Three Symbolic Events For Notre Dame

Spring football is over and the feeling in South Bend seems to be much more optimistic heading into the fall than it has been the past couple of seasons. The Irish should return to prominence in 2009. Notre Dame fans are once again excited about football.

Looking at next year's schedule, there isn't a team on it that is better than Notre Dame on paper. Yes, that includes USC. So what has caused this sudden optimism for the Fighting Irish?

I look back over the past few months that led to the solid spring. I see three events that start to shift the balance of power back to South Bend.

Hawaii Bowl

Many questions immediately came up after this game about what it really means for the Irish. Sure it wasn't a big money bowl game and it was a Hawaii team that was rebuilding.

However, I see it as reason for Irish fans to be hopeful. It was a victory in a bowl game period. Irish fans waited a long time for that. It was a sign of what Notre Dame can be when the players are more seasoned. Hawaii was a better team than given credit for. They started the year slow but were pretty solid down the stretch. They damn near beat Cincinnati at the end of the regular season. Cincinnati was a BCS team. Notre Dame traveled into their house and just destroyed them.

Mark Sanchez's Decision

The next event was when Mark Sanchez decided to bail out on USC and enter the NFL draft. Let's face it. In order for Notre Dame to have a memorable season, beating USC is of utmost importance.

At the very least, a memorable game with them is required. USC is graduating most of that dominating defense. As much as it pains me to say, that was one of the best college defenses I have ever seen. With most of it gone, Sanchez was expected to be the unheralded face of the team and it's leader.

With him gone too and next year's game in South Bend, this is the Irish's chance to finally break through and bring the balance of power in that rivalry back to South Bend where it belongs.

Manti Te'o chooses Notre Dame over USC

This signing was one that was a huge symbolic victory for the Irish. A Mormon at Notre Dame is symbolic in itself. However, the fact that Notre Dame got him away from USC is historic. USC is known to get Pacific Islanders and it is easy to see why.

These kids are used to the hot tropical climate. Los Angeles is warm and closer to the various island chains. Notre Dame went in and stole one from them. The Irish also signed a high school teammate of Te'o's. So they actually stole two. Te'o is expected to make an immediate impact. It will definitely be fun and interesting seeing islanders in South Bend.

These three events as well as the strong spring really give Irish fans reason to be optimistic. The bottom line is rebuilding is over. Weis has the team assembled. It is time to get it done.