Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/561665
GAME PREVIEW: TEXAS call for a hungry, prideful program to atone for it the following year. Notre Dame's 2012 team that fin- ished 12-0 during the regular season sputtered to the finish line the year prior, eking out a 16-14 win at home versus Boston College before losing to Stanford and Florida State. We often like to point out that the 1973 national champ Irish ended the previous season with 45-23 and 40-6 losses to USC and Nebraska, respec- tively. Or the 1988 national champs fin- ished the year prior with three con- secutive losses, including 24-0 to Mi- ami and 35-10 to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Texas ended 2014 miserably, losing 48-10 at home to TCU before laying another egg in the 31-7 bowl defeat to Arkansas. Sometimes you have to bleed awhile before returning with a vengeance. If South Florida could upset Notre Dame at home to open 2011, Texas is more than capable of doing the same. Like Oklahoma in 2013, which was eager to improve its disappointing all-time 1-9 mark against the Irish (and did with a 35-21 win), Texas might feel the same way about its surprising 2-8 all-time ledger versus the Irish. ✦ Predictions Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 31, Texas 20 Texas is going to be much improved up front offensively and has a lot of skill-position talent. The Long- horns' defense is athletic and well coached. It will be a battle, but ultimately Notre Dame's team speed and experience carries the outcome. Andrew Ivins: Notre Dame 24, Texas 13 Notre Dame should roll, but you can't discount Charlie Strong in his second season. The Longhorns will likely struggle to move the ball with a two-quarterback system and a young line, so the pressure will be on the Irish to set the tone. Run the ball, and it will be easy. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 31, Texas 17 In year two of Charlie Strong's rebuilding effort in Austin, the Longhorns should be much improved — but they're not ready to upset the Irish just yet. Texas has no answer at quarterback and will struggle to keep up with Notre Dame's offensive fireworks in the first home start by Malik Zaire. Jordan Wells: Notre Dame 31, Texas 24 The Longhorns offensive line is reportedly much improved, and Brian VanGorder's Notre Dame defense — while designed to be disruptive — has yet to prove it can consistently rush the passer. This one could be closer than some expect. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 27, Texas 17 There is often an initial leeriness that comes with the unknown in an opener. Texas is eager to make amends for the 6-7 campaign last year in which it was slaughtered 79-17 in its last two contests. Better that the Irish face the Horns early in the year, though.