Oklahoma

Whenever I travel I enjoy reading the USA Today.  There is something nice about the layout and knowing just about every traveling person in the US is reading the same paper.  So this morning’s front page headline “Believe it, the Irish are back!” made me cringe.  The article had a few interesting quotes but otherwise went through the motions and devoted a portion of the story to why ND may not be back.

After the Michigan State game, I wrote “a team is back when you don’t have to ask the question.”   I pointed to Oklahoma as the chance for ND to put away any lingering doubt about its return to relevance.  Win at Oklahoma and the question shifts to whether ND can win the national title.  And the script of ND being back is put in storage.

But a loss tomorrow night and the cockroaches come out.  Every major program has a roach problem.  The cockroaches are the media and/or contrarian fans who revel in turmoil and eat away at the foundation of a program.  They’re only happy when there is something to complain about or some element of doubt in the direction of a program exists.  During ND’s 7-0 start the roaches haven’t been hiding but it doesn’t mean they’re gone.  They lie in wait and appear in droves at the first hint of adversity.  Beating Oklahoma makes a long winter for the roaches.

I can understand ND as underdogs, but 12.5 to 14 points seems way too high.  What am I missing here?  I watched Oklahoma play twice this season and they pass the old eyeball test but Big 12 teams have mastered the eye exam.  Spread offenses and high scoring games impress voters and no Big 12 team does it better than Oklahoma.  But Notre Dame is undefeated and has played a more demanding schedule.

This isn’t a great Notre Dame team.  They are a good, well-coached team that has seen everything fall into place.  In two seasons they’ve gone from losing close to winning close games and at times dominating.  On paper ND might not matchup with Oklahoma but they’re darn close.  Given what we’ve seen in the first seven games, would you feel comfortable betting against them?

I predict ND wins tomorrow night.  I have reasons (Landry Jones is inconsistent and struggles against a good pass rush, Oklahoma’s suspect line) but beyond X’s and O’s, I just sense ND is destined to play USC with a shot at the national title on the line.  Overly optimistic?  Maybe, but after seven weeks of endless good fortune , it’s hard not to be.