Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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THE FIFTH QUARTER LOU SOMOGYI American linebacker Michael Stone- breaker, top running back Tony Brooks and massive defensive tackle George "Boo" Williams — but the expectation was to remain at a championship level. That year Notre Dame defeated seven teams in the final Associated Press poll top 18, including No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl, to finish 12-1. That's what constitutes a "pro- gram," and the Fighting Irish have not been there for 20 years. To achieve that status, certain stan- dards remain unchanged: 1. HOLD SERVE AT HOME — What better way to christen the new FieldTurf than a 6-0 ledger at home? Protecting home turf was a priority of Kelly when he arrived, and the Irish are 11-1 there the last two seasons — the best such streak over two seasons since 1988-89. Great things usually occur when the Irish are unscathed at home. It has happened 12 times since 1950, and in eight of them Notre Dame finished in the top four (with four consensus national titles). The lowest finish was No. 22 in 1998. 2. 200-YARD RUSHING AVERAGE (OR CLOSE TO IT) — This is not an old fogey who doesn't understand "modern offense." Virtually every champion or BCS-level team in recent years can run the ball even when everyone expects it to and is in the 200-yard neighborhood (or much higher). Look it up. No Notre Dame team ever has won a major bowl without averaging 200 yards rushing during the season. Reaching it doesn't assure success, but when you average 126.6 (2010), 138.9 (2011) or even 151.0 (2013), you will virtually be guaranteed disap- pointment. Since 2001, there was only one year that Notre Dame averaged 200 yards rushing during the regular season. Gee, what a surprise that it happened to be during the 12-0 run in 2012. It ended up at only 189.4 after 32 yards rushing in the loss to Alabama. Re- gardless, this is a prime marker. 3. TURNOVER MARGIN ON PLUS SIDE — Notre Dame was minus-15 in turnovers dur- ing the 8-5 season in 2011 and minus- three during the 8-4 regular season last year. The amount of turnovers forced those two years by the Irish were among the lowest in their history. In 2012, Notre Dame was plus-eight. A similar target will be needed this year for the retooling defense. 4. WIN A MAJOR BOWL — It is 21 years and counting since it has been achieved. A whole generation of Notre Dame followers was born in 1994 that can say this has never occurred in their lifetime. The Irish won't be taken more seriously until such an albatross is re- moved. 5. AT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR … — Notre Dame preferably will be in a legitimate dis- cussion as a prime contender for one of the four College Football Playoff spots. This team might be a year away, but it must demonstrate in 2014 that it has the earmarks of championship-caliber contention with most everyone poten- tially returning in 2015. ✦ Senior Editor Lou Somogyi has been at Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 1985. He can be reached at lsomogyi@blueandgold.com