I know Mooney44Cards posted the comparisons between 2012 Notre Dame and 2002 Ohio State in a thread a few weeks ago. But the statistical anomalies between the 2012 Notre Dame team and the 1988 Notre Dame team is pretty crazy.
1988 season was ND’s last national championship
Did you know?...
In 1987, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.
In 2011, ND beat Michigan State at home, scoring 31 points.
In 1987, ND finished the season with 8 wins.
In 2011, ND finished the season with 8 wins.
In 1987, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.
In 2011, ND lost their bowl game, a game they led early on.
In 1987, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Tim Brown, to graduation.
In 2011, ND lost their all-time leading receiver, Michael Floyd, to graduation.
In 1988, the ND QB was Tony Rice, who was from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 89 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Michael Stonebreaker intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.
In 2012, the ND QB is Everett Golson, who is from South Carolina . He started his 3rd career game against Michigan State in East Lansing . ND beat Michigan State by a score of 20-3. The star of the game was Notre Dame's defense, which held the Spartans to 78 yards rushing for the game. Defensive captain Manti Te'o intercepted a pass in the 4th quarter to seal the win.
In 1988, Lou Holtz suspended his starting running back for the last game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.
In 2012, Brian Kelly suspended his starting running back for the first game of the season, the farthest road game of the year.
In 1988, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent (USC) by 17 points (27-10).
In 2012, Notre Dame defeated their highest ranked road opponent (Oklahoma) by 17 points (30-13).
Only two coaches in the history of Notre Dame have recorded 12-0 records — Lou Holtz in 1988 and Brian Kelly in 2012.
In 1988, Lou Holtz was in his third season.
In 2012, Brian Kelly is in his third season.
In 1988, Lou Holtz won his second Coach of the Year award.
In 2012, Brian Kelly won his second Coach of the Year award.
Notre Dame won the 1988 National Championship game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona .
Notre Dame will play the 2012 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida .
There are exactly 5 letters in the city names and 7 letters in the state names of those two locations.
In 1988, Miami was the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.
In 2012, Alabama is the defending national champion, winner of two national titles in the past five years.
Miami was 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.
Alabama is 37-5 in the 42 games played before meeting Notre Dame.
In 1988, Jimmy Johnson’s winning percentage at Miami was .843 (43-8) before playing Notre Dame. After losing to Notre Dame, it was .827.
In 2012, Nick Saban’s winning percentage at Alabama is .837 (67-13) before playing Notre Dame. If Notre Dame wins, his winning percentage will be .827.
Brian Kelly and Lou Holtz were born 24 years apart.
Their first seasons at Notre Dame were exactly 24 years apart.
It's been exactly 24 years since Notre Dame won their last National Championship.
Go Irish.
Thought that was pretty crazy.
