Students analyze the season thus far and discuss the path to the playoffs

It is already November, and that means it is a good time to find out what the Notre Dame student body has to say about the university’s football team. The Irish have an 8-1 record, and with only three regular season games remaining, there is more than enough to talk about—from decisive moments, big games, and overall performance to the question marks that loom within the fast-approaching BCS Playoff bracket.

The Rover asked a number of students about their thoughts on the 2015 Notre Dame football season thus far.

While citing injuries as a major setback, most students seem to think that the Irish have had a great season.

“[W]e look like a very strong contender for the playoffs this year,” senior Abbey Hubregsen told the Rover. “Despite all the injuries that have plagued our team, we have continued to demonstrate … that we are willing to play until the last minutes of the game…”

Junior Clare Kossler told the Rover that Notre Dame football has been exciting to watch this season. “Every season with the Irish is quite the ride,” said Kossler, “and this season is no different. With the injuries and comebacks from behind to win the game, Notre Dame football certainly knows how to keep it interesting.”

Similarly, sophomore Tyler Duffy and junior Bekki Rumshlag were sad to see so many injuries, but they remain proud of the team’s determination.

“Injuries have been extremely detrimental,” said Duffy, “but our backups have really stepped up. It’s a testament to the depth, talent, and work ethic of our team.”

“It was a shame to see so many players get injured so early on in the season,” Rumshlag agreed, “but I still think the team has been able to accomplish a lot and get some great wins.”

Senior Owen Smith is not surprised by Notre Dame’s current record, but he has been surprised by the path the team took to get there. “We’re right where I thought we’d be this season,” said Smith. “But considering we lost Zaire and Folston, among several others, I am stunned by how smooth the transition has been.”

“I am proud of this team because they have shown so much determination and hard work to get where they are, and it makes it very fun to be a fan,” one student said.

It is fun to be a Notre Dame football fan, especially if you are in the stands with the rest of the student body during a primetime home game. At least, that is the case according to students who spoke with the Rover, a majority of whom listed either the Texas or the USC games as the most memorable.

“I have to say that one of the most memorable games for me was the USC game,” Hubregsen said. “I felt that this is one of Notre Dame’s greatest rivalries. To see such an exciting game of football on both sides of the ball as my last night game here at Notre Dame is definitely something I will never forget.”

Kossler, Smith, and Duffy agreed that the game against USC was the most memorable so far this season.

“The USC game was one I particularly enjoyed,” said Kossler. “Not only did it feature a comeback in the fourth quarter by the Irish, and lest we forget, a rendition from both bands of ‘Shut Up and Dance,’ but it was also an exciting game between longtime rivals.”

Smith said the USC game was probably his favorite as well, adding, “Night games are so fun, and USC really gave us a challenge.”

“The win was huge, and the atmosphere was electrifying,” Duffy added.

Other students also highlighted the nighttime win over Texas as the most memorable, but one student who requested anonymity pointed out that losses, too, are hard to forget, saying: “I remember losing to Clemson.”

Junior Phil Stenger had a different take on the season, choosing as his most memorable the home game against Navy “because it is a classy competition with a respectable opponent, and we crushed them.”

Stenger represented the members of the student body who appreciate the historic, respectful rivalry between Notre Dame and Navy.

As far as post-season hopes are concerned, many students believe Notre Dame has a good opportunity to make the BCS Playoff.

Hubregsen, Duffy, and Stenger agreed that the Irish playoff hopes are still alive.

“If we make it, there’s a great shot for us to win it all,” Duffy added.

Smith predicted a rematch from 2012 between Notre Dame and Alabama.

“My prediction is that after a playoff upset, we’ll find ourselves in the championship against Alabama. As a freshman, I saw us get crushed by the Tide in Miami, but I think a reversal of that is in the works for a fitting end to my last season as an ND student,” he said.

Other students, like Kossler, were not so ready to talk about the playoffs for a variety of reasons.

For Kossler, it is simply too early to predict the playoffs. “There’s a lot that can happen between now and the end of the season,” she said. “We still have [three] games to go. If we do make the playoffs, I will be very enthusiastically cheering on the team.”

An anonymous student mentioned some of the complications that earning a playoff berth would likely require.

”This is a very complex question,” the student said. “We will need some help with Clemson winning out, and teams like USC, Navy, and Temple to continue to win. We also need either or both of the Big 10 and Big 12 to have a one or two loss champion…[W]e need to control what we can and dominate the games we are playing.”

For Notre Dame, three games remain. There is much debate as to which teams will make the playoff and which teams will not—no one can be sure—but of this we can be sure: no matter what others say, the Notre Dame student body will ready to cheer on their beloved Fighting Irish the rest of the way.

James Pratt is a junior majoring in political science and Spanish. He likes to ride bikes and sing, sometimes at the same time. Contact him at James.A.Pratt.34@nd.edu.