Whoever our QB is will certainly be getting a baptism by fire early next season.
PM | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 10:21 am | #

I still find it hilarious that BC is playing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl after playing in Boise last year.

For this, Fredo tried to wreck the Big East.

Congrats BC...There's your new curse right there. May they never play at a bowl site warmer than 40 degree even again.
Bryan ND '02 | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 12:00 pm | #

In your UCLA description, thank you for saying "one of the biggest program wins in a long time" vs. "signature win" (a phrase that we backers of Charlie & Brady are kinda tired of hearing.)
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 12:02 pm | #

Er...isn't Michigan the nemesis and USC the Rival? Michigan is far more focused on OSU and MSU than ND, as far as I know. USC and ND are more rivals since they're far more storied programs.
Barry | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 12:34 pm | #

barry, you beat me to it. the enimty between south bend and ann arbor is of a more recent vintage than that of sc.
yz | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 1:03 pm | #

either way, both trojans and skunkbears get me sturified
Fred | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 1:32 pm | #

Barry and yz - I suggest you guys read the article. The term "arch-rival" isn't being used in the traditional college football sense of the word "rival".

Besides yz, the enmity between ND and Michigan goes back much further than that between ND and SC. ND and Michigan started sniping at each other just minutes after ND's first victory back in 1909.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 2:16 pm | #

I dunno, the article kind of made me go back and forth since I could apply a couple of definitions for both nemesis and archrival to both Michigan and U$C.

The one that favors Barry and yz goes like this: If Ohio State (Michigan's archrival) tried to Kill Michigan (our nemesis), we would likely intervene. However, if someone tried to kill Southern Cal (our archrival), we'd likely send that person a gift basket.

The argument that favors Pat goes like this: "We measure ourselves against our nemeses, and we long to destroy our archenemies." I feel that (recently, anyway) U$C's accomplishments are beginning to ring more true to our own and thus is the program we measure ourselves against. They have almost as many NCs and as many Heisman Trophy winners, I think.

That being said, after reading the article I'd have to say that Michigan is our nemesis and U$C is our archrival, considering I would definitely sleep with U$C's hateful bitch of a girlfriend out of spite, and I feel significantly more ill-will toward South Carolina (USC) than Minnesota (UM).
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 2:35 pm | #

Watched FSU game from '93. Amazing how we pressured Ward with only 3 and 4 man fronts. And Burris? Was everywhere. (Should have had 4 int's). O, how I long for the days of a steady pass rush when our safeties and corners were actual safties and corners.
AndTheyCalledHimAlgonquin | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 2:50 pm | #

Well, like I said, the analogy isn't perfect, but it is what I was reminded of when the subject of USC vs. UM came up. And I'm taking a program long look at the teams here, not just recent history with Pete Carroll or Lloyd Carr.

Also, I made a bit of a mistake listing "arch-rival" for Michigan when the correct phrase from the article is "arch-enemy".
Pat | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 2:57 pm | #

Pat, I think it's a great analogy. We can argue semantics all day, but the bottom line is if we can't match up with and beat our enemies, we'll never be successful or considered successful. That, I think, is the main point of the article and has been the battle cry of the ND haters all season. A great read, and one that certainly stimulates thought and discussion.

Go Irish! Beat Tigers!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 3:05 pm | #

I would agree with all of the comments. The point to the post is that the schedule next year has all the trappings of being a tough one. The key test will be for CW's coaching ability to integrate a very young and talented group of guys into his system. Let's hope that he pulls it off and we surprise some people that had written us off. That season really can get kick started on January 3rd!

Go Irish!! Beat Tigers!!
Paul | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 3:51 pm | #

For clarification, "The Trojans have lost their last two games in the Rose Bowl...". I know they lost last January against Texas, but who was the other? (Not against Michigan in SC's last Rose Bowl appearance and UCLA game this year was in Pasadena) My mind is drawing a blank, someone please lend me a hand.
REM | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 4:56 pm | #

For clarification, "The Trojans have lost their last two games in the Rose Bowl...". I know they lost last January against Texas, but who was the other?Not against Michigan in SC's last Rose Bowl appearance and UCLA game this year was in Pasadena

It is UCLA. They play their home games in the Rose Bowl, located in Pasadena.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 5:16 pm | #

I think Notre Dame Stadium should host a bowl game. Then, eventually it can become the Grandaddy of them all and ND can play a home game if they ever make it there.

I don't think people would equate playing in Notre Dame stadium with playing in The Notre Dame Stadium Bowl, though. There's something to be said about playing in The Rose Bowl that's a little different than playing UCLA in their house. Just my opinion and love of the actually Rose Bowl game.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 5:28 pm | #

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is Michigan's bowl-loss streak at? I know they lost to Nebraska last year and to Texas before that. USC before that, right? How far back does it go? Can't be all the way to '97/'98...
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 5:30 pm | #

I think this ND "archenemy" vs. "nemesis" question can definitely vary based on when you were at ND/became an ND fan. In the comments section over at EDSBS, someone said the difference between whether Tenn or FSU was Florida's most "hated" rival depended on if you were under or over 33. I've always sort of felt the same about the USC/Michigan thing for ND fans.

I won't argue that in terms of pure football, USC is by far the greater rival. But, I've always HATED Michigan much more. My wife and I growled out our car window whenever we passed our neighbor's Michigan flag flying on his porch; I feel no violent tendencies towards people in USC gear, yet I have to restrain myself when I see someone in a UM t-shirt. I don't like the X-men movie, or Hugh Jackman. I can enjoy a John Wayne movie, but (though I wasn't alive during his presidency) hated Gerald Ford (condolences to his family, though).

Now, WHY would I feel so strongly against Michigan, but not USC? ND didn't lose to USC from 1983 until 1996, with a tie in 1994. I first started really paying attention to ND football in 1987, and I attended ND from 94-98. For the greater part of my formative "fandom" years, USC wasn't a threat--we were in the middle of the "Catholics vs. Condoms--Decade of Dominance". Conversely, Michigan was a great team every year, finishing in the top 5, and we had some big nailbiters. My first game in ND stadium, the 1994 game vs. UM, is still the best game I've ever seen in person, and we lost on a last second field goal--I've been bitter ever since, recalling the sight of Michigan students, clad in t-shirts depicting a Wolverine screwing a leprechaun, dancing in Stonehenge and flicking off anyone in ND gear. I've never seen anything remotely like that from USC fans. So yes, I hate Michigan, and would consider them the Archenemy. I respect USC, and would call them a Nemesis.

That said, anyone at ND during Ara's tenure, particularly the Anthony Davis game, would likely feel the opposite--since USC was our only loss many of his years, and we didn't play Michigan, I'd certainly see that. Current ND students, after the past 5 years, would likely feel the same way towards USC.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 6:02 pm | #

Nate - very well said, and well-documented. My opinion: USC is our Top 1 and 2 rival, and currently UM holds down the #3. I say that because there is so much history, lore and myth with ND and USC. That 'other' UM was a once contender, becoming a pretender top rival during your tenure at du Lac. I don't like either UM (I totally despise the one down the road in Coral Gables). I do believe that USC is far more aligned with the anti-Christ, though.

Go Irish
Bill H | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 6:28 pm | #

Yeah, Miami was a big one for me while growing up, since I'm from Florida. I got the ND Greatest Games DVD set from the wife for Christmas (Thanks, Dear!!!!!!) and the first game I put in was the '88 Miami game. It's amazing how absolutely HORRIBLE a passer Tony Rice was, at least for that game. And for all my memories of Miami as a passing juggernaut, they looked really pedestrian compared to the passing attacks of today. And what was with the wide receivers all getting down in 3 point stances?? Watching that, and the '77 games has been great, seeing the progression of graphics, camera angles, etc. Good times.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:26 pm | #

You said 8 of our opponents went to bowl games, but there's only seven in your list...

And Nate, well at least he was a great option quarterback!
Sean | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:30 pm | #

Were you counting LSU as an opponent?
Sean | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:31 pm | #

Ahh sorry I didn't see 2007.
Sean | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:34 pm | #

That he was, Sean--I'm not trying to disparage him, he was my hero when I was in Junior High. Any ND quarterback that beat Miami (so, him and Mirer) were up on my list. Then Mirer beat Florida, and made life fun for me, surrounded by Gators and 'Canes. I'm kind of sad the '88 USC game isn't on the DVD list, since Rice just showed complete mastery of the option in that game. Beautiful.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:35 pm | #

Hit return before I meant to. TO complete my thought, Rice was a great option QB, but after seeing Quinn passing the last 4 years, it's pretty interesting to look back at Rice (and even Montana, in the '77 USC and '78 Cotton Bowl games) and see the light years we've come in the passing game, both ND and college football in general. Next on the list--'79 Cotton Bowl vs. Houston!
Nate | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:37 pm | #

Yeah I got a nice signed picture of Tony Rice running the option for Christmas. He's a great guy, I met him at the Fiesta Bowl last year.
Sean | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 7:57 pm | #

Erik,

Michigan has a 3 game streak going in the bowls. Their last win was in the Outback against Florida.
Ben | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 8:05 pm | #

Nate, I'm totally with you on that one. I want to beat USC's ass and all, but I just don't hate them the way I hate Michigan. I dunno. USC sucked so badly from my early teens thru my mid twenties, which clearly is the critical age range in which to nurture a healthy hatred for ones rivals. Intellectually, it doesn't make sense that I hate the skunkbears so intensely-- UM runs a relatively clean program, their players graduate, they don't have a smarmy midget coach who invites double-murdering alumni and kitschy pop-culture celebs to hang with the team, we win more often than not against them (this year's beatdown aside) and rarely (never?) drop more than 2 in a row to them, and on and on. And yet, my hate for all things UM is dark and pure. Go figure...
scott | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 8:44 pm | #

Hate should be reserved for the University of Miami!

All else is heathly rivalry.
Idomitable Spirit | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 8:56 pm | #

UCLA looks good...Fouts sucks...unfortunately Lorenzo "ballcap switcharoo" Booker is improving his draft stock with a rare impressive performance.
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 12.27.06 - 9:20 pm | #

To add to Ben's comment regarding Erik's question, Michigan's last bowl win was following the 2002 season, 38-30 over the Fighting Zookers.
UM96 | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 12:00 am | #

Thanks Ben and UM96!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 1:25 am | #

I agree with the other Michigan haters. I grew up with family in Michigan and have always known Michigan to be good and they always scare the crap outta me when we play them.

Bragging rights for the year within my family hinged on the ND/UM game. I can barely keep from picking fights with complete strangers wearing UM gear but with USC I can't muster the same feelings.

Growing up USC was a non-entity. I think that's why I dislike them less.
jaisn | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 1:58 am | #

DJ,
Thanks for setting me out. I get 90,000+ seat SoCal stadiums mixed up sometimes.
REM | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 9:32 am | #

Does anyone know anything about the NY Giants trying to get Charlie?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 10:28 am | #

We know that NY sportswriters are floating the idea that the Giants should take a run at Charlie, partly because they know such a rumor will sell papers.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 10:39 am | #

So much for the UCLA win looking better after they beat the Trojans. How do you let FSU put up that many points?
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 10:43 am | #

Anybody notice the tremendous amount of penalties that went uncalled last night? It was going on for both teams and it was nice to see the refs let them play, but there were some blatant holds and PIs during the game that weren ot called.
PM | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 11:16 am | #

Anybody notice the OL greg little committed to florida st?
BCND | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 12:33 pm | #

BCND, why does that name sound so familiar? Did he commit to ND earlier this year?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 12:35 pm | #

Greg Little, the WR recruit, is still committed to ND. Chris Little, the OL recruit, isn't committed to anyone yet and is the source of plenty of conflicting rumors/quotes.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 12:46 pm | #

This may be the most ridiculous thing posted today, but maybe if Romeo Crennel gets canned by the Browns he comes to ND to be the DC> That would be sweet.
PM | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 12:59 pm | #

PM,

There has to be something I've done in my past which would prevent God from allowing that to happen. Life would be too good.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 1:36 pm | #

There's a lot of attention (ink) about ND looking for DL and LB talent but what about P and K? Is the staff content with the punting and kicking situation?
J.J. | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 2:30 pm | #

Price is coming back and they just gave a scholarship to a K last year. Very rarely will you see two scholarship kickers in back to back years. As for the punter when Price leaves, I have no idea.
PM | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 2:38 pm | #

It must be a combination of growing up in Indiana, going to IU, and being a ND dad X2, but now that I live in a PAC10 state (OR), there's no way I can root for a PAC 10 team, whether we beat them or not. I'm very disappointed with A&M's effort tonight, allowing Cal to give their conference a win. I'm looking fwd to a good Mizzou showing against the Beavers next to make it 1-4.

I'm sure there are other readers and lurkers here who remember when there was only one game a year played in Pasadena, and UCLA shared the Coliseum with SC for all their home games, alternating Saturdays.
onehipdad | Email | Homepage | 12.28.06 - 11:44 pm | #

Just a perspective from the other side; Great article by the way; I'll tell you as an SC alum who is 44 and grew up in New England. I grew up playing in the streets covered in the snow pretending I was Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell et all; and as soon as the opportunity to go to college came around; I was off to USC. Whomever said the teens and early 20's is when you form your ties, it is so true. All the teams from the pro's to USC were formed in my early teen years. To this day though, yeah I despise UCLA, but I hate ND. If I see a Bruin on the street I just laugh, if I see a domer, I wish the worst, that feeling of hatred comes over. Its funny most of my friends have it the other way around, but I follow ND all year long, just looking for bad things to happen to ND. Just something about you guys that get to me worse than the Ruins. However, I don't think that is a universal feeling around the USC alumni base
TrojanHorse | Email | Homepage | 12.29.06 - 9:18 pm | #