Rockne's Roundtable

IFR,

It's never happened, which I include in the story.

Now, there were three members in the 1974 recruiting class — Joe Montana, Randy Harrison and Jeff Weston — who were medical redshirt seniors in 1978 who were 4-0 in bowls, although they didn't play in all of them.

* In 1974, ND defeated 11-0 Alabama in the Orange Bowl, and Harrison and Weston played as freshmen, but Montana was the No. 7 QB.

* ND turned down a bowl in 1975 because it felt unworthy at 8-3.

* In 1976, ND beat Penn State in the Gator Bowl, but that was the year all three were injured. Weston tore his knee in the opener, Harrison broke his arm in the second game and Montana suffered a separated shoulder 10 days before the opener.

* The 1977 and 1978 teams saw ND beat Texas and Houston in the Cotton Bowls, with Montana, Harrison and Weston all being fifth-year seniors in the latter.

"Montana was the No. 7 QB"???

We really need to keep that in mind when thinking about what might lie around the corner.

Not Lou. Not remotely Lou, but I'll take a stab at this anyway. I doubt ND matches up with FSU's speed. Then again, I doubt ND matched up with Miami's speed, last year. I think the key lies in the early stages of the game. If the Irish play with fire and hunger, I think that will set the tone for the day, and FSU may start to lose interest. That's what Stanford and USC did to the Irish this year, and what the Irish did to Michigan, as well. Apparently they forgot, however, that it's a four quarter game. I'm starting to like ND's chances more, as we get closer to the bowl. I think those playing their last game will want to end on a high note. Someone like Michael Floyd is going to say this was not the season I envisioned passing up the NFL for, so at least we can end it right. I think Manti's return gives the team a surge of energy. Ten days ago, I wrote that I was bearish on ND's chances. Now, I'm feeling a different vibe. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. I'm not ready to empty the piggy bank (what else would you think I have?) on them, but I grow less apprehensive by the day. And, yes, I know we can't turn the ball over four times. It would also help if the defense got the occasional TO, as well.

Great read Lou, good stuff. I love the by the numbers feature.

Ham - I WANT to feel better about this game. Setting the 'tone' as you mentioned in your post IS a big key to this game. ND needs to show up like last year vs Miami - NOT like the 1st quarter VS SC & Stanford! Against SC ND was pushed around in that 1st quarter - ND hardly moved the ball and against Stanford ND moved backwards with TWO off penalties giving Stanford great field position early on in that game. So what ND team shows up will be what I'll be watching for. I'm praying for points on every possession because I don't have 'faith' in our punt return game(praying for a miracle on this one). But regardless - GO IRISH!!