Jan 20 | National Championship

[Rasputin]

An odd consequence of the CFP. Every team in the AP top 13 will have lost its last game of the season except the National Champion. Next up would be #14 Ole Miss who won theirs.

Going forward, there will be no more dubious claims of championships from pretenders. There will be no doubts.

 

[Irish#1]

With the spready at 8.5 and all the experts picking OSU, the pressure is squarely on OSU, particularly Day.

 

[IrishSpartan]

If we are in the Ohio state section can we still get a rally towel

 

[irishnd31]

I wonder what qualifies as a Notre Dame section?

Any section that does not smell like a full bag of assholes?

 

[dublinirish]

I think mods should disable the creation of new threads on IE tonight, i feel like we might get some absolutely shitty/overreactive ones if not

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I think mods should disable the creation of new threads on IE tonight, i feel like we might get some absolutely shitty/overreactive ones if not

2nd’d

Still better than 4HL. Those cats start more new threads in a day than IE does in a month.

 

[Dale]

I think mods should disable the creation of new threads on IE tonight, i feel like we might get some absolutely shitty/overreactive ones if not

Well we’re gonna win so the new threads will be awesome

 

[Kingbish01]

Anyone else having any luck with last minute tickets. I'm still holding out, but even my guy in Atlanta is at $4,400.00 out the door for two. Touchdown Jesus!

 

[IrishLion]

Struggling with my mindset here, fellas.

Kind of excited. Very nervous.

Trying to enjoy today in the context of "really never expected to be here this year." Between the injuries, limitations in the passing game (a recurring theme!) and the NIU loss, ND has basically been playing with house money every week since then.

Getting the 30-year "No Big Bowl Wins" monkey off of ND's back not just once, but TWICE in the same postseason is fucking amazing.

Maybe I'm just a pussy, but everything shouts "Just enjoy it regardless of outcome, you really weren't supposed to be here, and this team is fun as hell and more likable than everything else out there."

But on the other hand, it's like... if not now, when? Can we REALLY expect MFMF to get us back into the title game behind pure effort, determination, and some fortunate bounces and mistakes from the opposition? Yes, this team is legitimately elite on defense. Hits keep coming, they keep answering. Injuries? Next man in. Opposing team took the lead? Someone's gonna force a turnover. Need a first down? Riley or Love are gonna put their bodies on the line and make it happen.

EVERYTHING has lined up perfectly to this point, and it was still a monumental struggle.

As an ND fan born in '90, I haven't seen a championship. As a Reds/Bengals/Bearcats guy in Cincy, I haven't seen a championship that I can remember (shoutout to the '90 Reds, though).

The Bengals were SO FUCKING CLOSE in 2021... then a bullshit defensive holding call ruined it (I'll take that to my grave, come at me Rams fans).

ND was there in '12... but weren't really that close after all. This ND team. THEY ARE LEGITIMATELY CLOSE.

I'm a shell-shocked, never-seen-a-championship-from-any-of-my-teams fan, and I'm trying as hard as I can to not get my hopes up about tonight, because Ohio State is pretty fucking good, and I've been conditioned to believe that the other shoe is gonna drop and that everything is gonna finally catch up to our boys.

And if it does, I don't know how I'll take it. Maybe I'll be able to put it into the context of life, and my kids, and all the shit that matters so much to all of the people around me that ISN'T football. Maybe I'll be able to look back and truly appreciate the ride MFMF and this team brought us on.

But I might feel like I did after scUM 2011. Just dejected, hopeless, despondent that it's gonna take a miracle run to get ND back into this position, and it could be who knows how long until that happens.

Here's to beating the Buckeyes and ending the drought and not having to worry about it!

 

[Irish du Nord]

There is only one acceptable outcome tonight. Time to go out as champions

 

[IrishEyesAreSmiling]

Legit so nervous and anxiety through the roof can’t eat lol

 

[MacIrish75]

I think mods should disable the creation of new threads on IE tonight, i feel like we might get some absolutely shitty/overreactive ones if not

Nah bc then there will be some receipts to save for later…

 

[Kingbish01]

Find the drunkest guy in the tailgate lot and offer to hold his phone for him while he takes a piss.

I needed that laugh!

Ya, I'm having a hard time even enjoying the day....Because I have to go to this game, but really don't wanna drop 5k

 

[MPClinton22]

I needed that laugh!

Ya, I'm having a hard time even enjoying the day....Because I have to go to this game, but really don't wanna drop 5k

The prices are going haywire right now, it's friggin wild. Literally a $400+ increase across the board in the last 45 minutes. Really hoping there's a readjustment down in the next few hours, cause otherwise I will be remaining at whatever pregame spot we post up at and saving myself $3k, and then I'll just enjoy the postgame partying when we win

 

[ab2cmiller]

I think mods should disable the creation of new threads on IE tonight, i feel like we might get some absolutely shitty/overreactive ones if not

The "Game Day" thread is always enough of a cluster fuck of overreaction by itself. We certainly don't need anymore.

 

[dang227]

The fam and I with Golden Tate!!!!

 

[irishnd31]

The fam and I with Golden Tate!!!!

Awesome brother. GO IRISH!!!! ☘️

 

[Kingbish01]

The prices are going haywire right now, it's friggin wild. Literally a $400+ increase across the board in the last 45 minutes. Really hoping there's a readjustment down in the next few hours, cause otherwise I will be remaining at whatever pregame spot we post up at and saving myself $3k, and then I'll just enjoy the postgame partying when we win

Ya, I may shoot down there and sit at Stats Brewpub until I'm drunk enough to drop 5k for 2..

 

[KMac151993]

What is the IE record for longest Game thread...no doubt this will pass it.

 

[Ndaccountant]

The fam and I with Golden Tate!!!!

Did you pay the customary fee for golden, which i believe includes a few maple bars?

 

[RipWheeler]

I want an ND natty just to hear the ridiculous Cam Newton like takes complaining about how ND lost to NIU. Chefs kiss to all the haters.

 

[FOTY977]

Not working today is both a blessing and a curse. I’m going to need to go to the gym for like 3 hours as a diversion.

Literally worked out just to get to sleep last night. Legs—chose hard.

I keep trying to tell myself there’s no reason for nerves. There’s no wound OSU can inflict that we haven’t already suffered through and it’s a pleasure to see the team take the field one more time no matter what. It’s not working.

 

[IrishLion]

I'm in kind of a bizarro-world version of this.

We've won so many championships in New England that I'm almost numb to it. "The Celtics won again? That's nice." "The Patriots are the worst team in football? Who cares?" "The Bruins lost a playoff series in heartbreaking fashion? That's okay, because I still have an authentic Tim Thomas jersey from the Stanley Cup run when he stood on his head and then snubbed Obama for being a socialist." And the Red Sox went from cursed to four World Series in 15 seasons.

But this is the one I want. This is the only one left because I've gotten everything I've wanted from the rest of my teams and I don't need to see any of them win another title for the rest of my life. I feel like Thanos and I just need that one final stone to complete the Gauntlet.

Fuck right off

Also yes, you're just a pussy.

Fair

 

[IrishLion]

I've loved him ever since freshman year when he got in a shoving fight with Jimmy Clausen at a dorm party in St. Ed's. Everyone hated that guy lmao.

Those dudes got into two legit fights that we know about.

Can't imagine how strange that lockerroom dynamic must have been for those dudes to openly hate each other, but still have to go to work every day.

Like, Tate knows Clausen is a mega-douche... but goddamn he's gonna put that ball perfectly in the bread basket as soon as Tate is a step past the defender. "Fuck that guy. But he throws me many touchdowns."

And Clausen hates Tate, but is like... "Goddamn that guy is a weirdo that punched me directly in the face. But he sure is fast and good at breaking tackles, and he makes me look good."

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Notre Dame built its reputation as the small school that overcomes impossible odds. It’s THE team that pulls off the upsets.

Being a huge underdog was meant to be.
Tonight they play like champions and win it all.

 

[ginman]

My daughter who is a student at UNC writes me this morning, "I just had a dream you were the leprechaun mascot for ND and I was so emotional filming you at half time!" Go Irish

 

[IrishLion]

Over/under Leonard carries - 14?

I'm not Vegas so I'm not counting sacks when he's trying to pass from the pocket. I would still go over. Think we're going to run the shit out of him.

Had this thought this morning. Leonard may run the ball 30 times if the game is close throughout.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Get this Michigan bullshit out of here

 

[OKCDomer23]

Had this thought this morning. Leonard may run the ball 30 times if the game is close throughout.

He really might. His first step can be lethal. I honestly feel it's a big reason why he's such a great runner. Not only is he big, fast, and shifty but he's got long legs and that first step is quick and tough for a defense to stop.

Just win baby! Go Irish!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Nothing more needs to be said
This is the attention of detail that Freeman believes in
This team will win.