How surreal and funny it is to witness the renewal of hatred toward Notre Dame, suddenly bursting with life, as if a primordial creature has roused from the ocean. How long has it been since the Fighting Irish were properly despised? The emotion hasn't had relevance for years—during recent down years it just felt like a pile-on—but now, amid a surprising and historic South Bend season, it's being dusted off for a loud revival. Irish fans might be offended, but they shouldn't be. There's something amusingly passé about the hostility. Hearing someone complain about Notre Dame in 2012 is like having someone call you on a...