College Football Predictions – Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2020 College Football Preview
August 17, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 11-2
ATS – 9-4
The Irish didn’t get back to the College Football Playoffs but get full marks for posting their 3rd double-digit winning campaign in the last four years. They finished on a HEATER winning their final six games in a row, and that included a blowout win over a good Iowa St team in the Camping World Bowl (W 33-9). Their only two losses came on the road against Georgia and Michigan.
Let’s take a look at the roster and see if they have what it takes to make another run at a National Championship.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
ACC – #2
<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
Notre Dame did a fine job on offense last year and averaged over 30 PPG for the sixth consecutive season (36.8, #13 FBS). They were very balanced and averaged 179 YPG on the ground and 252 YPG through the air. QB Ian Book had a great season and threw for over 3,000 yards whilst posting an excellent 34-6 TD to INT ratio. Book was the team’s 2nd leading rusher and ran for four scores. The offense should be able to SCORE THE FOOTBALL once again given that Book is back for his senior campaign, and note that he will be operating behind one of the best offensive lines in college football that returns all five (!) starters. Sadly, the Irish lost a LOT at the skill positions due to graduation. THREE key players from last year’s squad are off to the NFL. Leading rusher Tony Jones Jr (857, 6 TD), star WR Chase Claypool (1,037, 13 TD) and TE Cole Kmet (515, 6 TD). New OC Tommy Rees will have a challenge trying to get all the new pieces to fit together. It’s unclear whether the Irish have a legit #1 RB on the roster and it’ll be interesting to see if someone can emerge as a true workhorse. Running behind that OL will definitely help. The WR group is undergoing a big overhaul and that may mean that the THROW GAME struggles in the early going.
The offense will probably take a step back but we still like them to get to the 30 PPG mark and Book is one of the best QBs in the country.
DEFENSE
Notre Dame allowed fewer that 20 PPG for the second consecutive season LY (17.9, #12 FBS) and they were particularly stingy vs the pass (#5 FBS pass efficiency D). They allowed a mere 54% completions and just 13 TD passes. They were a bit weak vs the run and allowed 200+ rushing yards on four occasions, and that included the blowout loss at Michigan where they were GASHED for 303 yards. Only five starters return and they took a hit in the PENETRATION DEPARTMENT due to the graduation of three of their top four sack producers from LY. The linebacking contingent looks solid with the return of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who led the team in sacks LY (8.5) whilst booking 79 tackles (#T2). Junior LB Drew White led the team in tackles last year and will solidify the middle. They’ll need to survive without their fine safety tandem of Jalen Elliott and Alohi Gilman who were rock solid and the back of the top unit LY.
We’ll call for them to fall a bit in the main defensive statistical categories as they work in a bunch of new starters. Thankfully, DC Clark Lea has proven to be one of the best in the business.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game looks to be in excellent shape with the return of PK Jonathan Doerer (17/20 FG, 57/57 XP LY) and punter Jay Bramblett. Notre Dame was average returning kickoffs and punts LY.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s ACC time for the Irish!. Their non-conference game is a home date with USF which is a FREE SQUARE. They avoid Miami and Virginia Tech but will still face CLEMSON. At least they get that game at home. Their toughest test away from home is a date with UNC in November.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing noted.
Season Win Total
Over 8.5 -150
Under 8.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Our quote from the summer – “A fair price might be in the neighborhood of Over 8.5 -130, Under 8.5 +110.”
Update – looks like a pass to us. We project them to finish at 9-2. We’ll probably avoid this market but would take the ‘over’ or nothing.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Notre Dame has some questions on both sides of the ball, but the roster is loaded with raw talent, and you know they’ll be well-coached. Competing in the ACC is going to be really interesting and they’re certainly one of the top teams in the conference on paper. The November tilt with Clemson is must-watch TV.
It’s hard to view these guys as a National Title contender with so many new faces but they’ve got a legit shot to slither their way into the ACC Championship Game.
Want more Notre Dame football ?
WEBSITE
https://und.com/sports/football/
FORUM
https://notredame.forums.rivals.com/forums/under-the-dome.8/
http://www.uhnd.com/bb/forum/index.php?action=main&forumid=6
http://www.domerdomain.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=e97bcd88455928670ed58aa735471c15&f=6
http://notredame.247sports.com/Board/Notre-Dame-Fighting-Irish-Message-Board-Forum-88
NEWS
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/87/notre-dame-fighting-irish
TWITTER
Hashtag – #GoIrish
Accounts to follow