Notre Dame vs. Maryland preview

            Before we get to this week’s preview, here’s how the season has gone after ten weeks.

            
            The Fighting Irish are in a football purgatory of sorts. The Irish stand at 6-3 and have three games left. Although it hasn’t been a bad season thus far, it has been far from great. The Irish dropped their first two games to South Florida and Michigan. At 0-2 most fans were ready to jump ship and smack the panic button, but fortunately the Irish defeated then #15 Michigan State. Notre Dame continued to win as they beat Purdue, Pittsburgh, and Air Force.

            
            The Irish had restored peace in the Blue and Gold universe, just in time for when USC came to town. In that game the Irish were beaten on all fronts and lost 31-17. After the loss the record for the season was 4-3. Three losses basically takes a team out of contention to going to a BCS Bowl (A Bowl Championship Series Bowl Game is one of five of the most prestigious bowl games. They are the Rose, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, and national championship). A BCS Bowl was one of the goals the team made before the season and was an expectation of nearly all Notre Dame fans.

            
            Last week the Irish beat Wake Forest and face Maryland this week. Next week’s opponent is Boston College. Those three ACC teams have a combined record of 9-18, so even if the Irish win the next two games and move to 8-3, they won’t earn much respect. The final game of the season is at Stanford. Stanford is one of the best teams in the country and if Notre Dame can win, or at least keep the game close, that will earn more respect and attention than winning those other games.

            
            So why are the Irish in a state of “purgatory” or "limbo"? If the season ended right now Notre Dame would be invited to play in the Champs Sports Bowl. If Notre Dame finished 9-3 they will most likely still play in the Champs Sports Bowl. The only way Notre Dame can get to a better bowl game would be to finish 9-3 and be ranked in the Top 14 in the BCS Rankings at the end of the season. Champs Sports Bowl here we come!

            
            There isn’t much to preview for the game this Saturday against Maryland, or even next week against Boston College. This week’s game is being played at FedEx Field in Washington D.C. as part of the “Shamrock Series”. I have no idea what the Shamrock Series is, but apparently it’s the reason Notre Dame is wearing a special helmet this week.

The helmet that will be worn for the Maryland game

The endzone art has been painted for Notre Dame. I wonder if the Redskins logo will be there for the game.

            
            The Irish need to just play a complete game on both sides of the ball and try not to beat themselves. They are the superior team and can win this game easily. If they win and move to 7-3, maybe they’ll finally get back into the Top 25.