Champs Sports Bowl 2011: Notre Dame Must Beat Florida State to Salvage Season

Both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Florida State Seminoles entered the 2011 season with BCS aspirations. Instead, they will meet in the far less prestigious Champs Sports Bowl. While a win would benefit both teams, the Irish need one to salvage what has been a disappointing year.

There were very high expectations surrounding Notre Dame entering the season in head coach Brian Kelly's second year with the team. Those hopes fizzled quickly, though, as a boatload of turnovers led to losses against South Florida and Michigan to begin the season.

The Irish proceeded to win eight of their final 10 games. However, when faced with top competition, like USC and Stanford, they simply didn't measure up. While the Seminoles came up small this season as well, they were clearly going to have some offensive growing pains with quarterback Christian Ponder going to the NFL.

Notre Dame's defense made great strides this season, but the Irish were supposed to be able to hang their hats on the offense. While quarterback Tommy Rees had his moments and skill players like wide receiver Michael Floyd, running backs Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray and tight end Tyler Eifert all had big years, there was too much inconsistency.

Most of those statistics were accrued in blowouts over average teams like Air Force, Navy and Maryland. In big games that truly counted, however, the Irish had trouble punching the ball into the end zone. What's more, they repeatedly turned the ball over. Rees, in particular, threw 12 picks.

That could certainly be an issue against Florida State. The Seminoles ranked fourth in the nation in total defense this season. If the Irish plan on winning this game, it is absolutely imperative that they protect the ball and play smart offensively.

If Notre Dame can do that, a win is certainly a possibility. What's more, it's something they desperately need. The Irish finished last season 8-5. Winding up with the same mark in 2011 would be a major disappointment to the Notre Dame faithful.

It is vital that the team improves noticeably from year to year, and if the Irish can finish 9-4 with a bowl win over a perennially good team like Florida State, that will be the case. Otherwise, 2011 will be remembered as a typical Irish year in the mold of most seasons over the past decade.

Notre Dame has long had lofty expectations entering the season, but often has fallen short in recent years. Winning the Champs Sports Bowl would certainly cushion that blow a bit.