Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/131896
fan forum A Near Grand Slam I think many football fans would agree that the top five programs of all time based on many factors are Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, USC and Michigan. In 2012, Notre Dame defeated Michigan (13-6), Oklahoma (30‑13) and USC (22-13), and had a crack at getting a fourth scalp for a clean sweep. Has any team ever defeated three or more of these five teams in one season? Ronny P. Kaye Collinsville, Conn. Mr. Kaye, no other team played the other four in the same year, but USC also achieved a trifecta in 1978 when it shared the national title with Alabama. In 1978, USC defeated No. 1 Alabama (24‑14) in Birmingham on Sept. 23, No. 8 Notre Dame (27‑25) in the regular-season finale and No. 5 Michigan (17‑10) in the Rose Bowl. USC did not play 11‑1 Okla‑ homa that season. The Sooners finished The loss to Alabama prevented Notre Dame — which beat Michigan, Oklahoma and USC — from achieving a unique "grand slam" feat in college football. photo by bill panzica No. 3, behind Alabama and USC in the Associated Press poll, and USC and Ala‑ bama in the UPI. Hoke-y Comment Regarding Brady Hoke's quote about Notre Dame "chickening out" from playing Michigan, I'm sorry this great 40-year series will be over. It seems like he's bitter. If you look at Michigan's schedule this year the only challenge in its first seven games is Notre Dame. They play Connecticut, Central Michigan, Akron, Minnesota, From The WebSite Michigan head coach Brady Hoke drew the ire of Notre Dame followers this May when at a Wolverines function at Grand Rapids, Mich., he stated the Irish are "chickening out" of the Michigan series while still playing Michigan State. Reportedly, Notre Dame has a contract with MSU until 2032 with games four years on and two years off, including 2014 and 2015. It evoked dozens of reactions, but this one put it best in perspective. Mbryan06: I'm not a big fan of when coaches' comments at alumni club events (which are essentially pep rallies for the older generation). The coaches are up there to make fun of rivals, try to get laughs, and make the donors that paid for dinner and to see the coach feel like it was worth it and keep donating. Then once the comments become public the information director or coach will quickly backtrack on them (unless it's Steve Spurrier, who doesn't give a damn). Someone was going to cancel the series — either ND because of the ACC move or Michigan with nine Big Ten games a year. Better to be the one to cancel first, get the final home game [in 2014], and screw them over.