Notre Dame Irish Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown

Hey, I'm happy for you Notre Dame fans. This has to be an exciting time.

The Fightin' Irish are entering year two of the Brian Kelly era. I've already said in a previous story that there are only two games right now on their schedule where I'd put them as underdogs: Michigan State and Stanford.

Of course, Notre Dame got its heart ripped out last year and suffered a 34-31 overtime loss to the Spartans on a trick play.

I still say 10-2 is very realistic, and that would likely put them in a BCS bowl.

Let's take a quick look at their schedule and what stands out. Here's your chance to comment Irish fans. Hit me up with your thoughts about 2011.

Sept. 3 vs. South Florida

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Skip Holtz of the USF Bulls celebrates 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/Getty Images)

This will be a big time game for the Bulls. You better believe this would be a huge win for that program, which is still in its infancy at the FBS level.

Keep in mind that many will make a big deal of Bulls coach Skip Holtz coaching at the place where his old man led Notre Dame to prominence in the late 80s.

I still like Notre Dame here. It will be sloppy, just like most season openers, but I think the Fightin' Irish will do just enough for the victory.

Sept. 10 at Michigan

Rick Dole/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Man, will the rivalry have some juice. Denard Robinson's returned, Big Blue is beginning a new era under Brady Hoke and the game is tentatively scheduled for 8 p.m. eastern time.

Last year Robinson had 502 total yards and three touchdowns in Michigan's 28-24 victory.

It'll be up to Notre Dame's defense to be big here, but they're getting Michigan at just the right time.

I'd rather Notre Dame play them at this point than later in the season, when chances are the Wolverines will be much more comfortable in Hoke's system.

Sept. 17 vs. Michigan State

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a pass during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans won 28-22. (Ph

I'd bet money you'll get the following entering this game: Notre Dame players and coaches will brush off any talk of revenge from last year's 34-31 overtime loss.

They'll say that's in the past and they're just focused on this year and this year's team.

Give me a break.

Anyone who buys that for a second is foolish. Now what would be good, good fun: what if Brian Kelly busted out the same play on Michigan State they used to win last year's game?

Of course, then some chippiness would follow, and I've got no problems with players who are playing with some anger bubbling up inside them. 

Edwin Baker and Kirk Cousins give the Spartans a small edge right now, but this has upset written all over it. 

Sept. 24 at Pittsburgh

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 13: The University of Notre Dame Marching Band performs during the game between the Fighting Irish and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers on November 13, 2004 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Pittsburg defeated N

The timing could be just perfect for Notre Dame to head up and play the Panthers, which will likely still be trying to learn Todd Graham's system and adjusting to his style of coaching.

Graham's an intense guy. I dealt with him when he was a high school coach, and I also know one of his assistants real well. Both are good guys who will be great there.

Notre Dame should win this easily.

Oct. 1 at Purdue

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Players from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish walk to the field through the student section for warm-ups before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dam

It's a shame the Boilermakers are so awful.

Purdue finished 4-8 last year and ranked 105th in scoring, at 19.7 points per game. Notre Dame should drop the hammer on them.

Through five games, I've got Notre Dame at 4-1. Not bad, if you ask me. Let's keep going.

Oct. 8 vs. Air Force

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Tim Jefferson Jr. #7 of the Air Force Falcons looks to hand the ball off during a game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium November 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Air Force won 35-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/G

If I'm a Notre Dame fan, this game would make me nervous.

I have a serious amount of respect for Air Force. I think Troy Calhoun's an incredible coach, Tim Jefferson is just a sharp quarterback and their players just always seem very disciplined.

Last year, they came awfully close to knocking off Oklahoma in Norman.

The Falcons' triple option will cause Notre Dame headaches, but I think Notre Dame will fight and claw its way out for a victory here.

This is a must-win game for Notre Dame entering an off week, which comes right before the showdown with USC.

Oct. 22 vs. USC

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Head Coach Lane Kiffin of the USC Trojans during warm up against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

If there's one week this year I'll be rooting for Notre Dame, it's when they face the Boy Wonder and the Trojans.

Notre Dame beat USC 20-16 last year in Los Angeles. It was their first win over the Trojans since 2001. Something tells me USC will be up for this game, but so will the Irish.

I think it's a winnable game, too.

I'd be a very happy man if they pulled off a victory.

Oct. 29 vs. Navy

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 23: John Howell #33 of the Navy Midshipmen rushes against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 23, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Navy put a beatdown on Notre Dame last season, finishing with 438 total yards in a 35-17 victory.

If Notre Dame manages to beat USC, it needs to make sure there's no letdown coming off that big rivalry. Or else they could wind up getting embarrassed for the second straight year.

Wouldn't shock me if there's a little drama included here and Notre Dame pulls this out in overtime.

Nov. 5 at Wake Forest

It wasn't that long ago when the Demon Deacons were a pretty quality team. 

Notre Dame should have a chance here, but let's watch Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price. As a true freshman, he threw for 1,349 yards and seven touchdowns, with eight interceptions last season.

Most players hit that sophomore slump, but I've got a crazy hunch Price is going to be a gamer.

Kids like this who go overlooked coming out of high school are often the ones who light it up and become superstars.

Nov. 12 vs. Maryland

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Tommy Rees #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Randy Edsall's in charge now at Maryland. I always respected his Connecticut teams, and it will be interesting to see if he can help the Terps get over the hump in the ACC.

They were still in the mix for a shot at the ACC Championship Game late last year, but got knocked out with a loss to Florida State.

If they have another chance this year, and Notre Dame keeps improving, this has potential to be highly entertaining.

Still, this is a winnable game for the Irish.

Nov. 19 vs. Boston College

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (L) waits to enter the field with his team before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan de

The Eagles (7-6) struggled last year and were 109th in scoring at 18.5 points per game.

Boston College barely beat Duke, 21-16, last season and had 185 total yards in a 20-13 loss to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

I give Notre Dame the edge here, but I want to see them drop the hammer down and be hitting a groove. If they still have one loss and are in a groove, this next game could be great fun. 

Nov. 26 at Stanford

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

As just a football fan, there's nothing more I'd love than for a really good Notre Dame team to head west and give Andrew Luck a test in the final home game of his college career.

I'm not a Stanford fan, but I love watching great players, and Luck throws some of the nicest passes I've seen in quite a while. 

Notre Dame's got to play at its best here, or else Luck is going to shred them and it will make for a long night.