Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/131896
Under the Dome forward it will be on whether it's eight (teams), 16, whatever the number is." — Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly on the inevitable expansion of the college football postseason "Opponents need to be scared of [senior nose guard Louis] Nix, period. With Nix, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and Trick Shot Monday master (and cornerback) Bennett Jackson returning, Notre Dame's defense shouldn't miss a beat despite the loss of Manti Te'o." — Andy Staples, Sports Illustrated "There are certain people in the world who are icons in their profession. Joe Doyle falls into that category of writers. … Joe was always fair. He wanted the home team to do well, but he was always fair with his story. He and Ara [Parseghian] were so close. Every time I dealt with him he was always upbeat and a great guy to be around." — Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz on deceased South Bend Tribune sports editor Joe Doyle Charting The Irish With 10 NCAA championships left to be decided, Notre Dame currently sits fifth in the race for the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. The trophy is given each year to the university that collects the most points by placing well across all of its varsity sports. The highest the Irish have finished in the award's 20-year history is sixth overall. Second-place finishes in football and fencing, along with a Directors' Cup third-place finish in women's basketball, have helped the Irish Standings stay in the top five this winter. Notre Dame is the only Big East As of May 21, 2013 school currently ranked among the top 20 athletic departments. Rk. School Points The Big Ten leads all conferences with first-place Michigan, three 1. Michigan 914.25 top-10 teams and 11 in the top 50. The Atlantic Coast Conference, 2. Stanford 902.75 Notre Dame's home starting next fall, is not far behind with seven 3. Penn State 857.00 teams in the top 50. 4. Florida 748.50 The Irish have a chance to jump Florida for fourth place with 5. Notre Dame 743.00 a strong showing from the men's lacrosse, softball or women's rowing teams in the next month. The Irish also have to fend off several schools with traditionally strong spring sports such as UCLA, Georgia and Florida State — all of which are currently ranked in the top 10. Directors' Cup Success By Conference Conference Top 50 Top 20 ACC 73 Big East5 1 Big Ten11 Big 125 2 Pac-129 SEC9 Others4 6 4 4