Fighting Irish Return To The Top

In this April 21, 2012, photo, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field for their spring NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. (Joe Raymond/AP)

Notre Dame, one of the most storied programs in college football history, is rebuilding its mystique.

The Fighting Irish are on the cusp of their first national championship since 1988.

Notre Dame needs a win over the USC Trojans tomorrow to earn a berth in January’s Bowl Championship Series championship game.

• Sports Illustrated: The Notre Dame Miracle: Fighting Irish Football on the Cover of This Week’s Sports Illustrated

Watch Knute Rockne’s famous speech at halftime of the 1928 Notre Dame-Army game. The Irish came back from a 6-0 deficit and won 12-6:

Watch the trailer for the 1940 film “Knute Rockne, All American”:

Guest:

• Tim Layden, reporter for Sports Illustrated. He writes about Notre Dame’s resurgence in the latest issue of the magazine. He tweets @SITimLayden.