Bagpipe Monday: The bitter sadness of Notre Dame

Welcome to another Bagpipe Monday on One Foot Down. Friends, we are in some deep DEEP doo-doo here. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got dominated by the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday and there is nothing ahead that can make it any better — only worse.

@phillykelly

That’s a terrible situation to be in, and for the team, it’s probably a very stressful one as well. Notre Dame’s backs are against the wall — even with being like 17 point favorites this week against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Irish have been in this spot before with Brian Kelly, and surprisingly... they’ve mostly done a fair job of fighting their way out (2016 and 2014 aside).

Since Saturday we’ve talked a lot about the remaining schedule, and I have been as guilty as anyone with stating that the Irish will win out (with some authority). But... will they? Will they really? I mean, CAN they do it?

All stats aside, we have eyeballs and have watched this team go 5-2 so far this season. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’ve noted that something is certainly “off” with the offense, and we have been up and down with what the Irish are doing on defense — in particular against the run.

There is a lot of bitter sadness after that shit show in Ann Arbor, and just about every opinion about the Notre Dame football program can be validated this week — no matter the absurdity. It’s a crazy time, and we need something to right the ship.

I just don’t know what that “something” is right now. The saying goes that, “winning cures all,” but I’m less sold on the truth of that sentiment than at any time before. Does winning against inferior opponents really allow a team to grow and get better?

I don’t know. You tell me.

Your pipes: