Notre Dame Spring Game 2016: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

One year ago, Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly, after a jarring spring game, flirted with the idea of running a two-quarterback system with Malik Zaire and Everett Golson.

Now the same questions surround the Fighting Irish as they head toward the 2016 edition of the Blue-Gold Game Saturday, where Kelly not only has to find a starter under center, but deal with major losses on the offensive side of the ball such as Will Fuller and C.J. Prosise.

Fresh off a 10-win campaign, albeit losing two in a row to end the season, there is plenty of reason for optimism around the Fighting Irish.

A fresh batch of recruits, new faces hungry to contribute and a wild crowd should say so loud enough Saturday afternoon.

2016 Notre Dame Spring Game

When:  Saturday, April 16, at 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Notre Dame Stadium 

TV: NBCSN

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Again, this one starts right at the top with quarterback. Zaire is back in the fold, though his season ended prematurely last year with a season-ending injury in Week 2.

DeShone Kizer stepped into the fold and completed 63 percent of his passes with 21 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and another 10 scores on the ground. He's back and wants the job as well, though he'll also have to compete with dual-threat prospect Brandon Wimbush.

Odds are Zaire wins the battle. Experience matters, as does the fact he looked great last year before the unfortunate end. According to Mike Vorel of the South Bend Tribune, fans should be in for a treat Saturday with a healthy Zaire zipping around the field:

"

More importantly, Zaire looked healthy. He was running freely out of the pocket. Looked like same old Malik w/ ability to extend plays.

— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) April 9, 2016"

"You just really wonder what it's going to take to finally convince people enough that I'm able to do the job," Zaire said, according to the Associated Press' Tom Coyne. "I don't make the decision. I'm going to keep balling and do what I need to do."

Elsewhere on offense, perhaps the most notable holes exist at wideout with guys like Fuller gone.

One that pops to mind—other than versatile tight end Alize Jones—is true freshman and early enrollee Kevin Stepherson, a guy who has gotten work at wideout and as a returner on special teams thanks to the wealth of issues on the depth chart. 

He's made an impression, too, as 247 Sports' Nick Ironside pointed out:

The offense will get most of the attention this time out, but defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has his work cut out for him too.

Losing a player like Jaylon Smith tends to do that to a team. Nyles Morgan takes the pressure of the spotlight in the spring game, taking on the spot right in the middle of the linebacking corps. In the trenches, it's Jarron Jones needing to make up for the loss of Sheldon Day in the middle, while several names fight for starting slots in the defensive backfield.

JJ Stankevitz of CSNChicago detailed VanGorder's thoughts on players to watch in the upcoming game:

Recruiting has the Fighting Irish looking like a plug-and-play contender this year despite notable losses, though the on-field talent will have to reinforce the notion Saturday in front of a large crowd and larger television audience.

It's an apt environment to see what the next line of Notre Dame stars have in store for the program, too, as the team doesn't have much time before traveling to Texas to start the season. Two weeks later the Fighting Irish welcome Michigan State to town.

With most of the notable spots up for grabs, and the results weighing heavily on the program's future, Saturday's spring game is more important than usual for the Fighting Irish.

Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.