Before we get into the numbers, let me identify my sources. To get the records and bowl appearances and scores, I used the archives provided by und.com. To get the recruiting class rank, abbreviated on the table below as “recruit class rank,” I used the rankings as compiled by Rivals at Yahoo! Sports. Here’s what that all looks like in a table:

So, the numbers show that of the ten bowls, the next year’s recruiting class improved six times, declined three times, and was unchanged once. I am not suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship, but maybe there’s something to this notion of momentum that has come to clothe bowl season. In this era of tweets and instagrams, it is likely possible for someone far more savvy than yours truly to cull through the timelines and pages of recruiting classes to come to see if there’s some direct influence.

We know, though, that for the players on the roster, going bowling is a highly-anticipated reward in an otherwise heavily-policed world of NCAA rules compliance. You know they get paid to go, right? Like cash stipends and swag? Think “your” Irish are, or should be, above “all that”? They’re not. And shame on you for framing the issue that way. The Irish were wild about the package put together by the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl. To recruits, and dare I suggest that to recruits volunteering for the rigors of the Notre Dame student-athlete experience the effect is likely enhanced, the probability of playing in premier bowls in premier locations is likely added cherries, or PlayBox 7’s, on the cake. For an idea of what the kids got for Christmas, as it were, this year, check out this article here.

Notre Dame’s academics will continue to challenge the coaching staff on the recruiting trail. We just “lost” Prentice McKinney, a highly-touted safety and member of our 2015 recruiting class, to North Carolina as it became more and more apparent that he just wouldn’t be able to make the whole “student” thing work at ND. On the heels of season in many ways “lost” to academic suspensions that came on the heels of a season, 2013, that saw Everett Golson kicked out for academic reasons, the ability of the Irish to play in bowls year after year, I feel, is critical to our recruiting efforts.

The post So Why Go? The Importance of Going Bowling appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

You can listen right now below, download in iTunes, or even load an mp3 on our BlogTalkRadio site. Enjoy!

Hope you’re ready for A LOT of highlights this Saturday that include the guy we interviewed this week on Down the Line. None other than Kevin McDougal, quarterback of the incredible 1993 Notre Dame Football Team! McDougal’s place in Fighting Irish lore remains entrenched for those that remember the magical run put on by Lou Holtz’s squad that fall. Rick Mirer was off to the NFL, All-Word QB recruit Ron Powlus was going to win 2 Heisman trophies in South Bend, and the athletic 5th year senior from Florida was headed to the final year of a career mostly spent on the bench. A late August injury to Powlus thrust McDougal into the starting role and what transpired is nothing short of remarkable.

Also joining us is Oscar McBride, starting tight end on the 1993 squad and routine road grader for Lee Becton and the Irish running attack.

Nothing captured the 1993 season quite like the Florida State V. Notre Dame game that November. ESPN packed up its bags for the first ever College Gameday live on a campus in a contest that lived up to its “Game of the Century” moniker. As you can imagine, both McDougal and McBride have fond memories of the game and Coach Holtz’s notes and messages to the team. They are shared on this podcast.

Both alums also have paid keen attention to the 2014 Irish Football team and took stock on what they think are the keys to winning this game and making a 2nd half run. McDougal spoke at length regarding what he’s seeing in Everett Golson and what he expects the message for him to be from Brian Kelly. All-around amazing stuff! Enjoy!

Twitter: @ManCaveQB

Email: herringbonesports@gmail.com

The post Podcast! Kevin McDougal & Oscar McBride Preview FSU! appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

You can listen right now below, download in iTunes, or even load an mp3 on our BlogTalkRadio site. Enjoy!

We also utilize this show to spread more awareness about Savin’ Aven fundraiser on GoFundMe. Read more here on HerLoyalSons or hit the Fundraising Page.

Legendary Notre Dame alum and 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown joined the show this week. The first wide receiver in college football history to win the Heisman has a new book out, The Making of a Man, and is on a nationwide book tour promoting it. He’ll be in Oakland this weekend to sign for his loyal Raider fans and be a special guest at the team’s home game.

We got Touchdown Timmy’s insight on the current Notre Dame receiver crop and he even shared his opinion on the reshuffling of the Notre Dame offensive line. Perhaps his most memorable quote came regarding the Irish defense. When asked if the unit had surprised him, he responded “No they haven’t surprised me … They’ve SHOCKED me!” All around great stuff from one of the game’s greatest ever.

Notre Dame Class of 1987 got some more attention on the show with Newsweek’s John Walters calling in to share his thoughts on the season, college football’s wild weekend, the new comedy show Mulaney, and ESPN’s Seth Davis and his career in New York City stand-up comedy. (No, seriously.)

Contact me:

Twitter: @ManCaveQB

Email: herringbonesports@gmail.com

The post Tim Brown Podcast! appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

You can listen right now below, download in iTunes, or even load an mp3 on our BlogTalkRadio site. Enjoy!

Who better than Lou Holtz to tell us how Notre Dame put a whipping on Michigan this past Saturday?!? Before Notre Dame’s 38-0 31-0 dismantling of the Wolverines in South Bend, Coach Holtz told the Pep Rally attendees that “this Notre Dame team is special” and “it’s time to take Michigan off the schedule to improve its strength!” He now appears prophetic.

Also joining us is Tony Rice. You might remember him from classic games like Catholics v Convicts I or starring as the MVP of the 1988 National Championship Game. Coach Holtz’s trusted signal-caller appeared on this show way back in August of 2012 where he boldly predicted a bright future for yet-to-be-named-starter Everett Golson. We’re sure Tony will have some fresher takes on his fellow South Carolina native after Golson put on his second dominant performance of the season.

This show also includes locker room audio of Irish players exclusively obtained by TNNDN after the win, including Cody Riggs take on the rivalry compared to his experiences at the University of Florida.

Thanks to all our loyal listeners and we’re hoping to build more each and every week!

Contact me:

Twitter: @ManCaveQB

Email: herringbonesports@gmail.com

The post Lou Holtz & Tony Rice Podcast! appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

You can listen below, download in iTunes, or even load an mp3 on our BlogTalkRadio site. Enjoy!

Look – I’m well aware that it’s been a frustrating week in the world of Notre Dame Football. Instead of getting psyched up about the rapidly approaching season (12 days & counting!), praising impressive freshmen (Trumbetti!), or game-planning our new offense (the era of Greg Bryant!) … we’re spending time scrambling for answers that we probably aren’t getting anytime soon, if ever.

But I am fairly certain that this investigation isn’t taking anything away from the 1988 National Championship team and Jerry Barca has written the definitive account of that team and their incredible season. Unbeatable: Notre Dame’s 1988 National Championship and the Last Great College Football Season, goes where no other research has gone on the team, coaches, players, fans, opponents, and more. Jerry kicks the show and 2014 season of Down the Line off right by providing some insight into his work creating this valuable piece of Notre Dame Football history. Buy the book while on campus at Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, on Barca’s website, and follow him on Twitter for updates on book signings and events.

Also on this show, Her Loyal Sons own Big Man on Campus, NDtex, stopped by the update fans on the changes and news for HLS heading into 2014. New content, new writers, new media, and other factoids from the Editor-in-Chief will help you properly prepare for the season here. Feel free to disregard the “debate” over who will start at QB for the Irish, as it was unsurprisingly announced 24 hours after recording.

Thanks to all our loyal listeners and we’re hoping to build more in 2014!

Contact me:

Twitter: @ManCaveQB

Email: herringbonesports@gmail.com

The post Podcast: Author Jerry Barca & NDtex on TNNDN! appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.