Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/747744
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2016 41 total stops plus he ranked second with 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. With Monken now in his third year and the Black Knights more experi‑ enced and competitive, particularly on defense, than they have been for 95 percent of the past 20 years, the possibility of taking Notre Dame to the wall like it did in 1995 (28‑27) and 1998 (20‑17) before losing in the closing minute is far more possible. THE STREAK II The Shamrock Series for Notre Dame began in 2009 with a trip to San Antonio's Alamodome — a 40‑14 vic‑ tory versus Washington State — and now comes full circle with the meet‑ ing against Army in that same venue. While posting a perfect 7‑0 mark in these home‑away‑from‑home out‑ ings, the Irish won the first four by an average margin of 38‑10, includ‑ ing 27‑3 versus Army in 2010. The last three have been far more competitive, with a 37‑34 conquest of No. 22 Arizona State in 2013, a tight first half against Purdue in 2014 before prevailing 30‑14, and a lack‑ luster 19‑16 win over struggling Bos‑ ton College last season that dropped Notre Dame from the No. 4 position in the four‑team College Football Playoff race before heading to Stan‑ ford for the regular‑season finale. Whether it was vying for the Col‑ lege Football Playoff last year or try‑ ing to reach .500 this season, Notre Dame has seen the Shamrock Series become a part of its football iden‑ tity, one that director of athletics Jack Swarbrick wants to continue. The Series will take a hiatus in 2017 with the opening of the Campus Crossroads that will include a seventh home game, but it is expected to re‑ turn in 2018 and the future. Whether it can include an SEC or Big 12 foe — the two leagues among the Power Five conferences that have been most difficult to schedule — is uncertain, but it won't be for a lack of trying. "It's complicated by the expanded television footprint conferences view themselves as having," Swarbrick told Blue & Gold Illustrated this sum‑ mer. "It's hard to get 'one offs' in that dynamic, but by and large future Shamrock Series games will involve high profile schools from Power Five conferences." Army does not fit that profile, but in terms of respect for what was one of the great series in college football from 1913‑47, nostalgia factors into the equation. CLOSING STRONGER IN NOVEMBER Whenever a Notre Dame football team enters the month of November with a losing record, every aspect of the program will be under intense scrutiny internally and externally, especially strength and conditioning. Finishing with a flourish is the only cure for Irish Nation's angst, but the past three Novembers haven't been the kindest to Notre Dame. A 28‑21 upset at Pitt in early No‑ vember 2013 squelched Bowl Cham‑ pionship Series hopes, and a loss at Stanford in the finale resulted in an 8‑4 regular season record. In 2014, the injury‑ravaged Irish lost their last four regular‑season contests, most notably back‑to‑back home up‑ sets to Northwestern (43‑40 in over‑ time) and Louisville (31‑28). It was the longest losing streak under Kelly. Last year, Notre Dame entered No‑ vember seemingly in control of its destiny when it was ranked No. 4 by the College Football Playoff selection committee, but consecutive ho‑hum wins over a couple of 3‑9 teams in Wake Forest (28‑7) and Boston Col‑ lege (19‑16) dropped it to No. 6 — and all but out of the hunt unless it could defeat Pac‑12 champion Stan‑ ford by several touchdowns. The Car‑ dinal eked out a 38‑36 win instead. Head coach Brian Kelly led the Irish to perfect Novembers in 2010 and 2012, and could use a strong fin‑ ish in 2016 to set up a more optimistic 2017 outlook. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: ARMY In the second edition of the Shamrock Series in 2010, Notre Dame defeated Army 27‑3 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. PHOTO COURTESY NEW YORK YANKEES Predictions Corey Bodden: Notre Dame 42, Army 17 Notre Dame plays solid defense and throws all over the field against a top-10 (statistically) Army defense. Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 45, Army 20 Army has improved dramatically under Jeff Monken, especially on defense, but the Black Knights do not have enough firepower to keep up with the Irish. Matt Jones: Notre Dame 35, Army 18 Though its possessions will be few and far between, Notre Dame's offense capitalizes and builds an early lead. Army scores late to make it look closer than it was. David McKinney: Notre Dame 45, Army 20 Notre Dame has had some shocking losses this season, but don't expect this to be one. The Irish get a big win in San Antonio. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 37, Army 13 The Black Knights deserve a lot of credit for their continued upgrade, especially on defense, but they and Nevada, a 39-10 victim Sept. 10, were the two most likely "gimmes" on this year's Irish slate.