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. . . .

[Coldwater Creek]

I live in Memphis Tennessee. My parents are buried at Rose HIlls. Last time I was there was three years ago.

[Bratch]

Alabama, Notre Dame Shaped American Culture, College Football

When Alabama and Notre Dame meet on January 7 for college football’s BCS championship, they will not be subjected to questions about race, religion, and region, like they were for much of the last century.

And today, any discussion about race, religion, and region concerning Alabama and Notre Dame is more positive in nature. Black football players are largely responsible for the SEC’s dominance. Notre Dame does not face the anti-Catholic bigotry it did the last century, and the face of the program, linebacker Manti Te’o, is a Mormon.

The country is more racially and religiously integrated, and the South is far less marginalized. And this is in part because of the influence Alabama and Notre Dame football has had on the nation's culture.

Consider how legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant and his Crimson Tide may have done as much to integrate the South as any civil rights leader by playing -- and losing -- a football game against USC in 1970 in Birmingham, Alabama.

[Fiji Hill]

My parents are also buried at Rose Hills. I live in North Orange County, not far from Whittier.

[Alaska Wolf]

Texas A&M lost 2 games in the SEC and didn’t play in the conference championship.

They beat Alabama and humiliated Oklahoma.

[Isabel C.]

The SEC will win the championship...again.

You have a 50% chance of being correct.

[EEGator]

True, but they still lost to Florida and LSU, and didn’t have to play the SEC East champ. Oklahoma was their bowl game, so you can’t use that game to say they should be in the BCS Bowl game.

[EEGator]

You’re 100% correct. :)

[newnhdad]

I wonder if Alabama loses, will some of their fans head up to South Bend and poison the trees?

[chesley]

ANYBODY playing Notre Dame is my #2 team. ANYBODY!

[Alaska Wolf]

they still lost to Florida and LSU,

Alabama barely beat LSU and the Aggies beat Alabama. Texas A&M lost by three to Florida while Alabama beat Florida Atlantic. Why would a BCS championship team schedule a Sun Belt cellar dweller anyhow?

[al_c]

;-)