As an Irish fan for more than 40 years I have seen the ebb and flow of college football. Today's game has been transformed by the explosion of tv deals, NIL, social media, spread offenses and the transfer portal. Now more than ever, talent is spread around the country so that even middle of the road to flat out bad teams (Marshall, Stanford) cannot be overlooked. While the talent for the most part is spread around, a few schools have managed to corner the market on talent and a winning formula. The current state of CFB makes it almost impossible to win a ring if you are not an SEC powerhouse, Clemson (who is clearly slipping now) or Ohio State (who I think has lost ground to the true elite this year). Basically there are 3-4 teams every year who have a legit shot at the ring and it has been this way for about a decade. Everyone else is playing for next best. The Irish have been in what I would consider a second tier - not legit natty threats but in the next best group who is miles behind the elites - during this run. To me, 2 areas have kept the Irish out of elite status even if it is just for 1 year.
In modern CFB, QB's have to possess one of these 2 traits to be great: ability to make quick, correct reads while delivering accurate throws (especially deep throws) or the pure athletic ability to make plays and hurt defenses at times on their own. Possessing both is rare but having 1 is essential. We have not found or developed this yet and it holds us back. Ian Book was a decent QB but his limitations kept the Irish from being a true threat even though the rosters were stacked while he was here. We have to figure out a way to get an elite QB here. Watching the Penix kid destroy Oregon last weekend was a case study in how great QB play affects a game.
The irish D has been phenomenal at times but it's achilles heel has always been the secondary. Why can't we cover receivers from Navy? It is an embarrassment and has been the weak link for more than a decade. Modern D requires corners who can cover and make plays. The true key to great defense is the ability to get pressure without blitzing but this requires corners who can cover. It's not complicated but there just aren't that many players who can fill both of the roles I described. I love the Irish but until those 2 issues are solved we will never be a true threat to win it all. Go Irish.