Notre Dame is not, still, competitive against the best teams.

That isn't good enough.

I realize Notre Dame has two completely different fan bases, but I would think both fan bases would agree it isn't good enough to get blown out against the best teams every time you play them over 11 years.

I'm not saying Notre Dame has the talent of the top 2-3 teams...but our talent is MUCH improved in the past 5 years...and it is getting better. We have to make a jump in recruting to top 3 in order to actually win a NC. This is the best 3 year run for Notre Dame in the past 30 years. BK isn't going anywhere right now.

2018, 2019, and 2020 is "the best 3 year run for Notre Dame in the past 30 years."

In 2018, we beat numbers 7 (Stanford), 12 (Syracuse), 14 (Michigan), and 24 (Virginia Tech, which didn't deserve that ranking). We then got embarrassed in the Cotton Bowl by Clemson 30-3, finishing 12-1 and ranked #5.

In 2019, we beat numbers 18 (Virginia) and 23 (Navy). We lost by six to #3 Georgia and by 31 to #19 Michigan. We capped off the year with a less-than-thrilling victory over unranked Iowa State to finish 11-2 and ranked #12.

This year, we beat numbers 1 (Clemson) and 19 (UNC). We then got blown out by #3 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game 34-10 and by #1 Alabama 31-14. We finished 10-2, and there's a chance we won't finish in the top five. Still, we will almost certainly finish in the top 6.

Compare all of those accomplishments with 1991, 1992, and 1993.

In 1991, we beat #12 (Pittsburgh), but lost to numbers 3 (Michigan), 8 (Penn State), and 13 (Tennessee). We then concluded the season by smacking #3 Florida around in the Sugar Bowl 39-28, finishing 10-3 and ranked #13. I'd say this season was better than 2019, mostly because of the Sugar Bowl win over Florida.

In 1992, we beat numbers 9 (BC), 19 (USC) and 22 (Penn State); we tied #6 Michigan; and we lost to #18 Stanford (which finished in the top 10). We then demolished #4 and previously undefeated Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl 28-3, finishing 10-1-1 and ranked #4. I'd say 1992 was better than 2020, largely because we didn't get blown out twice and because of the Cotton Bowl result. Our final ranking will almost certainly be lower this year than in 1992 as well. (I'd also say 1992 was better than 2018).

In 1993, we beat numbers 1 (FSU) and 3 (Michigan). We lost to #17 BC on a last-second field goal. We then went back to the Cotton Bowl and beat #7 Texas A&M, finishing 11-1 and ranked #2. 1993 was better than any of the past three seasons.

So 2018-20, we went 33-5 (0.868), with year-end rankings of #5, #12, and probably #5 or #6, with zero major bowl wins, one win over a top-five team, and two wins against the top ten.

In 1991-93, we went 31-5-1 (0.861), with year-rankings of #13, #4, and #2, with three major bowl wins, four wins against top-five teams, and six wins (plus one tie) against the top ten.

I can't fathom how you'd put 2018-20 over 1991-93. If I had to rank each individual season, I'd have them: 1993, 1992, 2018, 1991, 2020, 2019.

Instead of past 30 years. Its been the best 3 year period since then.

you said: Notre Dame is not, still, competitive against the best teams....and blown out against the best teams every time you play them over 11 years.
We did beat #1 Clemson this year....so we can be competitive...

As for recruiting...that is where we will see if BK can be elite. All of his recent interviews I have seen signs that he knows recruiting is what needs to improve. EVERYTHING else is in place IMHO for us to win a NC (thanks to BK). Our program is in a good place - much better than the previous post Holtz coaches...we are winning the games we should win. We will now see if BK can get the top 3 level talents.

How long is this going to take?

We're 4 years into Kelly 2.0, next year will be the 5th season of that reboot.

How long, in your view should we wait, and how long is acceptable for us to wait, for BK to win a playoff game?

This is the best 3 year run in the past 30 years...2 BCS Playoffs - a win against #1 team....obvious signs that we are in the ballpark to a NC. I would say BK has 3 more years - top...if recruting is not top 3 then I see no point to continue. We have 1 goal - NC.

This is not the best three-year stretch in the past thirty years.

What are the "obvious signs" that we are in the "ballpark" for a national championship? To win one, we will need to beat two top-four teams in a row. Brian Kelly hasn't beaten two top-four teams in eleven seasons.

Instead of past 30 years

Clemson will finish at best 3. We also beat the diminished number 3 team.

As when Kelly has to win, otherwise time to move on.

You do realize that in the 2023 season we go to Clemson and host Ohio State right? And that's the regular season.

For me the key is almost completely recruiting now. If recruting isn't significantely improved in 2021 and then taken to an even higher level in 2022...I'll see no point. Alabama and Ohio State have basically been top 5 recruting every year for the past 10 years...Clemson right there too. That's what it takes...and if we can't get close to top 5 next year and into the top 5 in 2022...then we HAVE to get a coach that can.

Thanks for the response

Purge his entire staff and bring in stud recruiters?

I haven't seen anything other than talk. It is a wonderful thing that Kelly now realizes having the best players is important.

And ND beat Clemson Lite on November 7, a team that barely beat Boston College.

sure...
1 top 5 class in 11 years (#5 class, and that was 8 years), so ND won't sign a top 5 class anytime soon.

- a head coach that sucks at recruiting and is burning out on the job.

- a staff that sucks at recruiting and has no one holding them accountable to performance standards in recruiting.

- no defined plan on how to break into the cartel of the top 5-6 programs that are killing it in recruiting, using the Name Image Likeness landscape to ND's unique advantage, etc.