Notre Dame Football: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Season

As is typical in the weeks and months heading into every Notre Dame Football season, there are lofty expectations.

That notion certainly has not changed during this preseason.

If anything, expectations are the highest they have been since the hiring of former head coach Charlie Weis.

So, like most followers of Notre Dame Football, predictions are a big part of the preseason discussion.

Following are five bold predictions for the upcoming season.

The Irish Will Win 10 Games

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SETPEMBER 19: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulls away from Roderick Jenrette #40 of the Michigan State Spartans on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 33-

The 2011 schedule is seen by many as a relatively difficult one. Brian Kelly and his staff are charged with game-planning for nine teams which played in bowl games last year.

However, Notre Dame should be favored in 10 of its 12 games.

The only two opponents who are weighing heavy on the minds of the Irish faithful are Michigan State and Stanford.

The argument can be made that the Irish could beat both of those teams, but recent Notre Dame teams have struggled against MSU and Stanford in the last two seasons.

Expect the Irish to finish the season with a 10-2 record with a strong chance to make a BCS game.

Everett Golson Will Earn Snaps

One of the most heralded offensive recruits in Notre Dame's 2011 recruiting class was quarterback Everett Golson.

Simply put, this kid is a freak.

During his first three years of high school he threw for 9,864 yards, 126 touchdowns and only 24 interceptions.

Did I mention he's a dual-threat quarterback as well?

The only knock against Golson is his size. He stands 6'0" tall and weighs 170 pounds. Notre Dame strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo will make sure to add more beef to his frame.

Brian Kelly needs to put Golson on the field this season in order to create a change of pace in the offense due to Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees being pro-style quarterbacks.

The scenario will be like what Tim Tebow did during his time as Chris Leak's backup at Florida.

The Defense Will Be a Top 10 Unit

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish awaits the start of play against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by Jonathan

After Notre Dame's devastating loss to Tulsa last Ocotber 30, the Irish stood at 4-5. The team had no true sense of direction.

That was until the defense decided to step up.

In the final four games of the season against Utah, Army, USC and Miami (FL), the defense gave up a total of 40 points.

They also won all four of those games decidedly.

The team only lost two starters from last season's defense, CB Darrin Walls and DT Ian Williams.

If defensive coordinator Bob Diaco can continue to create brilliant gameplans, then the Irish defense will be one of the best in the nation.

Also, it helps that Brian Kelly and staff reeled in the likes of Ishaq Williams, Stephon Tuitt and Aaron Lynch during the most recent recruiting cycle.

Look for the Irish defense to be a Top 10 unit this season.

Michael Floyd Will Be Suspended for the First 2 Games

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Michael Flyod #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish fumbles the ball near the end zone against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The most crushing blow to the Irish offense this offseason wasn't due to an injury. It was the arrest of star WR Michael Floyd for DUI near campus in March.

Immediately after the arrest, head coach Brian Kelly indefinitely suspended Floyd from the team, resulting in Floyd's absence from spring practices and the Blue-Gold game.

While Kelly's decision to suspend Floyd was a good one, it was a devastating hit to the Irish offense. That offense needs Floyd on the field in order to deliver on a consistent basis.

While the Irish should be favored over the first two opponents of the season—South Florida and Michigan—the offense will struggle with the likely suspension of Floyd spanning those two weeks.

Notre Dame Will Win Its First Ever BCS Game

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 33-17 win against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Like I said in the first slide, Notre Dame will win at least 10 games this season. That is most likely enough to qualify the team for a BCS game.

Following Notre Dame's win in the Sun Bowl over Miami, Brian Kelly was quoted as saying, "I think we should be able to put together a program that competes for a BCS championship every year. That's my goal—to have a program year in and year out that competes for a BCS championship."

For that sentiment to ring true, Kelly's 2011 squad needs to win a BCS game.

Based on the momentum carrying over from the last four games of 2010, the returning starters and excellent recruiting class, there's no reason Notre Dame shouldn't win a BCS game in 2011.