Category: 2020 Best Game Tournament

2020 FIW Tournament: Second Round Results (Notre Dame’s Greatest Game ’86-Now)

We are playing through the brackets and determining Notre Dame’s best football game since 1986. Who remains after two rounds? Check it out!

We’ve made it to the end of our opening weekend this 2020 Fighting Irish Wire Tournament season which means we’re reached the Sweet 16.

If you’re new to FIW, we’ve put out a tournament to decide the best Notre Dame football game since 1986, Lou Holtz’s first season.  Through two rounds we’ve got a few upsets as well as a few favorites that continue to roll.

Did your favorite games move on to the Sweet 16?

Here are the results from the Second Round starting in the top left of your bracket, the Basilica Region:

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2020 FIW Tournament: Second Round Voting Open – Golden Dome Region

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. 

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

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

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

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

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.

2020 FIW Tournament: Second Round Voting Open – Hesburgh Region

Any win over Michigan is sweet and this Second Round match-up offers a couple of those.  Manti Te’o’s huge night en-route to 12-0 takes on the old No.1 vs No. 2 game from 1989 that saw Rocket Ismail blast off.  Twice.

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. Round one in the Hesburgh Region saw an 11 knock off a six-seed and was also home to the closer opening-round game where ’00 Purdue beat ’90 Tennessee by just a vote.

How was Round Two shape up? Gets your votes in now. The second round will close voting on Sunday afternoon before we advance to the Sweet 16.

— 1. ’93 Florida State vs. 8. ’99 Oklahoma

The Game of the Century goes down to the final play and results in a Notre Dame win over No.1 Florida State.  That will be a tough one to beat at all but the ’99 forgettable season did feature an entertaining comeback win over Oklahoma that got into the second round.

— 5. ’02 Florida State vs. 4. ’00 Purdue

Carlyle Holiday found Arnaz Battle to start things early as Notre Dame went on the road and beat Florida State in 2002.  Can that huge win get by 2000 Purdue who avoided upset in round-one by the slightest of margins or will Gary Godsey and Nick Setta sneak out another victory?

— 3. ’89 Michigan vs. 11. ’12 Michigan 

We (and by we I actually just mean me) were surprised how little love the 2000 win against Air Force received.  That said, any win over Michigan is sweet and this Second Round match-up offers a couple of those.  Manti Te’o’s huge night en-route to 12-0 takes on the old No.1 vs No. 2 game from 1989 that saw Rocket Ismail blast off.  Twice.

–2. ’12 Oklahoma vs. 7. ’12 Stanford 

We often view the 2012 Oklahoma as the biggest win of the 2012 season and it takes on the overtime thriller that concluded with an all-time goal-line stand.  During seeding, I thought it was certain the Oklahoma game would roll but the more I think the more I’m like Stanford’s chances to make this a Second Round thriller.

2020 FIW Tournament: Second Round Voting Open – Grotto Region

A blowout over your rival or blowing out a top-ten team to capture a major bowl victory? Tough choice for a spot in the Sweet 16.

The time has come to begin voting in the Grotto Region in the 2020 FIW Tournament to crown the best Notre Dame football game since 1986. Two lower seeds moved on to the Round of 32 in the Grotto but neither was a huge upset as the wins came from both the nine and ten seeds.

How was Round Two shape up? Gets your votes in now. The second round will close voting on Sunday afternoon before we advance to the Sweet 16.

Grotto – Round Two Match-ups:

1. 1989 Colorado vs. 9. 2005 Michigan

It was voted the weakest of the one-seeds by the committee but ’89 Colorado still rolled by a 92-8% win in round one. The ’89 season finale win in the Orange Bowl gets Notre Dame’s 2005 road win at Michigan over the then top-five Wolverines.

5. 2017 USC vs. 4. 1992 Texas A&M

A blowout over your rival or blowing out a top-ten team to capture a major bowl victory? Tough choice for a spot in the Sweet 16.

6. 2002 Michigan State vs. 3. 1993 Texas A&M

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A couple of last second wins meet in the second round as Pat Dillingham and Arnaz Battle’s magic kept Notre Dame unbeaten early in 2002. They meet the 1993 conclusion that saw Notre Dame finish a memorable year with a last minute win over the Aggies.

10. 2014 Michigan vs. 2. 1992 Penn State

We were a bit surprised to see the 2014 win over Michigan advance over 1990 Michigan but anytime you destroy the Skunkbears like that it’s entertaining even if not stressful down the stretch. The then-final game against Michigan draws the final home of Bettis, Mirer and Brooks in the classic ’92 Snow Bowl.

Voting goes now through Sunday evening. Cast your ballots and share with your friends if you don’t mind as we determine which Notre Dame game since 1986 was the best.

2020 FIW Tournament: Second Round Voting Open – Basilica Region

Second Round voting for the 2020 FIW Tournament is now open. Relive some great Notre Dame wins and vote for your favorites!

The second round of the inaugural FIW Tournament has opened voting. After a fun first-round that had a few significant upsets and a couple thrillers, it’s time for round two.

Because of issues with the format in the first round, we’ve switched voting to Twitter so we can allow all fans to see live results after they vote. Be sure to be following Fighting Irish Wire if you aren’t already so you don’t miss any of the remaining voting.

Here are your Second Round matchups in the Basilica Region:

1. ’88 Miami vs. 9. ’12 USC

One was so historic they made t-shirts and eventually an ESPN 30 for 30 on it while the other was the final game of a perfect regular season that sent Notre Dame to their lone BCS Championship Game appearance.

5. ’93 Michigan vs. 13. ’15 Virginia

Kevin McDougal took underdog Notre Dame team to the Big House early in ’93 to upset then-No. 3 Michigan and the Irish came out a title-contender. Meanwhile, the ’15 Virginia game was the biggest upset in the first-round as Kizer to Fuller in the final seconds remains strong in folks minds.

3. ’18 Michigan vs. 6. ’12 Michigan State

The 2018 Michigan win kick-started an undefeated season and remained the best win that Fighting Irish squad had all year. The ’12 Michigan State game also gave Notre Dame a ton of respect nationally as the Spartans were then ranked in the top ten.

2. ’91 Florida vs. 7. ’17 LSU

Jerome Bettis blew up for three touchdown runs over the No. 3 Florida Gators to cap the 1991 season in the Sugar Bowl, a game many didn’t believe Notre Dame didn’t even belong in. Ian Book connecting with Myles Boykin in the final seconds knocked off LSU in the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day 2018.

Voting will be open until 7 p.m. ET Sunday night so vote early, often and share with your Notre Dame friends as we continue to decide the greatest Notre Dame game since Lou Holtz took over in 1986.

2020 FIW Tournament: First Round Results (Notre Dame’s Greatest Game ’86-Now)

The biggest upset of the first round was found in the Basilica Region.  The region also saw six higher seeds move on and two lower seeds pull upsets, even if one of them was an 8/9 game. 

And like that the first round of our inaugural tournament on Fighting Irish Wire is a wrap.  Some upsets were had while blowouts were also seen a-plenty.  We’ll get you the results in just a second but first an apology from yours truly.

If you participated in first-round voting then first, thank you.  We’re trying to have some fun here and change up the pace in the events of the world.  After posting I realized those who voted couldn’t immediately see results.  However, it was too late to change since things went live.  As a result I’ll be switching the voting to our Twitter account for the second round through the championship game.  I’m sorry for the mistake and your refund check is in the mail for the pain I’ve caused.

So now – about those first-round results – we’ll give them to you by region.  First up is the Basilica Region:

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2020 FIW Tournament: Grotto Region First Round Voting

Voting for the Grotto Region of the 2020 FIW Tournament to determine Notre Dame’s greatest game is underway!

Voting for the Grotto Region’s first round is open from 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 15 until Wednesday night, March 18 at 6 p.m. ET.  Be sure to vote for all eight regional match-ups here and see the bottom to click links and vote for the other three regions as well.

First Round Match-ups:
The 1993 “Game of the Century” gets a somewhat surprisingly difficult opponent for a 16 seed as the Lou Holtz-led upset of No. 9 Michigan in 1987.
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Another comeback win over a blue-blood from that 1999 season meets a memorable win over a Drew Brees-led Purdue team in 1998.
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Arnaz Battle strikes early as Notre Dame remains unbeaten at Florida State while Alabama’s last trip to South Bend results in a 1987 Notre Dame win.
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Gary Godsey beats eventual Big Ten Champ Purdue and Drew Brees (with the help of Nick Setta and some great special teams play) in 2000 while a 1990 trip to Tennessee ends in a top-ten victory.
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Glenn Earl blocks a field goal to force overtime and Joey Getherall scores on an end-around in the extra period to save what turned into a BCS berth.  That meets a tough 2012 win over Michigan in which Tommy Rees scored Notre Dame’s only touchdown.
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The Rocket strikes twice in an early-season No. 1 vs. No. 2 win over Michigan while Mike Goolsby’s pick-six helps lead the way in a 2004 upset win at then top-ten Tennessee.
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A couple of wins over Stanford both kept undefeated Notre Dame seasons alive in mid-October.
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Perhaps Brian Kelly’s biggest win to date at Notre Dame meets up with that opponents biggest rival, just three years later in a game that the 2015 Fighting Irish made an impressive, blowout debut.
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Links to vote for the other three regions first round match-ups:

Basilica Region
Hesburgh Region
Golden Dome Region Region

2020 FIW Tournament: Hesburgh Region First Round Voting

A great 1989 season concluded with a win over then number one Colorado in the Orange Bowl takes on the win where things started to turn around for Brian Kelly in year one, the 2010 victory over Utah.

Voting for the Hesburgh Region’s first round is open from 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 15 until Wednesday night, March 18 at 6 p.m. ET.  Be sure to vote for all eight regional match-ups here and see the bottom to click links and vote for the other three regions as well.

Round One Matchups:
A great 1989 season concluded with a win over then number one Colorado in the Orange Bowl takes on the win where things started to turn around for Brian Kelly in year one, the 2010 victory over Utah.
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A couple of early-season upsets of Michigan kept things unbeaten for a couple of coaches in their first years at Notre Dame.
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A blowout of what wound up being a Rose Bowl Champion USC team and a win over a 2013 Michigan State team that would win every other game they played that season.
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The first of two-straight Cotton Bowl wins over Texas A&M sets the tone for a remarkable 1993 season.  It meets up with Notre Dame’s first ever trip to Virginia Tech, a night we all learned how overrated the “Enter Sandman” entrance really is.
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The conclusion of the 1993 season wound up being a thriller over Texas A&M while Halloween 2015 ruined an upstart Temple team’s unbeaten season in what was a thriller of it’s own in Philadelphia.
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Pat Dillingham found Arnaz Battle to keep Tyrone Willingham’s start an unbeaten one while Brian Kelly’s first season at Notre Dame ends with a dominating effort against Miami in the Sun Bowl.
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A win over a top-five Michigan team to start the 1990 season meets up with a destruction of Michigan in 2014 that was, at the time, scheduled to be the final meeting between the two old rivals.
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Has there ever been a more photogenic game at Notre Dame Stadium than the 1992 Snow Bowl win over Penn State?  That just so happened to be Jerome Bettis, Rick Mirer and Reggie Brooks final home game.  It matches up with the shocking 2004 Week Two upset of No. 8 Michigan.
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Be sure to vote in all other first round match-ups here:

Basilica Region
Grotto Region
Golden Dome Region

2020 FIW Tournament: Golden Dome Region First Round Voting

Voting is underway in the Golden Dome region to determine the greatest Notre Dame game since 1986!

Voting for the Golden Dome Region’s first round is open from 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 15 until Wednesday night, March 18 at 6 p.m. ET.  Be sure to vote for all eight regional match-ups here and see the bottom to click links and vote for the other three regions as well.

Round One Matchups:

The last time Notre Dame clinched a football national championship it came against West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.  That historic night gets a first round date with Charlie Weis’s debut win at Pitt.
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Rocket Ismail sealed the deal in the final game in the Miami series back in 1990 while Tony Rice and Notre Dame kept their winning streak alive with a classic win over USC in 1989.
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An all-time comeback at Michigan State in 2006 led to an epic sports radio rant a few days later and kept BCS dreams alive for Brady Quinn and company.  It matches up with a dominating win for an unbeaten 2018 squad in Yankee Stadium.
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The championship season gets off to a thrilling start as Reggie Ho helps Notre Dame get by Michigan.  It matches up with the 2005 win at Stanford that sent Notre Dame to the BCS in Charlie Weis’s first season in charge.
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Brady Quinn finds Jeff Samardzija to again keep BCS dreams alive in 2006 while Jimmy Clausen and company finally live up to their potential in a game probably best-remembered for being used to help land Manti Te’o as a recruit.
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The biggest win of Lou Holtz’s final season came in upset, comeback fashion at No. 6 Texas as the Irish walked off a winner.  That matches up with the 1998 Boston College win that went down to a last-second goal line stand.
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John Carney booted the Irish to victory to finish Lou Holtz’s first season at Notre Dame with a win over their rival as Timmy Brown had a huge day.  That victory over USC matches up with the 1995 destruction of the eventual Rose Bowl Champions at Notre Dame Stadium.
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A No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting ends with Tony Rice and Notre Dame beating Rodney Peete and USC and remaining undefeated during the magical fall of 1988.  Meanwhile, Penn State’s last trip to Notre Dame ends in grand fashion as Brady Quinn has a massive afternoon in a beatdown of the Nittany Lions.[polldaddy poll=10520754]

Links to vote for the other three regions first round match-ups:

Basilica Region
Hesburgh Region
Grotto Region

2020 FIW Tournament: Basilica Region First Round Voting

Vote for the first round match-ups of the FIW Tournament in the Basilica Region here.

Voting for the Basilica Region’s first round is open from 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 15 until Wednesday night, March 18 at 6 p.m. ET.  Be sure to vote for all eight regional match-ups here and see the bottom to click links and vote for the other three regions as well.

Round One Matchups:
An all-time win as Pat Terrell knocked away Steve Walsh’s attempt at a would-be game-winning two-point conversion in the classic “Catholics vs. Convicts” match-up takes on Tyrone Willingham’s Notre Dame debut win over Maryland.
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A couple of regular season finale victories at USC to secure a spot in a College Football Playoff and BCS National Championship Game.
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History perhaps doesn’t remember the 1993 win at Michigan for being as big of upset as it was while it also may not recall 1999 giving Notre Dame fans a pair of absurd comeback wins over blue-blood programs in an otherwise forgettable season.
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A win over defending champion Michigan and Tom Brady takes on a thrilling, last-second win at Virginia thanks to DeShone Kizer and Will Fuller’s heroics.
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A prime-time win at Michigan State just days after Lennay Kekua’s passing gives Brian Kelly his first huge win at Notre Dame while the 2019 season comes to anti-climactic, yet successful end with a dominating win in the Camping World Bowl.
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A season-opening win over a highly-touted Michigan team sets the tone for what would be an unbeaten regular season while the undefeated start to 2014 continues in a last-second win over Stanford.
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A couple of thrilling, last-second wins over LSU in bowl games gave Notre Dame fans a positive to take into the off-season.  Which one was better?  Now you get to decide.
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A Sugar Bowl upset over Florida in what remains the only-ever meeting between Notre Dame and the Gators as Jerome Bettis went off matches up with a fourth quarter for the ages in the 1995 home victory over Texas.
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Links to vote for the other three regions first round match-ups:

Hesburgh Region
Grotto Region
Golden Dome Region