Notre Dame Football Power Rankings: Piesman, streaks, and other powerful things

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got themselves a double digit win over a Top 20 team in the Virginia Cavaliers, and now prepare for the Bowling Green Falcons this Saturday in South Bend.

This week’s power rankings:

1. The Piesman Trophy

Notre Dame created two nominees for the Piesman Trophy on Saturday with Adtekunbo Ogundeji and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. While a big man touchdown is generally considered the stronger feat — Lord Myron’s run was impressive. Don’t know what the Piesman Trophy is all about? Here’s an explainer that should take care of that (while I check out Ade’s TD one more time).

2. Tony Jones Jr.

I don’t think we can fist pump enough about Tony’s efforts on Saturday. 131 yards and 3 touchdowns is some boss ass shit. I’m not sure why people aren’t a little more happy with this, but at least Bill C tipped his cap.

3. Non-definitive playoff statements

Anyone saying that Notre Dame absolutely can’t make the playoffs hasn’t really paid any attention to college football over the past 150 years. We are over a third of the way into the season, and there are still a TON of different things that can and will happen over the next 10 weeks. As of right now, I like possibilities more than probabilities.

4. MACtion

I’ve gone on record countless times about my displeasure in regards to Notre Dame scheduling Navy, New Mexico, and Bowling Green at home in the same season. It makes for a really dumpy home schedule. Still... here’s a game that Notre Dame can “stat pad” a bit. After getting hammered on the ground in the first two games of the season, the Notre Dame defense has made a fantastic comeback over the last two games (and a huge statement — especially against Georgia). This game can help set the rankings straight... as if it really mattered.

Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

5. Game Flow

There are several different ways to look at Game Flow, but instead of talking about the different ways... here’s a tool to look at this particular flow for games dating back to 2013 via Zane over at Coug Center.

6. Quarterback transfer theories

A lot of people believed that this would be the last year at Notre Dame for Ian Book, and then Phil Jurkovec would step into that role for 2020. As each week passes, it seems more and more likely that Book will be back in 2020. So, obviously, people talk about Jurkovec’s impending transfer. I am not one of those people. Phil already used a redshirt, so if he transfers without some weird thing like Justin Fields — he will have to sit out a year anyways. Why would he do that? Well... i don’t think he would or will when it’s all said and done. Still — people have their theories.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

7. Streaking

No, no friends... don’t pull a Joseph Fauria. I’m talking about a couple of solid streaks that Notre Dame has going for it. The win over Virginia added to these streaks:

• Notre Dame has now won 13 straight games at home. It’s the third-longest winning streak inside Notre Dame Stadium since 1930.
• Notre Dame has not let an opponent score more than 30 points in a game in 18 consecutive games. They’re tied with the Washington Huskies for the longest active streak.

And... bitch as I might, Notre Dame still has not ever played an FCS opponent.

8. 921

Apparently Notre Dame got its 900th win in football program history on Saturday. I seem to remember that happening at a different time. I highly encourage Notre Dame to follow my lead.

9. Mustache Gladiator returns

Yep... Brian VanGorder is coming back to Notre Dame Stadium. I have not nearly as much to add to that as previously thought.

10. The perfect shirt

While I take great pride in the fun shirts I have created over the years, I have to give a special shout out to one of my oldest Twitter pals and her dope creation. Yes... they are indeed from Philadelphia so this won’t work as well for you person from Des Moines.