Notre Dame: From 3-9 to Hawaii Bowl Champs to BCS Title Game?

Columnist Written on July 05, 2009

Slide 1 of 15

Two years ago was the longest year I can ever remember as a Notre Dame fan. I live in Hawaii that is filled with Notre Dame haters. Most out here love USC.

That whole year I spent defending Notre Dame against the haters. They all told me the program was in decline and I always said no it is just rebuilding.

Of course nobody actually acknowledged that the team did improve each week.

Then last year, none of the haters would actually acknowldege the improvement the team made. All they saw was the Syracuse lost. When the Hawaii Bowl was announced, I heard it from the Hawaii fans that Hawaii would win and get Charlie Weis fired. That one I could easily brush off because I knew that only Notre Dame, not Hawaii, could beat Notre Dame in the Hawaii Bowl. The rest is history and I was the happiest guy at work the day after Christmas and I let them all have it.

The Hawaii Bowl set the tone for a huge year in 2009 for the Irish. The haters may not see it yet but Phil Steele does. Steele has Notre Dame ranked #7. Colin Cowherd ususally hates Notre Dame and he thinks Steele is right on. On key ingredient in Steele's formula is the number of starts by the whole offensive line. Notre Dame has the most exeperienced line according to Steele.

Looking at the schedule, I just don't see any team on it, even USC, that is better than Notre Dame on Paper. Based on that an undefeated may seem unlikely but is more possible than haters want to admit.

Let's look at the schedule week by week. Then a trip to the title game is very possible.

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written on July 05, 2009 Opinion

Bleacher Report has a featured columnist opening for Notre Dame Football.

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Notre Dame: From 3-9 to Hawaii Bowl Champs to BCS Title Game?

Erin McLaughlin

Notre Dame: From 3-9 to Hawaii Bowl Champs to BCS Title Game?

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