Irish Need a Fast Start

Yes, we know all about Notre Dame’s recent run of bowl misery –- a NCAA record-tying eight straight losses. Facing a powerful Louisiana State team in the Sugar Bowl won’t make ending that streak any easier. For instance, the Tigers have quarterback JaMarcus Russell (pictured) who has thrown for 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions. They also have one of the nation's top defenses.

This is the fourth time in the last calendar year the Irish have played a team in the top 5 of the BCS standings. They got hammered the first three times –- by Ohio State, Michigan and USC.

So how does Notre Dame change things? Easy, said quarterback Brady Quinn. Start fast.

“We're going to have to get off to a strong start," he said. "All those games we got behind. We had a great game plan going into the game. It's tough to get behind two scores, three scores. We can't allow ourselves to get into a hole right from the get-go."

Quinn offered that advice Sunday night while on a teleconference. He was in Green Bay watching his brother in law, Packers rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk, the former Ohio State standout, play the New York Jets.

The Packers didn’t have much luck, losing 38-10. The Irish can only hope they have better luck against the Tigers.