Notre Dame Football: 3 likely bowl scenarios for Fighting Irish in 2018
3. New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Big Ten (Dec. 27)
This scenario would come into play if the Fighting Irish stumbled in their last two games of the regular season. Showdowns against 12th ranked Syracuse and rival USC could be potential trap games as Notre Dame tries to secure a playoff bid.
Notre Dame’s bowl affiliation is in line with the ACC conference, so losing both of their final regular-season matchups would mean a spot in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against a Big Ten opponent.
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Facing off against the Wisconsin Badgers would be the most ideal choice for the bowl selection committee, and the matchup between Wisconsin’s offensive line and the Notre Dame front seven would be one to watch.
Te’Von Coney has been one of the best linebackers in the nation this season, so watching him chase down star running back Jonathan Taylor would be one of the best one on one matchups of the bowl season.
In the end, I think Notre Dame’s offensive firepower would be too much for the Badgers to handle, and Fighting Irish fans would hope they don’t see each other in this bowl game.