Does Notre Dame have to win the first game of the season to compete for a deep playoff run?
That's a debate for another day but today we're asking if the first game of the year is a must-win for the Fighting Irish.Lose and it's an uphill battle the last 11 games.If Notre Dame wins, arguably the toughest game on its schedule is a win with 11 games to play.
The question that comes to mind for me is if a 10-win Notre Dame team gets in the College Football Playoff.It's safe to assume both the conference championship game participants from the Big Ten and SEC will be in. Two more spots go to the ACC and Big 12 champions while the top-ranked Group of Five team will also get in.Notre Dame would be leaning heavy on Florida State being excellent and USC exceeding expectations if 11 wins is going to guarantee a playoff spot.
The defensive line is the clear strength of Texas A&M on paper and are led by former Purdue standout Nic Sourton, who led the Big Ten with 10 sacks a season ago. I don't think Notre Dame is on the same level as Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, or Texas entering the year. Anyone else, it certainly has a case to as good or better than.
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