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Notre Dame Football: Importance of a Bowl Win?

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team faces LSU on Jan. 1 at 1:00 pm on ABC

The importance of a bowl win is debatable. Of course, winning in the College Football Playoff is extremely important. However, what about the glorified exhibition games that represent the other 39 bowls? If Notre Dame wins tomorrow, does it mean the Irish are destined for greatness in 2018? If they lose, are they doomed to fail?

Momentum

Winning a bowl game gives the program huge momentum into the next season. In 2014, Notre Dame upset LSU in the Music City Bowl, 31-28. That victory gave the Irish great momentum into the 2015 season. In 2015, Notre Dame won 10 games, nearly missing the College Football Playoff. Beating LSU again definitely gives the Irish a lot of positive energy as they head into winter workouts.

Recruiting

With the new early recruiting period, the importance of recruiting impressions decrease significantly. However, the Irish are still pursuing several big-time prospects including Wide Receiver Amon-ra St. Brown and Offensive Tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. Making a great last on the field impression is important.

A loss, especially a blowout, typically affects recruits decisions. It probably should not because they are glorified exhibitions.

A 10th Win

Since falling out of the College Football Playoff race, coaches and players discussed the importance of winning a 10th game. They used it as motivation following the loss to Miami (FL) but failed to achieve this goal.

Although a great turnaround occurred from 4-8, the season may feel like a failure if they cannot pick up this 10th win.

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Furthermore, Notre Dame has only won 10 games on 4 occasions since 1993. Winning a 10th game demonstrates progress in the overall program. It would be the 3rd time Kelly won double-digit games in a season; the only coach to do so since Lou Holtz.

Regardless of the importance, just win baby. 

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