Maybe we all need to take a deep breath after Saturday's crushing loss to Northern Illinois. Yes, it hurts. Yes, there were passes that should have been completed. Yes, we could have won the game.
Out of fairness to NIU, they are a good team. They are a veteran team that returned 18 starters — nine on each side of the ball.
Notre Dame was a 28-point favorite for our home opener, and we lost by two points, 16-14.
In 1995, Notre Dame's home opening game was against Northwestern. Notre Dame was a 28-point favorite and lost by two points, 17-15. We were crushed.
It was no fluke as Northwestern won the Big Ten undefeated and went to the Rose Bowl.
I have a strong feeling this recent loss was no fluke. I have a good feeling that NIU will win their conference, perhaps undefeated.
If that happens, then maybe we'll get more perspective, especially if we leave Purdue this Saturday with a strong win. Certainly, we'll need to do some tweaking, but I'm not throwing in the towel.
What I know for sure is that NIU is a much better team than most of us thought. They were good! I wish them well, and I hope they go undefeated.
Go Irish!
Joseph Gutierrez
Class of '76 subway alum
Sept. 9
