As we touched on the other day in the “Windows of Opportunity” post, Notre Dame’s success over the last couple of seasons has positioned the program to reach some milestones in 2019. There are additional rivalry milestones available to the team, as well as individual milestones for a few key players.

Winning

  • The Irish could record 10 wins in three consecutive seasons for the second time in school history (1991-1993)
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Signs point to yes
  • A repeat of 12-1 would tie the school record for the most wins in two consecutive seasons (24, 1988-1989)
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Ask me later
  • 12-1 would also break the school record for most wins in three consecutive seasons (33, 1988-1990)
    • Magic 8 Ball says: See above, dummy
  • The last time Notre Dame held an end-of-season top five win was in 2013, against #3 Michigan State. The Irish will likely have at least one opportunity for an in-season top five win in Athens this year.
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook not so good
  • The last time the Irish had an end-of-season top ten road win was in 1990, against #8 Tennessee. I just cried a little… There may be two chances to erase this particular ignominy, in Athens and in Ann Arbor. (For those of you wondering about 2012 Oklahoma, they ended up at #15.)
    • Magic 8 Ball says: As I see it, yes

Rivalries

  • Last won three straight against USC from 1999-2001
    • Magic 8 Ball says: It is decidedly so
  • Last won three straight against Michigan from 1988-1990
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook good
  • Last won consecutive games against Stanford from 2007-2008
    • Magic 8 Ball says: You may rely on it
  • Last won at Stanford in 2007
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Without a doubt
  • Last beat USC and Stanford in consecutive seasons in 1988-1989 (3-0-1 vs. them in 1993-1994)
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Most likely
  • Last beat Michigan and Stanford in consecutive seasons in 2004-2005
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Yes
  • Last beat USC, Michigan, and Stanford in the same season in 2012
    • Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook good
  • Last beat USC, Michigan, and Stanford in consecutive seasons in 1988-1989
    • Magic 8 Ball says: As I see it, yes

Individuals

  • A repeat of his 2018 performance for a full season would mean that Ian Book would
    • Remain 1st in career completion percentage at 67.4% (currently 66.8%; 2nd: Jimmy Clausen, 62.6%)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook good
    • Rank 5th in career passing yards with 6,861 (4th: Ron Powlus, 7,602; currently 5th: Steve Beuerlein, 6,527)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: You may rely on it
    • Rank 5th in career passing touchdowns with 50 (4th: Ron Powlus, 52; currently 5th: Deshone Kizer, 47)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: Most likely
    • Remain 1st in single-season completion percentage at 68.2% (2nd: Jimmy Clausen, 2009, 68.0%)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: Signs point to yes
    • Rank 2nd in single-season passing yards with 3,777 (1st: Brady Quinn, 2005, 3,919; currently 2nd: Jimmy Clausen, 2009, 3,722)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: Reply hazy, try again
    • Rank 5th in single-season passing touchdowns with 26 (5th: Tommy Rees, 2013, 27; currently 6th: Deshone Kizer, 2016, 26)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: Ask again later
  • Two receivers have a chance to make their mark on the Irish record books this season
    • Chase Claypoool can move into the top ten career list in each category with:
      • 53 receptions (2019: 50; career: 84)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: It is certain
      • 1,173 yards (2019: 639; career: 1,122)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: Cannot predict now
      • 10 touchdowns (2019: 4; career: 6)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: Signs point to yes
    • Chris Finke can move into the top ten career list in each category with:
      • 72 receptions (2019: 49; career: 65)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: Ask again later
      • 1,400 yards (2019: 571; career 795)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: Don’t count on it
      • 12 touchdowns (2019: 2; career: 4)
        • Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook not so good
    • The single-season top ten list is within reach as well, with the bar for 10th currently set at:
      • 67 receptions (Rhema McKnight, 2006)
      • 1,080 yards (Golden Tate, 2008)
      • 10 touchdowns (Golden Tate, 2008)
      • Magic 8 Ball says: I’m getting kinda dizzy, please stop shaking me

Our guess is that Book will stamp his name all over the Notre Dame record, uh, book, Claypool will make his own mark in a few spots, and Finke will leave as an underappreciated and occasionally prolific performer. Like the current QB coach, who is third in career passing yardage and second in career passing touchdowns, and has as many top-ten individual seasons in passing yardage and touchdowns (two of each) as Brady Quinn, Jimmy Clausen, and Deshone Kizer do. Just saying.