In a “no-win” bowl game, No. 15 Notre Dame found a way to win the narrative, nonetheless. Blowing out Iowa State was not expected in any corner, and yet the Camping World Bowl domination extended past the 33-9 Irish victory and into a new Notre Dame standard.
Notre Dame (11-2) has now tied a program-record with 33 wins in three seasons, it has not lost to an over-matched foe in three years — a low bar to clear on the surface but undeniably a very difficult one in this sport — and most pertinently, the Irish made it clear they are different than their predecessors.