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Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2020

By Connor Muldowney

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Braden Lenzy #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Braden Lenzy #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles Noah Gray #87 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles Noah Gray #87 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

It only took about a month and a half, but Notre Dame finds its first true road test at Pitt in the seventh game of the season. The Panthers have been your average bowl-bound ACC team each year under Pat Narduzzi and I don’t expect that to change much in 2020.

Kenny Pickett is back under center and there are some nice pieces on both sides of the ball, but I just don’t see Pittsburgh beating a well-oiled Notre Dame machine that’s aiming for a playoff berth once again.

Narduzzi will have to wait for another signature win, because this won’t be it.

Final Score: Notre Dame 37, Pitt 27 (7-0)

After another bye, Notre Dame will head back to South Bend to take on a Duke team that isn’t quite the same threat as it was with Daniel Jones under center.

The Blue Devils, like many of the teams on Notre Dame’s schedule, will be looking to start a new quarterback in 2020 but Chase Brice might be the best replacement the Irish will see. This one could be closer than people expect because of Brice, but Ian Book will get the last laugh here.

Don’t be shocked if this has the feel of a classic Notre Dame trap game.

Final Score: Duke 20, Notre Dame 28 (8-0)

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