Don’t Underestimate Notre Dame Or Their Reemerging QB

Everett Golson is arguably the best quarterback Notre Dame has seen since Brady Quinn, but he has been a significant challenge for the team as well. After being dismissed from the University of Notre Dame in 2013 for academic reasons, which he later admitted was a result of cheating on tests, Golson has had an impressive rebound season with the Fighting Irish after being reinstated. As a senior, he is being given a final season to redeem himself and prove he can still earn a place in the NFL, and he is off to a promising start.

With an undefeated season thus far, Notre Dame has continued to climb the NCAA rankings. The Fighting Irish still have several challenging teams left on their schedule, notably the reigning national champion Florida State, who Notre Dame will face in an away game in Tallahasse on October 18. Following Golson’s performance against Syracuse, continuing the winning streak appears a very realistic possibility for Notre Dame football. Despite multiple turnovers including two interceptions and two fumbles, Golson most recently led his team to a 31-15 victory over Syracuse while throwing four touchdown passes and setting a school record of 25 consecutive completed passes. In week two’s game against Michigan, the final regular season game to be played in the long standing rivalry, Notre Dame put up 31 points while shutting out the Wolverines. Golson passed through Michigan’s defensive line with ease and flawless execution. If Golson can continue to put up numbers like his 362 passing yards against Syracuse and eliminate avoidable errors such as the multiple fumbles and interception passes, he could reemerge on center stage as one of the best quarterbacks in college football.

His accuracy and impressive passing abilities make for a very lethal weapon in combination with an already strong defense. Head coach Brian Kelly is focusing on where Golson can improve and encouraging his quarterback to work on problematic areas while still emphasizing and enhancing his strengths. The upcoming weeks include many important games on Notre Dame’s schedule that will determine the team’s eligibility in the first year of college football’s new playoff system. If Everett Golson can continue to improve, he has a very decent chance of keeping the winning streak alive and carrying the undefeated Fighting Irish through the playoffs and onto another shot at the national championship, which would constitute their second national tile game in two years.

*Section Photo credit to Harry How, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images

Four Kentucky Wildcats Suspended for Saturday’s Game
Four Kentucky Wildcats Suspended for Saturday’s Game