Notre Dame football: Irish face make or break game versus Spartans

Notre Dame’s matchup with the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday has major implications for this season and for the program going forward. Here’s why.

Over the years, Notre Dame and Michigan State have engaged in classic battles. This year has the opportunity to be no different. The Irish have an chance to save their season (and perhaps the direction of the program) on Saturday against the Spartans.

Even the most diehard Notre Dame fans had significant questions about the Irish football team entering the season. Most, however, never dreamed the Irish would lose to the Texas Longhorns on the road to start the season. Many Irish fans were unsure how to act.

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Each time the Irish fall short of expectations, the jokes start. This year, the jokes started earlier. Week 2 had not even started yet and the word “overrated” was thrown in the direction of the Irish. It all happened too soon.

Usually, “the dream” for Irish fans lasts at least a little longer, even if that dream is a long shot.

For many, the loss to Texas was like the sky was falling. Frustrations boiled over about a two-quarterback system and a defense that looked, at best, defenseless. In short, the irrational Irish fan lost his or her mind.

A win at home on Saturday cures many of those ills.

The Irish continue to find answers and will undoubtedly need more of them in Saturday night’s game. On offense, DeShone Kizer is the quarterback. Equinameous St. Brown is clearly the number one receiver. CJ Sanders is lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands.

Defensively, the Irish began to find their footing. If it was not for a jump ball opportunity on third and long and a busted coverage by the second-team defense, the Irish would have practically pitched a shutout against Nevada.

In fact, the Irish may have picked the perfect time to have their hiccup. An opening-game wakeup call could have been exactly what this Irish team needed most. The College Football Playoff is probably a far cry for this Irish team. It is worth noting, however, that the Ohio State Buckeyes won a national title in 2014 after losing their season opener at home to Virginia Tech.

Michigan State presents itself as a major hurdle, but also a major opportunity for the Irish to take the next step as a program. A win would make the Irish 2-1 with a win over a top-15 opponent and at least an outside chance at contention for the playoff. At the very least, the Irish would remain in the conversation for a major bowl game at season’s end with a stretch of Duke, Syracuse and North Carolina State to continue their development.

As exciting as a win would be, a loss would be equally as decimating. A loss would put the Irish at 1-2, with their only win coming against a seemingly hapless Nevada team. The Irish’s next chance to truly prove itself would not come for another month, when they take on Stanford in South Bend.

Next: Three players who stood out against Nevada

Saturday’s matchup with Michigan State is bigger than just the team’s win-loss record. For Brian Kelly’s team, it is a legitimate measuring stick game and an opportunity to hang on to relevancy. It is an opportunity to keep the program moving forward. It is an opportunity that, frankly, the Irish can’t afford to miss.

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