Do they also present ND as playing 2 FBS schools and some other non-conference patsies instead of a competitive schedule? Either division would have us playing 3 ranked teams so we could mop up 9 wins versus unranked teams and flip a coin on the other three games. Add a title game if we win 2/3 of the ranked matchups for a fourth ranked team. Not that much tougher than Stanford, USC, Oklahoma, Michigan (I'll leave off MSU since they are sucking it up).
The author KC Joyner, ESPN, notes the ND is being hurt in the BCS polling because of the perception that teams in major conferences play tougher schedules. (Whether the Harris and Coaches voters acknowledge it verbally, SEC, BIG 12, and PAC 12 fans are sure commenting like that.)
Joyner notes ND beat OU at home, only Stoops 5th loss at home. On the other hand, Alabama's best win is over UM who ND also beat. He points out that UM AND MIA are both tied for their conference division lead and could play for their conference championships. He further notes that SU is only a game out of their division lead and could play for a championship as well.
After UM, Bama's best win is Arkansas. Not much to boast about, is it? Next best Bama win is over Mississippi. They also beat up Missouri who was missing their best player, first string QB James Franklin. Yes, he concedes Bama beat an undefeated Miss St team but points out their winning streak was built on 4 non-BCS conferences opponents and hapless Auburn, UTN, and UK. (He mentioned John L. was a lame duck at Arkansas but showed charity to Chizek and Dooley simply calling their teams "weaker".)
He acknowledges that Bama is the best team in the country but LSU isn't what they were expected to be. Great defense but not so great passing offense. LSU QB has a 90 QB Eff Rating against SEC Teams. ( I'll add LSU fans would be thrilled to have Rees on their team)
Nor is Bama's Eastern Div foe in the CCG quality as attested to by the recent UF/UGA game.
ND doesn't have a championship game but they face the formidable Trojans to close the season.
He notes ND's schedule is as tough as any in the SEC and the Irish had handled it.
He stresses ND's D is as good as any in the SEC.
11th nationally in yards allowed per game (293), 13th in yards allowed per play (4.53) and, most importantly, second only to Alabama in points allowed per game (9.9).
Notre Dame is particularly tough against the run, as it ranks ninth in rush yards per game allowed (95.3), first in rushing touchdowns allowed (one) and 16th in rush yards per carry (3.1). This powerful segment of its defense was in full force against Oklahoma, as the Irish allowed the Sooners only 41 yards on 22 carries (if sacks are factored out of the rushing total).
He breaks out the ND pass defense success by looking at the Depth of routes run: Short, Medium, Deep, Bomb, and Throways. His stats bear out that ND has done well in the choking down the Vertical game and compliments Russell's play.
Overall ND's Offense has the 9th lowest turnover rate while ranked 25th in Big Plays.
This is a solid article in support of ND's Offense, Defense, and Schedule as a basis for deserving a shot at the NC Game. I'm sure Tide, Duck, and Wildcat fans are complaining about the homer article by that ESPN guy. "Ya know how much ESPN loves ND"
