We got beat over 59:59 by a capable if not as talented team as us. When you play a capable team it is always dangerous. Additionally when you shoot yourself in the foot against a capable team it is really dangerous. Additionally incompetence in reffing can be dangerous. We still can overcome all this heartache. If we don't beat ourselves we can win the rest, get in the playoffs and do a lot of damage.
Six straight warm-up tomato cans that led to a very hollow streak of double-digit wins.
First ranked opponent of any consequence that represents our first true test of the season, and we get stage fright, look unprepared and soil ourselves on the big stage.
National vindication / humiliation stood in the balance. "Leave No Doubt" indeed.
...schedule.
And would be again this year
Outside of the 2024 Playoffs we have struggled mightly in big games.
Ws: Indiana, UGA, Penn State
Ls: OSU, TAMU, Miami, BYU
We are 3-7 in big games under Freeman and 0-4 with a non-gimmicky QB but better overall talent.
In that context, the losses are troubling at the least. Especially when we had better talent than two of the four and equal talent (and possibly better) than a third team (Miami).
Because MF and his staff did not have this team prepared after playing six cupcakes. Why? Why were the players so uninspired? #1 ranking and most consecutive wins at stake, national TV audience, playing a top 10 opponent, all the "leave no doubt" hype coming out of our HC and this was the finished product of it all. This was a major letdown. All the insiders and beat writers and former players who have torn this game apart, play by play, are in agreement. It's just not us non ND graduates. So, Navy, Miami, SMU. That's the mountain range this team will face.
