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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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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 14: Sam Howell #7 of North Carolina throws a pass during a game between Wake Forest and North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 14: Sam Howell #7 of North Carolina throws a pass during a game between Wake Forest and North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

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

No. 1: vs. North Carolina

In a game that could decide whether or not the Irish are a playoff team in 2021, Notre Dame will take on the University of North Carolina one week after welcoming the Trojans to town. Like USC, the Tar Heels have an outstanding quarterback returning in 2021, as Sam Howell is projected by many to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

While the Tar Heels won’t have their two-headed monster at running back in Michael Carter and Javonte Williams, there is still a ton of talent left, not only on offense but on the defensive side of the ball as well. With games against Navy, Virginia, Georgia Tech, and then Stanford to close out the 2021 season, this would be a huge confidence booster for the Irish heading into one of the weaker stretches of their 2021 schedule.

This is a pretty fair schedule for the Irish in 2021, as they play a ton of games at home, and have a pretty long stretch between their first and second true road games. They are going back to an Independent slate, so the rivals return to the schedule this season, as well as some matchups against some of the best signal-callers in the country.

If the Irish are to get back to the CFP, it is going to be a long road.

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