Notre Dame Football: Bold predictions for each Irish opponent in 2019

3 of 6

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans walks his team down the tunnel at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Bowling Green: Falcons give up more than 40 PPG

Bowling Green is clearly in a rebuild. With a brand new head coach, things could get rough in a conference where points aren’t exactly at a premium. The Falcons gave up 40 points per game last season and lost 7 starters from that team. Oh, and their new defensive coordinator? Brian VanGorder.

Games against Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio could be 60 point games. Buffalo could have their offense rolling again by way of a solid rushing attack. And don’t sleep on Jim McElwain, Quinten Dormady and Central Michigan. Non-conference games against Notre Dame and even Kansas State could and probably will get ugly. Lots of points will be scored in Bowling Green, but not by the Falcons.

USC: The Trojans once again fighting for .500

To say last year’s 5-7 season was a disappointment would be an understatement. They looked flat early, but came around with close losses at the end. But still, losses are losses. The Trojans will find a way to turn some of those losses into wins, but it won’t be easy. When Fresno State, a 12 win team, is the “easiest” non-conference game on the schedule, things won’t be easy.

USC’s September is brutal: Fresno State, Stanford, BYU, Utah and Washington. USC has the talent to win all 5, but have shown they’re capable of losing all five as well. They’re going to have to win games against Cal and UCLA, who they lost to last season, and once again beat Colorado. Basically, win the games you’re supposed to.

Home/Notre Dame Football