Three Major Reasons Why Notre Dame Should Win at Least 10 Games in 2010

Here are my three biggest reasons why Notre Dame should excel this year. First of all, Notre Dame has argueablly the finest receiving corps in college football. Michael Flloyd and company should produce both yards and points this year. In fact, I will be greatly disapointed if the offensive production is less this year than last year. Yes, timing will be a factor-but the speed and talent is there. There is no excuse for any drop off. In fact, I look for the running backs to exceed last years production.

Reason number two happens to be the running backs. We have to remember that Cierre Woods has the most talent, reportedly, and he was redshirted last year. Now, Armando Allen has yet to live up to his scouting reports. I would lay the blame on the horrid blocking the Irish have had the previous three years. I lost count of the times I saw an Irish running back tackled in their own backfield in the last three seasons. It is almost impossible for any running back to have consistent success when defensive lineman are consistently unblocked and waiting for them.

Reason number three would be the new coaching staff. I truly believe that the previous coaching staff's major blemish was how they handled the players. I still remember Charlie Weis's first game with Notre Dame. Pittsburg scored a touchdown on the opening drive, with almost no opposition from Notre Dame. During the Irish offensive series Charlie Weis reportedly gave his players a message. Either play better or I start the second unit. That was fantastic. Finally, a coach who will sit a player who doesn't play with dedication and intesity. Unfortunately, Coach Weis lost that message somewhere in the following years. I do not know how or why it happened. But it did happen. Just look at the "peformance" of the offensive line during 2007, 2008 and 2009 and you will see what I mean. According to all what I have seen and read, Coach Kelly has changed that atmosphere overnight.

People will always point to the disapointing last two seasons to ridicule any optomism from Notre Dame fans. The Notre Dame haters will always be out there. We just need to wait and see if Coach Kelly will justify the faith the fans have in his coaching ability.