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Notre Dame: Irish Projected to Make College Football Playoffs

By Garrett Hagan

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish players huddle on the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish players huddle on the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been projected to make the NCAA College Football Playoffs according to one expert. After a 10-3 season and strong year from the entire team, could the projection become a reality?

Notre Dame won 10 games last season as they had faced adversity from nearly the start. Starting quarterback Malik Zaire was injured during the team’s second game against Virginia — which would effectively end his season.

Backup DeShone Kizer stepped in and went 9-3 as the new signal-caller of the team. The Irish would eventually lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl.

Now, the future still remains bright for Notre Dame heading into the 2016 season. While they may have lost some key pieces to the NFL, there are still many skilled players including both Zaire and Kizer, who can help take the Irish over the hump and into the playoffs a few months from now.

CBS Sports Bowl expert Jerry Palm gave his predictions for this year’s college football playoffs, having No. 4 Notre Dame playing No. 1 Oklahoma in the Feista Bowl.

Palm also has No. 2 Clemson playing No. 3 Alabama in the Peach Bowl. If these predictions do in fact hold up to be true, we could see a rematch of the 2012 BCS National Championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame.

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; NNotre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) leaves the field following the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; NNotre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) leaves the field following the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Speaking of the rematch, the last time the Irish and Crimson Tide faced off was the 2012 title game. Alabama would go on to win 42-14 against Notre Dame in blowout fashion.

Next: ND Football: 5 Key Skill Position Players to Watch in 2016

With Zaire returning, it will be interesting to see how head coach Brian Kelly utilizes his two versatile quarterbacks this upcoming season.

Notre Dames kicks off their 2016 season against the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Sep. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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