Catholics Vs. Convicts Preview

In the 80s and early 90s, Notre Dame and Miami used to be a big rivalry. Both schools were independent before the Hurricanes joined the Big East in 1991. This rivalry went on regularly until 1990. The last three games were arguably the most memorable.

The rivalry gained national attention and both teams played their most famous games from 1988–90, dubbed the "Catholics vs. Convicts" contests. The first game was won by the Fighting Irish 31-30, with Miami ending Notre Dame's record 23-game winning streak the following year, 27-10. The rivalry ended after the Fighting Irish crushed #2 Miami's hopes for a repeat national championship with a 29-20 victory in South Bend. 

The Fighting Irish and Hurricanes met again, in the 2010 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, where Notre Dame defeated Miami 33-17. Notre Dame holds a 16-7-1 edge. This was arguably Michael Floyd's best college game in his four year career. He caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns and he was even better than the stats.

They will meet in Soldier Field On Saturday, to play each other in the regular season for the first time since 1990.
It will certainly be a game that is huge for both sides. Although it is early, it is once again a game that could have national title implications. Notre Dame rolls in with a 4-0 record and one of the best defenses in the country.

The offense certainly has talent with one of the best tight ends in the country in Tyler Eifert to go along with a three headed rushing attack including Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, and George Atkinson. That running game looked great against Navy but has since been held in check by three of the best defenses in the Big Ten.

The idea was to make young Everett Golson beat them and it didn't work too well for Purdue and Michigan State as Golson had a running and passing touchdown in each game. Michigan had a better plan for stopping him, but fortunately for the Irish, veteran Tommy Rees was able to come in and produce enough offense to win.

Miami doesn't appear to have as good of defense as those Big Ten teams as they have given up 30+ points in all but one game and that was against an FCS team in Bethune-Cookman. However, on the flip side they have scored 35+ points in all games except Kansas State who handed them their only loss in a lopsided 52-13 beating.

Miami's opponents other than Kansas State have a combined record of 9-10, so it is hard to say how impressive their 4-1 record is.

It can be assumed that the Hurricanes, especially those who were there, will want revenge from the Sun Bowl. Junior quarterback Stephen Morris who had a decent game in mop up time is now a veteran. His stats are quite impressive, 98-158 for 1069 yards with 4 TDs and 3 INTs. His rating is 123.4. However, he has not really faced good defenses other than Kansas State who held his offense out of the end zone.

 Therefore, it is safe to say he hasn't gotten it done against a defense the caliber of Notre Dame yet. Based on those factors, this is a game Notre Dame should win if they play their game. Golson does have to show some growth in this game or Brian Kelly might not have a choice but to go with Rees and put the experiment on hold until Spring.

Go Catholics, Beat Convicts.