Notre Dame will be playing in a conference for the first time in their program's history, but that is more due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the team is very strong and a contender for the college football playoffs. They will have a chance to prove how good they are and book their spot in the playoffs as the Irish will take on the ACC. This article will take a look at Notre Dame's chances at not only advancing to the ACC championship game, but becoming champions of the conference.
The Schedule
Not counting their nonconference game with University of South Florida, the ACC is not an easy task. It will be grueling and it will be difficult, so the Irish will need to play to their best if they want to be successful. The team doesn't necessarily need to go undefeated, but they have to finish second to make the ACC championship game. Here is their schedule:
Game 1: Duke
Game 2: Wake Forest
Game 3: Florida State
Game 4: Louisville
Game 5: Pittsburgh
Game 6: Georgia Tech
Game 7: Clemson
Game 8: Boston College
Game 9: North Carolina
Game 10: Syracuse
Games Notre Dame Should Win
Duke should be a winnable game for the Irish as the Blue Devils are not very good offensively and have a mediocre defense. Wake Forest should be a tougher matchup, but that's a contest Notre Dame should win as well as, despite the Demon Deacons being a solid team, the Irish are more talented. Florida State shouldn't be an easy game as well as they are a trendy upset pick, but the Seminoles still have an offense that is a work of progress. Louisville has certainly struggled a bit the last few seasons, but despite being a middle of the pack team, the Cardinals could be a tough outing, however, their defense is not a strength and something Notre Dame should take advantage of. Georgia Tech is another program that is expected to struggle in 2020, but they might be a squad to keep an eye on as their recruiting has been phenomenal of late and they could be a serious contender down the road. Boston College is another side that is expected to struggle this campaign as they are in a transition year, so there is a lot of unknown factors surrounding their team. Finally, Syracuse, another team that is expected to struggle and probably won't put too much of a fight against the Irish.
The Tough Matchups
While seven expected wins right there for Notre Dame might make it seem like that the ACC should be a breeze for them, well, in the words of Lee Corso: "Not so fast my friend!" The ACC might not be as strong as the BIG 10, Pac-12, or SEC, but it's still a very competitive one. While Notre Dame does not have to face the likes of Virginia Tech and Miami, there are some tough sides on their schedule. The first big test for them will be Pittsburgh as some have pegged them to be the surprise team of the ACC and many have them beating the Irish. The Panthers possess a stout defense that should keep them in games this season and an offense that should be able to matchup against any of their opponents. Notre Dame is a better team than Pittsburgh, but this will be a tough game for them and it could decide whether they make the ACC Championship game or not. Their next tough opponent is Clemson who is fresh off an appearance in the National Championship and may have the best team in all of College Football. This is pegged as a loss by pundits, but this will be a must-watch game nonetheless. However, a win here could not only give the Irish a better chance at going to the ACC Championship, but could break the whole conference wide open. Nonetheless, that game will be the toughest. Then finally against North Carolina as that could be the most important game for the team in 2020. Depending on the standings in the conference, this might actually decide who moves on to the ACC Championship. The Tar Heels are going to be an absolute tough game for Notre Dame as their offense is going to give the Irish fits. However, the key to that game will be matching score for score as their defense has question marks despite some promise.
Chances In The ACC: Good, but not great. The expectation for Notre Dame to advance to the ACC Championship is high, but it's not going to be an easy path. The team and fans should not take anything for granted here. Yes, the Irish are a legitimate contender for the College Football playoffs and many have them pegged as going to the ACC Championship, but it will not be an easy path. Pittsburgh and North Carolina are going to be difficult tests, but the game that will determine what type of team they are is against Clemson. That being said, Notre Dame is a good side with a lot of talent and should be that team that advances to face Clemson in the ACC Championship, However, they cannot afford too many mistakes here as other sides in the conference could sneak in ahead of them.
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