Fansided

10 college football teams riding wave of momentum into 2020 after bowl games

By Jordan Alexis

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Oregon (34) Jordon Scott (DT) celerbates after the Rose Bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Oregon Ducks on January 1, 2020 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Oregon (34) Jordon Scott (DT) celerbates after the Rose Bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Oregon Ducks on January 1, 2020 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads the team onto the field during the game between Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Iowa State Cyclones on December 28, 2019, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads the team onto the field during the game between Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Iowa State Cyclones on December 28, 2019, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Notre Dame

It felt as if a lot of the college football world forgot about Notre Dame in 2019. After their terrible showing in the 2018 playoffs against Clemson, they were so quickly written off it’s almost surprising when you look up and see they won 11 games. They blew out Iowa State 33-9 in the Camping World Bowl, and with Ian Book returning for his senior season, the Fighting Irish have a chance to redeem their image in 2020.

The college football world is better when you have blue-chip programs like Notre Dame in the national discussion, so it is time for Brian Kelly and his team to take that next step.

Replacing guys like Julian Okwara, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet won’t be easy, but Notre Dame is recruiting at a high enough level where guys behind them need to show their talent and step up.

The Irish will have two massive games at Wisconsin and vs. Clemson that will give everyone a clear understanding of what tier they’re in. If they can have a good showing in both games and at least get a split, there is no reason Notre Dame can’t get back into the New Year’s Six or even the college football playoff discussion.

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