This is the ULTIMATE TEST of a good team -- having to play TOUGHER COMPETITION EACH WEEK and having to get up for it.
Is ND the kind of playoff team that can SOLDIER ON or, at some point, does it SIMPLY REACH ITS LIMIT?
This is RAW COMPETITION at its best.
It would say that raw comp at its best if the conditions were the same for PSU. They played 2 shit teams and have had 2 easy unemotional games, and they've got 2 extra days rest . ND has been through a gauntlet, and they're playing on less than a weeks rest. And don't underestimate how the tragedy in New Orleans will affect the team either. Being there while terrible things happened, being locked down in hotel rooms, the schedule being turned upside down.....this all takes a physical and mental and emotional toll on the guys. It will take a heroic effort to beat PSU Thursday.
Folks correctly talk about how emotional the UGA game was. I'll add this- the IU game was emotional too. I was there, and I've never seen Notre Stadium like it was that night. It was absolutely electric on and off the field.
It is so incredibly difficult to have big energy and emotionally draining games back to back to back. It tests your limits. And it's absolutely contributed to the injury challenges that we're having. I'm certain that there is a connection. The boys are putting so much incredible effort into each play and each drive. It's amazing.
I'm concerned that this is all taking a major toll on the guys. I'm the biggest homer on the board, and I do think ND pulls it out Thursday. But we badly, badly need rest. I'm disappointed that the NCAA didn't give us Friday's game in the wake of what happened in NOLA last week. How could they not look at PSU having 2 extra days off, and not want to cut into that gap? An extra day would've done wonders (Cross and Love).
Freeman and the staff need to get 60 minutes out the boys Thursday. I think they can do it. But this ND team is being tested in ways that few college teams ever have before.
