Notre Dame football: CFN expects Irish to take a small step backwards
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program lost a lot of talent to the NFL this offseason, and College Football News thinks they will take a step back in 2021.
The 2021 college football season is so close that you can almost feel it, and the Notre Dame football program is looking to get itself back to the College Football Playoff. While the Irish will have to replace some big-time players, the team looked very good this spring, and a bunch of high-level talent remains on this roster.
Still, there are plenty in the media that expect the Irish to tumble a bit in 2021.
As College Football News begins their preview of the 2021 college football season, they have listed the top-5 teams that could take a small step backward. In the piece, written by Kevin Jairaj, he lists Notre Dame football as the No. 1 team to take a step back, as he feels the losses on both sides of the ball, as well as a tougher schedule, could make for a tough combination.
Notre Dame football must replace stars on both sides of the ball
Not only is Notre Dame replacing their all-time winningest quarterback, but most of the offensive line, including All-American talent. On defense, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is gone, leaving a gaping hole at linebacker, but one that the Irish can fill with some veteran talent this upcoming season.
The Irish also have the luxury of having Marcus Freeman as their defensive coordinator in 2021, widely considered one of the best in the business. He has a lot to work with on that side of the ball, and there is reason to believe this could be a top-10 defense before all is said and done.
Jairaj makes some very valid points in his piece, including the fact that the Irish are losing a bunch of talent, but that they also have the talent coming back to beat everybody on their schedule. This is going to be one of the more interesting seasons we have seen in quite some time, as the Irish are either going to exceed expectations or struggle to stay consistent weekly.
Whatever the case may be, the fact is, the Irish are in great shape as a program, as their 2022 and 2023 classes are looking elite. Sure, there are a lot of questions this season, but Brian Kelly will have them ready to go Week 1 against Florida State in a game that should set the tempo early on in 2021.