Notre Dame Football 2009 Expectations

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

You may notice the image I have selected for this piece—it is no coincidence. The 2009 football season for the Fighting Irish will only go as far as Jimmy Clausen will take it.

Perhaps the most heralded quarterback prospect to come out of high school football got in over his head when he arrived in South Bend via limousine. However, fans need to remember that at this point in his collegiate career – Brady Quinn was no first round pick either.

With that said, and the memory of a fabulous finish to last season’s otherwise disappointing record, Irish fans are lining up to claim a BCS bowl win. Some advice from Lee Corso may be appropriate for this topic…”Not so fast my friend!”

I’ll try to duplicate my 2008 Notre Dame football prediction perfection (see the Sporting News blog link in my profile) for the 2009 campaign. A look at the 2009 schedule for the Irish will paint a picture of where the Irish could find themselves in January…or December.

9/05/09 vs. Nevada - W

Notre Dame should handily defeat the Wolfpack at home…anything but could be an ominous indicator of things to come.

9/12/09 @ Michigan – W

This will be a bigger test than one might think for the Irish. Despite Michigan’s abysmal 2008 season, they remain well coached and poised for a turnaround within a few seasons. Their only question is how soon before they turn the corner, I am betting not just yet.

9/19/09 vs. Michigan State – L

Michigan State always gives the Irish fits. I think this game will be a field goal game either way. Just remember Golden Domers, I am an Irish fan as well.

9/26/09 @ Purdue - W

A few seasons ago and this would have been a tricky win. However, Purdue has lost it’s luster a bit and Notre Dame’s passing defense should be improved.

10/03/09 vs. Washington - W

A loss here and NBC is permanently blocked from my TV (sorry Conan). I will say this, Notre Dame lost to Syracuse in 2008. Interesting footnote—NBC will try to guilt uninterested fans into watching this by overloading us with the fact that Joe Montana’s son is set to play quarterback for the Huskies.

10/17/09 vs. USC - L

Notre Dame may well be on the other end of what they do to Washington two weeks earlier. I put down a loss on the schedule, but the Irish have a chance to fight in South Bend.

Couple of quick notes, USC has won seven in a row against ND and USC will win a national title at some point with Matt Barkley under center. NY Jet fans and Weis both love the fact Sanchez left as a junior.

10/24/09 vs. Boston College – W

If this took place on the road, it would be a one touchdown game—but Notre Dame hosts its third home game in a row (next time visiting an opposing school is November 14).

10/31/09 vs. Washington State – W

Another team traveling great lengths from Washington to get embarrassed on national TV, this time on prime time TV (7:30 ET) in San Antonio, Texas.

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