Each week in this space, we examine two things: Notre Dame’s strength of schedule (from USA Today‘s Sagarin rankings), and who Irish opponents are facing. For those of who want to scout future opponents, I’ll give you my recommendation for who to watch when you’re not watching Notre Dame Football.
Who To Watch
Clemson vs North Carolina (Sat 8pm ET ABC)
Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery (99), left, and Jaylon Smith (9) bring down Clemson’s Deshaun Watson(4). SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
The Other Tigers finished 2015 unblemished, but North Carolina has the opportunity to play the heel on Saturday, to borrow a wrestling term. Deshaun Watson will try to (sher)lock up a top playoff seed. I’m convinced an undefeated Iowa is the most that the Chaos Theory Gods will throw our way this year, but perhaps Larry Fedora’s squad will throw their hat in the playoff ring with a championship game upset.
Strength-of-Schedule Rankings
Last week, ND opponents went 5-7. On the year, ND opponents are a combined 77-65 (54.2%), with an average schedule strength of 38.
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Weekly Change |
| 3 | Texas | 4-7 | +2 |
| 9 | Southern Cal | 8-4 | — |
| 10 | Georgia Tech | 3-9 | +2 |
| 14 | Virginia | 4-8 | -1 |
| 16 | Stanford | 10-2 | +8 |
| 19 | Notre Dame | 10-2 | +10 |
| 23 | Pittsburgh | 8-4 | +2 |
| 31 | Wake Forest | 3-9 | -4 |
| 47 | Clemson | 12-0 | — |
| 50 | Boston College | 3-9 | -8 |
| 75 | Navy | 9-2 | +8 |
| 85 | Temple | 10-2 | +1 |
| 97 | Massachusetts | 3-9 | — |
Past Opponents
- Texas at Baylor (Sat 12pm ET ESPN)
- Temple at Houston (Sat 12pm ET ABC)
- Stanford vs Southern Cal (Sat 7:45pm ET ESPN)
Powered by SC schadenfreude, husband to Mrs. IrishElvis (not pictured), rabble rouser. TCB.
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