Notre Dame Schedule Analysis
By Michael Schneid
We decided to analyze Notre Dame's schedule as part of our previews since we are going conference by conference.
This is how the Irish schedule breaks down:
Returning Starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense
Players to Watch: RB Cierre Wood, TE Tyler Eifert, LB Manti Te'o
__________________________________
vs. Navy (9/1)
*Game played in Ireland 2011 Result: Won 56-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 72-12-1
These teams will be meeting for the 86th time and yet this one may be the most special. Kickoff will happen at 9 am eastern time, as the game takes place in Ireland. Navy has actually won two of the last three meetings. They have had difficulty with the triple option offense in recent years. QB Tommy Rees has been suspended due to off the field actions. Everett Golson and Andrew Hendrix will both likely receive playing time. Rees is not Brian Kelly's favorite QB so a solid performance by one of these two can shake the depth chart a little going forward.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Purdue (9/8)
2011 Result: Won 38-10
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 55-26-2
Trophy: Shillelagh Trophy
Another game that Notre Dame can use to get Tommy Rees some real reps and chemistry before getting to the meat of the schedule. Rees returns from a one game suspension. The Irish will hope to build on their momentum from Ireland, and hopefully don't still suffer from jet lag. Purdue is the first of three straight Big Ten teams, and also the likely easiest of the bunch.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Michigan State (9/15)
2011 Result: Won 31-13
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 46-28-1
Trophy: Megaphone Trophy
This will be the third tough game to open the season whomever wins the Michigan State QB battle, in their quest to replace Kirk Cousins. The Spartans came just short of missing the BCS two straight seasons, losing a heart-breaking inaugural Big Ten title game in 2011. One of Michigan State's three losses came to the Irish last season and with the game being in East Lansing, Mike Dantonio's squad should get some payback.
Prediction: Loss __________________________________
vs. Michigan (9/22)
2011 Result: Lost 35-31
All-time series: Michigan leads 23-15-1
The Irish face Denard Robinson for the last time. Robinson has never lost to the Irish. Seniors like LB Manti Te'o would love to end their careers with a win over Michigan and Robinson. Last year's game was the first one ever played at night at Michigan Stadium and between these two teams. It was also one of the best games of all of 2011. The 2012 return match should be very good too. Look for the Irish to avenge last year's final second heart-breaker.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Miami (10/6)
*Game played in Chicago at Soldier Field
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 16-7-1
rematch 2010 Sun Bowl
This game used to be known as "Catholics vs Convicts." Now it is known as two programs who have been down in recent years, trying to rise up. It is also a rematch of the 2010 Sun Bowl. Miami is under probation, breaking in a new QB, and have a lot of youth all over the field. This game will be extra exciting as it is played on "neutral" field in Chicago. We put neutral in quotes because Notre Dame should still have a very loud home field advantage
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Stanford (10/13)
2011 Result: Lost 28-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 17-9
Trophy: Legends Trophy
No more Andrew Luck who has been a thorn in Notre Dame's side. The Cardinal have won three straight. Luck and former RB Toby Gerhart have played major roles in those wins. Notre Dame needs to stop the run to stop the losing streak. Stepfon Taylor may not be Toby Gerhart but he is still pretty good. Stanford replaces starters on their offensive line and defense. With the game in South Bend, Notre Dame may finally knock off Stanford and recapture the Legends Trophy.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. BYU (10/20)
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 4-2
Battle of independents. Only the seventh time these schools have ever met. You can make some religious storylines here. BYU QB Riley Nelson is a dual threat guy who the Irish defense needs to contain. The Cougars are not loaded with weapons and assuming Notre Dame has solved their offensive and QB woes that plagued them last year by this point, they should not struggle with BYU.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Oklahoma (10/27)
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 8-1
Oklahoma's never beaten Notre Dame at home and is 1-8 all time vs. the Irish. This game may have huge implications as Oklahoma is the favorite to win the Big 12 and with expectations very high, Oklahoma, with their senior QB Landry Jones, may want more than just a Big 12 title. In order to get to a potential national title game or even earn a BCS at-large bid, in case they slip up in conference, they must beat the Irish. Same for Notre Dame. The Irish desperately need to get back to the BCS and beating the Big 12 favorites would be a big resume booster and really earn them a lot of respect nationally. Landry Jones is too good. Bob Stoops teams do not lose at home.
Prediction: Loss
__________________________________
vs. Pittsburgh (11/3)
2011 Result: Won 15-12
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 44-20-1
If you watched last year's game...why? The Irish won a miserable contest against Pitt. Pitt's offense should be improved with new head coach Paul Chryst. Pitt should be better but, especially by this point in the season, Notre Dame will be improved too. This game is at South Bend which should help them even more.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Boston College (11/10)
2011 Result: Won 16-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 12-9
Trophy: Ireland Trophy
Boston College is not expected to be very good in 2012. Unless some of their young players really grow and develop early in the season, the Eagles could be a team simply playing out the stretch. Notre Dame could be in the hunt for a possible BCS berth and will not hold anything back in the "Holy War".
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Wake Forest (11/17)
2011 Result: Won 24-17
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 1-0
This game is similar to Boston College. Notre Dame will look to beat down an inferior opponent (althought WF is an average, .500 team).
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ USC (11/24)
2011 Result: Lost 31-17
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 43-34-5
Trophy: Jeweled Shillelagh
Fun Fact: The two teams have combined the for most NFL draft picks. At this point in the season, USC will likely be one of the top teams and a spot in the National Championship should be on the line for the Trojans. If not, the National Title, perhaps the Rose Bowl will still be in play. Either way, USC, who got much better with the news that PSU RB Silas Redd is transferring to LA, will badly need to win this game. This may also be the game that is Matt Barkley's Heisman moment. The USC QB is the early favorite for the award and may need his team to win and have big numbers to impress last-minute voters. To this point, we have projected Notre Dame at 9-2, meaning a win here almost assuredly gets them to a BCS game. The implications of this game should be enormous. Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin have split their first two meetings against one another.
Prediction: Loss
__________________________________
FINAL RECORD PREDICTION: 9-3
Final Analysis: The Irish have questions at QB, although they are deep and talented at the position. Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson are future, so if freshmen Gunner Kiel. So it is possible Tommy Rees begins to be faded out completely. RB Cierre Wood ran for over 1000 yards last season and TE Tyler Eifert is a pre-season All-American in some previews.
LB Manti Te'o must help the defense improve. They only gave up 20.7 ppg in 2011 (24th in nation). Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco has done a good job cleaning up Charlie Weis' mess of a defense he left behind in South Bend and the Irish must continue their momentum.
We decided to analyze Notre Dame's schedule as part of our previews since we are going conference by conference.
This is how the Irish schedule breaks down:
- 3 games vs. Big Ten
- 3 games vs. ACC
- 2 games vs. PAC-12
- 2 games vs. Independents
- 1 game vs. Big 12
- 1 game vs. Big East
- 6 games in South Bend
Returning Starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense
Players to Watch: RB Cierre Wood, TE Tyler Eifert, LB Manti Te'o
__________________________________
vs. Navy (9/1)
*Game played in Ireland 2011 Result: Won 56-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 72-12-1
These teams will be meeting for the 86th time and yet this one may be the most special. Kickoff will happen at 9 am eastern time, as the game takes place in Ireland. Navy has actually won two of the last three meetings. They have had difficulty with the triple option offense in recent years. QB Tommy Rees has been suspended due to off the field actions. Everett Golson and Andrew Hendrix will both likely receive playing time. Rees is not Brian Kelly's favorite QB so a solid performance by one of these two can shake the depth chart a little going forward.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Purdue (9/8)
2011 Result: Won 38-10
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 55-26-2
Trophy: Shillelagh Trophy
Another game that Notre Dame can use to get Tommy Rees some real reps and chemistry before getting to the meat of the schedule. Rees returns from a one game suspension. The Irish will hope to build on their momentum from Ireland, and hopefully don't still suffer from jet lag. Purdue is the first of three straight Big Ten teams, and also the likely easiest of the bunch.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Michigan State (9/15)
2011 Result: Won 31-13
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 46-28-1
Trophy: Megaphone Trophy
This will be the third tough game to open the season whomever wins the Michigan State QB battle, in their quest to replace Kirk Cousins. The Spartans came just short of missing the BCS two straight seasons, losing a heart-breaking inaugural Big Ten title game in 2011. One of Michigan State's three losses came to the Irish last season and with the game being in East Lansing, Mike Dantonio's squad should get some payback.
Prediction: Loss __________________________________
vs. Michigan (9/22)
2011 Result: Lost 35-31
All-time series: Michigan leads 23-15-1
The Irish face Denard Robinson for the last time. Robinson has never lost to the Irish. Seniors like LB Manti Te'o would love to end their careers with a win over Michigan and Robinson. Last year's game was the first one ever played at night at Michigan Stadium and between these two teams. It was also one of the best games of all of 2011. The 2012 return match should be very good too. Look for the Irish to avenge last year's final second heart-breaker.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Miami (10/6)
*Game played in Chicago at Soldier Field
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 16-7-1
rematch 2010 Sun Bowl
This game used to be known as "Catholics vs Convicts." Now it is known as two programs who have been down in recent years, trying to rise up. It is also a rematch of the 2010 Sun Bowl. Miami is under probation, breaking in a new QB, and have a lot of youth all over the field. This game will be extra exciting as it is played on "neutral" field in Chicago. We put neutral in quotes because Notre Dame should still have a very loud home field advantage
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Stanford (10/13)
2011 Result: Lost 28-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 17-9
Trophy: Legends Trophy
No more Andrew Luck who has been a thorn in Notre Dame's side. The Cardinal have won three straight. Luck and former RB Toby Gerhart have played major roles in those wins. Notre Dame needs to stop the run to stop the losing streak. Stepfon Taylor may not be Toby Gerhart but he is still pretty good. Stanford replaces starters on their offensive line and defense. With the game in South Bend, Notre Dame may finally knock off Stanford and recapture the Legends Trophy.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. BYU (10/20)
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 4-2
Battle of independents. Only the seventh time these schools have ever met. You can make some religious storylines here. BYU QB Riley Nelson is a dual threat guy who the Irish defense needs to contain. The Cougars are not loaded with weapons and assuming Notre Dame has solved their offensive and QB woes that plagued them last year by this point, they should not struggle with BYU.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Oklahoma (10/27)
2011 Result: N/A
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 8-1
Oklahoma's never beaten Notre Dame at home and is 1-8 all time vs. the Irish. This game may have huge implications as Oklahoma is the favorite to win the Big 12 and with expectations very high, Oklahoma, with their senior QB Landry Jones, may want more than just a Big 12 title. In order to get to a potential national title game or even earn a BCS at-large bid, in case they slip up in conference, they must beat the Irish. Same for Notre Dame. The Irish desperately need to get back to the BCS and beating the Big 12 favorites would be a big resume booster and really earn them a lot of respect nationally. Landry Jones is too good. Bob Stoops teams do not lose at home.
Prediction: Loss
__________________________________
vs. Pittsburgh (11/3)
2011 Result: Won 15-12
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 44-20-1
If you watched last year's game...why? The Irish won a miserable contest against Pitt. Pitt's offense should be improved with new head coach Paul Chryst. Pitt should be better but, especially by this point in the season, Notre Dame will be improved too. This game is at South Bend which should help them even more.
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ Boston College (11/10)
2011 Result: Won 16-14
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 12-9
Trophy: Ireland Trophy
Boston College is not expected to be very good in 2012. Unless some of their young players really grow and develop early in the season, the Eagles could be a team simply playing out the stretch. Notre Dame could be in the hunt for a possible BCS berth and will not hold anything back in the "Holy War".
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
vs. Wake Forest (11/17)
2011 Result: Won 24-17
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 1-0
This game is similar to Boston College. Notre Dame will look to beat down an inferior opponent (althought WF is an average, .500 team).
Prediction: Win
__________________________________
@ USC (11/24)
2011 Result: Lost 31-17
All-time series: Notre Dame leads 43-34-5
Trophy: Jeweled Shillelagh
Fun Fact: The two teams have combined the for most NFL draft picks. At this point in the season, USC will likely be one of the top teams and a spot in the National Championship should be on the line for the Trojans. If not, the National Title, perhaps the Rose Bowl will still be in play. Either way, USC, who got much better with the news that PSU RB Silas Redd is transferring to LA, will badly need to win this game. This may also be the game that is Matt Barkley's Heisman moment. The USC QB is the early favorite for the award and may need his team to win and have big numbers to impress last-minute voters. To this point, we have projected Notre Dame at 9-2, meaning a win here almost assuredly gets them to a BCS game. The implications of this game should be enormous. Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin have split their first two meetings against one another.
Prediction: Loss
__________________________________
FINAL RECORD PREDICTION: 9-3
Final Analysis: The Irish have questions at QB, although they are deep and talented at the position. Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson are future, so if freshmen Gunner Kiel. So it is possible Tommy Rees begins to be faded out completely. RB Cierre Wood ran for over 1000 yards last season and TE Tyler Eifert is a pre-season All-American in some previews.
LB Manti Te'o must help the defense improve. They only gave up 20.7 ppg in 2011 (24th in nation). Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco has done a good job cleaning up Charlie Weis' mess of a defense he left behind in South Bend and the Irish must continue their momentum.
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