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| "Why are we playing Oklahoma this year?" asks the leprechaun. |
Year in and year out, we hear a lot of propaganda about
Notre Dame's football team playing the toughest schedule in the country. Many years, that is overblown, but not this
year. The schedule maker did not do the
team any favors because the Fighting Irish play some whopper games this
year. At least one preseason publication
rates their schedule as the toughest in the nation.
Notre Dame plays:
Sept. 1 vs. Navy (in Ireland ),
Sept. 8 vs. Purdue, Sept. 15 at Michigan
State , Sept. 22 vs. Michigan ,
Oct. 6 vs. Miami , Fla. ,
(in Chicago
In Notre Dame's favor is that they only play four true road
games. Another two are on neutral fields
though those should be considered home games.
Seriously, can anyone argue with a straight face that playing Navy in Ireland Miami in Chicago Chicago is
Notre Dame country and Miami
Still, there are no games that can be considered 'gimmies' on the schedule. September tests include a road game at Michigan
State and at home against Michigan Oklahoma Oklahoma
Notre Dame closes out the regular season at USC. The Trojans are considered by many to be the
top team in the nation and are ranked third in the preseason coaches' poll.
From top to bottom, this is a strong schedule. The only minor criticism is that they play no
teams from the Southeastern Conference.
It is difficult to consider their schedule the toughest in the nation if
they do not play any teams from the toughest conference. Still, there is no way to know if that was
Notre Dame's choice or that no SEC teams would play them.
Based on this schedule, getting to 10 wins would have to be
considered a tremendous accomplishment for Notre Dame.
2 comments:
I think they can win 10. They won't beat USC or Oklahoma, but they will be considered favorites or even with the others. I don't think it's crazy.
Anything is possible, but I can't see them winning ten. The Oklahoma and USC games are sure losses. That means they have to win all of their remaining games to get to ten. Given how inconsistent the program has been in recent years, I don't see it happening. I think eight wins is more realistic. However, like I said, anything is possible.
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