Is Your Notre Dame Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Given their dismal performance on the gridiron in 2007, it's understandable that most people place the 2008 Irish Football odds into an "all-or-nothing" basket.  With sharp memories casting dark shadows across a pedestrian schedule, it's easy to understand their views.

The ND faithful blinders provide some hope that the glass is half full, but it's a canyon of an understatement to say that this team has a great deal to prove.  However, I'm not as optimistic as the U$C and "whomever's playing ND" crowd, that the wheels can not be re-attached to this wayward cart.

There are two sides to every story, and then there's the truth.  7-5 or 11-1, I suspect loads of people will make the leafy pilgrimage to share family time with Touchdown Jesus, Rockne Memorial, and their faithful brothers.

What's your view of the glass?

THE GLASS IS HALF-FULL

SAN DIEGO STATE ... If they don't win this, the Irish & Charlie are DONE. (1-0)

Sep. 13 MICHIGAN ... Young recruits improve and off year for MI (2-0)

Sep. 20 at Michigan State ... Irish never win this one or do and next week is off (2-1)

Sep. 27 PURDUE ... Bounce back week at home or choke after MSU win (3-1)

Oct. 4 STANFORD ... Still at home (4-1)

Oct. 11 at North Carolina ... Basketball maybe, Football yes (5-1)

Oct. 18 Open Date

Oct. 25 at Washington ... Recruiting pays—buh-bye Willingham (6-1)

Nov. 1 PITTSBURGH ... Not looking like a powerhouse this year, plus at home (7-1)

Nov. 8 at Boston College ... Chip on shoulder & down year for Eagles (8-1)

Nov. 15 vs. Navy (at Baltimore, Md.) ... Payback, baby (9-1)

Nov. 22 SYRACUSE ...  Lots of complaints about weak schedule for Irish (10-1)

Nov. 29 at U$C ... 10-1 Irish goes to Hollywood?  WOW!  After Stanford?  Years of thumping?  Even at 10-2 and showing up at the Coliseum they could land in the BCS?  Or blasphemy, they actually beat U$C? (11-1)

THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY

SAN DIEGO STATE ... Preview of Halloween in South Bend but a win (1-0)

Sep. 13 MICHIGAN ... O-line proves only mildly stronger—Clausen is still running (1-1)

Sep. 20 at Michigan State ... Irish never win this one (1-2)

Sep. 27 PURDUE ... Adjustments & home keep it close but not enough (1-3)

Oct. 4 STANFORD ... At home and NEED win (2-3)

Oct. 11 at North Carolina ... Basketball maybe, Football yes (3-3)

Oct. 18 Open Date

Oct. 25 at Washington ... Recruiting pays—buh-bye Willingham (4-3)

Nov. 1 PITTSBURGH ... Should win at home (5-3)

Nov. 8 at Boston College ... Not on the stolen Irish turf (5-4)

Nov. 15 vs. Navy (at Baltimore, Md.) ... Payback, baby (6-4)

Nov. 22 SYRACUSE... Lots of complaints about weak schedule for Irish (7-4)

Nov. 29 at U$C ...Thump! (7-5)