How does Notre Dame football 2024 schedule shake out? Ranking this year's Irish opponents

SOUTH BEND — With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, more programs will be in the mix for a national championship. Notre Dame football's seemingly favorable schedule, the Irish are considered a favorite to nab one of those 12 spots.

Of Notre Dame's 12 regular-season games, the Irish are expected to be favored in each. Notre Dame will play two road games on college campuses this season — the opener against Texas A&M, and week three at Purdue. Two of its contests will be played in NFL stadiums and one in a Major League baseball park. It's regular-season finale against rival USC is technically played off campus at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

As for Notre Dame’s six true home games , Florida State has top billing as the Seminoles travel to South Bend Nov. 9 for a primetime matchup. FSU lost its last sub-freezing November game in South Bend, 42-13, back in a 2018.

While the schedule might not scare many, there are still some challenges along the way. Here is a quick breakdown of each game on the 2024 Notre Dame football schedule, ranked by difficulty.

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No. 12: Sept. 7 – vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS

• Game info : Saturday, Sept. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC.
• Series history : First meeting
• Last year’s record : 7-6

411 on Northern Illinois : One of the MAC’s top rushers in Antario Brown is back after accumulating 1,296 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season. He’ll be relied on heavily early as NIU works to replace three-year starting quarterback Rocky Lombardi.

On defense, look for the likes of defensive end Raishein Thomas (74 tackles, two sacks last year) and defensive back JaVaughn Byrd (three interceptions) to lead the way for the Huskies.

Just like last year’s home opener against Tennessee State, this is a first-time matchup for the Fighting Irish against the Huskies of the Mid-American Conference. Notre Dame won that game, 56-3. While the final score might not be as extreme as that one, this should be a comfortable victory for the Irish.

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No. 11: Nov. 23 — vs. Army @ Yankee Stadium

• Game info : Saturday, Nov. 23 at Yankee Stadium in New York City, 7 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Series history : Notre Dame leads, 38-4-8
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 44-6, in 2016
• Last year’s record : 6-6

What's Army got? : The Knights built itself into a solid program under head coach Jeff Monken the past 10 years, going 70-55 with four bowl game wins. Army utilizes a triple-option rushing offense, anchored last year by returning quarterback Bryson Daily. He had 907 of Army’s 2,496 total rushing yards and a team-high seven touchdowns.

This is a Shamrock Series game for Notre Dame, which they’re 11-0 in as a program. It will be nostalgic seeing Army and Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium, harkening back to the Four Horsemen days. That will likely be the coolest thing from this game, though, as the Irish have not lost to Army since 1965.

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No. 10: Oct. 26 — vs. Navy @ MetLife Stadium

• Game info : Oct. 26 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
• TV: TBA
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 80-13-1
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 42-3, in 2023
• Last year’s record : 5-7

Midshipmen report : When playing Navy, the first thing that comes up is containing the triple-option rushing attack. It’s run-heavy offense led the Midshipmen to finish 18th in rushing yards per game last year with 194.6 on average. Fullback Alex Tecza returns after leading Navy with 758 rushing yards a season ago.

The annual game with the Midshipmen moves to the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets for the first time since 2010. The Fighting Irish have won six straight against Navy, and that trend will likely continue this season.

No. 9: Oct. 12 — vs. STANFORD

• Game info : Oct. 12 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 22-14
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 56-23, in 2023
• Last year’s record : 3-9

Scouting Stanford : The rebuilding project continues for head coach Troy Taylor as the Cardinal went 3-9 in his first year. Stanford athletics moves to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024 as part of a mass exodus of 10 teams from the PAC-12.

The Cardinal struggled on both sides of the ball last year. Notre Dame should be able to capitalize on that like it did in 2023.

No. 8: Nov. 16 — vs. VIRGINIA

• Game info : Nov. 16 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 4-0
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 28-3, in 2021
• Last year’s record : 3-9

About Virginia : The Cavaliers were young in 2023, including true freshman QB Anthony Colandrea. The majority of the offensive line were underclassmen, and nearly two dozen players started at least one game on defense as well.

Time will tell if the playing experience of last year pays off for Virginia this season. By the time they make a visit to South Bend, though, the Irish should be humming on both sides of the ball, making it an uphill battle for the Cavaliers.

No. 7: Sept. 14 — @ Purdue

• Game info : Sept. 14 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: CBS
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 57-26-2
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 27-13, in South Bend
• Last year’s record : 4-8

Boilermaker report : A rivalry is renewed as the Irish and Boilermakers will play for the Shillelagh Trophy once again.

Purdue continues its rebuild under second-year head coach Ryan Walters, which. The Boilermakers, 4-8 in 2023, might be the first team Notre Dame faces all season with its quarterback situation solidified. Hudson Card returns after starting 11 games for Purdue. The team’s leading rusher in Devin Mockobee is back as well.

This could be a tricky game for Notre Dame, as the Ross-Ade Stadium crowd will be fired up for this one. The talent gap between the two teams is wide enough, though, where the Irish should be able to overcome the atmosphere.

No. 6: Sept. 21 – vs. MIAMI (Ohio)

• Game info : Saturday, Sept. 21 at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 2-0
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 52-17, in 2017
• Last year’s record : 11-3

Who is Miami (Ohio)? : The RedHawks should be good again as the reigning Mid-American Conference champs return 13 starters.

Starting quarterback Brett Gabbert — brother of former Missouri and NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert — is back for a sixth season. Senior linebackers Matt Salopek and Ty Wise return after recording 143 and 122 tackles, respectively. Salopek’s total ranking third in the country.

This could be another sneaky contest for Notre Dame, who has struggled with good Group of Five teams at home in recent seasons. If the Irish aren’t careful, this could be a competitive game deep into the second half.

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No. 5: Oct. 19 – Georgia Tech @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

• Game info : Oct. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, start time TBA
• TV: TBA
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 30-6-1
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 55-0, in 2021
• Last year’s record : 7-6

Skinny on the Yellowjackets : A one-two punch on offense returns in quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes. The former threw for 27 touchdowns and rushed for 10 more, while the latter had 1,059 rushing yards and seven scores. King’s favorite target, Eric Singleton Jr., returns with 48 catches for 719 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Getting better on defense will be paramount for Georgia Tech after allowing 29.5 points per game. The Irish gave up nearly half of that, ranking seventh in the country at 15.9 points per game.

It feels like the Yellow Jackets are ready to take another step under head coach Brent Key. They’re searching for a marquee win against a program like Notre Dame, which should make for a fun contest inside the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

No. 4: Sept. 28 – vs. LOUISVILLE

• Game info : Sept. 28 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: Peacock
• Series history : 2-2
• Last meeting : Louisville won, 33-20, in 2023
• Last year’s record : 10-4

About Louisville : Cardinals alum Jeff Brohm returned to coach his alma mater last year and led them to a 10-win season, although it ended with three-straight losses.

Defense will likely carry Louisville with defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte and cornerback Quincy Riley. Gillotte had 11 sacks to help earn second-team All-American honors last year, while Riley had 49 tackles and three interceptions.

This is a game circled on many Notre Dame fans’ schedule after the Cardinals blew up the Irish College Football Playoff hopes . It has the chance to be the best atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium all season because of that.

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No. 3: Nov. 30 — @ USC

• Game info : Nov. 30 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, time TBA
• TV: TBA
• Series history : Notre Dame leads, 49-37-5
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 48-20, in 2023
• Last year’s record : 8-5

What about the Trojans? : This is always a top five game on the schedule for both schools with the Jeweled Shillelagh and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff at stake.

Offense has never been the issue for a Lincoln Riley coached team. USC’s 41.8 points per game average ranked third overall last year with 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at quarterback. Now starter Miller Moss put up a 372-yard, six-touchdown performance against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl after Williams opted out.

Whether USC’s defense can stop teams will be the question. The Trojans were abysmal against Power-Five teams last year. While the Trojans addressed these issues in the transfer portal, but how those players translate to new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s system will be paramount in contending for a Big Ten championship and CFP spot.

No. 2: Nov. 9 – vs. FLORIDA STATE

• Game info : Nov. 9 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC
• Series history : Florida State leads 6-5
• Last meeting : Notre Dame won, 41-38, in 2021
• Last year’s record : 13-1

The Seminoles's story : The Seminoles nearly made the College Football Playoff after going unbeaten and winning the ACC championship, but were snubbed after a late-season injury to starting quarterback Jordan Travis.

FSU will have a new quarterback in former Clemson and Oregon State starter D.J. Uiagalelei. The signal caller famously made his first career start against Notre Dame in 2020 when Clemson star Trevor Lawrence missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19. Lawrence would get his revenge against the Irish in the ACC Championship Game.

The Seminoles lost 10 key players from last year to the NFL. Alabama transfers Malik Benson and (WR) and Earl Little Jr. (LB) should make immediate impact.

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No. 1: Aug. 31 @ Texas A&M

• Game info : Aug. 31 at Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: ABC
• Series history : Notre Dame leads 3-2
• Last meeting : Texas A&M won, 24-3, in 2001
• Last year’s record : 7-6

About Texas A&M : This is the biggest game for Notre Dame. A win could propel the Irish to great things (see: 2018 vs. Michigan). A loss could take the wind out of sails (see: 2022 at Ohio State).

It’s a new era for the Aggies as first-year head coach Mike Elko replaces Jimbo Fisher. With that comes several changes, making this week one opener feel truly like a tossup. Elko was also an assistant at Notre Dame under Brian Kelly and was Riley Leonard's head coach at Duke last season.

Conner Weigman is expected to start at quarterback. He was under center the first four games last season before a foot injury ended his season. Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens could be a top rushing option while Noah Thomas flashed as a top receiving threat during April's spring game.

The Aggies’ second leading tackler from last year returns in Taurean York. Elko is a defensive-minded head coach who inherits a team that ranked 19th in the country in total defense.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: How does Notre Dame football 2024 schedule shake out? Ranking this year's Irish opponents