How do you pick a college football team to root for? First option is supporting the school that you attended. In my case, my alma mater, DePaul University… no football team. Second option could be your local college. Who is my local college living in Chicago? Northwestern is the closest, but their football team? Yeah, there were a couple years, but in general, not really known as a “football school” Illinois? Yeah, for college basketball, no doubt. Other than UNLV and the Fab 5, the Illinois teams have been my favorites. Both Northwestern and Illinois are Big 10; we’re definitely in Big 10 country here in Chicago, but… Michigan? Ohio State? How about the only college football game I’ve ever been to down in Georgia, watched them play LSU? Jump on that bandwagon? None of the above. When it comes to the #1 college football team to root for, it’s none other than The Irish.
It started when I was about 10 years old, the start of the Lou Holtz era at Notre Dame. I remember Tony Rice, Tim Brown, Catholics vs Convicts, the National Championship team. As the years went on, big fan of the Jerome Bettis and Rick Mirer team. They’ve been the team that I’ve supported more than any other college football team in my lifetime. Of course, over the past few decades, not a whole lot to celebrate in South Bend. Kind of like the Bears, most of the success of this storied program came way before I was born. Still, I supported them. Of course, over the past couple years, I’ve supported any college football team I put my money on… haha. But, always have a place in my heart for the Irish. I know some HUGE Irish fans, including one I was texting with throughout the 2nd half of the game vs Penn State on Thursday night.
It’s nice when my investments line up with teams that I support. ND ML & ND -1.5 both came in last night in the huge ND win; I also sprinkled a little on them to win it all before the game. They will be underdogs vs whoever wins on Friday night. Man, that game winning kick… looked like it was flying wide right, but straightened out just in time. Will Notre Dame be able to pull it off against the winner of Ohio State and Texas and bring home their first national championship since 1988? If they do, it will be their 14th National Championship; they would inch closer to the top 3 programs of all time. Princeton is #3 with 15, Alabama is #2 with 16, and Yale (yes, Yale!) with 18 is the top dog. The Ivy League schools Princeton and Yale have won their last national championships in 1922 and 1927 respectively. Of course Bama has been the top dog lately.
With NIL, the transfer portal, and the 12 team playoff, College Football is changing dramatically. Now, schools can legally pay players, as if some haven’t been doing this for decades. Kids can go to the highest bidder; the schools with the deepest pockets can buy their team and give themselves the best shot at a title. I know things had to change from how they were, not exactly sure they should be like this either; there’s got to be a happy medium. More to come on all that; I am loving the 12 team playoff. And if Notre Dame was able to bring their first National Championship home in 37 years… that would be sweet. Let’s end this season on a high note. Go Irish!
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