based on coaches poll, i'll take nd on a flier. if they can beat mich at home in first game, they'll be set up nicely, with only stanford (home) and usc (away) as the major tests, imo. maybe va tech and fsu, but i don't think either are ready to compete like irish might be, though they could play upset.
stanford will be tough, but it's at home, and i don't buy usc being great this year.
and really, even if they lose to mich in g1, they have the schedule and name to make up for it.
i don't think it'll happen, but they'd be my pick.