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Notre Dame Football: 2017 season preview and predictions

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sing the alma mater following a loss to the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sing the alma mater following a loss to the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football’s 2017 season is right around the corner but can the Fighting Irish turn things around after a horrid 2016?

Brian Kelly should feel lucky to still have a head coaching job in South Bend after what Notre Dame football brought to the table in 2016. The offense was average, at best, the defense was poor and that led to the team’s overall record of 4-8.

Missing a bowl game and finishing with less than eight wins during his tenure with the Irish had to be a wake-up call for Kelly. If not, well, he could be on the hot seat once again as the 2017 season progresses. There are some who believe he shouldn’t have even survived the 2016 campaign because of how bad the season was.

Well, he’s back and he’s ready to prove that the 2016 season was just a fluke. Although he’ll have to do so without talented quarterback DeShone Kizer and backup Malik Zaire. The former was drafted in the second round by the Browns in 2017 and Zaire transferred to Florida.

The team returns seven starters on the offensive side of the ball and four on defense, but the talent replacing each of the departing No. 1s is arguably just as good, if not better, than its predecessors. The Irish have a handful of seniors coming back to avenge last season’s poor showing, but a solid mix of underclassmen to build for the future.

Let’s take a look at what the 2017 season could bring for Notre Dame.

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