Notre Dame To No. 1? Fighting Irish In Driver’s Seat

Is Notre Dame headed to No. 1? It appears that way, as the Fighting Irish took care of business in it’s next-t0-last game of the season, beating Wake Forest 38-0 as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation were both upset.

Notre Dame continued its climb up the ranks behind 346 yards passing and three touchdowns from Everett Golston. As ESPN noted, the victory will set up the Fighting Irish for the National Championship game if it can beat USC in its season finale.

“I told them tonight I’m proud of them,” said Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. “I voted them No. 1 for a reason, because I think they’re the best team in the country. I think they played like that tonight.”

Notre Dame is now headed to No. 1 thanks to a pair of upsets that took place after the team’s resounding victory against Wake Forest. Previous No. 1 Kansas State was blown out on the road at Baylor, falling 52-24 as it matched its entire season total with three interceptions.

As Fox Sports noted, the nation’s No. 2 defense fell apart at Baylor, giving up 342 yards.

Also bringing Notre Dame to No. 1 was an upset in Oregon, where the Ducks fell to Pac 12 rival Stanford 17-14 in overtime.

With Notre Dame headed to No. 1 in the BCS standings, the team could have its first chance at a National Championship since 1988. The team that has been a surprise all season is determined to beat rival USC in the season finale.

“We’re going to be more focused than ever,” said receiver John Goodman, who had a 50-yard touchdown catch in Notre Dame’s win. “The program is at an all-time high. It’s something we want to keep going. We won’t let USC get in our way. We just know we have one more, and we’re good to go for a national championship, hopefully.”

Though the BCS standings aren’t due out until later on Sunday, Fighting Irish fans should see Notre Dame will go to No. 1 for the first time since November 20, 1993.