Are Notre Dame’s playoff hopes now on the ropes with Ian Book out?

With quarterback Ian Book declared out of Saturday’s game against Florida State, are Notre Dame’s playoff hopes now on the ropes?

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish edged out a win last week over Northwestern, to move to 9-0 on the season. But the No. 3 team in the country will have to do without its starting quarterback Saturday night against Florida State. Irish Sports Daily was first to report Ian Book will miss the game against the Seminoles, with an injury to his midsection suffered in the game against Northwestern.

Book has started the last six games for the Fighting Irish, with 1,811 yards, 14 touchdowns (18 total touchdowns) and four interceptions over that span. Notre Dame has averaged 491 yards and 38.3 points per game with Book as the starter, and he’s leading the country in completion percentage (74.5 percent).

According to ESPN, Book is expected to be available against Syracuse on Nov. 17. So it doesn’t appear to be a major issue, but the school specifically cited Book is dealing with a rib issue. Head coach Brian Kelly is expected to address Book’s status later on Thursday.

Brandon Wimbush started the first three games of the season for Notre Dame, while completing just 55.3 percent of his passes with one touchdown and four interceptions. He’s expected to start Saturday night against Florida State’s 121st-ranked pass defense (282.6 yards per game).

Florida State is fighting to simply reach a bowl game this year, with three losses in its last four games and 4-5 record in Willie Taggart’s first season as head coach. Shy of beating rival Florida on Nov. 24, an upset over Notre Dame might make their season.

In Wimbush’s final two starts before Book replaced him, Ball State (now 3-7) hung around in a 24-16 contest and Notre Dame narrowly beat a 4-5 Vanderbilt team 22-17. So even with the weather in South Bend as a factor, the Seminoles have to like their chances to stick around on Saturday night.

The Fighting Irish are favored by 17.5 over Florida State, barring any movement in that line based on Book being out. So it’s a game they should win, no matter who is under center.

Holding Book out seems to be something of a precautionary measure, apart from how serious his injury may be. But if Wimbush looks as bad as he did earlier this season against Florida State, an upset alert will quickly surface for Notre Dame as their playoff hopes are put in peril.