Heartbreaking Defeats: Notre Dame Losses That Stung the Most

Close calls and what might have been is a good way to put what Notre Dame has gone through since its last National Championship title in 1988. Sure there were close calls along the way—plenty of them. They could have played for a title a year later had they won in the Orange Bowl. Who can forget, a week after beating No. 1 FSU, the loss that occurred at home against Tom Coughlin and Boston College?

Notre Dame vaulted itself back onto the map (albeit a short time) in the college football ranks in 2000. An overtime loss against Nebraska then kept the Irish from chasing what could have been a national title game appearance. Sad, but actually true if you go back and look at that season.

Let's take a look back at heartbreaking Notre Dame losses over the past 20 years and see which ones really were the worst.

1989 vs. Miami

Many expected Notre Dame to repeat as National Champions in 1989 as they entered the season ranked second in the nation, behind only the Michigan Wolverines. After defeating UM in the "Big House," 24-19, the Irish soared up to No. 1 in the nation. What stood between them and another national title, though, were the Miami Hurricanes, the defending champs the Irish had to knock off in South Bend the year before.

Although this game did not come down to a last-second play, it showed the Irish they were not the best team in the nation that year. Miami cruised to a 27-10 win in the Orange Bowl and finished the year as National Champs. Although it was not as heartbreaking as other Irish losses, it was still a day that Irish fans can look back at and just wonder.

1991 Orange Bowl vs. Colorado

This season woefully provided two offerings on this list for the Irish, this one coming on the first day of the year in the Orange Bowl against Colorado. Although Notre Dame entered the game incapable of winning a national championship themselves in all likelihood, they still had the opportunity to defeat the Buffs and keep them from being the champs.

Well, long story short, the Irish were held in check by the Colorado defense throughout. Trailing late in the game, 10-9, there was no way Colorado would kick to the Rocket...right? This pains me to post, but why not? It's still a hell of a run back, clipping call or no.

1991 vs. Tennessee

In 1991, the Irish seemed primed for another title run before the Tennessee Volunteers came to South Bend and started off the game down by a 14-0 score before most fans in the stands even blinked. The Irish continued to pile on, gaining a 31-7 advantage at one point in the matchup. However, the Vols came storming back and defeated the Irish, 35-34, as Reggie Ho missed a last-second field goal that would have won the Irish the game.

The Irish needed to have other things work out which did not in order to gain a trip to the title game in 1991, but this loss still pains Irish fans to think about to this day. The loss sent the Irish in a downward spiral that set up the dramatic Sugar/Cheerios Bowl game against Florida.

1993 vs. Boston College

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?