Sept. 28, 1999
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame’s 1999 football schedule ranks as the ninth toughest in the country to this point in the season.
That’s based on NCAA statistics including all games through Sept. 25.
Notre Dame’s ’99 opponents have jointly compiled a 25-11 record (.694) against other Division I-A foes other than the Irish.
Notre Dame’s past opposition has been particularly strong at 9-2 (.818), with Oklahoma on Saturday marking the fifth straight opponent in ’99 that has met the Irish without a loss on its record.
Here’s the top 10 this week in the most difficult schedule ratings:
Team Overall Past Future 1. Penn State 30-9 (.769) 9-5 (.642) 21-4 (.840) 2. Ohio State 29-9 (.763) 5-4 (.555) 24-5 (.827) 3. Auburn 23-8 (.741) 5-1 (.833) 18-7 (.720) 4. Michigan State 28-10 (.736) 8-3 (.727) 20-7 (.740) 5. Alabama 25-9 (.735) 7-3 (.700) 18-6 (.750) 6. LSU 25-10 (.714) 3-3 (.500) 22-7 (.758) 7. South Carolina 25-10 (.714) 9-2 (.818) 16-8 (.667) 8. Michigan 28-12 (.700) 6-5 (.545) 22-7 (.758) 9. Notre Dame 25-11 (.694) 9-2 (.818) 16-9 (.640)10. Nebraska 22-10 (.687) 6-2 (.750) 16-8 (.667)
Since the NCAA began its toughest schedule rankings in 1977, Notre Dame five times has played the most difficult schedule in the nation (1978, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995), has been ranked among the top four teams on eight occasions — and has been in the top 20 in 16 of 21 previous seasons.