Notre Dame toiled in mediocrity the last two seasons of Charlie Weis’ tenure and it has come perilously close to doing so in Brian Kelly’s first two years on the job. Unfortunately for the Fighting Irish, the odds makers are expecting another decent but not great performance from the team in 2012. The latest 2012 College Football Predictions have Notre Dame favored to win fewer than 8.5 games (-220 odds or $220 to win $100) while Irish 2013 BCS Odds are presently set at 40-1.

Most Notre Dame fans, as well as a host of college football experts, expected a big season out the Irish last year as Kelly brought back 17 starters from 2010’s 8-5 team. The Golden Domers did not disgrace themselves, but they fell short of some lofty aspirations with another 8-5 finish.

Notre Dame, which debuted at No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, is thought to have another solid squad this season with 15 starters and 41 lettermen back in South Bend, but its grueling schedule may prevent it from scoring what has proven to be an elusive 10 wins.

The Irish, who open the season in Ireland against Navy, face a handful of good to great teams, including Michigan State, Michigan, Stanford, Oklahoma, and USC, as well as several quality teams in Purdue, BYU, and Pittsburgh. With that lineup Notre Dame will truly need a miracle to reach double digit wins or score a spot in a BCS bowl game.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 2012 College Football Predictions and 2013 BCS Odds

Odds to win the BCS National Championship +4000 ($100 to win $4000)
Regular Season Wins – Over 8.5 wins (+170), Under 8.5 wins (-220)

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