Week By Week Breakdown of Notre Dame's 7-5 Meltdown in 2014

The Notre Dame 2012 season was great before the title game against Alabama, wasn't it?

Since that 12-0 season, the Irish have gone 8-4 and 7-5. This season was even more painful for fans. For everyone else, it was a sweet taste of Schadenfreude the final four weeks of the season.

Since I personally follow the team, and tweet during games (most of them were Everett Golson turnover tweets), here's my reaction to every game this season. Enjoy my pain.

Game 1: Rice (Won 48-17)
A weak FBS team to start the year. Of course you are going to win. The return of Everett Golson and may I say, he looked pretty good. There were threats of lightning in the South Bend area, and despite a few downpours, storms stayed away from Notre Dame Stadium. That's a good sign for the rest of the season, right?

Game 2: Michigan (Won 31-0)
Yes! Take that, Brady Hoke! Notre Dame took you guys to the cleaners. What a way to end the series (one that we're ending because of a deal with the ACC). The Wolverines must be good, right? They have Devon Gardner and that Funchess guy. No way they fall apart!

Game 3: Purdue (Won 30-14)
At least they played this Shamrock Series in the state of Indiana. Not a great win against Purdue, one of the weakest teams in an already weak Big Ten. Golson didn't have his best game, but he found a way to win.

Game 4: at Syracuse (Meadowlands) (Won 31-15)
Who knew Everett Golson could play so well and so bad all in the same game. How do you mess up a spike? Hope this streak of turnovers does not become a trend for him. Oh, boy. Stanford is next week.

Game 5: Stanford (Won 17-14)
Typical Stanford. Defensive minded, boring and on top of that, a sloppy game on both sides. Golson turned the ball over twice, but it didn't hurt them.

Again, Golson is clutch on that 4th and 11 to Ben Koyack to win the game! Also, I now know who Hunter Smith is.

When's Florida State? Two weeks from now? 

Game 6: North Carolina (Won 50-43)
Everett. Dude. Quit turning the ball over! How many chances were you going to give the Tar Heels to win this game? You gave them the first 14 points of the game on turnovers. How does our defense give up 43 points? Hope this doesn't become a trend like Golson's turnovers.

Also, bowl eligible. Woop! Woop!

Game 7: at Florida State (Lost 31-27)
(After screaming every obscenity at the television)

OK. You guys were jobbed on that offensive pass interference call. If it's "Famous Jameis," the official keeps the flag in his pocket (insert conspiracy theory to get an ACC team in the playoff here).

Even though they lost, I still like how this Irish team played. They still got a shot to makes the Playoff as a one-loss team. It's just gonna be harder.

Game 8: at Navy (Landover, MD) (Won 49-39)
Can we please stop scheduling Navy, guys? They know how to beat you guys. Also, you had them on the ropes when you lead 28-7. The triple option isn't too hard to stop. If it was, everybody would run it!

Also, Brian Kelly, when you get an interception and then a turnover on downs and have a chance to put the nail in the coffin, do it!

You can still join the Naval Academy for their alma mater. Just put the game away when you can!

Having doubts about their chances going into Arizona State. Maybe we deserved to be ranked 10th by the Selection Committee?

Game 9: Arizona State (Lost 55-31)
Death, taxes, Everett Golson turnovers. Only this time it backfired on you guys. You made Todd Graham look like the coach of the year. At least they go home to play Northwestern next week. Gonna try to forget this game ever happened.

Game 10: Northwestern (Lost 43-40 OT)
Yeah, I'm done. I am SO DONE with you guys! If it was already bad enough that Golson was turning the ball over, now everybody else on offense it doing it!
Hey, Cam McDaniel, you have the game won. Protect the damn football! Also, Malik Zaire and Kyle Brindza make a terrible pair on field goals and extra points. Hey defense, did you give up because Joe Schmidt got hurt? DONE!

Also, your loss lead to this. Nice job, guys.

Game 11: Louisville (Lost 31-28)
I've been coming out to every Senior Day game since 2004. So I guess I am not done with Notre Dame this season.

Nyles Morgan, you're just bad. Bobby Petrino had to be watching your tape against Northwestern with such joy. I will give you the benefit of a doubt. You're young. You'll learn, but you stink right now. Your day was summed up when you were ejected for targeting.

You guys could have won, but once again, Brian Kelly's play calling with a first and goal from the
Louisville 10-yard line leads to a fourth down and a Kyle Brindza wide right field goal miss that lead to another loss.

I have so much respect for Joe Schmidt. This defense is up a creek without a paddle with him injured.

Oh, great. USC to finish the year. 

Game 12: at USC (Lost 49-14)
I watched the first half because I hate myself.

Way to keep them under 50 points! After the first half, I thought Cody Kessler was going to throw 10 touchdowns and win 70-14 and break every Trojan passing record.

It wasn't until the game was out of reach that Brian Kelly benched Golson and put in Malik Zaire. He didn't turn it over. Can't say the same for Golson, who had two more turnovers.

Gave up watching this game after the first Irish drive of the second half.

Also, are there any more healthy bodies that can play defense? They were dropping like flies at Southern Cal.

Game 13: Bowl Game (TBD)
Extra practice, an extra game. What's in it for me?



Man, the season sure went downhill fast, huh?

Again, those are my thoughts.

So, there you have it. As it has been for the past two decades for Notre Dame Football fans...