Notre Dame Football: Game-by-game predicitions for 2018

National Championship Game

In 2012, the Fighting Irish made it to the BCS National Championship Game. They were thoroughly outmatched by Alabama and lost 42-14. Now it’s a different time. It’s going to be a rematch from a regular season matchup. Florida State was their only defeat, and they will meet again for the national title.

In their only major bowl appearance against each other, the Seminoles won the 1996 Orange Bowl following the 1995 regular season in comeback fashion, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter to win 31-26. The Fighting Irish also lost the Champs Sports Bowl to the Seminoles in 2011 which puts their bowl record at 0-2 against the Seminoles all-time.

The Irish have a lot of motivation going into this game, having lost a hard-fought battle at home to the Seminoles back in November. This one will be far from home for both teams in Santa Clara, CA, though.

Early on, both quarterbacks will begin to press, sensing the pressure of the moment. However, both will settle down after the teams trade punts. Ultimately it will turn into a shootout, much like the affair in November.

Next: Preseason Top 25 following spring practices

The difference in this game is that Notre Dame will have the ball last, and they will convert a score to win as time expires, and slightly more than 30 years to the day of their last national title victory, they will celebrate their 12th national title in school history.

Notre Dame 41
Florida State 38