Rudy vs. Brian Piccolo

In what would be considered the most epicly tear-jerking college football movie ever, Rudy heads to the Dash to take on Brian Piccolo (figuratively speaking of course). It's impossible to think of these two teams and not think of these movies... or at least iced tea and lemonade mixed together (for all you non-Southerners that's called an Arnold Palmer). It's like watching the Yankees and the Indians and wanting to root for the Indians because Charlie Sheen is their pitcher.

This weekend, the Irish take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first of three meetings between the two teams over the next four years. This is the first of 3 games that the Irish will play against ACC teams. The Irish are set to face Maryland and Boston College in the month of November.

Some think that this may be Notre Dame's way of testing out the conference in the event that they end up having to join one, but that seems unlikely given the recent acquisition of Pitt and Syracuse by the ACC.

Last week the game rolled over Navy and they're looking to do the same thing this week against the Deacs. The only thing really interesting about this game is the fact that Notre Dame and Wake Forest boast among the highest graduation rates of all scholarship athletes (99% and 93% respectively) and among all football players (96% and 81%). So really be scouting for your co-worker instead of the next wide receiver for your fantasy team.

Wake has defied everyones expectations this year going 5-3 and beating a ranked Florida State. But after last year's 3-9 showing losing 9 in a row to end the season expectations weren't high. I expect Notre Dame to continue to roll this week.

Who knows, by the end of November Notre Dame could be in a position to win the ACC, and they're not even a member.

Side Rant: The Winston-Salem local baseball team is called "the Dash" after the literal dash between Winston and Salem, WHAT is that about?