Notre Dame Football: Best, worst, and most likely scenario for 2022

Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chris Tyree (25) celebrates a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Notre Dame and Clemson players stand united during a timeout during the ACC Championship football game on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, inside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Best-case scenario: 11-1

It’d be easy to say that the best-case scenario for a New Year’s Six caliber team would be 12-0 in the regular season, but we’re going to be realistic here. It’s not realistic to say Notre Dame will beat Ohio State, North Carolina, BYU, and USC away from home while also taking down Clemson — although it could happen.

In the best case, however, I see Notre Dame beating North Carolina and BYU but losing one of the three games against USC, Clemson, and Ohio State. That would be a massive win for the Irish.

Plus, BYU and North Carolina won’t be a cakewalk, by any means.

Outside of those games, I think the Irish will handle Marshall, Cal, UNLV, Syracuse, Navy, and Boston College with relative ease. A couple of those games may be your typical “closer than expected” Notre Dame contests, but each should result in a win.

Notre Dame going 11-1 with this schedule would almost ensure a playoff berth because at least two of their wins would be against top-15 teams.

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