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
