lumbergh wrote: I grew up passionately pro-ND and not giving a damn either way about State.  While attending State, I would often leave games in the second half to go watch ND on TV.

I have always rooted for ND over State with the exception of this season.  Other subway alums might understand based on MSU's recent improvement prior to 2012 and the fact that ND had sucked (relative to history) since about 1993.  Another part of my very brief switch of allegiance had to do with the fact that culturally (aside from football), I do prefer Michigan State.

Even this year, in September, my heart and mind were about 51% pro-MSU and 49% pro-ND.

Based on recent football results and the fact that I prefer the company here to the handful of posters at the MSU board (at least as long as ND fans have less to bitch about), it would be fair to say I'm back to being an ND fan first and foremost.

Of course, I'll always love and follow MSU.

p.s.  My interest in State currently also has to do with the fact that Andrew Maxwell played for my high school, which happens to be literally in my backyard.  Of course, so did Steve Elmer, so now that situation has more or less evened up.

I have similar allegiances to Syracuse and Navy, though in games where they're playing one another, I'll always take Notre Dame.

I forget your age if you ever offered it, GoldRush, but did you feel the same way during the McPherson/MacPherson era?

More importantly, I wonder how guys like you and 73 would feel if Syracuse/Kentucky were going through periods like that while ND was (apparently) in the middle of a decades-long slump.

GoldRushND wrote: 
I have similar allegiances to Syracuse and Navy, though in games where they're playing one another, I'll always take Notre Dame.

lumbergh wrote: I forget your age if you ever offered it, GoldRush, but did you feel the same way during the McPherson/MacPherson era?

More importantly, I wonder how guys like you and 73 would feel if Syracuse/Kentucky were going through periods like that while ND was (apparently) in the middle of a decades-long slump.

I was born in 1980. I didn't start following football until '88 (it was pretty much Notre Dame's national championship season that got me hooked. Hence why I'm such an Irish fan despite having no ties to the school in any way). Of course because my family was a "Syracuse" family, I also got into rooting for the Orange.

They were really good during the MacPherson Era and I had a lot of fun rooting for both teams. In those days I really thought I knew how to pick 'em. My favorite teams were the Yankees, Irish, Orange, Knicks, and Jets. From the early-to-late 1990's, ALL of those teams were good (winning the majority of their games, going to playoffs every year, etc). I wish I'd appreciated those years more, because the decade that followed has pretty much been the suckiest decade of my sports life!

But to answer your question, if the Irish had been as bad in the '90's as they were in the '00's and Syracuse was still that good, I might have been swayed to the Orange. However, the Irish didn't get truly awful until the latter part of the Davie Years, so the point is moot. At this point I'm so invested in the Irish that I can't imagine rooting for another school more. But I do hope that Syracuse one day finds its way in the dark. It looked like they might be headed up the ladder, but then their coach just fled to the NFL, so it looks like they might fall back into the hole.

GoldRushND wrote:

lumbergh wrote: I grew up passionately pro-ND and not giving a damn either way about State.  While attending State, I would often leave games in the second half to go watch ND on TV.

I have always rooted for ND over State with the exception of this season.  Other subway alums might understand based on MSU's recent improvement prior to 2012 and the fact that ND had sucked (relative to history) since about 1993.  Another part of my very brief switch of allegiance had to do with the fact that culturally (aside from football), I do prefer Michigan State.

Even this year, in September, my heart and mind were about 51% pro-MSU and 49% pro-ND.

Based on recent football results and the fact that I prefer the company here to the handful of posters at the MSU board (at least as long as ND fans have less to bitch about), it would be fair to say I'm back to being an ND fan first and foremost.

Of course, I'll always love and follow MSU.

p.s.  My interest in State currently also has to do with the fact that Andrew Maxwell played for my high school, which happens to be literally in my backyard.  Of course, so did Steve Elmer, so now that situation has more or less evened up.

I have similar allegiances to Syracuse and Navy, though in games where they're playing one another, I'll always take Notre Dame.

Who between Navy vs Syracuse?
and a tie doesn't answer the question

To me your either a fan or your not.  There Is no going back and forth etc.  Not for me at least.  I was born and raised In Hopkinsville Kentucky and I love UK Basketball because UK Basketball surrounds you from day 1.  Like high school football Is In Texas Is how much we love our Kentucky Basketball In Kentucky.  I love them so much I dont even pull for UL....In fact I despise UL.  It doesnt bother me when ND does well.  But every other college basketball team can crash and burn for all I care as long as It Isnt my Kentucky Wildcats....Ive felt this way even through the crappy years that hit us here and there.

As far as ND Football goes I feel the same way.  I root for ND and ND only.  I have always liked ND as a young child but I became a really big ND fan through some of the crappiest years In ND history.  2001 Is probably the year where I got really Into college football and haven't turned back since.  I dont root for UK football and I barely keep up with whats going on there.  (The UK Football news I get comes from the same show I listen to everyday that Is dedicated mostly UK Basketball.)  Although It doesn't bother me If they do well....which Is almost non existent.  Its just how It Is for me.

lumbergh wrote: I forget your age if you ever offered it, GoldRush, but did you feel the same way during the McPherson/MacPherson era?

More importantly, I wonder how guys like you and 73 would feel if Syracuse/Kentucky were going through periods like that while ND was (apparently) in the middle of a decades-long slump.

GoldRushND wrote: 
I have similar allegiances to Syracuse and Navy, though in games where they're playing one another, I'll always take Notre Dame.