Notre Dame vs. Michigan weekend is by far and away the most anticipated weekend of the college football season. At least for those of us who grew up around where I did. There were only two teams on the map, Notre Dame and Michigan. You could only be a fan of one of two teams, Notre Dame or Michigan. Sure there are other teams around to like, Michigan State, Purdue, Western Michigan, and there were always a few fans of those schools mixed in and around us, but to be completely honest, they dont really matter.
The winner of this game did more than just beat a foe on the field. It gave bragging rights for 365 days to a number of people. The ability to talk to your neighbor or friend and use the phrase, "I can't remember, who won the game this year?" in everyday conversation. This game would define how your team fared for the season. Notre Dame beat Michigan in 2002 and went on to win it's first 8 games. In 2003 Notre Dame lost to Michigan and started 2-6 on the season. This is just and idea of what it's like.
Saturday will be a day when all Notre Dame fans and Michigan fans watch the games together. Why? Because we are all fans of the game, fans of our teams, and fans of one another. This rivalry has so much to do with everybody that watches, it almost seems as if the game becomes less important than the weekend of jawing and joking that takes place. It's a weekend that brings out the best of all the fans of both schools.
There are bigger rivalries out there, Michigan vs. Ohio St., Notre Dame vs. USC, Oklahoma vs. Texas, but where I am from, what I've experienced, they all take back seat to this weekend's game. Where I come from, this is THE game of the year. I don't care what the records are of either team, this is going to be an absolute battle. When you think about it, you have the two winningest football teams in history. Two of the most storied programs in the country and we will all be able to witness each team, each program grooming freshman quarterbacks who will be the staple of their respective teams for years to come.
I will be watching the game in my living room on the big screen. Johanathan and Swifty are my Notre Dame buddies coming from Kalamazoo to watch along with some Michigan buddies. This is what it's all about. The keg-er-rator is full, the grill will be hot, and the trash talking will be in full swing. But when it's all said and done, and the winner (Notre Dame) gets all of their trash talking done by Sunday, they will look back and think of what a special weekend it was. What an opportunity to sit with good friends, eat and drink good food and beer, and cheer on the greatest game on the planet, Notre Dame Football!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
Although I am still unsure of your blog, this is the first thing you have said that makes complete sense. This game means more to me than all the others as a ND grad. We could lose almost every other game in a season as long as we won this one. God Bless the Irish, and lets get that first win.
And if this Johonathan is from Kalamazoo, I would think you would be a Michigan State University fan? And you should write more Johonathan, I think your style of writing is alot like that of bluegraysky.
And I dont see a prediction on this site yet, so here is mine.
ND 27 - Michigan 24 (Walker is the hero!)
To let it all be known, Martinez and Johanathan both grew up about 30 minutes outside South Bend so Notre Dame has been instilled in us since birth.
Michigan State gets it's props.... but not when Notre Dame's around!!
Post a Comment