Irish Without the Fighting - Notre Dame Rolled in National Championship

The storybook season had a nightmare ending, as the #1 ranked and unbeaten Notre Dame Fighting Irish were destroyed last night by the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 42-14.  The Irish, dominated in all aspects of the game, were not able to cap off an incredible season which began with them being unranked and found them at season's end with the best record and highest ranking in the nation.

The Irish needed to play a perfect game, and what they executed was far from it.  Penalties, blown assignments, and more missed tackles than they've had all season doomed them from the start, and the execution of 'Bama's line, both on offense and defense, gave Notre Dame no chance of getting back into the game.

While the Irish nation is likely feeling pretty sore this morning, there are lots of reasons to provide optimism for next year:

• The team will have a seasoned core of players that have "been there, done that."  That experience will be important.
• Freshman QB Golsen will only get better next season, and will be an even  more dangerous weapon
• The recruiting class for next year is simply outstanding, and there will likely be players that will be able to contribute right away.
• We're Notre Dame.  As Lou Holtz says, "We play for the University of the Mother of God!" There's always optimism in that.

Thank you, Irish, for a season of some really great football.  I can't wait for next year.