*(Because pretending to be normal for a weekend is harder than it looks.)
Let’s face it — bye weeks are emotional whiplash. One minute, you’re screaming at the TV because a targeting call ruined your Saturday plans, and the next, you’re staring at the schedule like a lost puppy wondering, “Now what am I supposed to do with my life?”
Don’t panic. Take a deep breath, put down the remote, and remember — we’ve been training for this. We’re Irish. We know how to persevere through adversity (and weather delays).
Here are a few ideas to help you survive the Great Football Void of the Bye Week:
1. Reintroduce Yourself to Your Family
They’ve seen you pacing, yelling, and clutching a foam finger for seven straight Saturdays. This weekend, surprise them by being calm, approachable, and only slightly checking your phone for recruiting updates. Bonus points if you make eye contact.
2. Watch a Movie That Won’t Raise Your Blood Pressure
May I suggest Rudy (again)? Or perhaps something soothing, like The Sound of Music — because we all know who the real “favorite things” are: blue, gold, and touchdowns.
3. Pretend You’re a Productive Adult
Mow the lawn. Do laundry. Organize the garage. You know, all the things you swore you’d do “after football season.” Just remember, football season technically runs through January if you’re doing it right.
4. Have a Themed “Domer Dishes” Day
Fire up your grill or kitchen and make one of the recipes from Domer Dishes: Inside the Lives (and Kitchens) of Your Irish Gridiron Greats.
Try Reggie Brooks’ ribs or Rick Mirer’s wings — both perfect for reminding yourself what victory tastes like.
5. Rewatch a Classic Notre Dame Game
Pick any from the Holtz era, the 1988 championship season, or that time we beat Clemson in 2020. Rewatching old games is the sports equivalent of comfort food — familiar, satisfying, and occasionally sprinkled with bad camera angles.
6. Make Over Your Lucky Game Day Gear
Patch that jersey. Wash that hat (maybe). Stitch your lucky socks. You’ll need your superstition arsenal in perfect working order for the next matchup.
7. Catch Up on Sleep
You’ve been emotionally exhausted since kickoff week. The stress, the snacks, the screaming — it all takes a toll. Take a nap. You’ve earned it. Dream of touchdowns.
8. Plan Your Next Notre Dame Trip
If you’re anything like me, your browser history is 90% “Hammes Bookstore hours,” “South Bend weather,” and “best tailgate snacks.” Use the bye week to book your next campus adventure or road game.
9. Recruit New Members to the Irish Fan Club
Find a friend who isn’t a Notre Dame fan (they exist, apparently). Invite them over, share your favorite game highlights, and casually slip the fight song into the background. By the end of the night, they’ll either be humming along or politely asking you to stop. Either way, you’ve made an impact.
10. Reflect, Recharge, Repeat
Remember: a bye week isn’t an absence — it’s a preparation. The calm before the Irish storm. So hydrate, stretch, and whisper softly to yourself: Beat [Next Opponent].
So yes, there’s no game this weekend — but that doesn’t mean there’s no Irish spirit. Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or binge-watching Holtz highlights, remember: being a Notre Dame fan isn’t a pastime. It’s a full-time lifestyle… with occasional breaks for laundry.
