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Notre Dame Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win in Camping World Bowl

By Dante Pryor

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone against La'Michael Pettway #7 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter of the Camping World Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone against La'Michael Pettway #7 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter of the Camping World Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1. This win could be a tone-setter for the future of the program

It’s not easy to really know how much a bowl game really matters in the grand scheme of a program’s continuum. Every program changes in some way every year. Players graduate, transfer or leave early for the NFL. Sometimes players get hurt during spring practice or summer camp; there are so many factors that can change a season for a football team.

However, this game quite possibly might be the exception to the rule. Brian Kelly wanted to use this game to set the tone for how he wants his team to play next season, especially offensively.

Kelly has touted since their Cotton Bowl loss to Clemson that the program is close to being elite. He has touted their improved recruiting and feels this is his best class since being head coach in South Bend. According to 247Sports, their class is ranked No. 11 this year and No. 1 next year — according to early projections. He feels with these last two recruiting classes and most of his core group coming back next year, Notre Dame is a legit contender for the College Football Playoff.

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Kelly wanted to use this game to re-establish their identity as a physical, run first team, and set a standard of expectations for next season. This senior class had three 10-win seasons, an appearance in the playoff, and Kelly said the next step is a national title.

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