Five storylines for Notre Dame-Oklahoma showdown

Saturday's prime-time matchup between Notre Dame and Oklahoma will be the first top-10 matchup for the Irish since 2006. Notre Dame arguably hasn't been involved in a game with as much intrigue since a devastating loss to USC in 2005 on the infamous Bush push play.

 

Five storylines for Notre Dame-Oklahoma showdown

1. Is Everett Golson sharp enough to lead the Irish to a victory in Norman?

The redshirt freshman quarterback will return to the starting lineup on Saturday night in Norman after missing last week’s win over BYU. Golson suffered a concussion on Oct. 13 against Stanford and wasn’t ready enough to face the Cougars, according to Irish coach Brian Kelly. Golson has exhibited rocket arm strength at times this season, specifically against Michigan State when he made several spectacular throws across the field. The Irish, however, have only passed for 200 yards or more once in their last five games. Kelly has played at least two quarterbacks in all five. If Golson isn’t productive early, expect Kelly to use junior Tommy Rees again.

2. Can Notre Dame contain Kenny Stills?

The electrifying Sooners WR is a vertical threat on nearly every offensive play. In a 41-3 win over Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame dodged several bullets when Hurricanes WR Phillip Dorsett got behind the secondary three times on deep passes but inexplicably dropped all three. Stills is more experienced and is considered more explosive. The Irish can roll a safety towards the junior wideout, but the Sooners have several other capable targets in Justin Brown, Trey Millard and Jalen Saunders. Notre Dame’s young secondary will be tested.

3. Can the Irish front rattle QB Landry Jones?

Notre Dame ranks in the top 25 in FBS in sacks per game and DE Stephon Tuitt is third in the nation in the category with 8.5 sacks. The menacing sophomore pass rusher is on pace to break Justin Tuck’s school record of 13.5 in 2003. The Irish can also create pressure on the other side with Kapron Lewis-Moore and up the middle with Louis Nix III. Jones has been flawless during a three-game winning streak when the Sooners have averaged 52 points per game. The Sooners senior quarterback indicated earlier in the week that he will focus on remaining patient with his reads against Notre Dame’s stifling defense.

4. How long can Notre Dame hold onto the ball in the hostile environment?

Time of possession will be critical in the highly-anticipated top 10 matchup. The Irish have nearly rushed for 800 yards combined over their last three games. RBs Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick and George Atkinson III have all produced at least one 100-yard rushing game during the stretch. In close victories over Stanford and BYU, the Irish narrowly won the time of possession battle. Kelly’s team must go on several time consuming drives as it did at Soldier Field against Miami if it hopes to pull off the road win. The best defense against Jones will be to keep him off the field.

5. Which team has the advantage if the game comes down to a goal-line stand?

Notre Dame escaped with an overtime win over Stanford on a thrilling goal-line stand. Oklahoma has one of the nation’s top short-yardage weapons in bruising 254-pound QB Blake Bell. The backup sophomore quarterback scored four touchdowns in the Sooners’ “Belldozer” power set against Texas. Bell also lost a key fumble near the goal line in a loss to Kansas State. The Irish are the only team in FBS that has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. 

For more up-to-the minute news and analysis on Notre Dame football, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.