Editor's Note: We will have a detailed article on how Notre Dame's championship aspirations are impacted by the recent scandal up this week.
With freshman Everett Golson under center, Notre Dame suffered a crushing defeat to Alabama in the 2012 BCS National Championship game. Two years removed, can the Irish once again contend for a championship under the new play-off system?
After the disappointment of the 42-14 loss to the Crimson Tide, Brian Kelly’s men went 9-4 last time out with three losses coming to ranked opponents inside the top 17, while the final defeat, a particularly low point in the season, coming at the hands of Pittsburgh on November 9th.
Tommy Reese quarterbacked the side during his senior season in lieu of Golson’s academic suspension. However, the former three-star recruit is back in the fold along with senior running back Cam McDaniel and wide receiver DaVaris Daniels.The trio should make for an exciting offense that can put points on the board without become one dimensional. Depending on final outcome of the Daniels' situation and suspension.
On the other side of the ball the defensive line took a big hit in the off-season when Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix where taken in the second and third rounds of the NFL draft respectively. On a more positive note, stud linebacker Jaylon Smith enters his sophomore year the new face of the defense after his 67-tackle, 6.5-tackle-for-a-loss, one forced fumble and one interception freshman outing.
So, while 11 starters have been lost since their nine victories in 2013, they are now a young, hungry team who will be bolstered by the 11th-ranked recruiting class in the nation.
Notre Dame’s schedules is a tough one but that can play into their favour. Michigan and Stanford both visit Indiana within the first five weeks while the Irish travel to reigning champions Florida State and the resurgent USC. Louisville and Arizona State are also sprinkled in there and, while it is highly unlikely they win them all, frustrating defeats can be avenged elsewhere.
When you are not playing for a conference title then major Bowl wins are all you can measure success by. 2014 will be different to past years when anything less than a one-loss season virtually ended any hopes of competing for a championship. Now, if you suffer two defeats but claw something back against the sides around you then there is every chance you can sneak into the new play-off format. Once you are one of the lucky four, anything can happen.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby