SCOTT JACOBS

I’ve bashed Notre Dame mercilessly this year.  I’m not afraid to say it.  They get star treatment for things they accomplished 20 years and even further back ago.  They are the only team in the country with an exclusive TV contract with a major channel, NBC.  They are always treated as the star child, even if all the other kids are running laps around them, and they get into bowl games most of the time they don’t deserve to be in.

But this year is different.  Notre Dame is 6-6, they’re coming off a bad loss to USC, and an even worse loss to Syracuse.  Charlie Weis’ seat is so hot, he might self combust if Notre Dame does anything but win this game.  Seriously, if the struggling Irish can’t beat a mediocre Warriors team from the WAC than they have bigger problems that go beyond their coach.  If Notre Dame can’t beat Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl, then maybe, just maybe, they’re no longer a top tier program.  Maybe, just maybe, they’re not even a second-tier program. I don’t know, I’m not a doctor.

But I do know this:

It’s put up or forever shut up (at least for this decade) for Notre Dame if they don’t win this game.  No pressure, none.  They should probably just go home for a little while, and maybe take a few years off of vacation.  Then when they regain any semblence of pride, they can try starting over.  Losing this game would be rock bottom.  Last year was awful for the Irish, but this year, with a team that had a little experience under their belt, failing to beat one team with a winning record would be a real drag.  In fact, I’d argue that it’d be quite pathetic.

You’re Notre Dame, and you can attract top recruits from all across the country.  You have Touchdown Jesus, you have history, you have all the greats on your side, and you have way, way, way too much attention paid to you.

Do something Notre Dame!  Prove to me that you’re no longer a joke.  Prove to the nation that you have it in you to put together a good team on the field, one that won’t wilt amongst the absurd expectations put upon it.

Look!  I’m not saying Notre Dame has to blow out Hawaii.  They just have to win.  They have to end this nine game losing streak that they have in bowl games.  Because one day, if they continue on this anemic path, they won’t be the draw they once were.  Bowl games will pass on them.  Big names will look elsewhere.  NBC will move on.

I’m not saying that will happen overnight,  but over time things change.  People move on.

So consider this a warning Notre Dame: win the game, cause you’re not going to like what happens if you don’t.

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