Notre Dame vs. Michigan Football: What We Learned About the Fighting Irish

Upon the conclusion of Saturday night's game between the Wolverines of Michigan and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, fans learned many important lessons about the game of football and about both teams.

Perhaps the biggest story of the night is Notre Dame's lack of mental toughness.

With a 24-7 lead in the third quarter, Notre Dame found a way to squander the 17-point lead and ultimately lose the game, 35-31.

It's not a matter of execution. It's a matter of the team lacking the mental toughness required to win football games.

For the most part, Notre Dame played extremely well aside from just a few plays over the course of the game.

Two interceptions by Tommy Rees in the first half were disappointing, but hope remained for the team.

An amazing drive with just over a minute left in regulation saw the Irish go the length of the field for a score, putting the team ahead 31-28.

However, the defense became porous and let Michigan walk into the end zone with roughly five seconds remaining in the game.

A championship-caliber defense simply would not self-implode like that.

Until the Irish develop some mental toughness, they won't be winning football games.

The other aspect that Irish fans must consider, and I hate to say it, is the job security of Brian Kelly.

An 0-2 start in Year Two was not expected by any stretch of the imagination and has placed Kelly in a very precarious position.

A matchup with Michigan State next weekend might mark an 0-3 start for the Fighting Irish.

Is anyone having thoughts of 2007?