Notre Dame Has The Nation's 13th Toughest Schedule For 2020

The ESPN Football Power Index believes Notre Dame has one of the nation's tougher schedules

Bryan Driskell | Jun 13, 2020

ESPN’s Football Power Index isn’t very high on Notre Dame in 2020, at least not compared to other ranking methods that place the Fighting Irish in the Top 10. The #16 ranking by the FPI is a bit of a head scratcher, but the strength of schedule ranking might be an indicator.

The same FPI that ranks the Irish as the nation’s #16 team in the preseason ranks the Notre Dame schedule as the nation’s 13th toughest as it currently stands.

According to the FPI, Notre Dame will face a pair of Top 5 opponents in 2020, and four of the Fighting Irish opponents rank in the Top 20. Three of Notre Dame's opponents enter the season ranked ahead of the Irish in the FPI, which is partly what the FPI projects Notre Dame to go 8-4.

Clemson ranks #1 in the latest edition of the FPI, a ranking that makes sense. Wisconsin ranking #4 is much harder to grasp. The Badgers finished the 2019 season with a 10-4 record, although three of its losses were to Top 5 teams (two losses to Ohio State and a loss to Oregon).

The Badgers must replace two-time 2,000-yard rusher Jonathan Taylor at running back, the nation's best center, a pair of linebackers that combined for 33.5 tackles for loss and 24 sacks last season and its top wideout.

USC being #13 is interesting. The Trojans certainly have the talent to finish ranked that high, but Clay Helton's squad is just 13-12 the last two seasons. Is this the year the Trojans finally put it all together? The hire of Todd Orlando to run the defense should help.

Louisville ranking #20 makes a lot of sense to me when you consider how much talent and depth the Cardinals bring back from their 8-5 squad. Stanford checks in at #31 in the FPI rankings.

According to the FPI, Notre Dame faced the nation's 35th toughest schedule in 2019. The FPI began in 2011, and the 35th ranking makes for the lowest strength of schedule ranking for the Irish in the Brian Kelly era. Notre Dame had the 23rd toughest schedule in 2018 and the 2nd toughest schedule in 2017.

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Published Jun 13, 2020

BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter