Notre Dame Football: What the preview magazines have to say

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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action on defense during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The first magazine with Notre Dame ranked in the top 10 has the Irish just barely reaching at number 10. Clemson is ranked second. Wisconsin is ranked 11th while USC comes in at 15. Louisville is the next closest at 30. Arkansas is the lowest ranked opponent at 91. Yes, even below Western Michigan.

Liam Eichenberg is the only South Bend representative to make Lindy’s All American squad as a second teamer on offense.

For position rankings, Ian Book is ranked the 7th best quarterback, Jarrett Patterson is the 8th best center, Tommy Kraemer is the the 5th best guard and Eichenberg is the 6th best tackle.

On defense, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah comes in at number 5 for outside linebackers and Kyle Hamilton is the 6th best safety. Jonathan Doerer snuck in the kicker rankings at number 8.

The Irish don’t rank in top 10 backfield or receivers, but are number one in the offensive rankings. Lindy’s thinks the Irish line can win the Moore Award for the second time in four years. They don’t rank in the top 10 anywhere on defense, which is certainly not something Irish fans are used to seeing.

Daelin Hayes is ranked number 10 in comeback players for the 2020 season. Clark Lee is 4th on the 10 assistant coaches to hire list. Notre Dame vs USC is ranked as the number 5 rivalry for the season.

Ian Book received more praise coming in at number 10 in the Heisman watch. Isaiah Pryor is the 9th best non-transfer player.

As you’d expect, Notre Dame plays in many of the top non-conference games of the season. Included are number 2 against Clemson, number 4 against Wisconsin and number 10 against rival USC.

Lindy’s picks Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as the team MVP, Kevin Austin as the emerging star and defensive back Nick McCloud, a graduate transfer from North Carolina State, as the team’s top newcomer.

Overall, Lindy’s thinks the Irish could be “just a play or two away” from their second College Football Playoff berth in three seasons.

Like Street and Smith, Lindy’s believes the postseason landing spot will be in the Peach Bowl against SEC East Champion and 5th ranked Florida.

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