Notre Dame Football: Sky Is Falling for the Irish

The famous quote by one Chicken Little about sums up how many in Notre Dame nation are currently feeling. After a brutal loss at home to Stanford, the Irish are facing a 1-3 record. Kelly has but one win in his virgin year albeit against a Purdue squad who managed to make the Irish look even worse by losing to Toledo.

Admittedly 1-3 is not where Notre Dame football was expected to be by the general consensus. After seeing all three losses to ranked opponents, Irish fans should not panic. I repeat, Irish fans should NOT panic.

Kelly is still in his first year. Crist is a junior. It is also his fledgling year as the quarterback of the blue and gold. Clausen and Quinn both struggled in their first years before developing into studs who went on to play at the next level.

This being said, several aspects of the Irish game need to change if they expect victories to come in any of their crucial upcoming three game stretch.

The run game, or lack thereof, is appalling. Every Irish fan's biggest fear is that Kelly is nothing more than a pumped up second coming of Charlie Weis. Kelly's spread offense has done little more than inflate Crist's passing numbers. The running attack has suffered because of this. The spread is meant to open up holes/opportunities for shifty backs such as Armando and Cierre Wood. Under 50 yards on the ground is not a statistic to repeat if the Irish are to support a "winning culture" as Kelly proclaims they can.

Defensively bend but don't break. The most painful part about watching the pounding Stanford put on Notre Dame was just that. Stanford was able to run the ball down the Irish throats. The Irish defense needs to concentrate on stopping the run in the early quarters, letting Crist and the offense to work and score.

This will allow the Irish to unleash their pass rush. And alleviate the pressure that can come from a consistent rush offense. Obviously easier said than done. One stat that stands out was Manti Teo's 21 tackles. The Irish cannot expect to compete if Teo has to beast almost half of the team's total tackles. Someone else needs to step up. The Irish need the second coming of Zibikowski/Mccarthy and they need him now.

Patience Irish fans. There is an energy palpable in Notre Dame stadium and the surrounding South Bend community. The feel is that if the Irish don't surprise immediately they are doomed for the remainder of the Kelly regime. This just isn't true. Allow him to get his guys and develop them. in three years if there isn't a marked improvement, then hit the panic button. A BCS game isn't guaranteed every first year of a Notre Dame coach. 

This first part of the schedule was brutal. After playing patsy with Purdue, the Irish faced three ranked opponents. It isn't that surprising they lost to a Heisman candidate. A tough Michigan State team away in a nail-biter. And potentially a Top-10 team in Stanford and the best opponent they've faced so far. Keep supporting the Irish if you're a true fan. The haters will remain but it's important to keep the faith and remember it's only one year.

Kelly needs time to turn this program around. That much is apparent after four games. These next two games are the make or break of the Irish season. But if the Irish can win two of the next three they have potential for an acceptable season. Next week against Boston College is a must win for the Fighting Irish.