Avast ye, me hearties. We be sailing in uncharted waters now, with the treasure of a playoff berth a long uncertain voyage off. But ye can be sure the Irish Blogger Gathering will shiver yer timbers properly. Take heed of what my fellow landlubbers in the group asked of me, and follow the map to their answers to my question below through their links. Remember, dead men tell no tales.

Frank Vitovich, UHND: Many pundits are now saying that Notre Dame will almost certainly be in the playoffs if they win out. 1) Do you agree? and 2) What do you think Notre Dame’s chances of winning out and making that a debate are?

Arr, very much. While the meat on the bones of the schedule right now might be thin, none of the other contenders are showin’ their mettle and taking on any o’ the other dreadnaughts on the high seas. Notre Dame is as deserving as anyone for the slot, and t’ain’t in their reckoning some of the usual strong opponents aren’t holdin’ their water this year. No one in the B1G, B12, or the Pac12 should make anyone strike their colors, least of all the Fightin’ Irish.

It’s red skies at night for their chances at winning out. Other than the Devils of the Desert, no other team on the schedule can match our cannon. Louisville shouldn’t be overlooked, but that battle’s in our cove. USC be smashing up on the rocks, and the holes in the hull will only get wider as we go. There’s no reason ND can’t be makin’ port in New Orleans or Los Angeles come the turn o’ the year.

Ryan Ritter, Her Loyal Sons: If you could change one thing about the game this past weekend that didn’t involve a yellow flag, what would it be?

Aside from putting some bilge water in Pat Ryan’s grog beforehand, not a bleedin’ thing. The men were strong at the guns, the captain steely in his resolve. Naught but the ill wind of treachery could have undone us, but so it did. If the rest of the voyage goes the same, we’ll be sittin’ on the treasure come daybreak.

Josh Vowles, Subway Domer: It’s a world gone crazy, and i will save the oddball question for another week. Gentlemen… Discuss Tarean Folston and what automobile bests describes him.

I know not this “automobile” you speak of. But First Mate Folston has a strong back and a keen eye. I’d liken him to a Chebec — fast & maneuverable both under oar and canvas. Or maybe a clipper — steamers can’t keep up on a long run.

Aaron Horvath, Fighting Irish Athletics: By now we all know the outcome of the Florida State game, but the main question is, did the loss change your thoughts on Notre Dame’s outlook for the year? If so, how?

Nay, me lad. Some of us saw clear skies and smooth seas well before we got to this point on the map. “11-1” me oracle said in August, and I wagered heavily on that outcome in the halls of Tortuga. I look forward to some mighty fine shore leave in Jan’ry.

Now, if ye want to see the truth of the seas, answer me this question:

It only took one game in 1993 to make BC a “rival” for some people. Did this game change your perception of Florida State vis-à-vis their position in our pantheon of opponents? If so, how?