joel Klatt makes prediction for Notre Dame vs. NC State

One of the better matchups of Week Two will go down in Raleigh this weekend. No. 10 Notre Dame will hit the road and play against worthy ACC opponent NC State. With this being a real kick-up in competition for both squads, who does Joel Klatt think will have the edge between the Fighting Irish and the Wolfpack?

Klatt examined that question during his show on Thursday. To start, he pointed out the high-quality play of QB Sam Hartman through Notre Dame’s 2-0 start, albeit against lower-level competition, and how his fit has seemed seamless in South Bend after transferring in.

“These stats and what I’m about to say? Grain of salt here. But Hartman has been lights out for the Irish,” said Klatt. “He has completed over 80% of his passes for 11 yards per attempt, six touchdowns, and no interceptions through two games.”

Even so, NC State, especially at Carter-Finley, is a significant leap as far as opposition. They might not have necessarily been lights out in East Hartford last weekend but, with Dave Doeren, their own transfer at quarterback, and their consistency over the past few seasons, the Wolfpack should be a solid challenge for Notre Dame.

“This is a good test. Dave Doeren has got a good thing going at NC State. They did get through their opening week, 24-14, over UConn,” said Klatt. “They’ve got a transfer quarterback in Brennan Armstrong. He threw for 155 yards, rushed it for almost 100 in that one with a couple of touchdowns. This is going to be (Notre Dame’s) first test.”

However, as far as a prediction, Klatt did lean in the direction of the tenth-ranked Fighting Irish in this consistent. To him, the Hartman effect on Notre Dame’s offense will be too much for NC State to overcome as he has Marcus Freeman’s squad picking up their third win, as a cover as well, in their first true road game of their campaign.

“I actually think that is more real than it is hype (with Notre Dame), even though their level of competition has been not great to say the least. I think they go in there and cover this -7.5,” Klatt said. “Love their offensive line, like their ability to run. And what Hartman gives them is the ability to feature what has largely been an overlooked skill position group. They’ve got size and speed on the outside and now they can go out there and accentuate that.”