A step in the right direction

We all knew if the Irish could protect the football a little better and cut down on mistakes and miscues that they could compete with any team in the country, and they proved it Saturday against #15 Michigan State.  But before we get too excited, there is still a lot of room for improvement across the board.  For the big picture, Brain Kelly is 9-7 as the head coach of the Fighting Irish, not stellar by any means, but he is putting the pieces into place for a much higher winning percentage.  We  are without a doubt the best 1-2 team in the country, and that makes us very dangerous, as the players and coaching staff will have a chip on their shoulders and believe they have something to prove to the rest of the college football world.

Best case scenario - the Irish go 9-2 and somehow work their way into a BCS Bowl and face South Florida who will in all likelihood be representing the Big East (giving the Irish a shot at redemption).  Although Notre Dame has some tough opponents coming up on the schedule (USC and Stanford included), their toughest opponent is still themselves.

Here is what I learned from Saturday:

1)      We can win games.  We kind of knew it already, but to see a notch in the win column really boosts confidence.  Maybe it’s better said that we can finish games with a win.

2)      The defense can get to the quarterback, although I’ll admit he was not a very mobile one.

3)      The kicking game can improve.  Ben Turk has the ability, he just needs the consistency. 

Here is what still scares me:

1)      Consistency at all positions

2)      Turnovers

3)      USC & Stanford