When the 2009 college football schedule made its debut last winter, there were two very distinct camps of Notre Dame observers.

One group was rejoicing because the Fighting Irish were improving, going to a bowl game in paradise (which the Irish would win in impressive fashion over a home-standing and good Hawaii squad), and the slate looked soft. Only a date with the USC Trojans was truly daunting and that came in South Bend.

Unwisely sincere visions of 11-1 or 10-2 shimmered on the sunny horizon.

Contrarily, the other group huddled under an ominous black cloud. Even more troubling, the dour-faced horde wasn't composed...

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