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Who should Notre Dame football fans root for in Week 1?

By J.P. Scott

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 06: Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a second half touchdown with head coach Jim Harbaugh while playing the Maryland Terrapins on October 6, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 06: Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a second half touchdown with head coach Jim Harbaugh while playing the Maryland Terrapins on October 6, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football fans have the luxury of not having to root for a conference. Instead, you can root for what benefits the Irish.

The Notre Dame football team will head into the first week of the 2019 college football season ranked No. 9 in both major polls. That — combined with being an independent — is going to dictate who we want to win the other games around the country.

Ideally, you want the teams ahead of Notre Dame in the polls to lose, allowing the Irish to move up with a win. Sometimes, however, we need those teams to win in order for the Irish to maintain their strength of schedule and hopefully pile up some quality wins later in the season.

It’s a tricky balancing act of emotions.

For now, here’a a Notre Dame football fan’s rooting guide for some important games in Week 1 as they pertain to the Irish.

Florida Atlantic vs. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are going to win, but it would be great if Lane Kiffin’s squad made them work for it. If Ohio State struggles at all for some reason, they could get bumped down in the polls. Root for that.

Duke vs. Alabama

Bama is the heavy favorite, but it’s early and the Tide lost a ton of talent. They won’t be the same team that they’ll be in November. If they are going to be ripe for an upset, now is the time. An upset win by Duke knocks Alabama down and bolsters Notre Dame’s schedule. GO DUKE!

Northwestern vs. Stanford

We want Stanford to have as few losses as possible when Notre Dame heads out to “The Farm” to cap off the season. Root for the Cardinal.

Middle Tenn. State vs. Michigan

For now, you are rooting for a Michigan blowout. Keep the Wolverines as contenders until the Irish get ahold of them.

Houston vs. Oklahoma

Houston could pull the upset here, as the Sooners — like Alabama — are working in some new pieces and dealing with a change at quarterback. Go Cougars!

Virginia Tech vs. Boston College

The Hokies have more upside in terms of being a quality Top 25 team all season. We need Virginia Tech to be in the mix when they travel to South Bend. Go Hokies!

Virginia vs. Pitt

We need Virginia to be good this season as well. Pull for the Wahoos on the road.

Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

It would be nice to see Vandy give Georgia a hard time — and I think they could. That’s about all you want, though. There’s a feeling that the whole Notre Dame football season rests on that Georgia game. As a result, we need Georgia to be an unbeaten contender when the Irish line up “between the hedges.” Go Dawgs.

Next. My favorite Notre Dame player: Drue Tranquill. dark

Fresno State vs. USC

Fresno State is a decent squad, so this could get dicey for the Trojans. We need USC to pull this one out.

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