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Notre Dame Football Commentary: Must Win For Kelly?

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Fans watch a military flyover prior to a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Fans watch a military flyover prior to a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team faces an incredibly important game on Saturday for the season and, perhaps, for the program.

There is no doubt the Notre Dame football program improved in the past ten months. The Irish made several significant hires at the Coordinator positions and the strength-and-conditioning coach. Thus far, the Irish are 5-1 with the only loss coming to No. 3 Georgia.

Kelly’s tenure at Notre Dame can be summed up in one word: “almost.” The Irish almost won the National Title in 2012. In 2014, they almost beat the defending National Champion and No. 2 team in the country, Florida State. The following year, Notre Dame almost beat Clemson and Stanford during a possible College Football Playoff win. This year, the Fighting Irish almost defeated a top SEC opponent in No. 3 Georgia. Almost.

What is the goal?

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Now, Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame football team have put themselves in position for another big time game. The Trojans enter with the potential first pick in the NFL Draft. However, they are decimated by injuries. The time is ripe for the Irish to take down a Top 15 opponent. But, what if they do not? Does this say something about the Kelly?

If Notre Dame does not win against USC, it might say that Kelly can only take Notre Dame so far. Is this an over exaggeration? Although the expectations are incredible high, Brian Kelly has performed extremely well. In his eight seasons at Notre Dame, he has won 66.7% of his games. Prior to Kelly, Charlie Weis won 56.5% of his game at Notre Dame. Before Weis, Willingham won 58.3% of his contests in South Bend.

What is Notre Dame’s proper expectations? National titles or competition? If it’s competition, Kelly definitely has brought that to South Bend. He continually has Notre Dame competing among the nation’s best with the exception of 2016. If it is national titles then Notre Dame might need to search for another shooting star. If the Irish win on Saturday, Kelly can prove that he is that shooting star.

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