The Notre Dame Fighting Irish looked like they were going to be in position to make the inaugural College Football Playoff halfway through the 2014season, but the Irish lost five of their last six games. They did manage to end their season on a high note, beating LSU in the Music City Bowl, and they're hoping to carry that momentum into next season and a potential playoff berth.
Here are four reasons why they're guaranteed to do just that this season:
1) Malik Zaire's upside
Everett Golson will be playing his final year of eligibility at Florida State, meaning Malik Zaire will be taking over the starting quarterback role. He does have experience as he split time with Golson in the Music City Bowl, and he showed off his terrific rushing ability. If he can utilize that athleticism and make smart decisions in the passing game, Zaire could be a dark horse Heisman candidate.
2) Improved receiving core
Corey Robinson, Chris Brown and Amir Carlisle have yet to put together consistent seasons for the Irish, but their collective talent is still enough to push this group over the top and into the rarefied air of the elite units in college football. If one, two, or all three can emerge in a big way in fall camp, starting Zaire's job gets that much easier.
3) Defensive improvement
Notre Dame ranked 75th against the pass and 72nd against the run this season, both of which are in the bottom half of the country - a long fall from where this defense was when the Irish went to the BCS National Championship Game in 2012. However, this unit returns 10 starters, meaning they should be vastly improved in 2015.
4) C.J. Prosise's breakout season
Prosise looked fantastic as a slot receiver in 2014, but his work as a running back in camp is what portends huge things ahead for the junior. He's talented enough to get touches both as a receiver and a tailback, and he's electric enough to make plenty of those count for huge yardage. Notre Dame will get the ball in his hands as much as they can in 2015, and he'll be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
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