Quick, off the top of your head what is your favorite memory of Notre Dame in a bowl game?
If you’re of a certain age it may be Jerome Bettis plowing through Florida’s defense en-route to an upset win in the Sugar Bowl.
Perhaps it was Joe Montana leading an inprobable comeback victory over Houston in the Cotton Bowl.
Or maybe it was Tom Clements finding Robin Weber to seal the deal against Alabama in the 1973 Sugar Bowl.
Did any of you immediately think of Notre Dame’s last-second win over LSU in the 2014 Music City Bowl? If you thought of Notre Dame/LSU you probably thought of Miles Boykin, not the last-second field in Nashville.
The Football Bowl Association (FBA) came out with their 25 greatest bowl games of all-time this week, honoring 150 years of college football by putting together a list.
The only problem is I’m not sure those who put the list together actually watched more than a few of these games.
The ’73 Sugar Bowl and ’79 Cotton Bowl were both legendary, whether you’re a Notre Dame fan or not.
How about that No. 17 ranking for the 2014 Music City Bowl, however?
Was it a fun game? Sure.
Did it come down to a last-second kick? Absolutely.
Was it at all legendary?
Uhh…
So if I’m going to rip this list at all I have to offer something to replace what I don’t like on it, right?
Where is the 2002 National Championship between Ohio State and Miami?
That two-overtime thriller that ended with a big-time upset after an incredibly controversial call led to it doesn’t belong in the top-25?
In terms of Notre Dame I think the 1991 Orange Bowl deserves to be on the list long before 2014’s Music City Bowl, even with the absurd flag that was thrown on Rocket Ismail’s punt return.
I could go on a while but you get the point.
Congrats to all at FBA for compiling a list, now maybe next time they can make it a somewhat-acceptable one.