Notre Dame Football 2011: Predicting the Results of the Irish's Remaining Games

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish entered this season with high expectations, and some even believed they could make a run towards a BCS Bowl. All of those hopes are pretty much gone, and the main question is, when will Notre Dame wake up from this nightmare?

Notre Dame is now 0-2 with losses to the South Florida Bulls and Michigan Wolverines. The schedule doesn't really get much easier from here.

Here is Notre Dame's remaining schedule with predictions.

September 17 vs Michigan State

Notre Dame has lost four of the last six games in this match-up, including the most recent game last season 34-31. 

This seasons game doesn't look to be too kind to the Fighting Irish, either, as the Spartans are 2-0 and ranked No 15 in the country. Senior quarterback Kirk Cousins is looking very sharp so far with a 79.1 completion percentage and no interceptions. That isn't good news for a defense that has shown weaknesses against the pass.

Tommy Rees and company are going to put up a fight, but it won't be enough.

Michigan State wins: 38-24 

September 24 at Pittsburgh

Notre Dame won last year's meeting by six points, and it looks like the Irish can pick up their first win of the season.

Tino Sunseri is the quarterback for Pittsburgh who is known to make a few costly mistakes during games. The offensive line for Pittsburgh also looks to be one of the Panther's weak spots, as he has been sacked nine times already this season.

If Maine was able to put up 29 points on the Panthers defense, the Irish can at least match it and win this game.

Although, nobody thought that Notre Dame was going to lose to South Florida, either.

Notre Dame wins: 35-21

October 1 at Purdue

Could this match-up make it two wins in a row?

Notre Dame has won the last three years in a row and five of the last six against the Boilermakers. This game doesn't look good for Purdue, as they have already struggled with Middle Tennessee and lost to Rice last week. Do I really need to say anymore?

Notre Dame wins: 42-19

October 8 vs Air Force

Notre Dame leads the series 22-6 and should be able to earn their third win in a row.

This game is pretty simple. If the Irish can stop the running game, they win. The Falcons are one of the best running teams in the league with their triple option, averaging over 300 rushing yards a game. It may be difficult early on, but the defense is experienced enough and has seen this offense before in the game against Navy. The Irish will hold their ground and pick up another win.

Notre Dame wins: 27-14

October 22 vs. USC

The Fighting Irish finally snapped an eight game winning streak last year over the USC Trojans in a 20-14 victory.

USC quarterback Matt Barkley is playing pretty solid so far, and receiver Robert Woods will cause match up problems with Notre Dame's defense. The truth is, USC is still struggling to put up points and run the ball. They nearly lost to both Minnesota and Utah already this year.

If Notre Dame can make the Trojans one dimensional and force Barkley into a couple turnovers, they'll win.

Notre Dame wins: 24-17

October 29 vs Navy

Notre Dame leads the series 71-12-1 but has lost three of the last five meetings against Navy.

Much like the game against Air Force, this will all come down to whether the Irish can stop the run. Navy is the best team in the nation at running the ball, averaging a ridiculous 400 yards a game. This team is about one dimensional as it gets, and with the talent on this Notre Dame team, they should be able to take advantage of that.

Notre Dame wins: 28-10

November 5 at Wake Forest

This game will be the complete opposite than what the Irish have been facing in the past few games. If Notre Dame can stop Tanner Price from lighting the scoreboard up with his arm, the Irish should be fine. This defense gave up 36 points in the loss to Syracuse; Notre Dame should have no problem winning this game.

Notre Dame wins: 32-17

November 12 vs. Maryland

This is going to be a battle, as head coach Randy Edsall is pointing the Terrapins in the right direction. Quarterback Danny O'Brien is one of the best quarterbacks that nobody has heard about (except Maryland and Miami fans).

Hopefully, Maryland is wearing better uniforms for this game so I won't have to wash my eyes out with bleach again.

I'll give the Irish the slight advantage with them being at home, but it's going to be tough.

Notre Dame wins: 27-24

November 19 vs Boston College

After making a bowl game last season, the Eagles have played a horrible first two weeks, losing to Northwestern and UCF. In fact, they only scored three points in the entire game against the Knights.

Is there really a breakdown needed? Just give the Fighting Irish the win already.

Notre Dame wins: 29-10

November 26 at Stanford

Notre Dame has yet to beat Andrew Luck in his career, and don't expect it happen this year.

Stanford may have questions on defense, but it's still better than a lot of other teams' defense on their best day. They also have Luck at quarterback, who will put up at least 30 points on this Fighting Irish secondary.

Notre Dame doesn't have the firepower on offense to put up that many points against Stanford's defense.

Stanford wins: 35-21