2010 Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions

[Riddickulous]

What the heck?

September 4th, Purdue
Key Players: QB Robert Marve, WR Kevin Smith
Prediction: W

Will the Irish come out firing...or will we see a sluggish opening to the year, much like the San Diego State game in 2008? How will the secondary look against the pass heavy Boilermaker offense?

September 11th, Michigan
Key Players: QB Denard Robinson, QB Tate Forcier, WR Roy Roundtree, LB Obi Ezeh
Prediction: W

We had all kinds of trouble keeping Michigan contained last season. Will we see more of the same this year? Expect either a shootout or a blowout going either way. We win this one, although it may be ugly.

September 18th, Michigan State
Key Players: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Mark Dell, LB Greg Jones
Prediction: W

We win this one, improving to 3-0. Expect a close game in this one, probably going down to the wire as in years past.

September 25th, Stanford
Key Players: QB Andrew Luck
Prediction: W

Irish win semi-comfortably, topping the Cardinal by two scores. Stanford pass offense may cause problems for the secondary.

October 2nd, Boston College
Key Players: LB Mark Herzlich
Prediction: L

Our first loss of the season, losing a close one away.

October 9th, Pittsburgh
Key Players: RB Dion Lewis, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Prediction: L

Another loss. Lewis and Baldwin, along with newcomer quarterback Tino Sunresi, prove too much for the Irish defense, and we lose by 7.

October 16th, Western Michigan
Key Players: Who cares?
Prediction: W

Irish win running away in this one. Crist puts up his first 400 yard game.

October 23rd, Navy
Key Players: QB Ricky Dobbs
Prediction: W

The Irish score early and often, and the inept Midshipmen pass offense cannot rally to make up for the defecit. Irish win big.

October 30th, Tulsa
Key Players: ???
Prediction: W

This may be too close for comfort, but the Irish pull away and win this one to finish an unsatisfactory October.

November 13th, Utah
Key Players: ???
Prediction: W

Another one that may be too close for comfort, but the Irish win. Michael Floyd has a big performance.

November 20th, Army
Key Players: ???
Prediction: W

Easy win. Crist, Floyd, and Jones put up big numbers. Cierre Wood has a breakout performance, with over a hundred yards on the ground and two scores.

November 27th, USC
Key Players: QB Matt Barkley, WR Ronald Johnson, LB Chris Galippo
Prediction: L

Not this year. In a close game, the Irish lose in Los Angeles. Barkley, Johnson, and the Trojan offense prove too much for the Irish defense.

Bowl Game: Gator Bowl
Opponent: Florida State
Key Players: QB Christian Ponder, DB Greg Reid
Prediction: W

Irish finish strong in the Gator Bowl, setting themselves up for a strong run in 2011.

Final Record: 10-3

Kyle Rudolph is the lone All-American. Dayne Crist manages to pass the 3,000 yard mark, throwing for 30 touchdowns with 9 interceptions.

Michael Floyd elects to go pro. Kyle Rudolph remains at Notre Dame.

Heisman hype begins to build for Dayne Crist in 2011, and national title hype for the team, as well.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Honestly,
I was thinking 10-3 as well with similar stats...

But we are both being optimistic.

 

[Rocket89]

I thought it was interesting that Phil Steele had Tulsa as his No. 1 most improved team right ahead of Notre Dame at No. 2

Can't take the Golden Hurricanes lightly!

Luckily we won't have a coach who will be smugly satisfied if we're up by 10 at half as if we'd already won because the quarterback threw for over 200 yards.

 

[TerryTate]

Not so sure about that loss to BC. I think I'd substitute that loss with Michigan State or Utah. Otherwise well done my man.

 

[NDinL.A.]

ShaqEvansIsGod



October 2nd, Boston College
Key Players: LB Mark Herzlich
Prediction: L

Our first loss of the season, losing a close one away.

No way are we losing to BC . Ain't happening!

October 30th, Tulsa
Key Players: ???
Prediction: W

Key players: QB GJ Kinn, WRs Damaris Johnson and Trae Johnson

They love to chuck the ball around, and Damaris is a very good WR. Trae Johnson had 8 TDs, so he's a threat as well. Their QB will also tuck and run. Should be a comfortable win though as their defense was awful last year.

November 13th, Utah
Key Players: ???
Prediction: W

Key players: QB Jordan Wynn, RB Eddie Wide

Their offense will be good, but they lost a lot of key players from their defense. This game scares me...Utah is very well-coached and this will be like a bowl game for them. Not an easy victory at all, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if we lost this one.

November 27th, USC
Key Players: QB Matt Barkley, WR Ronald Johnson, LB Chris Galippo

Galippo might not even start. Devon Kennard is listed with him as the starter, although obviously only one can play the middle LB spot. A lot of people think Kennard was a bit better this spring, and he was just learning the spot. They're even thinking about putting Galippo outside, put he's not really that type of backer.

Guys on their D-Line will be more important. Guys like Perry and Armstead will be immensely tough to block for us.

Very nice job though...

 

[bornready85]

This is why I I laugh at Big 10 fans who criticize out schedule. MSU's schedule to start the year-Westen Mich/Florida Atlantic/ND/Northern Colarado. Purdue's schedule to start the year-ND/Western Illinois/Ball State/Toledo/. Michigan's schedule to start the year-UCONN/ND/UMass/Bowling Green. Those teams are already circling us on their calenders as their 1st big game of the year. Our 1st 6 games are "big games".