Irish as Underdog at Home
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 7, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - I started a thread on the message board about Notre Dame being the underdog at home recently and only thought of the last time, in 1998 against Michigan, but with some help from some of the posters a list of other times was formed and it looks favorable for Notre Dame.  We all know Notre Dame is historically good as the underdog and the Irish have another chance to show it this weekend as a 13.5 point underdog.

IN 1998 Michigan came to South Bend ranked in top 5 in both polls and they were a five point favorite.  Notre Dame had a new starting quarterback, Jarious Jackson, and were coming off a bad season (7-6) and Bob Davie was under fire even though it was only his second year.  The Irish responded by whopping the Wolverines 36-20.  Michigan supposedly was too powerful for Notre Dame, but the Irish won in convincing fashion.

In 1995, Notre Dame was four point underdog to USC.   USC supposedly had too much fire power for the Notre Dame defense, but again Notre Dame responded with a 38-10 blowout over the favorite Trojans.  In both cases the ESPN Gameday was also on hand for the game.  ESPN will be broadcasting from South Bend this Saturday.

While these games were in the past the situations were the same.  Highly ranked teams came into Notre Dame Stadium as favorites and left with their tail between their legs.  Nebraska fans will tell you that it doesn't matter because Nebraska is a lot better than those teams, but it does matter.  It shows that Notre Dame defends its home turf (well grass) and does not go down without a fight.

If I was a betting man, I would be betting heavily on a 13.5 point underdog Notre Dame at home.  Notre Dame is a lot better than people want to think.  People like seeing Notre Dame in mediocrity, and worse, and don't want to admit that this team is for real.  Outside of a weak secondary, every position on this team has talent and depth.  The front seven might not have gotten a lot of pressure on Matt Farris last week, but the talent is there and just needs to be unleashed.

Helping Notre Dame should be Darrell Campbell and Cedric Hilliard, two red shirt freshman.  Both came in as heralded recruits and Campbell was ordained a starter in the spring.  Out of now where however Andy Wisne took over his spot for the A&M game.  Wisne did not play well so look for Campbell to be out of the field this week.  Look for Hilliard to be out there too.  Notre Dame will need to keep fresh bodies on the field and will need to use everyone.

A couple other names to look for are Pat Ryan and Courtney Watson.  These two sophomore linebackers made a very positive impression on me last week.  They were flying to the ball and when they were in the game made tackles.  Watson looked very fast.  Once Watson gets more accustomed to linebacker (he moved the linebacker this summer after playing defensive back after originally being recruited as a running back) he will become a great player.

Notre Dame is tough at home, let alone when they are the underdog.  The last time Notre Dame lost at home as an underdog was '96 when Ohio State beat them.  Many of you will remember that that was the game that Autry Denson had a touchdown called back for holding on a punt late in the game - Notre Dame never recovered and lost. 

This weekend though no one in the national media is really giving the Irish a chance.  The Sporting News' print magazine says that Nebraska will "steamroll."  Sports Illustrated also says the Irish have no chance.  Historically, Notre Dame comes up big when its back is against the wall.   This game is the perfect opportunity for Notre Dame to put its name back into the mix of college football's elite and being a 13.5 point underdog on their home field is just more fuel for the Irish to use in their upset bid!

Lastly, one has to wonder what the spread would be should this game be played in Lincoln?  If the Irish are 13.5 point underdogs at home I would imagine the spread would be at least 20 if the game were in Lincoln.  Either way however, it shows that Notre Dame is not getting much respect - its time to get some back!