College football: Biggest Achilles’ heel for every Top 25 team

College football 2018: Biggest Achilles’ heel for every Top 25 team

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) celebrates and holds up the CFP Trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

17 of 25

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

9. Notre Dame

Achilles’ heel: Lack of offensive playmakers

Considering what the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of last year lost to the NFL Draft, you might be expecting to see the offensive line listed here as their biggest Achilles’ heel for the 2018 college football season. After all, head coach Brian Kelly is tasked with replacing (if that’s even possible) two of the most dominant linemen in recent history, tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson, heading into this season.

Yet, that’s actually not much of a concern for this team. While the O-line might not be quite as forceful as it was a season ago, this is still one of the best interior offensive lines in the country and they have highly touted recruits ready to come in and fill the holes on the edges around them. As for the defense, that’s the strength of the Irish in 2018 as they could legitimately be the best defense in the country overall, or at least in that conversation.

Brandon Wimbush is another easy target for Notre Dame’s Achilles’ heel here, but it’s actually what’s around him that’s truly concerning. Yes, the quarterback needs to take a big step forward as a passer, but he’s dynamic enough with his legs to still affect games positively even if it’s not a massive progression we see from him.

With the losses of Josh Adams at running back and Equaniemous St. Brown at wide receiver, the Irish simply have questions at the skill positions on offense. They have talent as any program of their caliber would, but no one with a track record of success. Subsequently, that lack of playmaking talent should no one emerge could be a real issue for this offense.