Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football Schedule, 2019: The Pursuit of Trappyness

By Jack Leniart

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Richard LeCounte III #2 and J.R. Reed #20 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackle Chris Finke #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the fourth quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Georgia won 20-19. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Richard LeCounte III #2 and J.R. Reed #20 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackle Chris Finke #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the fourth quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Georgia won 20-19. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Notre Dame football
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish grabs the helmet of Cameron Smith #35 of the USC Trojans as he runs after a catch during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Mouse Trap Games

October 5th vs Bowling Green

The typical trap game usually involves a quality opponent at a precarious point of the season. While Bowling Green does not have the talent to worry Notre Dame fans, this game does come at a tricky time.

The game against the Falcons is the second of a three-game home stretch. The following week, the Irish have a primetime matchup against USC. There is a risk of the team looking ahead to that rivalry game and underestimating Bowling Green.

October 12th vs USC

Speaking of USC…

Typically rivalry games in primetime are the furthest thing from trap games. However, due to its place on the schedule, this one has a bit of trappyness to it.

The Irish take on USC the week before a bye week. It is also the week before midterm exams are scheduled to take place. The team may lose a bit of focus with exams looming.

Just last season, Notre Dame played a 3-3 Pittsburgh team during this same time of the year. The Irish were nearly upset at home in that contest.

November 9th at Duke

This one may be a sleepy afternoon game in Durham, North Carolina. Those are always cause for some concern.

David Cutcliffe’s teams are always well-coached and they will not be intimidated when Notre Dame comes to town. The Irish should win this game, but they may have to sweat it out.

November 16th vs Navy

The annual game against Navy always has some trappyness to it — partly because of the triple-option offense, partly because of the quality of head coach Ken Niumatalolo, and partly because of the overall grittiness of a service academy team.

This year’s Navy team might not be as talented as they have been in past years, but you can be sure that they will give Notre Dame their best shot.

Home/Notre Dame Football