Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/413403
BY ANDREW OWENS M uch is on the line this season for Notre Dame after the un‑ rest created by a 15‑17 record (6‑12 in the ACC) last year, the program's first in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Little went right for the Irish, from a suspension to a transfer to injuries. With one postseason win during the four‑year streak (2009‑12) of reaching the NCAA Tournament and no Sweet 16 appear‑ ances since 2003, a common complaint filed by Irish fans is that the program rarely succeeds in the postseason. Last March, Notre Dame did not even have that opportunity. Three main players from the 2013‑14 squad have departed — point guard Eric Atkins, forward Tom Knight and center Garrick Sherman — but fifth‑year senior guard Jerian Grant returns from his academic suspension and should improve the offense. Here's a look at Notre Dame's com‑ plete schedule and what we've chosen as clear‑cut gimmies (Must Haves), toss‑ ups (Bubble Games) and matchups that require an Irish upset (Steals). Records from the 2013‑14 season are in paren‑ theses. MUST HAVES For Notre Dame to reach the 20‑win plateau for the eighth time in nine sea‑ sons, it simply must win these games. Non-conference (11): Binghamton (7‑23), Navy (9‑21), Coppin State (12‑20), Massachusetts (24‑9), Grambling State (5‑24), Chicago State (13‑19), Fairleigh Dickinson (10‑21), Mount St. Mary's (16‑17), Purdue (15‑17), Northern Illinois (15‑17) and Hartford (17‑16). The biggest names on that list are Massachusetts (Nov. 22 in Uncasville, Conn.) and Purdue (Dec. 20 in India‑ napolis), both of which will be played Must Haves, Bubbles And Steals In year two of ACC membership, the Irish look to return to the NCAA Tournament