College Football Predictions 2011: Why Notre Dame Will Make a Run at the BCS

The University of Notre Dame is ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25 while being ranked No.18 in the USA Today poll, and this year's team has a solid chance of making a run at the BCS. 

Notre Dame automatically revives a BCS bowl invitation if they finish eighth or higher in the final BCS standings, and with a schedule that pulls to their favor it is totally not out of the question. Coach Brian Kelly has reinstated star wide receiver Michael Floyd, and the Irish have two viable candidates at the quarterback position in Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees.  

Coach Kelly named Crist the starter a few days ago, but Rees proved last year that he can step up and contribute if need be. Positive vibes are circulating around the Irish this season, and with coach Brian Kelly at the helm, this team looks to be headed in the right direction, and on its way to its first BCS bowl appearance since the 2005 season.  

Michael Floyd

When Notre Dame opened up its fall camp, it came to little or no surprise that their star wide out Michael Floyd was back in action and in pads practicing with his Irish teammates. Floyd is an All-American receiver, and without his presence this Notre Dame offense would not quite be the same.

Floyd led the Irish with 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010 and is the only proven, game-changing talent the Irish currently have on offense. Floyd should be an obvious first round selection in next years draft, bearing he can stay out of trouble.  

Floyd has also left his mark in the wide receiver section of Notre Dames record book, totaling 28 TD receptions to go along with 13 recorded 100-yard receiving games in his career, tied for second in Notre Dame history.  

Coach Brian Kelly had this to say in an interview published on Notre Dame's website:  

"

Michael Floyd has always been, on the field, the "A" student. I don't think there's ever been a time that any player on our team would question his dedication to the game of football, What we questioned was if he was making good decisions off the field.

"

Michael is a key piece to bringing the Irish back to their glory days, and If Floyd can preform like he does on the field off the field, than the sky is the limit for the star receiver and this Notre Dame team.  

Brian Kelly

Before coming to Notre Dame, Brian Kelly was previously head coach at the Grand Valley State University (1991–2003), Central Michigan University (2004–2006), and University of Cincinnati (2006–2009). 

Kelly has righted the ship where ever he has been, and the same formula will be used to bring Notre Dame back to a national powerhouse.  

Kelly is a hard-nosed coach that seems to get the most out of his players, and he has a solid mix of veterans that can get the job done. 

The Defense

Notre Dame allowed 20.5 points per game in 2010, which was the 23rd-best average in the country. 

The Irish are returning nine starters, and the defensive front remains mostly intact. Kerry Neal, Brian Smith and Darrin Walls are the only key losses on the defense, which is why the expectations are so high for this group. 

Linebacker Manti Te'o has lived up to his potential so far, and the Irish linebacker could be one of the top defenders in the nation. 

The Fan Base

The Irish faithful have been waiting since the magical season of 1988 for a national championship to return to South Bend, and it looks as if their wait will continue for a few more seasons. 

The fan base stretches from New York to San Francisco and everywhere in between, which is why Notre Dame is in my eyes, the real "America's Team".

The Irish fans will place a lot of pressure on the players to preform this season, and with high expectations, who can blame them?

The fan base will the "12th man" for all home games, and they will look to take over for the Michigan State and USC games. If Notre game gets off to a fast start like they should do, then teams will dread playing in South Bend.  

Their Schedule

Schedule Difficulty

B+

Toughest Games

vs Michigan State

at Stanford

In 2010, Notre Dame's regular season schedule was ranked the most difficult schedule in the nation with a Team Opposition Record Percentage of .6529. Notre Dame went 8-5 with that schedule, but they only faced two ranked opponents.

This year, Stanford, Michigan State, and USC are the only teams ranked on the schedule.    

They take on Michigan State at home, and Stanford on the road. Notre Dame almost upset Michigan State on their home turf last season, but the Spartans scored on a fake field goal in overtime. Michigan State comes to South Bend on September 17th. 

Andrew Luck and the Cardinal had there way with Notre Dame last season, and I have them providing Notre Dame their lone defeat.  

Other tough games for the Irish include Pittsburgh, Michigan, and USC. These contests won't be easy, but expect Brian Kelley and the Irish to take care of business against all three squads.

South Florida, Air Force, Purdue, Navy, Wake Forest, Maryland, and Boston College round out the schedule, and Notre Dame should be the favorite to win all seven games.

The Irish have a ton of talent this season, and with this schedule, I have them going 11-1.