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Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions for Irish in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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March 17, 2022; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during a Notre Dame football spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Robert Franklin-USA TODAY NETWORK
March 17, 2022; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during a Notre Dame football spring practice. Mandatory Credit: Robert Franklin-USA TODAY NETWORK /

1. Marcus Freeman wins a New Year’s Six bowl

Marcus Freeman has already been the head coach for one New Year’s Six bowl, but the Irish lost in the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma State after a furious comeback by the Cowboys.

He’ll get another chance in 2022.

Freeman’s first full season will probably come with a couple of growing pains, but I think he’s going to lead the Irish to 10 regular-season wins and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance of which he will also come out on top.

Notre Dame will likely open the season with a loss at Ohio State but it’s going to reel off seven consecutive wins before facing Clemson in what can be considered a toss-up in South Bend. I’m giving the Irish the slight edge here because of home-field advantage and then they’ll win the next two before traveling to Los Angeles to face USC in the season finale.

A win would get the Irish in the playoff, but a loss leads to a New Year’s Six berth. I see the Irish losing to Lincoln Riley and the Trojans to fall to 10-2. They’ll make a respectable NY6 bowl and win it in impressive fashion to finish the year 11-2.

Next. Projected preseason AP Top 25. dark

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