Everything Brian Kelly said after Notre Dame lost to Clemson
By John Buhler
Saturday was a nightmare scenario for Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish were essentially locks to make the College Football Playoff on Saturday morning, but are now on the precipice of dropping all the way from No. 2 to No. 5.
By losing to the Clemson Tigers 34-10 in the ACC Championship game, the Irish could plummet further than No. 4. We know that Clemson is in the four-team field, the Ohio State Buckeyes are likely in as well and unless something horrible happens in Atlanta, the Alabama Crimson Tide make three teams we know for sure are in. What did Kelly have to say for himself after Saturday?
Here is what Brian Kelly had to say after Notre Dame’s awful loss to Clemson
"I’m disappointed for our players. You don’t come this far and not want to play your very best.” – Brian Kelly
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 20, 2020
This first quote is one of admitting defeat. Notre Dame believed it had a playoff spot all locked up and did not play with the same crashing sense of urgency displayed by Clemson. To think Notre Dame was just going to cakewalk to the College Football Playoff without putting forth a genuine effort vs. Clemson is what may end up sending the Golden Domers to the lesser Orange Bowl.
"There’s no doubt this team is one of the four best teams in the country.” – Brian Kelly
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 20, 2020
Kelly may think his team is one of the four best teams in the country, but his Fighting Irish did a deplorable job of showing that on Saturday. They are the only team still in it that lost in blowout fashion this weekend. Of all the Power 5 conference championship results thus far, this was easily the most lopsided. How do you think the Selection Committee will feel about this total disaster?
"We played 11 games. That matters. Testing our team week-in and week-out, I think in my mind that puts us without question as one of the top four teams in the country.” – Brian Kelly
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 20, 2020
Going with the 11 games played card is not going to help the Irish get in. They are either getting in or they are not. That is not going to be a reason they make it over somebody else. What will help them get in is how they played in their first 10 games of the season. Again, Game No. 11 leaves an awful taste in everyone’s mouth. It will be difficult for the Irish to overcome this brutal loss.
Maybe the Irish will not have to boycott the College Football Playoff after all?
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