Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 17, 2014 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS S ince Oct. 28, the day of the first installment of the College Foot- ball Playoff selection committee's rankings, the games almost seemed like an afterthought. With fans and media comparing teams' résumés and projecting playoff bids, the discussions of Notre Dame's chances became moot after a 55-31 loss at Arizona State. The Irish are painfully close to be- ing playoff contenders, but the 2014 edition is not quite there. For a team that was one controversial flag away from a win against Florida State in Tal- lahassee, Fla., and one defensive stop removed from perhaps a different out- come in Tempe, Ariz., the Irish still have a lot of growing up to do. Just as Notre Dame's success begins with senior quarterback Everett Gol- son, so too do its shortcomings. The signal-caller has committed a stagger- ing 17 turnovers in the last six games. The Irish spotted the Sun Devils a 34-3 lead after Golson's three first-half turnovers — he finished with five — yet Notre Dame still managed to trim the deficit to 34-31 with 6:37 to play. The Sun Devils ran away with the vic- tory and their College Football Playoff Irish Are Close, But Not Quite Playoff-Caliber Senior quarterback Everett Golson's five turnovers against Arizona State frustrated head coach Brian Kelly and dug a hole from which the Irish could not climb out of despite a valiant second half rally. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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