Will Notre Dame Renew It's Rivalry With Miami?

The date was November 25, 1989. It was a day that both Irish and Hurricane fans will never forget.

Notre Dame was the defending National Champions and the number one ranked team in the country. They hadn't lost a game in two years. Their winning streak was 23 games.

Then the Hurricanes beat them 27-10.

They were celebrating in South Florida and shocked in South Bend. With the win Miami took over the number one ranking and went on to win the National Championship with a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Notre Dame responded with an Orange Bowl victory over Colorado. In the end Miami was number one and Notre Dame was number two.

As an Irish fan, I hated it. Notre Dame did get its revenge in 1990 however, with a 29-20 victory in South Bend. After that the teams haven't played since.

Miami and Penn State used to be regular opponents for the Irish. They played them every year just like USC, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy. That was back when Miami and Penn State were both independents.

Penn State would join the Big Ten and then its rivalry with Notre Dame was no longer an annual tradition.

Miami joined the Big East and then later the ACC. Another rivalry was stopped.

Notre Dame was at it's best when it was playing Miami and Penn State every year. If you add Michigan, Michigan State, and USC in there, that was five tough games they were playing every year. They had to get the best talent in the country to compete with these teams. As a result they were the best team in the country.

Look at their current schedule set up. They play Michigan right away and that series has been split in recent years. Michigan State is clearly not the program they used to be but for whatever reason have Notre Dame's number lately.

Then they play a lot of mediocre opponents before USC. When this game is in South Bend, it is in the middle of the year so the Irish may only play a couple of weaker opponents. However, when the game is in Los Angeles it is at the end of the year. Notre Dame will have played a very soft schedule heading in. Then they get crushed.

Looking at Miami they are also a school that has been down lately but also appear on the way back up. Now there is talk of the rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami being renewed.

I hope it becomes more than talk but a reality. One more really good game a year would be good for both programs.

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