Notre Dame fan Katie Bell’s “Committee Against Catholics” T-shirts printed last December may have renewed shelf life in 2026.
The Fighting Irish host Miami on Saturday, marking the 29th all-time meeting between the programs and the ninth against Catholic since the Convicts jerseys were forever entrenched in college football’s ignominy.
The original concept, dreamed up by a pair of Notre Dame students in 1988, is updated and explored every time the topic comes up. Still, the jerseys’ place in the sport’s modern legacy has lasted nearly 40 years, resurrected every few years for different purposes, such as the 2020 Mullets vs. Mormons matchup between Coastal Carolina and BYU.
Bell was given new life last year when Notre Dame was passed over for the final spot in the College Football Playoff — instead going to Miami.
While the Hurricanes’ inclusion in the 12-team bracket a year ago was generally worthy of skepticism, given Miami’s failure to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game, they earned a spot that was clearly earned because Notre Dame belonged.
Miami’s 27-24 win in the 2025 season opener gave The U an argument the Irish couldn’t resist. And with the Hurricanes reaching the National Championship Game, they both justified their entry and cemented their No. 1 spot in the first Playoff rankings of the year.
It was no surprise that Miami debuted in the Playoff rankings on Tuesday. While the Hurricanes struggled to put away ACC opponents Florida State and North Carolina, their two-game losing streak to surprising Wake Forest and an unblemished overall record made their No. 1 seeding official.
Notre Dame’s registration at building number 11 may be the most surprising revelation.
The Irish dropped a full seven spots in Sunday’s Associated Press Top 25. The difference between the top-four in one poll and the top 11 in another is stark.
More importantly, the gap in Notre Dame’s ranking makes it clear that Saturday is a must-win for the Irish’s Playoff chances.
For as much chaos this season as Miami’s trip to South Bend has brought, few games have had high enough stakes for one side. The Irish don’t have a signature spot on their resume, and Miami is Notre Dame’s last chance to score a touchdown, keeping SMU from reaching the Top 25 until Nov. 21.
“These are fun games,” Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Wednesday on the Wake Up The Echoes podcast. “Big time atmosphere, [and] any competitor loves the opportunity to test their skills against the best.”
Atmosphere is an element that Freeman feels has an impact. The coach talked about the crowd noise at Notre Dame Stadium affecting Miami’s offense and ability to communicate in a news conference Monday.
Not that the Irish faithful needed any more reason to be vociferous, but Freeman’s comments about the atmosphere preceded the Playoff seeding reveal. Along with Saturday’s game being the Committee vs. Catholic, it ranks among the most important home games Notre Dame has played in the modern era.