Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/573499
GAME PREVIEW: UMASS years ago, who could have ever en‑ visioned that UConn, Tulsa, South Florida and Louisville would? RIGHT ON SCHEDULE In a 12‑game regular season, sched‑ uling Power Five conference oppo‑ nents every week is considered sui‑ cidal. Even Notre Dame's Knute Rockne (1918‑30 head coach), who prided him‑ self on taking on all comers, began his first national title drive by opening with Lombard and Wabash in 1924, and tossing in a Coe, Drake or Beloit in other years. Likewise, to provide some bal‑ ance to its typically arduous slates, Notre Dame is including a one‑game series, all at home, with teams from the "Group of Five," leagues, with the games generally positioned in Sep‑ tember. This year it is Massachusetts, for‑ merly coached by 2010‑11 Irish as‑ sistant Charley Molnar. Next year it will be Nevada (Sept. 10), coached by 2005‑09 Notre Dame assistant Brian Polian, and in 2017 (Sept. 30) it will be Miami (Ohio), which is under the tu‑ telage of 2010‑13 Notre Dame assistant Chuck Martin. In 2018, the Irish will play in‑state Ball State (Sept. 8), which had former Notre Dame administrators there be‑ fore they moved to Marquette, and in 2019 (Sept. 14) it will be New Mexico, currently coached by 1997‑2001 Fight‑ ing Irish head coach Bob Davie. Strength of schedule is generally not an issue for the Notre Dame foot‑ ball team, which is laden with Power Five teams, but some relief is also needed. ✦ Predictions Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 62, UMass 14 Notre Dame has the athletes to slow down the UMass pass game, which is the biggest threat it faces. The Irish will pound UMass on the ground and create big plays en route to a blowout. Andrew Ivins: Notre Dame 48, UMass 20 The Minutemen were one of the best 3‑9 teams in the country last season. They can score, but it won't be enough to counter Will Fuller, C.J. Prosise and the rest of the gang. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 48, UMass 10 After a stressful game at Virginia and one of the top opponents on the 2015 schedule (Georgia Tech) in back‑to‑back weeks, this should provide an easy tune‑up for the season‑altering trip to Clemson. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 49, UMass 17 One of the rare times where Fighting Irish faithful should go into a contest believing it won't and shouldn't be close. Opportunity should be there for younger players to see action. Jordan Wells: Notre Dame 42, UMass 13 The Irish enjoy a much easier week four matchup against the Minutemen. Quarterback Blake Frohnap‑ fel could lead UMass to a few scores, but it won't be enough to hold serve with Notre Dame's offense.