It’s a brand new season for Notre Dame football, but it’s also a crucial year for head coach Marcus Freeman as it’s his third campaign leading the Irish. However, this might be his most talented side he’s worked with and with the expanded playoffs, there’s a chance for the team to go deep or even win the whole thing. However, things really have to go their way to win a championship if things break for them. The Blue and Gold are ranked seventh going into the 2024 season so there is a lot of optimism, but preseason rankings mean nothing until the final whistle is blown during the regular season.
Quarterback
Sam Hartman is no longer with the team, so Freeman had to find another quarterback to play under center and he found his answer in the transfer portal as Riley Leonard from Duke will be the main man. However, Leonard might be even better than Hartman as he’s both great at airing out a throw or running on the ground which makes the offensive scheme more dynamic which leads to the next point.
Mike Denbrock
A little fitting that Freeman was able to nab Denbrock from LSU to be the new Notre Dame offensive coordinator which feels a bit like poetic justice considering who the head coach is, but nonetheless he should be able to help make the Irish a lot more productive. Denbrock was in charge of an LSU offense that led the FBS in points and yards per game (46.4 and 547.8 respectively), and if he can do that in a very tough SEC conference, not to mention helping set school records for University of Cincinnati on offense in 2021, a team that went to the playoffs, it should help make Freeman’s job easier. With his experience and a great reputation, Notre Dame could be an elite offense in 2024.
Replacing Audric Estime
The beast that is Audric Estime will be missed, but the running back situation is still looking great. Jadarian Price might have had a torn Achilles in 2022, but he’s a fast runner that helps him evade tackles which could lead to even him getting into pass situations. Jeremiyah Love only has 81 carries his entire career in South Bend, but what he brings could make the running game more dynamic and difficult to defend as a he’s a strong runner. While Gi’Bran Payne is recovering from injury, Devyn Ford will assume the role for third down runs and he has experience doing that as he is a transfer from Penn State. However, what makes the running back corps so deep is that even youngsters Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young will likely get some playing time especially considering how Denbrock’s offense will be set up as Williams will utilize his receiving ability and Young just powers himself through.
Receivers
The receiving corps is an interesting bunch especially with the three transfers in Beaux Collins, Kris Mitchell, and Jayden Harrison as that should help deepen things. However, with Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, Jayden Thomas, and Deion Colzie on hand, this should be a very flashy and fast bunch which could play a lot into Leonard’s ability. Then there is Mitchell Evans, one of the best tight end talents in the country who opens up how many options Leonard will have out there, but Eli Raridon has shown the ability to cover especially if Evans faces an injury and Kevin Bauman will likely be used in blocking situations.
Experience Of Offensive Line
Notre Dame just continue to produce talent on the offensive line as evidenced with Joe Alt going in the top five in the 2024 NFL Draft and Blake Fisher later on. However, after losing Charles Jagusah to an injury and Zeke Correll to transfer, this line will be tested as there isn’t too much experience here. However, the talent is here especially with names like Aamil Wagner and Pat Coogan being hyped up, plus Tosh Baker finally getting the starting role like he deserved, maybe some of those losses won’t show too much.
Is The Defense The Same Or Better?
The defense is going to be good, that isn’t the question, but what should really be asked is if this is a better side or will it be just as good as last season. This defense is riffed with talent like Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morris in the defensive backs, Rylie Mills on the defensive line, and Jack Kiser at linebacker. With Mills, there is a ton of talent on the defensive line like Howard Cross and Jordan Botelho, plus depth players like Boubacar Traore and Donovan Hinish. Morrison will be helped by Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray in the defensive backs as they have shown to be elite. Linebackers is the only question only simply because of new faces, but there’s still a lot of talent like Jaylen Sneed and Drayk Bowen supporting Kiser and expect some playing time from freshmen such as Kyngston Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry. Defensive Coordinator Al Golden’s squad was in the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense, total defense, yards allowed per play. That’s elite!
Schedule
Game 1: at Texas A&M
Game 2: Northern Illinois
Game 3: at Purdue
Game 4: Miami (Ohio)
Game 5: Louisville
Game 6: Stanford
Game 7: at Georgia Tech
Game 8: Navy (in New York)
Game 9: Florida State
Game 10: Virginia
Game 11: Army (in New York)
Game 12: at USC
This schedule looks pretty good for the Irish to make the playoffs. Not only that, but to also go 12-0. While there are three ranked opponents on here, that can change with the other sides that play as the season goes on as some will enter the Top 25 and others will fall out. That being said, if all goes to plan, then a top seed in the playoffs is obtainable though because they still are not in a conference, it’s unlikely they will get anything higher than the 5 seed.
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