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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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Notre Dame vs. USC will renew their rivalry in 2021. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Notre Dame vs. USC will renew their rivalry in 2021. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football 2021 schedule: Weeks 7-9

USC

  • Last Meeting: 2019, 30-27 Notre Dame Wins
  • Notre Dame Leads All-Time Series 47-36-5 (Additional 2 Notre Dame Wins And 1 USC Win Vacated)

After losing out on their game with USC due to the PAC-12’s decision to cancel the season, and eventually not play out of conference games at all, the Irish will get to play another game with the Trojans in 2021. This time they’ll meet in South bend, and if USC continues to improve, it could be one of the best games all season.

The air raid approach at USC will put points on the board, leaving the challenge to the Irish to prove they can score. Of course, if USC starts slow, and Notre Dame wins big, they end Clay Helton’s tenure.

North Carolina

  • Last Meeting: 2020, 31-17 Notre Dame Wins
  • Notre Dame Leads All-Time Series 19-1 (Addition North Carolina Win Vacated)

This is one of those scary games next season. Yes, the Irish handled them this season, but the Irish are turning over so much talent, while North Carolina returns one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Sam Howell.

They’re not as deep in terms of talent as the Irish, but they have a National Championship coach and a lot of excitement surrounding the program. Teams don’t blow them out, with almost all their losses being one-score games under Mack Brown, so this should be a tight game.

Navy

  • Last Meeting: 2019, 52-20 Notre Dame Wins
  • Notre Dame Leads All-Time Series 77-13-1 (Additional 2 Notre Dame Wins Vacated)

Another old rival that the Irish are reconnecting with, the Irish will get Navy at Notre Dame Stadium next season. The Midshipmen are coming off an up and down season, where they had issues replacing Malcolm Perry at quarterback, and depending on the week, tackling on defense.

Navy is well-coached, though, and they don’t stay down long, so if the Irish aren’t ready to get cut block and play disciplined defense, it can be a long day.

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