Well, it was a learning experience. The fact that ND even played for the national title, was a plus. They should get a good recruit class for next year. I would suggest to the ND coaching staff to watch more film on how the SEC teams play football. I'll bet that each ND lineman was outweighed by 25 to 30 lbs. On the positive side, i do expect good things for the Irish next Fall.
P.S. How ironic that the Fighting Irish lose to a quarterback named McCarron!
This game should not have been a surprise to anyone...i put money down on a 20+ point defeat to a few people at work and I cleaned up. Why? Could i read the future? In a way, this was an easy one. You can't win against the best without playing the best to get there, period. Alabama did it, UGA would have done it...hell...Oregon probably would have done it (but it might have been a better game).
Notre Dame avoided a real test to get into the national title game in the fact that they A.) Won't commit to a conference where they can be tested properly with divisional games...and B.) They don't play a conference championship game that again, tests their ability to get to the big game.
With one loss Notre Dame isn't even close to 1st place, I'm guessing if they make top 10, they are floating around 7-8th. THIS is why i think it is ridiculous that Notre Dame could be considered for the national title, because regardless of their undefeated record, they didn't have a test to prove themselves worthy of that top spot...just like Boise State in the past (who never made it) and other teams. I mean look at the games you guys almost lost this year...USC? The team that GT just thumped in the Sun Bowl? Come on man...GT isn't even close to being good enough to be in the national title game, but they had an easy time with a game you guys struggled with. Pitt? Seriously?
Congrats on a good season for your team...but holy crap Notre Dame needs to join a conference or you guys are NEVER going to see that game again...not ever. If you had been in the ACC like the rest of your sports fall under, you would have had to play Clemson, FSU and Virginia Tech...all of which were ranked opponents during the season, and I'm guessing your record would have been quite different.
All that said, until next season chaps! It's been fun.