By JOSH STROPE

For The Times Leader

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Following an undefeated 12-0 regular season, Notre Dame made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, bowing out in a semifinal to eventual national champion Clemson.

If the Fighting Irish look to make it two in a row, they are going to have to be road warriors in 2019.

Notre Dame plays arguably its three toughest games on the road — at George (Sept. 21), at Michigan (Oct. 26) and at Stanford (Nov. 30).

“One of our themes this year is we have to be road warriors,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, entering his 10th season in charge, said at his season-opening press conference. “That’s what they sign up for. That’s why they come to Notre Dame because they really relish those challenges.”

“They know what the mission is — that is, graduate from Notre Dame and win a national championship. That’s the standard. It’s on the back of their shirts when they work out — maintaining the standard.”

The home schedule includes traditional rivals USC (Oct. 12) and Boston College (Nov. 23), as well as a Virginia (Sept. 28) predicted to win its division in the ACC.

The Fighting Irish, ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll, open the season with a Labor Day showdown at Louisville.

Many of the good feelings revolve around the play last season of starting quarterback Ian Book.

Despite winning his first three games, the offense was stagnant under last year’s starter Brandon Wimbush. Kelly made the bold move to switch quarterbacks and Book never made him regret that decision.

The redshirt senior finished the regular season 197 of 280 (70.4 percent) for 19 TDs passing, while rushing 78 times for 250 yards and four scores.

Book ranked sixth nationally in completion percentage and eighth in pass efficiency.

“He came back, and he knows the things that he needs to work on, but he also knows the things that he’s really good at,” Kelly said. “He walks around this building with a great presence around him.”

Wimbush transferred to Central Florida for his final season, meaning Book won’t have to look over his shoulder. The starting job is all his for the first time in his Notre Dame career.

Highly touted prospect Phil Jurkovec out of Pittsburgh will serve as the backup.

Book lost arguably his two best weapons to the NFL in receiver Miles Boykin (3rd round, Baltimore Ravens) and running back Dexter Williams (6th round, Green Bay Packers).

Still, the cupboard is far from bare on the offensive side of the ball.

Senior Chase Claypool will be Book’s top target. He finished the regular season second on the team with 631 receiving yards on 48 receptions and four touchdowns.

He will likely be joined in the starting lineup by sure-handed Chris Finke and Michael Young.

Cole Kmet and Brock Wright will see time at tight end.

Williams served a suspension to begin the season last year, leaving converted running back Jafar Armstrong to carry the load.

The junior held his own and finished the season with 377 yards and seven touchdowns, including two scores in a season-opening victory against rival Michigan. Armstrong missed three games with a knee injury.

Senior Tony Jones Jr. will also see reps. He played all 12 games last season, rushing for 392 yards and three scores, including a key touchdown reception to seal a victory against USC in the regular season finale.

The offensive line was young last year and held its own against some of the best front lines in college football. Despite the loss of captain Alex Bars (he was lost to a knee injury last season before graduating), the Irish front line should be one of the team’s strengths.

Liam Eichenberg (left tackle), Tommy Kraemer (right guard), Robert Hainsey (right tackle), Aaron Bans (left guard) and Jarrett Patterson (center) will like be the starting unit.

The Irish defense was one of the best in the country last season, but lost key pieces in first-round selection Jerry Tillery (Los Angeles Chargers), as well as captains Te’Von Coney and Drue Tranquill and cornerback Julian Love.

Defensive coordinator Clark Lea did a solid job in his first season in charge and looks to bring more of that intensity this season.

The Fighting Irish will be led up front by potential first-rounders at defensive end, Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara. Daelin Hayes will also see plenty of action.

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Myron and Kurt Hinish will likely get the first chances inside at defensive tackle.

With the loss of Coney and Tranquill, linebacker will be the biggest question marks for Notre Dame.

Asmar Bilal returns and will take over inside. Jordan Genmark Heath, Shayne Simon, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Paul Moala will battle through training camp to see who starts on the edges.

Love was the leader of the Notre Dame secondary last season and when he left for a quarter with an injury in the semifinal loss to Clemson, the Tigers took advantage, scoring three passing touchdowns to break the game open.

Alohi Gillman and Jalen Elliott are as good you fill find at the safety positions.

Troy Pride will start at one corner, with Houston Griffin, Shaun Crawford or Avery Davis lining up on the opposite side.

Notre Dame will also have to replace all-time leading scorer Justin Yoon at kicker and captain Tyler Newsome at punter.