In a season so unsettled its own existence was doubted, Notre Dame delivered a welcome dose of certainty in its regular-season ending 45-21 win against Syracuse on Saturday. Even when trailing 7-3 late in the second quarter, there was no doubt the No. 2 Irish (10-0, 9-0 ACC) would finish their scheduled season unbeaten for the second time in three years.
More than reaching 10-0, bringing the season to a semblance of a conclusion stood out — with fewer and fewer teams involved, it is easier to envision the postseason playing out as planned. Head coach Brian Kelly made it a point to spend a chunk of his postgame comments thanking those who orchestrated and made Notre Dame’s season possible, from University President Fr.