Notre Dame 30 – Oklahoma 13. Yes, you read that right, yesterday the Fighting Irish went into Norman, one of the most hostile environments in College Football where the Sooners rarely lose and came away with a monumental win.
The Vegas bookies and just about every pundit except Lou Holtz, bless his cotton socks, tipped a win for the home side and it was hard to argue with the predictions.
The Sooners, under coach Bob Stoops, are 79-5 at home. They have been scoring over 50 points per game in the past month lead by future NFL first round quarterback Landry Jones.
They have explosive receivers and a strong running game. It was expected the excellent defences would more or less cancel each other out but the Sooners’ offence would be the difference.
While the Notre Dame defence was stellar as usual, what wasn’t expected was the offence being the difference lead by redshirt freshmen quarterback Everette Golson.
The kid stood up in the most unexpected fashion. He has been shaky this season, particularly at home, however on the road in Norman in front of a record crowd and national TV audience he delivered big time.
His stats weren’t mind blowing, however he didn’t turn the ball over, made some huge throws and ran for 64 yards and the go ahead score. He lead the team superbly.
Of course his running backs Wood and Riddick were a great support both scoring touchdowns as the Irish ran for over 200 yards. Kudos to the offensive line for a tremendous job, absolutely manhandling the Sooners.
Ditto for the defensive line for shutting down the Sooners running game. This game was won in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
What’s next? It is going to a challenge for Coach Brian Kelly to keep a lid on the excitement of this win and the subsequent hype.
In saying that both coach and players in the post game were already focusing on Pitt at home next weekend. They have Pitt, Boston and Wake Forest before finishing the season at USC.
If they keep their heads on and stay with the process they should win the next three games.
Under Kelly they have lost these kind of games which were both brutal and painful. They need to harness this pain and use it to there advantage.
Obviously they must win these games to stay in the Bowl Championship Series picture but they now must take it up a notch and go for the jugular and win convincingly with style points. Achieve that and they set up another huge road game in LA against bitter rivals USC.
The Trojans are out of the National Title race, however could still be in the Pac 12 equation. If, and it’s another big if, the Irish can beat USC it’s going to be awfully difficult to keep them out of the BCS Title game.
However if Alabama, Oregon and Kansas State also remain undefeated it’s going to be the Mother of all shan’t storms deciding who Bama will play in the decider. The Irish have beaten four ranked teams and have one of the toughest schedules which should be recognised.
If they win out and make it to Miami can they win it all?
RebelRanger
Guest
I thoght Florida took that award.
RebelRanger
Guest
I hope Te'o wins the Heisman. Defensive players rarely the award and it would be awesome for a fellow person of Samoan herittage:) Plus if he won it, they would make a sad sop movie about it, can't say thats the case every year.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Just looked at the schedule, Pitt and Wake Forest at home ( my bad ) with Boston & USC away.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Peeko, given Chicago's proximity to South Bend I would have thought ND would have a big following ? Did you go to the Miami game ? No doubt you either love or hate ND, there is no in between ! Joel, like you I too am a bit nervous about these next 3 games. Wake Forest away could be the ultimate trap game.
Ray
Guest
ND is quite the squad this year, however. Pitt and BC could be that sleeper squad that deals the Irish their first loss. I simply cannot STAND the Irish but man, they are killing the game right now. I am respecting their hustle.
peeeko
Roar Guru
as an aussie who moved to chicago a year ago, i thought i would make ND my team (yes, because of the movie Rudy). they are the most followed team but also the most despised by a long way. every person in my office cant wait for them to lose
Joel
Guest
I think it's great that Notre Dame are relevant again, and I really want to see them in the NCG. I'm worried about the Wake Forest game though. I hope they don't get caught looking ahead to the USC game, because that's when the big upsets can happen, especially in the college game. I kind of hope Alabama lose to LSU, because I like the look of Kansas State and Oregon as well. I'm hoping for a Notre Dame-Oregon NCG, but I realise a lot of 'things' would have to happen for that to occur.
Mark
Guest
bring forward the playoffs to this year!
Worlds biggest
Guest
under Kelly ND has lost some games which were despicable, Tulsa at home was the ultimate indignation. There are players on this squad that suffered the humiliation that day. They need to harness that feeling and beat the next three opponents convincingly and then knock over USC. The players will know what an opportunity they now have, lose a game and they're gone but run the table and they have a good chance of playing for a National Championship. If Bama lose to LSU there would still be a strong push to have them in the title game. I can't see the top 4 teams all going undefeated, one of them will drop a game. I just hope it's not the Irish ! Where is cranky old prop ?
Joel
Guest
You mentioned yourself that Notre Dame has a habit of losing games that it should win. And, unfortunately, if you're not in the SEC you have to go undefeated to even have a chance at the NCG. Honestly, if K State go undefeated then I think they'll ultimately play Alabama in the NCG, but anything could happen. Alabama could lose to LSU this weekend, which would really shake things up. Then what would happen?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
spot on, a USC upset against Oregon would throw a cat amongst the pigeons.
peeeko
Roar Guru
They really want USC to beat Oregon and then beat USC in their last ame
Worlds Biggest
Guest
ND strength of schedule is ranked 5th or 6th toughest, just as strong as Oregon's I believe. It was widely acknowledged before the season that ND had a brutal schedule, why should that perception change now they are 8-0 ? The Ducks and Bama now play the meat in there schedule so it will be interesting how it plays out. CB you are right, Te'o had his usual immense game. The guy is an absolute beast.
CB
Guest
If all four teams, Bama, Oregon, Kansas State and ND go undefeated, the BCS rankings will favor Bama and either Oregon or Kansas State. ND won't be looked upon favorably, as they have a weaker strength of schedule. Big 12 and Pac 12 will be favored over an Independent. Also, hard to write an article about ND and not mention Heisman candidate Manti Te'o. 11 Tackles, a sack and an interception.
peeeko
Roar Guru
problem is that their next 3 games are against BC, pitt and Wake forest who are all weak