Notre Dame Football: 5 Toughest QBs Fighting Irish Will Face in 2016
The 2016 season will feature a few matchups against tough quarterbacks, but the upcoming slate is actually quite favorable for Notre Dame.
Uncertainty highlights a majority of the Fighting Irish's upcoming opponents. Michigan State, North Carolina State, Stanford, Navy, Virginia Tech and USC are replacing their signal-callers, while Texas, Duke and Syracuse could also have new gunslingers.
Consequently, projected starters (when available) were used when considering each of those teams.
While injury or an unanticipated development in fall camp could occur, the backups at top programs wouldn't shift the order much, if at all.
5. Tyler Stewart, Nevada
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If you'd prefer choosing the No. 5 quarterback by using a dartboard, it's not a terrible method.
Shane Buechele (Texas) and Eric Dungey (Syracuse) might be decent, but the former is a true freshman and the latter is injury-prone. Neither NC State nor Virginia Tech have a favorite. Thomas Sirk (Duke) would be a shoo-in, but he may miss 2016 due to an Achilles tear.
At least Nevada knows what it has in Tyler Stewart.
Last season, he threw for 2,139 yards and 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Stewart added 323 rushing yards and four scores.
Despite the overall lack of excitement here, we know the Wolf Pack will rely on the ground game. Since Notre Dame's front seven could struggle early on, Stewart is a quietly threatening opponent.
4. Tyler O'Connor, Michigan State
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Tyler O'Connor exited spring practice as Michigan State's No. 1 quarterback, and it's unlikely that will change by this fall.
"It comes down to decision-making, creating plays and leadership," head coach Mark Dantonio said, according to Chris Solari of the Lansing State Journal. "Right now Tyler has done a nice job at that. The other guys have, too, but not as consistent. We'll see how they all come out in August."
The fifth-year senior doesn't have much game experience, sporting a career line with 34 completions in 54 attempts.
But he does own a victory over Ohio State. Defense and a rushing attack will propel the Spartans next year, just like that November night. O'Connor only needs to be one possession better.
3. Keller Chryst, Stanford
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While this competition is basically a toss-up between Ryan Burns and Keller Chryst, the latter has received more buzz as the favorite. That might change, but Chryst was the backup in 2015.
The No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the 2014 class, Chryst has thrown just nine passes at Stanford. He went 4-of-4 with a touchdown during garbage time against Arizona last year.
But Chryst has the benefit of letting Christian McCaffrey do most of the work. Notre Dame contained the star runner once, but this front seven won't be on the same level.
Similar to O'Connor, a mistake-free game from Chryst is especially dangerous because of his supporting cast.
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2. Max Browne, USC
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USC head coach Clay Helton didn't name Max Browne the starter at the end of spring practice, but he holds an edge on Sam Darnold, per Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times.
Browne will have the opportunity to work with JuJu Smith-Schuster—the best receiver in college football—behind an experienced offensive line. The Trojans hope they won't have to rely on the standout target as much as Cody Kessler did, though.
"We're trying to change the history of one receiver (catching most of the passes)," Smith-Schuster said, according to Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News. "In order to beat another team, everyone has to do their job. It's not just one guy to rely on."
Notre Dame's strength on defense is its secondary, but the unit allowed 128 more yards to USC last season than any other opponent. A strong-armed Browne sharing the ball presents a tough matchup.
1. Brad Kaaya, Miami
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Brad Kaaya is a potential first-round NFL draft pick. No other quarterback on Notre Dame's schedule is remotely close to that billing.
A two-year starter at Miami, Kaaya is an efficient gunslinger with excellent command at the line of scrimmage. He notched a 61.2 completion percentage and only threw five interceptions last year.
Unless the trio of 4-stars the Hurricanes signed break out, their receiving corps is short on depth.
But with a quarterback like Kaaya in a system built on efficiency, the Irish better be ready for a 60-minute battle.
Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
