9. Florida State (Nov. 9)
This might be the most daunting game on the schedule for Notre Dame because, well, it is. Sure, the season-opener at Texas A&M is the toughest road game and Louisville presents a tough test, but the Seminoles are reigning ACC champs and Mike Norvell has them trending in the right direction. I expect them to be really good again this year even without Jordan Travis.
However, I do expect Florida State to take a slight step back.
Notre Dame is the better team in this matchup and its playing on its home field for the first time in a month. What that means is that this game will be excruciatingly close, a-la the Ohio State game last year. This time the Irish will pull out the last-minute win, though.
Prediction: Win (8-1)
10. Virginia (Nov. 16)
Two years into the Tony Elliott era at Virginia and it feels like a complete failure -- so far. The Cavaliers are just 6-16 in these two seasons and it feels like there's no end to the pain in sight.
That's why I expect Notre Dame to blow the doors off the Cavaliers here to improve to 9-1 on the season and inch that much closer to the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Win (9-1)