With my wife being a Sabres fan, we have had a tumultuous
relationship when it comes to hockey as I am a Bruins fan. When the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011,
it was the first time in my life I was able to celebrate a Bruins’ championship
as I was one in 1972 when they had last won it.
At that time, my wife realized that I was a much more gracious loser
than winner (I was apparently unbearable when the Bruins won game 7). As we approach Monday night, she is a
combination of curious and anxious about how I will either celebrate or mourn
the game’s outcome.
I have been asked about a million times my take on the game
and how I feel. I have done my best over
the past six weeks to keep things in perspective, but as we inch closer it has
gotten surreal. Looking back at my pre-season
expectations for the Irish and now being undefeated at 12-0 playing in the BCS
National Championship game, there is no way I could be happier. If in August I was told Notre Dame would
finish 12-1, I would have taken that all day long, no matter how they got
there. At this point, for most Irish
fans, 12-1 won’t be good enough.
In my view, Kelly has this program a year ahead of schedule,
which leaves us in a couple of dilemmas.
First, a loss Monday night will bring tears of disappointment to
millions of the Irish faithful who have not been to the pinnacle in over two
decades. We should all be reasonable and
look back at this season as a success and look to the future with great
optimism. Yes, it will be little of comfort
if they lose, but true nonetheless. If
by the grace of God Her Loyal Sons win, won’t the expectations for next year be
overwhelming? Anything less than another
undefeated and another championship would be a letdown. Well, I will take my chances with possibly
being disappointed next season going 12-1… and winning National Championship.
