The highest-graded players from Notre Dame's victory over Northwestern, 31-21

This highest-graded players recap is brought to you by Eckrich, the Official Smoked Sausage of the College Football Playoff.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Northwestern Wildcats, 31-21, on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Irish continued their unbeaten streak and are now sitting at 9-0.

[Editor's Note: While we grade every player on every game, to qualify for an overall game grade for this recap's purpose, a player must have played at least 20 snaps to be considered a full-time contributor to the game.]

Top 5 overall

Notre Dame offense

Chase Claypool, WR – 85.6 overall grade
Miles Boykin, RB – 71.3 overall grade
Ian Book, QB – 69.7 overall grade
Tommy Kraemer, G – 66.1 overall grade
Trevor Ruhland, G – 65.7 overall grade

Notre Dame defense

Julian Okwara, EDGE – 77.9 overall grade
Troy Pride Jr., CB – 77.9 overall grade
Jordan Genmark-Heath, LB – 73.6 overall grade
Alohi Gilman, S – 71.3 overall grade
Julian Love, CB – 69.2 overall grade

Northwestern offense

Rashawn Slater, T – 74.6 overall grade
Cameron Green, TE – 74.3 overall grade
James Prather, TE – 73.2 overall grade
Flynn Nagel, WR – 68.1 overall grade
Tommy Doles, G – 63.9 overall grade

Northwestern defense

Earnest Brown IV, EDGE – 76.1 overall grade
Paddy Fisher, LB – 75.4 overall grade
Travis Whillock, S – 75.3 overall grade
Montre Hartage, CB – 70.8 overall grade
Fred Wyatt, DI – 70.4 overall grade