Some might say we’re going too far out on the limb.
Anyone who watched Notre Dame’s retched 31-17 home loss to USC last week would say it. A lot of those long-suffering ND fans who barely can remember that last national championship back in 1988 would say it.
The Trojans certainly would say it. They’ve said the worst thing you can say about a football team after their 14-point win.
“They just quit,” USC linebacker Chris Galippo said after the game. “And that’s what Notre Dame football’s about.’’
Saying that Notre Dame will win and cover the 20-point spread against Navy on Saturday is not going out on a limb. All coach Brian Kelly has to do for this game is take down the ‘Play Like a Champion Today’ sign and replace it with, ‘They Just Quit.’
But we believe that the Irish’s loss last weekend will serve as the day the Notre Dame program turned. We believe that the Irish will be a Top 20 team in November of 2012.
We believe it because from the first day we met Brian Kelly when he was at Central Michigan we came away with the feeling that this is a guy who gets it done. And now he has the last wedge he needs to turn the program around.
Since taking the Notre Dame job Kelly has made no secret of the fact that he believes the Fighting Irish had become the Fat and Happy Irish. It was a better way of saying he needed to change the culture in South Bend.
The sign leading from the locker room to the field won’t change.
But never again will an opponent think the Irish quit. We don’t believe we’re going out on a limb at all. Notre Dame covers.
TONIGHT
MIAMI (-13 1/2 ) over Virginia — The ‘U’ lives for the spotlight.
TOMORROW
TCU (-13) over BYU — The Horned Frogs, who will host this game in Arlington, Texas only have trouble against a team with a dynamic passing attack, something BYU used to have.
SATURDAY
Syracuse
(+3) over LOUISVILLE — After watching Louisville’s win over Rutgers last week, you wonder how the Cardinals could be favored over any team. Besides, Doug Marrone has his team ready to play every week. No letdown after the West Virginia demolition.
NEBRASKA (-4) over Michigan State — This would give every team in the mediocre Legends Division at least one league loss, making the Big Ten irrelevant again come national championship time.
MARYLAND (-7 1/2) over Boston College — Still shocked that Tech didn’t cover. The Eagles haven’t beaten an FCS team this season.
Georgia (-3) over Florida — It is possible that Florida has found an offense during the bye week. Anything is possible in a game that will be played in Jacksonville, Fla.
Illinois (+5 1/2) over PENN ST. — The Profit is not sold on Penn State’s offense, despite its season-high 38-point ‘outburst’ at Northwestern.
West Virginia (-7) over RUTGERS — Time to see if Mountaineers coach Dana Holgarsen is for real.
Oklahoma (-13 1/2) over KANSAS STATE — Coming off one of the most shocking upsets of the season, the Sooners let loose against a well-coached, but marginally talented K-State team.
OKLAHOMA ST. (-14) over Baylor — There is no stopping this offense.
TENNESSEE (+4) over South Carolina — This game is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The Gamecocks are without star running back Marcus Lattimore (knee). The Volunteers are without starting quarterback Tyler Bray.
GEORGIA TECH (+3 1/2) over Clemson — Both defensive coordinators have gone on a hunger strike.
Wisconsin (-7) over OHIO STATE — Shocking to see the Buckeyes getting a touchdown at home. Equally shocking for the Profit not to take said Buckeyes and the points.
Stanford (-7 1/2) over USC — Not convinced the Trojans can play high level football two straight weeks under Lane Kiffin. Not sure they’re as good as they looked at Notre Dame.
Best bets: Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma St.
Last week: 7-8 overall; 1-2 in best bets
Season: 59-59-2 overall; 16-8 in best bets