– Last Updated on July 27, 2016 4:37 pm
2016 Football Preview – Independant – Fighting Irish
Looking for 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish predictions? The Fighting Irish endured a very brutal 2015. One filled with many injuries saw them stumble to their 3 toughest opponents on the schedule in Clemson, Stanford, and Ohio State in their bowl game. Now, the Irish are poised for a run in 2016 as they try to vie for a Playoff spot.
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2016-17 College Football Preview – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Head Coach: Brian Kelly
2015 Record: 10-3
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +2000
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The time is now for this Fighting Irish team to win. Can Brian Kelly deliver?
2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Predictions: Team Strengths
Two of a Kind: Notre Dame has a pair of QBs who return that both can make a giant impact on this team. Malik Zaire looked like he had a bright future after dominating Texas, but broke his ankle against Virginia a week later.
The sample size was small, but Zaire had shown plenty of talent in that time frame.
DeShone Kizer took the reigns and continued to produce late game drives and keep Notre Dame in the Playoff talk for some time.
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Kizer was much more efficient in the spring game, but it’s unknown who will get the starting job. However, having this dilemma is quite the blessing as either QB can lead this team to an impressive season.
Fresh Backfield: Tarean Folston was poised for a big season, but an ACL injury in the first game of the season put an abrupt end to his 2015.
Folston is now back to 100% and with the year off, he has had a lot of time to get himself back. In 2015, Folston finished with 889 yards to go along with a touchdown.
Notre Dame managed to win 10 games without him last season. With him in the back field next to one of their talented QBs? Well, lets just say the options are endless.
2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Who’s Out Wide?: Notre Dame was one of the best offenses in the 2nd halves and proved they were never out of a game.
However, heading into this season they will be without 4 of their top 5 receivers from last season. Reason for concern right?
Notre Dame will have 4 main targets heading into this season, who all need to perform at a high level. Torii Hunter Jr. is the main guy to watch heading into this season.
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He averaged 8.6 yards per reception last season and that was in a small role.
Equanimeous St. Brown is the likely other option to join Hunter Jr. out wide at the start of the season. He saw zero playing time last season and will have to have an immediate impact for the Fighting Irish to be successful.
There is a lot of questions here for Notre Dame, but if these young receivers can get going early and find a groove, this team will be extremely dangerous.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction
9-3
Notre Dame figures to be in more close games once again.
They were 4-2 last season in one possession games and based on their offensive 2nd half performances, they were never out of a game.
Schedule wise they get zero favors. At Texas to start the season and at USC to close things out with Michigan State and a tough ACC schedule through it all doesn’t help out any cause.
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Getting a QB in and solidified early is most important. Once they figure that out, generating some chemistry with their receivers going to be a tall task.
2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Schedule
Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
- Sun Sep. 4 at Texas TV Austin, Texas 6:30 p.m. CT
- Sat Sep. 10 vs. Nevada TV Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Sep. 17 vs. Michigan State TV Notre Dame, Ind. 7:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Sep. 24 vs. Duke TV Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Oct. 1 vs. Syracuse TV East Rutherford, N.J. (MetLife Stadium) TBA
- Sat Oct. 8 at North Carolina State TV Raleigh, N.C. TBA
- Sat Oct. 15 vs. Stanford TV Notre Dame, Ind. 7:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Oct. 29 vs. Miami TV Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Nov. 5 vs. Navy TV Jacksonville, Fla. (EverBank Field) 11:30 a.m. ET
- Sat Nov. 12 vs. Army TV San Antonio, Texas (Alamodome) 2:30 p.m. CT
- Sat Nov. 19 vs. Virginia Tech TV Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
- Sat Nov. 26 at USC TV Los Angeles, Calif. TBA
What do you think about our 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2016!
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