UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

-There are no exhibition games.
-There aren't 162 games like in MLB.
-There aren't 6 month seasons like in the NBA and the NFL.
-There aren't ever-expanding additions to the pool of playoff teams like in all the sports.
-Even with the new 12 teams in the CFP, 1 loss or 2, for sure, could keep you from getting in.
-Every game is life and death. You have no margin for error.

Think of the NIU game: We now know that Riley was injured and he couldn't, and didn't, run in the second half. All we had left from him was his passing and we know how that worked out. Marcus should have replaced his disabled QB in the second half. That loss was devastating, but it could have been prevented. Think of the importance of winning, not about hurting the feelings of your million dollar bonus baby.

Now, Louisville looms ahead. They beat us last year and their coach, Jeff Brohm, is a damn good coach. He should not be underestimated. We can't afford another Riley Leonard mulligan, but Marcus is stubborn and is determined to stick with Riley. This is foolhardy; however, he must, at least, be willing to pull the plug on Riley asap, if he isn't getting the job done.

Marcus has to realize the enormous importance of every single game in college football and act accordingly.