Notre Dame begins what may be the country’s toughest schedule, with an opening week rivalry game on a different continent. Clearly, football was not the optimum concern. The Midshipmen have won three of five, after snapping a 43-game losing streak in 2006. It was the Irish, however, who cruised to victory last year, 56-14.

The player to watch will be Everett Golson, a redshirt freshman and Notre Dame’s new starting quarterback. Yes, to stem the turnover trouble, Brian Kelly turned to a player who has not taken a competitive snap. Golson unfortunately is not a criminal, though he is quite the musician. Besides the foreign environment, the neophyte will be throwing into a stiff Dublin wind and have a wide receiver, Theo Riddick, starting at tailback with Cierre Wood suspended.

If Notre Dame has not yet won over the native Irish, surely these gaudy cleats will do the trick. Thankfully, it is not yet Shamrock Series time.

P.S. Coaches who lead their players out of the tunnel look ridiculous.

[Photo via Presswire]