Notre Dame Football 2011 Schedule: Game-By-Game Breakdown

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Running back Cierre Wood #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the Hyundai Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

After finishing the 2010 campaign with four straight wins, Brian Kelly used the momentum of an 8-5 record to cap a top ten recruiting class.

Notre Dame is now poised for its best season since 2006 and should contend for a BCS berth.

But will the schedule cooperate?

The 2011 slate features nine opponents that played in bowl games, ten if you include NCAA-sanctioned USC.

Here's a game-by-game look at what lies ahead for the Fighting Irish.

USF Bulls (Big East)

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Skip Holtz stands with MVP B.J. Daniels #7 of the USF Bulls after a 31-26 victory over the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 31, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Gett

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

When: September 3

Where: Home

Time: TBA (3:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 8-5, including a 31-26 Meineke Car Care Bowl win over Clemson.

Noteworthy: USF head coach Skip Holtz is the son of Irish legend Lou Holtz. He played for and graduated from Notre Dame in 1986.

Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 12: New University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke speaks during his introductory press confrence at the Junge Family Champions Center on January 12, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

When: September 10

Where: Ann Arbor, MI

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 7-6, including a 52-14 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State.

Noteworthy: The Wolverines have scored game-winning touchdowns in the final 30 seconds in back-to-back seasons against the Irish.

Michigan State Spartans (Big Ten)

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans hands the ball off to Edwin Baker #4 during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

When: September 17

Where: Home

Time: TBA (3:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 11-2, including a 49-7 Capital One Bowl loss to Alabama.

Noteworthy: MSU's 28 wins against the Irish are the second-most of any Notre Dame opponent. Only USC has more with 34.

Pittsburgh Panthers (Big East)

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 11: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility on January 11, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

When: September 24

Where: Pittsburgh, PA

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 8-5, including a 27-10 BBVA Compass Bowl win over Kentucky.

Noteworthy: New Pittsburgh head coach Todd Graham led Tulsa to the biggest win in program history last fall at Notre Dame Stadium.

Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten)

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Marve #9 of the Purdue Boilermakers turns to roll out against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

When: October 1

Where: West Lafayette, IN

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 4-8

Noteworthy: Brian Kelly notched an opening win against the Boilermakers in his Notre Dame debut, as the Irish sacked Robert Marve four times and intercepted the Purdue quarterback twice.

Air Force Falcons (Mountain West)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Tim Jefferson Jr. #7 of the Air Force Falcons runs for yardage against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium November 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Air Force won 35-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty I

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

When: October 8

Where: Home

Time: TBA (3:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4, including a 14-7 Independence Bowl win over Georgia Tech.

Noteworthy: Air Force and Notre Dame have not met since 2007 when the Falcons dominated 41-24 in South Bend.

USC Trojans (Pac-12)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans lines up against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How/Getty Images

When: October 22

Where: Home

Time: TBA (2:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 8-5

Noteworthy: Notre Dame snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Trojans last November.

Navy Midshipmen (Independent)

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 11: Quarterback Ricky Dobbs #4 of the Navy Midshipmen drops back to pass during the game against the Army Black Knights on December 11, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Im

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

When: October 29

Where: Home

Time: TBA (2:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4, including a 35-14 loss to San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Noteworthy: Over the past four years, Navy is 3-1 against Notre Dame, averaging better than 31 points per game.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (ACC)

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Grobe of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons watches his team play the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When: November 5

Where: Winston-Salem, NC

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 3-9

Noteworthy: Notre Dame defeated Miami in the Sun Bowl to improve to 78-31-2 (.712) all-time against ACC competition.

Maryland Terrapins (ACC)

COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 3: Randy Edsall speaks as he is introduced as the University of Maryland Terps new head football coach during a press conference on January 3, 2011 at the Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

When: November 12

Where: Washington, D.C.

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4, including a 51-20 victory over East Carolina in the Military Bowl.

Noteworthy: Notre Dame took the last meeting between these two programs 22-0 in August 2002, also at a neutral field (Giants Stadium). It was Tyrone Willingham's Irish debut.

Boston College Eagles (ACC)

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 04: Montel Harris #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball in the first quarter against the Weber State Wildcats on September 4, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa/Getty Images

When: November 19

Where: Home

Time: TBA (2:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 7-6, including a 20-13 loss to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

Noteworthy: Boston College finished 109th in the nation in points scored last season, averaging just 18.5. Defensively, Notre Dame was in the top 25 in points allowed.