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Notre Dame Football: 4 must-win games for the Irish in 2021

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players run on the field during player introductions before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players run on the field during player introductions before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 03: Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on from the sideline during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Nippert Stadium on October 3, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 28-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 03: Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on from the sideline during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Nippert Stadium on October 3, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 28-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 4 must-win games for the Irish in 2021

No. 3: vs. Cincinnati

This is a monster game for the Irish on many levels, as the Cincinnati Bearcats are going to be a top-25 team this upcoming season, and some key members of the coaching staff used to coach there. Both head coach Brian Kelly and new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman were the main reasons for the rise of the Bearcats program, and both will be looking to get a win against their former team in 2021.

For Freeman, this is the first time he will be playing against Cincinnati as the defensive coordinator for the Irish, as Notre Dame landed him this offseason. One of the premier assistant coaches in college football, Freeman was the No. 1 choice of Kelly to take over for Clark Lea, and the expectation is his influence will be felt on the field, off the field, and on the recruiting trail.

The other thing that makes this a huge game is the fact that the Bearcats are being ranked in some preseason rankings as a top-10 team this upcoming season. They have a tremendous quarterback in Desmond Ridder, a potential first-round pick, and his yardage leader returns in Josh Whyle, his tight end.

On defense, despite losing Freeman, the Bearcats should be outstanding in 2021. This is going to be a real test for the Irish offense.

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