It might be anti-climatic as the final entry on a list, but what else can it be?
I was an infant the last time Notre Dame was 12-0.
And now, for the first time since 1993, this sign above Grace Hall is lit up for the football team.
Last month, a Houston Press blogger documented what the world looked like the last time Notre Dame held the top spot in college football. Here are some highlights, as well as a few additions of my own.
The last time Notre Dame was No. 1…
- …Peyton Manning was a senior in high school.
- …the following professional sports franchises didn’t exist: Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Vancouver Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans. The Baltimore Ravens were still in Cleveland, and the Tennessee Titans were still the Houston Oilers.
- …O.J. Simpson was the Irish’s sideline reporter on NBC.
- …The US House of Representatives approved NAFTA.
- …Puerto Rico voted against becoming the 51st member of the United States.
- …A gallon of gas cost $1.16.
- …Rudy had just been released a month earlier.
- …Ty Warner USA launches its first Beanie Babies.
- …Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire and Schindler’s List ruled the box office.
- Manti Te’o was two years old.
Lou Holtz recently said that college football is better when Notre Dame is No. 1.
“Once you win a national championship at Notre Dame, everything changes,” Holtz said. “Your life will never be the same.”
This list has been fun to draft up in the days before Christmas. Regardless of your traditional or religious affiliations, I hope everyone who reads this had a safe, happy and healthy December.
Onward to Miami.
Previously on “12 Days of Notre Dame…”
… 11 pretty nice Stephon Tuitt stats
… 10 (opponent) points per game
… Nine more takeaways than turnovers
… (Only) Eight missed field goals
… Seven (opponent) passing TDs
… Six less dramatic wins
… The Golden No. 5s
… Four (uncomfortably) close games
…Three reliable running backs
…Two doubting pundits
…One Bob Diaco
