Notre Dame Football: 4 Players That Have Something to Prove Saturday

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are coming off a decisive victory versus the Navy Midshipmen in a game that they dominated throughout.

That seems to be the pattern of the Irish this season either being very good or very bad.

So what is it going to be this week?

I think that the offense will be the reason that the team navigates their way through the rest of the season, but first they have to start with a win versus Wake Forest of the ACC.

Here are four offensive keys to winning the game this Saturday.

Cierre Wood

Cierre Wood had a decent game last week versus Navy but is looking to have a breakout game this week facing a poor Wake Forest defense.

Wood only rushed for 71 yards in his last two games, and while he only mustered up five yards versus the Trojans, he scored two touchdowns last week against the Midshipmen.

He needs to get his momentum rolling and this is the week to do so with the undersized front seven of the Demon Deacons. 

Cierre Wood will be a key in the game as the Irish are gonna look to establish their run game this week as they did last week.

Jonas Gray

The other running back in the backfield of the Irish is Jonas Gray. 

Gray had a better performance last week than Wood with 69 yards and three rushing scores.

Look for Gray to come back fierce versus the Demon Deacons as he is trying to establish himself as the better back in the backfield for the Irish.

He got more carries last week than Wood and he has been playing better than Wood as of late, especially against the Trojans when he ran for a score.

The Irish may be shifting by putting their trust in Gray more than Wood so look for both to come out with something to prove.

Tommy Rees

Rees is the starting quarterback for the Irish, and he may be an obvious key, but he is a key nonetheless.

Rees is a close equivalent to Tony Romo in the NFL this season as they both are having roller coaster years.

Rees did not start out as the man for the Irish but is now in the starting position with no signs of the spot being handed back to Crist.

For the Irish to win the game, they will pound the ball in the run game, but they also need Rees to manage the game well, which in this case, means eliminating turnovers.

Rees has only had two games this year where he hasn't thrown an interception, and both of those games were wins. Coincidence? I think not.

If Rees can take the responsibility of being the quarterback for the Irish without even needing to make the big play, the Irish should cruise their way to a victory.

Michael Floyd

After two fairly silent weeks against Air Force and USC, Michael Floyd finally broke the hundred yard mark for the fourth time this season against the Midshipmen.

Floyd is the best offensive player on the Irish and even though it all depends on the quarterback getting him the ball, he is one of the most explosive players in the NCAA.

Being the best NFL prospect on the team, Floyd is expected to be a major part of this Irish offense.

Rees has been struggling at points this season and Floyd has to be the man to bail him out.

If it comes down to it this weekend, Floyd will have to come up big on some third downs to not only establish some confidence for his young quarterback, but also improve his draft stock a little more.

Look for Floyd to be the go-to guy on third downs this Saturday and to do well against a veteran secondary in the Demon Deacons.