The Rachner's Travel Channel Video...

Rich and Rick Rachner -- you won't find more passionate Notre Dame football fans than these two...

You'll enjoy their video that they submitted to the Travel Channel for their contest:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME SUPER FANS!

Tim Brando and Dan Hawkins Talk Notre Dame

Folks, Tim Brando has been down on the IRISH all season -- and his view on Notre Dame's chances against Alabama should come as no surprise.  On his radio show today he talked with former Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins about the game.

LINK:  TIM BRANDO

Notre Dame Gameday iPhone App

Every iPhone should have one of these...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GAMEDAY IPHONE APP

Notre Dame to Host NFL "Boot Camp" in April

Two former Notre Dame football stars; Jeff Faine and Brady Quinn have teamed up to develop the NFL Business Management Program which will be held on the campus of the University of Notre Dame April 18 - 21.

Click on the link below to learn more:

LINK:  NFL BOOT CAMP AT NOTRE DAME

Undefeated -- A Look @ Notre Dame's Season

Here is a video produced by a Notre Dame fan that was posted on YouTube of the entire season -- real good stuff here!

LINK:  THE PERFECT SEASON

Be the FIRST TO SEE -- Notre Dame's TV Spot

The BCS National Championship game will be the LARGEST TV AUDIENCE in the history of cable television -- and to celebrate, Notre Dame has created a special 30 second TV SPOT just for this game!

If you'd like to be one of the first to see Notre Dame's TV spot -- click on the link below and sign-up!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S BCS TV SPOT

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL UPDATE...

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of Notre Dame football's activities leading up to the January 7th BCS National Championship game.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

Matt Swinton's Notre Dame Story -- MUST SEE

I met this young man this past April -- just weeks before his graduation from the University of Notre Dame.  Matt Swinton '12,  is someone you'll never forget -- and his story is a NOTRE DAME STORY for the ages.

This story is what Notre Dame is all about...

LINK:  MATT SWINTON'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

ND Football Takes 100 Kids Shopping Monday

The University of Notre Dame Football Team and the Kelly Cares Foundation -- "gave back" on Monday night taking 100 South Bend elementary students on a shopping spree at a local Meijer's and dinner after... 

Very nice story!

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL -- GIVING BACK

Kelly's FIFTH COACH OF THE YEAR Honor

Brian Kelly was just named the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year -- his FIFTH of the off-season between the undefeated season and the BCS National Championship game!

Notre Dame fans are going to LOVE this video of Coach Kelly with Lou Holtz and Ara Parseghian -- click on the link!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME COACHES ON VIDEO

Know Thy Opponent: Saban Meets With Media

Alabama's Crimson Tide returned to practice today for their January 7th meeting with our Fighting Irish. 

After practice, Nick Saban met with the media -- here's a link to the session:

LINK:  COACH SABAN WITH MEDIA

The Rise of ND Football Via ESPN's PTI...

The folks at ESPN's Pardon The Interruption produced a THREE-PART SERIES showing all of their discussion on Notre Dame football since Bob Davie's departure in 2001...

Tune in here to the TWELVE YEAR HISTORY of Notre Dame Football through the lens of ESPN's PTI:

LINK:  ND FOOTBALL HISTORY

Notre Dame Fans -- A MUST WATCH VIDEO!

I'm going to watch this a FEW TIMES between now and January 7th...  Boy, do we have some talented fans of the FIGHTING IRISH!

IF THIS DOESN'T FIRE YOU UP -- NOTHING WILL!!!

GO IRISH!

LINK:  MUST SEE VIDEO -- ND FANS!

Zach Martin and Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix...

Are coming back to wear the GOLD HELMET next season!  Just like this year when Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert bypassed a NFL paycheck to come back to Notre Dame -- the same can be said for Martin and Nix.  This is huge news!

(Photo above of Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame shaking hands with Zach Martin in Dublin, Ireland)

See their interviews!

LINK:  MARTIN AND NIX -- HERE COME THE IRISH!

"Being the Best Football Team on January 7th"

This was Coach Brian Kelly's main message to the media today as he discussed Notre Dame's preparation for the BCS National Championship game. 

To catch the media session in its entirety -- click on the video below!

LINK:  MEDIA SESSION -- BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

BCS Press Conference LIVE @ 11:30 AM ET

The BCS National Championship Press Conference airs TODAY at 11:30 AM ET -- you can watch it LIVE at the link below. 

LINK:  BCS PRESS CONFERENCE

Notre Dame's UNDEFEATED Season on DVD!

You're going to want to click on the image above -- every Notre Dame fan needs this in their collection!

Palm Beach Post Story: "America's Team?"

The Palm Beach Post penned a story this week about Notre Dame and its grip on American sport.  Thought IRISH fans would enjoy this read:

LINK:  AMERICA'S TEAM

How Notre Dame Graduates Student-Athletes

There is a different standard for student-athletes at the University of Notre Dame.  You'll want to watch this -- and so should some athletic departments around the country...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GRADUATES

ESPN's Rece Davis Talks Notre Dame...

Now, we need to do something about Coach Kelly's choice of tie and suit for photos like these!

The South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen caught up with Alabama alum and ESPN personality Rece Davis to talk about the BCS National Championship...

LINK:  DAVIS ON THE IRISH

Notre Dame Alum to Host Fighting Irish for BCS

The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, FL -- the home base for the Fighting Irish during the BCS National Championship -- is Jack Seiler, Notre Dame Class of 1985.  Seiler was recently interviewed by ESPN...

(Photo above of Jack in Orange Bowl jacket shaking Brian Kelly's hand when they invited Cincinnati to play in their game.  ND fans will recall, Kelly took the ND job a few weeks later)

LINK:  JACK SEILER INTERVIEW -- PART ONE

Brady Quinn Subject of Rick Reilly Story...

Former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn was interviewed recently by Rick Reilly in a story about the "murder/suicide" of his Kansas City Chief teammate Jovan Belcher. 

Brady Quinn is all class.

LINK:  WHEN HELP IS THE HARDEST WORD...

Fourth "Brother Duo" in NBA History...

I'm watching former Notre Dame basketball star Ben Hansbrough play in the NBA against the Detroit Pistons -- and his teammate is big brother Tyler...

The Hansbrough brothers are only the fourth brother duo to play on the same team in NBA history.  Pretty special for them!

Ben played in Europe last year and literally "walked-on" to the Indiana Pacers this season -- playing his way on to their roster and into the rotation.  Congratulations Ben!

LINK:  TYLER DEFENDS LITTLE BROTHER BEN

OT: Doyle's Supper Club Making a Comeback!

Now, it has a new name -- BLUE LAKE TAVERN -- but, it will always be DOYLE'S SUPPER CLUB to our family and friends..

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Mike Doyle (who's my cousin) sent me a video (linked below) of the work that's being done to Grandpa Ray's old business.  He built Doyle's Supper Club on a vista above the "North Shore" of beautiful Blue Lake in Mecosta County (MI) back in 1939 -- and sold it in 1973...

Many fond memories of this place.

The bar has had a few starts and stops since then -- by a number of owners -- but it looks like this new owner is making a significant investment into the Blue Lake Tavern.  Here's hoping he has a great run!

LINK:  BLUE LAKE TAVERN

Notre Dame Hoops vs. Purdue Today: ESPN 2

Mike Brey's #22 ranked Fighting Irish take on Purdue this afternoon at 4:30 PM ET in Indianapolis at the Crossroads Classic.  The game will be televised on ESPN 2!

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE STORY

Our Man REGIS Defends His Alma Mater !!!

University of Notre Dame alum Regis Philbin '53, was on with Skip Bayless and Steven A. Smith on ESPN's First Take yesterday -- to defend his Fightin' Irish!

LINK:  REGIS WITH SKIP AND STEVEN A.

Blake Dudley -- Let's Get Him to Miami!

Folks, I just ran across this story about Blake Dudley a 14 year-old young man from Dowagiac, MI who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and LOVES THE FIGHTING IRISH.

You're going to want to know his story.

LINK:  BLAKE DUDLEY

LINK:  MAKE A GIFT TO GET BLAKE TO MIAMI!

33rd Unanimous All-American in ND History!

Manti Te'o just became the thirty-third football player in the 125 year history of Notre Dame football to be named a unanimous All-American.  Here's a link to the story!

LINK:  IT'S UNANIMOUS!

Domer Skip Holtz Takes Louisiana Tech Job

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and assistant football coach -- Skip Holtz '87 -- has apparently accepted the head coaching position at Louisiana Tech University.   Holtz was recently fired after leading the University of South Florida Bulls to a 3 - 9 season.

Skip has a 88 - 71 record in his thirteen year career as a  head football coach at UCONN, East Carolina and USF.  We wish Skip well!

LINK:  ESPN STORY

Bob Diaco's Broyles Award Acceptance Speech

Notre Dame's defensive coordinator Bob Diaco -- was recently named the Top Assistant Coach in college football, receiving the BROYLES AWARD for that honor. 

Notre Dame fans will enjoy his acceptance speech -- linked below:

LINK:  COACH DIACO

LINK:  NBC SPORTS STORY

A Fourth "Coach of the Year" Award for Kelly!

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly is well on his way to matching Manti Te'o and his award haul these few weeks leading up to the BCS National Championship game.

Today it was announced that the Football Writers Association of America has named Brian Kelly the winner of the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award!  He is the fourth Notre Dame football coach to receive this honor: Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and Charlie Weis...

This is the fourth Coach of the Year honor bestowed on Coach Kelly:

• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award
• Home Depot Coach of the Year
• Walter Camp Foundation Coach of the Year
• Sporting News Coach of the Year

LINK:  COACH OF THE YEAR

ND Fans Headed to Miami -- Check This Out

The folks at the Travel Channel asked that I share this with the ND GO IRISH BLOG followers...

They are creating a new televisions series on Super Fans -- and they're seeking to cast a NOTRE DAME SUPER FAN who's headed to the BCS National Championship game in Miami. 

If you're going and are interested in trying out for the cast for this new TV series -- just send them an email at:  travelsuperfancasting@gmail.com.

The casting call ends on December 21st...

The winner will receive -- a "tailgate experience of a life-time."

ND's Resurgence: Coincidence or Destiny?

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Tom Hohmeier sent this to me -- YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP!  This ran on Notre Dame Magazine's site -- authored by Ted Mandel '86.

This leaves the whole Lincoln – Kennedy coincidence thing in the dust

Did you know?...

• In 1987, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.
• In 2011, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.

• In 1987, ND finished the season with 8 wins.
• In 2011, ND finished the season with 8 wins.

• In 1987, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.
• In 2011, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.

• In 1987, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Tim Brown, to graduation.
• In 2011, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Michael Floyd, to graduation.  

• In 1988, the ND QB was Tony Rice, who was from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 89 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Michael Stonebreaker intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

• In 2012, the ND QB is Everett Golson, who is from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 78 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Manti Te'o intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

• In 1988, Lou Holtz suspended his starting running back for the last game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.

• In 2012, Brian Kelly suspended his starting running back for the first game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.

• In 1988, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent (USC) by 17 points (27-10).
• In 2012, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent ( Oklahoma ) by 17 points (30-13).

• Only two coaches in the history of Notre Dame have recorded 12-0 records — Lou Holtz in 1988 and Brian Kelly in 2012.

• In 1988, Lou Holtz was in his third season.
• In 2012, Brian Kelly is in his third season.

• In 1988, Lou Holtz won his second Coach of the Year award.
• In 2012, Brian Kelly won his second Coach of the Year award.

• Notre Dame won the 1988 National Championship game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona .
• Notre Dame will play the 2012 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida .

• There are exactly 5 letters in the city names and 7 letters in the state names of those two locations.

• In 1988, Miami was the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.
• In 2012, Alabama is the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.

• Miami was 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.
• Alabama is 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.

• In 1988, Jimmy Johnson’s winning percentage at Miami was .843 (43-8) before playing Notre Dame. After losing to Notre Dame, it was .827.
• In 2012, Nick Saban’s winning percentage at Alabama is .837 (67-13) before playing Notre Dame. If Notre Dame wins, his winning percentage will be .827.

• Brian Kelly and Lou Holtz were born 24 years apart.
• Their first seasons at Notre Dame were exactly 24 years apart.

• It's been exactly 24 years since Notre Dame won their last National Championship.

Just saying….

LINK:  NOTRE DAME MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Notre Dame's Ticket Demand Dwarfs Bama's

Notre Dame had more than 100,000 requests for its 17,000 ticket allotment to the BCS National Championship game -- as compared to Alabama's 42,000 requests for its 17,000.

What's interesting is this -- the 42,000 ticket requests is 25,000 more than Bama realized when they played Texas in the 2010 BCS National Championship game -- their first title game in seventeen years.

The power of Notre Dame...

Here's the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FANS DOMINATE

Ticket Lottery Winners Announced Today...

And, I wasn't one of them...

I'll be rooting on the IRISH from South Bend!

If you haven't given up hope of going -- you might want to consider a "second mortgage."

This Monday, the average ticket price for the BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP on StubHub was $1,912 -- which makes it possibly the most expensive college football ticket of all-time.

LINK:  TICKET PRICES SKYROCKETING!

One Last Time "Under the Lights" in Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan announced today that their game next fall against #1 ranked Notre Dame will be played at night.  It appears this will be the last game Notre Dame plays at Michigan for awhile...

LINK:  MICHIGAN TO HOST IRISH AT NIGHT

ESPN's Tide Nation Talks Notre Dame...

ESPN's Alabama football blog -- TIDE NATION -- published their analysis of our Fighting Irish.  You'll enjoy the read.

LINK:  TIDE NATION ON THE IRISH

ND BCS Bowl Ticket Lottery Results Available

The results of the most anticipated FOOTBALL TICKET LOTTERY in the 125 year history of Notre Dame Football are in...

Here's the link to the website to find out if you're a winner of two tickets to Notre Dame's BCS National Championship game with Alabama:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BCS BOWL TICKET LOTTERY WINNERS

LA TImes: Notre Dame's "Fifth" Horseman...

A Notre Dame alum Bill Dwyre '66, the long-time sports editor of the Los Angeles Times, still writes a column for the paper...

His subject this week -- Manti Te'o and his 8,500 mile journey this past week around the country picking up awards.  (That's Manti in the photo above with former Notre Dame alum Condoleezza Rice and NFL great Ronnie Lott receiving the LOTT IMPACT Trophy)

Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S FIFTH HORSEMAN

Photo of the Day -- Cubs Marketing Tickets...

I'm sure former Notre Dame All-American football player Jeff Samardzija never thought he'd be posing for a photograph with a "BOW" on his Cubs' baseball hat when he was an Irish student-athlete. 

Jeff's the star of a recent Chicago Cubs ticket marketing campaign.  ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Mike Roe was kind enough to send me this photo.

Only Notre Dame -- A Wonderful Story...

If you've spent any time on campus over the past four years you've undoubtedly run into Alvin Hu, a senior majoring in Computer Sciences and Engineering.

Alvin is one of the subjects of a story about the residence life for Notre Dame football players and students -- written by Yahoo Sports Pat Forde.  You'll enjoy this story!  (Photo - that's Alvin in the middle)

ND GO IRISH BLOG regular and Rector of St. Edward's Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame -- Fr. Ralph Haag, C.S.C., was kind enough to alert me to this great story.

LINK:  LIVING AT NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame vs. Alabama -- Schedule Strength

This will be the first of a number of comparisons of the two teams slated to meet on January 7th, outside of Miami, for the BCS National Championship.  Today we'll look at the teams they played this season...

NOTRE DAME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

• OPPONENTS' WON/LOSS RECORD:  82 - 62
• HOW MANY BOWL ELIGIBLE TEAMS:  10
• BEAT HOW MANY RANKED OPPONENTS AT THE TIME THEY PLAYED:  4
• RECORD AGAINST RANKED TEAMS:  4 - 0

ALABAMA REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

• OPPONENTS' WON/LOSS RECORD:  57 - 63
• HOW MANY BOWL ELIGIBLE TEAMS:  5
• BEAT HOW MANY RANKED OPPONENTS AT THE TIME THEY PLAYED:  4
• RECORD AGAINST RANKED TEAMS:  3 - 1

Tuitt and Te'o Named ESPN All-Americans!

Notre Dame sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt and senior linebacker Manti Te'o were named to ESPN's All-American team today.  Here's a link to the team:

LINK:  TWO DOMER'S ON FIRST TEAM

ESPN: Why Notre Dame Beats Bama!

The folks at "Numbers Never Lie..." looked at Notre Dame's goal line defense -- the best in the nation -- and used ND's "numbers" this season to show how the IRISH beat the Tide...

LINK:  THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE!

Alabama's Fan Shirt for BCS Game with IRISH

Notre Dame fans should expect to see this t-shirt roaming the beaches and streets of South Florida a few weeks from now...

ND's BCS National Championship Game Jersey

Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager Ryan Grooms "tweeted" (@NDFBEquipment) this photo today of the jersey Manti Te'o will be wearing in the BCS National Championship game!

A Record Seventh National Award -- Manti Te'o

He has no equal in the history of college football...

No single student-athlete has won as many national awards after a season.  Last night, Notre Dame's Manti Te'o was in Newport Beach, CA accepting the LOTT IMPACT TROPHY -- his seventh national award!

Here's a link to the story and a link to the LOTT IMPACT TROPHY site:

LINK:  TE'O WINS ANOTHER! -- ESPN

LINK:  LOTT IMPACT TROPHY

Ad Age Story: Notre Dame the Brand

The folks at Advertising Age wrote a story last week about the "serendipitous timing" of the resurgence of Notre Dame Football...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- THE BRAND

Notre Dame Glee Club's Christmas Concert!

The Notre Dame Glee Club put on their annual Christmas Concert last night at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.  Here's a link to the performance!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME GLEE CLUB

Harrison Smith's 2nd Career NFL "Pick Six"

Former Notre Dame All-American Harrison Smith just returned an interception 56 yards for at TD in the Vikings game against the Chicago Bears.  This was Harrion's third career NFL interception and the SECOND HE'S TAKEN TO THE HOUSE for a TOUCHDOWN!!

To top it off -- it ended up being the GAME WINNING SCORE, as the Vikings beat the Bears 21 - 14.

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH'S PICK SIX