Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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the fifth quarter lou somogyi N New Body Of Work Still In Early Process otre Dame's No. 14 rank‑ ing in the first Associated Press poll of the 2013 cam‑ paign has given it a dubious distinction. Since the advent of the Bowl Cham‑ pionship Series format in 1998, it is the lowest AP pre‑ season ranking ever for a team that had advanced to the title game the prior sea‑ son. The previous low had been No. 11 by Notre Dame's lopsided loss to Alabama in the national championship game is Virginia Tech in 2000 just one reason why the Irish start the 2013 season as the lowest rated (No. (after it lost 46‑29 to 14) national runner-up in BCS history. photo by lon horwedel Florida State in the 1999 national title game) and by Ohio have been rated no lower than No. 8. State in 2007 (after it got trounced 41‑14 His ineligibility was probably going to by Florida in the 2006 national champi‑ drop Notre Dame at least three spots — and the USA Today coaches poll does onship contest). Each of the five runners-up from have the Fighting Irish at No. 11. 2007‑11 — Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, Second, even with Golson, the Fight‑ Oregon and LSU — began the following ing Irish were 78th in scoring offense season no lower than fifth, but Notre last year, and now they also are without Dame could not even crack the top 10 top rushers Theo Riddick and Cierre after last year's 12-1 ledger. Wood and four of their top six receivers There are likely at least four reasons (notably first-round selection Tyler Eif‑ for this drop. ert). Furthermore, Notre Dame lost its First, had quarterback Everett Golson top three leaders on defense, most con‑ not fallen into hot academic waters this spicuously its 2012 heartbeat in Manti spring, I believe Notre Dame would Te'o.