The 2010 Notre Dame football season is drawing near. The Irish are a little over two months away from their home opener against Purdue and Wednesday marked the opening of ticket sales to the general public. In conjunction with the latter, and in preparation for the impending season, Clashmore Mike is hosting its annual pre-season predictions survey.

For the fourth time (excluding George O’Leary) since 1997, Notre Dame welcomes a new head coach. Brian Kelly has had success at each of his previous stops, and brings something absent from two of the previous three hires—college football head coaching experience. The Irish offense will morph from former head coach Charlie Weis’ pro-style attack to Kelly’s spread-based scheme, and Notre Dame’s defense will shift from Jon Tenuta’s aggressive 4-3 to new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s no-crease 3-4. This transition will mark the fourth different defense and defensive coordinator since 2006.

Offensively, plenty of talent returns at the receiver position, as well as talent and experience at tight end and in the backfield. But the unit must break in at least two new offensive linemen and quarterback Dayne Crist has little game experience. Additionally, the Irish must replace the production of two of the most dynamic players in recent memory—quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide receiver Golden Tate—who accounted for over 70 percent of the yardage and scoring production in 2009. The defense has an athletic and experienced front seven and good talent in the first line of the secondary, but lacks depth at most positions.

Despite the coaching staff turnover, changes to the offensive and defensive schemes, and potential personnel concerns, many have high expectations for 2010. The uncertainty surrounding the program isn’t enough to offset the remaining talent from Weis’ recruiting efforts and a favorable slate of opponents. The Irish will play seven home games and only three true road contests, and does not face an opponent without question marks on both sides of the ball. Additionally, the usual juggernauts—Michigan and USC—appear poised for weaker-than-usual years, the bye week is conveniently placed in the middle of the season, and lower tier opponents Army, Western Michigan and Tulsa are peppered throughout the second half of the schedule.

But there was similar uncertainty and a seemingly weak schedule entering the 2009 season when the pre-season predictions were surprisingly bullish. The average pre-season vote in 2009 predicted a 9-3 regular season record with the optimists forecasting 11 or more victories. As it turns out, the pessimistic prediction of six wins was right all along.

With that caveat in hand, please indicate your percent confidence in an Irish victory for each opponent. Those who subscribe via e-mail or RSS, or are reading this elsewhere, are encouraged to visit the linked article in the title and cast your vote. The poll will remain open for about week and the results will be posted before the season begins.

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