Who Was Notre Dame Supposed to Play? A Deep Dive into the 2020 College Football Season
Hello there, sports enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the world of college football to answer a question that's been on many fans' minds: who was Notre Dame supposed to play in the 2020 season? We'll be exploring the Fighting Irish's original schedule, the impact of COVID-19, and how the season ultimately unfolded. So, grab your jerseys, and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who was notre dame supposed to play.
Notre Dame's Original 2020 Schedule
Before the pandemic threw a wrench into the works, Notre Dame's 2020 season was shaping up to be an exciting one. The Fighting Irish were set to face a mix of tough opponents and familiar foes. Here's a quick rundown of who they were supposed to play:
- 1. Navy Midshipmen (Week 1) - A long-standing rivalry was set to kick off the season in Dublin, Ireland.
- 2. USC Trojans (Week 2) - The Irish were ready to welcome back their old rivals to South Bend.
- 3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Week 3) - A non-conference game that could've been a tricky one.
- 4. Clemson Tigers (Week 4) - A marquee matchup against the defending national champions in South Bend.
- 5. Louisville Cardinals (Week 5) - Another non-conference game, this time against a powerful ACC team.
- 6. Pitt Panthers (Week 6) - A new ACC opponent for the Irish.
- 7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Week 7) - A trip to Atlanta to face the Yellow Jackets.
- 8. Duke Blue Devils (Week 8) - A home game against another ACC foe.
- 9. Navy Midshipmen (Week 9) - The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series was set to resume in Annapolis.
- 10. Boston College Eagles (Week 10) - A trip to Chestnut Hill to face the Eagles.
- 11. North Carolina Tar Heels (Week 11) - A rare trip to Chapel Hill.
- 12. Syracuse Orange (Week 12) - A home game against the Orange to wrap up the regular season.
The Impact of COVID-19
As the pandemic swept across the globe, college football was forced to adapt. The NCAA announced that the 2020 season would be pushed back, and many schools, including Notre Dame, began to explore scheduling changes. Here's how the Fighting Irish's plans changed:
- Independence to ACC - With the Big Ten and Pac-12 initially planning to play conference-only schedules, Notre Dame, an independent, needed to find a new home. They joined the ACC as a football-only member for the 2020 season. - Schedule Changes - With their new conference affiliation, Notre Dame's schedule underwent significant changes. The games against Navy in Dublin and the trip to Chapel Hill were canceled, while matchups against ACC opponents Wake Forest, Pitt, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Boston College remained. - Bye Weeks and Makeup Games - To accommodate the delayed start, Notre Dame added an extra bye week and filled the void left by canceled games with makeup opponents. The Irish were supposed to play Florida State and Wake Forest on consecutive weeks in October.
The 2020 Season as It Unfolded
With the changes in place, Notre Dame kicked off their delayed season on September 12 against Duke. Here's a quick recap of how the season played out:
- Duke Blue Devils (Week 1) - The Irish opened their season with a 27-13 win at home. - USF Bulls (Week 2) - A makeup game against an AAC opponent resulted in a 52-0 shutout. - Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Week 3) - A close game in Winston-Salem ended with the Irish on top, 45-31. - Florida State Seminoles (Week 4) - A dominant performance in Tallahassee led to a 42-26 victory. - Clemson Tigers (Week 5) - A rematch of the previous year's Cotton Bowl Classic ended in a 34-10 loss for the Irish. - Pitt Panthers (Week 7) - A back-and-forth game in South Bend ended with the Irish on top, 45-31. - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Week 8) - A 31-13 win in Atlanta kept the Irish's ACC record unblemished. - Boston College Eagles (Week 10) - A dominant second-half performance led to a 45-31 win. - Syracuse Orange (Week 11) - A 45-21 victory in the Carrier Dome secured Notre Dame's spot in the ACC Championship Game. - ACC Championship Game - Notre Dame vs. Clemson (Week 12) - The Irish fell short in a rematch, losing 34-10.
Notre Dame's 2020 Season in Review
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Notre Dame managed to put together a successful season. They finished with a 10-2 record, including a 12-0 regular season, and earned a spot in the ACC Championship Game. While the Fighting Irish may not have played the original schedule they had planned, they made the most of the cards they were dealt and still managed to make waves in the college football world.
So, there you have it, folks! We've explored who Notre Dame was supposed to play in the 2020 season, how the pandemic forced changes, and how the season ultimately unfolded. We hope this deep dive has satisfied your curiosity and given you a newfound appreciation for the Irish's resilience in the face of adversity. Until next time, keep your eyes on the ball and your hearts in the game!