1988 Notre Dame Football Champions!

 Many people claim that this is one of the greatest unbeaten teams in college football history. The Fighting Irish of 1988 had defeated teams that finished the season at #2, #4, #5 and #7 in the country according to the AP Poll. Notre Dame had 10 of their 12 victories won by double digits.

But the biggest win that the Irish will be remembered for was the ending the 36 game winning streak of the Miami Hurricanes by the final score of 31-30 in which many believe to be one of the most memorable games in history.

The Fighting Irish were led by Head Coach Lou Holtz who was in his third year with the program. Joining him on the staff was offensive coordinator Jim Strong who brought his option game with him. Also there was defensive coordinator Barry Alvarez who later became an incredible coach in his own right, was using the 5-2 defense as his base.

Notre Dame started the season off ranked number 13th team of the country and had a tough opponent in number nine Michigan at home. The Irish pulled out a close 19-17 win over the Wolverines.

Along with defeating Miami who was number one at the time when Notre Dame defeated them. The Irish faced another tough challenge against long time rival and number two team in the nation USC Trojans at their place and not only did they win, but won by double digits.

But of course, the biggest game was yet to come as the Irish went to Arizona to compete against the third ranked West Virginia Mountaineers to determine who will be the National Champions.

And Notre Dame jumped on West Virginia early and never looked and secured their 11th National Title in school history. It has since been the last time that Notre Dame has won the National Championship in college football.

Now, I wasn't alive during this time period as the Irish won a couple years before I was born which sucks because seeing documentaries about this team are pretty awesome. I mean the way they executed the option attack was incredible and defensively may have been one of the best defenses in Notre Dame football history.

Notre Dame had six players on the roster who were named All-Americans in DE Frank Stams, OT Andy Heck, LB Michael Stonebreaker, DT Chris Zorich, LB Wes Pritchett and FL Ricky Watters.

Head Coach Lou Holtz had won both the Bear Bryant Coach of the year as well as the Eddie Robinson Coach of the year.

Holtz along with Zorich and wide receiver Raghib Ismail have all been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

This team was certainly one of the best and hopefully one day Notre Dame football will get themselves another National title.

Until next time! Remember play like a champion!

God Bless and Be Safe! 🙏🙏🙏