Notre Dame football had another 10-plus win season. Here are some studs and duds from this past season for the Fighting Irish.
It was another banner year for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They finished this season with 11 wins which gives them 10-plus wins three seasons in a row, four out of five years and 10-plus wins five times in the Brian Kelly era.
They capped their season with a 33-9 trouncing of the Iowa State Cyclones in the Camping World Bowl.
This team got it done defensively this season allowing 17.9 points per game, good for 12th nationally. Though the offense sputtered at times the Irish averaged 36.8 points per game and broke the 40-point barrier five times including breaking 50 twice and 60 once this season.
This season was all about changing the narrative for the Irish. Brian Kelly stated very adamantly in the post-game presser after the Cotton Bowl last season they weren’t far away from Clemson in recruiting, and they were a team that could eventually be in the conversation for the College Football Playoff every season.
Following up a playoff appearance with an 11-win campaign speaks to Kelly’s point.
This season wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some very key players. Some issues kept the Irish from the playoff as well.
Here are this season’s studs and duds.