Notre Dame's defense remains hugely overrated

Can't we all just see it -- Notre Dame goes 9-3, qualifies for a BCS game - because it's Notre Dame and 9-3 is good enough - and once again gets waxed by an SEC team (Auburn or LSU)?

Maybe the Irish are better off going 7-5. That way, they will get invited to a lesser bowl and actually have a chance to win (see Hawaii in last year's Hawaii Bowl).

With a 4-1 record and three straight dramatic victories, Notre Dame no doubt is feeling good about itself heading into the bye week.

However, we simply cannot take this team seriously when it continues to have one of the worst defenses in the country (despite the goal line stands last week against Washington).

We find it amazing how often the Irish miss tackles and allow receivers to get open - even in the overtime last week.

On 3rd-and-19, the defense allowed a Washington receiver to get open inside the 5-yard line - the ball just went through his hands.

And, on fourth down, D'Andre Goodwin had position on a pass over the middle - though, in fairness, safeties Harrison Smith and Kyle McCarthy delivered a bar-jarring hit to cause the ball to come loose, which is what safeties are supposed to do.

We knew the Irish celebrated too prematurely when Jimmy Clausen's 12-yard TD pass to Kyle Rudolph put Notre Dame ahead, 30-27, with 1:20 remaining.

With Notre Dame's porous defense, that is much, too much left to start celebrating a victory. Sure enough, the Irish allowed Jake Locker to drive the Huskies for a game-tying field goal.

So, is Notre Dame's defense vastly overrated, or is it poorly coached? This is the classic chicken-or-the-egg questioned that has vexed Notre Dame fans for years.

Anyway, the week off is needed - not for the team, but for the fans.

Following this team is not good for the central nervous system. At least, they'll be no aggravation this week.

Of course, the aggravation returns next week, when USC walks into Notre Dame Stadium and gives the Irish their annual beating.