Notre Dame Football: Fighting Irish primed for 2018 playoff run

Notre Dame’s Offense

Much of the Irish’s success on offense in 2017 was through their run game. Averaging 269.3 yards per game, Notre Dame finished with one of the best running games in the nation. But with the departures of running back Josh Adams and linemen Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, the Irish run game could take a step back this season.

Although the rest of the offensive line remains strong and experienced, the running game could rely on a trio of backs to get the job done, including Dexter Williams, Deon McIntosh and Tony Jones Jr. But the biggest concern heading into 2018 isn’t the potential drop off of their run game.

Notre Dame’s biggest cause of concern heading into this season is their pass game.

In 2017, the Irish finished 103rd in passing yards a game, averaging 178.9 yards, and had one of the nation’s worst completion percentages sitting at 51.7 percent. Last year’s starter, Brandon Wimbush looks to have the slight edge as the starter, but freshman and four-star recruit Phil Jorkovec, could be named QB1 before season’s end. Regardless of who is under center, the Irish need a massive improvement if they want to make a run at the playoff.

In addition to quarterback, the passing game will also look to find a replacement for Equanimeous St. Brown. But this shouldn’t be an issue as their second leading receiver, Chase Claypool, returns alongside Miles Boykin, who averaged over 21 yards a catch on 12 receptions last season. But who is catching the ball will not matter if the person throwing the ball does not take a step in the direction for the Irish passing game.

The Notre Dame offense will be fine but another lackluster passing year could put some heat under the seat of Head Coach Brian Kelly.