Notre Dame Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season
By Jacob Wilson
Will Notre Dame football be able to put a forgetful 4-8 season in the rearview? Here are five bold predictions for the upcoming 2017 season.
After an abysmal 2016 under head coach Brian Kelly, a renewed Notre Dame team looks towards an effective rebound season in which they can lay all of their past failures to rest. This will be no easy task however, as the team has many question marks across the board.
As we know, question marks are not always answered quickly. With this in mind, it’s still fun to ponder just what might happen if a certain player or unit decides to do a complete 180. With a school so heavily comprised of young talent as Notre Dame, there are certainly many ways this season could play out.
While the Irish are certainly primed for a solid rebound, there is also a good chance that this perfect opportunity slips right through their fingertips. But as most of us appreciate, it’s always more fun to imagine our team doing better than anticipated.
Without further ado, here are five bold predictions for the Irish this upcoming season.
5. The defense averages two turnovers a game
With only 19 defenses averaging at least two turnovers last year, a jump from just over one takeaway per game to two is quite the leap. However, there is reason to believe that a young, hungry secondary will have what it takes to bring the interception total up significantly.
One reason that sticks out is simply in the numbers. The Irish had seven players intercept a ball last year, and five of them are coming back. Defensive backs Julian Love, Devin Studstill, Donte Vaughn, and Shaun Crawford along with linebacker/safety hybrid Drue Tranquill all recorded an interception last season and will all be returning this fall.
In regard to fumbles, the Irish forced the ball loose nine times last season, but only four were recorded by players who will be around this year. Two of those defenders happened to be defensive backs Love and Studstill, two players who clearly have a way of making the opposition pay.
With the defensive line being one of the more perplexing positions on the team, it would not be surprising to see the majority of turnovers come through the air. However, with such a solid group of proven young corners, a significant boost in turnover ratio should not be so easily dismissed.