College Football 2011: Breaking Down the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule
We're less than two weeks away from the start of spring practice and six months away from the start of Notre Dame Football, 2011. Expectations have already been jacked up for the upcoming campaign, but this isn't the first time in recent history that's been the case.
After a historically bad 2007 campaign, Notre Dame has registered three consecutive disappointing seasons that all hovered around the .500 mark. It's been five years since an Irish squad even cracked the final AP Top 25 poll in January, let alone sniffed the Top 10.
Will this year be different?
There's plenty of experience returning on both sides of the ball and for once momentum is heading in the right direction thanks to a strong finish in 2010, so perhaps it's finally time for a breakthrough.
Today, we're going to examine the teams that landed on the Irish schedule for the upcoming year and throw out a best and worst-case scenario for the postgame headline. Before we do that though, here's a quick snapshot of what Notre Dame has on deck in 2011:
* Nine teams that went to a bowl in 2010 (and Southern Cal)
* Record in those bowls: 5-4
* Collective 2010 winning percentage of upcoming opponents: .617
* Opponents Notre Dame has never previously faced: Two (South Florida and Wake Forest)
* Teams with new coaches: Four (Michigan, Pitt, Maryland, Stanford)
Game 1: South Florida (September 3)
1 of 12
2010 Record
8-5 (beat Clemson in Meineke Car Care Bowl)
ND vs. USF All Time
First Meeting
Last Meeting
N/A
A name beloved by all Irish fans returns to Notre Dame Stadium in the season opener, except this time the man with that name will be standing on the opposite sideline. Skip Holtz leads his South Florida Bulls into South Bend to kick off the 2011 season.
The Bulls are led by their dynamic quarterback, B.J. Daniels, and ended their 2010 season with an impressive victory over Clemson in their bowl game. Holtz begins his second season at the helm this fall, and he already had the team making great strides by the end of his first year.
With the exception of the Florida game, South Florida was right in the thick of every contest (and even that game in "The Swamp" was tied, 7-7, at the half).
The Bulls lost a lot to graduation, but if Holtz can keep momentum headed in the right direction, then at the very least the Bulls should stay on course. Like his father, Lou, Skip Holtz is a great motivator and his squad presents an interesting opening matchup to the season.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Roll in Season Opener"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Holtz Still Owns Notre Dame"
Game 2: At Michigan (September 10)
2 of 12
2010 Record
7-6 (lost to Mississippi State in Gator Bowl)
ND vs. Michigan All Time: 15-22-1
Last Meeting
Michigan 28-Notre Dame 24 (2010)
The Rich Rodriguez era came to a screeching halt after yet another late-season Wolverine collapse.
Left to pick up the pieces of one of the most dysfunctional major programs in the sport is former San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke. After whiffing on big names like Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles, Michigan was forced to turn to the former Lloyd Carr assistant in hopes that he could be the one to unify a fractured fanbase and restore Michigan to its prior glory.
Hoke inherits an explosive offense with one of the most dangerous weapons in football, quarterback Denard Robinson. The Wolverines will continue to run a version of the spread offense, and that means the points should come in bunches once again. Robinson will be an early Heisman candidate, and if he's able to stay healthier this season, he'll be one late in the season, as well.
Unfortunately, the situation on the other side of the ball can be described by adjectives like "wasteland," "dreadful" and "human sieve." The Michigan defense was historically bad the last two seasons and there doesn't appear to be much immediate help on the way.
Gutted by post-Carr defections, failures on the recruiting trail and general indifference from the head coach, the defense is a skeleton unit short on both talent and bodies. There will be a colossal burden on the offense thanks to the efforts (or lack thereof) of Rich Rodriguez.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
Wolverines Can't Stop the Irish
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
Michigan Beats Notre Dame in a Shootout
Game 3: Michigan State (September 17)
3 of 12
2010 Record
11-2 (lost to Alabama in Capital One Bowl)
ND vs. Michigan State All Time
45-28-1
Last Meeting
Michigan State 34-Notre Dame 31, OT (2010)
The Irish will be out for revenge after suffering one of the most devastating losses in college football history last season.
In an incredibly gutsy move, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio ordered a fake field goal in overtime instead of attempting to kick a long field goal that could have tied the game and sent it to another session.
The Spartans executed perfectly and backup tight end Charles Gantt waltzed into the end zone for a shocking victory. The win propelled them to their best regular season in over two decades.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins returns for another season as Michigan State's signal-caller. He's part of a deep and talented backfield, led by Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper.
After a couple years knocking on the door, Dantonio finally delivered a memorable season that just missed out on a BCS berth. The return of the starting backfield—along with Cousins' favorite target, B.J. Cunningham—means the offense will be effective once again.
The question marks arise when shifting over to defense.
The Spartans were gutted by graduation. Gone is All-American linebacker Greg Jones as well as All-Big Ten standouts Eric Gordon (LB), Marcus Hyde (S) and Chris Rucker (CB). Will Michigan State be able to replace them without taking a significant step backwards?
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Get Revenge on Spartans"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Michigan State Beats Notre Dame on Fake Field Goal in OT...Again"
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Game 4: At Pittsburgh (September 24)
4 of 12
2010 Record
8-5 (beat Kentucky in BBVA Compass Bowl)
ND vs. Pitt All Time
45-20-1
Last Meeting
Notre Dame 23-Pittsburgh 17 (2010)
Out with the Wannstache, then out with Mike Haywood and finally in with former Tulsa coach Todd Graham. The Pitt Panthers are undergoing a serious transformation with the transition from former head coach Dave Wannstedt to Graham, and the loss of key offensive weapons Dion Lewis (RB) and Jonathan Baldwin (WR) to the 2011 NFL draft.
While there will be growing pains due to both expected and unexpected turnover, Wannstedt left the cupboard relatively full on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers will need the defense to be stingy while the offense gets comfortable with the new scheme.
Heinz Field hasn't been the most intimidating of venues (Pitt is 1-5 at home against Top 25 teams since '05), so this should be an opportunity to go on the road and return home with a victory.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Pitt Fans Leave at Halftime as Notre Dame Stomps Panthers"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Todd Graham Slays Notre Dame Again"
Game 5: At Purdue (October 1)
5 of 12
2010 Record
4-8
ND vs. Purdue All Time
53-26-2
Last Meeting
Notre Dame 23-Purdue 12 (2010)
The Boilermakers were Brian Kelly's first victim last season. The 23-12 loss in Notre Dame Stadium was the first of many for Purdue as the team sputtered to a 4-8 record.
Starting quarterback and Miami transfer Robert Marve went down early in the season with a torn ACL and the result was a shift to an offense that relied largely on the legs of backup Rob Henry.
Head coach Danny Hope has failed to deliver a winning season during his two campaigns in West Lafayette and he ended last season on a six-game losing streak. The momentum that Joe Tiller had built up seems to have stalled and the noose around Hope's neck is getting tighter with each passing blowout loss.
Last year, the Boilers were decimated by injuries. Even if they're healthy this season, they'll have to replace All-American defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who terrorized Notre Dame in last year's contest. Odds are good that it's going to be another long season for the black and gold.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Floyd Punctures Giant Drum After Sixth Touchdown Catch"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Purdue Covers the Spread as Notre Dame Wins by Nine"
Game 6: Air Force (October 8)
6 of 12
2010 Record
9-4 (beat Georgia Tech in Independence Bowl)
ND vs. Air Force All Time
22-6
Last Meeting
Air Force 41-Notre Dame 24 (2007)
The Falcons come to town for the first time in four years. Their last visit ended with Faustian results—a 17-point spanking of the worst Irish team in the Notre Dame history.
This season, Air Force returns the leader of its vaunted option attack, Tim Jefferson, and will present the first triple-option test of the season for Notre Dame. So far, Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is 1-1 against the option with one A+ grade (Army) to go along with an F- (Navy).
The talent level on Air Force is closer to the level of Navy than Army, so it will be very interesting to see whether Notre Dame can stifle the attack or if the Falcons will run wild like the Midshipmen did last season.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Smother the Falcon Rushing Attack in Victory"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Zoomies Run Wild in Upset Win"
Game 7: Southern California (October 22)
7 of 12
2010 Record
8-5 (ineligible for bowls due to probation)
ND vs. Southern Cal All Time
43-34-5
Last Meeting
Notre Dame 20-Southern Cal 16 (2010)
The Trojans travel to South Bend as Notre Dame seeks its first home win in the series since 2001. The NCAA sanctions levied on Southern Cal haven't taken their toll just yet, which means Southern Cal will be once again stacked with more talent than any other team on Notre Dame's schedule.
The major question becomes whether or not Lane Kiffin can actually utilize that talent and get results.
Matt Barkley enters his third season as starter and has shown flashes of his enormous potential, including a 390-yard performance against Stanford last season. He leads an offense stacked with 4 and 5-star recruits at the skill positions.
The biggest question mark far and away is whether or not the Trojans will be able to keep Barkley upright; they're very thin on the offensive line, so any injuries to the starters could be crippling.
On defense, Lane's father will try to fix the mess from last year. During the Kiffins' stint with Tennessee, there was an immediate impact for the better on the Vols defense. In year one with the Trojans...not so much.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Blow Out Trojans as Kiffin Cries on Sideline"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Southern Cal Still Has Notre Dame's Number at Home"
Game 8: Navy (October 29)
8 of 12
2010 Record
9-4 (lost to San Diego State in Poinsettia Bowl)
ND vs. Navy All Time
71-12-1
Last Meeting
Navy 35-Notre Dame 17 (2010)
Last year, Navy applied one of the most thorough beatings Notre Dame has received in recent memory, running wild over a hapless Irish defense in the swamps of New Jersey. The Midshipmen victory was their second straight over Notre Dame and third in four meetings, quite the turnaround from the 43-game losing streak they endured until 2007.
Revenge and redemption will be on the mind of each Notre Dame player. The ugly loss last season should provide plenty of motivation as the Irish face a Navy team that will be without its leader, Ricky Dobbs, who graduated.
The Irish will have the advantage of having seen the triple option earlier after they face Air Force and will be ready to pay back the Middies.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Restore Order and Sink the Middies"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Navy Wins; Only 40 More Needed To Tie Notre Dame's Streak"
Game 9: At Wake Forest (November 5)
9 of 12
2010 Record
3-9
ND vs. Wake Forest All Time
First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Jim Grobe's Demon Deacons took a giant step backward last season as they fell to a dismal 3-9 record. They were rarely competitive in their nine-game free-fall that started in mid-September and lasted until the final game, when they throttled Vanderbilt to close the year.
The good news is that the vast majority of the team returns on both sides of the ball, including freshman quarterback Tanner Price, who took over for Ted Stachitas early last season. The Demon Deacons should take a step back toward respectability this season, but they're not even close to competing with teams the caliber of Notre Dame yet.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Roll to Boring Victory in Winston-Salem"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"Wake Forest Scares Irish Before Bowing Out"
Game 10: Maryland (November 12)
10 of 12
2010 Record
9-4 (beat East Carolina in Eagle Bank Bowl)
ND vs. Maryland All Time
1-0
Last Meeting
Notre Dame 22-Maryland 0 (2002)
The Terps will face the Irish at FedEx Field in Washington, DC.
Randy Edsall takes over the reins at Maryland after bolting from UConn just hours after losing the Fiesta Bowl to Oklahoma. He inherits a squad that was one of the most pleasant surprises in the country last season, registering a seven-game turnaround and even notching a decisive bowl victory.
Interestingly enough, that nine-game win total (the school's highest since 2003) wasn't enough for Ralph Friedgen to keep his job. But that's another story.
The Terps arrived a year ahead of schedule largely because of the emergence of redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien. The young gunslinger was the best quarterback Friedgen had at his disposal in years and the result was 2,438 yards passing and a 22-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Edsall will most likely shift more toward a grind-it-out offense like the one he implemented at UConn—not exactly the flashy type many Terp fans pined for as Maryland allegedly pursued Mike Leach for the position.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Shut Out Terps; Maryland Still Has Never Scored on ND"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline:
"Edsall Upsets Notre Dame Again"
Game 11: Boston College (November 19)
11 of 12
2010 Record
7-6 (lost to Nevada in Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
ND vs. Boston College All Time: 11-9
Last Meeting
Notre Dame 31-Boston College 13 (2010)
The last two seasons have restored a bit of order to the big brother-little brother affair between Notre Dame and Boston College.
In the 2010 edition, Notre Dame rolled into Chestnut Hill and smoked the Eagles, who looked more like a high-school team that night than the perennial thorn in the Irish's side that they've typically been since 2000.
Head coach Frank Spaziani remarkably turned things around and ended the regular season on a five-game winning streak to qualify for a bowl. The formula? Defense and limiting turnovers.
The Eagles offense was anemic, breaking the 20-point barrier only three times in ACC play and never scoring more than 23 points. The defense was stellar though, and allowed less than 12 points per contest during the winning streak.
If the offense can find a way to catch up next season, the Eagles could contend for a spot in the ACC championship game. If not, then they'll once again be one of the most boring teams in college football to watch.
Best-Case Postgame Headline
"Irish Bump BC Win Streak to Three Games"
Worst-Case Postgame Headline
"BC Beats ND in Hockey and Football by the Same Score: 2-0"
Game 12: At Stanford (November 26)
12 of 12
2010 Record
12-1 (beat Virginia Tech in Orange Bowl)
ND vs. Stanford All Time
17-8
Last Meeting
Stanford 37-Notre Dame 14 (2010)
The Cardinal are one of the most intriguing teams of the 2011 season. Gone is Stanford's fearless leader, the volatile and brilliant Jim Harbaugh, but its All-American quarterback returns, despite knowing he would have been the No. 1 pick in this April's NFL draft. Over the past three years, the duo stunningly transformed Stanford from a Pac-10 doormat to a bona fide national championship contender.
Will new head coach David Shaw be able to pick up where Harbaugh left off, or will the Cardinal take a step backward? No one knows.
By the time Notre Dame rolls into town on Thanksgiving weekend, Stanford could be right in the thick of the national title hunt or the Cardinal could be 7-4.
Best Case Postgame Headline
"Luck of the Irish Trumps Luck of the Cardinal"
Worst Case Postgame Headline
"Luck Cements Heisman with Dominant Performance Against ND"
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
