In recent weeks we’ve seen the second wave of pre-season rankings for the 2020 college football season with some being positive about Notre Dame’s outlook while others scale back expectations a bit.
Chances are if you’re reading this that you’re a Notre Dame fan. Well, get ready to get really pumped up. You can find the entire post by my podcast partner Pete Fiutak at College Football News. From his post on “Five Nutty College Football Predictions That Just Might Be Right”, he brings up Notre Dame as his second biggest and says the following:
Notre Dame will be a major player in the College Football Playoff chase
This year, they won’t have to go unbeaten to be in the CFP mix.
…That leaves three killers on the slate to deal with.
The first is against Wisconsin in Lambeau Field. Win or lose that, at worst, Notre Dame should be 7-1 when it’s time for Catholics vs. Cats.
November 7th will be the first time Clemson comes to South Bend since it beat the Irish 16-10 back in 1979.
If the Tigers are unbeaten and No. 1, and Notre Dame can pull off the win, it’ll be enough of a boost to deserve top four discussion in the CFP at the end of the rainbow if it can also pull off a win at USC.
Pete goes on to praise Ian Book, the offensive line but wonder about who steps up to replace the departing talent that is NFL-bound.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times. Tell me if this team’s offensive line is able to road grade like some of the teams in recent memory. I know it’s rare when lines can dominate quite like the offensive lines did in 2015 or 2017, but last year’s unit took a significant step back in the running game, specifically against the big-time opponents. Now can it take a step forward this year?
And who steps up as targets for Ian Book as both Cole Kmet and Chase Claypool depart for the NFL? While you’re at it answer for me what happens with the Notre Dame secondary. Kyle Hamilton is a star in the making but will the inexperience around him rise to the occassion?
You answer these questions and this should be a team that could potentially knock off Clemson and play in the College Football Playoff.
If the answers to these questions aren’t to our liking? This team is full of nine or ten win potential, plenty good enough to get back to Orlando for another Camping World Bowl appearance.