Notre Dame football: Can Tyler Buchner match Ian Book’s 2018 season?

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Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Can Tyler Buchner match Ian Book’s 2018 season?

Similar schedules and preseason projection

Unlike Buchner, Book was not the starter heading into the 2018 college football season, as he had to sit behind Wimbush once again. However, it was only a few games into the season when he took over, and he would go on to lead the Irish to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the College Football season.

Interestingly enough, the 2018 campaign had the same kind of vibe going in as the 2022 season should, as the Irish are not seen as legitimate national title contenders, and open up their campaign against a ranked Big Ten school. In 2018, that school was Michigan, which was the No. 14-ranked team in the country, while Ohio State, their 2022 opening opponent should be top-5.

Also, the Irish closed their regular season in 2018 on the road against USC, something they will do once again this upcoming year. In 2018, the Irish had one of the best defenses in the country, finishing 13th of 130 teams in terms of points allowed per game, and in 2022, you have to think the players coming back on defense make the unit elite once again.

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