Earlier this summer, a Twitter user known as Big Game Boomer placed Notre Dame in the second tier of college football’s hierarchy. This person, an avowed Oklahoma fan, puts out lists regularly. Not long ago, one list named Notre Dame the best brand in college football, and another listed Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree as the best running back duo for the upcoming season. Now, there’s a new list showing the top 40 rivalries that should be renewed every year but aren’t, and the Irish show up three times for three different Big Ten schools:
40 Rivalry Games That Should Be Played Every Year
But sadly, they aren't. pic.twitter.com/OQuwwXAaOH
— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) August 17, 2021
A look at future Notre Dame opponents indicates all of them will pop up on the schedule over the next several years. Purdue will visit South Bend on Sept. 18 this year, then the schools will meet every season from 2024 to 2028. A home-and-home with Michigan State will take place in 2026 and 2027. One with Michigan is set to happen in 2033 and 2034.
It really is too bad because the Irish have had healthy rivalries with all of these Big Ten programs over the years. To say it’s a travesty that so many Irish players will come and go without ever facing at least some, if not any, of them is an understatement. Their history and geographic proximity is why one writer recently called for the Irish to join the Big Ten instead of the ACC should it join a conference permanently. Of course, their agreement to play six ACC schools every year means fewer opportunities to schedule everyone they want to play.
Perhaps in the distant future, the ACC agreement won’t be renewed, and Notre Dame will have virtually free reign over its schedule once again. Until then, some great rivalries remain on hold.