Already drunk on Irish prose

But to hear the opening that Tom Hammond had to read aloud like doing Shakespeare in the Park for NBC's coverage of Notre Dame's football opener against that San Diego State juggernaut.

If you couldn't allow it to wash over you in all its verbal glory (it'll be online somewhere), here's the transcript:

(with a montage of Touchdown Jesus and other campus monuments)

"The football season opener is always special on the Notre Dame campus. The sun still rises high in a fair sky. The trees still covered in leaves of green. Ahead, lie the colors of autumn and the highs and lows of the gridiron campaign. But for now, all is optimism. Yet as Charlie Weis led his squad in the familar ritual in the march across campus, Irish fans wondered if his off-season changes will turn the team around as he watches his team take the field at Notre Dame Stadium."

Pass the syrup. My teeth already hurt.
And how's that for setting the stage for failure.