The recent discussions about Notre Dame football have been tiring. The team has been inconsistent, with a notable win against a Top 25 SEC opponent and a dominant 66-7 victory over a Big Ten school, yet they’ve also struggled against two MAC teams, including a home loss to Northern Illinois. The recurring topic seems to be the quarterback situation.
In the latest game, the Irish won 28-3 against a lackluster Miami (OH) team, but they lacked energy from the start. The offensive line played poorly, there were mistakes like a muffed punt and a dropped field goal snap, and several frustrating penalties. This trend of starting slow has become a concern.
However, blame often falls on the quarterback, just as it did last season with Sam Hartman. The team has brought in two transfer quarterbacks who have noticeably declined since arriving in South Bend, yet the coaching staff isn’t held accountable. It’s time for a serious discussion about this.
Many fans are calling for a quarterback change, believing it could significantly improve the team’s performance by replacing Riley Leonard with Steve Angeli. Personally, I think the coaching staff will likely make a change at some point this season.
While we can only speculate about how things might look with a different quarterback, I believe that ultimately, no significant improvement will come from such a switch.
The offensive style may change, but will it really address the lack of energy on certain weeks? Will it solve the issue of the team fluctuating in performance based on the competition? Will it alter the fact that this team remains focused on defense, expecting the offense to simply support Al Golden’s unit?
You can tweak the offense if you want, but I doubt it will lead to significant change. This team will still prioritize defense, with the offense playing a secondary role. As a result, we can expect varying offensive performances each week, but ultimately, the quarterback will bear the blame because that’s just how it works.
At this point, I genuinely hope a change occurs. If Notre Dame continues to show inconsistency week after week, perhaps we can engage in a more meaningful discussion. It’s too simplistic to place all the blame on one quarterback; the issues are much deeper.
As a fan of head coach Marcus Freeman, I truly hope we see a shift in approach soon. He brings a lot of positive energy to Notre Dame football, but ultimately, winning and developing a strong program are what matter most. Until then, this team will remain limited, regardless of who is under center.
Leave a Reply