Notre Dame Football 2018: Season Prediction, Schedule, Returning Starters

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are coming off a 10-3 season that included a Citrus Bowl title, but Brian Kelly will be looking to build off arguably their best effort since 2012 with plenty of star talent returning.

Notre Dame finished the 2017 season ranked No. 11 and enter 2018 ranked No. 12. But this years presents a tough challenge, starting with the season opener. Notre Dame will be at home against No. 15 Michigan on Sept. 1.

The season also includes four more matchups against ranked opponents. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, Notre Dame has the 20th toughest schedule and just an 8.3 percent chance of finishing undefeated.

There is no clear-cut starter under center. Brandon Wimbush is considered the No. 1 quarterback, followed by Ian Book and Phil Jurkovec No. 3.

"We hope that we have great competition, which we will, and Brandon is going to have to compete," Kelly said in an Aug. 2 press conference.

To add to some worries on offense, two elite offensive linemen have moved on, as both Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey were picked early in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown are also in the NFL.

But running backs Dexter Williams and Tony Jones Jr. are back and set to replace Josh Adams, who left with one year of eligibility remaining. Senior Miles Boykin leads a talented receiving unit. Boykin had only 253 receiving yards, but appears poised for a breakout season.

On defense, 10 starters are back from a unit that held USC, NC State and LSU to under 20 points. Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill lead a solid linebacking unit that should do a more than serviceable job containing the run in 2018.

Notre Dame Schedule

Sept. 1 vs. Michigan

Sept. 8 vs. Ball State

Sept. 15 vs. Vanderbilt

Sept. 22 at Wake Forest

Sept. 29 vs. Stanford

Oct. 6 at Virginia Tech

Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh

Oct. 27 vs. Navy (In San Diego)

Nov. 3 at Northwestern

Nov. 10 vs. Florida State

Nov. 17 vs. Syracuse (game at Yankee Stadium)

Nov. 24 at USC

Prediction: The challenging schedule appears to be a bit too daunting for Notre Dame to run the table. However, they can expect to defeat multiple ranked opponents, which should make things fun in South Bend. Expect more highs than lows in 2018 but advancing to the CFP is probably not in the cards.

A 9-4 season with a bowl victory seems realistic.