Big League Clew is back for his weekly College Football Rivalry Trophy Series. This week he profiles a rivalry that’s very close to Jobu’s heart, BC vs. Notre Dame. Let’s Hope Clew is good to the Eagles…

Boston College Eagles – 3-7 (2-5), @ #24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3) 11/19, 4PM

Last year’s results: Notre Dame won 31-13 (ND leads all time record 11-9)

As the college football season begins to wind down, we start to get into the mix of all the great rivalries from years past. And this one that is about to come up this weekend needs no introduction. Boston College comes into South Bend, Indiana and faces the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Although football at both ND and BC goes back to the 19th century, the rivalry is relatively young. Their first meeting was on September 15th, 1975 at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts. Since then, the two schools have met 20 times, including the 1983 Liberty Bowl. The rivalry has acquired some interesting nicknames over the years. These include the “Vatican Bowl”, the “Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl”, the “Jesuit Invitational (referring to the fact that these schools are Jesuit Catholic Universities)”, and the battle for the Ireland Trophy. As previously stated, Notre Dame has won 11 out of 20 meetings between the two teams and boy have they had some big time games. This rivalry isn’t just on the grid iron either. They also have a big time match up in the hockey rink called The Holy War on Ice – The John “Snooks” Kelley Memorial Trophy.

Boston College Eagles:

Coming off a 14-10 victory over North Carolina State last week, can the Eagles build a little of momentum for next season? Boston College fans have had nothing to root this season from the Eagles, as BC hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations. …THEY LOST TO DUKE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Here’s a little bit history for ya: since BC joined the ACC in 2005, they have gone to a bowl game in every year. However, it looks like that streak is going to unfortunately end this year. So what can we expect from BC against the Irish this weekend? Not a whole lot from a team that ranks 113th in the nation in offense and 105th in passing. Looks like Notre Dame will have to play their freshman team in order for Boston College to be able to compete. I personally think that it is time for the Eagles to start looking forward to next season, and build off of a few upsets they might be able to pull off with the remaining games on their schedule.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

For the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, they have won 7 of their last 8 games (the one loss coming at USC), it looks as if they are officially bowl bound and they’re looking to make more of an impact in the bowl picture as they move forward for the rest of the season. ND ranks 37th in passing and 41st in rushing. Coach Brian Kelly has them moving in the right direction after the Charlie Weis era, yet they have so much to improve on. If it was not for their offensive line they might have lost  two more games, and this might have become a more meaningful game for the Irish. One thing is for certain, they will have a good solid QB for the next few years in Tommy Rees, who I consider to be a much better player than Jimmy Clausen ever was. And you cant forget their two headed running attack, which has netted them over 1,600 yards on the ground and is another reason why Notre Dame has been successful this season.

Players to Look Out For

Boston College: QB Chase Rettig (1,588 yards, 9 TDs, 9 INTs), RB Rolandan Finch (577 yards, 3 TDs), RB Andre Williams (466 yards, 4 TDs).

Notre Dame: QB Tommy Rees (2,393 yards, 19 TDs), RB Jonas Gray (730 yards, 11 TDs), RB Cierre Wood (907 yards rushing, 178 yards receiving, 9 TDs), WR Michael Floyd (77 catches, 922 yards, 7 TDs).

My prediction: It seems as if it will be too much for Boston College to come into South Bend and pull off an upset over Notre Dame. They are just overmatched in every category and the Irish have way too much offense for BC to compete. Irish should win their 3rd straight game against BC.

Cheerleader image courtesy of: http://collegecheerheaven.blogspot.com
Rettig image courtesy of: Elsa/Getty Images
Rees image courtesy of: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images