Hibernophobia: Anti-Irish sentiment may refer to or include oppression, bigotry, persecution, discrimination, hatred or fear of Irish people as an ethnic group or nation, whether directed against Ireland in general or against Irish emigrants and their descendants in the Irish diaspora
I have come to loath the Irish. It seems irrational on the surface, and it borders other unreasonable pre-positions of shallow minded and/or dim witted, and which makes it akin to racism, misogyny, homophobia, ect... This would usually be comments better withheld until a rationale arrives that overpowers the lack of reason and logic. It hasn't happened yet.
There is a :57 remaining in the third quarter as I type this in a prime time game pitting the Trojan's of Southern Cal against those damn Irish. The Irish have done nothing notta zilch to demonstrate themselves worthy of that tiny '3' prior to their goofy entwined ND. I've watched them play several times this year, and this is the same thought I've had each time. Though it could be argued I don't know what I'm actually watching, my argument and the one you're about to encounter doesn't rely on my impression- instead it is based on absolutes.
The Irish have done nothing to deserve a spot in the playoff... well... except for remaining undefeated. That sounds absurd even to me as I type it, though I stand behind it. They rely almost solely on recognition and 'helmet factor', and at the expense of at least two far more deserving teams. In this supposedly 'socially advancing age' of 'fairness' and intent to break out of confines of tradition while in effort to recognize values of those without the undeserved and unearned advantage, you'd think the entire effort here is unwarranted, but.... Apparently it is ignored in this category.
Enter the University of Central Florida. They too are undefeated. They have similar if not superior strength of schedule. They also have something ND doesn't- a record of dominating their opponents.
UCF played one point better than Memphis, and they'll get them again next week. That is the closest they came to a loss regular season. They needed no magic, they didn't even rely on breaks- they simply went to work week in and week out. They played Pitt earlier in the season, and dismembered them with a final of 45-14. That was the last week in September.
ND also played Pitt, and two short calendar weeks after UCF beat them. The final on that game was a lot different- it was a lot closer, and ND needed magic, and breaks... To be fair, they also "went to work" in about the same fashion they did all season- playing as best they could, and barely beating the same team UCF did albeit barely.... and yet they look down their privileged noses at the Knights.
Ball State- BALL 'freakin' STATE held tight to the domers- final of 16 to 24 in South Bend... Ball State had a mighty four wins- and none against anyone with a pulse. The Irish 'did' beat North Western, Syracuse, and of course Michigan, but... There are resume's out there that look just as good, except for that goose egg in the loss column (so far; right now USCw is still in the game 1/2 through 4th). I argue that UCF is just as deserving with wins over Pitt, Memphis, and Cincy.
We have a chance to do this right this season. The committee should weigh that the true benefactor to ND's rank above UCF (and all in between, if truth is considered) is based solely on their legacy. UCF has done everything in their power to earn the seat at the big table- for two seasons straight, now. It's time the team is judged by their merit and not their name...
....(as ND scores a 51 yd sling pass w/ 3:09 left in the game against USCw).....
The Irish don't even have to play a Championship Game as they slip by with their privilege- as they refuse to align to a conference.....
With humans calling the shot on who gets tickets to this season's big dance, there is a chance for change that offers the low man a shot. It's time they recognize UCF and reward them accordingly, even if at the expense of a P5 champion being bounced out.
