Time to Show Notre Dame Some Respect

When Notre Dame left Norman, Oklahoma with a 30-13 victory over the Sooners (a team they many said they couldn't beat), that should have been enough to finally earn them some respect with those voting in the Harris and Coaches Polls, but apparently not.

After Alabama's loss to Texas A&M this past weekend, number one was up for grabs for the three remaining unbeaten teams, Oregon, Kansas State, and Notre Dame.  The Irish received one first place vote in each of the Harris and Coaches polls.  In the Coaches poll, that lone vote came from Notre Dame coach, Brian Kelly.  In both of those polls, Oregon received the majority of the number one votes and based primarily on having received those votes is now number one in the BCS.  Kansas State, who received some first place votes in each of those polls is number two.  This leaves Notre Dame at number three and on the outside looking in at the BCS Championship game.  The reality is though, that Notre Dame deserves to be in the Championship game and here's why.

I have read a lot of opinions about Notre Dame having a weak schedule, but the data says otherwise.  Here are the total winning percentages of the teams that each of the unbeaten teams has faced in getting to 10-0:

Oregon: 0.471
Kansas State: 0.505
Notre Dame: 0.545

The proof is in the numbers.

I've also read a lot of opinions about how Notre Dame isn't picking up any "style points" in the polls, because they haven't been putting up a lot of points against some of their lesser opponents and have just barely squeaked out wins in some of those games.  The reality is that this year's Fighting Irish team doesn't win football games that way.  They play solid defense and score enough points to win.  They shouldn't be penalized in the polls for that.  Oregon scored 62 points on USC, but they allowed 51; should they really get extra "style points" for that?

Different teams have different strategies for achieving victory.  How the victory was achieved (with sound defense or offensive might) isn't really relevant.  What is relevant is the strength of the teams beaten and based on overall winning percentage of teams beaten that edge goes to Notre Dame.

If Notre Dame finishes this season unbeaten, they deserve to be in the BCS Championship game and I am hopeful that those voting in the polls will show the Fighting Irish the respect they deserve and put them there.  Go Irish!

Give Kyle Brindza Some Credit

There are currently several tweets on Twitter regarding Notre Dame kicker, Kyle Brindza.  Some are encouraging, but others are not

Brindza has struggled at times.  He missed two field goals against BYU, one against the Sooners, and one yesterday against Pitt.  He also missed an extra point against Pitt.  That being said, he has also made field goals when they were critical.  The one he made against BYU was part of the 17-14 win.  The one he made in the first OT yesterday kept the game going.  In my opinion, he deserves credit as much or more than he deserves criticism.

Most importantly, Brian Kelly has stuck with his sophomore kicker.  Could it be that Kelly knows that Brindza, like quarterback, Golson, will continue to improve?  He continues to start him and put him on the field in critical situations, which I believe says a lot.

The Irish are young team and have performed inconsistently, but yet they continue to find a way to win.  From week to week, different players are stepping up and getting the job done.  Every Irish player has had a role to play in the team getting to 9-0 and Brindza is no exception.  I suspect he will continue to improve and continue to score points in critical situations.  Go Irish!