Analysis
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Why 2016 is the Most Important Season of the Brian Kelly Era
Last week’s National Signing Day closely mirrored the 2015 football season for Notre Dame. Head coach Brian Kelly fell just short of securing the signatures of two impact 5-star linebackers,…
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The Notre Dame Quarterback Battle: 2016 Edition
As I stood cheering on my Fighting Irish at their night opener against Texas, I had high aspirations not only for the team in 2016 but especially for our young,…
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An Early Look at Notre Dame’s 2016 Defensive Depth
In 2016 Notre Dame will have to replace two of the most dominant players in college football – Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day, but they are not the only stars…
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4 Notre Dame Seniors Who Can Shape 2016
Notre Dame has seen a "senior bump" from a number of players over the last four years. Here's four potential seniors who could shape the 2016 season.
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How Notre Dame Will Replace Jaylon Smith
Earlier this week Jaylon Smith surprised few when he declared for the NFL Draft. Had the 2015 Butkus Award winner not injured himself in the Fiesta Bowl, his declaration likely…
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2015 Was a Wild Ride for Notre Dame Football
Throughout the 2015 football season there were a number of narratives that surrounded the Notre Dame football team; so many in fact that in retrospect it’s hard to figure out…
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How Notre Dame Will Replace Keivarae Russell
Another day, another Notre Dame player with eligibility remaining entering the 2016 NFL Draft. Saturday it was running back CJ Prosise. Sunday it was All-American wide receiver Will Fuller. Monday…
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Notre Dame Football Hasn’t Hit Ceiling with Brian Kelly
Notre Dame lost another marquee game to an elite team a couple days ago. Predictably, the flood of “Notre Dame has maxed out” and “Brian Kelly will never get us…
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Slow Starts Continue to Plague Notre Dame
Notre Dame has been outscored by a combined 42-10 in the first quarter of its three losses in 2015. Can the Irish reverse this trend in 2016?
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Notre Dame’s Red Zone Woes Collide with Top-Rated Ohio State Defense
For all the intricate storylines making the Ohio State and Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl pairing an even more attractive matchup, and the multiple elements that need to be present for…
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An Expanded Defensive Role for Torii Hunter?
Torii Hunter has filled in in a pinch at the nickel back position already this year. Could the wide receiver see more time their in the Fiesta Bowl?
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Brian Kelly has Notre Dame on the Brink (Again)
Since the legendary Lou Holtz left Notre Dame in 1996, the Notre Dame football program has been lacking–in 10 win seasons, major bowl wins, wins against top 25 teams–pretty much…
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Can Deshone Kizer Pull a Troy Smith on Ohio State?
When Notre Dame and Ohio State last met in the Fiesta Bowl 10 years ago, the Irish brought an experienced quarterback who many figured to be the pre-season favorite for…
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5 Keys to Notre Dame Defeating Ohio State
There’s a reason Notre Dame is a touchdown underdog to Ohio State in this year’s Fiesta Bowl matchup on New Year’s Day, and it has everything to do with the…
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Familiar Troubles Continue to Haunt Notre Dame
Two plays and four points. Two plays and four points are the difference between Notre Dame fans feeling complete elation and excitement, and feeling empty and full of heartache. A…
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Despite Loss, 2015 Notre Dame Football Season a Success
When Stanford’s kicker, Conrad Ukropina, lined up for a game-winning 45-yard field goal attempt, Notre Dame fans everywhere held their breath, hoping the season-long dream of a national championship wouldn’t…
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Duranko’s Digest: What Did we See in Palo Alto?
A late Stanford rally, initiated with 30 seconds to go, was capped off by Conrad Ukropina’s 45 yard field goal, earning Stanford a 38-36 win over the crestfallen Irish, seeing…
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Stars Must Align for Notre Dame Against Stanford
Wherever Notre Dame ended up in the latest college football playoff rankings, winning at Stanford to close out the 2015 regular season was always a must. The Irish have already…
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Chris Brown, Notre Dame’s Under-Appreciated Leader
He’s not one of the four captains for the 2015 Fighting Irish. He doesn’t lead Notre Dame in any statistical category. He might not be drafted in May despite running…
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Duranko’s Digest: What Did We See in Fenway?
Notre Dame’s beat Boston College 19-16 to move to 10-1, before heading to Palo Alto for the titanic season finale against Stanford. The green-clad Irish offense punched holes in the…
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Notre Dame Earns Pyrrhic Victory at Fenway
Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer dropped back in the pocket, planted his foot and unleashed a beautiful 40-yard pass to star wide receiver Will Fuller, who had blown past his…
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Can Romeo Okwara Challenge Justin Tuck’s Record?
Notre Dame has been able to withstand a myriad of injuries in 2015 because of the depth the Irish have built up over the last few years on the recruiting…
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Champions Win Ugly Sometimes Too
Let’s get it out in the open, Saturday’s game against Wake Forest was ugly. Fourth ranked Notre Dame’s vaunted offense, averaging 494 yards a game, and 7.1 yards per play…
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Duranko’s Digest: What Did We See Against Wake Forest?
A somnambulant, diffident Notre Dame team did just enough to beat young, eager Wake Forest 28-7, to move to 9-1. The win completed the second unbeaten home slate under Kelly,…
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Will Fuller, An Example of Speed Trumping Scheme
Football can be an extremely complicated sport... unless you have Will Fuller's speed, then it becomes quite a bit easier.
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