FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2012, file photo, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly smiles on the sideline during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. Notre Dame is off to its best start in a decade and with its highest ranking in six years. Coach Brian Kelly's immediate task is to steady his team heading into its game against No. 18 Michigan. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Bishop Luers' Jaylon Smith starts the 3rd quarter with a 52 yard run at Andrean High School on Friday November 16, 2012. | Jim Karczewski~for Sun-Times Media
A glorious unbeaten regular season showed how far Notre Dame football has come under Brian Kelly. But a blowout loss to Alabama in the national championship game showed just how far the Fighting Irish have to go. It was with that in mind that Kelly …
