ONE GAME AT A TIME

Sept. 1 vs. Michigan: Win. Good or bad, it’ll be a huge tone-setter.

Sept. 8 vs. Ball State: Win. But

you knew that already.

Sept. 15 vs. Vanderbilt: Win. The Commodores have an experienced offense that might be pretty pesky.

Sept. 22 at Wake Forest: Win. It’s a dangerous one, though. The Demon Deacons showed tons of character in the matchup last season, putting up 37 points in defeat.

Sept. 29 vs. Stanford: Win. It’s a good chance for the Irish to flex their increasing toughness.

Oct. 6 at Virginia Tech: Loss. Lane Stadium will be a tinderbox.

Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh: Win. Nothing wrong with a 6-1 record going into a bye week. Oct. 27 vs. Navy (San Diego): Win. It’ll be a bowl-like environment, especially for the Middies.

Nov. 3 at Northwestern: Win. The Wildcats will be motivated to the max, but which team will have more crowd support?

Nov. 10 vs. Florida State: Win. Now 9-1, the Irish should be right on the border of the College Football Playoff committee’s top four. Nov. 17 vs. Syracuse (New York): Win. Yankee Stadium is an underrated football setting.

Nov. 24 at USC: Loss. Holy heartbreak, man. The Irish fall by a single score, their playoff dream deferred again.