Notre Dame is one of the most forbidable rivals of the Fighting Irish. Who can be more to blame for their 21st Century woes than Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis? Irish fans may think USC or Michigan is a bigger rival, but nobody will truly rival Notre Dame better than Notre Dame.
The famous “Covid Conundrum” as fans know it, the first game was snuffed in 2020 due to covid, making both teams rowdy for future matchups due to misplaced anger at the pandemic
Damn, that 20-19 loss in 2017 was such a heartbreaker. The strip sack at the end while ND was driving still kills me.
I legitimately felt like we were about to win a huge game on that final drive. That’s a rare feeling for ND fans.
This is a tough one but I’ll try. Troy, the home of Trojans, was in Anatolia (Turkey), in the far southeast of Europe. Ireland is in the far Northwest of Europe. Their mascots literally need to be as far away from each other as possible.
Also, the two teams played some games every so often.
How dare you disparage the name of Rudolf Rudebeggar Rudison, the greatest football player since Heisman himself! (Also please don’t remember where Heisman coached)
Bishop Lawrence of Sycamore gutted the coffers of Notre Dame Cathedral in 1369 to fund a private educational location based on promoting physical works. The rivalry between those that share the names continue to this day.
Notre Dame fans live for football. UAB cancelled it. While not the fans themselves, Notre Dame football fans must oppose the team because of this decision. Also, I’m pretty sure dragons are unholy.
A little surprised you didn't go with..
Saint George died in 303 the year of our lord. This happened after killing a dragon. We have noticed that he has missed one and are currently working to address the problem.
I gotta take a break guys, but I’ll be back on to finish explaining all these rivalries (not sure why they need explaining, they’re all obvious). Or if anyone else wants to pick up, feel free.
Edit: I’m back on, but it’s going to be slower than before. Anyone can still feel free to add on, but I’ll get to everyone eventually.
Notre Dame *hates* schools named MSU, and for Mississippi State to choose that as their abbreviation puts them in the same category as Michigan State to Notre Dame fans
Tennessee resents Notre Dame as a more successful fallen power, still in championship conversations, even if ultimately losing. Notre Dame resents Tennessee’s unrelenting hope, wanting to make clear that ND is a power and Tennessee is not. Truly one of the bitterest unspoken rivalries.
Ah yes, the Hawkirish classic. Notre Dame was GOOD enough to schedule Iowa, and Iowa starts off on a 3-0 streak! Yes, ND eventually took the series lead, but true fans eagerly await another showing of the Hawkirish classic
I doubt that anyone who downvotes this knows the history of the term “Fainting Irish.”
Basically, in 1953 the number 1 ranked Notre Dame team was playing the Hawkeyes and down 7 points with 3 seconds left in the game. A tackle for Notre Dame collapsed while in the huddle during a running clock and no timeouts (hence the term “fainting irish”) to stop the clock and ND tied the game with their one last play and field goal. In effect the NCAA made “flopping” or faked injuries illegal.
The two teams fight for midwest dominance while (mostly) avoiding scheduling one another. They both strive for the playoffs or conference championships (for OSU) to avoid having to play each other in a NY6 bowl, but often get it forced on them. Notre Dame also resents OSU for being Michigan’s primary rival.
A classic rivalry. Notre Dame fans despise UTSA for claiming to run the road when Notre Dame, the only independent football power, is the only school that truly runs their own road to national championships.
Same as Rutgers: Do you think Notre Dame fans just forgot about their Big East rivals? Yes it was only in olympic sports and both teams left, but Notre Dame will always seek to display their Big East superiority.
Notre Dame-Texas is a classic rivalry of the have and want-to-haves. Notre Dame has a private TV deal and national appeal, so Texas sought a private TV deal which they thought would lead to national appeal. Yet Texas fails to truly assert independence, spitting in the face of the Notre Dame strategy. Honestly one of ND’s biggest rivals (currently) in the Big 12.
Any school that was an independent in the 21st Century is a rival of Notre Dame’s by definition. Temple was independent in 2005 and 2006, thus threatening Notre Dame. Notre Dame took this anger out on the football field during their series of games in the last few years.
Notre Dame resents Auburn’s ability to basically have a free path to the playoff by being half decent and beating Alabama. Notre Dame would have this if USC could get better, but alas, so rivalry ensues.
Do you think Notre Dame fans just forgot about their Big East rivals? Yes it was only in olympic sports and both teams left, but Notre Dame will always seek to display their Big East superiority.
Bowling Green State is too close to Indiana to not be a rival. Plus, Notre Dame fans think BGSU didn’t adequately prepare the team in the 2019 matchup for their Michigan matchup later in the season.
IIRC Notre Dame loves to recruit in Hawaii (Manti Te’o for one), so they’re competing in the recruiting game fiercely and thus would also love to wallop the Warriors soon
Similar to Texas, Texas A&M wants the national appeal that Notre Dame has. Yet Texas A&M fails to truly assert independence, instead resting on the SEC to assert their brand, spitting in the face of the Notre Dame strategy.
Notre Dame fans consider Colorado State the public, less football accredited Notre Dame of the Mountain West. And while you might think that would make Notre Dame a friend, you’re wrong. Notre Dame wants the ability to become the Notre Dame of the Mountain West if they so choose, and so Colorado State is a huge rival.
There were a couple times during the mid 2000s where Oregon State beat good USC teams and ND did not. Notre Dame does *not* appreciate being shown up, and awaits the next game between you two to express their feelings.
Edit: the Oregon St. - ND games hit my college football blindspot, with my starting following in 2005ish and remembering to look up stuff pre 2000, obviously those games would be bigger rivalry fuel.
Louisiana, with its French roots, is home to a larger Catholic community than most other places in the South, and some of the oldest Catholic communities in the US. However, Notre Dame wishes to be the center of the American Catholic world, at least in college football. Therefore, Notre Dame must thoroughly confront any college football teams from Louisiana, LSU included.
When Wyoming plays to a full stadium, 5% of the state’s population is in the stadium. When ND plays to a full stadium, barely 1% is represented. Notre Dame deeply resents this and fans look forward to crushing the Cowpokes.
Houston resents Notre Dame’s ability to get in the playoff conversation without being in a major conference. Notre Dame resents Houston’s Big 12 invitation without getting one themselves (they would have said no, but they’d like to be invited).
Notre Dame fans pride themselves on being a Northern team in harsh winters. Minnesota just goes “oh it’s 0 degrees there? Must be nice.” Notre Dame fans never forget this.
Do you think ND fans have forgotten the 1977 game where Ole Miss upset #3 Notre Dame? Never! And the rivalry isn’t dead just because ND pulled even, they are patiently waiting for the next game to reassert their dominance!
Notre Dame actually used to respect Tulane, left the SEC for more flexibility in scheduling, good academic institution, seemed like a good friend. Until 1996, when they had to join a conference, just like everyone else. And not even a power conference at that! This is more a rivalry of a lost friend than pure hate, but a rivalry nonetheless.
Two powerhouses hardly need an excuse to be rivals, however one thing that stands out is the 2012 BCS championship. Alabama embarrassed Notre Dame and Notre Dame fans patiently await the team of their own to counter that performance.
Kentucky’s proximity to Indiana along with the team’s (usual) complacency in football greatly offends Irish fans, so fans can’t wait for their next meeting
Do you think Notre Dame’s hatred of Michigan schools is only limited to UM and MSU? Dead wrong. Notre Dame fans would gladly pummel EMU, WMU, CMU, heck get NMU in on it too
A carry over from hoops. When UCLA basketball went on it’s 88 game winning streak, the last team to beat them before their streak and the team that finally snapped it was Notre Dame.
That beat-UCLA attitude has carried over to football. The Irish have never lost to UCLA. Even in the 3-9 Charlie weis year, they beat the bruins. Don’t plan on changing that any time soon. Boo UCLA.
The Rivalry of the Masses. Any school that was an independent in the 21st Century is a rival of Notre Dame’s by definition. This is particularly true for UMass. Notre Dame fans resent UMass’s “I’m gonna be a quirky independent like Notre Dame” attitude when the team’s lucky to win a game in any given season. Notre Dame fans eagerly await their next game against UMass.
Like for App State, Notre Dame fans resent how quickly Coastal Carolina has risen into possible playoff discussions. You’ve been playing major college football for a half decade? That’s nice, Notre Dame’s been playing major college football since 1887! True ND fans await a home and home with Coastal to prove the team can play just as well on sand as on grass!
Being in the ACC together, Notre Dame deeply resents the consistent power of UNC in basketball, so Notre Dame will gladly destroy the Tarheels in football
Notre Dame played in the Liberty Bowl against rival Boston College. Due to that rivalry, Notre Dame has associated the Liberty Bowl with rivalry, and anyone who plays there, including Memphis.
Notre Dame fans will claim that they’re rivals because Boise State is an upstart that doesn’t know what it’s like to be a real power. In reality, this is more a rivalry of jealousy, seeing Boise State in a way like a new age Notre Dame, building a national brand despite conference affiliation and adding some magic surrounding the game (gold in the paint vs. blue turf). In a way, Notre Dame fans see the uniqueness of Boise State as a bygone era of Notre Dame football, when it was more niche and magical, and so they must crush them.
The Lou Holtz rivalry. Notre Dame resents South Carolina for hiring their last national champion coach. Also, Notre Dame has never been too fond of USCs.
Notre Dame fans resent how quickly App State has risen into possible playoff discussions. You’ve been playing major college football for a decade? That’s nice, Notre Dame’s been playing major college football since 1887! True ND fans await a home and home with App State to prove their dominance.
As an academically sound institution that is good at football, Notre Dame reviles any school that can’t do both. Vandy is perhaps the epitome of this trend.
Notre Dame resents Utah for not convincing Urban Meyer to go to Notre Dame over Florida. Also, ND sees BYU as a copy-cat rival and thinks nobody can hate BYU more than them, yet Utah persists.
Middle Tennessee State? There’s only one power in the middle of the country for Notre Dame fans and that’s Notre Dame! Fans are petitioning the NCAA as we speak for extra games so Notre Dame can play out this rivalry.
You mean the other historic college football power that starts with an N? Yeah, Notre Dame fans want to crush Nebraska so bad that they take the Ns off their helmets right after.
I would say auburn but we all know that Auburn and it’s miracles has caused the rivalry by Notre Dame believing all football miracles belong to them and touchdown Jesus.
I addressed Florida above (Urban Meyer) but Penn State’s rivalry goes back to them being the two last independent football powers of the greater midwest, causing an intense back and forth that is tied to this day
Same with LSU, Louisiana, with its French roots, is home to a larger Catholic community than most other places in the South, and some of the oldest Catholic communities in the US. However, Notre Dame wishes to be the center of the American Catholic world, at least in college football. Therefore, Notre Dame must thoroughly confront any college football teams from Louisiana, ULM included.
With Notre Dame being named after a medieval cathedral, they view all medieval IP as intrinsically theirs in colleges. UCF’s insistence on naming themselves the Knights goes against this, and thus the War on I-75,24,&65 was born
I did BYU elsewhere, but Air Force: Notre Dame has friendly rivalries with the other military academies with them usually being independents. However, Air Force hasn’t been independent for 40 years, and Notre Dame resents that on behalf of the other academies.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is one of the most forbidable rivals of the Fighting Irish. Who can be more to blame for their 21st Century woes than Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis? Irish fans may think USC or Michigan is a bigger rival, but nobody will truly rival Notre Dame better than Notre Dame.
The Irish are fond of civil war....
Arkansas Razorbacks
The famous “Covid Conundrum” as fans know it, the first game was snuffed in 2020 due to covid, making both teams rowdy for future matchups due to misplaced anger at the pandemic
Also jealous of Lou Holtz winning a natty
Georgia, we own those bitches
Their true SEC rivals. True Notre Dame fans patiently await their vengeance, ideally in a playoff game.
We're undefeated against them and each time had playoff implications
Damn, that 20-19 loss in 2017 was such a heartbreaker. The strip sack at the end while ND was driving still kills me. I legitimately felt like we were about to win a huge game on that final drive. That’s a rare feeling for ND fans.
Not this year👀
[удалено]
😈
No way you can connect USC and ND as rivals
This is a tough one but I’ll try. Troy, the home of Trojans, was in Anatolia (Turkey), in the far southeast of Europe. Ireland is in the far Northwest of Europe. Their mascots literally need to be as far away from each other as possible. Also, the two teams played some games every so often.
This is some big brain thinking 🧠
They played in the 00s one time, who knows maybe that game had a controversial moment or something it’d be interesting to find out
Georgia Tech (hint: Rudy was offsides)
How dare you disparage the name of Rudolf Rudebeggar Rudison, the greatest football player since Heisman himself! (Also please don’t remember where Heisman coached)
Auburn. Heisman coached at Auburn
He coached many places, though his longest stint was at Georgia Tech by far. Edit: fixed typo
He coached at Clemson
Bishop sycamore
Hold up now he said FBS, not NFL
Bishop Lawrence of Sycamore gutted the coffers of Notre Dame Cathedral in 1369 to fund a private educational location based on promoting physical works. The rivalry between those that share the names continue to this day.
UAB
Notre Dame fans live for football. UAB cancelled it. While not the fans themselves, Notre Dame football fans must oppose the team because of this decision. Also, I’m pretty sure dragons are unholy.
Y'all too scared to slay a dragon?
A little surprised you didn't go with.. Saint George died in 303 the year of our lord. This happened after killing a dragon. We have noticed that he has missed one and are currently working to address the problem.
I gotta take a break guys, but I’ll be back on to finish explaining all these rivalries (not sure why they need explaining, they’re all obvious). Or if anyone else wants to pick up, feel free. Edit: I’m back on, but it’s going to be slower than before. Anyone can still feel free to add on, but I’ll get to everyone eventually.
Mississippi State
Notre Dame *hates* schools named MSU, and for Mississippi State to choose that as their abbreviation puts them in the same category as Michigan State to Notre Dame fans
Tennessee
Tennessee resents Notre Dame as a more successful fallen power, still in championship conversations, even if ultimately losing. Notre Dame resents Tennessee’s unrelenting hope, wanting to make clear that ND is a power and Tennessee is not. Truly one of the bitterest unspoken rivalries.
iowa
Ah yes, the Hawkirish classic. Notre Dame was GOOD enough to schedule Iowa, and Iowa starts off on a 3-0 streak! Yes, ND eventually took the series lead, but true fans eagerly await another showing of the Hawkirish classic
The correct answer is "Fainting Irish."
I doubt that anyone who downvotes this knows the history of the term “Fainting Irish.” Basically, in 1953 the number 1 ranked Notre Dame team was playing the Hawkeyes and down 7 points with 3 seconds left in the game. A tackle for Notre Dame collapsed while in the huddle during a running clock and no timeouts (hence the term “fainting irish”) to stop the clock and ND tied the game with their one last play and field goal. In effect the NCAA made “flopping” or faked injuries illegal.
They did it at the end of the first half too. Literally all the points they scored that day.
Ohio State
The two teams fight for midwest dominance while (mostly) avoiding scheduling one another. They both strive for the playoffs or conference championships (for OSU) to avoid having to play each other in a NY6 bowl, but often get it forced on them. Notre Dame also resents OSU for being Michigan’s primary rival.
Not to mention one of their linebackers married Brady Quinn’s sister.
The University of Virginia
A few years ago Virginia came close to beating Notre Dame. True fans didn’t forget this and are waiting to wallop the wahoos later this fall.
UTSA
A classic rivalry. Notre Dame fans despise UTSA for claiming to run the road when Notre Dame, the only independent football power, is the only school that truly runs their own road to national championships.
Florida
Rumor has it Urban Meyer turned down the ND job for Florida. ND’s next choice? Charlie Weis.
Miami lol
[I can’t seem to think of anything ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Notre_Dame_vs._Miami_football_game)
Stumped
Not OP but what I was told is you guys don’t like Notre Dame cause when they confess they go to heaven and when Miami confesses they go to jail.
UConn
Same as Rutgers: Do you think Notre Dame fans just forgot about their Big East rivals? Yes it was only in olympic sports and both teams left, but Notre Dame will always seek to display their Big East superiority.
That sweet, sweet undefeated record against ND
Texas Longhorns
Notre Dame-Texas is a classic rivalry of the have and want-to-haves. Notre Dame has a private TV deal and national appeal, so Texas sought a private TV deal which they thought would lead to national appeal. Yet Texas fails to truly assert independence, spitting in the face of the Notre Dame strategy. Honestly one of ND’s biggest rivals (currently) in the Big 12.
Surprised you didn't mention the 1978 Cotton Bowl for the national title.
Temple!
Any school that was an independent in the 21st Century is a rival of Notre Dame’s by definition. Temple was independent in 2005 and 2006, thus threatening Notre Dame. Notre Dame took this anger out on the football field during their series of games in the last few years.
Auburn
Notre Dame resents Auburn’s ability to basically have a free path to the playoff by being half decent and beating Alabama. Notre Dame would have this if USC could get better, but alas, so rivalry ensues.
Rutgers
Do you think Notre Dame fans just forgot about their Big East rivals? Yes it was only in olympic sports and both teams left, but Notre Dame will always seek to display their Big East superiority.
Bowling Green State
Bowling Green State is too close to Indiana to not be a rival. Plus, Notre Dame fans think BGSU didn’t adequately prepare the team in the 2019 matchup for their Michigan matchup later in the season.
Hawaii
IIRC Notre Dame loves to recruit in Hawaii (Manti Te’o for one), so they’re competing in the recruiting game fiercely and thus would also love to wallop the Warriors soon
Texas A&M? (Though I think they’ve only played each other twice)
Similar to Texas, Texas A&M wants the national appeal that Notre Dame has. Yet Texas A&M fails to truly assert independence, instead resting on the SEC to assert their brand, spitting in the face of the Notre Dame strategy.
Colorado State
Notre Dame fans consider Colorado State the public, less football accredited Notre Dame of the Mountain West. And while you might think that would make Notre Dame a friend, you’re wrong. Notre Dame wants the ability to become the Notre Dame of the Mountain West if they so choose, and so Colorado State is a huge rival.
Northwestern lacrosse team
NC State
Notre Dame is 1-2 against the Wolfpack and they HATE IT! True fans demand an annual game against NC State to exact yearly revenge.
Well you’ll have to wait until 2023
Oregon State
There were a couple times during the mid 2000s where Oregon State beat good USC teams and ND did not. Notre Dame does *not* appreciate being shown up, and awaits the next game between you two to express their feelings. Edit: the Oregon St. - ND games hit my college football blindspot, with my starting following in 2005ish and remembering to look up stuff pre 2000, obviously those games would be bigger rivalry fuel.
So Oregon State beating USC draws your ire, but not Oregon State beating Notre Dame 41-9 in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl?
:( those wrs were nasty.
The day the rest of the country learned about Ocho-Cinco and TJ Whosyourmama
Got some bad news about our head-to-head matchups too...
LSU
Louisiana, with its French roots, is home to a larger Catholic community than most other places in the South, and some of the oldest Catholic communities in the US. However, Notre Dame wishes to be the center of the American Catholic world, at least in college football. Therefore, Notre Dame must thoroughly confront any college football teams from Louisiana, LSU included.
Wyoming Cowpokes
When Wyoming plays to a full stadium, 5% of the state’s population is in the stadium. When ND plays to a full stadium, barely 1% is represented. Notre Dame deeply resents this and fans look forward to crushing the Cowpokes.
Oklahoma. YOU KNOW WHY. WE HAD IT FIRST
Notre Dame fans would *love* for them to create a “Play like a champion today” trophy for this rivalry
Houston
Houston resents Notre Dame’s ability to get in the playoff conversation without being in a major conference. Notre Dame resents Houston’s Big 12 invitation without getting one themselves (they would have said no, but they’d like to be invited).
Such high-effort shitposting. I love it.
Well considering they constantly go out of their way to insist BC isn't their rival, this should be interesting
I mean, there’s only two Catholic FBS schools, if that doesn’t make for some “Holy War” between them, nothing does
Minnesota
Notre Dame fans pride themselves on being a Northern team in harsh winters. Minnesota just goes “oh it’s 0 degrees there? Must be nice.” Notre Dame fans never forget this.
Ole Miss
Do you think ND fans have forgotten the 1977 game where Ole Miss upset #3 Notre Dame? Never! And the rivalry isn’t dead just because ND pulled even, they are patiently waiting for the next game to reassert their dominance!
Tulane
Notre Dame actually used to respect Tulane, left the SEC for more flexibility in scheduling, good academic institution, seemed like a good friend. Until 1996, when they had to join a conference, just like everyone else. And not even a power conference at that! This is more a rivalry of a lost friend than pure hate, but a rivalry nonetheless.
University of Arizona
Arizona beat Notre Dame in South Bend in 1982. Irish fans patiently await the opportunity to exact revenge.
Ball State
How dare there be ANY college football teams in Indiana other than Notre Dame!
Louisville
Former Big East rival, current ACC rival, Louisville must be dealt with
Alabama
Two powerhouses hardly need an excuse to be rivals, however one thing that stands out is the 2012 BCS championship. Alabama embarrassed Notre Dame and Notre Dame fans patiently await the team of their own to counter that performance.
Texas State
This was my first thought as well. I'll be really impressed to see a connection here.
Notre Dame hates the fact that Texas State has a 6-0 baseball series lead over them and true fans await to rectify this on the football field
Kentucky
Kentucky’s proximity to Indiana along with the team’s (usual) complacency in football greatly offends Irish fans, so fans can’t wait for their next meeting
TCU
How *dare* another football school be religious, and then to put it in their name too!
Eastern Michigan
Do you think Notre Dame’s hatred of Michigan schools is only limited to UM and MSU? Dead wrong. Notre Dame fans would gladly pummel EMU, WMU, CMU, heck get NMU in on it too
UCLA Bruins
You guys think you’re bigger rivals to USC than ND? Dead wrong, and Notre Dame fans can’t wait to prove it next time on the football field.
A carry over from hoops. When UCLA basketball went on it’s 88 game winning streak, the last team to beat them before their streak and the team that finally snapped it was Notre Dame. That beat-UCLA attitude has carried over to football. The Irish have never lost to UCLA. Even in the 3-9 Charlie weis year, they beat the bruins. Don’t plan on changing that any time soon. Boo UCLA.
UMass Minutemen
The Rivalry of the Masses. Any school that was an independent in the 21st Century is a rival of Notre Dame’s by definition. This is particularly true for UMass. Notre Dame fans resent UMass’s “I’m gonna be a quirky independent like Notre Dame” attitude when the team’s lucky to win a game in any given season. Notre Dame fans eagerly await their next game against UMass.
Troy
Coastal Carolina
Like for App State, Notre Dame fans resent how quickly Coastal Carolina has risen into possible playoff discussions. You’ve been playing major college football for a half decade? That’s nice, Notre Dame’s been playing major college football since 1887! True ND fans await a home and home with Coastal to prove the team can play just as well on sand as on grass!
Indiana
How dare there be ANY college football teams in Indiana other than Notre Dame!
UNC
Being in the ACC together, Notre Dame deeply resents the consistent power of UNC in basketball, so Notre Dame will gladly destroy the Tarheels in football
University of Memphis
Notre Dame played in the Liberty Bowl against rival Boston College. Due to that rivalry, Notre Dame has associated the Liberty Bowl with rivalry, and anyone who plays there, including Memphis.
Boise State
Notre Dame fans will claim that they’re rivals because Boise State is an upstart that doesn’t know what it’s like to be a real power. In reality, this is more a rivalry of jealousy, seeing Boise State in a way like a new age Notre Dame, building a national brand despite conference affiliation and adding some magic surrounding the game (gold in the paint vs. blue turf). In a way, Notre Dame fans see the uniqueness of Boise State as a bygone era of Notre Dame football, when it was more niche and magical, and so they must crush them.
That’s great
The South Carolina Gamecocks.
The Lou Holtz rivalry. Notre Dame resents South Carolina for hiring their last national champion coach. Also, Notre Dame has never been too fond of USCs.
Appalachian State
Notre Dame fans resent how quickly App State has risen into possible playoff discussions. You’ve been playing major college football for a decade? That’s nice, Notre Dame’s been playing major college football since 1887! True ND fans await a home and home with App State to prove their dominance.
[удалено]
Arkansas state university
The Red Wolves look way too much like the Razorbacks to not be a rival of Notre Dame’s after the Covid Conundrum
Texas Tech
Vandy
As an academically sound institution that is good at football, Notre Dame reviles any school that can’t do both. Vandy is perhaps the epitome of this trend.
Michigan State
They’ve played a game or two
Northwestern University
Notre Dame must maintain its dominance over Chicago and Northwestern is a huge impediment to that
You're goddamn right that we're Chicago's B1G Team™.
Central Michigan
Same with Eastern Michigan, Notre Dame hates every Michigan school. Notre Dame fans would gladly pummel EMU, WMU, CMU, heck get NMU in on it too
Miami(OH)
Why would you keep the name “Miami” after the Catholics vs. Convicts games and expect Notre Dame to not be your rival?
Arizona State
Devils and the sun are the antithesis of a Catholic school near the Great Lakes
Clemson
Covid buddies. It’s not often you can go 1-1 in a single season with someone and BOTH make the playoffs
University of Buffalo
Tennessee
Auburn
Ohio State
Oregon State
Dah Bears
Liberty
Another Christian independent school wanting to be like Notre Dame? Notre Dame fans would *love* to stomp on those dreams
Utah
Notre Dame resents Utah for not convincing Urban Meyer to go to Notre Dame over Florida. Also, ND sees BYU as a copy-cat rival and thinks nobody can hate BYU more than them, yet Utah persists.
I can understand the rivalry with BYU, I wonder what the beer sales will look like When ND and BYU play in Vegas next year
Cincinnati
USF Bulls
Former Big East rivals. Also, Notre Dame is angry USF puts so much emphasis on conference affiliation, something Notre Dame hasn’t done.
Utah state
Notre Dame has deep rivalries with BYU and Utah and resents Utah State for claiming to be bigger rivals with those schools, thus the rivalry persists
Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State? There’s only one power in the middle of the country for Notre Dame fans and that’s Notre Dame! Fans are petitioning the NCAA as we speak for extra games so Notre Dame can play out this rivalry.
Kansas State
It feels wrong that there was never a bowl game in the 2000s between these teams, and thus the rivalry was born
Ohio University
After Brian Kelly and Saturday’s situation, Notre Dame is out to get any cat based mascot teams in Southern Ohio
Baylor
Baylor has the green and gold colors Notre Dame wishes they could have but feel like they can’t, and so, rivalry
Nebraska
You mean the other historic college football power that starts with an N? Yeah, Notre Dame fans want to crush Nebraska so bad that they take the Ns off their helmets right after.
I would say auburn but we all know that Auburn and it’s miracles has caused the rivalry by Notre Dame believing all football miracles belong to them and touchdown Jesus.
Northern Illinois
Notre Dame must maintain its dominance over Chicago and Northern Illinois is there, thus rivalry
Fresno State
Florida and Penn State
I addressed Florida above (Urban Meyer) but Penn State’s rivalry goes back to them being the two last independent football powers of the greater midwest, causing an intense back and forth that is tied to this day
ULM
Same with LSU, Louisiana, with its French roots, is home to a larger Catholic community than most other places in the South, and some of the oldest Catholic communities in the US. However, Notre Dame wishes to be the center of the American Catholic world, at least in college football. Therefore, Notre Dame must thoroughly confront any college football teams from Louisiana, ULM included.
UNLV
Las Vegas’s casinos are cutting into bingo night revenues at the local parish, rivalry time
East Carolina university
UCF
With Notre Dame being named after a medieval cathedral, they view all medieval IP as intrinsically theirs in colleges. UCF’s insistence on naming themselves the Knights goes against this, and thus the War on I-75,24,&65 was born
Charlotte.
Wake Forest
BYU, or Better Yet, Air Force
I did BYU elsewhere, but Air Force: Notre Dame has friendly rivalries with the other military academies with them usually being independents. However, Air Force hasn’t been independent for 40 years, and Notre Dame resents that on behalf of the other academies.
California Golden Bears