subject: 2010 College Football Predictions - Notre Dame [print this page] 2010 College Football Predictions - Notre Dame
After a promising 6-2 start, Notre Dame lost its final four games in 2009. That was enough for the program to finally cut ties with Charlie Weis. But it is worth noting that Notre Dame didn't lose a single game by more than seven points, and four of its losses came by five or fewer points. If a few or those would have gone the other way, Weis may have been able to keep his job. Now, one of college football's most storied programs is hoping Brian Kelly can succeed where Weis failed. Kelly was a miracle worker at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to three straight 10 win seasons, but he has never had the kind of pressure to win that he now faces. But in his favor, he has also never had this much talent to work with.
Offense - Offense was not the problem last season as the Irish ranked eighth in the nation in total offense with a 451.8 yards per game average. The Irish were especially lethal through the air, ranking fifth nationally with 323.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide receiver Golden Tate are gone, but Kelly still has plenty of talent to work with. The first order of business is changing from a pro style attack to the spread. Kelly's spread offense ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring offense last season. In order for it to work right away at Notre Dame, quarterback Dayne Crist must be up for the challenge. He will have no shortage of weapons to help him succeed. If wide receiver Michael Floyd can stay healthy, he will be one of the top pass catchers in the country. Despite missing five games, Floyd managed to catch 44 passes for 795 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Tight end Kyle Rudolph is one of the top NFL prospects in the nation at his position and running back Armando Allen is coming off a 700-yard season.
Defense: This is the side of the football that figures to make or break the Irish in 2010. It certainly broke the Irish in 2009 when it allowed 30 or more points in six games. Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is confident he can get more out of this unit right away by changing to a 3-4 scheme, which is a better fit for his personnel. Diaco will benefit from inheriting a defense that returns six players in its front seven. Defensive end Ethan Johnson leads an experienced front line. Senior Brian Smith heads up a solid linebacking unit, which also features highly regarded sophomore Manti Te'o. The secondary loses safety Kyle McCarthy, but there is depth behind him with Jamoris Slaughter, Harrison Smith and brother Dan.
Prediction - 8-5 - With seven home games and two neutral site contests, the schedule sets up nicely for Notre Dame to show improvement in the win column in Kelly's first season. Be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions report to get my take on other top programs across the country.
The college football odds makers don't stand a chance against Jimmy Boyd's award-winning football picks this season!
