Notre Dame’s national title candidacy lasted slightly longer than the humor derived from the Kanye West meme. The Michigan loss knocked them out of contention. Many would argue they were never in it. But, Kirk Cousins’ last minute meltdown saved their season. In a development disturbing to those sick of the incessant ND coverage, there’s a good chance they make a BCS game.

Purdue will be pumped when they host the Irish Saturday night. It’s an interstate rivalry, but it’s winnable. The Boilermaker offense looked like a juggernaut in week one, against Toledo. Last week they were manhandled in a loss to Northern Illinois. Only one touchdown came from a sustained drive down the field. Notre Dame is going to score, and they’re probably going to win. That would put them at 3-1.  Look at the rest of the schedule.

jimmy-clausenNotre Dame’s most difficult games are all at home. The tricky rivalries – USC, Boston College, Navy – are in South Bend, as are match-ups with Washington and Connecticut that would be far more interesting away. Those not surnamed Holtz or McIntyre might pencil in a loss against USC, but an upset is not inconceivable. If they go 4-1 at home, that places them at 7-2.

They travel to play Washington State on Halloween, but it is to a neutral site in San Antonio. The Cougars have faded like Ryan Leaf’s career prospects recently. They won just two games last year, and haven’t made a bowl game since 2003. That should be 8-2.

So, after Purdue there are two real road games.  At Pittsburgh and at Stanford.

Pittsburgh is tougher. The Panthers beat ND in South Bend last year, in four overtimes. Pitt have started 3-0 this year, though against Youngstown St., Buffalo and Navy.  Wannstache looks like a football coach, but has led the Panthers to one winning season since 2005.

Stanford played Notre Dame tough in South Bend last year. Jim Harbaugh may be building something more than a bathroom, but if you’re Notre Dame you expect to beat Stanford.

It won’t be easy, particularly with Michael Floyd out for the season, but 10-2 for Notre Dame is plausible.

Money influences BCS decisions too much for a 10-win Notre Dame team to be left out. Even if ND characteristically succumbs like a timid choir boy to a tough opponent, it does not effect the bowl officials’ profit.

If Notre Dame gets to 10 wins, but gets embarrassed again in a BCS bowl, will that be enough for Weis to ward off the shillelagh-wielding alumni?