It’s Nov. 12, 1993. There’s a certain buzz around Notre Dame’s campus, much like the one that still arrives on home game day
weekends in 2026. Tomorrow, a game of the century awaits. The No. 1 Florida State Seminoles, led by eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Charlie Ward and legendary head coach Bobby Bowden, are in South Bend to take on the No. 2 Fighting Irish. Led by eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, consensus All-American safety Jeff Burris and their own legendary head coach, Lou Holtz, Notre Dame enters as a slight underdog. The winner will be in the driver’s seat for an eventual national championship.

Saturday afternoon, over 59,000 raucous fans pile into Notre Dame Stadium as millions more watch back home while Bob Costas delivers one of the most iconic broadcast openings in college football history.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Burris explained of the atmosphere that day. “People were coming in on Sunday.”

By kickoff, you can cut the tension with a knife. The Irish have known what’s at stake since their prep began that previous Sunday.

All-American offensive lineman Aaron Taylor recalled what Lou Holtz had to say about the Seminoles in a 2018 interview with the Chicago Tribune: “‘This might be the best football team I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s going to take our best effort, and somehow, someway, if we can keep it close, we might have a shot to win.’”

The defense understands the challenge and adopts a certain mentality. As Burris put it, “It was personal. We knew this vaunted
offense was coming in and we wanted to prove to people that we had just as much talent as they did.”

Just over halfway through the first quarter, the Seminoles strike first on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Kevin Knox. It seems like they might live up to their ranking. The Irish quickly respond, as running back Adrian Jarrell bursts for a 32-yard touchdown run just two and a half minutes later.

The Seminoles don’t touch the lead again for the rest of the afternoon. Jarrell’s touchdown begins a 24-point unanswered onslaught. At halftime, the Irish lead 21-7. The third quarter is a bit slower, with Florida State gaining some ground, although the Irish still lead 24-14 entering the final frame.

Florida State notches a 24-yard field goal just over four minutes into the fourth quarter to get back within a touchdown for the first time in the second half. The Irish immediately respond with a drive capped off by an 11-yard touchdown run from Burris, who doubles as the team’s short-yardage back. The Seminoles don’t quit, though. They bring things back within a touchdown and the Irish offense, stalls. Then Florida State gives the Irish one final scare. However, defensive back Shawn Wooden breaks up a last-second shot to the end zone by Ward to seal the deal.

Final score: 31-24 Irish. Notre Dame is in the driver’s seat for their 12th national championship.

In a week, they are scheduled to end the regular season at home in the Holy War against No. 17 Boston College. The Eagles are 7-2 and not as good on paper as Florida State, but they ride a seven-game win streak into South Bend. Last week, they dominated Pitt 33-0. Head coach Tom Coughlin knows his team has a golden opportunity to play spoiler.

Earlier in the season, Coughlin was approached by the New York Giants about their head coaching vacancy. His response?

“Sorry, I have some unfinished business at Boston College.”

Entering 1993, Boston College had never defeated Notre Dame in football. In Coughlin’s second season, the Irish defeated his
Eagles 54-7 in Chestnut Hill. It was humiliating.

“We had beaten Boston College pretty bad the year before,” Burris reflected. “And so, there’s a level of confidence going into a
game like that you may have.”

On the afternoon of Nov. 20, 1993, the Eagles carry their frustration into Notre Dame Stadium. Again, a sold-out crowd of over 59,000 fans piles in. This week, there is more hope and joy in the crowd. The Irish faithful can feel it. It’s their year once again.

Then, in the blink of an eye, things change.

The Eagles blank the Irish en route to a 10-0 first-quarter lead. The Irish respond in the second quarter, but are matched by the
Eagles, who lead 24-14 at halftime. After three quarters, the Irish still trail 31-17. Then, Boston College adds a touchdown pass to begin the fourth quarter and extend their lead to 21.

Somehow, though, Holtz and the Irish persist. A furious fourth-quarter rally begins with a 29-yard touchdown run from Lee Becton. Then, Becton completes a rare octopus when he catches a two-point conversion from quarterback Kevin McDougal.

38-25, Eagles.

“It was the perfect storm,” Burris recalled of the game.

Then, the Irish defense stands tall and lets the offense go back to work. 38-32. Then, they stop the Seminoles again. The offense converts again, as McDougal connects with Lake Dawson for a 4-yard touchdown. Kevin Pendergast nails the extra point, and the Irish have hope.

39-38, Irish. Just 1:09 remaining for Boston College.

On the kickoff, a personal foul call against the Irish starts the Eagles with great field position. Then, quarterback Glenn Foley connects with receiver Pete Mitchell twice to move his team to the Irish 24. Out trots kicker David Gordon with a chance to nail the game-winning field goal and end the Irish dream of a national championship. He steps up and nails the 41-yarder as time expired.

41-39, Eagles. Game over. How could this happen?

“For Boston, Foley came out and played the game of his life. Pete Mitchell played the game of his life, and the offense wanted to prove something,” Burris explained.

It doesn’t quite feel real. A week ago this time, Notre Dame was going to win the national championship. Now what?

The Irish drop to No. 4 in the following poll and prepare for their second consecutive season playing No. 7 Texas A&M at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. But the fans don’t care as much. Florida State was the Super Bowl. Boston College was the hangover.

In front of nearly 70,000 fans, Notre Dame emerges with a 24-21 win in a slugfest over the Aggies. It’s a win that, as close as it may have been, restores some hope for the Irish.

“After the game, we knew that we were at least gonna own a portion of the national championship, at worst,” Burris said.

At the Orange Bowl in Miami, again No. 1 Florida State holds on 18-16 against No. 2 Nebraska. In the final rankings of the season, the Seminoles remain at No. 1. They’re the consensus national champions. Notre Dame finishes the season at No. 2, which leaves one question for Holtz and his men.

Didn’t we beat Florida State?

Burris called the snub, “One of the most heartbreaking and disheartening moments of my playing career,” looking back on the championship outcome. “We won the game [against Florida State], and we played well enough to at least be a part of the national championship talks.”

Head-to-head has long been a key aspect of college football rankings. Not in 1993. Florida State’s unbeaten run after their loss to Notre Dame and the Irish loss to Boston College earned the Seminoles the crown. In a shocking result, the team that beat the national champions sits just behind at No. 2. It’s a crushing way to end the season.

“It was probably one of the best teams I had been on,” Burris emphasized nonetheless.