Notre Dame hyped to No 1 was biggest sham of year

[Po Monkey Lounger]

What a horrible NCAA title game, unless you were a Tide fan. That was worse than what I had predicted (Tide 45, Notre Dame 17). I was asleep before the end of the 3rd quarter.

There were several teams much, much better than Notre Dame, who could have played a much more competitive game against the Tide for the National Title (eg TAM, Oregon, UGA, etc.) --- hey, practically half of the SEC could, and did, play a better game against the Tide. But, under the current system, a Notre Dame team going undefeated against an overhyped schedule finished the season and entered the title game ranked No. 1, and then proceeded to get their brains bashed in by No. 2 Alabama. It wasn't even competitive at all. Men against boys. To blame? ESPN, in part, for helping build up the Irish into something they were not; and the poll voters who let their regional bias interfere with their own common sense.

This was as big a sham as the Tyson -- McNeely fight.

How about that Notre Dame linebacker who was a Heisman finalist? --- the one who missed tackle, after tackle, after tackle against the Tide RBs. No doubt he was overhyped. Had he won the Heisman over Mandel, it would have been the worst Heisman debacle since Woodson won it over Peyton Manning.

And did anyone see that ridiculously arrogant ESPN segment featuring two former Notre Dame coaches (Lou Holtz and Ara Parsegian) and the current Notre Dame coach, all discussing how different and special it was to coach at such a superior program as Notre Dame, with each former coach predicting a national title for Notre Dame? Just part of the over-hype for the game. And in retrospect, it now seems pretty silly. How embarassing.

I don't think there was a single, good competitive BCS bowl game during this bowl season. All were blowouts. I guess the best of the lot was that horrid Florida v Louisville Sugar Bowl.

The title game should have been either a re-match between the Tide and TAM, or the Tide v Oregon. Either of those matchups would have been much more competitive, and very interesting. But, that would have required applying reality over fiction.

[Bonehead]

What a horrible NCAA title game, unless you were a Tide fan. That was worse than what I had predicted (Tide 45, Notre Dame 17). I was asleep before the end of the 3rd quarter.

There were several teams much, much better than Notre Dame, who could have played a much more competitive game against the Tide for the National Title (eg TAM, Oregon, UGA, etc.) --- hey, practically half of the SEC could, and did, play a better game against the Tide. But, under the current system, a Notre Dame team going undefeated against an overhyped schedule finished the season and entered the title game ranked No. 1, and then proceeded to get their brains bashed in by No. 2 Alabama. It wasn't even competitive at all. Men against boys. To blame? ESPN, in part, for helping build up the Irish into something they were not; and the poll voters who let their regional bias interfere with their own common sense.

This was as big a sham as the Tyson -- McNeely fight.

How about that Notre Dame linebacker who was a Heisman finalist? --- the one who missed tackle, after tackle, after tackle against the Tide RBs. No doubt he was overhyped. Had he won the Heisman over Mandel, it would have been the worst Heisman debacle since Woodson won it over Peyton Manning.

And did anyone see that ridiculously arrogant ESPN segment featuring two former Notre Dame coaches (Lou Holtz and Ara Parsegian) and the current Notre Dame coach, all discussing how different and special it was to coach at such a superior program as Notre Dame, with each former coach predicting a national title for Notre Dame? Just part of the over-hype for the game. And in retrospect, it now seems pretty silly. How embarassing.

I don't think there was a single, good competitive BCS bowl game during this bowl season. All were blowouts. I guess the best of the lot was that horrid Florida v Louisville Sugar Bowl.

The title game should have been either a re-match between the Tide and TAM, or the Tide v Oregon. Either of those matchups would have been much more competitive, and very interesting. But, that would have required applying reality over fiction.

Great post... I agree completely.

[vicksburg]

What a horrible NCAA title game, unless you were a Tide fan. That was worse than what I had predicted (Tide 45, Notre Dame 17). I was asleep before the end of the 3rd quarter.

There were several teams much, much better than Notre Dame, who could have played a much more competitive game against the Tide for the National Title (eg TAM, Oregon, UGA, etc.) --- hey, practically half of the SEC could, and did, play a better game against the Tide. But, under the current system, a Notre Dame team going undefeated against an overhyped schedule finished the season and entered the title game ranked No. 1, and then proceeded to get their brains bashed in by No. 2 Alabama. It wasn't even competitive at all. Men against boys. To blame? ESPN, in part, for helping build up the Irish into something they were not; and the poll voters who let their regional bias interfere with their own common sense.

This was as big a sham as the Tyson -- McNeely fight.

How about that Notre Dame linebacker who was a Heisman finalist? --- the one who missed tackle, after tackle, after tackle against the Tide RBs. No doubt he was overhyped. Had he won the Heisman over Mandel, it would have been the worst Heisman debacle since Woodson won it over Peyton Manning.

And did anyone see that ridiculously arrogant ESPN segment featuring two former Notre Dame coaches (Lou Holtz and Ara Parsegian) and the current Notre Dame coach, all discussing how different and special it was to coach at such a superior program as Notre Dame, with each former coach predicting a national title for Notre Dame? Just part of the over-hype for the game. And in retrospect, it now seems pretty silly. How embarassing.

I don't think there was a single, good competitive BCS bowl game during this bowl season. All were blowouts. I guess the best of the lot was that horrid Florida v Louisville Sugar Bowl.

The title game should have been either a re-match between the Tide and TAM, or the Tide v Oregon. Either of those matchups would have been much more competitive, and very interesting. But, that would have required applying reality over fiction.

I agree as well... That game last night was silly...

[RedEyed Duck]

Very well said Po Monk! ND struggled to beat mediocre teams yet they lifted them up like they were destined to win. I say, welcome to any given Saturday in the SEC and good luck next year to em.

[mshunter77]

It was a complete joke. Now I wonder how much Teo would even play on Bamas defense, I don't rember him making a single solo tackle.

[fireplug]

Remember it taking ND 3 overtimes to beat the same team that Ole Miss whipped up on in Birmingham? Enough said.

Always has been this way and always will be. We might as well get used to it. Only way for SEC to be legitimate in their eyes is for us to end up making up
the top 5......and that is pretty much impossible since we have to beat each other up throughout the season.

[gps4]

i think the two best teams in the country played for the SEC championship....

[arduckslayer]

And did anyone see that ridiculously arrogant ESPN segment featuring two former Notre Dame coaches (Lou Holtz and Ara Parsegian) and the current Notre Dame coach, all discussing how different and special it was to coach at such a superior program as Notre Dame, with each former coach predicting a national title for Notre Dame? Just part of the over-hype for the game. And in retrospect, it now seems pretty silly. How embarassing.

I'm glad ol Lou and that DA Lee Corso had to eat crow!

[Nitro Mag]

I agree PoMonk but you left out the 1 thing more important to the NCAA than a competive championship game. $$$$$$$$ and a championship with ND involved brings in a lot more money than Oregon or a rematch with GA or Tex AM.

[the tree]

I question weather any team couldve beat the Tide Monday night. Thankful Ohio State wasnt bowl eligible, or we might have watched them play ND. Maybe the NCAA will follow TAM and Missouri and join the SEC.

[cupnglide]

They could've made even more $$$ if they'd had enough programs, souvenirs, and game cups at the game. My MIL and FIL went. They said programs and game cups were sold out before the game started. Nuts. Coulda made 3x on concessions, etc. with some better planning. No two fan bases spend more than ND and UA.

[duckter]

Saw a stat yesterday whereby Notre Dame's defense gave up only 16 TD's all season, and Alabama had 6 of the 16. Bwhhaaaaaaaaa. Roll Tide.

[Dr. B]

Oh, I don't know. I thought the LSU game was a gem! I did the happy dance when that kick sailed through! Roll Tide!

Dr. B