Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2010 College Football Predictions – BCS Odds 2011: Back in March, new Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly said it best, when referring to football expectations at the school. "We don't get a five year plan. This is a five-minute plan. We're working on it immediately and we expect our football players to play at a high level immediately," he said.
With that, the expectations of Kelly and his coaching staff for their 2010 Fighting Irish football team quickly and clearly defined themselves. There may be new systems and new coaches and new philosophies, but Notre Dame's new coach expects his players to hit the ground running.
Kelly and his staff are tasked with turning around a program that went the last three seasons with a combined 16-21 record.
We expect to compete for championships. We want to win. I didn't come to Notre Dame to try to be 8-4. When they talk abut the elite programs in college football, we need to have Notre Dame in that discussion," said Kelly.
The Irish return 17 combined starters from offense, defense and special teams. Six of those returning are members of one of the highest-powered offenses in school history including pre-season Lindy's All-America's, wide receiver Michael Floyd and tight end Kyle Rudolph.
The player on offense with both loads of potential and the biggest shoes to fill is also the one who has the most to learn about Kelly's system. Junior Dayne Crist takes over for childhood friend Jimmy Clausen and must follow one of the best seasons by a quarterback in Notre Dame history. Crist has limited experience with 10 of 20 passing for 130 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception last year.
On defense, Kelly and defensive coordinator Bob Diaco have 13 players returning who have starting experience.
Junior Ethan Johnson (32 tackles in 2009 started 11 games last year at defensive tackle and could be the ideal body type for a defensive end in Notre Dame's new defense. At 6-4, 280 pounds, he'll look to build off his 2009 campaign when he recorded four sacks and six and a half tackles for loss from an interior line position.
Anchoring the defensive line at nose guard is senior Ian Williams, a consistent contributor in his previous three seasons. Williams has started 18 games in his career and has made 124 tackles with eight and a half career tackles for loss.
An area of great depth and talent for Notre Dame in 2010 is the linebacking corps of seniors Brian Smith, Kerry Neal and Ian Williams and juniors Darius Fleming and Steve Filer.
Notre Dame's 2010 schedule is loaded with big name programs but some of those are rebuilding as well – most notably Michigan (not ranked) and USC – facing a two year post season ban under new coach Lane Kiffin. Notre Dame will still have a rough go of it this season having to face budding powers Stanford (home), Boston College (road), Pittsburgh (home), and Utah (home).
The Irish are returning a good nucleus of players but not enough to be part of the BCS championship picture in 2010. While many players return with starting experience, the teams overall talent level has dipped below the current powers who will vie for a championship. Until Kelly upgrades Notre Dame's recruiting, the team will fall short of expectations. We predict Notre Dame goes 8-4 and gets a good bowl but not in the BCS group.
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