Notre Dame Football: Irish Won't Fall Victim to Sports Illustrated Cover Curse

Do you believe in curses?

Nah, me neither.

Although, the outcome of the Notre Dame-USC matchup may have already been decided and the Irish just don't know it yet. According to Bryan Armen Graham of Sports Illustrated, Notre Dame has been blessed to grace the cover of its magazine.

"

PIC: Notre Dame football (and Touchdown Jesus) is the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated. twitpic.com/bewgvb

— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) November 20, 2012"

Perhaps "blessed" isn't the right choice of words. The Irish have been "unfortunate" to be featured anywhere near the cover of SI, because it is haunted. Look, I know Halloween ended a few weeks ago, but there is something seriously spooky going on with the SI cover. 

Just take a peak of the lengthy list of athletes or teams that have suffered consequences for being on the cover of this magazine. Most recently, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein was on top of the college football world. He was the favorite to win the Heisman trophy and his team was in prime position to win the national championship.

That was until he was featured on the cover of SI and his team lost to an unranked Baylor squad. Say goodbye to those national championship dreams, and that Heisman lead isn't as large as it once was.

Will the curse catch up to the Irish this week? You can forget about it.

Notre Dame only needs one win this weekend to earn a spot in the national championship, and it will happen regardless of which magazine that golden helmet appears on. USC has looked absolutely brutal on the defensive side of the ball and is starting a freshman quarterback in Max Wittek.

I'll say it again. The No. 6 defense in the country will have the privilege of feasting on a quarterback who has only thrown nine passes in his entire career.

It doesn't matter where this game is being played, if it's a rivalry game or the fact that Notre Dame is on the cover of a magazine. After all, it is a picture of a helmet on a piece of paper. That's it! This can't possibly play a part in what happens on the field this Saturday.

The Irish have needed a fair share of luck to go their way this season, but in order for USC to win this weekend, it will take much more than Notre Dame being on the cover of Sports Illustrated.