Yes, Brady Is Important

If you seek clarity in the importance of Notre Dame football in the world order, consider last week quarterback Brady Quinn was Google’s ninth-most requested search item. He trailed the late Steve Irwin, Suri Cruise (Tom’s baby) and William Shatner Star Trek (greatest TV show ever), but let’s not quibble about priorities (or the definition of the best TV show).

We’re an hour before kickoff between Notre Dame and Michigan, and the weather is perfect and the crowd is feisty (students wearing t-shirts that say, “Much, Fichigan” are everywhere).

That feistiness is the opposite of Irish players’ demeanor toward Michigan this week. They barely mentioned the Wolverines’ name, instead talking about focusing on themselves and fundamentals, no matter the question. So much for getting any dynamic quotes.

How important is the weather in this rivalry? Consider the Irish are 5-0 against Michigan at Notre Dame Stadium when the sun is shinning. And, yes, the sun is shinning.