The Legacy of Notre Dame Football in Jeopardy?

Notre Dame Football program could always be counted on to be a strong power house in college football. The last two years have been a different story. After the 2006 season they lost many key seniors on their defense and offense, including key member of the team, quarterback Brady Quinn. Who was up for the Hesiman Trophy his senior season. Everyone thought Notre Dame would have no trouble recruiting being the power house that they are. After Quinn left they landed the top quarterback recruit coming out of High School from Southern California. People speculated on how good he really was. The question came up many times; if he is that good why doesn't he just stay in Southern California and go to National power house USC? Jimmy Clausen was a very promising young athlete on paper. All the coaches where very impressed with his knowledge of the game, so they gave him a full ride to come to South Bend Indiana. Clausens Freshman season had more lows than highs. He was expected to come right out of high school and lead this storied program to a common 9 win season they have almost every year, while keeping up with the rigorous academic requirements. They had a pretty easy year ahead of them, but with losing the whole offense and defense they had a tough roads ahead trying to mix and match different people and mesh them together to for a solid football team. I remember that year very vividly. All the College Football Analysts didn’t give them a change, which they didn't have one really. They would always say that the only way they have a chance of winning is if the team actually didn’t show up to the stadium. That year they went 4-7 and failed to make a Bowl game in the first time in years!!!!!! This year is different. They year before freshman, now have a season under their belt and are out for revenge. They are 4-2 with the only 2 loses coming at the hands on now ranked opponents MSU and North Carolina. I personally think this team is hungrier than ever. This is this first time in 20 years that they are 4-2 and not nationally ranked. I expect to see many good things from this Notre Dame team as they evolve into mature true college athletes from timid High School athletes. I also could see them making a legit bowl this season. They just need to trust the coaches that they are surrounded by and keep working hard and in one or two seasons I can see them being at very high ranked.
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