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Notre Dame Football 2017 preview

By John Buhler

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and his team wait to head on to the field for the start of the game against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium on October 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and his team wait to head on to the field for the start of the game against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium on October 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Biggest Game of the Year: September 9 vs. Georgia Bulldogs

The biggest game of the year for the Fighting Irish happens to be against their first Power 5 opponent of the year. On September 9, Notre Dame will welcome an SEC blue-blood in the Georgia Bulldogs to South Bend. 2016 wasn’t kind to Kirby Smart’s program, but the Bulldogs still managed to go 8-5 (4-4) in his first year leading his alma mater.

For two teams with big time aspirations in 2017, this feels like an early must-win for both teams. Whomever ends up winning this primetime game in Week 2 has a great shot at beginning the year at 6-0. Notre Dame might run into a buzz saw on October 21 against a massive rival in the USC Trojans, but that game will be at home for the Fighting Irish. Conversely, Georgia could go undefeated heading into Georgia-Florida with a win in South Bend.

For both teams, this is a massive momentum game. The winner in early September could gain steam through the September and early October slate. Being bowl eligible before Halloween is totally in play for the winner between Georgia and Notre Dame. However, a loss at home to Georgia could signify another frustrating year for Notre Dame football.

While this matchup with the Bulldogs could really go either way, Notre Dame has four tough road games and USC still on the slate. The North Carolina State Wolfpack, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Navy Midshipmen won’t be cake walks at home for the Irish. Those three all went bowling last winter while the Irish did not.

If Notre Dame beats Georgia, this Fighting Irish team has an outside shot at getting into a New Year’s Six bowl at 10-2, maybe even 11-1 if everything goes their way. A loss to Georgia might send this team into a tailspin, facing the harsh reality of a five-to-eight win team.