College Football 2011: Will the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Return to the BCS?

As Brian Kelly enters his second full season at Notre Dame University, the expectations are moderately high, but nothing like the expectations that Charlie Weis faced in his second season at Notre Dame. 

 

There are good reasons for these tempered expectations. 

 

In Charlie Weis’ sophomore campaign, Notre Dame finished 10-3, ended the season ranked No. 19 in the nation and concluded the season with a second consecutive BCS bowl appearance. Before the season began, many thought Notre Dame would compete for a national championship. 

 

The Associated Press ranked the Fighting Irish in the preseason at No. 2 in the nation. The schedule was not particularly demanding. The team was returning a number of key players, most notably Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija. Brady Quinn, the team’s undisputed leader, was in consideration for the Heisman Trophy among other postseason honors.

 

Weis had just secured a top-10 recruiting class and there was a great deal of excitement regarding the impact that those athletes could make on the program.

 

In Brian Kelly’s second season, few expect a BCS bowl berth. Most preseason polls placed Notre Dame outside of the Top 10. The schedule is very difficult. The team will be young and there are still questions as to who will lead this team from the quarterback position.  

 

Manti Te’o will be the most highly regarded returning player. Success this season seems to be dependent upon a defense that improved by leaps and bounds as last season progressed. Brian Kelly also secured a very fine recruiting class with a number of young players who will need to make an immediate impact, whether or not they are ready to do so.

 

So, what can an Irish fan expect from the 2011 season? 

 

There are question marks at the quarterback position. 

 

It is true that we don’t have an Andrew Luck at quarterback, and most comparisons between Dayne Crist and Luck ended at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl during their senior years in high school. 

 

The schedule is very demanding. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, the lack of depth at running back, concerns at wide receiver and the ongoing search for a second inside linebacker to support Teo, this football team is one injury away from being a struggling second-year team.

 

One needs to look no further than the Miami game and how momentum shifted when Teo was not in the lineup.

 

It is reasonable to expect that the 2011 Fighting Irish will suffer three to four losses this season. South Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, USC, Maryland and Stanford are all teams that could hand Notre Dame a loss this year. 

 

However, unlike the 2006 version of the Irish, this program is on the rise. 

 

The 2006 Irish struggled to beat mediocre Georgia Tech, Michigan State and UCLA teams—and lost handily to Michigan, USC and LSU in the Sugar Bowl. It was evident to hardcore Notre Dame fans that there was reason to be concerned about the future of the program as early as 2006. 

 

In Brian Kelly’s second season, the future looks bright for the program.

 

This year’s Irish should beat Purdue, Air Force, Navy, Wake Forest and Boston College. They should beat some of the better teams on the schedule, and should compete well with the best teams on the schedule. It is not outside of the realm of possibility for the Irish to be in contention for a BCS bowl bid in November.    

 

Realistically, though, a BCS bowl bid seems to be one year away. 

 

However, with Brian Kelly at the helm, a coaching staff that ranks among the best in college football and many promising young players in our stable waiting to be developed, there is good reason for optimism in South Bend.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/759163-will-notre-dame-return-to-the-bcs-in-2011

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