Notre Dame fans are special

It’s just different here. And we’re not talking about in the SEC.

As Ryan Day’s new mortal enemy Lou Holtz once stated, “To those who know Notre Dame, no explanation is necessary. To those who don’t, no explanation will suffice.”

This couldn’t be more true. The reality is every emotion that ripples through Notre Dame football seems to carry extra weight. As [autotag]Paul Finebaum[/autotag] might say, “It just means more.”

Nothing is simple.

Clean cut.

Black and white.

For many Irish fans, present company included, Notre Dame football feels more like a weekly existential soul examination exercise than it does a simple game. Being Notre Dame fans isn’t what we are, it’s who we are. It’s always personal.

As someone who hosts a Notre Dame call-in radio show on YouTube right after every game ends, I must say I was genuinely moved by the calls I received for over three-and-a-half long miserable for all involved hours. This show was by far the least enjoyable one I’ve ever hosted, but may just be the most important.

Allow me to explain.

‘Big Game Notre Dame’ Strikes Again

It happened. Again. Now what?

Unfortunately, Notre Dame fans have been here before. For folks my age, this is the only Notre Dame we’ve known. Failing to win on the biggest stage. In the most humiliating and excruciating ways. One of the main lead-up storylines to this ballgame was the notion of “if not now then when” for the Irish in one of these moments. That question hits home hard after this outcome.

While this game ended in hauntingly similar “Bush Push” style, the feel is different. Notre Dame had about 10 different situations where if any 1 goes their way, they win. Notre Dame made none of those plays. The Irish blew this one. There’s no way around it. And that’s what hurts the most. Notre Dame doesn’t know how to win these kinds of games, which is devastating given that a hundred years of Irish lore is based upon the opposite being the case.

Let’s dissect some of the carnage, shall we?

Notre Dame vs Ohio State: Confidences & Concerns

How you feeling about the Irish today?

Notre Dame vs. Ohio State week is upon us. All of college football awaits the answers to so many major questions relating to both of these teams. How much better does Sam Hartman make Notre Dame in the most premier of matchups? How will new Buckeyes starter Kyle McCord handle the hostile “greened out” home crowd? Are the Irish ready to take the next step or are the Buckeyes a threat to win it all this year?

In many ways, this game feels like both teams’ first. Neither the media or fans on either side of this battle seem to have drawn many concrete conclusions about either team based on the results of the games leading into this. This kind of game at Notre Dame Stadium doesn’t come around often. Will the Irish take advantage?

Let’s examine some confidences & concerns Irish fans may have entering this Saturday’s Midwestern masterpiece of a game.

Notre Dame vs Ohio State: Irish win would alter program

Marcus Freeman’s coming out party at Notre Dame?

You saw the title I came up with. What was your first reaction to it? John is being dramatic yet again? Or perhaps the notion of it being “just one game”? Or did you really take a moment to think about what this title represents for Notre Dame?

All of America will be watching Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Will this be the “same old big game Notre Lame”, or will the Irish take the practical and perceptual “next step” towards elite status in year two of Marcus Freeman? In some ways, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Let’s examine a few reasons a victory this weekend against the Buckeyes would change Notre Dame’s path into the modern playoff era.

Notre Dame vs Ohio State: It’s Different This Time

This time it’s different.

For the last 25-30 years Notre Dame Football has been known for one thing more than any other. Losing “the big game”, often in horrifically embarrassing fashion. That hurts to hear if you are an Irish fan, but it’s the truth. Notre Dame is a running meme when it comes to big-game blowouts. And don’t get me started on bowl game records.

Somehow, some way Notre Dame must end this cycle.

Change the narratives.

Force the country to view them in a different light.

There’s only one way to accomplish this. Beat Ohio State. Let’s examine some ways that the 2023 Notre Dame team is uniquely positioned to possibly do just that.

Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Pick Your Narrative

How do you feel about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State?

Notre Dame officially accomplished their biggest initial goal of the 2023 season. Entering the Ohio State matchup undefeated. In fact, when looking at scores alone, none of the first ramp-up month of games ended that close. Notre Dame has taken care of business. They’ve allowed next week to become in reality what it’s been in theory for literally years. A good old-fashioned midwestern war on the national stage.

As I’ve been saying for years in my videos, nothing is ever black and white with Notre Dame. There’s always room for nuance, always. I ask Irish fans the following question. Do you feel better, worse, or the same about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State after seeing the Central Michigan game?

Wyoming Crumbles in Fourth Quarter, Texas Prevail 31-10

The Wyoming Cowboys football team was unable to come out of Austin, Texas with an upset victory over the No. 4 Texas Longhorns.

Cowboys Crumble in Fourth Quarter, Longhorns Prevail


Wyoming Cowboys fall to No. 4 Texas 31-10 after 21-point final quarter by Longhorns


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Heading into the fourth quarter, Wyoming had battled toe-to-toe with the fourth ranked team in the country, tied at 10. However, quickly Texas would score 21 points to take control of the game and prevent Wyoming from seeing their first ever victory over an AP top-10 team.

The Wyoming Cowboys began the showdown without starting quarterback Andrew Peasley, who was suited up but stood on the sidelines. Instead, sophomore Evan Svoboda began the game.

With his first snaps of the season, Svoboda handed the ball off to another Cowboy making his first appearance of the season, Harrison Waylee, who took the ball for a 62-yard rushing touchdown giving Wyoming a 7-0 lead.

Texas would answer back after a three and out by both teams with a field goal after a near interception by Wyoming in the endzone. The Bert Auburn 37-yard field goal would cut the Pokes lead, 7-3 in the first.

Ending the first quarter and into the start of the second, Texas would drive 90 yards, taking over eight minutes of the clock to score their first touchdown with a one-yard touchdown to defensive lineman Byron Murphy II to take a 10-7 lead.

The remaining time in the second quarter would see only 50 yards of offense by both teams and the halftime score would be 10-7, Texas leading. The Cowboys had stunned the Austin crowd with more yards than the Longhorn, 163-120, and a better 3rd down conversion rate at three for eight compared to zero for six.

Opening the second half, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, and running back Jonathon Brooks would take the Longhorns to Wyoming’s 28-yard line before a Sebastian Harsh sack that knocked them out of field goal range.

The Pokes would answer with a 77-yard, 10-minute drive to Texas’ 19-yard line and tie the game at 10 with a 36-yard field goal from the Red Shoe, John Hoyland, right before the end of the third quarter.

At this point, Wyoming had outgained the Longhorns by 50 yards with 225 total yards compared to 175. A surprising outcome, the game wouldn’t favor the Cowboys the rest of the way.

Ewers and the Longhorn offense would quickly flip the momentum in the fourth, beginning with a quick pass to Xavier Worthy and a 44-yard touchdown to give Texas the lead only 48 seconds into the quarter.

After a Wyoming three and out, a 61-yard rush by Brooks gave Texas the opportunity for a five-yard touchdown rush by Ewers to extend their lead to 14.

15 seconds later, Svoboda would throw an interception to Jerrin Thompson who returned it for a touchdown. Texas would take a 21-point lead.

Wyoming would force a fumble, recovered by Tyrecus Davis, with just under six minutes left in the game but not able to add any more points before the conclusion of the game.

Svoboda finished 17 for 28 with 136 yards and the interception. Waylee’s first appearance as a Cowboy concluded with 110 yards and the touchdown. Wyatt Wieland snagged 62 yards through the air.

Defensive lineman Harsh recorded the only sack in the game and only tackles for loss with two.

Ewers would only throw for 131 yards, but the Longhorns would combine for 185 rushing yards led by Brooks with 164 yards.

Up Next

The Wyoming Cowboys will host Appalachian State next Saturday, Sept. 23 with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.

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Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Irish Face Unique Mental Test

It might not be a marquee matchup but it does pose a unique test for the Irish…

After a wet, wild, and adventurous journey to the Carolinas, the Irish return home this Saturday to take on Central Michigan. This will be Notre Dame’s last chance to “tune up” before the Buckeyes visit the following week. If there are specific points of emphasis the staff wishes to push, this is the time for it.

One question I have is one I ask half facetiously, and half completely serious. How much of the tailgate talk leading up to this game will actually be about this game and not the one coming next? Notre Dame has much work to be done in this game. Nothing should be taken for granted.

Let’s examine some areas of confidence and concern regarding the Irish this week.

Notre Dame’s Priorities for Central Michigan game

Priorities. Not next week – this week.

Notre Dame must stay focused this week as they host Central Michigan. The players must resist the urge to “look ahead” to Ohio State and forget the task at hand. The reality is, we may learn a lot about the Irish this week. How sharp will they look in their final contest before the one that has been circled on the calendar for years?

Certainly, getting a win is and should always be the first and foremost priority in any game. But should the game get out of hand in the Irish’s favor, which is the expectation, what should the Irish try and focus on?

Badgers fall out of Top 25 in US LBM Coaches Poll

Badgers lose spot in the top 25 after loss

After their disappointing 31-22 loss to Washington State on the road, the Badgers football team has fallen out of the Top 25 rankings in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Wisconsin entered their second contest as the 19th ranked team in the coaches poll, but they’ll now be on the outside looking in before they host Georgia Southern at home this upcoming Saturday.

Although the team’s loss to the Cougars has been perceived as the sky falling by some Badgers fans, it was not a conference loss, so it doesn’t carry as much weight.

As a result of it being a non-conference matchup, Wisconsin still has full control over their destiny in the Big Ten West and they’ll start conference play a week from Friday (9/22) in West Lafayette against Purdue.

Big Ten teams in the top 25: Michigan (2), Ohio State (4), Penn State (7), Iowa (24).

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