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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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Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) and head coach Brian Kelly sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater after Notre Dame defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 30-22 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) and head coach Brian Kelly sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater after Notre Dame defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 30-22 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Final Prediction

Earlier this month it was reported that Notre Dame and Michigan have decided to renew their rivalry. While that’s great new for college football fans, it won’t begin until 2018. In the meantime, the Irish will continue to play an ACC-heavy schedule with a few rivalry games thrown in the mix.

The only loss the Irish suffered in their first 11 games last season was against Clemson. Notre Dame doesn’t have to worry about the Tigers this year as Clemson is not a part of the five-game ACC schedule for the Irish in 2016. Neither are Florida State and North Carolina. Avoiding the top three schools in the ACC this season should help boost the won-loss record, which games will benefit the strength of schedule?

The two toughest games appear to be against Pac-12 members Stanford and USC. Both schools will be replacing long-time starters at QB with Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler now in the NFL. Despite new signal-callers, both schools are expected to compete for the Pac-12 title and will provide Notre Dame with their two biggest challenges.

Also on the non-ACC portion of the schedule are Texas, Nevada, Michigan State, Navy and Army. The only potential stumbling block among those teams is Michigan State; another program which will be breaking in a new QB this season. Despite the new QB, it’s the running ability of sophomore L.J. Scott that makes this a dangerous game for the Irish, and is why Jarron Jones is the key player on defense.

In the end, the 2016 season is going to be a mirror image of the 2015 season. Notre Dame will begin the season 10-1, with the lone loss coming at the hands of Michigan State. As has been the case too often under Brian Kelly, the Irish will again struggle late, losing the regular season finale at USC. That will land Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl against yet another school from the ACC. With both Clemson and Florida State vying for a playoff spot, the Irish will take on the conference’s runner-up. Notre Dame will have a tough time beating either school and will end the season with a record of 10-3.

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