The Truth Sometimes Hurts

The truth must certainly be painful for the members of Notre Dame's football team this morning.  Last night they found out that they were nowhere close to the best team in college football this year.  The Irish defense could do nothing but watch as the faster, stronger, more athletic Alabama ran past them on their way to the end zone.

The offense did little better.  The Irish running backs, accustomed to racking up 100-plus yards per game, kept searching in vain for a hole in the 'Bama defense.  Everett Golson was under heavy pressure the entire game, yet managed to connect with Tyler Eifert and Tavaris Jackson a number of times for decent gains, but could not cross midfield in the first half.

The most memorable image in my mind from the game was a play in which Manti Te'o blitzed through the Alabama line with a clear shot at 'Bama running back Eddie Lacy.  Te'o ended up on his back, grasping at air, wide-eyed and open-mouthed in stunned amazement as Lacy rumbled downfield for a big gain.

Alabama was bigger, stronger, faster, better coached, and showed superior skill over the stunned Irish.  Were the Crimson Tide that much superior to the Irish, or did Brian Kelly fail to adequately prepare his team for this contest?

I think perhaps it's a little of both.  It seemed that the Irish came into the game not realizing the talent level they were facing, and not really mentally prepared to play the game.  The defense looked like they had forgotten how to tackle as the Alabama rushers ran over, around, and through them for easy touchdowns.  The Irish defensive backs were completely confused, watching wide-open 'Bama receivers catch easy balls from AJ McCarron.  The defensive front were stopped in their tracks on passing plays and easily moved aside on rushing plays by an unusually big, strong, and technically competent 'Bama offensive line.

The Irish should have been awakened to the fact that they're not as good as they thought.  That they've got a long way to go to be able to match up with Alabama next year, should they make it to another national championship.

That truth must hurt for Notre Dame this morning.  But the important thing is how they respond to that pain - they can shake it off and just be on their way, or internalize it as motivation to get a lot better next season.  We shall see which approach they choose.