Phil Steele’s 2021 Notre Dame forecast calls for another big season

Phil Steele ranked Notre Dame football No. 7 in the nation in his 2021 forecast. The Fighting Irish are coming off their first taste of a conference schedule after a temporary adoption by the ACC. A 10-2 record with wins over Clemson and North Carolina showed they can still compete at the top of college football. Head coach Brian Kelly returns with a new-look roster and hopes to recreate his success last season.

“While most of my power ratings forecast a loss or two, my main set of ratings has them going 12-0 this year,” Steele wrote in his 2021 Notre Dame forecast.

Offense

Notre Dame went into the transfer portal to find Ian Book’s replacement and brought in former Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan. After missing 2020 with a foot injury, Coan looks to return to his 2019 form of 2,727 yards and 18 touchdowns. The offense returns just three players to help build around Coan this season. Running back Kyren Williams is coming off 1,438 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns in his first full season and tight end Michael Mayer looks to build on 450 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, Steele projects Jarrett Patterson at right guard along with preseason All-American and Marshall transfer Cain Madden up front.

Defense

The defense returns six starters including All-ACC safety Kyle Hamilton. In 2020, Hamilton finished the season with 63 tackles with six pass deflections and one interception. The front seven is anchored by defensive end Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, who had a breakout season in 2020 with three sacks. Steele’s projections call for a slight regression from Notre Dame’s defense this season. After allowing 19.7 points per game, the 2021 Notre Dame forecast calls for 21.1 points allowed under new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.

Special Teams

Notre Dame’s special teams unit has been on a steady incline since 2016, progressing from No. 108 to No. 28 under special teams coordinator Brian Polian. The 2021 Notre Dame forecast calls for more improvement this season. Senior kicker Jonathan Doerer returns after going 15-for-23 on field goals. Jay Bramblett returns at punter after averaging 42.8 yards per punt last season.

Coaches

Kelly is entering his 12th season at Notre Dame with a 102-39 record. He has two college football playoff appearances in the last three seasons but has not broken through for a national championship. Second-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is highly touted by his boss and special teams coordinator Polian adds the title associate head coach in his fifth season. Notre Dame brought Freeman, the architect of the Cincinnati defense, after the departure of defensive coordinator Clark Lea.