Notre Dame Football & Brian Kelly Are in Need of a "Gipper" Moment

Notre Dame football is full of inspirational moments in its past.  With this week's turmoil, Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish football team could use an inspirational moment to help turn the corner and finish the season strong.

Famously immortalized by President Ronald Reagan and Pat O'Brien in Knute Rockne: All-American, George Gipp's story was the source of an inspirational speech by Knute Rockne who needed to turn a similar tide of negativity:

"

"Now I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years. None of you ever knew George Gipp. He was long before your time, but you all know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame. And the last thing he said to me, 'Rock,' he said, 'sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock,' he said, 'but I'll know about it and I'll be happy.'"

-Pat O'Brien, as Knute Rockne

"

It's not hard to see that this 2011 Irish squad is "up against it and the breaks are beating the boys."

This week alone saw an uninspired loss to rival USC.  It saw the Trojans accuse the Irish of quitting.  Furthermore, there has been backlash from "piped-in" music.  There were questions on the recruiting front.

And, as if that wasn't enough, Brian Kelly made potentially divisive public statements about his team.

This week hasn't been the lone substance of Notre Dame's black cloud, either.

Add the one-year anniversary of the death of Declan Sullivan to the mix with the death of star recruit to Matt James, and one can see that Brian Kelly's first year and a half with the Irish hasn't been easy.

2011 has been a manifestation of the black cloud on the field, as well, as Notre Dame has given away two games and removed itself from competing in a third game in unimaginable fashion. 

The Irish literally gave away victories against South Florida and Michigan with nine turnovers, one of which was a fumble returned for a touchdown.

Then, the Irish fumbled for a touchdown again against USC—a 14-point swing that was the difference in the game.

If it can go wrong, it has for this year's Irish.

Something magical and inspirational must happen to turn the tide.  Whether it's Kelly telling his team "to win one for the Gipper" or it's an emotional quote like Lou Holtz's "Save Jimmy Johnson for me," the Irish need some magic.

Will Notre Dame find something to help them dig their deepest and work their hardest for the last five games of the season?