Notre Dame football: 4 big ‘what-ifs’ from the 2021 regular season

Notre Dame football: 4 big ‘what-ifs’ from the 2021 regular season

Kyle Hamilton did not get injured

During the rivalry game between the Irish and USC, Notre Dame was able to handle their business, proving to be a much better team than the Trojans. Unfortunately, it was not all good news for Notre Dame coming out of that game, as Kyle Hamilton suffered a significant knee injury, and it was ruled he would not return.

Well, Hamilton has not returned since, and you have to wonder what his season would have looked like if he were able to play down the stretch. At the time of his injury, the defense had started to turn the corner, and he was in line for some major awards, ones that he is going to miss out on in what is almost definitely his final season in South Bend.

Notre Dame football: Reasons Irish will benefit from Brian Kelly’s departure

Brian Kelly's departure from the Notre Dame football team may have come as a shock, but in the end, the Irish will benefit from him moving on.

Every season has its storylines, and for the 2021 Notre Dame football team, they were able to overcome a lot of adversity and end the season on a high note. There is still work to be done, as Oklahoma State is a very tough opponent, but you have to think that if some of these things worked out better, the Irish would be planning to play in the College Football Playoff.