June and July are typically quiet months at least that is what fans and coaches hope! Generally, any news that comes in this time of year isn’t usually very good. That said we are just 68 days until Michigan visits the Irish! So it seems a good time to look at a snapshot of the Irish schedule. A little later this summer, I will break the schedule down by game and give a predicted win total. For now I will simply give the opponent and their last season win total, returning starters, and perhaps a little intrigue.
September 1st Michigan – (2017 Season 8-5. Returning Starters Offense 9, Returning Starters Defense 9). Tons of talent returning. Is this the year Harbaugh delivers on all the hype his hire produced?
September 8th Ball State – (2017 Season 2-10. Returning Starters Offense 10, Returning Starters Defense 9). Lots of players returning, though given the rest of the schedule this looks like the easiest game for the Irish.
September 15th Vanderbilt – (2017 Season 5-7. Returning Starters Offense 6, Returning Starters Defense 4). Lots of faces for the Commodores to replace, in an always difficult SEC.
September 22nd at Wake Forest – (2017 Season 8-5. Returning Starters Offense 9, Returning Starters Defense 6). The Demon Deacons have played the Irish competitively in recent years at South Bend, now they get the Irish at home.
September 29th Stanford – (2017 Season 9-5. Returning Starters Offense 7, Returning Starters Defense 3). The Cardinal are coming off somewhat of a down year by their standards. Will they rebound in 2018?
October 6th at Virginia Tech – (2017 Season 9-4. Returning Starters Offense 6, Returning Starters Defense 5). The Irish venture to Blacksburg where it is always tough to play. I will be surprised if this is not a night game.
October 13th Pitt – (2017 Season 5-7. Returning Starters Offense 5, Returning Starters Defense 9). Coach Narduzzi is extremely confident heading into this season. This game concerns me.
October 27th Navy – (2017 Season 7-6. Returning Starters Offense 4, Returning Starters Defense 5). The Irish will travel to San Diego for a night game with the Midshipman. The Mids have much to replace, but they do return their quarterback.
November 3rd at Northwestern – (2017 Season 10-3. Returning Starters Offense 8, Returning Starters Defense 6). The Irish travel to Evanston for a late season tilt with Northwestern, a dark horse in the Big 10 West Division.
November 10th Florida State – (2017 Season 7-6. Returning Starters Offense 8, Returning Starters Defense 4). Senior Day vs. the Seminoles. I would love to see a little pay back for the “pick” in 2014.
November 17th Syracuse – (2017 Season 4-8). Returning Starters Offense 8, Returning Starters Defense 8). The Orange will be much improved, I hope the Irish don’t regret giving up this “home” game.
November 24th at USC – (2017 Season 11-3). Returning Starters Offense 7, Returning Starters Defense 7). The Trojans sans Sam Darnold will be looking for revenge after getting absolutely shellacked in South Bend last fall.