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5 Players Who Must Step Up For Notre Dame In Music City Bowl

Players Who Must Step Up For Notre Dame In Music City Bowl

Notre Dame Football
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As Notre Dame makes final preparations for the Music City Bowl, the team knows it must bring its best game to the field if it wants to come away with a victory over LSU. Head coach Brian Kelly will look to these players specifically to lead the Fighting Irish on Tuesday afternoon against the Tigers, who have been the much better team throughout the 2014 season.

5. Tarean Folston

Notre Dame Football Tarean Folston
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tarean Folston

Notre Dame Football Tarean Folston
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers have been stout against the run this season, but Folston needs to play well in this game to take pressure off of Notre Dame’s quarterbacks. The sophomore has easily been the team’s best running back this season, as he’s posted 154 carries, 816 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He’s shown the ability to be a dynamic player, but overall consistency has been his issue.

4. Jaylon Smith

Notre Dame Football Jaylon Smith
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jaylon Smith

Notre Dame Football Jaylon Smith
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Smith has been without a doubt the best player on the defensive side of the ball for Notre Dame this season. He’s been extremely reliable for a young player, accumulating 102 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss this season. The sophomore outside linebacker will be counted on once again in the team’s matchup with LSU, particularly in defending the Tigers’ potent rushing attack.

3. Will Fuller

Notre Dame Football Will Fuller
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

3. Will Fuller

Notre Dame Football Will Fuller
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Arguably Notre Dame’s best overall player this season, Fuller has been outstanding even with the team’s quarterback issues. This year, he’s registered 71 receptions, 1,037 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish. LSU only allows 162.3 passing yards per game, but the sophomore receiver has proven he can make any defense look bad. Brian Kelly will need to rely on Fuller once again Tuesday afternoon.

2. Sheldon Day

Notre Dame Football Sheldon Day
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2. Sheldon Day

Notre Dame Football Sheldon Day
Getty Images

After missing the team’s past two games due to injury, Day will be back on the field for Notre Dame against LSU. It’s certainly a welcomed return, as he’s been the best defensive lineman on the team this season. Shutting down LSU’s run game will be priority No. 1 for the Fighting Irish, and Day will need to anchor the defense.

1. Everett Golson and Malik Zaire

Notre Dame Football Everett Golson Malik Zaire
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

1. Everett Golson and Malik Zaire

Notre Dame Football Everett Golson Malik Zaire
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Zaire will start the game for Notre Dame, but both quarterbacks will play against LSU. Golson started every game this season for the Fighting Irish and was outstanding for the first half of the season, before his play diminished and turnovers became a major issue for him. Both signal-callers will need to play a solid game and protect the ball throughout their tough battle with LSU, or this game could get ugly quick.

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