Notre Dame Football Faces QB Conundrum

Coming into this season, Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans were excited about the return of quarterback Everett Golson after he was suspended for academic dishonesty last year. Golson had quarterbacked the Irish to an undefeated season and a national title berth in 2012, before Alabama crushed Notre Dame at Sun Life Stadium.

However, Notre Dame was eager to have Golson back to add a new, dynamic option to the offense that was lacking last season with Tommy Rees under center. Golson did not disappoint out of the gates against Rice, going 14-for-22 for 295 yards and two touchdowns, adding 50 yards on 12 carries and three rushing touchdowns.

Over the first half of the season, Golson would elevate himself into the Heisman trophy discussion, as he led the Irish to a 6-1 record, and probably should have been undefeated if not for a debatable offensive pass interference penalty at Florida State.

For some reason, the wheels came off for Golson and the Irish during the month of November. The epitome of the collapse came against Arizona State as Golson was a turnover machine in Notre Dame’s biggest game of the season. Golson threw four interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns, and lost a fumble in a 55-31 defeat in Tempe.

Golson could never iron out his penchant for turning the ball over. After beginning the season without a turnover in the first three contests, Golson threw 14 interceptions and lost eight fumbles over the final nine games. There were 88 teams in the country who turned the ball as much as Golson did over the course of nine games, which is absurd.

As the season wore on, the frustration on head coach Brian Kelly’s face kept building and building as the regression of his starting quarterback continued. It all came unglued during the season finale against USC, when Golson seemed disinterested on the field. After his second turnover, Golson was pulled in favor of Malik Zaire midway through the second quarter.

Zaire would spark the offense and immediately lead the Irish on a three-play, 64-yard drive, which he capped with an 11-yard touchdown scamper, after perfectly executing the zone-read.

Zaire would finish the day 9-of-20 passing for 170 yards, adding 31 yards rushing on six carries. While Zaire is not the accomplished passer that Golson is, he is much more in tune with running the zone-read and gained meaningful experience against the Trojans.

Priority No. 1 for Kelly and the Irish is settling on a quarterback. There are serious questions about whether Golson will ever be able to take care of the football on a consistent basis, but there are also questions about whether Zaire can be a consistently accurate quarterback to run Kelly’s spread attack.

For a team with the potential to return nine starters on offense next year, they need to establish the unquestioned leader of this offense.

Golson should start the bowl game, but Zaire should have certain packages or series where he sees action as well. This would ensure that both quarterbacks are engaged in preparations for the game and the offseason.

Kelly has said all year that the Irish were a season away from greatness. In order for that to happen, the Irish need a consistent quarterback to lead this offense and put points on the board, while taking care of the football.

Now, the Irish are faced with the same question they entered this season with: will Golson be the answer at quarterback for Notre Dame?

Patrick Leiva is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your network on Google.