Notre Dame Football: Fighting Irish Will End Disappointing Season on a Down Note

Notre Dame and Florida State had dreams of capturing BCS berths before this season started.

Florida State was ranked No. 6 in the country, while Notre Dame was ranked No. 16 behind a strong recruiting class and receiver Michael Floyd.

In that respect, the Champs Sports Bowl on Thursday will be a chance at redemption for both of these programs, a chance to end up on top after disappointing seasons.

But don't expect Notre Dame to go into the offseason on a high note.

The Fighting Irish had a chance to do damage this season; they really did. They sported a crop of new defensive ends, talented young tight ends, Floyd and, of course, inside linebacker Manti Te'o.

But while their defense has been respectable (allowing 20.9 points per game), the offense hasn't come around, in large part because of the preseason concern they had: the quarterback position.

When I think "quarterback controversy," I think "Notre Dame." It's almost laughable; what started out as Dayne Crist vs. Tommy Rees has become Tommy Rees vs. Andrew Hendrix.

In his most action of the season on Nov. 26 against Stanford, Hendrix didn't do anything to set himself apart. He went 11-of-24 for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception. However, he did rush for 20 yards and a touchdown.

The truth is, there is no hope for Notre Dame behind these quarterbacks at this point. Rees hasn't separated himself and Hendrix is too inexperienced. Against a defense like Florida State's, it's almost unfair.

The Seminoles have allowed just 15.2 points per game this season, are sixth in total defense and second against the run—a vast improvement from last season.

Against Florida on Nov. 26, they won 21-7, despite garnering 95 total yards of offense, punctuated by a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior safety Terrance Parks.

For Notre Dame fans, it can't be much more disappointing than this.