Writer Roundtable: Notre Dame Football Predictions For 2013
By Kyle Kensing
Aug 9, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame football head coach Brian Kelly talks to his players during practice at the LaBar Practice Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Kelly’s rebuilding project of Notre Dame football was a year ahead of schedule in 2012, as the Fighting Irish went through the regular season undefeated and appeared in the BCS championship game.
Pundits have set low expectations though, given the Irish’s accomplishments and returning talent. SaturdayBlitz.com staff members discussed their expectations for Notre Dame football in 2013.
Luke Brietzke
I’ve heard enough of the Notre Dame regression theory this offseason. Yes, the Irish lost LB Manti Te’o. Yes, QB Everett Golson left the team for academic reasons. There are some things working in coach Brian Kelly’s favor, too. Namely, DT Louis Nix — possibly the most dominant defensive end not named “Clowney” in the nation. Several of Notre Dame’s toughest games are in South Bend this year. I expect nothing less than 9-3 with an official prediction of 10-2 and a return to a BCS bowl.
Jack Jorgensen
Norte Dame could easily come out of 2013 with a 9-3 record. As I noted the other day, there shouldn’t be as much of a drop-off in production from the defensive side of the ball as people are anticipating because of the loss of a big name like Te’o. If the offensive mistakes can be kept to a minimum, 9 wins is completely plausible for this squad.
Andrew Kahn
Aug 9, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive end Stephon Tuitt (7) lines up during practice at the LaBar Practice Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Notre Dame was very lucky last season. It’s impossible to go unbeaten in the regular season without getting more than your fair share of the breaks. But the Irish were also really, really good, especially defensively. Heisman finalist Manti Te’o is gone, but the front seven is still terrifying (see Louis Nix, Stephon Tuitt) and the secondary, a pleasant surprise last season, is only more experienced.
The other side of ball has more question marks. Tyler Eifert, a nice security blanket in the passing game, was a first round draft pick. The two main running backs are gone. And of course there’s the most important position in football, quarterback, played once again by Tommy Rees following the season-long suspension of Everett Golson. Rees was 4-0 as a starter at the end of his freshman season in 2010, 8-4 as a starter the next year, and serviceable in various cameos during last season’s run to the national title game. He doesn’t make plays with his feet so if wants to be a solid game manager—and there’s nothing wrong with that—he can’t make the ill-timed mistakes that have dotted his career.
ND’s schedule once again looks tough: road games against Michigan and Stanford; neutral site vs. Arizona State; Oklahoma and USC at home. The defense should keep the Irish in most games, but swapping Golson for Rees, especially given the lack of proven playmakers on offense, will make it very difficult for this team to return to a BCS bowl game. Remember, last year’s run was completely unexpected and ahead of schedule for Brian Kelly (now in his fourth season). Just because ND went to the national championship doesn’t mean that’s suddenly the expectation. An 8-4 regular season seems more likely.
Kyle Kensing
Brian Kelly has repeatedly exceeded expectations in his career, whether it was leading Cincinnati to an unbeaten season or guiding Notre Dame to the BCS championship game in just his third year. Some have set a laughably low bar for the Irish, partially based on precedent.
Losing Everett Golson struck a major blow to the offense, which was Notre Dame’s weakness last season. Tommy Rees is a veteran, but hardly offers the same upside as Golson. The Irish will have to rely heavily on the ground game to capitalize on everything a stout defense gives it.
Per its usual scheduling, Notre Dame faces a tough slate. Michigan and Michigan State are both legitimate Big Ten title contenders, Oklahoma is a stalwart atop the Big 12 and Arizona State has arguably its best team since the 2007 season. Nevertheless, this defense is good enough to buoy the offense and win 10 games, which history has shown is enough to land the Fighting Irish a BCS bowl bid.
Paul Williams
There will be high hopes for a repeat 12-1 campaign from the Golden Domers in South Bend. The problem with the 2013 Notre Dame football team is while it does return a lot of talent, it lost too much key talent at key positions for the feat to be duplicated. Notre Dame will still have a very stout defense, but lost its best player and Heisman candidte Manti Te’o.
On offense, Notre Dame will have to replace their top running back (Cierre Wood), their top best pass catcher (Tyler Eifert) and their play-making quarterback (Everett Golson). Brian Kelly will scheme up enough tricks for the O to look competent, but won’t reach 2012 production. Notre Dame could reach double digits wins, but I don’t see a BCS championship game in the cards this year.