Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140522
Blue & Gold Staff Predictions Regular-Season Record: Bowl Game: Team MVP: Most Anticipated Game: Upset Alert: Opponent On The Rise: Opponent On The Decline: BCS National Title Game: Senior Editor Lou Somogyi 10-2 Orange Bowl Louis Nix III Notre Dame vs. Michigan Oklahoma Arizona State Air Force Alabama vs. Oregon were printed prior to the news of Golson's ineligibility, which was announced Memorial Day weekend. Maybe most significant of all, Notre Dame can't ambush anyone this year. Even with the knowledge of Golson's suspension, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas on June 7 installed Notre Dame as the underdog in only one of its 12 regular-season games — the Nov. 30 season finale at Stanford, a 5.5-point favorite. The Sept. 7 showdown at Michigan is classified as a "pick 'em," and Notre Dame is given a less-than-a-touchdown edge in four other contests played consecutively. It is favored by six at home against Michigan State on Sept. 21, by only two versus Oklahoma a week later and by four in the Shamrock Series game versus Arizona State at Arlington, Texas. After a bye week on Oct. 12, the Fighting Irish have been installed by Golden Nugget as a five-point favorite versus archrival USC, National Player Rankings Player Position Lindy's Phil Steele's George Atkinson III, RB — 18 Kyle Brindza K — 16 DaVaris Daniels, WR — 54 — 48 Dan Fox, ILB Bennett Jackson, CB — 12 Ben Koyack, TE — 20 — 60 TJ Jones, WR Christian Lombard, OT — 30 Zack Martin, OT 4 7 Troy Niklas, TE — 15 Louis Nix III, DT 2 1 Prince Shembo, OLB 5 16 Danny Spond, OLB — 58 Stephon Tuitt, DE 2 2 Chris Watt, OG — 14 Note: Only draft-eligible players in 2014 are used in Phil Steele's rankings. Consequently, Notre Dame sophomore cornerback KeiVarae Russell was not eligible to be rated in his position group. Also, whereas Phil Steele's publication rates at least 40 players at each position (center or tight end, for example) or even 80 (wide receivers), Lindy's has anywhere from only five players (tight ends) ranked to 25 (quarterbacks and running backs). Recruiting Reporter Tom Loy 8-4 Music City Bowl Stephon Tuitt Notre Dame vs. Stanford USC Michigan Oklahoma Ohio State vs. Alabama Assistant Editor Wes Morgan 9-3 Pinstripe Bowl Tommy Rees Notre Dame vs. Stanford Michigan State Michigan Oklahoma Ohio State vs. Alabama Assistant Editor Dan Murphy 9-3 Gator Bowl Tommy Rees Notre Dame vs. Stanford Arizona State Michigan Michigan State Ohio State vs. Stanford which Notre Dame has not defeated at home since 2001. Kelly's crew was 5-0 last year in outcomes decided by seven points or less, a first in Notre Dame's 125 years of playing football. Achieving such perfection again, when half of the 12 games in 2013 are projected to be six points or less, might be an extremely challenging proposition. in 2012, but it might not have as good a record to show for it." Now with quarterback in a state of flux again, there might be more question marks emerging than originally anticipated. As Notre Dame learned last year, that might not necessarily be a negative. Confident Identity Athlon Sports College Football and Lindy's Sports College Football both had national top-10 rankings of each position group, while Phil Steele's 2013 College Football Preview had a top 45 for each group. Neither Athlon nor Lindy's had any of Notre Dame's offensive position groups in their top 10. Defensively, Athlon ranked Notre Dame's line No. 2 (behind South Carolina), the linebacker corps No. 6 and the defensive backs No. 10. Lindy's placed the Fighting Irish defensive line No. 1, the linebackers No. 7 and the defensive backfield No. 9. Phil Steele's had the following breakdown: quarterbacks No. 28 (including Everett Golson), running backs No. 29, wide receivers/ tight ends No. 30, offensive linemen No. 12, defensive linemen No. 1, linebackers No. 7, defensive backs No. 15 and special teams not ranked. ✦ Winning all the close games in 2012 also could be the most important intangible factor when the Fighting Irish season commences Aug. 31. "I would say that the identity of this group right now is that they are a confident group," Kelly said after the April 20 Blue-Gold Game. "Now, we are going to have some tough times and we'll see how we bounce back from those. … Everybody is good when they are 0-0. "But I like their confidence, and with that, it's important to know that they have not slacked off from the little things, and so they have combined both those things, which gives me a comfort level that they understand what it takes to be successful." A common general projection for 2013, before Golson was suspended, was "Notre Dame might have a better team in 2013 than Position Group Rankings What They're Saying About The Irish Note: Other than Sporting News, these preseason rankings were published prior to the news that starting quarterback Everett Golson would miss the 2013 campaign. Athlon (No. 8, vs. Clemson in Jan. 3 Orange Bowl) — "There is a need for someone to step up at running back, and team speed remains an issue, as Alabama showed. Though the schedule has its usual pitfalls, Notre Dame finally has some momentum and should keep rolling." ESPN.com (No. 10) — "The Fighting Irish went into spring practice looking for more offensive playmakers, after they averaged only 25.8 points during their 12-1 season in 2012 … Will probably again be carried by their defense." Lindy's (No. 14, won't make it back to BCS) — "The Irish were sent back to earth (with a hard landing) in the BCS Championship Game. And there they stay. Everyone will want payback. Until further notice, there are a lack of playmakers. Brian Kelly may regret not cashing in his NFL chance after 2012. Call it 9-3." Phil Steele's (No. 10, vs. Georgia in Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl) — You might find it strange that I think Notre Dame is a stronger team than last year's National Title version, yet have them all the way down here … Still, the Fighting Irish could be favored in their first 11 games and could find themselves back in the Big Game for a 2nd straight year." Sporting News (No. 10) — "The loss of Everett Golson isn't as big as you'd think. He wasn't a game-changer last year, and would have had to make a significant jump to be one this year. Notre Dame wins with defense (which will be good to great again) and the running game. Tommy Rees gives the Irish more efficiency in the passing game." SI.com (No. 5) — "With nose guard Louis Nix, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and Trick Shot Monday master (and cornerback) Bennett Jackson returning, Notre Dame's defense shouldn't miss a beat despite the loss of Manti Te'o." Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 129 128-129.Predictions.indd 129 6/25/13 1:06 PM