Notre Dame focused on avoiding a letdown
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Corrrespondent
Letdown, letdown, letdown.
That seems to be the only thing being talked about around Notre Dame’s football program this week.
After each big win this season, Irish coach Brian Kelly has been asked during the following week of preparation how his team will avoid a dreaded letdown.
As expected, a good majority of the talk at Kelly’s weekly press conference this week centered on that very subject after the Irish upset No. 8 Oklahoma, 30-13, Saturday in Norman.
I think we’ve talked about that each and every week, said Kelly when asked if he was concerned about how the Irish might handle prosperity. You win two games, you win three, you win four games in a row, you start to worry about how are you going to handle success. So this is not a first time conversation with our football team.
They have handled success early in the season, and they have shown that they understand that if they don’t prepare the right way, that they’ll lose. We’re not good enough to not prepare properly, and I think they know that.
What Notre Dame does know is it is ranked fourth in this week’s Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls and it is entering the easiest three-game stretch of its schedule. Over the next three weeks, the Irish will not play a ranked team in Pittsburgh, Boston College or Wake Forest. None of those three teams currently has a winning record either.
No History Lesson Needed
The Irish are a heavy favorite to beat Pitt Saturday in Notre Dame Stadium, but Notre Dame historians will point out to you that the Irish haven’t always taken care of business against lesser opponents.
Remember 1993 or 2002?
On Nov. 20, 1993, Boston College knocked off the top-ranked Irish thanks to a last-second 41-yard field goal. A week earlier, No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 1 Florida State in Notre Dame Stadium in what was called the Game of the Century.
On Nov. 2, 2002, Notre Dame hosted Boston College a week after it beat No. 11 Florida State in Tallahassee. After beating the Seminoles, the Irish climbed to a No. 4 ranking and they were talked about as a serious national championship contender.
Sound familiar?
Earlier this week, Kelly wasn’t taking the bait to talk about how some previous Notre Dame teams have been upset following big victories.
I really focus strictly on the guys that are in the room and how we prepare them, Kelly said. I do not use history lessons as much as I want them to realize what it takes to win week in and week out.
Look, there will be enough of that out there for it to kind of get to them. I don’t know that that for me is going to change the way we prepare.
Close Shaves At Home
Notre Dame has won its four games away from Notre Dame Stadium (against Navy, Michigan State, Miami and Oklahoma) by an average of 28 points.
On the other hand, the four home games the Irish have played (against Purdue, Michigan, Stanford and BYU) have been decided by an average of five points.
So what gives?
I think teams that come into Notre Dame Stadium play their very, very best, Kelly said. We have to match that intensity. And we have to do it each and every weekend, because it is a battle. There’s no question.
Our players know that and we’re in the process of understanding how important it is to prepare even for our home games in the same fashion. Yes, it’s at home. It’s easier, you’re sleeping in your own bed. But our guys know that they have to play with a lot of energy at home as well.
OSU Coach ˜Huge Notre Dame Fan’
For years Notre Dame courted Urban Meyer to be its head coach and for years Meyer turned down any and all opportunities to lead the Irish.
Meyer served as a Notre Dame assistant coach from 1996-2000 under Bob Davie.
This week Meyer was asked about the Fighting Irish and his response might surprise you just a tad.
I’m a huge Notre Dame fan, Meyer told the Associated Press. I always have been. I’m Irish Catholic. I love that they’re doing well, and they’re great for college football.
They’re really good. I’ve seen them on tape a little bit, so I’m not surprised.
Meyer went on to talk about the love/hate relationship the fans have with Notre Dame.
Love/hate is you’re the Yankees and they can’t stand you, but they also love you, said the former Florida coach, who has his Ohio State Buckeyes undefeated at 9-0 and ranked sixth in the country. You come walking into high school with a (Notre Dame) shirt on, you either get something thrown at you or a big hug.
Hoping For A Sixth Year
Notre Dame is hopeful that it will get a sixth year from the NCAA for injured safety Jamoris Slaughter, who ruptured his Achilles tendon at Michigan State earlier this season.
After Thursday’s practice, Kelly confirmed that the legwork for Slaughter’s appeal has already been started.
Slaughter has started 19 games for the Irish and has 98 career tackles.
A decision on whether or not he gets another year of eligibility is not expected until after the season.
Follow Doug Griffiths on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ISLgriffiths.
Also:
How Robert Marve’s faith could save Purdue’s season
