Notre Dame's ACC schedule in 2016

[Duo]

I honestly don't think there is a single team in ND's ACC schedule this year that has much of a chance of winning the match. Through the luck of the scheduling draw ND will face the bottom dwellers of the ACC this year. If there was ever a chance to make a run this is it.

Saturday Sep. 24 Duke Blue Devils
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 3:30pm ET NBC

David Cutcliffe is an excellent coach capable of getting more from less but the talent gap between ND and Duke playing in South Bend will be overwhelming.


Saturday Oct. 1 at Syracuse Orange
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Coach Dino Babers will have his work cut out for him facing the over matched Irish. At least the game is at MetLife and the Orange may have a few more fans. However, the talent gap will be tough.


Saturday Oct. 8 at NC State Wolfpack
Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

This is a possible trap game for ND because the game will be at Carter-Finley Stadium. In the past Coach Dave Doeren and NC State has had a reputation for sneaking up on heavily favored teams and beating them.



Saturday Oct. 29 Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 3:30pm ET NBC

Although a few pundits are predicting Mark Richt and Miami will upset ND the Vegas odds favor ND by 7 to 10 points. It would be a monumental feat for any team with a first year coach to defeat ND this year. All eyes will be on the QB's with both sides fielding Heisman hopefuls.......Miami--Brad Kaaya vs. ND--Kizer/Zaire.



Saturday Nov. 19 Virginia Tech Hokies
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN 3:30pm ET NBC

First year Coach Justin Fuente will have his work cut out for him going against the Irish in South Bend. On the flip side long time Defensive coach Bud Foster will be ready as usual. Remember it was just last year that the Hokies went to Ohio State and handed the Buckeyes their only defeat 42-24! Can lightning strike twice? Never say never.

 

[twalsh]

I don't think that Duke, Miami or Va Tech would qualify as bottom dwellers, by just about any definition.

 

[Toby Smart]

The only thing that is a bottom dweller is the person who started the discussion. It's an amateurish attempt at an "I told you so" moment somewhere down the line, just in case ND does run the ACC table.In other words, it's a set up.

 

[twalsh]

I don't think that Duke, Miami or Va Tech would qualify as bottom dwellers, by just about any definition.

Now that I think about it, neither is NC State.

 

[Duo]

I don't think that Duke, Miami or Va Tech would qualify as bottom dwellers, by just about any definition.

Duke--historically a bottom dweller with improvements lately thanks to David Cutcliffe.

Miami--has really been down ever since the Nevin Shapiro scandal and has never won the ACC.

VT--most of the VT fans were calling for Frank Beamer's retirement the past couple of years. VT is a far cry from the 90's. Let's see what the new coach can do in 2 or 3 years.

NC State--Here are the NC St. ACC records over the past 7 years. 3&5, 3&5, 0&8, 4&4, 4&4, 5&3, 2&6

Syracuse--Nuff said. Again, new coach.

Perhaps some of these are not on the bottom of the barrel but I can't imagine any one of them beating ND this year. Having said that..........that may well change in future years with 3 of them featuring brand new 1st year coaches. For example, a number of pundits are quite excited about the future for Mark Richt. Because he really hasn't had an opportunity to make connections with the South Florida HS coaches just yet I'm not expecting much his first year. But, who knows, maybe he will prove me wrong?

If FSU, Clemson, UNC, Louisville and Pitt were on the schedule this year that would be a whole different story. But, the wheel goes full turn and that will happen in the future. This year's ACC schedule represents a great opportunity for ND to run the table.

 

[Duo]

The only thing that is a bottom dweller is the person who started the discussion. It's an amateurish attempt at an "I told you so" moment somewhere down the line, just in case ND does run the ACC table.In other words, it's a set up.

BTW....Smart....

Don't know how long you've been around but I post and discuss ND's ACC schedule every year and have been discussing ND's entire schedule prior to the start of the season for several years.

Ahh.........set up??? Think you have your wires crossed or.........a little paranoid? Why not join in the discussion and see what you can contribute. Don't come back angry.........come back "Smart"!

 

[scotchirishblood]

The ACC schedule is just the way the cookie crumbles. With only five scheduled each year some seasons you'll draw the upper echelon teams, some years a healthy mix and some years heavily weighted with lower ranked teams. The past two years ND had had some of the top ACC teams and consequently the SOS was positively affected. This year the lower ranked teams are scheduled and the projected SOS affected accordingly.

 

[Duo]

The ACC schedule is just the way the cookie crumbles. With only five scheduled each year some seasons you'll draw the upper echelon teams, some years a healthy mix and some years heavily weighted with lower ranked teams. The past two years ND had had some of the top ACC teams and consequently the SOS was positively affected. This year the lower ranked teams are scheduled and the projected SOS affected accordingly.

Excellent observation. For any team to make the final 4 it's a good idea to be undefeated..........not mandatory but a very good idea especially when going against Conference Champions playing 13 games and obviously the final game being against a highly ranked opponent.

 

[Toby Smart]

I've been around here long enough to know that you blasted the horn of Georgia Tech in 2015 leading up to the ND game then mysteriously disappeared. This is how all of it will work with you. If ND runs the ACC table, you will disappear for awhile. If they don't, you will bring this thread out of mothballs.

 

[Duo]

Gee, what a great contribution to the board. Think.............."Smart"!

 

[Toby Smart]

I'm "smart" enough to realize how transparent you are when it comes to the topic of ND and the ACC. Trying to take a wild haymaker at Charlie's charitable contributions to ND in relation to what , as coincidence would have it, the new ACC Miami Hurricane HC donated to his school was feeble at best. But that was just one in many from you. You are definitely no friend of ND.

 

[Duo]

"Smart" challenge......

What do you feel ND's toughest game will be this year?

What game do you think ND needs to watch out for as it could be more difficult than what the pundits are thinking?

What do you think about ND's 5 ACC opponents and which game will be the most challenging?

ND plays 4 away games plus 2 military academies at neutral sites. Which of those will present the greatest challenge (or does the venue even matter)?

It's a message board in the off season. No right/wrong just friendly discussion. Share your opinions.

 

[Epictitus]

^^^^^^^ an idiot troll!

 

[scotchirishblood]

^^^^^^^ an idiot troll!

Brilliant!

 

[Toby Smart]

Long story short....games that are giving me night terrors - USC. Games that come with a warning - MSU, Stanford, Miami. Games that I shouldn't be worried about but have it in the back of my mind - V Tech and Texas. And the rest - Nevada, Duke , Cuse , NCST , Navy , Army. I feel real good with the offense, no matter who starts at QB.They should be very productive. Special Teams is a plus this season. All the defense has to do is get along as injury free as possible and stop giving up the big play. Don't have to be dominant. Just reliable.

 

[Duo]

Long story short....games that are giving me night terrors - USC. Games that come with a warning - MSU, Stanford, Miami. Games that I shouldn't be worried about but have it in the back of my mind - V Tech and Texas. And the rest - Nevada, Duke , Cuse , NCST , Navy , Army. I feel real good with the offense, no matter who starts at QB.They should be very productive. Special Teams is a plus this season. All the defense has to do is get along as injury free as possible and stop giving up the big play. Don't have to be dominant. Just reliable.

Toby.....

According to Bleacher ND is ranked #11

#14 Stanford has to replace the QB but their offense will likely be designed around Heisman hopeful Christian McCaffrey. The thing about McCaffrey is he is a threat to go all the way at any point in the game. Playing the game in South Bend will be a significant plus for the Irish. Should be a close game.

#16 Michigan State lost a lot of players from last years team. However Coach Mark Dantonio probably has a very good feel for Brian Kelly's offense. Again having the game in South Bend is a plus. Should be another close game.

#25 Miami is an unknown. There are 2 reasons to be concerned though: Coach Mark Richt and Heisman hopeful QB Brad Kaaya. Miami's best RB has been suspended and 2 others have been kicked off the team so Richt's work is cut out for him. Once again, playing the game in South Bend will be an advantage. ND should win but that assumes Kaaya can be contained.