Good thing I lived through those bad years.

Here are a few thoughts that shape my perspective. Losing still stings, but I wasn’t as caught up in the preseason hype as the media was. Setting expectations too high often leads to disappointment.

-This situation reminds me of the days when there was a significant gap between starters and backups. With NIL deals, teams won’t keep many strong backups unless they have the financial backing of programs like Alabama, Texas, or Oregon. Players who are decent will seek better opportunities rather than sit on the bench. The days when someone like Rudy would want to play for Notre Dame exclusively are behind us; now it’s all about “Show me the money!” I can’t blame them for that.

-We’ve had some great years, but it’s natural to face a few tough seasons, often due to bad luck. While I hope for improvement every year, I know it won’t always happen. Injuries are part of the game, and it’s especially tough when they affect key players. However, looking at the overall trend from the past 20 years, we’ve done well.

-Some of the play calls definitely raise eyebrows, but they also reflect the desperation of our coaches. Good or bad, play-calling is judged by results. If a risky play works, the coaches are hailed as geniuses.

-Many criticize moving to the Big 12, calling it a downgrade. But this shift proves that nothing is guaranteed; every week is a test, and that’s what makes college football exciting. Upsets can happen at any time. We used to be the underdogs causing upsets, but now we’re expected to win, making us vulnerable to being the upset team.

There’s been frustration over the coaches’ lack of transparency about injury statuses. If fans are uncertain about how to prepare to watch a game, imagine how the opposing team feels when they have prepare to play. I bet coaches would prefer to skip the press altogether if they could. If I were in their shoes, I might say that key players are “game-time decisions” due to reasons such as some questionable takeout from Chop Suey Luey’s every week. Team status is really only relevant to those directly impacting the game.