It’s another year of high expectations for Notre Dame football. Can they live up to them or will it be another season filled with disappointment?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, it’s not Christmas yet, but it is the middle of summer, and that means the expectations for Notre Dame football haven’t been dashed by a strange loss or a close loss to a good team like Georgia.

Many fans have high expectations for the Fighting Irish in 2018. When you look at their schedule, you can see why. As per their agreement with the ACC, they remain as a football independent, but they must face five ACC teams per year.

Since this year is a road game against Navy, then they play two ACC road games. However, this year they get the bottom of the ACC barrel — save for one game. Their toughest four games are against Michigan (season opener), Stanford, Florida State and USC. The only one of those games on the road is at USC in the L.A. Coliseum.

Barring a close loss to a traditional power, or a loss to a team they shouldn’t lose to, this could be a season in which the Irish make a run to the College Football Playoff. Let’s look at their schedule and potential for a run.

Week 1: vs. Michigan September 1

Week 2: vs. Ball State, September 8

Week 3: vs. Vanderbilt, September 15

Week 4: at Wake Forest, September 22

Week 5: vs. Stanford, September 29

Week 6: at Virginia Tech, October 6

Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh, October 13

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: at Navy (San Diego), October 27

Week 10: at Northwestern, November 3

Week 11: vs. Florida State, November 10

Week 12: vs. Syracuse (at Yankee Stadium; Shamrock Series), November 17

Week 13: at USC, November 24