After a lackluster home slate in 2019 led to Notre Dame’s first non-sellout since 1973, the Irish released kickoff times for Notre Dame’s 2020 home schedule that will include perhaps the hottest ticket since 2005, if not in all 30 years of the relationship with NBC.
Two games at Notre Dame Stadium will be in prime time this fall, with a third broadcast by NBC also in the 7:30 ET window. As much as facing Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., will draw attention, hosting Clemson on Nov. 7 will warrant even more headlines. Led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne, the Tigers have won 29 of their last 30 games and will quite likely be 8-0 when they arrive in South Bend.
The Irish will also play Stanford under the lights on Oct. 10, as has been the case with the annual mid-October, Pac-12 opponent since reinstating night games in 2013 (with a 2011 debut).
Otherwise, Notre Dame will enjoy a trio of 2:30 ET kickoffs and a 3:30 ET matchup with Duke.
Sept. 12 — Arkansas — 2:30 ETSept. 19 — Western Michigan — 2:30 ETOct. 3 — Wisconsin at Lambeau — 7:30 ETOct. 10 — Stanford — 7:30 ETOct. 31 — Duke — 3:30 ETNov. 7 — Clemson — 7:30 ETNov. 21 — Louisville — 2:30 ET
SPRING PRACTICE DATES
Sticking with the scheduling theme, the Irish will commence spring practices on March 5, slotting in 14 practices between then and the Blue-Gold Game on April 18.
NFL COMBINE INVITES
Nine former Notre Dame players were invited to the NFL combine later this month (Feb. 23 — March 2) in Indianapolis. None of the nine are surprises, and a few should even excel in the drill showcase:
Receivers Chase Claypool and Chris Finke, tight end Cole Kmet, running back Tony Jones, defensive ends Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem, safeties Jalen Elliott and Alohi Gilman, and cornerback Troy Pride.
If anything is of distinct note in that list, it is the absences of linebacker Asmar Bilal and defensive end Jamir Jones. The latter, in particular, shined in an unexpected role in 2019, becoming a starter after injuries felled both Okwara and Daelin Hayes, finishing with 4.5 sacks among 6.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
The two will get their chance to impress in drills during Notre Dame’s annual Pro Day, expected to be in early April.
QUESTIONS?
Now that all 2020 recruiting is officially concluded, this is the slowest part of the year until spring practices or the NFL combine. If football does ever stop, it is now, XFL notwithstanding.
Consider this encouragement to help fill the content mill with your questions sent to insidetheirish@gmail.com.
13 teams >.700 against FBS opps over last 3 years:
— Brian Fremeau (@bcfremeau) February 5, 2020
.927 Clemson
.905 Ohio St
.897 Alabama
.889 UCF
.854 Oklahoma
.846 Notre Dame
.825 Georgia
.816 LSU
.811 App St
.800 Boise St
.789 Penn St
.756 Wisconsin
.711 Memphis
INSIDE THE IRISH READING
— Safety commitment an absolute 2021 Irish necessity— February recruiting drama a Notre Dame worry of the past— The ‘next echelon’ of recruiting already at hand for Irish— Notre Dame’s fast recruiting a start a result of the calendar, not increased effort
OUTSIDE READING
— College football teams with the most returning production in 2020
— Tensions simmered between Davie, New Mexico throughout season— The final game of Kobe Bryant the coach
#BREAKING Multiple sources in college fball tell me former @NDFootball OC Chip Long is being hired as an Offensive Analyst @Vol_Football Long is tight w #Vols asst Brian Niedermeyer who visited ND in spring. Long was in Knox in late-December per numerous sources @FootballScoop
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) February 7, 2020