After a successful 2020 campaign in the ACC that saw Notre Dame not only make the ACC Championship, but also made it to the College Football Playoffs, head coach Brian Kelly hopes to build upon what was accomplished last season and to bring home a championship. The Golden Domers lost a lot of key players and veteran leadership like quarterback Ian Book, but there is a lot of depth and talent still on this roster that makes them a strong contender for the National Championship. That being said, let's take a look at the Irish going into 2021.
Back To Being An Independent
After spending a season in the ACC, Notre Dame is back to being an Independent. However, what does that mean for the team as being a member of a conference did have it's perks and they won't have it now. They still will face some opponents from the ACC, but won't play in the conference championship. That being said, the Golden Domers will be able to stack their schedule to their liking. It should give them a better chance at making the playoffs as it strengthens their schedule, but being in a conference did have it's benefits.
Replacing Ian Book
Replacing Ian Book is going to be difficult as he won so many games for the Irish and led the team to so many accomplishments that it's going to fill his shoes. That being said, there still are some options for Kelly in 2021 that can lead them to success. There's the transfer from Wisconsin Jack Coan who has been pegged as the starter and is a game manager which should help the offense tremendously. Then there's Tyler Buchner who is a highly touted recruit and is probably the quarterback of the future, so hopefully he will get some reps this season so he can develop. Finally there's Drew Pyne, who is likely to be first in line to replace Coan if Coan does not play well. None of them might be Book, but Notre Dame has capable options.
Replacing Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Before getting into one key talking point, one player the team will have to replace is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. While some of the Notre Dame faithful were shocked to not see him go in the first round (that's before realizing he had a heart issue), he has moved on to the NFL and Kelly has to find a player to fill his shoes. Two players that come to mind that will have a chance at replacing him are Drew White and Jack Kiser, but no one will know until the lineups are announced. Either way, those are big shoes to fill.
How Will The Offense Look?
Tommy Rees will have a chance to revamp the offense as there were a lot of key players lost to graduation and to the NFL draft, so the depth will be key here going into 2021. At wide receivers, Javon McKinley and Ben Skowronek have gone, Tommy Tremble at Tight End has moved on to the NFL, and four-fifths of the offensive line (Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Banks, Robert Hainsey, and Tommy Kraemer) is no longer in South Bend, so Rees has a lot to work on and adjusting. Some key players to keep an eye on are wide receivers Avery Davis, Braden Lenzy, and Lawrence Keys, tight end Michael Mayer, offensive linemen Jarrett Patterson, Blake Fisher, and Rocco Spindler, and lastly the running back tandem of Chris Tyree and Kyren Williams.
How Will The Defense Look?
This was a stout defense last year for the Golden Domers and was a key reason for the team's success. The numbers look worse due to the two losses against Clemson and Alabama, but this unit was a very big reason for why Notre Dame was as good as they were in 2020. With new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman from Cincinnati now leading this corps, the defense could even be better in 2021. Key players to watch on defense are defensive linemen Daelin Hayes, Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Kurt Hinish, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Isaiah Foskey, and Justin Ademilola, and safeties Kyle Hamilton and Houston Griffith.
Analyzing The Schedule
Game 1: at Florida State
Game 2: vs Toledo
Game 3: vs Purdue
Game 4: vs Wisconsin (Chicago)
Game 5: vs Cincinnati
Game 6: at Virginia Tech
Game 7: vs USC
Game 8: vs North Carolina
Game 9: vs Navy
Game 10: at Virginia
Game 11: vs Georgia Tech
Game 12: at Stanford
When looking at this schedule, it's eye popping to see that this list of games is incredibly difficult for any team to have. There really isn't any easy stretches here outside of Toledo. All these games will be difficult and most will be close especially with Cincinnati and Wisconsin being added. Of course, there is some familiarity with the ACC schools and the rivalries with Navy, Stanford, Purdue, and USC bring excitement and intensity. That being said, this is a good enough schedule for a strong resume for the playoffs if everything goes right. The expectation is to go 12-0, that just comes with the territory of the type of program Notre Dame is, but 10 wins is absolutely attainable and even 11 victories is realistic. That being said, it won't be easy at all for the Irish in 2021.
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