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Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish’s 2021 schedule by entertainment value

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish gather in the tunnel before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish gather in the tunnel before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH – DECEMBER 5: Head Coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats stand on the field during the game against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on December 5, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cincinnati won 45-44. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH – DECEMBER 5: Head Coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats stand on the field during the game against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on December 5, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cincinnati won 45-44. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Ranking the Irish’s 2021 schedule by entertainment value

No. 2: Cincinnati, Week 5

There are more than a few storylines to choose from when Cincinnati comes to town, and there will be even more if Notre Dame loses to Wisconsin the week before. But, for now, let’s stick to what we know in the preseason.

This game is going to be a battle between former coaches and their former team. Notre Dame football head coach Brian Kelly is actually in the Cincinnati Bearcats Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman comes to Notre Dame from Cincinnati just this offseason.

There is also the question of Cincinnati’s push to be the top team in the Group of Five. For them, there is even hope that if they win out, and catch a few breaks, they may be able to push for a spot in the New Year’s Six.

Beating Notre Dame football would be vital to do that. It would offer them a marquee win against a name-brand program, which so many G5 programs often lack.

On top of all this, Cincinnati could potentially beat Notre Dame. The Bearcats are incredibly good. It might be easy to overlook a G5 team or an AAC team as being inferior, but Cincinnati is far from that. This game is going to be tough, messy, and a likely top-10 matchup.

  • Notre Dame leads the all-time series 1-0. They last met in 1900, when the Irish won 58-0. 
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