The final game listed on the life-size 2015 Notre Dame football schedule, hanging conspicuously inside the Guglielmino football complex, silently illustrates the only outcome the Irish are interested in this season.
“Jan. 11, 2016 National Championship” the sign reads, a testament to the lofty goal the program’s coaches, players and fan base are rightfully entitled to this season.
If there was ever a year that title expectations were warranted at Notre Dame, this is the one.
Even Irish head coach Brian Kelly indicated Thursday during his season-opening press conference that this is the deepest and most talented team he has fielded in his six seasons here, so why not expect to be the best?