Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133608
14 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BYE THE WAY IN 2019 The 2019 college football season is "The Year Of The Bye." NCAA rules currently account for a 13-week season — 12 games and one bye week — for each Football Bowl Subdivision team based on the usual number of Saturdays between Labor Day Weekend and Thanksgiving weekend. However, because this particular year has Labor Day week- end early (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) and Thanksgiving weekend late (Nov. 30), that accounts for 14 Saturdays in college football — and two byes. Because Notre Dame opens on Labor Day (Sept. 2) Monday at Louisville, it will have one bye Saturday, Sept. 7. The second will coincide with fall semester break (Oct. 19), as has been the case much of the past 15 years. Meanwhile, most of the 12 Fighting Irish regular season foes in 2019 will either have a bye the week before facing Notre Dame, no game, or a supposed "tune-up." Unfair? Let's take a closer look: Sept. 2: at Louisville This is the opener for both teams, so extra preparation time is nullified. New coach Scott Satterfield inherits a team with the second longest losing streak (nine) entering 2019, behind Rutgers with 11. Sept. 14: New Mexico (bye) Head coach Bob Davie's team (3‑9 last year) opens with Sam Houston State Aug. 31, but will be off Sept. 7 — just like the Irish. Sept. 21: at Georgia (Arkansas State the week prior) The Bulldogs and Notre Dame both have their tune‑up games at home before this showdown. Sept. 28: Virginia (Old Dominion the week prior) Don't sleep on Old Dominion. The Monarchs shocked Virginia Tech last year with a 49‑35 upset two weeks before the Hokies played Notre Dame. Oct. 5: Bowling Green (bye) If having a bye results in an upset by the Falcons, who were 3‑9 last year, then we don't know what to tell you. Oct. 12: USC (bye) The Trojans are in turmoil, and their first five games prior to Notre Dame rank among the most difficult, opening with Fresno State (12‑2 and a No. 18 finish last year), Stanford, at BYU, Utah and at Washington. Oct. 26: Michigan (at Penn State) On paper, this works to Notre Dame's advantage because the Irish have their second bye the week the Wolverines travel to Happy Valley for a huge conference showdown. Nov. 2: Virginia Tech (bye) One of three straight ACC teams to have a bye in November the week before playing Notre Dame. At least the Irish are at home. Nov. 9: at Duke (bye) Head coach David Cutcliffe's Blue Devils upset the Irish in 2016 at Notre Dame (38‑35), leading to defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's dismissal. Nov. 16: Navy (bye) The Midshipmen play Connecticut Friday Nov. 1 before having extra time to hone the triple‑option for Notre Dame. Again, though, at least no travel is involved for Notre Dame. Nov. 23: Boston College (bye) Always physical Eagles could pose a threat prior to Notre Dame's trip to Stan‑ ford. This is where the strength and conditioning program must reap benefits. Nov. 30: Stanford (Cal) The Cardinal play the school's archrival in an always emotional contest the week prior to the Irish. Head coach Steve Addazio's Boston College squad is one of seven teams, including three straight ACC foes in November, that will have a bye the week prior to facing Notre Dame in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL UNDER THE DOME The good news is for the most part against the four most formidable foes on the slate — Georgia, USC, Michigan and Stanford — Notre Dame either has its own tune-up at home the week before Georgia and USC, or Michigan and Stanford have emotional contests the week prior to facing the Irish at home. Plus, Notre Dame has a bye prior to the trip to Ann Arbor.