While X/Twitter has some younger fans, the twitterverse still focuses on my demographic of Gen X and older Millennials. The message boards skew even older. Therefore, I don’t have a great grasp of what young BC fans are thinking. Do they care about the Notre Dame game? Once upon a time, and for about a decade and a half, this was THE date on the schedule. But we left the Big East and Notre Dame used it as an excuse to take us off their annual schedule, and here we are now playing them every few years via the ACC partnership. Even if we start to make it competitive it won’t have the same juice it once had. The infrequent nature of the games will see to that. I don’t think this week’s game is going to add any more fire to the rivalry but you never know…
What’s on my mind (not totally related to this game)
When we are losing, everyone is quick to bring up the challenges of coaching at BC. However, watching the Governor of Louisiana get involved in the LSU coaching decision and search is a reminder of one of the good things about being at BC. It is a P4 job where you can work and live peacefully in your community regardless of the win-loss record. Bill O’Brien is not getting harassed or bothered or interrupted when he’s out and about. His mistakes or awkward moments are not getting discussed endlessly online or on ESPN for years to come. His wife is anonymous in her community. They can focus on football. Even our local media is much more accommodating than nearly any other P4 job. If you just want to coach and not deal with all the nonsense or spotlight, BC is a great place.
Three simple keys
1. Continue with the ball control mentality. It didn’t lead to a win, but we made the game a lot closer than most expected. The same will hold true if we can do it this week.
2. No big plays. Notre Dame’s run game is more explosive than Louisville’s. This could get ugly. But we need to keep contain and the LBs and Safeties need to bring guys down.
3. Hit the open man. Our biggest problem with either QB is how many times they are missing open guys. If we want to win, we can’t let that happen.
Gambling notes
— Notre Dame leads the series 17-9
— BC hasn’t won since 2008
— BC is 3-5 against the spread
The current line is BC+28.5
Factoid
With Brian Kelly in the news, it is appropriate that the Massachusetts native was 4-0 at Alumni and 1-0 at Fenway while at Notre Dame. (Maybe he should have scheduled BC vc LSU.)
Scoreboard Watching
Pitt-Stanford. It doesn’t impact us, but I am curious to see how Pitt does at Stanford. The Cardinal have been tough at home vs East Coast teams.
I hope to see…a BC win. I know it won’t happen, but can you imagine how it would feel after and how much life it would give to the remainder of the season.
BC is in trouble if…the Irish break off big runs. It will be very deflating.
What ChatGPT Thinks: “Given the data: I expect Notre Dame to win comfortably.”
Bottom Line
I can’t talk myself into a win. I don’t think any of our QB options are playing well enough to upset a playoff team. I also don’t trust our D to contain the Irish. I think Notre Dame is locked in and looking to impress for the playoffs.
Final Score: ND 38, BC 14