Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Upon Further Review todd D. burlage A Year Older, And Hopefully Wiser T o whom it may concern, I feel simmering frustration waiting to boil deeply humbled and appreciative over for the Irish players after the loss to to be back with my annual predic- Alabama in January. ND 42, Temple 6 tion column for what should be a fine 2013 season at Notre Dame. Navy — The formula for beating Navy While sizing up the Irish for this same never changes; slow down the triple story a year ago, a sketchy QB situation, option, force some three-and-outs dethe most difficult schedule in the coun- fensively, don't turn the ball over. After try and a shortage of quality a sluggish stretch where the defensive backs led me to beMidshipmen beat Notre Dame lieve a 6-6 regular season was three out of four times, the talon the way. Well, I only missed ent gap has again widened to that prediction by six games make the Irish an easy choice after the Irish finished 12-0 and in this one. ND 35, Navy 7 played for the national championship. At Air Force — After a disapQuarterback uncertainty pointing 13-13 record the last with starter Everett Golson two years, the Falcons coachgone, replacing the defensive ing staff is trying to reinvent everett golson leadership of All-American the program by moving from linebacker Manti Te'o and another diffi- an option attack to a more traditional cult schedule highlight the areas of con- balanced offense. These changes might cern for the Irish this season. But with help, but not against Notre Dame's head coach Brian Kelly proving more dominating pass rush. ND 38, AFA 17 and more each year that he is building a At Purdue — The Boilermakers never great program and not just good teams, Notre Dame will be in the national title gained any traction in four seasons under head coach Danny Hope, so a new picture in 2013. The following is a capsulated look — era begins under former Kent State skipand some game-by-game predictions per, and Jim Tressell disciple, Darrell — as to how the Irish will fare this sea- Hazell. Purdue has a new quarterback, son. Opponents are listed from easiest running back and defensive front, so expect Notre Dame to give Hazell a rude to hardest. welcome to this longstanding series. ND Temple — With little talent returning 31, Purdue 10 from a team that went 4-7 last season, inBrigham Young — After falling just short cluding five losses in the final six games, the Owls should serve as a tune-up, es- of an upset at Notre Dame last season, pecially with almost eight months of the Cougars again feature a defensive