Notre Dame Football 2024 Schedule: A Season of Great Expectations

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are gearing up for an exciting season in 2024, with a schedule that promises plenty of challenges and opportunities for glory. With a talented roster led by a dynamic coaching staff, the Irish are poised to make a run for the College Football Playoff and bring home another National Championship.

The 2024 campaign will feature a mix of familiar foes and new opponents, including some of the biggest names in college football. The Irish will kick off the season with a home game against the Ball State Cardinals, before embarking on a tough road trip to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. They’ll then return home for a matchup with the Stanford Cardinal, before heading to South Bend to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a highly anticipated rivalry game.

The heart of Notre Dame’s schedule comes in the second half of the season, with a gauntlet of challenging opponents that will test the team’s resilience and determination. They’ll face off against ACC foes such as the Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, and Boston College Eagles, as well as Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners. These games will be crucial in determining Notre Dame’s fate in the race for the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame Football 2024 Schedule

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have released their 2024 football schedule, which features a challenging slate of opponents and several key matchups.

  • Home Opener: Ball State Cardinals
  • Rivalry Game: Michigan Wolverines
  • ACC Foes: Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, Boston College Eagles
  • Big 12 Matchup: Oklahoma Sooners
  • Road Trip: Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Playoff Contenders: Stanford Cardinal, Clemson Tigers

The Irish will face a tough test in their season opener against the Ball State Cardinals, who have won at least 8 games in each of the past three seasons. They’ll then travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the top teams in the country. The Irish will also have to contend with ACC powerhouses Clemson and NC State, as well as Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma.

Home Opener: Ball State Cardinals

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will kick off their 2024 season with a home game against the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, August 31st. The Cardinals, led by head coach Mike Neu, have won at least 8 games in each of the past three seasons and are looking to make a statement against the Fighting Irish in South Bend.

  • New Era, New Beginning: The 2024 season marks the start of a new era for Notre Dame football, with Marcus Freeman entering his third year as head coach. A strong start against Ball State would set the tone for the rest of the season and give the Irish a much-needed boost of confidence.
  • Cardinal Challenge: Ball State is no pushover. They have a talented roster led by quarterback John Paddock, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. The Cardinals also have a strong defense that ranked among the top 25 in the nation in scoring defense in 2022.
  • Home Field Advantage: Notre Dame has a long history of success at home, especially in season openers. The Irish have won their last 10 home openers and are looking to extend that streak against Ball State. The crowd at Notre Dame Stadium will be electric, providing the Irish with a significant advantage.
  • Statement Game: For both teams, the season opener is an opportunity to make a statement. Ball State wants to show that they can compete with the big boys, while Notre Dame wants to prove that they are a legitimate contender for the College Football Playoff. A win for either team would be a major boost to their morale and momentum.

The Notre Dame-Ball State matchup is sure to be an exciting and competitive game. The Cardinals will be looking to pull off an upset, while the Irish will be looking to start their season off on the right foot. The outcome of this game could have a major impact on the rest of the season for both teams.

Rivalry Game: Michigan Wolverines

One of the most anticipated games on Notre Dame’s 2024 schedule is the annual rivalry game against the Michigan Wolverines. The two teams have a long and storied history, dating back to 1887. They have met 43 times overall, with Michigan holding a slight edge in the series, 24-18-1.

In recent years, the rivalry has been dominated by Michigan. The Wolverines have won the last four meetings, including a 31-10 victory in Ann Arbor in 2022. Notre Dame’s last win in the series came in 2018, when the Irish pulled off a 24-17 upset at home.

The 2024 matchup will be played at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, October 12th. It will be the 120th anniversary of the first meeting between the two schools.

Both teams will be looking to make a statement in this game. Notre Dame wants to prove that they can compete with the top teams in the country, while Michigan wants to continue their dominance over their rivals. The atmosphere at Notre Dame Stadium will be electric, and the game is sure to be a memorable one.

Here are some additional details about the Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry:

  • The two teams are located just 200 miles apart, which makes for a natural rivalry.
  • Both schools have a rich tradition in college football, with Notre Dame claiming 13 national championships and Michigan claiming 11.
  • The rivalry trophy is the Jeweled Shillelagh, which is a wooden club that is painted green and gold, the colors of both schools.
  • The game is often played in front of a sellout crowd, and the atmosphere is always electric.

ACC Foes: Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, Boston College Eagles

Notre Dame’s ACC schedule in 2024 features three challenging opponents: the Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, and Boston College Eagles.

  • Clemson Tigers: The Clemson Tigers are one of the top teams in the country and the perennial ACC champions. Led by quarterback Cade Klubnik, running back Will Shipley, and defensive end Myles Murphy, the Tigers are looking to make another run at the College Football Playoff in 2024. Notre Dame will travel to Clemson on Saturday, November 2nd.
  • NC State Wolfpack: The NC State Wolfpack are a rising power in the ACC. Led by quarterback Devin Leary and running back Michael Allen, the Wolfpack won 9 games in 2022 and finished the season ranked in the Top 25. Notre Dame will host NC State at home on Saturday, October 19th.
  • Boston College Eagles: The Boston College Eagles are a traditional rival for Notre Dame. Led by quarterback Phil Jurkovec and wide receiver Zay Flowers, the Eagles are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. Notre Dame will travel to Boston College on Saturday, November 16th.

The ACC is one of the toughest conferences in college football, and Notre Dame will have its hands full with these three opponents in 2024. The Irish will need to be at their best in order to come out on top in these games.

Big 12 Matchup: Oklahoma Sooners

Notre Dame’s non-conference schedule in 2024 features a marquee matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 Conference.

  • National Powerhouse: The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the most successful programs in college football history, with 7 national championships and 55 conference championships. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Eric Gray, the Sooners are looking to return to the College Football Playoff in 2024.
  • Offensive Firepower: Oklahoma is known for its high-powered offense, which averaged over 40 points per game in 2022. The Sooners have a number of talented playmakers, including wide receiver Marvin Mims and tight end Brayden Willis.
  • Home-Field Advantage: The game will be played at Notre Dame Stadium, which is one of the most iconic venues in college football. The Irish have a strong home-field advantage, and they will be looking to use it to their advantage against the Sooners.
  • Historic Rivalry: Notre Dame and Oklahoma have met 11 times previously, with the Sooners holding a 7-4 advantage in the series. The two teams last met in 2012, when Oklahoma won 30-13 in Norman.

The Notre Dame-Oklahoma matchup is sure to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2024 college football season. Both teams have high hopes for the season, and they will be looking to make a statement in this game.

Road Trip: Ohio State Buckeyes

Notre Dame’s toughest road game in 2024 will be a trip to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes.

  • National Contender: The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the top teams in the country and the perennial Big Ten champions. Led by quarterback Quinn Ewers and running back TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes are looking to make another run at the College Football Playoff in 2024.
  • Home-Field Advantage: Ohio State has one of the best home-field advantages in college football. The Buckeyes have won 25 straight games at Ohio Stadium, and they are always a tough opponent in front of their home crowd.
  • Recent History: Notre Dame and Ohio State have met only once in the past 10 years, with the Buckeyes winning 45-22 in Columbus in 2015. The Irish’s last win in the series came in 2005, when they upset the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes 34-30 in South Bend.
  • Rivalry Renewed: The Notre Dame-Ohio State matchup is one of the most anticipated games on the college football schedule. The two teams have a long history of playing each other, and they always seem to put on a show.

The Notre Dame-Ohio State game in 2024 is sure to be a memorable one. Both teams will be looking to make a statement, and the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium will be electric. It’s a game that no college football fan will want to miss.

Playoff Contenders: Stanford Cardinal, Clemson Tigers

Notre Dame’s 2024 schedule features two games against teams that are expected to be College Football Playoff contenders: the Stanford Cardinal and the Clemson Tigers.

  • Stanford Cardinal: The Stanford Cardinal are led by quarterback Tanner McKee and running back E.J. Smith, who are both considered to be among the best players in the country at their respective positions. Stanford also has a strong defense, led by linebacker David Bailey and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly. The Cardinal will be looking to make a return to the College Football Playoff in 2024 after missing out in 2022.
  • Clemson Tigers: The Clemson Tigers are one of the most dominant teams in college football, having won two national championships in the past six years. Led by quarterback Cade Klubnik and running back Will Shipley, the Tigers are once again expected to be a contender for the national title in 2024. Clemson has a number of talented players on both sides of the ball, including defensive end Myles Murphy and cornerback Nate Wiggins.

Notre Dame will face Stanford at home on Saturday, September 28th, and they will travel to Clemson on Saturday, November 2nd. Both games will be tough tests for the Irish, but they will also be opportunities for Notre Dame to prove that they belong among the nation’s elite teams.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule:

Question 1: When is Notre Dame’s first home game in 2024?
Answer 1: Notre Dame’s first home game in 2024 is against the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, August 31st.

Question 2: When do the Irish play Michigan?
Answer 2: Notre Dame will host Michigan on Saturday, October 12th.

Question 3: How many ACC opponents does Notre Dame face in 2024?
Answer 3: Notre Dame will play three ACC opponents in 2024: Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, and Boston College Eagles.

Question 4: Where do the Irish play Oklahoma?
Answer 4: Notre Dame will host Oklahoma at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, September 7th.

Question 5: When is Notre Dame’s toughest road game in 2024?
Answer 5: Notre Dame’s toughest road game in 2024 is at Ohio State on Saturday, November 2nd.

Question 6: What are Notre Dame’s chances of making the College Football Playoff in 2024?
Answer 6: Notre Dame’s chances of making the College Football Playoff in 2024 will depend on a number of factors, including the team’s overall record, strength of schedule, and performance against ranked opponents.

Question 7: Who is Notre Dame’s starting quarterback in 2024?
Answer 7: Notre Dame’s starting quarterback in 2024 is expected to be Steve Angeli, who is a 4-star recruit from New Jersey.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule. For more information, please visit the Notre Dame Athletics website.

In addition to the FAQ, here are some tips for Notre Dame fans planning to attend games in 2024:

Tips

Here are some tips for Notre Dame fans planning to attend games in 2024:

Tip 1: Buy your tickets early.
Notre Dame football tickets are always in high demand, so it’s important to buy your tickets as early as possible. You can purchase tickets online through the Notre Dame Athletics website or through a ticket broker.

Tip 2: Arrive at the stadium early.
Notre Dame Stadium is a large venue, and it can take some time to get to your seat. It’s a good idea to arrive at the stadium at least an hour before kickoff to avoid missing any of the game.

Tip 3: Be prepared for the weather.
South Bend weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared for anything. Bring a raincoat or poncho in case of rain, and dress in layers so you can adjust to the changing temperatures.

Tip 4: Enjoy the tailgate party!
Tailgating is a big part of the Notre Dame football experience. There are many different tailgate parties happening around the stadium before each game. This is a great opportunity to meet other Notre Dame fans and get excited for the game.

Tip 5: Be respectful of the other fans.
Notre Dame Stadium is a family-friendly environment, so it’s important to be respectful of the other fans around you. This means keeping your language clean and avoiding any disruptive behavior.

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By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time at your next Notre Dame football game.

The 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule is sure to be an exciting one. With a number of challenging opponents on the schedule, the Irish will have their work cut out for them. But with a talented roster and a passionate fan base, Notre Dame is always a contender for the College Football Playoff.

Conclusion

The 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule is full of challenges and opportunities. The Irish will face a number of tough opponents, including Clemson, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. But with a talented roster and a passionate fan base, Notre Dame is always a contender for the College Football Playoff.

Here is a summary of the main points of the 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule:

  • The Irish will open their season at home against the Ball State Cardinals.
  • Notre Dame will face their biggest rival, Michigan, on October 12th at Notre Dame Stadium.
  • The Irish will play three ACC opponents in 2024: Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, and Boston College Eagles.
  • Notre Dame will host Oklahoma at Notre Dame Stadium on September 7th.
  • The Irish’s toughest road game in 2024 is at Ohio State on November 2nd.
  • Notre Dame’s chances of making the College Football Playoff in 2024 will depend on a number of factors, including the team’s overall record, strength of schedule, and performance against ranked opponents.

Closing Message

The 2024 Notre Dame Football Schedule is sure to be an exciting one. With a number of challenging opponents on the schedule, the Irish will have their work cut out for them. But with a talented roster and a passionate fan base, Notre Dame is always a contender for the College Football Playoff. So get ready for a great season of Notre Dame football in 2024!

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