BC’s Catholic Counterpart Is Going To The 2025 National Championship. What Does That Mean For The Eagles?
In a twist of fate that no one saw coming, Boston College’s most storied rival, the University of Notre Dame, is heading to the 2025 College Football National Championship. While many might celebrate the Irish’s historic achievement, the question on the minds of BC fans and analysts alike is: What does this mean for the Eagles?
For years, Boston College and Notre Dame have shared more than just a Catholic affiliation—they have been locked in a fierce rivalry that dates back decades. While BC’s football program has always been competitive in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), it has often found itself overshadowed by programs with more national visibility, like Notre Dame. This year, however, the story of the season has been Notre Dame’s rise to dominance, culminating in a spot in the 2025 National Championship.
Notre Dame’s journey to this historic moment was not easy. After a challenging start to the season, the Irish bounced back with key wins over powerhouse teams, culminating in a hard-fought victory in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Their offense, led by star quarterback Jack Finley, has been one of the most dynamic in college football, and their defense has been nothing short of spectacular. Their presence in the National Championship game speaks volumes about their consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stage.
But for Boston College, this development raises several questions. As a program that prides itself on its academic and athletic balance, BC has always played second fiddle to the national powerhouses. Yet, with Notre Dame in the championship, BC is left grappling with its own place in the college football landscape.
For one, BC fans and alumni can’t help but feel a sense of rivalry stoked to new heights. The Eagles have long been in the shadow of Notre Dame, both on and off the field. Many BC supporters have grown frustrated with their team’s inability to break through into the national spotlight, despite years of strong performances. The fact that Notre Dame, a team BC has traditionally competed with both for recruits and recognition, is now playing for the sport’s highest honor only accentuates the feeling of missed opportunity for the Eagles.
From a recruitment perspective, BC’s coaches have their work cut out for them. Notre Dame’s national prominence has always made it a key player in the recruitment of high school prospects, especially those in the northeast. With the Irish now competing for a national title, their cachet will only increase, making it even harder for BC to land top-tier recruits.
This development could also mean added pressure on BC’s football program to elevate its own play. While the Eagles have enjoyed moderate success in recent seasons, their overall trajectory has not matched the surge in performance from other Catholic institutions like Notre Dame. For BC’s athletic department, this becomes an opportunity to push for greater investment in facilities, recruiting, and coaching to ensure they can compete at the highest levels.
On the other hand, Notre Dame’s success could serve as motivation for the Eagles. With a proud football tradition of their own, Boston College may look at their Catholic counterpart’s championship run and be inspired to set its own course for greatness. There is an undeniable sense of competition between the two programs, and BC will undoubtedly use this moment as fuel to reassert itself in the national conversation.
For BC to remain relevant, they will need to continue to build a strong foundation, balancing their academics with athletic excellence, and pushing to break through the glass ceiling of college football’s elite. In many ways, Notre Dame’s National Championship appearance could be the catalyst for the Eagles to take their next step—one that may one day see them playing on the same stage.
For now, however, BC will watch as their rivals chase glory—and will, no doubt, be dreaming of the day the
y can do the same.
