Could Notre Dame run the table and finish 11-1, potentially having a chance to crash the College Football Playoff party?
Even if not, an appearance in the Orange Bowl or another New Year’s Six game would be a great way to start the Marcus Freeman era.
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How about starting the year 0-2 with an admirable battle at Ohio State before one of the worst losses the Fighting Irish have suffered in the long history of Notre Dame Stadium.
Marshall, a team that Notre Dame wrote a check for $1.25 million dollars to come play at Notre Dame Stadium, walked into the historic venue, punched Notre Dame in the face, did it again, again and again before walking out with a 26-21 victory.
Why?
Where do we start?
An anemic offense that struggles to do the littlest of things right. You can question play-calling, but when presented an opportunity the Irish suffered through a case of the drops, overthrown receivers and entirely missed open receivers.
It was one thing a week ago when Ohio State’s offensive line gassed Notre Dame’s defense and was able to run at will in the fourth quarter. It was an entirely different thing when Marshall did the same on Saturday.
Consider this:
Tyler Buchner, who had a pair of interceptions, a number of overthrows and a pair of rushing touchdowns, finished with 44 rushing yards on 13 attempts. The rest of the Notre Dame backfield? Twenty-four rushes for 86 yards.
Next: Marshall punched Notre Dame in the face