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Notre Dame football: How the 2021 team parallels 2016 squad

By Daniel Morrison

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Jacorey Warrick #11 of the Texas Longhorns runs with the ball during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Jacorey Warrick #11 of the Texas Longhorns runs with the ball during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish walks into the stadium before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium on October 29, 2016, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami 30-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish walks into the stadium before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium on October 29, 2016, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami 30-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: How the 2021 team parallels 2016 squad

Irish must get out to a strong start

That slog has the potential to bite Notre Dame when they start the season at another traditional power who has the talent and the athletes to beat Notre Dame but hasn’t been able to put it together in the past few seasons. That would be Florida State, and if the Irish aren’t careful they could easily lose that game.

If Notre Dame does lose this game, it will absolutely be compared to the 2016 loss to Texas, as people wonder if Florida State might be themselves again. For Notre Dame, a bad loss could set the tone for a slow start, with Wisconsin and Cincinnati losing, along with the rapidly improving USC and North Carolina.

The parallels are there, and they should be taken seriously. At the same time, it’s worth remembering that this Notre Dame team isn’t the same as that one. Kelly learned from that team and made improvements to the coaching staff and their approach. Recruiting has improved, and Notre Dame has proven that they don’t lose at home or to unranked teams anymore.

In other words, the parallels should set off alarm bells, particularly if the worst happens at Florida State, but there is no reason to be scared of another meltdown season like 2016.

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