From the “thinking about the misfortune of others helps us feel better about our own” department comes today’s discussion question: When was the last time a so-called power had a season as awful* as Notre Dame’s currently having? (Their victory over UCLA notwithstanding.)

One proposal might be USC’s 3-8 in 1991, which included losing a nationally televised opener to the University Formerly Known As Memphis State. But Notre Dame’s no lock to get three wins this season, and did that 3-8 debacle manage zero offensive TDs through the first three weeks?

At any rate, ND very well could lose to the service academies, Duke, and, apparently, Stanford. So three wins is a possibility but my no means a slam dunk.

Other suggestions welcome in the comments …

* Not probation-related.