The Top Notre Dame Barnstorming Games To Play in the Future

It was reported recently that the University of Notre Dame is in negotiations with the University of Miami to rekindle a football rivalry that has been dormant since 1990.

According to numerous news sources, the schools are lining up a game inside Chicago’s Soldier Field for the 2012 season with home-and-home contests also likely in 2014 and 2016.

The possibility of these three games added to the Irish schedule could be a signal that Notre Dame is willing to stick with the 7-4-1 model, make the neutral site games more entertaining, and start bringing exciting home and home series to the front.

In short, this could be a small coup that undoubtedly ruffles Jim Delaney’s eyebrows, and brings many smiles to the faces of Notre Dame fans.

So I wondered, what could be the best “barnstorming” games that Notre Dame could play if I was in charge of the schedule and could play any team, any place, anytime?

Here are the top 15 Notre Dame neutral-site games for any future Irish schedule.

Boston College at Croke Park

Dublin, Ireland

Capacity: 82,300

Series: 10-9-0 Notre Dame

There probably isn’t a better place for the Battle of Ireland to take place than in Dublin, where the two major Catholic football schools can play in an overseas battle.

Notre Dame is set to play Navy in Ireland in 2012, but it has always seemed like Boston College would be a much better fit for a game on the Emerald Isle.

Plus, isn’t it weird that the United States Naval Academy would play a home game on foreign soil, yet the Fighting Irish would be a visitor on Irish soil?

The season series between the Irish and Eagles is set to expire in the near future, and maybe this neutral site game could bring the rivalry back later in the decade.

Ohio State at Wembley Stadium

London, England

Capacity: 86,000

Series: 3-2-0 Ohio State

It is tough to gauge what the interest in this game would be so far away from the United States, but the potential in this matchup could be enormous.

With the size of both team’s fan bases and the buzz generated by such a big event in England, this could be one of the more memorable games in the coming future.

Plus, there’s no reason that Notre Dame and Ohio State shouldn’t play more games against each other.

TCU at University of Phoenix Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

Capacity: 63,400

Series: 1-0-0 Notre Dame

Selecting intriguing barnstorming games is all about playing quality and diverse opponents in all of the different regions of the country.

Texas Christian has proved itself to be a top notch program, and would be an excellent opponent to play in the Arizona desert.

Plus, the Irish and Horned Frogs have only played once before, a 21-0 Notre Dame victory in 1972.

TCU can even wear their Jim Morrison snakeskin pants if they want to.

Oregon at Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

Capacity: 56,000

Series: 1-0-1 Notre Dame

It is no surprise that Notre Dame would like to increase its exposure on the West Coast and continue plucking talent from southern California in particular.

A match up against Oregon in the heart of USC territory could be prime-time television and a major eye-opener to any Notre Dame recruits in the area.

Also, Dodger Stadium would offer a large venue smack dab in the middle of the second largest market in the United States, and Oregon could even have Nike design uniforms specifically just for this game.

You know they would.

Penn State at Ralph Wilson Stadium

Orchard Park, New York

Capacity: 74,000

Series: 9-9-1 Tie

This is my personal selection of the group, given that “The Ralph” is only 15 minutes away from my home and is a nice location for both teams.

With the large amount of Notre Dame fans in the western New York area, and a decent Nittany Lion following as well, I have no doubt that this game would be an instant sell-out and much anticipated matchup.

This is one of my favorite matchups in college football, and it is a shame that these teams have only played twice since 1992.

The series tie must be broken!

Colorado at Coors Field

Denver, Colorado

Capacity: 50,445

Series: 3-2-0 Notre Dame

Here’s another matchup that brings back a lot of memories from when I was a child watching Rocket Ismail and Notre Dame under Lou Holtz.

Over a six-year stretch from 1989 to 1994, the Irish met Colorado in three major bowl games, and established a fairly heated rivalry for a short time.

Let us not speak of the clipping call in the 1990 Orange Bowl.

Nevertheless, Notre Dame has focused its recruiting eye on the state of Colorado. Re-igniting this matchup with the Buffaloes could be a positive thing for both programs.

Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium

Indianapolis, Indiana

Capacity: 63,000

Series: 5-1-0 Notre Dame

Wow, this one would be a biggie.

Out of all the proposed neutral field contests, this would probably be the most likely candidate to get Irish fans jumping for joy.

Could you imagine the hype for this game if Alabama was still a powerhouse, and Notre Dame has a resurgence under Brian Kelly?

“The Luke” would packed to the rafters, ESPN would have a field day with the coverage, and Peyton Manning might even take some time out from watching film to come enjoy two of the country’s greatest college programs battle each other.

Plus, I know that series lead bothers the heck out of some Tide fans, even if they won’t admit to it.

Let’s play this game, please.

Florida State at Georgia Dome

Atlanta, Georgia

Capacity: 71,000

Series: 4-2-0 Florida State

During the disappointing 1994 season, Notre Dame battled then No. 6 Florida State at a neutral field site in Orlando. The Seminoles came away with a 23-16 victory that day, and since then have taken two out of three against the Irish to take the series lead.

Well, I think we’d like to play again at another neutral field location.

Playing Florida State enhances the Florida recruiting trail, while playing inside the Georgia Dome could exploit the fertile grounds in that state as well.

An interesting fact is that in the six games between these schools, Florida State has been ranked No. 20 or higher in each of the contests.

Now that FSU is under new leadership, could we see this game added to a future Irish schedule?

Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium

Kansas City, Missouri

Capacity: 77,000

Series: 8-7-1 Nebraska

Here’s a neutral field matchup that I think is perfect for the future.

With Bo Pelini appearing to turn around the Huskers and Brian Kelly hopefully doing the same in South Bend, this would be a fantastic game.

What’s not to like about this proposed contest?

Two Midwestern teams playing in an old-school Midwestern stadium in a nice central location for both fan bases.

Sounds pretty good to me.

These two schools used to be arch-enemies, but there has only been three games played between them since 1973.

Let’s change that with one humdinger of a neutral field contest.

Oklahoma at LP Field

Nashville, Tennessee

Capacity: 69,000

Series: 8-1-0 Notre Dame

If one thing is certain, it is that Notre Dame always seems to play its best against the Sooners.

The series lead speaks for itself, but Notre Dame also broke Oklahoma’s NCAA-record winning streak in 1957 with a miraculous 7-0 victory in Norman, a year after being shellacked 40-0 in South Bend.

There are ongoing talks right now between these schools to schedule a home-and-home series, and if that is the case, why not throw this neutral site game just for the heck of it?

I think Brian Kelly was embarrassed when he brought his Cincinnati team down to Norman a couple years ago, and he would like another shot a them as soon as possible.

Florida at Bank of America Stadium

Charlotte, North Carolina

Capacity: 73,000

Series: 1-0-0 Notre Dame

It is almost unbelievable that Notre Dame and Florida have only played one time in over 100 years since they’ve both been college programs.

One game!

A neutral game matchup against Florida would pretty much be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—that is, of course, assuming the Gators play a road game outside of Florida.

I would have this game in North Carolina inside the Panthers home stadium, and it would be a nice location for both teams to draw fans to.

Virginia Tech at Camden Yards

Baltimore, Maryland

Capacity: 48,000

Series: N/A

Notre Dame will be playing an ACC team in Maryland at FedEx Field in 2011, but a first-time matchup against Virginia Tech would be even better.

This game would probably be played at FedEx Field if it were ever to go down, but Camden Yards could offer a more unique place to play football.

Football teams don’t usually play in baseball stadiums, and it will be interesting to see how the Notre Dame game goes at Yankee Stadium in 2010.

If it is a success logistics-wise, we may see more teams start using baseball parks across the country.

Texas at Cowboys Stadium

Arlington, Texas

Capacity: 80,000

Series: 8-2-0 Notre Dame

There probably wouldn’t be anything neutral about this game (either will the Miami tilt at Soldier Field for the Irish), but trying to beat the Longhorns on their own turf would be a huge boost for Notre Dame.

Assuming both schools could agree to this game, Jerry Jones would have to be smiling from ear to ear.

Notre Dame is scheduled to play Arizona State at Cowboys Stadium in 2013, so it could be a while until anything with Texas was wrinkled out, but count me as one of the people who would love the addition of Texas to the schedule.

Wisconsin at Target Field

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capacity: 40,000

Series: 8-6-0 Notre Dame

This would be one of the more intriguing matchups of this slide show, if only because Wisconsin has not played Notre Dame in decades.

Once upon a time, these schools were bitter rivals, and produced some of the roughest and greatest games in college history.

Minnesota also offers a nice location for the game that would probably have a strong Wisconsin crowd, but also a nice gathering of Irish fans.

The intimate and newly built Target Field could be the perfect stadium for a Badgers-Fighting Irish showdown.

Boise State at AT&T Park

San Francisco, California

Capacity: 42,000

Series: N/A

If Notre Dame has any interest in playing this game, I would sign the agreement immediately if I was Boise State.

Even if Boise State eventually joins a BCS conference, this would add a potential big-time matchup that the school has sometimes lacked in the past.

It is clear that Boise State has a very strong program, and they may even make it to the national championship game in 2010.

Right now their stock is high, and it would be a great idea for Notre Dame to schedule a game in northern California.