Rakes Report #163: Because it isn't as thoug…

If you were forwarded this email and would like to sign up to receive future editions, you can do so here. ~optional musical accompaniment~ 1) Notre Dame lost to the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl for a number of reasons but three factors stand out: a) The Irish did not recruit defensive back or wide receiver well enough a few years ago and that came back to cost them in a major way against a team with perhaps the best outside talent in the sport. Kyle Hamilton is a check-plus, but next to him was a grad transfer, a true freshman and a sixth-year corner-to-safety conversion. The starting wide receivers were a grad student, a converted quarterback and a Northwestern transfer. There were injuries and transfers out, sure, and these players should be praised for the work they put in and staff lauded for getting to 10-0 but when you see the perfection of DeVonta Smith or the suffocating ability of Patrick Surtain the gap feels extra wide.