... the eve of the opening of the 2011 season, Notre Dame finds itself in a rather familiar position: full of preseason hype, holding a preseason ranking with many reasons to be excited for the campaign to come.

We've been here before.

Each of the previous three coaches had at least one season where all signs pointed to a fantastic finish. There was momentum. Returning talent. Continuity on the staff.

In 2000 the Irish dropped only a heartbreaking overtime loss to No. 1 Nebraska and a last second-defeat at Michigan State, earning their first BCS bid. Despite being pasted in that Fiesta Bowl by Oregon State, Notre Dame entered the 2001 season listed among favorites to return to the BCS if not contend for the title....

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