Notre Dame lost to USC 31-17 in a game where they were pushed around like a high school team, and that is really an offense to high school teams. This team had all the advantages. They did not play and had a bye week after a dominating performance against Air Force. Notre Dame looked like it was ready to make a BCS run and had actually played well of late.
However USC came in and their coach talked tough and they played tough. From Notre Dame’s opening drive USC beat them all over the field and when USC got the ball they ran it down Notre Dame’s throat.
This was a particularly bad performance when Notre Dame had so much to play for. The was the first night game in over two decades and there were 56 recruits in Notre Dame stadium. The crowd tried to stay in the game but the team was down 14-0 before the crowd could even eat their first hot dogs.
This performance was just as bad as the Michigan performance. This team was not ready for prime time. This team does enough to make you think they are ready but as soon as they are closing in on the big time they choke. This team would be great as long as they stay out of the top 25.
For a team with so much talent the way they can be so careless with the ball is just baffling. This is a Brian Kelly team that is not explosive despite some great wide receivers and running backs. The line is not bad. But something does not click. This team is soft when matched up against a tough team. I thought that was over after the MSU game but it is not.
Brian Kelly needs to focus on toughness for this team or next year there will be a new coaching search.