The time has come to begin voting in the Hesburgh Region in the 2020 FIW Tournament to crown the best Notre Dame football game since 1986. Only one region saw no upsets in the First Round, that being the Golden Dome Region. Yep, all higher seeds moved on. Will it happen again in Round Two?
Here’s how the Second Round shapes up in the Golden Dome. Get your votes in now. The second round will close voting on Sunday afternoon before we advance to the Sweet 16.
-1. ’88 West Virginia vs. 8. ’90 Miami
Golden Dome Region – Second Round of the 2020 FIW Tournament to Decide Notre Dame’s Best Football Game Since 1986.
Better game?
— Fighting Irish Wire (@IrishWireND) March 19, 2020
Both games featured touchdowns by Rocket Ismail but one resulted in a national championship while the other was a great win over the then-second ranked team in the country. Does Notre Dame’s most recent title clincher move on or does the final game of the Miami series pull the upset?
— 4. ’88 Michigan vs. 5. ’06 Michigan State
Golden Dome Region – Second Round of the 2020 FIW Tournament to Decide Notre Dame’s Best Football Game Since 1986.
Better game?
— Fighting Irish Wire (@IrishWireND) March 19, 2020
Reggie Ho kickstarted the eventual 1988 championship season with five field goals in Notre Dame’s season-opening win over Michigan. A thriller that actually had to be delayed at times because of Notre Dame’s incredibly loud student section (dumb old rule) takes on an epic comeback at Michigan State that saved a BCS berth.
— 3. ’96 Texas vs. 6. ’06 UCLA
Golden Dome Region – Second Round of the 2020 FIW Tournament to Decide Notre Dame’s Best Football Game Since 1986.
Better game?
— Fighting Irish Wire (@IrishWireND) March 19, 2020
If you’re too young for the 1996 Texas game then I suggest you go back and watch the highlights. An epic comeback to knock off a top-ten team in their house with a walk-off field goal. That’s not to say 2006’s comeback win over UCLA wasn’t epic, either. Fully expecting this one to go down to the wire, just like both games did.
–2. ’88 USC vs. ’86 USC
Golden Dome Region – Second Round of the 2020 FIW Tournament to Decide Notre Dame’s Best Football Game Since 1986.
Better game?
— Fighting Irish Wire (@IrishWireND) March 19, 2020
The 1988 game clinched Notre Dame a berth in the Fiesta Bowl and wrapped up their perfect regular season, all while knocking off No. 2 USC. It was a huge win but many will argue the foundation was laid when Notre Dame closed Lou Holtz’s debut season with a come back from being down 17 points in the fourth quarter to win over their biggest rival.