Freshman QB starting his first game, injured RB (I was there FYI) Their QB getting experience has made them much better, regardless put them up against USC this year and it'll be even uglier than it was in the Rose bowl last time.
Purdue
Embarrassed them, for the first victory at ND since the 80s. They thrashed ND but only beat pitiful Penn St by 7, then lost 4 in a row when they got into the Big Ten.
Boston College
You're joking here, the team that barely beat Ball State, and just got beat by Syracuse 43-17 (A team that is a shadow of it's former self that the aforementioned Purdue destroyed)
Tennessee
Injured QB during the game, almost pulled it out in the end anyhow with a freshman, managed to make Vandy and KU competitive in the next weeks.
Pitt
Not a bad team, I was impressed with their passing game, but not a good team. While breaking a ND stadium losing streak themselves this year they haven't beaten anyone-while managing to lose to Syracuse, a Nebraska program only overshadowed by ND in how far they've fallen, and recent Div 1 entry UConn.
If you truly believe USC was the only "good" team Notre Dame played
Its not a question of Faith, I know they haven't played anyone other than USC this year, I ripped your examples to shreads. I'm shocked you would even post them. Why didn't you post how Navy has really turned it around this year and was a tough win for the Fighting Irish in your rationalizations of mediocrity.
ND has one of the toughest schedules in the country every year, and this one was no exception. The fact that you have to argue about five of the teams and acknowledge a sixth just backs that up. All of those teams were ranked at some point, and FOUR of them in the top ten. Show me another team that comes close to that kind of schedule. And yes Navy was undefeated when the played them, and the game wasn't close.