Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/514677
BY JORDAN WELLS A schedule chock full of poten- tially juicy storylines looms for Notre Dame in 2015. Six road games and six home games split the travel schedule right down the middle. There are likely ranked foes in Georgia Tech, Clemson and USC — all three just a few weeks apart in September and October. Both Virginia and Pittsburgh return key leaders with All-America potential, while Texas and Stanford could break in former five-star signees as true freshmen. And the Irish play Temple at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles) and Boston College at Fenway Park (home of MLB's Boston Red Sox). Win or lose, one thing is certain — 2015 won't lack excitement. TEXAS • SEPT. 5 2014 Record: 6-7, 5-4 Big 12 Last Meeting: Notre Dame 27, Texas 24 (1996) Toughest To Replace: Consensus first-team All- American defensive tackle Malcom Brown declared early for the NFL Draft, and he was chosen in the first round with the No. 32 overall pick by the New Eng- land Patriots. Brown was the first defensive tackle to lead the Longhorns in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (6.5) since Tony Degrate in 1984, and he finished sixth on the team in total tackles (72). Key Player: The No. 1 outside linebacker nation- ally in the 2015 class according to Rivals.com, Malik Jefferson enrolled early at Texas and is already mak- ing waves. The 6-3, 217-pound five-star prospect finished with five tackles (one for loss), a pass broken up and a forced fumble in the Longhorns' spring game. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Jefferson step in and take over a major role in the Texas de- fense immediately. Season Outlook: A number of issues still loom for second-year head coach Charlie Strong before his program can make a big leap forward, including uncertainty at quarterback and a struggling offensive line in 2014. Returning gunslinger Tyrone Swoopes finished last season with a completion percentage of 58.3 and 2,409 passing yards, but he threw only 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. According to Strong, redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard "closed the gap" on Swoopes in spring ball. The offensive line reportedly made strides in the spring, but it remains to be seen just how improved it will be. AT VIRGINIA • SEPT. 12 2014 Record: 5-7, 3-5 ACC Last Meeting: Notre Dame 36, Virginia 13 (1989) Toughest To Replace: Defensive end Eli Harold Great Theatre Awaits Notre Dame's 2015 schedule promises to provide a roller-coaster ride of drama