ND vs OSU: A Rematch for the Ages

This college football regular season probably didn't go the way anyone thought it was going to go. Oregon was down, Alabama lost to Ole Miss again, Ezekiel Elliot isn't a Heisman finalist and Clemson is the only undefeated team in the country. All pretty shocking potential headlines. One thing that I did see coming though, since last week anyways, was that my Notre Dame Fighting Irish would be matched up against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a bowl game. I knew it from the moment Ohio State was out of the Big Ten championship game. Notre Dame being a two-loss team and Ohio State not being in a conference title game, would be the perfect matchup for college football fans.

The two will be facing off in the Fiesta Bowl sponsored by BattleFrog in Phoenix, Arizona. These two teams have some of the most dedicated and traveling fan bases in the nation and the game will surely be electric. The stadium in Phoenix is a high energy stadium due to the fact that it indoors and tight seated in the stands.

The coaches are viewed as two of the best in college football right now, as Urban Meyer will square off against Brian Kelley for the first time in their head coaching careers.

The matchup will have tons of coverage in the press leading up to the game and despite the fact its not a national championship game, it should be just as popular as the games contending for the national title. The two faced off in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl sponsored by Tostitos and Ohio State marched over the Fighting Irish 38-14. Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith slashed the defense with his feet and arm and Ted Ginn Jr. lit up the scoreboard. The loss left a stain in the Notre Dame fan base and especially on me considering all of my friends are Buckeye fans. This rematch will settle the score for who is truly the better team. Although Notre Dame has been bitten by the injury bug this season, they have posted a 10-2 record and QB DeShone Kizer has stepped into his own under center for the Irish.

A slip up by Ohio State cost them a shot at repeating as National champs, so the Buckeyes will surely come out with a fire and competitive edge to win, considering their talent level is as high as anyone in the country.

This game will be one of the best in recent memory leading up to the kickoff, and hopefully both teams show up to play a great and entertaining game. Go Irish!

Wake Up the Echoes

The Fighting Irish have done it again. They played a game down to the wire and found a way to pull out the win. In a tough road game in Philadelphia playing the undefeated, no. 23 ranked Temple Owls, Notre Dame was clinging on to the rest of their season and hopes for a birth in the college football playoff. With 2:14 left to play in the fourth quarter and trailing Temple 20-17, Fighting Irish quarterback Deshone Kizer rifled a pass to the back corner of the end zone ESPN, Kizer has a QBR (quarterback rating) 152.1, which is above the average QBR in Division 1 FBS of 97.4. Kizer demonstrated extreme poise in this tough road game and is another checkmark on the list for the Irish. Having a quarterback that can deliver in the clutch on the road is something every team in the country want. Notre Dame knows they have that, and they need to do everything in their power to utilize his talents and skills. Temple was undefeated and had the biggest game in program history at home, so that can justify the close score for me. As for the playoff selection committee, I am not so sure. There is still plenty of football to go with about 5 weeks left in the season, but as time passes, Notre Dame lives to see another day and fight for a spot. This win was not only huge for Notre Dame, but also coach Brian Kelly who was 10-10 vs top AP 25 (elias sports bureau) teams before coming into the game on Saturday night. That win putting him over that .500 hump helped take a big weight off his back and maybe a bit of job security as well. The Irish's defense also played a large role in the victory as safety #6, KeiVarae Russel intercepted a Temple pass in their hopes of making a game winning drive. The interception sealed the deal for Notre Dame and put the cherry on top for a full team victory. Notre Dame travels to Heinz Field on Saturday to take on the Panthers of Pitt. If Notre Dame wins on the road next weekend, that will be the first time a backup quarterback has won back to back road games for Notre Dame since 1983. Just saying.
and into the hands of his receiver, Will Fuller. The kid had done it again! When the pressure was on, Kizer delivered a big time play. Kizer has gone 5-1 in his 6 career starts this season and has proved that he has what it takes to win whether it be coming from behind or holding a lead, but especially coming from behind. According to

Hale to the Ol' Notre Dame

This weekend was one of my favorite times of the year. That time of the year when football is back. I play baseball and it is my craft, but man, there is just something about football that rejuvenates me. The smell of the fresh cut grass and the popcorn. I could go all Kenny Chesney here with the "Boys of Fall" spiel, but instead I want to show some love to my Fighting Irish of Notre Dame for making a big statement win this weekend versus the Texas Longhorns. The anticipation of the game was built from the moment I woke up. It was like a beacon of hype that couldn't be ignored any longer. My Irish had a so-so year last season, so I was ready to here the sounds of the marching band and see the classic gold helmets take the field again and stat off of a good note versus a solid Texas squad. Once I had all of my green and blue on and my game face on, I do not think that I sat down more than once or twice during the game. The game started off with the Irish striking first and going up 7-0. Once they scored the first touchdown, I started speaking in an Irish accent that me and my "boyo" can nail. The game wasn't just another sporting event, it was the kickoff to what should be a great year of football. I got the BYU hail mary pass on snapchat and that was a great game. Notre Dame's game might not have been down to the wire like some of the other game this weekend, but they definitely have the pieces to make a run for a playoff berth this year. Watching Notre Dame football is just something that appeals with my heritage too. The fighting Irish, Touchdown Jesus, all that jazz. Anyways, college football is back folks and you best bring your popcorn.