Navy in Annapolis.
Wake Forest, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech Athletic Coast Conference Schools on the way; Duke, Clemson and Louisville in South Bend.
Arkansas and western Michigan are pending conference (and Notre Dame) decisions.
That’s what we know about the 2020 Notre Dame calendar, but what we do know is subject to change later this month, if not this week, if not today.
And so it goes with sport in 2020 …
Logically, Notre Dame will attempt to replace the canceled games against Wisconsin (October 3) Stanford (October 10) – plus a goodbye on October 17 – and USC (November 28) with a pair or trio of eight remaining ACC programs.
While the entire conference schedule is likely to change if the ACC (and others) officially follow suit with The Big 10 and Pac-12 in a conference-exclusive format this fall, it’s important to take a look at the dates today. open, that is, possible programming opportunities, between Notre Dame and each opponent who is not yet on the Irish list.
Irish Illustrated considers both the draw (in parentheses) and the likelihood that each matchup assumes that schedules are not completely reconfigured.
MIAMI (# 1)
In a July 11 report by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami athletic director Blake James offered this email note of a possible matchup with Notre Dame:
“We will work with ACC to create the best possible schedules for our programs. If the opportunity arises for a showdown with ND, we’d be delighted to have that game added to our 2020 calendar. ”
Considering the impact of Covid-19 in relation to Florida vs. Indiana, logically would be played in South Bend. The teams are ready to play in both 2024 (South Bend) and 2025 (Miami).
The tie: It was once the most heated rivalry in sports history … for just over four seasons. Nothing makes the blood of the fan base boil like the sight of these two helmets on opposite sidelines in the fall.
The last time: No. 7 Miami ambushed No. 3 Notre Dame in mid-November 2017, 41-8, ruining the latter’s college football playoff spot that was set in stone.
Dates of Interest: September 26 (Michigan state game cancellation). Temple (September 5), Wagner (September 12), and UAB (September 17, a Thursday) represent enemies who do not belong to the Hurricane conference. October 17 is a scheduled week of rest.
SYRACUSE (N / A, but seems probable, logistically)
The teams do not meet again until 2022 (TBD date), which after playing in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
If pre-scheduled games are valid, Syracuse and Notre Dame share Saturdays open on both October 10 and October 17, and Syracuse’s canceled contest on September 19 is also a potential window for Notre Dame if Western Michigan and the MAC choose the Conference -Only route.
The tie: Strictly logistical, as the open dates between Ireland and Orange fit well as indicated below.
The last time: No. 3 Notre Dame humiliated No. 12 Syracuse, mistreating the Orange 36-3, in mid-November 2018 at Yankee Stadium.
Dates of Interest: A Sept. 19 matchup against Patriot League enemy Colgate has been called off. Syracuse faces off-conference opponents, Western Michigan (September 26), and Liberty (October 17) with an opening date of October 10.
STATE OF FLORIDA (# 2)
The change has not been kind to the Seminoles in recent times, now their second coach in three seasons later. Jimbo Fisher He took his 2013 title, his appearance in the 2014 playoffs, and his 83-23 record for Tallahassee west of College Station.
Notre Dame and the state of Florida will open the 2021 season on Labor Day night in Tallahassee. Would the Seminoles travel north to South Bend in the rarity that is 2020?
The tie: Is the charm gone? A touch may have faded, but consider the following: The 2018 Seniors Night ticket against the Seminoles in South Bend was a total of $ 200, the most expensive face value ticket in the history of Notre Dame Stadium .
The last time: Notre Dame beat a poor but still talented Florida State team, 42-13 in the aforementioned contest.
Dates of Interest: West Virginia (September 5), Samford (September 12) and Boise State (September 19) remain scheduled as of today. Florida State Farewell Week is September 26 when Notre Dame is in Wake Forest. Of note: The annual Florida / Florida State game is scheduled for Thanksgiving Saturday.
NORTH CAROLINA (# 3)
The Tar Heels are slated to travel to South Bend for an October 30 showdown in 2021. Is this a road game opportunity for the Irish in 2020?
The tie: Mack brown. A top-level hit 1-2 QB-WR. Rejuvenation at Chapel Hill. It’s the day’s schedule, one that is supposedly on the rise, at ACC.
The last time: Attack Player Ian Book He made his first run at Chapel Hill, a 33-10 victory over the Tar Heels in October 2017.
Dates of Interest: September 4 (Friday) vs. Central Florida, September 12 vs. Auburn, September 19 vs. James Madison and November 7 vs. Connecticut. North Carolina’s farewell week is October 31, when Irish host Duke.
BOSTON COLLEGE (# 4 … or last)
The landing site of former Notre Dame backup quarterback Phil Jurkovec, and thus, the battle for the heart and souls of Notre Dame’s internet could be intriguing.
The tie: Intrigue abounds if Jurkovec receives an exemption for immediate eligibility. If not? There is no intrigue left. Nor will there be. Possibly always.
The last time: Notre Dame buried the Eagles 40-7 in South Bend on Seniors Day 2019.
Dates of Interest: Similar to most on this list, the Eagles play non-conference games on September 12 (MAC) on September 19 (Big 12), and have open dates on September 26 (Purdue) and October 31 (Santa Cruz del Patriota) League) due to cancellations.
VIRGINIA TECH (# 4 / # 5)
The Irish and the Hokies have already met three times in the past four years with a quarter in six seasons on tap for October 9, 2021, in Blacksburg.
The tie: From the Hokies’ point of view, revenge for a missed opportunity last November. From Notre Dame’s point of view, Virginia Tech remains one of the most recognized programs at ACC. Theoretically, a win over the Hokies could have more postseason influence than it did against Orange, Cavaliers, Wolfpack and Eagles.
The last time: Notre Dame rallied to win, 21-20, with Ian Book doing the honors on a third shot from the Hokies’ 7-yard line with 29 seconds remaining.
Dates of Interest: Liberty on September 5, a cancellation against Penn State on September 12, Middle Tennessee State (Sun Belt) on September 19, North Alabama on September 26.
VIRGINIA (N / A)
Notre Dame will travel east for a Nov. 13, 2021 matchup with the Cavaliers.
The tie: Minimal, outside of the beauty of Charlottesville, and that’s probably not part of the equation for regular sports travelers this fall. Notre Dame and Virginia were unmissable televisions last September, but the Cavaliers are in reload mode entering 2020 after an off-season talent drain.
The last time: Notre Dame bounced back to eliminate the eighteenth-ranked Cavaliers, 35-20, behind a series of quarterback sacks and big plays in the second half of last September.
Dates of Interest: Georgia (September 7), Virginia Military Institute (Thursday, September 12), Connecticut (Thursday, September 19), October 10 (Open), October 24 (Old Dominion).
NORTH CAROLINA STATE (N / A)
After meeting at home and at home in 2016-17, the teams are not scheduled to play until 2023 in Raleigh.
The tie: Current transfer of Irish graduates Nick McCloud Would add a touch of sports writer’s forage (and game day). Not expected to compete for ACC honors, Wolfpack’s projected win total for ESPN.comThe FPI is between 5.3 and 6.7 (in a list of 12 games).
The last timeThen Notre Dame, running down the road at No. 14 in the state of North Carolina, won 35-21 over a highly touted and usually robust Wolfpack defense.
Dates of Interest: September 12 (SEC and Mississippi State), September 19 (Sun Belt Troy), September 26 vs. Delaware, and an opening date of October 24, plus a visit from Liberty on November 21.
