First Look: Notre Dame

As we all know by now, LSU will face the 14th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2018 Citrus Bowl, presented by Overton’s. A quick who/what/when/where via LSUsports.net:

Matchup: No. 14 Notre Dame (9-3) vs. No. 17 LSU (9-3)
Date: Jan. 1, 2018
Time: 1 p.m. ET (noon CT)
City: Orlando, Fla.
Stadium: Camping World Stadium (65,000)
Tickets in LSU Sections: www.LSUtix.net ($50-$160)
Citrus Bowl Homepage: www.citrusbowlorlando.com
Official Radio: LSUsports.net/live (Pregame 10 a.m. CT) | 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge | Affiliates

TV: ABC
Online: WatchESPN

The Irish rank 14th in S&P+ (LSU is 20th) and went 9-3 this year, with a one-point loss to Georgia, a 32-point loss to Miami and an 18-point loss to Stanford. They’re led by a strong rushing attack, seventh nationally in yards per game at 279 per, and third overall in yards per carry with 6.37.

Additionally, they rank fifth nationally in rushing offense S&P+, 21st in rushing success rate and third in rushing IsoPPP. This efficient, explosive run game is led by junior tailback Josh Adams (1,386 yards, 9 touchdowns) and junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush, who ran for 885 sack-adjusted yards and 14 scores.

The defense is led by linebackers Te’von Coney and Nyles Morgan, who have a combined 182 tackles and 19 tackles for loss on the year. The Irish defense made a huge turnaround this year, moving from Brian Van Gorder to Mike Elko, and finished the regular season 30th in S&P+, allowing 21.8 points per game.

LSU and the Irish squared off three years ago in the 2014 Music City Bowl. That game, of course, was notable for then-Tiger defensive coordinator John Chavis announcing his pending exit to his players right before the game. The Tigers gave up 263 rushing yards, allowed ND to hold the ball for 37 minutes, and lost the game 31-28 on a field goal with four seconds left.

More on this matchup over the next few weeks, including lots of shared content with our friends at the SB Nation ND affiliate, One Foot Down.