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Notre Dame Football: Wondering Wednesday – Fear of the Letdown

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players react on the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players react on the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Two feelings crossed the hearts of Notre Dame football fans early this week: euphoria and anxiety. The Irish crushed their rival USC, 49-14. There is no better feeling than absolutely dismantling your rival. However, now that Notre Dame looks poised to push for a College Football Playoff, the anxiety of a letdown against NC State sets in.

In 1993, the Irish won the biggest game of the year when the Irish defeated No. 1 Florida State. Unfortunately, the next week Notre Dame dropped a game in the closing moments to Boston College, 41-39. This prevented Lou Holtz from winning his second national championship. As an aside, Notre Dame still should have claimed that national title because of their head-to-head victory over the Seminoles.

This is not the only time the Fighting Irish failed to keep the momentum going. In 1998, following a win against defending national title winner Michigan, Notre Dame dropped a contest to unranked Michigan State. The Spartans went on to win only 6 games.

In 2002, after a huge win in Tallahassee against Florida State, Boston College once again spoiled an undefeated season.

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Following an upset victory against No. 9 Tennessee in 2004, the Irish dropped a heartbreaker to Pittsburgh, 41-38.

In Charlie Weis’ first season in South Bend, the Irish won a great road game against No. 3 Michigan. Following that triumph, Notre Dame dropped a game to unranked Michigan State in overtime.

For the most part, Brian Kelly-led teams have fared well in these situations. In 2012, after defeating Oklahoma on the road, the Irish narrowly escaped Pittsburgh in 3 overtimes. However, under Kelly, these situations do not come up often.

With NC State coming into Notre Dame Stadium ranked No. 14 in the country, the coaching staff may get another focused performance from the players. Based on how the team finished last year, this team has shown a hunger through seven games, regardless of the opponent.

Kelly told reporters, ““Every game we play is a Playoff game. Our guys don’t know it any other way.”

So, do not expect Notre Dame to have a letdown this weekend. If anything, the danger comes next week when the Irish face Wake Forest. The game against the Demon Deacons is sandwiched in between Saturday’s game vs. No. 14 NC State and No. Miami (FL). It is the classic trap game. Wake Forest is the game that fans should truly fear.

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