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Notre Dame football: Way too early 2021 schedule preview

By Daniel Morrison

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before the ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before the ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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The Irish will take on Purdue in 2021. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Irish will take on Purdue in 2021. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football 2021 schedule: Weeks 1-3

Florida State

  • Last Meeting: 2020, 42-26 Notre Dame Wins
  • Florida State Leads All-Time Series 6-4

Notre Dame will open the 2021 season by traveling to Tallahassee to take on Florida State. A few years ago this would have been the game of the year, but now, it should be an Irish win walking away. Florida State has rolled over the last two times they played the Irish, and new coach Mike Norvell never got things going since taking over.

The Seminoles offensive line is still a mess too, but they are bringing in former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton. Milton, who hasn’t played in two seasons due to an injury that almost cost him his right leg, had two top-10 Heisman finishes and AAC Offensive Player of the Year Awards at UCF.

That, and presuming a return to normalcy, and also a good crowd could make this game fun.

Toledo

  • No Previous Meetings

Notre Dame opens their home slate with a MAC team, and Toledo is usually one of the better MAC teams, but that still leaves a massive talent gap between the two teams. The Irish should use this as a game to figure out personnel and get their feet under them before the schedule gets difficult.

Purdue

  • Last Meeting: 2014, 30-14 Notre Dame Wins
  • Notre Dame Leads All-Time Series 56-28-2 (Additional 2 Notre Dame Wins Vacated)

A classic in-state rivalry, Notre Dame is playing Purdue for the first time since 2014. The Boilermakers have been the victim of the AAC deal, which limits the time the Irish have to play their old B1G 10 rivals, and for most fans, Purdue falls behind Michigan and Michigan State among those rivalries too.

At least Purdue boasts an extremely highly paid coach in Jeff Brohm, as he is making $4.8 million a year for a 19-25 record. With Rondale Moore gone, they’ll need to find a solution to compete with the Irish athletically.

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