Seven years ago, Notre Dame and Florida State met in Tallahassee in an instant classic. That phrase, “instant classic,” may be overused, and that game’s ending coming via an official’s decision may still rub Irish fans the wrong way, but that October night under the lights deserved every piece of hype offered both beforehand and afterward.
Sunday night should bear some resemblance to the 2015 tilt in its atmosphere and anticipation. No. 9 Notre Dame has not played in front of a full crowd in nearly two years, not since a Camping World Bowl victory against Iowa State, and the Seminoles fans have not joined in unison in college football’s most annoying chant, the Chop, in even longer.