Not Yet, Notre Dame

In a game that featured a seemingly improved Notre Dame football squad (though it isn't terribly difficult to improve upon last year's catastrophic season), the Irish once again had their weaknesses mercilessly exposed by a superior Michigan State team. Entering the game with a promising 2-0 record, the Fighting Irish were on a mission to prove that they had returned to the class of college football elites. In consecutive weeks, Notre Dame had convincing victories over San Diego State and Michigan, though the legitimacy of both teams is strongly debatable. But hey, a two-game winning streak is a two-game winning streak, and the Irish were hoping to keep the ball rolling (or in the case of a football, wobbling unpredictably). The Spartans, however, with two dominant victories over Eastern Michigan and Florida Atlantic and a respectable effort against a solid California team, would by no means be a walkover...



Michigan State compensated for a deficient passing game with Heisman hopeful Javon Ringer in the backfield, who entered Saturday's game averaging 166 yards per game along with 9 touchdowns in just three games. Not surprisingly, the helpless Irish defense simply could not contain the explosive Ringer. Continuing to establish an argument that Heisman voters are going to have to start taking seriously, Ringer recorded a blistering 201 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.

With Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, it's a safe bet that the Irish are going to put up consistent passing numbers. Clausen did a decent job trying to keep the Irish in the game, going 24/41, racking up 242 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. However, Clausen has never been the problem of Notre Dame's struggles. The question mark this year has been whether or not the Irish could sufficiently run the ball to take some of the pressure off Clausen in the pocket. And after the 23-7 loss to Michigan State on Saturday, the Irish are reluctant to reveal to the world that their running game is deplorable. Four different players combined for 16 carries, accumulating an embarrasssing total of 54 yards on the ground. These numbers don't even include Clausen's five quarterback scrambles that totaled negative 31 yards. Each time Clausen handed the ball of, you couldn't help but throw your hands into the air in disgust. Another tackle for a loss. Another down wasted on a promising drive...


The legendary and unwaveringly biased Lou Holtz predicted that Notre Dame would win at least eight games this year. After having their laughable ground game exposed last Saturday, it's doubtful whether the Irish will even come close to this mark. Looking over Notre Dame's remaining schedule, it's hard to imagine the Fighting Irish being a favorite in any of those games. At this point in the season, the best I can say about the Irish is that they might beat the Syracuse Orangemen on Novemeber 22. However, there is a good chance they will lose their remaining nine games and finish the season 2-10...

...Lou you better start talking to your boys.