Tommy Rees wants to put September behind him

T’is that time of year again people. With Santa just around the corner, shopping has already commenced for the festive season - of course, that is, if it has not already finished. And there is one other interesting point that Irish fans are suddenly pointing to.........

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach, Brian Kelly, has posted some very successful numbers from a statistical stand-point in his career. One of the most noteworthy is that of his overall coaching record in the later months of the footballing calendar. Kelly has achieved an impressive 51-13 career record in November, and you have to go back to a 2007 game against a 5th ranked West Virginia for his last loss in November or December.

“It’s not just one thing. There is no answer to it, it’s just our approach every day,” Kelly said on Tuesday.

------------------------
READ MORE:
More stories on American football from IrishCentral

Did President John F Kennedy steal his inauguration speech? - VIDEO

'Glee' show with leprechaun Damian McGinty a disgrace
------------------------

“You’ve got to play well in November, too. So your practices have got to be right on, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job. We’ll see how it goes this November.”

So what happens if Kelly’s team go on a tear into November and December ? Well, I think we have all but established that a BCS Bowl is out of the reckoning with a frustrating loss two weeks ago to arch rivals USC.

Notre Dame would have to finish in the top 8 to be automatically granted a BCS Bowl game.

However, if the Irish did run the table and beat their remaining opponents convincingly, a huge ask giving the fact they almost play a top 10 schedule annually, then the BCS Bowl dream could be re-established by way of a 9 game winning season and a possible at-large berth.

If the Irish can finish in a top 10-14 slot......we are a long way from even contemplating this  scenario...suffice to say, NO team has ever been un-ranked this late in the season and have gone on to contest a BCS Bowl game.

The Fighting Irish’s next two opponents come in the form of, away to Wake Forrest Demon Deacons (5-3) & at home to the Maryland Terrapins (2-6).

Both are ACC teams, a conference which has been surrounded by possible Notre Dame alignment rumors.
The Irish of Notre Dame end the season at home to a sub-standard (2-6) Boston College team and the nations “hot” team at the moment in Stanford.....this is where Kelly’s current 15-game (18 if they first their next three games) winning streak in November & December will come to an end....and yet again, it just happens to be a Top 5 team, as of now, much like West Virginia (5) in 2007.

“Yeah, we would like to start better, there is no question. But I think my philosophy is always about how you finish and not how you start,” Kelly said.

“Clearly our teams have played well in November. (But) each year is a different year. Our starting defensive end is out. We’ve got injuries, like other teams. But I know the kids, when they go to practice today, they’re mentally and physically ready to play.”
------------------------
READ MORE:
More stories on American football from IrishCentral


Did President John F Kennedy steal his inauguration speech? - VIDEO


'Glee' show with leprechaun Damian McGinty a disgrace