Welcome to Bagpipe Monday on One Foot Down! Friends, the old adage is that you should never change horses midstream, but I’m not riding a horse. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 8-0 and probably going to be ranked #3 in the initial college football playoff rankings.

@phillykelly

So, I suppose there are all sorts of things we could get into as the Irish prepare to travel to Evanston to take on the Northwestern Wildcats, but this is important...

BRING BACK THE SHILLELAGH TROPHY

We went out and and found the “long forgotten” Shillelagh Trophy for the Notre Dame / Northwestern series, but we just can’t bring the thing back into existence. We need your help.

If you’re not familiar with the story by now, please take a moment to read our coverage:

This isn’t something like amending the United States Constitution, so I’m not going to create a petition. This needs to be quicker and more public, so if any and all of you want to tweet this story (or the other two) at @NDFootball & @NUFBFamily.

We should, basically, “shame” them into bringing this thing back. Northwestern could be the best option here. After all, they were the last owners of the trophy and if you add that to the 2014 win over Notre Dame, the Wildcats have the rights and the claim. Why wouldn’t they want to pursue this? This is a HUGE game for the Cats with it being in Evanston and in prime time, as opposed to the sanitary confines of Soldier Field. They can have it on the sideline in all its glory, and reshape the destiny of a piece of wood.

The current owner of the trophy is very willing to listen to the schools, and he would like to put this trophy back into existence, but it’s going to take some effort and a move from one or both schools to do so. (Unless, of course, you’re a wealthy alum and play your own heroic part).

We have a few days, so if you want to see this happen — HELP make it happen by spreading the stories, contacting the schools, and/or being the hero yourself.

Enjoy the pipes!