Notre Dame Football: 8 Myths of Spring Practice
By Pat Sullivan
8. The Blue-Gold Game MVP will prove to be a huge factor in the fall
In 2007, buried-on-the-depth-chart RB Junior Jabbie rushed for 87 yards and earned Blue-Gold Game MVP. Sportswriters immediately began speculating if he could be an X-factor in the coming season, adding a new dynamo to a backfield that included Travis Thomas, James Aldridge, and Armando Allen. He simply looked fantastic in that game, and the online message boards were abuzz with excitement.
The Heisman-esque hype for Jabbie carried into the season, and then immediately disappeared. Jabbie never saw the field, the Irish went 3-9, and he finished his ND career never having made a significant impact in a game.
The Blue-Gold Game, along with all other spring games, is a glorified scrimmage and should be treated as such.
Is it entertaining to see new players in action?
Absolutely.
Can we glean anything useful from watching them?
Absolutely not.
Let Junior Jabbie’s forgotten Heisman campaign be a sad, disappointing warning to you all. Whatever happens this spring, don’t get your hopes up. That player that shined in the spring will more than likely look much less stellar in the fall.
But also, don’t let that stop you from starting a Heisman campaign for Justin Brent or Corey Holmes. Anything is possible, I guess.
Next: Bonus life-changing event