Notre Dame football: Next three games are crucial for Fighting Irish

The 2020 Notre Dame football season may hinge on the next three games for the Irish.

It’s here, Notre Dame football fans. It’s Clemson week. This is the game circled on everyone’s calendars. This is the game that we will inevitably judge Brian Kelly and this Notre Dame team by. This is the potential first round of a game most people predicted will be played a second time in the ACC Championship Game.

It’s not worth wasting much time simply saying, “This game is important.” We all know that already. We all know that Notre Dame football has an opportunity to prove they’re deserving of a spot in the College Football Playoff. This is a chance to prove they’re better than good. They’re among the modern-day elites.

Most people expect Notre Dame to lose, and if that happens, it will be fine as far as their season goals are concerned. They’ll still be in good shape to make the ACC Championship Game and a New Year’s Six bowl game. Of course, if Clemson runs the Irish out of Notre Dame Stadium like they did the Cotton Bowl, the program’s problematic perception issue will only increase.

So, win or lose, what’s the difference after the Clemson game? Perception. How Notre Dame is viewed by the rest of college football, as well as internal expectations.

Here’s the thing, Clemson isn’t the only key game coming up in the next few weeks. In fact, this is Notre Dame’s most challenging stretch of the season. After Clemson is Boston College. The Eagles are much improved from last season and nearly beat Clemson themselves. They could easily beat the Irish and ruin Notre Dame’s season.

Boston College is also quarterbacked by Phil Jurkovec, who transferred out of Notre Dame to play at Boston College. Fairly or unfairly, because of his and Ian Book‘s individual performances this season there are going to be negative comparisons made for Book. If Book struggles, the decision to let Jurkovec walk and stick with Book will only be amplified.

From that rivalry game with Boston College, Notre Dame will move on to North Carolina. For most people, this was the second biggest game coming into the season. North Carolina was the most (over)hyped team in the ACC.

They’ve proven to be too inconsistent to truly contend for an ACC Championship, but they’re still dangerous. Sam Howell and the rest of the North Carolina offense are explosive. They can score incredibly quickly, and take advantage of their opponent’s mistakes. At the end of a tough stretch, North Carolina has the talent to force the Irish into a shootout, which they’re just not built to win.

A loss to either North Carolina or Boston College would derail Notre Dame’s season. Both teams are capable of doing that. After the Clemson game, Notre Dame needs to keep its focus. They need to prove they’re deserving of their number four ranking. That’s why these next three weeks are the most important to Notre Dame’s season.