Irony: The Unlucky Irish
They are 10-0, have one of the toughest schedules in the country, have beaten four top 15 teams in the BCS, and could be shut out of the National Championship Game even if they go undefeated?
There is one word that sums up the Irish; unlucky.
Even when number one ranked Rolling Tide lost at home to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, the Irish are still on the outside looking in.
Plain and simple, they need help and maybe a little bit of luck. Oregon or Kansas State would have to lose in order for the Irish to get in the title game January 7th in Miami. Let's break down the two teams above the Irish.
#1 Kansas State Wildcats (10-0)
BCS Rank-1
The #1 Wildcats, led by Heisman candidate Collin Klein, only have to beat Baylor and #15 Texas to punch a ticket to Miami. They control their destiny as long as they can escape the potential trap game against the Longhorns.
For their game against Baylor, they are up against an incredibly talented Bears offense. Senior quarterback Nick Florence is averaging 394.8 yards-per-game, 7th in the country. He has 25TD passes and six rushing scores, a true catalyst of a high octane offense. They also have senior wide receiver Terrance Williams who has 10TD and 1,431 receiving yards, second in the country behind USC's Marqise Lee.
The Bears rank in the top-10 in nearly every offensive category, a team that could go against anybody in a shootout.
Baylor have also played ranked opponents tough in defeat.
(Week 4) 70-63 L vs #9 West Virginia
(Week 6) 56-50 L vs #25 Texas
(Week 9) 42-34 L vs #12 Oklahoma
But also the Wildcats are facing one of the worst scoring defenses in the country. Baylor has given up an astounding 39.4 points-per-game (118th in the nation). The Bears are also 112th in total sacks with only 11 on the year.
The numbers stated above prove that although they kept pace in those three games, they gave up a combined 168 points! (That is averaging 56pts allowed per game)
The Wildcats on the other hand, can score and play defense. While boasting their Heisman candidate on offense, their defense is 14th in points against (17.7PPG).
No doubt head coach Bill Snyder will have his team prepared and ready to take down Baylor. If they do so, it's a date with the Longhorns for a crack at their first ever National Championship game.
#2 Oregon Ducks (10-0)
BCS Rank-2
AP Rank-1
Coaches-1
Computer-4
A team that certainly appeals to the human polls. Oregon has blown away the competition in their 10 victories this season, scoring 32.5 points more than their opponents per game. They win with style, pizazz, and swagger with their shiny helmets and gaudy uniforms each week. They are also a very talented football team with offensive weapons that are the envy of many programs across the country.
Although they will face their toughest test all season when they play #13 Stanford and their punishing defense. The Cardinal lead the country in total sacks with 42, are 12th in points against (17.2), and are second in defensive touchdowns with four.
Stanford defeated Oregon State (Oregon's opponent following Stanford) 27-23, despite committing four turnovers. The Beavers could only muster 312 total-yards, and only scored a field goal on the turnovers.
The Ducks will have two very difficult games after coasting through their first 10. Oregon may have a weakness lying in their defense. The Ducks gave up 51 to 6-3 USC. Although Stanford isn't as prolific on offense as the Trojans, they certainly have a strong enough defense to keep their offense in the game at Autzen.
Stanford and Oregon will play Saturday night at 8PM on ABC.
#3 Notre Dame (10-0)
BCS Rank-3
AP Rank-3
Coaches-3
Computer-1
The BCS has been a cruel mistress to the Irish. A 10-0 record and the name Notre Dame, would have been #1 with no argument from the 90's to well, forever.
This year is not the case for the unlucky Irish, who are parked behind the two more attractive teams for the championship game.
After their 21-6 win over pesky Boston College, Notre Dame is back in South Bend for their home finale against Wake Forest this Saturday (3:30PM NBC).
They have been built by one word; defense.
Number one in the nation in points against (11.0), 11th in sacks (30.0), and 14 interceptions this season.
Led by Heisman candidate Manti Teo', the Irish linebacking core is among the best the nation has to offer. But unfortunately defense and winning ugly does not appease to the human polls. Even though the computers recognize what the Irish have done this year, the pollers do not see them as an attractive product for the National Championship.
Although Notre Dame has a three-headed monster at running back with Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood, and George Atkinson III anchoring the backfield. You can also throw quarterback Everett Golson into that mix as he has demonstrated his speed this year.
If the Irish defeat the Demon Deacons, they have a season ending showdown in Los Angeles against USC. The good news for Notre Dame is that this is not the same Trojan juggernaut that haunted the Irish for 12 years. The bad news is, even if they beat the Trojans, it won't help them in the polls.
Truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.
If Oregon and Kansas State win out, it is extremely likely that the Irish will play Nebraska in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.
They are not pretty, they are not the sexy pick to win, but the Irish have taken care of business. And that's all that matters to head coach Brian Kelly (the only one to pick ND #1 in the coaches poll). Winning pretty and winning ugly achieve the same desired goal, winning. As in the words of the late Al Davis, "Just win baby."
That is basically all Notre Dame can do. But one thing is for sure, Oregon and Kansas State are looking over their shoulder. And in their minds they will say, "Here come the Irish."
There is one word that sums up the Irish; unlucky.
Even when number one ranked Rolling Tide lost at home to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, the Irish are still on the outside looking in.
Plain and simple, they need help and maybe a little bit of luck. Oregon or Kansas State would have to lose in order for the Irish to get in the title game January 7th in Miami. Let's break down the two teams above the Irish.
 |
| Klein (Right), has the Wildcats within two games of the National Championship. (AP) |
BCS Rank-1
AP Rank-1
Coaches-2
Computer-2
Computer-2
The #1 Wildcats, led by Heisman candidate Collin Klein, only have to beat Baylor and #15 Texas to punch a ticket to Miami. They control their destiny as long as they can escape the potential trap game against the Longhorns.
For their game against Baylor, they are up against an incredibly talented Bears offense. Senior quarterback Nick Florence is averaging 394.8 yards-per-game, 7th in the country. He has 25TD passes and six rushing scores, a true catalyst of a high octane offense. They also have senior wide receiver Terrance Williams who has 10TD and 1,431 receiving yards, second in the country behind USC's Marqise Lee.
The Bears rank in the top-10 in nearly every offensive category, a team that could go against anybody in a shootout.
Baylor have also played ranked opponents tough in defeat.
(Week 4) 70-63 L vs #9 West Virginia
(Week 6) 56-50 L vs #25 Texas
(Week 9) 42-34 L vs #12 Oklahoma
But also the Wildcats are facing one of the worst scoring defenses in the country. Baylor has given up an astounding 39.4 points-per-game (118th in the nation). The Bears are also 112th in total sacks with only 11 on the year.
The numbers stated above prove that although they kept pace in those three games, they gave up a combined 168 points! (That is averaging 56pts allowed per game)
The Wildcats on the other hand, can score and play defense. While boasting their Heisman candidate on offense, their defense is 14th in points against (17.7PPG).
No doubt head coach Bill Snyder will have his team prepared and ready to take down Baylor. If they do so, it's a date with the Longhorns for a crack at their first ever National Championship game.
 |
| We did mention their shiny helmets right? (Kevork Djansezian Getty Images) |
BCS Rank-2
AP Rank-1
Coaches-1
Computer-4
A team that certainly appeals to the human polls. Oregon has blown away the competition in their 10 victories this season, scoring 32.5 points more than their opponents per game. They win with style, pizazz, and swagger with their shiny helmets and gaudy uniforms each week. They are also a very talented football team with offensive weapons that are the envy of many programs across the country.
Although they will face their toughest test all season when they play #13 Stanford and their punishing defense. The Cardinal lead the country in total sacks with 42, are 12th in points against (17.2), and are second in defensive touchdowns with four.
Stanford defeated Oregon State (Oregon's opponent following Stanford) 27-23, despite committing four turnovers. The Beavers could only muster 312 total-yards, and only scored a field goal on the turnovers.
The Ducks will have two very difficult games after coasting through their first 10. Oregon may have a weakness lying in their defense. The Ducks gave up 51 to 6-3 USC. Although Stanford isn't as prolific on offense as the Trojans, they certainly have a strong enough defense to keep their offense in the game at Autzen.
Stanford and Oregon will play Saturday night at 8PM on ABC.
BCS Rank-3
AP Rank-3
Coaches-3
Computer-1
The BCS has been a cruel mistress to the Irish. A 10-0 record and the name Notre Dame, would have been #1 with no argument from the 90's to well, forever.
This year is not the case for the unlucky Irish, who are parked behind the two more attractive teams for the championship game.
After their 21-6 win over pesky Boston College, Notre Dame is back in South Bend for their home finale against Wake Forest this Saturday (3:30PM NBC).
They have been built by one word; defense.
Number one in the nation in points against (11.0), 11th in sacks (30.0), and 14 interceptions this season.
Led by Heisman candidate Manti Teo', the Irish linebacking core is among the best the nation has to offer. But unfortunately defense and winning ugly does not appease to the human polls. Even though the computers recognize what the Irish have done this year, the pollers do not see them as an attractive product for the National Championship.
Although Notre Dame has a three-headed monster at running back with Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood, and George Atkinson III anchoring the backfield. You can also throw quarterback Everett Golson into that mix as he has demonstrated his speed this year.
If the Irish defeat the Demon Deacons, they have a season ending showdown in Los Angeles against USC. The good news for Notre Dame is that this is not the same Trojan juggernaut that haunted the Irish for 12 years. The bad news is, even if they beat the Trojans, it won't help them in the polls.
Truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.
If Oregon and Kansas State win out, it is extremely likely that the Irish will play Nebraska in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.
They are not pretty, they are not the sexy pick to win, but the Irish have taken care of business. And that's all that matters to head coach Brian Kelly (the only one to pick ND #1 in the coaches poll). Winning pretty and winning ugly achieve the same desired goal, winning. As in the words of the late Al Davis, "Just win baby."
That is basically all Notre Dame can do. But one thing is for sure, Oregon and Kansas State are looking over their shoulder. And in their minds they will say, "Here come the Irish."
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