Notre Dame Football: The Toughest 3-Game Stretch of 2019
By J.P. Scott
The Notre Dame football team will face a formidable gauntlet from mid-October to early November.
The Notre Dame football strength of schedule is a major talking point every year. Irish fans mostly agree that Notre Dame’s independence combined with built-in rivalries make for a tough slate annually. Most media outlets agree, frequently ranking Notre Dame’s schedule amongst the Top 25 most difficult, annually.
The 2019 season is no different. The Irish are staring down another tricky collection of games from September through November. Once again, Notre Dame will play nine games against four different Power 5 conferences while mixing in the annual tilt with Navy.
That’s a tall order for any program in college football.
There is, however, one three-game stretch during the 2019 season that does well to increase the degree of difficulty for Notre Dame.
Oct. 12 vs. USC
On paper, Notre Dame should roll. That was the case against the Trojans last year as well, but we all watched USC give the Irish all they could handle in a game Notre Dame absolutely had to win. With rivalry games, there is no such thing as “on paper.”
Anything can happen, and the buildup to these contests can be just as exhausting as the game itself.
Oct. 26 at Michigan
Notre Dame will have a bye-week to recover from the mental and physical exhaustion of the USC game. Regardless of the outcome against the Trojans, they’ll need to immediately turn their focus to a Michigan team that will be looking for revenge — as well as possibly looking to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation.
This matchup of fairly evenly-matched teams could prove to be one of the most important games of the season on a national level.
Nov. 2 vs Virginia Tech
Looking at their schedule and factoring in preseason projections from around the country, it’s entire possible that the Hokies head to South Bend with an unblemished record. That means it’s highly likely the Irish are coming off a bloodbath of a game with Michigan and facing team looking for a statement win on a national stage.
Next. Top 3 Road Trips for the Irish in 2019. dark
This could be more interesting than when the two met last season in Blacksburg.