1. Marketing - this has stepped up. It used to be show up, sit up and shut up (on offense, and con't bring sugar cookies). Now, they are doing all kinds of things. The cell phone lights looked great. The skydivers were great (except that they took out the eye in the sky camera). That intro video by Metallica last night was great. I saw the ND staff on the sidelines (before the team came out) taking out their cameras and recording that and the whole entrance. The 3rd qtr yell by Brandon Flowers was great. Even the ND players stopped and checked that out. The t-shirt giveaway was great.

2. Wow, we have a 2nd string QB that can come out and win a game (Duke, just last week). I remember our starting qB going out and it would have been almost as good if we would have sutied up someone from the stands. 1998 - Al Clark goes down and we start the free safety. Result - Temple loss. 2000 - MV goes down and we start Grant Noel against UCF. Result - the worst offensive display ever as Grant is not allowed to throw a pass all game. It was like 35 straight handoffs. It seems like it has always been like that for us. Now, we are getting better QBs and better receivers.

3. Receivers - now we get fast guys that are receivers and can catch the ball. NEVER had that in the past. They were always tlaented athletes that had to be taught to run routes and catch balls. Often caught with their bodies.

4, Losses - even losses are exciting. Losses used to be excruciating. Just knowing we would get beat with no response.

I don't like losing any more than the next guy, but with all the young talent, I believe the next couple of years are going to be great. Next year, we play the role of spoiler, winning a few games that no one expected against top teams and a tough out for everyone. The year after - we are truly dangerous with talented, experienced backups at most positions. Something we don't have now.