Opt-outs and transfers will play a big part in this one, but the overall team talent on the Fighting Irish roster will turn this one into a laugher. They will dominate the line of scrimmage against a Beavers team that lost coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State following the end of the regular season. It’d be one thing if this game was against a lower-tier Power Five or Group of Five team. This one, however, is against a team that also loves to own the line of scrimmage – but does it with better players.

The Irish could be down as many as 8 offensive starters with QB Sam Hartman opting out today. Oregon State has lost essentially all of its key offensive players to opt out/transfer/suspension. The Hartman news was the final straw regarding the total but normally I'll just sit and wait on all these games to see who is playing. Sure feels like a defensive rock fight.