Irish Without the Fight

In continuing TR's tradition, I'll continue with the Notre Dame bashing before venting about today's release of the AP poll.

Question: What do Notre Dame and marijuana have in common?

Answer: They both get smoked in bowls.

The Half-Baked Irish came in at #17 in the final poll, a lofty spot for a team crushed by Michigan, USC, and LSU, with two decent wins against UCLA and Georgia Tech.

There is simply no justice in the world for Wisconsin. Unlike the Big Ten champs Bucky dispatched of a formidable SEC opponent. Granted, it wasn't pretty, but a #7 spot from the AP is a slap in the face. Given their 12-1 record, an EARLY loss to a top-ten opponent on their home field, and eight straight wins to end the season you figured a top-five finish was in the works. At least USA Today and the coaches saw it that way.

Wolverine fans might be miffed by falling beneath Bucky given their win in September, but with an inferior record and a 2-game losing streak it's clear that Wisconsin was a better team by season-end. One could make a legitimate argument that Bielema's Badgers were the best team in the Big Ten, but the scheduling Gods prohibited a matchup with the Bucks.

That said, a #6 finish (averaging the two polls) is a fantastic finish for a team not expected to even crack the Top 25. With 16 starters returning, two capable QB's, and a stud TB on the way the writers cannot deny Bucky a place in their pre-season top-ten. It will be the job of this team to take the pads and pens out of their hands and make a title game berth their inevitable destiny.

Give this Irishman and helmet and pads, for Bucky deserves a fighting chance to be California dreaming come December (if not playing for all the bananas).