Notre Dame Football: Why the Fighting Irish's Season Still Matters

After two consecutive devastating losses to begin the season, Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish squad looked primed and poised to make a serious run at the BCS. Unfortunately, those BCS aspirations came crashing down after a heartbreaking loss to hated rival USC two weeks ago.

That loss brought Notre Dame to a mediocre 5-3 record through eight games. To say that the players, coaches and fans alike expected this would be a bold-faced lie.

The fans may be thinking that after three losses it'd be time to put in the freshmen and give up hope on this 2011 season. If that's what you're thinking, please reconsider your thought process.

There are still a multitude of reasons for this team to keep plugging ahead. The most significant of these reasons is for the attitude and perception of the program.

It's highly doubtful that Brian Kelly and athletic director Jack Swarbrick want to be labeled as "quitters" or "losers." Notre Dame has never been either of those two mentalities, and they certainly never will be. Whether it be in the classroom or on the playing field, any person associated with the prestigious university strives for excellence every minute of every day.

That is the exact attitude and feeling that Brian Kelly is working arduously to instill in his football team. Slowly but surely, Brian Kelly is teaching his players that excellence doesn't just happen on game day. It happens on the practice field, in class, in relationships, friendships and practically everywhere else in life.

While that attitude may not permeate through the program overnight, it's bound to happen soon. Just look at the team's thorough domination of Navy after a week in which Brian Kelly seemingly alienated his upperclassmen.

That's the sign of a program headed in the right direction.