Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame Football And Recruiting

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly addressed the media to kick off the 2016 season. Kelly addressed a number of crucial topics, including the quarterback battle, the improvements made on defense, the suspension of sophomore tight end Alize Jones and players he is expecting to step up this season. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss all those topics - and more.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football beat writer Matt Jones preview the USC game on Nov. 26. Will the season finale be a win that boosts Notre Dame into the College Football Playoff, or will the Irish lose at the LA Coliseum?

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football beat writer Matt Jones preview the Virginia Tech game on Nov. 19. The Hokies have a first-year coach in Justin Fuente and return 16 starters.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football beat writer Matt Jones preview the back-to-back matchups with military schools Navy and Army to begin November, and discuss how important these games are for Notre Dame in its push for the playoff.

Notre Dame will host Miami at Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since 1990. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and staff writer Matt Jones preview the Hurricanes heading into the 2016 season.

Over the last six years, Notre Dame's toughest on-field opponent has been the Stanford Cardinal, who are also arguably Notre Dame's toughest opponent on the recruiting trail as well. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the Cardinal, and discuss how important this game is for Notre Dame from a big picture point of view.

One of Notre Dame's toughest games in 2016 could be the Oct. 8 road game to N.C. State. It will be Notre Dame's first trip to Raleigh, and it will be a must-win situation for the Irish. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the Wolfpack heading into the 2016 season.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview Notre Dame's fourth and fifth opponents, the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange. Notre Dame will be heavily favored in both games, but both opponents do present unique challenges, led by great offensive minds in head coach David Sutcliffe (Duke) and Dino Babers (Syracuse).

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the Notre Dame special teams heading into the 2016 season. Notre Dame returns a talented kicking duo in sophomore placekicker Justin Yoon and junior punter Tyler Newsome to go along with sophomore return man C.J. Sanders. A look at the coverage units is a part of the show, and the staff takes a look back at the Ohio State game where the Irish were dominated on special teams.

Notre Dame is 3-1 against Michigan State under Brian Kelly, but the Spartans have emerged as one of the nation's premier programs in recent seasons. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the Spartans, and discuss how the Irish matchup against the reigning Big Ten Champs.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview Notre Dame's first two opponents, the Texas Longhorns and the Wolfpack from Nevada. Texas head coach Charlie Strong is on the hot seat in Austin, but he has a young and talented roster. Former Irish assistant Brian Polian is also on the hot seat at Nevada, but the Wolfpack will have a much harder time against the Irish.

Notre Dame will be taking a break from the Shamrock Series for the 2017 series. The question is, should it return in 2018, or is it time for Notre Dame to move past it. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate that very topic.

Notre Dame has landed three Rivals250 players in the last week, providing a significant impact on the 2017 recruiting class. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the three new commits, and look forward at how Notre Dame will look to finish out the class.

Notre Dame must play well in the trenches if it wants to make a playoff run in 2016, but which unit has more pressure on its shoulders, the offensive line or the defensive line? Which unit has to play better if the Irish are to maximize their potential as program? Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate this topic.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell preview the Notre Dame secondary heading into the 2016 season. With KeiVarae Russell, Elijah Shumate and Matthias Farley now off to the NFL, the Irish return an inexperience - but talented - group of defensive backs. Several questions must be answered. Is Cole Luke ready to emerge as a shut down cornerback? Can Drue Tranquill stay healthy, and if so can he be productive? Does Max Redfield finally have his breakout, or will freshman Devin Studstill steal his playing time? Those questions and much more are discussed on this week's show.