Notre Dame Football: What the Irish need to compete in 2021 and beyond

To many outside observers, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t belong on the same field with the Alabama Crimson Tide during the college football playoff. To them, Notre Dame football isn’t on the same level.

I disagree with that – Notre Dame football earned its spot. They were the fourth-best team during the regular season in 2020. However, the gap between the top three and number four was huge.

And if Notre Dame plans on killing the narrative that they don’t belong, let alone actually winning a playoff game and maybe a championship, there are some things they need to address in terms of on-field needs, for 2021 and beyond.

We start with the most obvious position: Quarterback. Ian Book is moving on, and while he was incredibly good, he’s not the kind of future high-draft-pick prospect a team might need to take that next step.

With Jack Coan, Brendon Clark, Drew Pyne, Ron Powlus III, and Tyler Buchner all in the mix, head coach Brian Kelly has no shortage of options. Problem is, all but Coan lack significant experience.

Whoever wins the job will also need to show that they can play at a level above Book. Book was great at creating after plays broke down, and he took good care of the ball. But he wasn’t a great deep threat, and for whatever reason didn’t seem to connect to his receivers as well as he did his tight ends (more on that in a moment).

Not only that, but the entire offense will need to be better in the red zone.

Speaking of those receivers, the position wasn’t as nearly productive as ND fans would like in 2020. Yet, there is hope on the horizon. Even with Ben Skowronek moving on.

Avery Davis will be back, and he has shown flashes. Kevin Austin and Brenden Lenzy are on the way back from injuries. If the rejiggered offensive line can play at a high level, and the right QB emerges, the offense might transform from a ball-control offense that struggled both in the red zone and when playing from behind into something more quick-strike.  Similarly, it could switch from one that concentrates on tight-end production in the passing game to one that better utilizes the wideouts.

On the topic of tight ends, baby Gronk Michael Mayer will be back. If he produces like he did freshman year, the Irish will be in good shape. Even with Tommy Tremble departing.

Same goes for running back Kyren Williams – although the key for him might be how well the o-line blocks in front of him.

If you hadn’t watched the Irish play all season before the ‘Bama game, you might think the defense was awful. Same if you only watched the two games against Clemson – even in victory, the Irish allowed 40 points. But Clemson is deep enough to hang 40 on a good defense even with Trevor Lawrence and other key players out. And the Irish did keep Alabama to under 35 – something no one else in a long time. Something Ohio State couldn’t manage.

The truth is Notre Dame had one of the better defenses in the country. But it looked outclassed against Alabama because it lacks speed.

Speed kills on both sides of the ball. And the Irish, who have questions at cornerback, will have to find a way to address that, either from the development of a young player or through a transfer.

At least experience might not be an issue, with Kyle Hamilton, Kurt Hinish, and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa returning. The latter two could help the pass rush get home more often – which in turn could slow down some very good offenses.

What the Irish need to compete on the same stage as the other three 2020-2021 CFP teams is simple – more team speed on both sides of the ball, the ability to get the pass-rush home, better red-zone production, better quick-strike ability, and a QB who can capably replace Book, if not improve upon the position.

There are questions, but the Irish may also have young players in the pipeline who can address those needs.

If so, the Irish might finally be able to change the narrative should they reach the big stage again.