As many of you probably know, I can be seen sporting a Notre Dame pullover along with a Notre Dame hat almost every day in class. With their recent success this season, they have secured the #1 spot in the BCS rankings and will most likely play in the National Championship. While I am most happy for them because I am a die-hard fan, I also think this is one of the best things to happen to college football in a while. There are two kinds of people. People who love Notre Dame, and people who hate them. I'll be honest and say that Notre Dame really hasn't been relative since the 80's, winning their last National Championship in 1988 against West Virginia. There was a spurt between 04'-06' where we were on the right path, but took a wrong turn somewhere and got smacked by Ohio State. We have had some close games this year against Michigan, Stanford, Pittsburgh, and BYU. However, we are the only team that can be ranked in the BCS ( Ohio State ) to have played a full schedule and remain undefeated. This is good for college football because Notre Dame has one of the biggest fan bases in the country. The National Championship will get so many people watching the game because of our storied tradition. It also seems like the powerhouses of college football are returning to glory. These teams being Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, etc. I just wanted to throw this out there, and see what everyone else had to say about this situation. I know it might seem like we can't stack up against the SEC in Alabama or Georgia, but stranger things have happened. No one expected Ohio State to beat Miami in 2002, Alabama to lose to Texas A&M, or Ohio State to go undefeated this year. Hopefully when the game is all set and done, Manti Te'o is holding the crystal ball.
There is also a pretty good article I found that will explain how the T.V. ratings for this game will be the highest in some time.
http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981776940
Patrick McFall
Unlike some people, I am a fan of a possible Notre Dame vs. Alabama national championship game. Since I do not root for any specific team in college football, I think it is most interesting to watch a championship with the biggest draw like two huge markets such as these two teams. However, I do have to agree with those who believe Notre Dame doesn't stack up, physically, with SEC teams. I think there are much better teams in the country than Notre Dame like Texas A&M and Florida for example. These teams may be more deserving than ND but like I said, I think it would be the most fun matchup.
ReplyDelete- Marc Rodriguez
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the people that hate Notre Dame Patrick. Always have, always will. I do however, have nothing but congratulations for that team. They really came out of nowhere and put together one of the most magical seasons to date. I expected Ohio State to be close to undefeated or undefeated but knew it didn't matter. I think it is easier to go undefeated when you aren't really playing for anything but yourselves, meaning no postseason or anything that really matters in a tangible sense.
ReplyDeleteNotre Dame however, went from unranked to first and the national championship subsequently. It is one of the hardest things to do in the BCS. While I hate ND, I certainly respect this season and everything that they pulled off. As a fan of the Lions and Tigers who have been largely horrendous for my entire life, I know how great it is when they make the playoffs finally for the fans that never turned away from the team. You really have to appreciate that.
Manti Te'o is great for college football too. With all the egos, scandals, suspensions and sanctions from violations, it is nice to see a smart, classy individual leading a team in a Cinderella story.
I do, still hate Notre Dame though...that won't ever change.
-Geoff Roberts
I agree with Pat, having a Notre Dame championship game would be good because it would draw a huge rating. I am not a Notre Dame fan and am not really a fan of any college football team but the fan base of Notre Dame is nation wide. With the media attention Notre Dame is receiving this year it would be a huge rating boost if they were in the National Championship and against a powerhouse like Alabama it would be a networks dream. I don’t really care who plays in the National Championship but it would be nice to see two storied teams go at it on the biggest stage of college sports.
ReplyDeleteRyan Viselli
Being from the east coast, I am not necessarily a Notre Dame fan. I wouldn't say that I despise the program in any way, more that I am indifferent towards them. I am, however, very happy to see their recent success. As you mentioned, and as projected television ratings prove, I believe that it is good for the sport and for fans to see these storied programs obtaining success. While it is nice to see the underdog or the unheard of team having success and climbing the rankings, it just feels right to see a potential Notre Dame vs. Alabama matchup (although I think you should be hoping that Georgia picks up the win). Regardless of an opinion that someone may have towards the Fighting Irish, both their recent success and that captured throughout their historic legacy is commendable. I am glad to be seeing such a traditional football program back atop the rankings, especially a team that has overcome much adversity and many poor seasons before climbing to the top once again.
ReplyDeleteMarc Horwitz
Pat
ReplyDeleteI watched Notre Dames game againest USC this past weekend and i can say that i am routing for Notre Dame all the way. Now i am an Ohio State football fan but I want Notre Dame to win the title because for one they have not been to the national championship game in a long time. I am also a fan of Notre Dames coach that is another big reason why i find myself rooting for them during their games. I am hoping that Georgia wins the game againest Alabama but if they do end up playing Alabama i hope they win. I am definitely rooting for the Irish this year to win the whole sha bang. Go Irish!!!!!
Tyler Clifton
I honestly think that Notre Dame will hold its own against either of the two potential opponents. I feel that Notre Dames defense is, if not the best, one of the top 3 defenses in the country. They have struggled at times as all good teams will do but at the end of the game they have prevailed every time. Great teams find ways to win whether its pretty or not they get the job done. I think Notre Dame will match up better agaisnt Alabama because they are a more run dominated offense and Notre Dame has proven that they are able to stop the run.
ReplyDeleteMike Frank
I'm a college football fan, and I can honestly say that I don't like Notre Dame. Not for any reason, I'm just not a fan, and I'm not going to be a bandwagon fan. But, being a college football fan, I do believe that them being undefeated and them playing for the national championship is great for college football. Coming into the season, nobody would've thought that Notre Dame would be undefeated and Alabama wouldn't be. I think that Notre Dame will match up well against any team right now. I believe that they have proven themselves by coming out on top of the big, close games that they have had this year. I think that Manti Te'o will carry his team and win the national championship this year.
ReplyDelete-Paxin Stern
I am so happy for Notre Dame's success this year! Coming into the season, I don't know anyone who actually believed this team would not only be ranked number one at the end of the season but are UNDEAFTED. This team has played competitive teams this season and has truly proven not only they can play but have heart.Unfortunately, I believe whatever SEC team they will play in the national championship game, I don't see Notre Dame beating them because the dynamic and SEC style of playing football. Alabama especially is a powerhouse, dominate team in all of college football, I have a hard time seeing the Irish pull off the upset. I think this is amazing oppurtunity for the football program, athletic program and the university. It is good to see a team America hasn't seen in the National Championship game for quite some time, let's just hope Georgia can pull off the upset aganist Bama! We would have ourselves an interesting national championship! Being a Michigan fan, I am just happy Ohio State is not the only undeafted team in the nation ;)
ReplyDelete-Chelsea VanAssche
Pat
ReplyDeleteI agree that Notre Dame has one of the top fan bases in the country and it will definitely be a major positive with them playing in the National Championship game. I'm an Ohio State fan and would have loved it to be Ohio State against Notre Dame. I see it being a great game, I feel most likely it will be Alabama and you guys and I will hope that you guys can win. No one expected you guys to go undefeated this year and you proved them wrong. No one is going to expect you guys to beat an SEC team, so I hope you guys prove them wrong too!
Khiry Kelly