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10 classic teams to feature if EA Sports revives NCAA Football franchise

By Phil Poling

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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23 Sep 1989: Quarterback Tony Rice of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rolls out of the pocket during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
23 Sep 1989: Quarterback Tony Rice of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rolls out of the pocket during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

9. 1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The 1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish also won the Orange Bowl, but would’ve played for the National Championship if it weren’t for late-season beatdown at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes. The Irish still had a tough team, though, and finished with a 12-1 record under head coach Lou Holtz.

Both the offense and defense finished in the top 11 for points per game, scoring 32.8 and allowing just 14.5. The offense was orchestrated beautifully by Tony Rice, who amassed just over 2,000 all-purpose yards, and Raghib Ismael was a matchup nightmare for opponents on offense and special teams. Ismael wouldn’t blossom into an all-around star until a year later, but this roster would provide plenty of versatility in a dynasty-type mode that included recruiting.

Todd Lyght led the team in interceptions with eight, while Pat Terrell added five and D’Juan Francisco had four. That’s a tough pass defense that would cause plenty of teams’ today fits. What would a matchup with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence look like?

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