Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE OCT. 3: AT CLEMSON (10-3) In a game many pick as the toughest on the schedule, the Irish must find a way to control Heisman hopeful quar- terback Deshaun Watson. Clemson lost more than half its starters from last year, an Irish advantage. (ND 27, CLEMSON 24) OCT. 10: VS. NAVY (8-5) Often a confounding matchup, this game becomes trickier because it is sandwiched between Clemson and USC. Navy was hit hard by gradua- tion, though it does return nifty quar- terback Keenan Reynolds. (ND 41, NAVY 28) OCT. 17: VS. USC (9-4) A USC program on the rise, this matchup has playoff implications for both programs. Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler is back after hitting the Irish with six touchdown passes in a 49-14 rout last season. Close shave. (ND 31, USC 30) OCT. 31: AT TEMPLE (6-6) Considered a road game on the schedule but not by venue (Lincoln Financial Field), Notre Dame will hold a prohibitive home-field advantage in Philly. Temple finished just 2-5 late last season, losing three contests by 17 points or more. (ND 27, TEMPLE 10) NOV. 7: AT PITTSBURGH (6-7) The only team on the Irish schedule with a new head coach, former Michi- gan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi uses 16 returning starters to hand the Irish their first loss of the season. (PITTSBURGH 27, ND 24) NOV. 14: VS. WAKE FOREST (3-9) Not much for Notre Dame to worry about here against a team that lost seven of its last eight and averaged only 216.3 total yards a game in 2014. This Senior Day matchup for the Irish will be a lopsided one. (ND 40, WAKE FOREST 10) NOV. 21: VS. BOSTON COLLEGE (7-6) AT BOSTON Another team that struggled down the stretch in 2014, the Eagles lost three of their last four games. The unique venue (Fenway Park) and longstanding rivalry will make for an entertaining night, but the Irish are too talented here. (ND 30, BOSTON COLLEGE 20) NOV. 28: AT STANFORD (8-5) The Cardinal is loaded on offense, but lost nine starters on defense. Un- der head coach David Shaw, any re- building will be completed by this time. The most difficult game on the schedule, the Irish get clipped. (STAN- FORD 24, ND 20) It's hard to call a 10-2 regular sea- son a disappointment. After all, that record should keep Notre Dame in the conversation for a top-tier bowl game. But with the stars aligned so well, 10 wins is clearly the lowest the bar can be set in 2015. ✦ Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com