Saturday was a tough day to be an Irish fan, as the Domers were downed 26-22 by the hated Michigan Wolverines. And although it was painful for me to watch as the final seconds ticked away, I'm almost a little glad that Michigan won.

Before you think I've gone nutty, let me explain. Had the Irish won, it almost goes without saying that their momentum would have propelled them to an undefeated season and a national title, following the 11-year patterns in 1966, 1977, and 1988. But a cacophonous echo would have been heard from the direction of Ann Arbor: thousands and thousands of Michigan fans whining that it was unfair and dirty that Notre Dame had an extra game the week before. In fact, on ESPN's "College Game Day" show, which was broadcast live from Ann Arbor, an unidentified Michigan fan held up a sign which read "Notre Dame: The DIRTIEST school in college football".

I personally hope that that particular fan is studying to be a proctologist, because if I ever meet him, I'll give you three guesses as to what I'll do with that sign.

Mike Marchand

Junior, off-campus

September 6, 1999

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