Alabama's hatred of Notre Dame runs long, deep

Yahoo Sports ^ | Jan 4, 2013 12:21 AM EST | Pat Forde

[Hoodat]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Jeremy Pike is a 37-year-old native and resident of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Like all proper fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide, he maintains an abiding hatred of Southeastern Conference rivals Auburn and Tennessee.

But there is a third member of his unholy fan trinity, and always has been.

"Oh, I hate Notre Dame," Pike said. "I never pull for them."

On Nov. 3, Pike and about 50 other Alabama fans were in Louisiana getting ready to watch the Tide play LSU – the most anticipated game of the year. But before the game, they were glued to the TV screaming for Pittsburgh to upset Notre Dame. All of them.

"Notre Dame, Auburn and Tennessee, I can't pull for them ever," Pike said. "I can't put them in order; it just depends on the year and what's at stake."

What's at stake next week is the national championship, and the opponent is the Fighting Irish. So for now, they are No. 1 on Pike's Enemies List.

He has a lot of company.

For two schools that haven't played each other in 25 years, and have met just six times in history, there is a very active contempt between the powerhouses. And for a whole host of reasons that extend far beyond this particular matchup, the hate seems to flow with particular fervor from South to North. . . .

[BenLurkin]

Don’t forget those powerhouse programs at Navy, Purdue, Wake Forrest and Boston College

8^)

[Hoodat]

I just watched the whole thing on ESPN Classic. It came down to a missed extra point. After the game, Parseghian made a point of giving respect to Alabama and their coach. I remember at the time as a kid how upset my grandfather in Birmingham was about the outcome.

In '86, I new something had to finally give, because Alabama had never beaten Notre Dame, and Lou Holtz had never beaten Alabama. Finally, BAMA got the win, but nothing will ever make up for '73 and '74. I think Alabama will win, but it won't be nearly as satisfying as beating Penn State in '79, Miami in '92, or Texas in 2010.

[Hoodat]

I'm a Tech grad as well, although I was still born and raised a BAMA fan. My mother was old school and still and still to this day hates Georgia Tech (and Tennessee of course).

Anyway, it was sweet seeing the Jackets beat up on a bunch of California pretty boys. I'm still ecstatic that Chan Gailey is gone.

[levon]

Notre Dame wins this game straight up.....and I would certainly take the ten points any day. ND just has too much team speed for the Tide....their defense is special.

[levon]

Oregon should definitely have been in the NC over Bama...Manziel and Texas A&M looked awefully good last night...should be fun to watch next year. I can remember before the season started, all my SEC homer friends said it would take A&M three to four seasons of recruiting “SEC talent” before they could play with the “big boys in the SEC.....LMAO. Of course these were the same SEC homers that told me last year that there was no way that “high school team” Boise State could come into the Georgia Dome and hang with UGA....LMAO.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Anyway, it was sweet seeing the Jackets beat up on a bunch of California pretty boys.

You can say that again.

I’m not much of an AL fan because of the way they treated Bill Curry. That said, I hope AL crushes ND.

[Harold Shea]

The excitement over this game is simply amazing

Know a guy here that is taking Alabama and 17,started

to take him up

The tv ratings will be hugh and series

[logitech]

The ‘92 game was the best, but a win against ND would still heal some old wounds.

[Hoodat]

ND just has too much team speed for the Tide...

Just remember the name 'Amari Cooper'.

[Coldwater Creek]

Hey! I went to Whittier High School. I asume you are talking about California.

[levon]

I think Navy, Purdue, Wake Forest and Boston College all beat Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and the fighting Catamounts of Western Carolina.....not to mention they are probably a toss-up against Tennessee, Auburn and Ole Miss....and that’s essentially one-half of Alabama’s “grueling SEC schedule”......LOL

[Mister Da]

Hatred? Some people never grow up.

Have any of these juvenile haters ever considered that without great opponents like Notre Dame, Auburn, & Tennessee, Alabama would be little more than a redneck trade school?

Suppose Notre Dame, Auburn & Tennessee stopped playing Bama in football out of shear mutual hatred. Suppose Bama was left with only poor opponents to play, ones you can but pity rather than hate? How would that affect Bama’s prestige w/i the sports community? Doesn't the power & prestige of your opponent increase your own prestige? Would we admire Mohammed Ali without Frasier & Foreman?

I DO NOT want college sports to follow the path of European soccer leagues, which have degenerated into hooliganism, both on & off the field. Already an Alabama Fan (hater) has destroyed beautiful trees in an Auburn park, purely out of hatred.

The idea that one HATES his opponents is contrary to good sportsmanship & just plain ignorant. Encouraging hatred teaches the wrong lesson to players & fans.

(Being a redneck myself, I can call others that, just as blacks may use the N-word without rebuke.)

[dfwgator]

[Coldwater Creek]

And then, there is my favorite, Barrett Jones Memphian.

[Hoodat]

Tennessee and Auburn combined for 8-16 this year.

[Fiji Hill]

Hey! I went to Whittier High School. I asume you are talking about California.

So did I.

[chesley]

I think Alabama will win, but it won't be nearly as satisfying as beating Penn State in '79, Miami in '92, or Texas in 2010.

The HELL you say!! I can think of NOTHING more satisfying than beating the Irish AND depriving them of a national championship at the same time.

If Auburn were playing ND, I would be shouting WAR EAGLE just as if I had graduated from that cow college.

The only thing I can't decide is if would be more satisfying to win on a disputed call on the last play of the game, or if I would rather see them stomped into the ground, depressing their pathetic pretensions for another 20 years. All in all, I think the latter, as I don't know if I can stand the tension of the former.

Of course, they have to win for all my dreams to come true. We'll know Monday night. ROLL TIDE

[Hoodat]

If Auburn were playing ND, I would be shouting WAR EAGLE just as if I had graduated from that cow college.

I would throw in a 'War Damn Eagle' just for good measure. Heck, I could even see myself pulling for Georgia or even a team that Steve Spurrier coaches over Notre Dame.

[Coldwater Creek]

I graduated 100 years ago. I love Whittier. All of my children were born at Presbyterian hospital.

[Fiji Hill]

I graduated 100 years ago. I love Whittier. All of my children were born at Presbyterian hospital.

I remember when Pres opened in 1959. It replaced Murphy Hospital, which was on the site of a present-day residential housing development.

I always attend the WHS barbecue that takes place on the campus in October.