More of the Same

Another Notre Dame football Saturday, another game decided on the final series (actually, ND got the ball back after the Brian Smith's interception and ran three plays - you just didn't know this because NBC decided to instead alternate close-ups of Charlie Weis and Dave Shinskie for 2 straight minutes, neglecting to show ND running out the clock in "victory formation"). Unfortunately, ND's schedule that looked so promising, i.e. easy, to start the year doesn't look so promising any more.

With games remaining on the road at 7-1 Pitt and we-have-an-inexplicably-awesome-white-running-back Stanford, the potential for a slip up or, at least, more games going down to the wire is high. Throw in home games with Navy (who still fails to garner any recognition after almost beating Ohio State in Columbus and knocking off ACC contender Wake Forest) and Connecticut (who is now playing with emotion after losing a teammate) and I'm certainly concerned. Looks like the only potential "gimme" is the rare NBC night game on Halloween against Washington State in San Antonio, which I would bet $1000 is only being played at night in order to keep ND students watching the television rather than having awesome Halloween parties.

Win or lose, you can bet NBC is loving this season. The Southern Cal game drew the highest rating for a Notre Dame football game since 2006, and no doubt the nailbiters are drawing viewers - both for and against. Every Saturday night has left me exhausted. If this script plays out at Thanksgiving and sees us eek out a victory over Stanford, I've got two words - pool party!