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Notre Dame Football: What to Expect During the Blue and Gold Game

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players into the stadium before the game against the the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players into the stadium before the game against the the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football kicks off their annual Blue and Gold game April 22, 2017, at 12:30 PM EST.

Must Read: Realilistic Expectations For Blue and Gold Game

Notre Dame has made the biggest turn around a football has had over a four-month span in history. Or at least that’s what it feels like. The Fighting Irish have changed their entire coaching staff practically, will start a new quarterback, and look to already have their defense put together after an awful 2016.

Not bad for a team people considered to be terrible for a few more years. But what Brian Kelly has done is turn Notre Dame into a contender from January to April, and today will be the first time they revile their turnaround to the world.

On the offensive side of the ball, Brandon Wimbush will be the player to watch. His first year as the starter, Wimbush steps into an offense with some of the most dangerous weapons around. From his running game in Josh Adams and company to Equanimeous St. Brown on the outside.

The running back committee for Notre Dame will be Adams, Dexter Williams, and Tony Jones Jr. For Williams and Jones, this is their coming out ceremony as they both get serious playing time for the first time in their careers. As two of the most talented second option backs in the country, Long and the Irish will look to utilize the run game as much as possible.

Must Read: Brandon Wimbush and ND Big Three Headline Blue and Gold Game

At wide receiver, this will be the first time Wimbush will use his receiving core of St. Brown, Miles Boykins, Chase Claypool, and Kevin Stepherson in a real game situation. With Durham Smythe and Aliz’e Jones at tight end, the first year starter will look to spread the ball out and find chemistry with each of his receiving options.

Put all this with the returning offensive line, including two possible first round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey and Notre Dame’s offense becomes very scary.

https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/848548206455738368

On the defensive side, Notre Dame was one of the worst teams in the NCAA last season. But somehow, someway, this squad looks like one of the nastiest defenses out there. With Nyles Morgans leading the way at linebacker, Notre Dame’s rush defense should be nearly impenetrable up the middle.

Then, on the outside, Julian Love and Donte Vaughn will get the start at corner, both coming off their freshman seasons looking to be an elite unit in 2017. Put Drue Tranquill at the new Rover position, and this secondary finally starts to become something serious.

What this game really does, though, is show the Notre Dame fanbase that there is hope. Last season, people began to question how long it would be before the Fighting Irish became an elite program once again. Well, the time is now.

Expect nothing but excitement during this game. Like always, there’s flash and showboating, and an atmosphere you only get during events like this.

Next: Top 20 ND Players of 2017

Notre Dame knows they’re something special. When they take the field at Notre Dame Stadium today at 12:30 pm EST, they’ll be set out to show the fans there are reasons to be hyped for the season.

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