When Will Notre Dame Love Me Back?

Earlier today I was watching a movie entitled Fever Pitch. The movie was about a guy who was very passionate about the Boston Red Sox. It took place during the season in which the Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918.

The main plot was his conflict about how to continually follow his Red Sox and maintain a relationship with a girlfriend, played by Drew Barrymore. This fan, played by Jimmy Fallon, had never missed a game no matter what. There was one point when he was debating whether or not to go to a party with his girlfriend or go to the ball game.

He was season ticket holder for decades and never gave up on his team. At the same time he really liked this girl. A young boy asked him, "You love the Red Sox. Have they ever loved you back?"

I totally related to that character at that point. I do watch other college football games besides Notre Dame. However, my theory has always been that if Notre Dame is on, nothing else matters.

It doesn't matter if Notre Dame is playing Army and I have the option of watching Texas-Oklahoma or Florida-Florida State. I will watch Notre Dame and everything else is what I watch when Notre Dame is not playing.

I never miss Notre Dame. Even when they were 3-9, they were the team I watched above all else. Even after the Syracuse loss, I didn't even think of missing the next game.

The last three years have definitely been a test of faith for Notre Dame fans. The last three weeks make it very hard to keep the faith.

I really wasn't down after the 3-9 year. I knew that the team would face a major makeover when Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardijza and company left. I knew the team would struggle with all the young players but hoped for growth. That year actually did end on a positive note with back to back wins to end the year.

Then last year, Irish fans experienced inconsistency throughout the season. They got off to a 4-1 start and hope began to be restored until reality sit in with the Syracuse game and then getting trounced by USC. Then they ended the year with a bang in Hawaii. They ended the year 7-6. More importantly, hopes for 2009 were high.

2009 started off with a bang against Nevada. Then another 4-1 start followed. Of course, this was a different 4-1 record. Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, and Armando Allen are now upperclassmen and certainly they wouldn't fall the way the 2008 team did.

All these weeks later, we sit at 6-5. It will take an unbelievable performance to beat Stanford. Another 6-6 record is staring us in the face. Then what? Does Notre Dame accept a bid to play in the International or Motor City Bowl? Do they annhilate another Mid-Major?

It seems to me that the season is shaping up to be exactly the same season as last year. The difference is that this year a victory in a small bowl game won't be a sign of hope for a struggling program. It will feel like the epic failure that it is.

Based on all those factors, I am feeling alot like Jimmy Fallon. When will Notre Dame love me back? I know I will end up watching the Stanford game, but for the first time I don't feel like watching Notre Dame. I know the likely reality.

What is a good reason to watch the Stanford game?

When will Notre Dame love me back?

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