Can Notre Dame Make the 2020 College Football Playoff?

Notre Dame is set up for a big run in 2020. The entire starting offensive line is back along with quarterback Ian Book, who will be enter season No. 3 as the starter. 

Sure, there are some questions at running back, cornerback, safety and receiver, but many teams will be introducing new names in critical spots. 

The goal is to win a National Title and we've seen teams come out of nowhere to make a run. Heck, last year, Alabama received 253 votes in a preseason poll to win the SEC West and LSU received five - then went on to be one of, if not the best college football team in history. 

Here are 7 reasons why Notre Dame will make the College Football Playoff. 

1. Ian Book. Notre Dame has needed its quarterback to be a leader and Book became the first signal-caller under Brian Kelly to be named captain for the Irish a year ago. That matters. Book definitely had his ups and downs over the first half of 2019, but he stuck with it and got over the hump the final half of the season.

Confidence was obtained over the last month of the season and that should transfer to 2020. Is Book going to transform into the No. 1 draft pick next spring? No, but he can become good enough to go head-to-head with the nation’s best. Book threw for 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions a year ago, which is likely to improve. Heck, I think Notre Dame fans would also be OK with a few more interceptions if that means the Irish open up the downfield game a little more and they should. 

2. Notre Dame has weapons on the outside. Kevin Austin Jr. needs to prove he can do it on Saturday afternoons, but the glimpse we saw at Notre Dame lone spring practice bodes well. Braden Lenzy got his feet wet last year and showed why he was so coveted during the recruiting process. Lawrence Keys III battled through a foot injury, but he also flashed. Remember that beautiful 28-yard catch against Georgia? I’d expect a few more of those this fall. 

Ben Skowronek is going to be a big addition for the Irish. Notre Dame needed experience and they got it when the Fort Wayne native decided to transfer for his final year from Northwestern. 

Then you have the unknown, yet intriguing freshmen in Jordan Johnson and Xavier Watts. I’m not sure either will be starting, but both could find themselves in the rotation, which is a good situation with an experienced quarterback returning. 

3. Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Banks, Jarrett Patterson, Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey have to form the most experienced offensive line in the country. Sure, they could have played better last year in the run game, but was it scheme or talent? We’ll find out quickly as Chip Long is gone and Tommy Rees is in.

Josh Lugg got valuable experience a year ago, Dillan Gibbons has made positive plays and then Quinn Carroll should be healthy after tearing his ACL in fall camp. Andrew Kristofic also has one of the highest ceilings on the team. 

4. The defensive will keep offensive coordinators up at night. There is too much athleticism and experience for Clark Lea not to have success. Jayson Ademilola and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa form one of the best combinations at 3-Tech in the country, while Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogundeji return for year five on the outside. 

Ends Ovie Oghoufo and Isaish Foskey flashed a year ago as both can attack the edge. Justin Ademilola is the guy who gets lost when talking about defensive ends, but he also played well when given the chance and don’t forget Mike Elston incorporated him into the Cotton Bowl game plan in 2018. 

The 1-tech might have some growth to do, but Kurt Hinish is a veteran, Jacob Lacey had a solid freshman campaign and Ja’mion Franklin showed he was healthy, but he’ll need to take the next step. Incoming freshman Aidan Keanaaina might be a year away from truly seeing his impact, but I’d imagine he’ll play because he’s so big and strong. 

5. Notre Dame’s linebackers should match up with every team on the schedule. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could very well play himself into leaving school early. Drew White isn’t the best athlete, but he finds the football. He has a natural instinct of finding the ball and that’s what you need your Mike to do. The Buck position will be interesting to see unfold. Jordan Genmark Heath provides a veteran presence and athleticism, while you have Jack Lamb and Shayne Simon coming back from significant injuries. 

Paul Moala could also be a potential fit at Buck, but he also showed his worth a year ago backing up Owusu-Koramoah. JD Bertrand, Osita Ekwonu, Jack Kiser and Marist Liufau all look the part at this point, but losing the spring hurts as I’m not sure any of them are locked into a position just yet. 

6. The schedule is favorable. Clemson and Wisconsin headline the schedule. The Badgers lose a lot and aren't the most athletic team in the world, which I think favors Notre Dame. 

The Irish have shown team athleticism and speed is much improved while also being known as a physical team.

Clemson is Clemson and we don't need to get into that today, but as it stands right now, I'd be surprised if the Irish aren't undefeated heading into the November 7th showdown. 

Louisville is the other program that causes some concern. Scott Satterfield, as the Cardinals trending up and a win on Notre Dame's senior day, would be a statement. 

However, it's a favorable schedule for a playoff run if Notre Dame wins the big games. 

7. Notre Dame has done a good job over the last three seasons of avoiding upsets. Ohio State has suffered big upsets (Iowa/Purdue) and it’s cost them. Clemson lost to Syracuse a few years ago. It happens in college football, but the Irish haven’t fell victim since 2016. 

Now, the Irish need to win a few more big games and that’s the next step, but they are beating the teams they should beat and beating them by comfortable margins.