A Notre Dame Fan's Plea

Hello everyone.

OK, look. I know that Notre Dame is a topic on my blog once in a while. I get that you either love the Irish, or you are like everyone else and hate what the gold and blue stand for. But just listen here.

The first B.C.S. standings came out on Sunday and Notre Dame is number five after a controversial ending (depending on who you are) to the Stanford game in the rain, giving the Irish a 6-0 record.

I love hearing the debate of whether or not they're overrated, that they don't deserve to be there and everything else in-between. Many are still hanging on Rick Reilly and Mark May's words. Look at it from my perspective.

I am a recent college graduate. I am struggling like many previous grads, looking for that job that makes my four years of a higher education worth it. I can't find that job in an economy that neither President Obama nor Governor Romney can clearly fix, and I'm working part time trying to get as many hours as possible while holding out hope that the phone will ring for an interview for that first job in my field. Living at home is a drag as well. The next chapter of my life has not been off to the best start.

Now that my sob story is out of the way, when it comes to Notre Dame and the rest of the Irish fans, let us just enjoy this ride. This team has shown the most promise since the 2002 squad under Willingham. Unlike Charlie Weis' teams, they have a respectful defense that resembles an SEC style of Alabama. The offense is a toss up with Golson and Rees swapping in and out, so hopefully Golson can get over his first year miscues as they enter tougher games against Oklahoma and USC on the road.

The Irish have put me and other Notre Dame fans through a roller coaster of emotions since their last national championship in 1988. I was too young to remember the Boston College game in 1993, but as a third generation Notre Dame fan, I've heard the stories.

My dad, uncles, and grandfather. First and second generation Notre Dame fans. Picture from last season.

So let me enjoy the ride while it may last. It's the one thing I have going right now. Every year, I take a trip out to the final home game of the season with my father, uncles, cousins and my grandfather who is reaching 90 but still makes the trip, and makes the walk from Notre Dame Stadium to the Basilica for postgame mass in record time.

I've seen a lot of stinkers and games that have meant something, (bowl eligibility, a BCS game), but the Irish could be 10-0 going into their game against Wake Forest. The excitement on campus could be at an all-time high November 17. That is a lot better than the dead campus I visited in 2007 when Notre Dame was 1-9 going into their game against Duke.

Love them or hate them, Notre Dame makes college football better. They have made things a little better for me as of late.