Ever since the Notre Dame Fighting Irish got shellacked by the Clemson Tigers last December — and maybe even before then — this game has been circled on the calendars of Irish coaches, players, and fans.
It’s the Irish football team’s biggest chance in 2019 to prove themselves and earn national respect after once again getting blown out on the big stage to end 2018. It’s ND’s opportunity to avenge a 20-19 home loss to the Bulldogs in 2017. It’s Notre Dame’s time to defeat a heavily favored SEC power on their home turf and finally get back to what they used to do regularly under Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, Devine, and Holtz — beat elite football teams.