Notre Dame, The Duke of College Football?

[erpowers]

Does anyone agree that Notre Dame is the Duke of college football? Every year Duke's basketball team is considered to be one of the best teams in the country. Each year they (Duke) are said to have one of the best players of that particular year and many sports writers speculate that that players might either lead Duke to the Championship, win player of the year, or win the biggest award in college basketball. It seems to be the same way with Notre Dame. Each year sports writers speculate as to whether or not Notre Dame will win the National Championship. Notre Dame is always put somewhere near the top ten even if some or many sports writers think the team is overrated. This year a number of sports writers thought Notre Dame was overrated. Finally, quarterbacks at Notre Dame, especially Brady Quinn are made to be some of the best quarterbacks in the game even though some or many think Notre Dame quarterbacks have major issues, like how many touted Brady Quinn as a Heisman Trophy candidate even though some sports writers mentioned many of Quinn's problems on the field. For instance, Quinn's problems under pressure.

[nickgutierrez]

1. Nah...

...Duke actually wins something now and then.

[fishwax]

2. that's what I figure too

When people say Duke has a shot at a championship season, I believe them. When people say Notre Dame has a shot at a championship season, I assume it's the usual hype, and will all but disappear by midway through the season.

[NoGOP]

3. Exactly. eom.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Duke is seldom overrated

Notre Dame seldom plays to expectations and hype. Duke and Coach K are the real deal in their sport. Notre Dame is just some fantasy drug out of the closet every year by those who play vicariously. I'm Catholic but I fail to see the attraction (except to Alumni.) I find the school's football program to be the epitome of snobbery, for no apparent reason. I do so enjoy seeing them get their butts kicked. As a matter of fact it just happened.

[underpants]

5. Well it is easier to field a winning basketball team

Last year especially Duke was a two man team.

That being said I would compare Florida State football to Duke more than I would ND. Yes ND has their own TV deal but FSU doesn't need one-they are on TV every game (except the Troy game a few weeks ago). ESPN finally relented and stopped doing in game interviews (free publicity/recruiting) on the sidelines OF the game. Of course Coach K car ads ran throughout out the tournament.

[mduffy31]

6. Brady Quinn was the legitimate Heisman favorite

Consider this, he finished in fourth place in Heisman voting last year, everybody ahead of him is gone. He led the nation in TD passes last season, so it isn't just because he is from Notre Dame, yes it helps but he does have the stats to back it up. He has had a rough season so far, I will agree with that. I don't understand how the defense couldn't have gotten better, and for the last few years Notre Dame wasn't even in the discussion for the NC, but now that they are it is in vogue to bash them as overrated, even though before the season started, just like last year everyone talks about how hard the schedule is but when the other teams don't live up to their expectations somehow it is ND's fault.