DATE … OPPONENT … PREDICTION
Sun, Sept 4 … @ Texas … WIN
Sat, Sept 10 … vs. Nevada … WIN
Sat, Sept 17 … vs. Michigan St. … LOSS
Sat, Sept 24 … vs. Duke … WIN
Sat, Oct 1 … vs Syracuse … WIN
Sat, Oct 8 … @ NC State … WIN
Sat, Oct 15 … vs. Stanford … LOSS
Sat, Oct 29 … vs. Miami … WIN
Sat, Nov 5 … vs Navy … WIN
Sat, Nov 12 … vs Army … WIN
Sat, Nov 19 … vs Virginia Tech … WIN
Sat, Nov 26 … @ USC … LOSS
That's 9-3. I don't think they are going 9-3 though. I think they end up 10-2.
Brian Kelly coached his tail off last year. The team was destroyed by injuries throughout the season and he still managed a 10-2 record with 2 point losses at Clemson and at Stanford. The schedule this year looks easier on paper and it helps that Michigan State and Stanford are both at home. Add on that fact that both teams will be grooming new QBs this season.
A quick rundown of the roster shows a lot of question marks though.
QB - Zaire or Kiser? The team went down this road last year and it resulted in Golson transferring.
RB - Folston is back from injury, but Prosise gravytrained his time into a spot on the Seahawks roster.
WR - Top 3 WRs are gone. Torii Hunter Jr. and Corey Robinson (if he plays) hopefully maximize their fathers' genetics.

If not, ND decided to recruit basketball players to come in and play WR (4-5 young guys 6'3"+, most notably St. Brown)
TE - Still looking for the next Rudolph, Eifert or even Koyack.
OL - Lost Nick Martin and Ronny Stanley... but I'm less concerned here because the team has been recruiting OL like crazy the last few seasons.
DL - Lost 2 studs, including Sheldon Day, but like the OL, I think they'll be ok due to recent recruiting.
LB - Jaylon Smith is gone, as well as 1 of the OLBs. The group was thin last year and this year doesn't look any better.
DB - They are going to be very young and very fast... but definitely a liability early.
The offense is going to be a lot of fun to watch, but the defense is what will make or break the season for ND. There is going to be a ton of youth at LB/DB. Hopefully they come together quickly. I wouldn't be shocked if they lose/struggle at Texas in Week 1.