If Brian Kelly gets Notre Dame nine wins next season, I'll be happy. I'll put it that way.
Western Michigan and Army are the only two guaranteed wins in my opinion. But this is how I see it:
Purdue: It's at home, and Coach Kelly's first game, so there's a edge. According to their depth chart, Purdue must replace three of their offensive line and their quarterback (who will be making his first start...in Notre Dame Stadium). They also must replace both of their corners and their safety. Floyd will be drooling.
Michigan: It's at home, but it's a rivalry. Michigan's offense will be fine, but their lack of viable defensive backs will allow Notre Dame to stay in the game.
Michigan State: Once again, another fervid rivalry game and this one especially is impossible to predict. Michigan State will return a lot and it's at their place. I expect the Spartans to come away with the W in this one.
Stanford: Harbaugh is a terrific coach, but without Gerhart I see Notre Dame taking this one.
Boston College: Boston College was young last year, and they should hopefully get Mark Herzlich back from cancer. The Eagles will be too tough for the Irish in Boston.
Pittsburgh: Hopefully Dion Lewis leaves early. We won't beat Pittsburgh until he leaves. They have to replace their quarterback, so that gives Notre Dame a chance. But it's later in the season and he'll have progressed.
Western Michigan: Yeah, okay.
Navy: I think Notre Dame fans are the only fans that actually give Navy some credit. They are damn good and very tough. This one will be won by the Irish though as Jon Tenuta personally lost Notre Dame the game in 2009.
Tulsa: Tulsa can score points, but I just don't see it happening.
Utah: Ouch. Utah is not a mid-major by any stretch, skill-wise. They are very good every year. Losing to Utah will be embarassing nonetheless.
Army: See Western Michigan.
Southern California: Maybe teams have figured Pete Carroll out? Or maybe that was the rebuilding year before another dominant stretch over everyone in the country. Notre Dame sure missed an opportunity last year.
EDIT: This is what I chose to do instead of writing a dialogue between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Creon, the ancient king of Thebes. What a glorious waste of time.
