Sweet 16 Voting for the 2020 Fighting Irish Wire Tournament – we start on the left side of the bracket:
Basilica Region:
1. 1988 Miami vs. 5. 1993 Michigan
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’88 Miami has taken over 90% in both of it’s match-ups to date and appears as heavy of favorite as their is in the Sweet 16.
2. 1991 Florida vs. 3. 2018 Michigan
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A season finale upset over a top-three team or a season-opening win over a rival that wound up being the banner victory in a 12-0 regular season? This is a powerhouse of a match-up for the Sweet 16 and it’s a shame both can’t move on the the Elite Eight.
Hesburgh Region:
1. ’89 Colorado vs. 5. ’17 USC
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The younger audience reading this might not understand but yes, you used to be able to win a bowl game over the top-ranked team in the country but not win a national championship. Notre Dame did just that in 1989 when they beat No. 1 Colorado in a sweet, 21-6 win. That was great, but does it get by burying your biggest rival and ruining their College Football Playoff dreams like Notre Dame did in their 49-14 win over USC in 2017?
2. ’92 Penn State vs. 6. ’02 Michigan State
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Both were thrilling, last second wins. One happened in the snow at Notre Dame Stadium and was capped off by a Jerome Bettis touchdown followed by a Reggie Brooks two-point conversion, both which were thrown by Rick Mirer. That matches up with a last-second miracle win as backup quarterback Pat Dillingham found Arnaz Battle for 60 yards and a late score to stay unbeaten after shocking MSU.
VOTE FOR RIGHT SIDE OF BRACKET: