Georgia, Michigan State highlight Notre Dame's 2017 schedule
The 2016 season is fast approaching, but Notre Dame is already looking to the future with the release of the program's schedule for the 2017 campaign Thursday.
The Fighting Irish will play another very difficult slate, starting with a home date against Temple, followed by a massive matchup against SEC powerhouse Georgia. The two schools have only met once in history, with the Bulldogs scoring a 17-10 win in the 1981 Sugar Bowl to claim the national title.
A couple of other high-profile matchups dot the schedule, with the Irish travelling to Michigan State on Sept. 23 and Miami on Nov. 11. Add the usual contests against USC and Stanford, and it's an exciting lineup for Notre Dame fans.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2 | Temple | Notre Dame |
| Sept. 9 | Georgia | Notre Dame |
| Sept. 16 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill |
| Sept. 23 | Michigan State | East Lansing |
| Sept. 30 | Miami (Ohio) | Notre Dame |
| Oct. 7 | North Carolina | Chapel Hill |
| Oct. 14 | Bye | |
| Oct. 21 | USC | Notre Dame |
| Oct. 28 | N.C. State | Notre Dame |
| Nov. 4 | Wake Forest | Notre Dame |
| Nov. 11 | Miami | Miami |
| Nov. 18 | Navy | Notre Dame |
| Nov. 25 | Stanford | Stanford |
For the first time since 2010, Notre Dame will play seven home games, and not participate in a Shamrock Series neutral site event. With the stadium renovations scheduled to be completed just prior to the 2017 season, the school felt an extra home game was an important decision.
"In 2017, the first year in which we will compete in the renovated stadium, we thought it was important to maximize the opportunity for our fans to attend a home game," Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. "We look forward to restoring the Shamrock Series tradition in 2018 and the years beyond."
The Irish kick off the 2016 schedule with a massive road visit to Texas on Sept. 4.