Notre Dame Football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020

Notre Dame kicked off the 2019 season against Louisville in a primetime game and it was supposed to be an easy win for the Irish, but Scott Satterfield’s Cardinals put up quite the fight and made names for themselves on national TV. Sure, they lost 35-17, but no one expected them to even keep it competitive throughout.

Returning are Micale Cunningham who didn’t start against the Irish and who has a higher ceiling than any quarterback the Cardinals have had since Lamar Jackson. He has plenty of offensive weapons and as long as the defense improves even slightly, the Cardinals will be competing for the ACC title.

But winning at Notre Dame won’t happen.

Final Score: Louisville 30, Notre Dame 38 (5-0, 4-0)

The Fighting Pat Narduzzis come to town the week before Halloween and this could end up being one of the tougher games on Notre Dame’s schedule. While the ACC might seem “down” to outsiders, there’s plenty of depth in that middle tier. Pitt is right there.

Kenny Pickett returns at quarterback after a 3,000-yard season and he’ll have three of his top four receivers back. The biggest development is the return of eight starters to one of the ACC’s best defenses from last year. Narduzzi was always known for his defensive mind and he lived up to it in 2019 with the No. 15 total defense in the country.

This one comes down to the wire, but Ian Book makes the plays you expect from a veteran quarterback.

Final Score: Notre Dame 24, Pitt 17 (6-0, 5-0)