Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/561665
UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE H aving the stars line up so ide- ally the way Notre Dame does to start this season doesn't nec- essarily predicate success, but it cer- tainly gives this Irish team the highest hopes it has held since at least 2006. With essentially 19 of 22 starters back, a schedule that includes only one opponent ranked higher in the preseason top 25, and more than a dozen legitimate NFL prospects scat- tered in the starting lineup, a College Football Playoff berth is a realistic goal for the preseason No. 11 Irish. So with high expectations serving as the backdrop, let's take a game-by- game look and try to project how far Notre Dame will go and how close it can get to being one of the nation's top four teams. We said 8-4 last year, and the Irish finished the regular season 7-5. SEPT. 5: VS. TEXAS (6-7 IN 2014) The Longhorns have plenty of talent under second-year head coach Charlie Strong, but remain unsettled at quar- terback. The uncertainty of a season opener is a concern, but home field and experience carry Notre Dame. (ND 24, TEXAS 17) SEPT. 12: AT VIRGINIA (5-7) One of five Irish opponents with a losing record last year, the Cavaliers started last season 4-2 before implod- ing with a lousy offense and five losses in their last six games. No issues for the Irish on this road trip. (ND 31, VIR- GINIA 17) SEPT. 19: VS. GEORGIA TECH (11-3) With 15 starters returning, the reign- ing Orange Bowl champions and their triple-option offense present arguably the most difficult defensive challenge for the Irish all season. Notre Dame gets a scare, but finds a way. (ND 35, GEORGIA TECH 31) SEPT. 26: VS. MASSACHUSETTS (3-9) In what might be considered the closest Notre Dame has ever come to playing a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) opponent, the Minutemen should pro- vide a tune-up in preparation for the trip to Clemson. (ND 38, UMASS 3) Loaded Notre Dame Will Get Clipped Twice In 2015 The last time senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell and the Irish ventured to Pittsburgh, the Panthers surged past them for a 28-21 upset victory. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA