McCollum's 2022 Notre Dame Game Predictions
Every summer, I run into countless people who ask me the same question.
“So, how is Notre Dame going to be this year?”
My answers are virtually the same every year with small modifications.
“We’ll see. It depends on…”
There’s always a position or two that seem to dictate the ceiling of the Irish, at least coming into the season.
This year, in my opinion, it’s about the quarterback proving he can throw the ball and a group of pass-catchers, minus Mike Mayer, proving they can catch it.
The truly interested follow up to ask about the details of the schedule.
Once again, the answer is essentially the same with only the names and dates being changed.
This year’s season should be defined by three games; Ohio State, Clemson and USC.
If the Irish can win more of those than they lose, it’ll be difficult to call the season anything but a success.
Can they do it?
Ohio State
I just don’t see it.
If a first-year head coach, a first-year starting quarterback and a new defensive coordinator in his first game with the program weren’t enough, the litany of injuries the Irish suffered during the offseason probably are.
Kicking off the season in a hostile environment against one of the nation’s most loaded squads just seems like too much.
Can the Irish keep it close? The guys in Vegas certainly don’t think so with the Buckeyes currently sitting at 17.5-point favorites.
A couple weeks ago, I told people I thought the 14-point spread was too low. I know believe the 17.5 is too high.
Ohio State 35, Notre Dame 20
Marshall
If the Thundering Herd had any chance at coming into South Bend and shocking the world, it probably went out the window when they lost their greatest weapon. Running back Rasheen Ali, who led the FBS in rushing touchdowns last season, has taken a leave of absence from the team.
Expect Marcus Freeman to find ways to for his squad to get its confidence back.
Notre Dame 42, Marshall 10
California
This seems like another good opportunity to build confidence and depth. The Bears have to fill key holes on offense, including its leading rusher and longtime starting quarterback, although they have added former Purdue signal-caller Jack Plummer.
The Bears’ defense should be the strength of the squad, so even if this game isn’t a blowout, it could be a relative test.
Notre Dame 28, Cal 7
North Carolina
The Tar Heels were a trendy “sneaky” pick coming into 2021, mostly thanks to a high-powered offense led by Sam Howell. It didn’t happen as the Tar Heels finished 6-7 even with that high-powered offense.
Now Howell is gone and although stud receiver Josh Downs (Caleb’s brother) remains, the offense is expected to take a major step back. And unless the defense can take an even bigger step forward, it could be a long year for UNC.
Notre Dame 31, North Carolina 14
BYU
This game is going to have some buzz to it.
In addition to the Las Vegas venue and the snazzy Shamrock Series uniforms, BYU will likely have proven to be a legit opponent in games against Baylor and Oregon by the time it arrives in Sin City.
The Cougars boast a legit offensive line and they’re also the beneficiaries of Cal losing its top rusher in Christopher Brooks who transferred to BYU. Jaren Hall is more than solid at quarterback while Gunner Romney and Neil Pau’u provide suitable targets. The defense will need to improve and the expectation is that it will.
Still, the Irish should be able to out-athlete and overpower the Cougars.
Notre Dame 34, BYU 20
Stanford
Few fan bases have enjoyed watching David Shaw fall on his face the past few years more than Notre Dame’s. When the Cardinal upset then-#3 Oregon last season, it seemed like he’d might have turned it around again, but then Stanford lost seven straight games to end the season.
The Cardinal have a talented quarterback in Tanner McKee and some talented pass-catchers, especially tight end Ben Yurosek, but they don’t seem to have the dominant running game that always made them a worthy adversary. Last year’s defense was bad and this year’s is inexperienced.
Maybe the Irish can be the ones to effectively put the nail in Shaw’s coffin.
Notre Dame 35, Stanford 14
UNLV
The “Runnin’ Rebels” offense certainly looked legit in a 52-21 win over Idaho State in Week 0, but that was against Idaho State.
This seems like another opportunity for Freeman to help his team solidify its identity as it gets rolling for the second half of the season.
Notre Dame 42, UNLV 13
Syracuse
Dino Babers is another head coach whose days could be numbered at this point.
Babers has proven to be a sharp offensive mind, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to get the Orange rolling again, especially with a former SEC quarterback in Garrett Shrader behind center and elite-level running back Sean Tucker.
The defense was also solid last year and could be better this year.
There’s also something about playing in “The Dome.”
This could be closer than the experts and Irish fans think.
Notre Dame 28, Syracuse 24
Clemson
And now we arrive at the second showcase game of the season.
The Tigers have questions at quarterback after DJ Uiagalelei struggled in his first season as starter last year, but he’s so talented that the only reason there are even questions is because five-star Cade Klubnik is sitting there waiting to take over. Whoever is quarterback in November will still be surrounded by elite-level skill guys and the defense is still one of the nation’s best.
This game could be decided before it’s even played.
If Buchner proves to be the guy the Irish coaching staff thinks he can be leading up to this game, that’ll help Notre Dame.
If Clemson slips up at some point beforehand and/or hands things over to Klubnik, that would help the Irish.
Unfortunately, I don’t see the latter happening just yet and think Uiagalelei will have the experience to win in South Bend this time.
Clemson 34, Notre Dame 28
Navy
Notre Dame bounces back and takes care of business against its longtime rival in another chance to define its identity.
Notre Dame 38, Navy 10
Boston College
Aside from the three showcase games, this one will have the most hype with former Irish quarterback Phil Jurkovec returning to South Bend, especially in light of his recent comments about the program to the Boston Globe. Former Irish offensive coordinator John McNulty will also be making his return.
The Eagles are certainly talented on the outside with Zay Flowers and freshman Joe Griffin, who broke camp in the two-deep.
But the Irish are the better team top to bottom and will have Senior Day motivation behind them.
Notre Dame 31, Boston College 14
USC
With so many people expecting the opener to define the season, in the end, it’s the regular-season finale that will do so.
With a New Year’s Six Bowl on the line for both teams, the opening of the Marcus Freeman-Lincoln Riley Series is as hyped as any game without national title implications can be.
The Trojans offense will have rounded into form after a year under Riley, but the entire Irish team will be doing the same.
Notre Dame goes into Southern California and comes out with an exciting W.
Notre Dame 37, USC 34