After Saturday's loss to Duke, the only thing the Irish are fighting for is for national relevance.
When NBC extended Notre Dame's TV contract in April 2013, it seemed like a safe bet. Fresh off an undefeated 2012 season that culminated in a national championship appearance, it was hard to doubt that Notre Dame was en route to a return to national prominence. That game, of course, ended in a 42-14 waxing from the Alabama Crimson Tide and Nick Saban.
Two seasons and four games later, the program couldn't be any further from a playoff spot. Notre Dame is teetering dangerously close to college football irrelevance once again.