Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons to be optimistic about 2019 season

4 of 5

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader waves a flag during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Clemson Tigers at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. The Irish finally got over that playoff hump

Getting over that hump is always the toughest aspect of becoming a perennial contender. Notre Dame had been held without a playoff berth through the first four years of its existence, Brian Kelly knew he had to make some noise in 2018 if he wanted to save his job and keep his program on the same level as other brand names.

Notre Dame had been drifting into 10-11 win max territory until the 2018 season when the Irish finished the regular season 12-0 with some impressive wins but no truly elite victories.

Still, you can’t scoff at a 12-win regular season because it’s what every team strives for. Every single test put before the Irish was passed and that’s all the playoff committee needed to see to invite them to be part of the final four.

Getting over that hump could set this program up for years of success which begins with recruiting as well as the belief in the current players that making the playoff is possible.

The returning starters got a taste of the playoff and you can bet they’ll want seconds. A back-to-back appearance isn’t out of the question, especially when you consider what Notre Dame brings back.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish