This is the opportunity the program has needed for 5 years (or more).
I have my Kelly issues, but you have to agree they were barely a top 20 program when he took over and now they are a perennial top 10 team. He deserves credit for that. Actually, they are probably right behind that second tier group of teams - Clemson and Alabama; then Oklahoma, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU - and then the Irish. At least by college football perceptions. I'd put them in the tail end of that second group, but your average BIG10/SEC idiot would put ND behind that second group.
The only way, in college football circles, does ND get put in that second tier - is by beating an SEC team, especially on the road - and I am glad its Georgia. I think Georgia is a little over hyped and the SEC is down - so Georgia will still go 9-3/8-4 if the Irish beat them - so people can't say "Georgia wasn't that good".
There are some of you that would never play this game "because they have no shot" - They have to play this game. I'm not saying ND is going to win - but I am saying this is a huge opportunity for the program. Now they just need to find a way to get it done. If not, they need to schedule another one until they win this type of game or they will never be "back".
I think they are a lot closer than most think. Saturday night will tell.