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Notre Dame Football: Best, worst, and most likely scenarios for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (72) after a touchdown in the first overtime against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (72) after a touchdown in the first overtime against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Notre DameÕs Kyren Williams (23) celebrates a touchdown during the 2021 College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Robert Franklin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Notre DameÕs Kyren Williams (23) celebrates a touchdown during the 2021 College Football Playoff Rose Bowl game on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Robert Franklin-USA TODAY Sports /

Best-case scenario

It seemed like the best-case scenario happened for Notre Dame last season as a temporary member of the ACC. The Irish nearly ran the table, only losing to Clemson in the conference title game while still making the playoff.

Notre Dame doesn’t have to worry about a conference title race this season, but that just means making the playoff is going to be that much more difficult. The committee might value a one-loss conference runner-up to a one-loss Notre Dame team, which would be a tough pill to swallow.

Best-case scenario, though? Notre Dame makes the playoff and goes 11-1.

Where does the one loss come? Let’s take a look.

I say Notre Dame opens the season with a 7-0 record before hosting North Carolina and I just think Sam Howell and Co. are going to have a special season and exact some revenge on the Irish.

The Irish will lose to the Tar Heels and then win the final four games of the regular season to finish 11-1 and earn a spot in the playoff for the third time in four years in the best-case scenario.

Best case: 11-1 with a playoff berth

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