1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2020 FInal Ranking
AP 5, Coaches 5
Final Record: 10-2
What Made 2020 Special?
Notre Dame went to the College Football Playoff.
So what if it got rocked by an otherworldly Alabama team? The Irish got to the big show for a second time, and they played in the conference championship (so what if it got rocked in that, too) as their friends with benefits relationship with the ACC blossomed into something more meaningful.
They were 1-1 against Clemson, had the wildly fun overtime win in the showcase game in South Bend, and once again, the program proved that it belongs in the high-rent floor just below the swanky penthouses occupied by Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State.
Why 2021 Will Be A Bit Worse: Returning Talent
Brian Kelly has been able to replace parts without a problem over the years, but there’s just enough missing to not hit the ridiculously high bar of the CFP.
Ian Book was a terrific college quarterback, but he wasn’t Mac Jones, Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields. Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan isn’t a first round pro prospect, either.
The overall talent level on the team is more than fine, the lines are good, Kyle Hamilton might be the best safety in college football, and the running backs should be great, but leading receiver Javon McKinley is done and there might not be any way to replace everything that LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah did.
Why 2021 Will Be A Bit Worse: Schedule
– 2021 Notre Dame Football Schedule Analysis
The Irish were able to beat Clemson and North Carolina in the regular season, but the rest of the 2020 ACC schedule wasn’t anything amazing. On the plus side, they miss the Tigers and Miami.
However, they have to go to Florida State. That shouldn’t be an issue talent-wise, but Tallahassee isn’t exactly cool and crisp in early September.
They also have to play North Carolina and go to Virginia and Virginia Tech. Both of those are a problem.
Purdue is dangerous, the date with Wisconsin in Chicago is a big concern, and Cincinnati is a massive threat when it comes to South Bend right after the Irish deal with getting beaten on by the Badgers.
Oh yeah, and the USC game is back. That’s at home, but the Stanford game isn’t.
Again, on a talent basis, Notre Dame is good enough to beat everyone on the slate. However, all it takes is one key loss to make the College Football Playoff a tough call, and two ends any hope.
21 for 2021 College Football Topics
21: 21 Thoughts, Wishes, Hopes
20: 5 Best Programs To Not Make CFP
19: 5 Teams That Will Rebound
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