2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Season Preview

2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Season Preview: After going undefeated and reaching the BCS title game in 2012, things didn’t exactly go as planned last year. Starting quarterback Everett Golson was suspended for the entire year, and the Fighting Irish struggled to find consistency on offense in his absence. Notre Dame averaged just 27.2 points per game, and the Fighting Irish were particularly ineffective against tougher opponents. Three of their four losses came to Oklahoma, Michigan and Stanford, and while Notre Dame did pick up a bowl win to cap its season, a 9-4 record and a Pinstripe Bowl victory paled in comparison to the previous season. On the plus side, Golson is back in 2014, giving head coach Brian Kelly the most complete player he has had at the quarterback position since coming to South Bend.

The Good News:

After sitting out last year, Golson is back under center, and not only did he show no signs of rust in Notre Dame’s win over Rice, but he looked much improved as a passer. Plain and simple, Golson is an X-factor, and his dual-threat capability takes the Notre Dame offense to another level. The Fighting Irish also have multiple backs to head their power running game, including highly-touted prospect Greg Bryant, who rushed for 71 yards on just eight carries in the opener. Meanwhile, receiver DaVaris Daniels and tight end Ben Koyack are just a couple of the quality targets in the passing game. Defensively, tackle Sheldon Day and linebacker Jaylon Smith anchor what should be a solid front seven, and corner KeiVarae Russell gives the Fighting Irish and NFL-caliber player to lead the secondary.

The Bad News:

Although there are a few cupcakes on the schedule, the Fighting Irish also have plenty of tough games on their slate, as well. They host Michigan, Louisville and Stanford, and they go on the road to face Florida State, Arizona State and USC. Meanwhile, an offensive line that has been the strength of the team’s power ground attack has a lot less experience than in recent years. On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame’s biggest concern will be generating a consistent pass rush. The Fighting Irish replace both starting defensive ends and their rush linebacker, and unless someone can step up provide some pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the unit is going to have a tough time getting off the field.

Outlook:

Kelly probably doesn’t get enough credit for he has accomplished as a head coach. He led the an unheralded Cincinnati program to an undefeated regular season and a BCS bowl by building an offensive juggernaut, and he led Notre Dame to the national title game with a powerful ground game and elite defense. In other words, he knows how to coach to his team’s strengths as well as any coach in the country, and this year’s team seems to have a solid balance on both sides of the ball. More importantly, Kelly has Golson to run his offense, and his dual-threat capability will allow Kelly to make the Notre Dame offense as dynamic as it has been since he took over the program. Granted, the schedule is going to make another title run nearly impossible, and road trips to Florida State and USC seem particularly daunting. However, the Fighting Irish are more than capable of splitting their six games against ranked opponents, and as victories over Michigan State and USC last season suggest, they are also capable of stealing a game or two. With Golson back in the mix, the Fighting Irish will make enough noise to be in the mix for an at-large bid to a major bowl when all is said and done.

Prediction: 10-2