Notre Dame football schedule: Ranking 2022 Fighting Irish opponents

Brian Kelly is out and Marcus Freeman is in, kicking off a new chapter of Notre Dame football history, facing a 2022 season rich in potential, but also with risk.

A lot of the most important support coaching staff decided to stay on, giving Freeman some needed stability, and there's plenty of talent to work with all over this roster as the Irish maintained and improved its recruiting position this year.

But there are also major questions. Who will start at quarterback? What does this team have in the backfield and the skill positions? How will the secondary come together?

As ever, the big question comes when looking over this year's schedule. What can the Fighting Irish look forward to this fall? Let's look at each game, from the easiest to the hardest.

Notre Dame football schedule: Ranking the Fighting Irish opponents

12. UNLV

When: Oct. 22

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: The Rebels have won just two games the last two seasons and are one of the worst FBS programs going right now. Perfect for a midseason breather as Notre Dame recovers from a tough first half of the season and prepares for an equally difficult second half going into November.

11. Marshall

When: Sept. 10

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: Marshall has been a team to watch in conference the last few seasons and are coming off a 7-win campaign in 2021. But the Herd have to replace quarterback Grant Wells, who decided to transfer to Virginia Tech. A good opportunity for the Irish to make a statement in their home opener.

10. Navy

When: Nov. 12

Where: Baltimore

What to expect: Navy won twice in its first 12 games last season and has been down these past few seasons. Notre Dame has taken nine of the last 10 in this old rivalry, but don't ever count the Midshipmen out. The triple-option is always tough to defend, and this game comes off the Irish hosting Clemson. This one could be a trap if the Domers aren't careful.

9. Cal

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When: Sept. 17

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: Cal fielded a solid-looking defense a year ago, ranking fourth overall in the conference, third in scoring, and tops in yards per play allowed. But the Golden Bears have a few pieces to fill in the front seven to maintain those rankings. And there are major holes to fill at both quarterback and wide receiver. Advantage, Irish.

8. Syracuse

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When: Oct. 29

Where: Syracuse

What to expect: Dino Babers comes into what could be a defining season for his tenure at Syracuse. He's only had one winning season out of six, and comes in under pressure to correct a record that includes just 15 wins in 50 ACC appearances. Syracuse fielded the league's fourth-worst total offense and mustered under 150 yards per game in conference.

7. Stanford

When: Oct. 15

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: A year ago, this was the worst rushing offense, the third-worst scoring unit, and the second-worst total offense in the Pac-12. Running back Austin Jones is gone (to USC), but the other 10 starters should be back, including quarterback Tanner McKee. All seven of his INTs came in the last five games, all losses. When he didn't turn the ball over, Stanford fared a more respectable 3-2, including a win over No. 3 Oregon.

6. Boston College

When: Nov. 19

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec returns from injury to lead an offense that, without him on the field, ranked worst in the conference in yards and fourth-worst in points. BC gets more than a half-dozen starters back on defense, a unit that ranked No. 4 in the ACC in 2021. Notre Dame has taken the last eight in the Holy War and has scored at least 40 points in each of the last three.

5. North Carolina

When: Sept. 24

Where: Chapel Hill

What to expect: UNC has to replace four offensive line starters and make a decision at quarterback. In the meantime, the Tar Heels will get solid returns from its recruiting efforts at defensive end and linebacker, including 5-star lineman Travis Shaw. This will be the first of two straight road games for the Irish, with the other coming against an independent upstart out west...

4. BYU

When: Oct. 8

Where: Las Vegas

What to expect: This team only looked better in 2021, winning 10 games again despite losing players like quarterback Zach Wilson and playing its usual aggressive schedule. Now the Cougars bring back quarterback Jaren Hall, their top two receivers, most of its offensive line, and almost all of its defense. BYU went 5-0 against Pac-12 teams last year (two ranked) and also beat a decent Utah State. Notre Dame's College Football Playoff hopes could hinge on this game. BYU can move.

3. USC

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When: Nov. 26

Where: Los Angeles

What to expect: The sexy pick of the college football offseason, USC brings a lot of talent into this year after bringing on head coach and offensive guru Lincoln Riley. We'll know by November when he was able to put it all together, but the one thing we know now is this offense should go into another gear. 

Caleb Williams is a Heisman contender on Day 1 at quarterback and has some quality outlets like wideout Mario Williams and running back Travis Dye. But how well can the Trojans stop teams? They couldn't last fall, and patching up this defensive unit is no overnight fix.

2. Clemson

When: Nov. 5

Where: Notre Dame

What to expect: Last time these teams met in sight of Touchdown Jesus, it was the Irish knocking off the No. 1 Tigers. It's an open question if Clemson will be top ranked again this time, but it should be better with its elite defenders coming back from injury and what it hopes will be a vastly improved offensive attack. 

Will Shipley will carry the load on the ground, but quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is yet to live up to his 5-star potential on a consistent basis, throwing just nine TDs against 10 picks a year ago. Pressure early and throw him off schedule and the Irish can make a statement here.

1. Ohio State

When: Sept. 3

Where: Columbus

What to expect: Two of the six times these powerhouses have met on the same field, it was called a "Game of the Century." The jury's still out on this year's version being that important, but Notre Dame's opener comes against a team on a very short list to make the College Football Playoff. 

Ohio State loses two NFL receivers, but still retains the core of what in 2021 was the No. 1 offense in the nation. But there's one weakness here: if the Irish can get behind the Buckeyes' secondary, then anything is possible. Ask Oregon and Michigan, who did just that in statement wins over this team last fall.

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