Notre Dame Football: 5 biggest ‘What If’ losses in Irish history

4.  1993: Boston College 41, Notre Dame 39

On the list of Notre Dame rivals, Boston College is not among the highest ranked. It’s certainly behind USC, Michigan, and other match-ups like those. However, the match-up between the only two Catholic FBS schools has had some classics — none better than this 1993 game — which cost the Irish another National Championship.

The week before, in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up, Notre Dame knocked off Florida State. So it was easy to have a letdown game the next week, especially when they had to deal with a ranked Boston College team.

The game started on a bad note for the Irish. They went down two scores quick. At halftime, they were still down two scores. It was 24-10. Then, quickly, once the second half started, it was 31-10 Boston College looking to upset the top-ranked Irish.

Then, like the team of destiny they almost were, Notre Dame stormed back. The Golden Domers went up 39-38 with very little time remaining in the 4th quarter. It seemed like the season was saved. Boston College only had a minute, and the length of the field to go. There’s no way they’d make it.

They didn’t make the endzone, but they did make field goal range. That was all the Eagles needed. They left South Bend with Notre Dame’s season crushed.

The Irish would still go on to win the Cotton Bowl. Boston College finished 9-3, with a Carquest Bowl win. One of those nine wins altered the history of college football.