Purdue vs. Notre Dame: Win over Purdue Will Boost Irish into Top 25

Notre Dame may be the most inconsistent team in all of college football. Despite that, they are also one of the most talented teams in the nation.

For weeks now, I have been lobbying for the Fighting Irish to be ranked in the top 25.

Before you read on, please know that I'm not your typical Irish fan. In fact, I would actually be pleased to see Notre Dame finish the season winless.

Despite my feelings towards the team, they are talented and do deserve credit where it is due.

After a disappointing 0-2 start to the season, the Irish fell out of the top 25, and many of the expectations faded. Will a 3-2 record finally be enough to put them back where they belong?

Notre Dame's two losses came against two opponents who were ranked at the time of the game. South Florida beat the Irish by three points, while Michigan led an amazing comeback to win by four in the final seconds.

Finally, in Week 3 Notre Dame got things on track. The team stopped making the stupid mistakes and turnovers that cost them wins the previous two weeks.

The 31-13 win against No. 15 Michigan State was the start of good things to come for the team. The following week the Irish took out a very underrated Pittsburgh team.

This is the same Pittsburgh team that crushed South Florida 44-17 last night.

Looking forward, Purdue should be a walk in the park for the Irish in comparison to the first four games of the season. Now that things are starting to click for the team, it should be especially easy.

At 3-2, the Irish deserve to be ranked back in the top 25. They have beaten two quality teams and the only two losses came to ranked opponents and featured final scores less than four points apart.

Arizona State lost to an unranked Illinois team and is now ranked after beating USC last week. Florida State has two losses to ranked opponents just like Notre Dame, but they are ranked. TCU has beaten nobody worth mentioning and lost to Baylor and they are ranked.

Why is it that the team that is always overrated is suddenly underrated?

The Irish have one of the best one-two punches at running back in the nation in Jonas Gray and Cierre Woods, who have been a force all season.

Michael Floyd is arguably the best wide receiver in the entire nation.

This is easily the best Notre Dame team since 2006, when Brady Quinn was at quarterback. It's time that they are put back into the top 25.