Notre Dame Football Schedule 2011: What to Know for Each Game

Being an independent program gives the University of Notre Dame the flexibility to schedule anyone in the nation for a full 12 games.

That scheduling flexibility is one of many things that puts Notre Dame in national spotlight year after year.

This season is no different.

According to Phil Steele's 2011 College Football Preview magazine, the Fighting Irish face the nation's 14th most difficult slate of games.

Many believe that despite the difficult schedule, the team has a chance to run the table.

With that said, let's take a look at Notre Dame's 2011 schedule game by game.

vs. South Florida, Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m.

Series History: first meeting

The South Florida Bulls are a promising young team under second year head coach Skip Holtz, son of former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz.

The Bulls will be carrying some serious momentum from a Meineke Car Care Bowl victory over Clemson into this match-up with the Fighting Irish.

The man most responsible for that momentum has to be quarterback B.J. Daniels, who had his best game of the season in the bowl game, completing 20-of-27 pass attempts for 189 yards.

He'll be helped by the return of senior wide receiver A.J. Love, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

As long as those two players are clicking, the offense won't miss a beat.

The defense will once again be a solid unit anchored by a veteran secondary. Safeties Jon Lejiste and Jerrell Young may be the best defensive back duo in the Big East.

The defensive line will need to step up and provide a solid pass rush in order to take some pressure off the secondary.

Overall, South Florida is an underrated team that will contend for the Big East title if quarterback B.J. Daniels plays consistently and the defense holds its own.

@ Michigan, Sept. 10, 8 p.m.

Series History: Michigan leads 22-15-1

The biggest question facing the Michigan Wolverines heading into the season is how effective quarterback Denard Robinson can be in first-year head coach Brady Hoke's pro-style offense.

Denard Robinson played in the system during his high school career, but that doesn't always translate to success at the college ranks.

If he can be successful in the new scheme, then Michigan will once again have one of the nation's premier offenses.

The defense is a different story.

The unit ranked 110th in total defense last year under former coordinator Greg Robinson.

That prompted Brady Hoke to send Robinson packing and hire Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison.

Mattison has an excellent track record for coaching excellent defenses, but his coaching abilities may not be enough to transform the personnel into an elite defense.

Overall, this Michigan squad has a ton of potential, but there are still many questions surrounding the team as we inch closer to kickoff.

vs. Michigan State, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 31-26-1

After experiencing one of the best seasons in school history a season ago, the Michigan State Spartans are primed for another outstanding season.

Kirk Cousins returns for his final season as the starter at quarterback and will have the convenience of handing the ball off to talented backs Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell.

The only concern for the Spartan offense is how the coaching staff will replace three starters from last season's offensive line.

Michigan State relies heavily on the run, so the line is an integral part of the team's success.

If the staff can fill those holes, then things in East Lansing will be fine.

Another large hole that must be filled is the spot at middle linebacker left behind by former All-American Greg Jones.

Watch out for Denicos Allen to step up and be the guy who successfully fills Jones' shoes.

Overall, this Michigan State squad has the pieces in place to make a run at the Big Ten title and a BCS game.

@ Pittsburgh, Sept. 24, Kickoff TBA

Series History: Notre Dame leads 44-20-1

The Pittsburgh Football program experienced a tumultuous offseason with the firing of head coach Dave Wannstedt to go along with the hiring and firing of Mike Haywood as head coach.

That ugly few months led to the hiring of former Tulsa head coach Todd Graham.

Graham brings a high-octane read option offense with him to Pittsburgh, making him the polar opposite of Dave Wannstedt, who ran a pro-style scheme.

That begs the question of whether or not the offensive personnel are suited to run Graham's offense.

Tino Sunseri returns as the starter at quarterback and will have two reliable targets at receiver in Devin Street and Mike Shanahan.

The other side of the ball will be the highlight of the 2011 Panthers.

The entire front seven of the old 4-3 scheme returns and will be inserted into Tood Graham's 3-4 scheme.

Secondary is an area of concern with a lack of experience.

Overall, this Pittsburgh team has the potential to surprise but also has the potential for failure. Only time will tell.

@ Purdue, Oct. 1, 8 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 54-26-2

Last season started out with a ton of promise for Danny Hope's Purdue squad as the Boilermakers were 4-2 through six games, but lost six in a row to finish 4-8.

2011 has a much brighter outlook for the Black and Gold.

Rob Henry returns at quarterback behind an experienced line and a solid group of receivers led by Antavian Edison.

Ralph Bolden will serve as a reliable running back.

The defense will be the strength of Purdue's football team this year as the unit returns nine starters from a season ago.

If the offense can produce on a consistent basis, then Purdue will have a chance to qualify for a bowl game.

The Boilers will likely enter this contest against the Fighting Irish with a 3-0 record after playing Middle Tennessee State, Rice and Missouri State.

vs. Air Force, Oct. 8, 3:30 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 22-6

Air Force enters this season on the heels of a four-game winning streak including a victory over Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl.

The Falcons will once again be a highly underrated squad who will surprise many.

Quarterback Tim Jefferson leads the way for head coach Troy Calhoun's option offense. Jefferson is an ideal fit for the offense because he has the ability to throw the ball as witnessed by his numbers last season (82-159, 1,459 yards, 10 touchdowns).

He's not the only threat, though.

Halfback Asher Clark returns for his senior season after leading the team in rushing with 1,031 yards on 182 carries last year.

Like every season for the service academies, the Falcon defense will need to find its identity early in the season.

vs. USC, Oct. 22, 8 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 43-33-5

The Trojans enter their second season under Lane Kiffin, albeit under NCAA-imposed sanctions.

Matt Barkley enters his junior year looking to silence his critics after two lackluster seasons as the starter at quarterback.

He may be the only certain thing for the Trojan offense. The line must replace three starters along with concerns of a lack of depth at receiver.

If USC wishes to compete for a South Division championship, those issues must be resolved immediately.

Monte Kiffin's defense is also a major area of concern as the unit ranked a mediocre 84th in total defense last season.

Kiffin needs to solidify his defense if the team has any chance of being a threat in the new look Pac-12 this season.

Overall, this is a team in a state of uncertainty and needs to find answers as quickly as possible. If not, the Trojans are doomed for failure.

vs. Navy, Oct. 29, 3:30 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 71-12-1

The Navy Midshipmen enter 2011 after compiling a 9-4 record last season including a trip to the Poinsettia Bowl.

Ken Niumatalolo's squad will hope to improve on its 2010 season and all the pieces are in place for that to happen.

The offense returns seven starters including fullback Alexander Teich and slotback Gee Gee Greene.

The line remains mostly intact and will once again pave the way for one of the nation's top rushing offenses.

Kriss Proctor takes over at quarterback for the departed Ricky Dobbs, but the Midshipmen never seem to miss a beat with a new starter at the position.

The offense will be humming, but the defense might not be so lucky.

Only two starters return from last season's defense, but the work ethic and hustle of the new starters will not be questioned.

It's crucial for Notre Dame to not have a letdown after hosting USC the week before.

@ Wake Forest, Nov. 5, Kickoff TBA

Series History: first meeting

Wake Forest is a program in need of a change.

The Demon Deacons were a miserable 3-9 last season including 1-7 in the ACC.

Defense seems to be the root of the problem as the unit ranked 110th nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 35.8 points per game.

Those figures may improve this season as there are eight returning starters including standout safety Cyhel Quarles.

The offense has promise as Tanner Price returns as the starter at quarterback with four of five starters returning on the line.

If head coach Jim Grobe can find a way to coax his Wake Forest squad into bowl eligibility, then his job just might be saved.

vs. Maryland, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 1-0

Maryland enters 2011 under first year head coach Randy Edsall who was previously the head man at UConn.

Edsall will be relying on sophomore quarterback Danny O'Brien to lead the Terrapin offense. An experienced line is a huge plus, as the new scheme emphasizes the ground attack.

Inexperience at receiver has raised some concern, but there are plenty of options at the position.

The defense returns seven starters from last season's unit and will be led by senior defensive backs Trenton Hughes and Cameron Chism.

If the defensive line can effectively pressure opposing quarterbacks, defensive coordinator Todd Bradford will have more flexibility with his play-calling.

Overall, Maryland is in a great spot with Randy Edsall. He brought UConn from FCS to BCS in under 10 years. That being said, the sky is the limit for the Terrapins under his watch.

vs. Boston College, Nov. 19, 4 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 11-9

Frank Spaziani's second season as head coach didn't go as many expected it to as the Eagles finished 7-6 with a loss to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

The team boasted one of the nation's best defenses, but one of the most sluggish offenses.

The offense needs to improve its 18.5 points per game scoring average if the team wishes to make a run in the ACC.

That may just happen as quarterback Chase Rettig enters his second full season at quarterback.

Running back Montel Harris returns for his senior season as one of the most accomplished players in program history. He'll be running behind an experienced line led by left guard Nathan Richman.

The defense will be headlined by All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly and figures to be a stingy unit once again.

@ Stanford, Nov. 26, 8 p.m.

Series History: Notre Dame leads 17-8

Stanford presents the biggest challenge on Notre Dame's schedule. The teams will meet in the Fighting Irish's regular season finale.

It may prove as a BCS "qualifier" for both teams.

The Cardinal may have lost Jim Harbaugh to the San Francisco 49ers, but Andrew Luck will still be under center.

Stepfan Taylor returns as the starter at running back after amassing 1,137 yards on 223 carries for 15 touchdowns a season ago.

However, three starters on the offensive line must be replaced and that will be tough under a first year head coach in David Shaw.

The defense will be a solid unit led by linebackers Shayne Skov and Chase Thomas.

The biggest question facing the team is if David Shaw will be an effective replacement for Jim Harbaugh.

Will the Cardinal stay on the BCS track or will they take a step back?

We'll find out soon enough.