Notre Dame 2012 FB Predictions

Third up on our list of teams to make predictions for: Notre Dame.  Normally, my blogging tends to ignore ND, but since I go to school here now, I suppose I ought to throw them a bone.  I have followed the Irish over the years, especially since ABC seems to be slacking in that mid-afternoon timeslot the past few years, so I have turned to NBC off and on.  I picked up my tickets on Monday, so football season is definitely upon us.  Matt decided to just provide scores this time around.

This is one of the most experienced and talented teams at ND in a while.  The biggest and most high-profile question is at QB, where Brian Kelly is holding his cards close.  He has an experienced QB that he just doesn’t like/trust, who also happens to be suspended for the opener.  Will he be the guy after missing the opener?  Or will one of the talented “underlings” get the nod against Navy and hold on to the job the rest of the season?  Who knows?  Who cares?  Well, a lot of people, in spite of what Rick Reilly thinks.  Matt, clearly, does not!

On a side note, ND is razor thin at CB, which could impact them in several games, but it's a run-heavy schedule this season, particularly early in the year.

Vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland), 9/1, 9am (Eastern), CBS

Michael: This is a cool thing these two institutions are doing.  Navy has been more competitive in this series of late, but it’s hard to imagine this game being close with the way I expect ND’s D to play this year.  First game jitters are first game jitters though, and that could favor Navy.  Kelly and whatever QB he names win: ND 38, Navy 17.

Matt: ND 31, Navy 20

Purdue, 9/8, 3:30, NBC

Michael: This is a very experienced Purdue team, literally across the board at about every position, two-deep, guys in the program 3 years or longer.  The Boilermakers should be strong running up the middle this year, but that would seem to be one of ND’s strengths on D as well.  ND won at Purdue last season 38-10, I suspect it’ll play closer this year, but not by much: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 20.

Matt: ND 34, Purdue 17

At Michigan State, 9/15, 8pm, ABC

Michael: There are a lot of people quite high on Michigan State.  Quite frankly, I think they are certainly good but have been overrated for some time.  They have been beating up on all the Big Ten rummies, but really haven't beat anyone really good in a meaningful game, and they certainly haven't won many BIG games on the road (last road win against a ranked opponent was 2010 against a Michigan team that FINISHED 7-6 and fired their coach: did win at Ohio State last season, which is good, except that Ohio State was 6-7).  This is a game that, if ND aspires to be a national power again, the Irish just simply need to win.  This is the game that decides how good/average that ND will be in 2012: Michigan State 24, Notre Dame 17.

Matt: Michigan State 27, ND 24

Michigan, 9/22, 7:30pm, NBC

Michael: A rare night game at Notre Dame, which typically occupies the 3:30pm timeslot.  Michigan, like Sparty, comes into the season very highly regarded, perhaps too much so.  The Irish will only have a shot in this one if they have their QB “house” in order.  I suspect this will be a fun game and I can’t wait to attend!  I think the Irish can exploit Michigan’s front 7, if they play it smart and I suspect TE Tyler Eifert could have a big game here: Notre Dame 31, Michigan 28.

Matt: ND 35, Michigan 24

Vs. Miami, FL (Soldier Field, Chicago), 10/6, 7:30pm, NBC

Michael: Just after saying how rare a night NBC game is, here comes another.  I’ve never really been that impressed with Al Golden.  Yes, he inherited a mess at Temple, but he barely took them to a .500 team in the MAC.  Scandals abound still at Miami.  The talent disparity is actually in Notre Dame’s favor somewhat substantially: Notre Dame 27, Miami 17.

Matt: ND 29, Miami 20

Stanford, 10/13, 3:30pm, NBC

Michael: I’m not sure Stanford will hang for the long-term.  ND held them somewhat in check last season at Stanford.  This is an even more experienced Stanford team, albeit a reasonably less-talented one.  Still, this is another one of those games ND has to win to return to prominence.  I believe they do: Notre Dame 24, Stanford 20.

Matt: Stanford 40, ND 31

BYU, 10/20, 3:30pm, NBC

Michael: Another game I’ll be excited to attend!  My brother will be here as well.  This is kind of the forgotten game in the October schedule for ND fans.  I overheard one guy on the bus talking about the schedule: Miami is athletic, Stanford’s been playing us tough for a decade, we’ll beat BYU, and then Oklahoma will be tough.  I’ll hold on making a prediction for now, but I will say, I hope the team takes the same approach as that fan!

Matt: ND 27, BYU 26

At Oklahoma, 10/27

Michael: Oklahoma should be very good.  ND can’t hang right now with a LEGITIMATE top 10 team (i.e. not the Michigan teams).  Look for Landry Jones to get 400 yards maybe?  Well, I guess it depends on when Stoops calls off the dogs: Oklahoma 38, ND 17.

Matt: OU 44, ND 20

Pittsburgh, 11/3, 3:30pm, NBC

Michael: With the loss at OU, Notre Dame fans will officially get off the bandwagon.  Oh well, I guess that means I can find better seats for the games, right?  Pitt stinks on defense and the Irish rebound: Notre Dame 41, Pitt 31.

Matt:  ND 26, Pitt 16

At Boston College, 11/10

Michael: BC stinks on both sides of the ball.  The Echoes cheer again: Notre Dame 38, Boston College 20.

Matt: ND 31, BC 28

Wake Forest, 11/17, 3:30pm, NBC

Michael: I have to say that besides Michigan and BYU, I’m fairly disappointed in the home schedule this season for the Irish.  2013 is better, in my opinion: Temple, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Arizona State, USC, Navy, and BYU.   Oh, Wake Forest prediction: Notre Dame 41, Wake Forest 17.

Matt: ND 30, Wake 13

At USC, 11/24, ABC/ESPN

Michael: I guess everything I said about Oklahoma applies here too.  I really believe ND is on a big roll going into this game and it will get A LOT of (undeserved) hype, but it’s all for naught: USC 31, ND 17.

Matt: USC 44, ND 21

Final Analysis:

Michael: 8/9 wins is another solid but unspectacular year for ND.  However, consider how completely up in the air the QB situation is less than two weeks before the first game, 8/9 wins is great.  Things are building up for a tremendous 2013 season though.  The 2012 team is still a young, yet experienced group.  However, the brutal road schedule will be a bit much for them.  Look for the Irish to compete for a spot in the top 10 in 2013.  They could return as many as 7 offensive starters, including a QB, and on defense Manti Te’o is a big loss at MLB, but only a handful of others in the two-deep will depart.

Matt: Based on Matt’s predictions, ND goes 8-4.