tommyIRISH23
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First off, yes, SC is having a down year. All of the NCAA sanctions, injuries..etc. And ND was at full strength, and had a relatively smooth season....NOT!
For those saying the "what if's" with Ro Jo and Barkley playing. Here a list of "What if's" for Notre Dame:
1. What if Ian Williams was playing?
2. What if Kyle Rudolph was playing?
3. What if Armando Allen was playing?
4. What if Theo Riddick didn't sit out the last 5 games?
5. What if we didn't have a freshman QB playing his 3rd game?
6. What if our QB had 11 games under his belt, and understood Kelly's full offense?
7. What is ND hadn't had to watch, and live through, one of it's own pass away, and they go play?
No, this game does not mean ND will be playing for the National Championship next season. And, no this game does mean ND should even be ranked in the top 25.
What it does mean is that ND is tough. Notre Dame finally started to live up to the name, and spirit of the "Fighting Irish". Notre Dame finally has direction, and a belief that the future looks bright, and that the bright future is not a product of smoke and mirrors like years past. CW won 9 games with a high powered offense, and no defense. He never had a defense, he just couldn't figure it out. Under CW, it always seemed about him, there was never really that feeling of "team", and belief. They played like robots. TW had a defense, and no offense. And he..well...went 0-12 at Washington. BK won 7 games and built, slowly with setbacks, a balanced identity, and foundation . You can't build a house without a foundation. He has not started to build his house yet, and there will be more growing pains as the house gets built, but he is building a sturdy strong house that will be awesome when it's finished.
ND turned a corner last night, not just by beating USC, but by growing. They got better from game 1 to 12. They grew more this season then they have in the last 10 years. Haters will point out the "overrated mid major-Utah" and the "falling giant in SC". They will also point out Navy, Michigan, and Tulsa. There is not really much we can do, except just say "wait and see".
Those who follow the program can see that the program is moving in the right direction. The intangibles that come before winning are there, the culture of ND is changing. That losing, and folding mentality is gone, the win at SC exorcised that demon. Once this team fully understands, and can fundamentally execute Kelly's plan and philosophies, it will be dangerous, and will win...a lot.
ND will finish 8-5, and there will be a ton of buzz heading into next year, and we have to be level headed with our expectations. We all still have to be patient. ND still has a ton of work to do, and is still missing a few key pieces. The defense is going to be amazing, we are going to have more athletes next year playing 4 quarters then this year. The offense is going to take some more time, it will be another year before they have a full understanding of Kelly's offense, and the QB situation is, IMO, going to hurt the development of the offense. I would feel more comfortable if we had a definite QB with a full year of game experience heading into spring/fall. I am not so sure splitting reps is the greatest of situations.
All in all, that SC win doesn't mean much on paper, but for the psyche of this team, and the direction of this team...it's a monumental mile stone that is going to spring board this team into next season and beyond. Also, when ND wins it bowl, ND is going to get a ton of press over the off-season. People are going to debate the "resurrection" of the fighting Irish. Recruits will hear all of that, and when the media talks people listen.
For those saying the "what if's" with Ro Jo and Barkley playing. Here a list of "What if's" for Notre Dame:
1. What if Ian Williams was playing?
2. What if Kyle Rudolph was playing?
3. What if Armando Allen was playing?
4. What if Theo Riddick didn't sit out the last 5 games?
5. What if we didn't have a freshman QB playing his 3rd game?
6. What if our QB had 11 games under his belt, and understood Kelly's full offense?
7. What is ND hadn't had to watch, and live through, one of it's own pass away, and they go play?
No, this game does not mean ND will be playing for the National Championship next season. And, no this game does mean ND should even be ranked in the top 25.
What it does mean is that ND is tough. Notre Dame finally started to live up to the name, and spirit of the "Fighting Irish". Notre Dame finally has direction, and a belief that the future looks bright, and that the bright future is not a product of smoke and mirrors like years past. CW won 9 games with a high powered offense, and no defense. He never had a defense, he just couldn't figure it out. Under CW, it always seemed about him, there was never really that feeling of "team", and belief. They played like robots. TW had a defense, and no offense. And he..well...went 0-12 at Washington. BK won 7 games and built, slowly with setbacks, a balanced identity, and foundation . You can't build a house without a foundation. He has not started to build his house yet, and there will be more growing pains as the house gets built, but he is building a sturdy strong house that will be awesome when it's finished.
ND turned a corner last night, not just by beating USC, but by growing. They got better from game 1 to 12. They grew more this season then they have in the last 10 years. Haters will point out the "overrated mid major-Utah" and the "falling giant in SC". They will also point out Navy, Michigan, and Tulsa. There is not really much we can do, except just say "wait and see".
Those who follow the program can see that the program is moving in the right direction. The intangibles that come before winning are there, the culture of ND is changing. That losing, and folding mentality is gone, the win at SC exorcised that demon. Once this team fully understands, and can fundamentally execute Kelly's plan and philosophies, it will be dangerous, and will win...a lot.
ND will finish 8-5, and there will be a ton of buzz heading into next year, and we have to be level headed with our expectations. We all still have to be patient. ND still has a ton of work to do, and is still missing a few key pieces. The defense is going to be amazing, we are going to have more athletes next year playing 4 quarters then this year. The offense is going to take some more time, it will be another year before they have a full understanding of Kelly's offense, and the QB situation is, IMO, going to hurt the development of the offense. I would feel more comfortable if we had a definite QB with a full year of game experience heading into spring/fall. I am not so sure splitting reps is the greatest of situations.
All in all, that SC win doesn't mean much on paper, but for the psyche of this team, and the direction of this team...it's a monumental mile stone that is going to spring board this team into next season and beyond. Also, when ND wins it bowl, ND is going to get a ton of press over the off-season. People are going to debate the "resurrection" of the fighting Irish. Recruits will hear all of that, and when the media talks people listen.
