Herbstreit: “Nobody is really sold on Notre Dame”

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit had reservations putting Notre Dame in his top 4 this week, he explains why nobody is sold on the Irish right now.

Through four games the Irish have continue to rise in the polls and the wins have kept coming. Those wins haven’t been the most aesthetically pleasing wins, especially this past weekends against Louisville. That however, hasn’t stopped many analysts from including Notre Dame among the top teams in the nation.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has the Irish in his top four, although there is a caveat to his list, as he currently is ranking only the teams that have played. In his latest podcast with David Pollack and Kevin Neghandi, the Irish came up as a subject after their lackluster win (they start the Notre Dame conversation right around 30 minutes into the pod).

Herbie dropped a bomb, but one that shouldn’t be too big of a shocker, he’s not comfortable putting the Irish at 4 right now. The former Buckeye said “I think nobody is really sold on Notre Dame yet because of who they’ve played…. The Louisville game, 12-7, I think that left even more questions about where Notre Dame is.” Herbstreit goes on to say that “I don’t think you’re going to have an opportunity to earn respect on a national level until they play Clemson.”

Hard to argue his point, but the season isn’t over after four games. The Irish will have chances to prove themselves, starting with Clemson then North Carolina. Brian Kelly is breaking in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, a few wide receivers have to step up, but what travels and has been consistent is Clark Lea’s defense. The Irish are 4th nationally, allowing just 11.5 points a game. There a flaws right now, but there is time to fix them and get ready to find the respect nationally that will be needed to finish in the top four of the College Football Playoffs.