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I can’t say that Notre Dame starting the season with an 0-2 record was unthinkable. The offseason was a long one and full of discourse as the Irish were in the middle of a quarterback battle. Of course it was mentioned, and yet, the only credence I ever gave it was that if it somehow
came to pass, the Irish could still likely win their remaining 10 games and make the college football playoff.
But all of that was before we saw what we saw. The thinking was that an 0-2 record would be more wrapped up in the quarterback play more than anything else. While CJ Carr hasn’t been perfect, he’s been good enough in his first two career starts to win. No, it’s been the defense that has been the greatest concern, and one that seems 9 dimensions away from being fixed.
And yet… there still is great hope for Notre Dame. The Irish remain ranked (albeit in polls that people declare are “meaningless”) and the schedule is manageable enough to get the 10 wins needed. Now, the Irish just have to go out and do the thing — but CAN they?
