Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chip Long was supposed to have it all figured out this season, more a reflection of a stable and loaded offense than of any struggles in his first two years in the role. The Irish returned seven starters, had two other established playmakers stepping into leading roles, plausibly found their center before 2018 even ended, and had a number of young receivers to step in as the final piece of the puzzle.
Then junior tight end Cole Kmet broke his collarbone. A week later, so did junior receiver Michael Young.