Quick September Starts Critical For Notre Dame Football Teams

Notre Dame Football Success Begins and Ends With September

A great start is critical for Notre Dame to land a spot in the College Football Playoff. Since 1993, undefeated Septembers have lead to excellent Notre Dame Football seasons. Here is a quick breakdown of how the Fighting Irish have faired in September from 1994-2015:

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Undefeated Septembers

• 2002: 4-0; finished 10-3
• 2012: 4-0; finished 12-1
• 2014: 4-0; finished 8-5

Total Wins: 30-9 (.769)

Notre Dame has only stayed undefeated through September three times since 1994. Last year, 2014, was an outlier. Notre Dame started the season off right before fading late.

Why have the Irish only survived September undefeated three times? Typically, Notre Dame’s schedule has been front loaded for many years. The Irish have played Michigan, Michigan State and other top teams at the beginning of the season. If a team could survive September, they were a very solid club. On average, the Irish win about 10 games.

One Loss Months

• 1994: 3-1; finished 6-5
• 1995: 3-1; finished 8-3
• 1998: 2-1; finished 9-3
• 2004: 3-1; finished 6-6
• 2005: 3-1; finished 9-3*
• 2006: 4-1; finished 10-3
• 2008: 3-1; finished 7-6
• 2009: 3-1; finished 6-6

Total Wins: 66-42 (.611)

After a one loss start, Notre Dame has never finished under .500. On average, the Irish win about 8 games.

Two or More Losses

• 1995: 3-2; finished 9-3
• 1997: 1-3; finished 7-6
• 1999: 1-3; finished 5-7
• 2000: 2-2; finished 9-3
• 2001: 0-3; finished 5-6
• 2003: 1-3; finished 5-7
• 2007: 0-5; finished 3-9
• 2010: 1-3; finished 8-5
• 2011: 2-2; finished 8-5
• 2013: 3-2; finished 9-4

Total Wins: 63-48 (.567)

Bad Septembers usually led to terrible teams. But, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2011 and 2013 produced teams that were able to turn it around. On average, Notre Dame won 7 contests.

Although there are several outliers (2014 in particular), Notre Dame performs better when they start the season off on the right note. This year, the Irish will need to fight through a difficult schedule that includes Texas and Georgia Tech. On the positive side, Notre Dame also meets Virginia and UMASS, two teams who are not as strong as the Irish.

If the Irish can survive September, they will be on their way to an excellent season. However, two of the largest land mines on the schedule sit in October (Clemson & USC). After Notre Dame plays USC on October 27th, the Irish may be smooth sailing to the College Football Playoff.