I've been looking at Notre Dame's 2012 football schedule and as an avid Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan I like to take a look at each game and predict the outcome. I know you like to do that with your favorite team as well, right?
Here's a look at Notre Dame's 2012 schedule game by game:
Sept. 1, 2012 vs. Navy: This game is being played in Dublin, Ireland so you know the Fighting Irish can't lose this one. This series began in 1927 and Notre Dame leads the series 72-12-1. The Fighting Irish pounded them last year 56-14 and I expect something similar this year in Ireland. Notre Dame wins their season opener and heads back to the states 1-0.
Sept. 9, 2012 vs. Purdue: The battle for the Shillelagh Trophy is one of my favorites. This game will be Notre Dame's home opener and I'm so looking forward to this one. These two teams started playing in 1896 and the Irish lead the series 55-26-2. Last year's contest wasn't even close. Notre Dame took care of business and beat the Broilermakers 38-10. The Irish have a nice little four game win streak against Purdue and I look for that to continue this year. Notre Dame wins and jumps out to a 2-0 start.
Sept. 15, 2012 at Michigan State: This game always makes me a little nervous. I know that the Irish won last year 31-13 but for some reason this game worries me. Maybe I'm just being cautious. In any case, these two schools first met in 1897 and Notre Dame leads the series
46-28-1. I'm going to go ahead and predict another win for the Irish here. But I don't feel good about it. Notre Dame wins and goes up 3-0 on the year.
Sept. 22, 2012 vs. Michigan:
Their first meeting came in 1887 and the Michigan Wolverines lead the series 23-15-1. The Wolverines have also defeated the Irish three straight times. Last year Michigan won 35-31. And that game still haunts me. Anyway, I think that Michigan matches up well against Notre Dame and they will unfortunately beat the Irish for the fourth straight time. Notre Dame loses this one and drops to 3-1.
Oct. 6, 2012 vs. Miami: This game is going to be played at Soldier Field and Notre Dame will be wearing new uniforms for this one. The Fighting Irish lead the series 16-7-1. I'm thinking Notre Dame bounces back in this one and hands the Miami Hurricanes a loss. I think it will be close but ultimately Miami isn't returning that many starters this year and I think that the experience will favor Notre Dame. Notre Dame wins this contest and goes to 4-1.
Oct. 13, 2012 vs. Stanford: Notre Dame has lost the last three to the Stanford Cardinal. Their last loss came last year 28-14. But, the Cardinal had a guy with the last name of Luck under center. Not the case this year. Stanford has a great running game but without Andrew Luck and some uncertainty in the secondary I like Notre Dame in this one. Notre Dame wins again and pushes their record to 5-1.
Oct. 20, 2012 vs. BYU: These two schools haven't played each other that much. The last time they played was in 2005 which Notre Dame won 49-23. This will be a tough game for the Irish. But I still think that they come out on top. I think that their defense will be too much for the Cougars to overcome. Notre Dame ekes this one out and extends their record to an impressive 6-1.
Oct. 27, 2012 at Oklahoma:
Ugh, this is going to be a loss. And it may be an ugly one. Believe it or not, Notre Dame is 8-1 all-time against the Sooners which includes a six game win streak. The streak will end here. I just don't see the Irish going to Norman and taking down the Sooners. The Sooners are too talented. Oklahoma will win convincingly and send the Irish home with a 6-2 mark.
Nov. 3, 2012 vs. Pittsburgh: Last year Notre Dame escaped with a 15-12 win. Man, that was a close game. Notre Dame has a 46-20-1 all time record against Pitt. I'm confident that Notre Dame will take this game. Pitt has a new coaching staff and a shaky defensive line. I think they'll play Notre Dame tough but the Irish win and take their 7-2 record to Chestnut Hill.
Nov. 10, 2012 at Boston College:
Notre Dame has won the last three meetings against the Eagles and lead the series 12-9. For one thing I'm not afraid of Boston College's offense. Last year their offense was awful. The Eagles are returning 17 total starters from a year ago but who cares. They weren't a good team. I know that on paper this looks like a Notre Dame win, but it has trap written all over it. Boston College wins this one in a shocker and sends Notre Dame home with a 7-3 record.
Nov. 17, 2012 vs. Wake Forest: Last year Notre Dame won the game by a score of 24-17. The Demon Deacons really pose no threat to the Irish. It's not like Wake Forest is an offensive powerhouse. The Demon Deacons are returning seven starters on defense but that's not going to be enough. Notre Dame wins this by double digits and goes up 8-3 on the year.
Nov. 24, 2012 at USC: This is one of the best if not the best rivalries in all of college football. Notre Dame leads this classic series 43-35-5. As much as I want to predict a Fighting Irish win here, I simply cannot. USC is loaded with good players. Matt Barkley is back and he has two outstanding wideouts to throw the ball to. USC also has a great secondary. They're deep and they have a ton of talent. USC wins and the Irish end the year with an 8-4 regular season record.
Prediction: Notre Dame will go 8-4 and hopefully will win whatever bowl game they get in to. Basically another season of irrelevance for the Fighting Irish.
Dylan Davis has been loyal to the Fighting Irish since he was old enough to hold a football. He actually bleeds blue and gold. He owns the movie, "Rudy" and can quote it verbatim.
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