At this point everybody in the Notre Dame fan base knows the situation that the Irish are in! The schedule has been set now it’s time to play some football!
Now the grumble is “who is in the ACC?” “Seems like an easy schedule for the Fighting Irish”. I disagree. This will be no cake walk for the Irish. The goal of course it to get to the ACC Championship but the road is long and full of danger.
“No Notre Dame fan should look at this schedule as a total joke, and just think your gonna run through it.” -John Always Irish Podcast Episode: Notre Dames ACC Schedule
Here are the six teams the Irish must be wary of and not take lightly.
The Three on the Home side of things:
Louisville: The Cardinals are in year two of the Satterfield Era. A coach that made Appalachian State relevant. Let’s not forget the Cardinals gave the Fighting Irish a hard time last season and they are only getting better as a football team. As stated above the Satterfield Offense will be lead by returning Junior QB Micale Cunningham has three huge weapons on the Cardinals Offense along side him Chatarius Atwell who has 1,200+ receiving yards and the two headed monster running game that Is Javian Hawkins and Hassan Hall who combined for 2000 rushing yards. This Louisville team is a dangerous one that went 8-4 last year. They are a dark horse in the ACC and they pose a legit threat to the Fighting Irish and look to get revenge for that loss last season.
Florida State: The Seminoles have been getting big name recruits even while they have had a few down years. The talent is there but hasn’t been put together as of late. Never the less the Seminoles come into South Bend looking to play spoiler against the hated Fighting Irish. Cam Akers lead the way for the Seminole running game. With over 1000 yards on the ground. The Notre Dame Defense better be ready!
Syracuse: Dino Babers has made the Orange a very competitive football team. This is a team that has upset Clemson. In 2018 they went 10-3 and won their Bowl Game. Their three losses a four point loss against Clemson in Death Valley, an OT Loss vs Pitt and a loss to Notre Dame in the Shamrock Series. The Orange are not to be taken lightly even if they had a down year last season. As long as Dino is the coach they are always a threat.
On the away side of things:
Pittsburgh: The Panthers are the Irish’s first road game and it will be closer than fans want to admit. In the last 8 meetings between the Panthers and Irish only one game has been decided by more than a touchdown. The Panthers always have the Irish’s number and lets not forget the last time these two schools played it took the Irish everything they had to beat the Panthers. This is a hungry team that can’t be overlooked.
Boston College: The Eagles and the Irish have been “at war” for decades. Adding a little extra flavor to the Rivalry this year is the Jurkovic situation. Phil Jurkovic was suppose to be the next great one but didn’t pan out with the Irish. He has been granted eligibility and can now play for the Eagles. Boston College has played spoiler a lot throughout the years against their hated rival. With Jurkovic being there it will give them even more incentive.
North Carolina: It’s crazy to think that the Tar Heels are becoming a legit threat in football but the Mack Brown led Heels are just that. A major threat to everybody they play. Mack Brown has flipped a bunch of recruits and continues to improve a football team that’s overshadowed by the juggernaut that is Basketball. The Tar Heel record is very miss leading from last season. They finished the year on a 3 game win streak which includes a blowout of Temple in their bowl game to a tune of 55-13. Mack Brown and Brian Kelly will be the two biggest coaches to go head to head this season.
The Fighting Irish have a daunting task ahead of them. Fans and media personnel alike can say that the ACC is a weak conference but four teams from the ACC are in the top 25 to start the season. it will be no cake for the Fighting Irish and the Fighting Irish have to treat every team like they are #1. Clemson is of course the biggest threat but will be a perilous road.