After watching the spring game this year I believe this is the year we will rely upon the running game more than at any time in Brian Kelly's time. There were big holes for the backs to run through and the offensive line seemed to be in sync even this early in the season. If we can rush for 200 yards or more per game this year Notre Dame will definitely be in the playoffs. Not to mention the younger guys that got plenty of playing time last year. Plus year 2 of BVG will improve in many areas and the safeties seem to be more confident and vocal.
Here is my very early breakdown of the games this year.
TEXAS
Most likely will be using the same QB that started most games last year (Swoopes). If that is the case Texas will not be that explosive offensively and their defense is still 2 years away from playing elite. Texas's strength will be rushing and I believe ND's rush defense will certainly show up. Texas has struggled in the last few years against teams that have a decent rushing attack and ND should be able to exploit that. Their secondary is not that great and ND has 3 legitimate WR's.
ND- 31
Texas - 17
Virginia
Do not see much threat from Virginia. They were very weak last year rushing the ball and the QB position is shaky at best. When one of the most important positions is not accounted for it makes for a long year coupled with not having a go to receiver or a stout defense they have nothing to hang their hat on.
ND- 35
Virginia - 13
GEORGIA TECH
This game I believe will be either the most difficult of second most difficult on the schedule. GT is an option team that can throw the ball better than Navy and they have athletes in the skill position spots that will definitely create issues. If BVG does not attack, but rather sits back and reacts and not attack ND will lose this game.
ND- 28
GT - 24
UMASS
Not much to say here except this is as close as you can get to scheduling a FCS school.
ND - 42
Mass - 10
Clemson
Very tough game. Clemson has both above average offenses and defenses and the athletes to play with ND. This will come down to execution and coaching. If ND defense is playing like it did in the first 5 games of last year they win. If they play like the last 6 games we lose. Hopefully it is the first 5 games.
ND - 27
Clemson - 24
NAVY
Everyone knows what Navy does, but they do it flawlessly. Hopefully BVG changes his game plan this year otherwise ND will lose this game. Keenan Reynolds will get his usual production, but ND just has to limit the other players from doing any damage. ND will lose this game if they turn the ball over more than once.
ND - 38
Navy - 28
SOUTHERN CAL
USC has everything in place now that he sanctions are over and this will be ND's toughest test. I just am not convinced yet that Brian Kelly calls a great game in tough matchups and given that these two teams are evenly matched and ND has not yet found an edge rusher i have to give the edge to USC.
ND - 24
USC - 27
Temple
One step up from UMass. Rushing last year was atrocious and the defense was only slightly better. No QB, RB and 1 decent WR for the Owls.
ND - 49
Mass - 6
Pittsburgh
Pitt has a very good rushing game, but not good at passing at all. A 1 dimensional team on offense. Their defense if decent, so this will be a close game as well. Plus Pitt always plays ND tough.
ND - 27
Pitt - 21
WAKE FOREST
A game where it should be a blowout, but ND always finds a way to play down to the competition, so it will be closer than people think.
ND - 24
WF - 17
BOSTON COLLEGE
Always plays ND hard. BC seems to always play great defense against ND, so this will be low scoring, but BC does not have a fearsome offense, so it will be a low scoring game.
ND - 17
BC - 13
Stanford
This game could very well have playoff implications for ND. Stanford will have already been knocked out, so only ND will be playing for anything here. I believe this is the year we finally have the horses and depth to pull away when it counts.
ND - 28
Stanford - 14
Here is my very early breakdown of the games this year.
TEXAS
Most likely will be using the same QB that started most games last year (Swoopes). If that is the case Texas will not be that explosive offensively and their defense is still 2 years away from playing elite. Texas's strength will be rushing and I believe ND's rush defense will certainly show up. Texas has struggled in the last few years against teams that have a decent rushing attack and ND should be able to exploit that. Their secondary is not that great and ND has 3 legitimate WR's.
ND- 31
Texas - 17
Virginia
Do not see much threat from Virginia. They were very weak last year rushing the ball and the QB position is shaky at best. When one of the most important positions is not accounted for it makes for a long year coupled with not having a go to receiver or a stout defense they have nothing to hang their hat on.
ND- 35
Virginia - 13
GEORGIA TECH
This game I believe will be either the most difficult of second most difficult on the schedule. GT is an option team that can throw the ball better than Navy and they have athletes in the skill position spots that will definitely create issues. If BVG does not attack, but rather sits back and reacts and not attack ND will lose this game.
ND- 28
GT - 24
UMASS
Not much to say here except this is as close as you can get to scheduling a FCS school.
ND - 42
Mass - 10
Clemson
Very tough game. Clemson has both above average offenses and defenses and the athletes to play with ND. This will come down to execution and coaching. If ND defense is playing like it did in the first 5 games of last year they win. If they play like the last 6 games we lose. Hopefully it is the first 5 games.
ND - 27
Clemson - 24
NAVY
Everyone knows what Navy does, but they do it flawlessly. Hopefully BVG changes his game plan this year otherwise ND will lose this game. Keenan Reynolds will get his usual production, but ND just has to limit the other players from doing any damage. ND will lose this game if they turn the ball over more than once.
ND - 38
Navy - 28
SOUTHERN CAL
USC has everything in place now that he sanctions are over and this will be ND's toughest test. I just am not convinced yet that Brian Kelly calls a great game in tough matchups and given that these two teams are evenly matched and ND has not yet found an edge rusher i have to give the edge to USC.
ND - 24
USC - 27
Temple
One step up from UMass. Rushing last year was atrocious and the defense was only slightly better. No QB, RB and 1 decent WR for the Owls.
ND - 49
Mass - 6
Pittsburgh
Pitt has a very good rushing game, but not good at passing at all. A 1 dimensional team on offense. Their defense if decent, so this will be a close game as well. Plus Pitt always plays ND tough.
ND - 27
Pitt - 21
WAKE FOREST
A game where it should be a blowout, but ND always finds a way to play down to the competition, so it will be closer than people think.
ND - 24
WF - 17
BOSTON COLLEGE
Always plays ND hard. BC seems to always play great defense against ND, so this will be low scoring, but BC does not have a fearsome offense, so it will be a low scoring game.
ND - 17
BC - 13
Stanford
This game could very well have playoff implications for ND. Stanford will have already been knocked out, so only ND will be playing for anything here. I believe this is the year we finally have the horses and depth to pull away when it counts.
ND - 28
Stanford - 14
