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2016 Preview: Notre Dame Eyes First Playoff Appearance

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

After starting the 2015 season with a record of 10-1, Notre Dame failed to finish strong; losing the final two games of the season. This marked the second consecutive season in which the Fighting Irish struggled down the stretch, as the school began the 2014 season 6-0 before losing five of six to end the regular season.

Back in May of last year, starting quarterback Everett Golson announced his plans to leave Notre Dame for Florida State. That opened the door for sophomore Malik Zaire to take over the offense. The team was off to a promising start after a 38-3 thumping of Texas in the season opener, but a season-ending ankle injury to Zaire a week later put the season in doubt.

This wasn’t the first injury to a key contributor on offense, as starting running back Tarean Folston was lost for the year after tearing his ACL on the second drive of the season. Fortunately for the Irish, the backups to both Zaire and Folston didn’t miss a beat. Deshone Kizer would lead Notre Dame to a comeback victory over Virginia with 12 seconds left after taking over for Zaire, and C.J. Prosise, a converted wide receiver, would run for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns in place of Folston.

Despite a few close calls, most notably against Temple and a nearly unwatchable game against Boston College at Fenway Park, Notre Dame would win 10 of 11 to start the season. The only setback was a 24-22 loss at Clemson. It was at this point that Notre Dame was ranked sixth in the College Football Playoff Poll and about to take on ninth-ranked Stanford in the regular season finale. The Irish defense fell apart at the end as Stanford gained 43 yards in 24 seconds before Conrad Ukropina won the game with a 45-yard field goal as time expired.

Even with the loss to Stanford, Notre Dame was part of the New Year’s Six as the Irish took on Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. A devastating knee injury suffered by star linebacker Jaylon Smith took the air out of the defense and the Buckeyes rolled to a 44-28 victory.

Only eight starters are returning from last year’s squad, but expectations are high once again in South Bend. The offense is capable of leading the team to double-digit victories, but if Notre Dame is going to compete for a playoff spot, the defense will need to step up.

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