Starting in 2004 I began predicting the record of Notre Dame's upcoming season--with a modest level of success. Before the 2004 season, I predicted that ND would go 6-5 and that Willingham would be fired shortly thereafter. I didn't pick the individual games correctly, but the rest was spot on. Then, in 2005, I predicted that Charlie Weis would take ND 9-2 and to a probable BCS bowl. Finally, last year I broke my perfect streak and said we'd go 11-1. I had us beating USC...

So I'll keep this little tradition alive and predict this season:

- Georgia Tech @ home: ND wins - I hear that GT's defense should be as good as it was last year, but I think Weis will be able to mix it up against them enough to put some points up. I'll put some faith in Brown's defense and call this a win. It's at home and we'll be juiced.

- @ Penn State: ND wins - This is a tough one to predict. I'm not sure anyone knows how good PSU will be. They'll be gearing for revenge against the Irish, but they could be lacking at first since their season opener is against fluff Florida International.

- @ Michigan: ND loses - I was tempted to call this one a win. Michigan's defense is their big question. But their offensive line will probably be able to manhandle us, no matter what Brown throws at them. Ball control wins football games.

- Michigan State @ home: ND wins - Another tough one to call. MSU is so often a wild ride, as we saw all too well last year. I'd like to think that being at home gives us an edge, though that hasn't really been the case lately.

- @ Purdue: ND wins - Some people are calling on Purdue to be resurgent this year, because the Boilermakers return a ton of starters. It won't matter. That bunch could not compete with us last year and they won't compete this year either. And I see our defense holding them to fewer points.

- @ UCLA: ND loses - UCLA was tough last year and they'll be tough or tougher this year. I'm pretty sure they return a fair number of defensive starters, and I get the feeling that their coaching staff is bringing things together. Some are saying they'll be undefeated going into their game against USC. Not a good match-up for us.

- Boston College @ home: ND wins - I can't bare another loss to these JV-Catholics. So I'm not even going to consider a loss here.

- USC @ home: ND loses - USC should be dominant this year. Not much to stand in their way to a national championship bid.

- Navy, Air Force, and Duke @ home: ND wins all three - Do I really need to elaborate? Maybe Navy will break its streak. Maybe Air Force will have a good team this year. Maybe.....

- @ Stanford: ND wins - I don't know if Stanford will be any better this season, but I always worry when we play there.

So there you have it. 9-3. I'm not going to predict the bowl game :-)