After a week off, Notre Dame remains in the national conversation, ranked No. 9 in this week’s AP poll and set to play an offensively talented, but defensively flawed team in Miami at Soldier Field. But after watching the Hurricanes light up the scoreboard the past few weeks and the Notre Dame offense grind to a halt, there’s plenty to be concerned about if you’re an Irish fan. While an undefeated September certainly jostled memories of better days, young quarterback Everett Golson‘s understandable struggles learning on the job put a lot of strain on an Irish defense that’s held up thus far.
But eventually, an offense is going to break through against Bob Diaco‘s unit. As good as Stephon Tuitt, Manti Te’o and the rest of the Irish front seven are, there is going to be a team that establishes an offensive rhythm against Notre Dame and eventually puts up some yardage on a young Irish secondary doing exemplary work while learning on the job. And that’s why fixing the Irish offense is so incredibly pivotal over the next few weeks.
At 4-1, the Hurricanes look to be a formidable foe. Yet one look at their defense and you get an idea about the team Al Golden is trotting out there right now:
Miami Offensive Rankings:
Scoring Offense: 35.6 (37th)
Pass Offense: 328.4 (15th)
Rush Offense: 144.2 (84th)
Miami Defensive Rankings:
Total Defense: 494.6 yards (116th)
Rush Defense: 225.6 yards (115th)
Pass Defense: 269 yards (94th)
Miami’s defense is inexperienced, undersized and young. That’s a horrible combination and one that has Las Vegas predicting a comfortable Irish victory, with the line opening at 9 points but jumping to almost two touchdowns. Yes, one-time Irish recruit Anthony Chickillo looks like a good one and middle linebacker Denzel Perryman is back after an injury, potentially providing a boost to a unit that’s been nothing short of terrible this season. But if Notre Dame is going to be the team many hope exists, they’re going to need Golson to prove he can be the man for the job this year, not just in the future.
If you listen to the word coming from South Bend, there is no quarterback controversy at Notre Dame. But that stance is — and should be — incredibly flexible, especially if the Irish keep racking up wins. Building a future with Golson makes complete sense. But sacrificing the present — one that includes a once-in-a-generation leader and talent like Te’o — and an All-American like Tyler Eifert is tough to stomach in a locker room where many believe Tommy Rees is the best quarterback for the job. And while that might turn the stomachs of Irish fans everywhere, that sentiment isn’t solely that of the players. The guys drawing up the Xs and Os think there might be something to that, too.
Rees certainly didn’t deserve to be the presumptive starter walking into 2012. Not with the rash of turnovers he committed last season and the off-the-field trouble he got himself into this spring. But after getting booed when he stepped foot on the field against Purdue, the junior quarterback has done everything asked of him, closing out two victories and playing mistake free football. No, Rees isn’t the most physically talented quarterback on Notre Dame’s roster. But as long as the Irish aren’t willing to run the quarterback and get Golson working the zone read game, than its really a moot point.
Brian Kelly has made it clear that he wants to have one quarterback. There’s every reason to believe him, especially as he hamstrings his defense with a young quarterback learning on the way. But unless Golson breaks out Saturday night — another spotlight game against a prestige program in a unique venue — then he and Chuck Martin have a tough decision to make. Build for the future or go back to Rees and bet on the present?
Notre Dame’s offense ranks 97th in the country. No team in the top ten is within 30 spots of Notre Dame. Only two in the top 25 (Stanford and Washington) rank worse than the Irish. Say what you want about the under-performing offensive line and the rebuilt wide receiving corps, but this all comes back to the man behind center.
Everett Golson has all the talent needed to propel Brian Kelly’s offense to the heights many expected when he took over Notre Dame’s program. But with a defense that looks built to make a run, if Golson can’t get it done against the Hurricanes, it might be time for Kelly to hand the keys to the offense back to Rees.
