It’s Rees deal with it.

There are many storylines and questions to be answered for the 2013 season.  There are players who over time may have bigger numbers and bigger impacts, but for the success of the Fighting Irish in 2013, there is no player more important than Tommy Rees.

I don’t see Rees having or even needing to have a Heisman-like season for the team’s overall success (although that would be a pleasure).  He does, however, need to control his mistakes and miscues.  As goes Rees, so go the Irish.

Any and all of the running backs can average 100 yards per game, but if we are turning the ball over in the red zone, that won’t matter.  Turnovers will not only negate Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin’s offensive weapon statistics, but will also give opposing offenses the opportunity to put up points.

Defensively, it has to become frustrating at some point to constantly be on the field bailing out the offense.   Fortunately, in football the defense can score points while pitching a shutout against opposing offenses.

Tommy is the leader on the field who can make his teammates look and be better.  Rees is also a favorite off the field and in the locker room.  The rest of the team will follow and play for Rees.  Of course, Tommy could pass for 4,000 yards, 20 Touchdowns and no interceptions, and the rest of his team will still need to play very well if Notre Dame hopes to get back to a BCS Bowl this season.