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Notre Dame Football: Looking Ahead to the 2018 Schedule

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Stepherson #29 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Stepherson #29 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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A few weeks ago, the Notre Dame football team unveiled several upcoming schedules including next year’s slate. Here are a few things to get excited about while scratching your head on others.

Three Night Games

Notre Dame reintroduced night games in 2011. At that time, it appeared that the Irish would play once after dark each year. However, the 2015 schedule presented a unique issue. The Irish home slate including games against Texas and USC with a Shamrock Series game at Fenway Park. So, Notre Dame made the decision to play all three games at night.

For the first time, the Fighting Irish will play three home night games. To open the season, Notre Dame plays Michigan at 7:30 pm. Midway through the 2018 campaign, Stanford comes to town for a night clash. On Senior Day, the Irish close out the season against Florida State under the lights.

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Frequent-Flyer November

Speaking of November, the Fighting Irish will travel approximately 13,732 miles in the month. Notre Dame’s barnstorming campaign goes from South Bend to San Diego to Evanston, IL to Bronx, NY to Los Angeles, CA. All of these stops of course head back to Notre Dame for practice and class during the week. If this does not completely burn out the team by the time they kickoff against USC, it will be a feat greater than these winners of the “Amazing Race.”

Another Tough Slate

Eight of the twelve 2018 opponents will play in bowl games this winter. Only Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt and Ball State failed to qualify for a bowl game this year.

Despite looking tough, it is hard to get tougher than the 2017 slate of games. After Notre Dame plays LSU, the Irish will have played seven teams ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25. Only four teams on the 2018 schedule currently rank in the Top 25.

With that said, these four teams do not include the premier teams on the schedule. In 2018, the Fighting Irish play the Michigan and Florida State. The Wolverines and Seminoles struggled this season.

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