Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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the fifth quarter lou somogyi T 2013 Letdown Sets Up Crucial 2014 here was only one "safe" prediction to make about Notre Dame's 2013 football campaign: It was destined to be a letdown, even with an 11-1 regular season. The magical "where did that come from?" ride during the 12-0 regular season in 2012 comes along once per generation in Notre Dame football, as it did in 1964 and in 1988. That's not to say the ensuing seasons thereafter can't be successful or even have a final better result. Rather, the confluence of many factors, most notably rising from so many years of mediocrity — 34-45 from 1956-63, 4336-1 from 1981-87, and wandering in the college football wilderness most of 1994-2011 — enhance the special breakout season into something almost transcendent or mystical, and cherished for years to come. Unfortunately, the manner in which the 8-4 letdown in 2013 occurred only heightened the disappointment. The tough part for a Notre Dame head coach comes after reaching No. 1, whether it's during the regular season or, preferably, after the postseason. It's then that 10-win seasons become valleys and eight-win campaigns are reviled. It seemed like once the calendar flipped to 2013, Notre Dame's Cinderella 2012 had indeed stuck midnight. The Alabama debacle … Brian Kelly's talk with the Philadelphia Eagles … Brian Kelly and his staff had numerous personnel setbacks in 2013, but the expectations will be to get back to top-10 level in 2014 and beyond. photo by bill panzica Manti Te'o, the graduated face of the program, becoming a national punch line … crucial 2013 defensive line recruit Eddie Vanderdoes reneging even after signing … the Everett Golson dismissal announced Memorial Day weekend … Oh, and once the season began, an inordinate amount of season-ending injuries that rival, if not surpass, any in recent memory. Even the quality victories against Big Ten Legends division champ