Blue and Gold Illustrated

August 2015 Issue

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

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THE FIFTH QUARTER LOU SOMOGYI T his is the time of year when a two- word description is often repeated about Notre Dame's upcoming football season: guarded optimism. The more relevant word here is "guarded." Optimism is a natural emo- tion we all want to have in any new undertaking, be it a job, relationship, business transaction or sports season. If you don't want to possess a positive frame of mind about such endeavors, then get busy dying instead of living. However, "guarded" provides us an armor of protection against disappoint- ment. When dreams go awry we can say, "Well, at least I braced myself for this disappointment. I'm used to it." After 21 years (1994-2014) of walk- ing in the college football wilderness of repeated teases and then setbacks — save for the oasis of the wonderful 2012 regular season — Notre Dame foot- ball faithful are well aware of the word "guarded" while developing the "yeah — but" frame of mind: "Yeah, they could be really good this year — but every time I get my hopes up they quickly get crushed, so I'll spare myself from setting myself up for that." "Yeah, they have a lot of experience and more depth than I can recall from the past few decades — but Brian Kelly's probably one of those 9-4 coaches: good enough to keep his job, but not in the elite category to deliver the national title (or even a major bowl win)." "Yeah, they'll probably be favored in most games — but you know they always lose at least one they shouldn't (Northwestern in 2014, at Pittsburgh in 2013, South Florida in 2011, Navy and Tulsa in 2010, Navy and UConn in 2009, Syracuse in 2008…)." Building that protective wall is under- Window Of Opportunity In 2015 Must Be Seized Head coach Brian Kelly has the pieces in place to go beyond the status quo in 2015. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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