Get behind early by a couple of scores and it may be rough sledding trying to play catch up. FGs won't do it. TDs are required. ND earned this game. It wasn't given to them. The media and analysts will do and say what they will. None of them thought ND would be here after the NIU game. They were laughing at the Irish then and many, not all, are laughing at the Irish now. They think the 9 point spread is hilarious. All our guys can do is lace them up and see what happens. Our staff are not a bunch of chumps. They're solid. There are 100 other programs who would love to be in ND's shoes right now , playing as a dog in the national championship game, riding a 13 game win streak.