Notre Dame's Early Games Will Prove If Irish Truly Belong in Top 10

Notre Dame football received a comfortable position in Thursday's release of the Amway Coaches Poll, opening the season at No. 9 nationally.

Between a promising—though admittedly unknown—quarterback situation and head coach Brian Kelly's earned benefit of the doubt, the Fighting Irish claimed a spot among the country's best teams.

Within three weeks of the 2016 campaign kicking off, though, Notre Dame will show whether or not it belongs in the Top 10.

Rank	School
1	Alabama
2	Clemson
3	Oklahoma
4	Florida State
5	Ohio State
6	Louisiana State
7	Stanford
8	Michigan
9	Notre Dame
10	Tennessee

Preseason polls are a combination of the previous season's results and expectations—or, in perhaps a better word, hype. The Irish finished 10-3 last year while overcoming injuries to several key players, including Malik Zaire. A Top 10 ranking is no surprise.

However, college football fans know how quickly that can change. Auburn, for example, opened the 2015 season at No. 7 in the coaches poll yet dropped out of the rankings before October.

In the absolute worst-case scenario, the same could happen to Notre Dame.

The Irish begin the year on the road against Texas, which is unofficially ranked 32nd in the poll. After a 38-3 smackdown of the Longhorns last season, Kelly's crew certainly has an edge.

According to Odds Shark, though, Notre Dame is only a 4.5-point favorite.

Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong will attempt to escape the hot seat this season, and there aren't many better ways than to upend a Top 10 opponent right away. Texas will be motivated, inspired by the home crowd and is flat-out talented anyway. That's a dangerous trifecta.

Roger Steinman/Associated Press

Although defeating the Longhorns won't be a signature win, the Irish would secure a quality nonconference victory. A loss, though, could leave them at the mercy of Texas' future success—or lack thereof.

Nevada may be a tougher opponent than most expect, but Notre Dame should dispatch the Wolf Pack at the Irish's home opener. Notre Dame's biggest test will arrive the following Saturday.

Michigan State enters the season slotted at No. 11 in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Barring insanity, the Spartans won't move significantly. They open their campaign against Furman and have a bye before heading to South Bend.

After the departures of Connor Cook, Jack Conklin and Aaron Burbridge, among others, Michigan State is difficult to project. Will the offense be Big Ten championship good or 10-win good? 

But we know the prime-time battle on Sept. 17 will be strength versus strength: Notre Dame's offense against MSU's defense. In fact, Sparty may bring the toughest unit the Irish face this season—especially for a young group of wide receivers (of Notre Dame's top eight receivers on the post-spring depth chart, five are underclassmen).

Overall, Notre Dame doesn't have a daunting three-game stretch. But topping a respectable Big 12 opponent on the road and a defending conference champion with a strong defense is admirable.

Exiting the opening three weeks unblemished will show if Notre Dame deserved the No. 9 preseason ranking; surviving the remainder of the 2016 campaign will determine whether or not the Irish will stay there.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. 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.