The second half of this space’s preseason predictions hinged on references to ghosts of Notre Dame’s past: 2011 South Florida, 2008 Syracuse and 2005 USC; Hard Rock Stadium, NCAA sanctions and Hard Rock Stadium once again.
Those horrors lined up with 2020 Irish opponents and helped frame the coming expected success, correctly so as it turns out. The boldest of those predictions was the final one, suggesting Notre Dame would play its standard 13 games this season. Included within that was a subtle but implicit hint that the Irish would not have any games canceled, but also not advance past the College Football Playoff semifinal, more likely ending up in a typical one-off bowl.