Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome Point ✦ Counterpoint: Who Is The Ideal Bowl Opponent For Notre Dame? Bring On The Broncos By Dan Murphy It's In The Cards By Andrew Owens Playing in a lower-tier bowl does have a small Since Notre Dame's loss at Pittsburgh Nov. 9 silver lining for the Irish this year. They can choose made it official, it's been no secret that the Irish their spots, and possibly lure a team that would would not be in a top-tier bowl this season. The qualify for a better bowl down to their level with bowl tie-in agreement with the ACC doesn't kick in the promise of better TV ratuntil next season, so Notre ings and buzz. Dame is in the rare position So who to choose? The of hoping certain conferrealistic options this year ences would not fill their come from the American bowl allotments. Athletic Conference, MounTo make the best of a bad tain West Conference and situation, the Irish should Conference USA. Notre hope to face Louisville in Dame's biggest challenge the Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 28. will be finding a team that The game is eight days after would provide a validating exams end, so there would victory to cap an up-andbe plenty of time to prepare down season. The Irish need for a dynamic Cardinals ofa team with a brand name, fense, Louisville has carried and Boise State fits that bill. national intrigue all season The Broncos, 7-4 headwith quarterback Teddy ing into their season finale, Bridgewater, and Yankee aren't quite the BCS buster Would head coach Brian Kelly and the Stadium would be an excelthey were in past years, but Irish be better off playing Boise State or lent venue — despite the their name carries weight Louisville in a bowl game? frigid temperatures — for photo by bill panzica now in college football cirthe Irish to compete in the cles. The four losses were to a Pac-12 team (Wash- Northeast this season. ington), an undefeated team (Fresno State), a As senior editor Lou Somogyi wrote a few weeks streaking and quality team (BYU), and conference ago, Notre Dame fans shouldn't fear an opponent foe San Diego State. Even if San Diego State would as a "bad matchup." If the Irish are to truly beprovide the better competition in December, beat- come an elite program again and not just a school ing Boise State looks better on Notre Dame's ré- with success here and there, they should be able sumé, and Brian Kelly's, too, in the future. to face off against an explosive offense like LouisWhy not Louisville like Mr. Owens suggests? ville's and win a game that the Cardinals would no Because they're dangerous. The most important doubt treat like a Super Bowl. quality the Irish should seek is a team they can Notre Dame-Louisville would attract a substanbeat. Carrying a bowl loss against a team from a tial amount of national attention, and an Irish middle-of-the-road conference into the offseason win would be a strong way of capping an at times is always a momentum killer. confusing 2013 heading into next season.