Notre Dame

It hurts me to do this, because Notre Dame’s already exceeded expectations this season.

However, taking a 17-9 lead into halftime at #22 North Carolina, then handing out four second-half turnovers will haunt them for a long time.

The first of those picks was returned for a touchdown by the Tarheels, who took advantage of all the miscues to outscore the Irish 20-7 and improve to 5-1 on the year.

Jimmy Clausen was tremendous for the Golden Domers in defeat, throwing for a career-high 383 yards and two touchdowns, but a last-second fumble by his offense inside the Carolina 10-yard-line with less than five seconds remaning in the game was the last straw.

Notre Dame also would’ve improved to 5-1 if they had won the game and may have also impressed the pollsters enough to get into the Top 25 with a win. However, it wasn’t meant to be.

Due to their second half collapse and subsequent turnovers, we’re having to give the Fightin’ Irish some TOUGH LOVE today.

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