Week 4 Reaction - Found some of me gold!

If I have realized one thing about this Notre Dame football season, it's that we as fans are in for a wild ride week in and week out.  What makes last Saturday's win against Purdue much more satisfying than week 3, is that ND fought for the win at the end of the game.  In game 2 they gave a "W" away, in game 3 they barely held on for the win, but last week they fought for it.

The Irish had a lot stacked against them heading into the Purdue game.  Their three best offensive weapons hurt, an underachieving defense, and the #2 rusher in the nation waiting to stack up yards against them.  Last year's team would have lost.  This years team rose to the occasion.

We saw Charlie Weis form an offensive gameplan that worked very well for the majority of the game.  We saw a rushing defense continue to take strides in the right direction.  We saw a solid rushing attack from ND without their starting running back.  Most impressively, we saw a Quarterback make a legitimate case for Heisman consideration with a gutsy, heroic performance.

One of the most important things that happened on Saturday will prove to be a key to the success of our defense in the remaining games.  Jon Tenuta adjusted the blitzing scheme, and FINALLY dropped the linebackers into coverage.  If the blitzing linebackers are unable to create pressure, you have to start leaving them in pass coverage.  I think Tenuta, or Charlie, finally figured that out Saturday.  I believe we will see more pressure created if we pick and choose our blitzing downs simply because it keeps the offense guessing.  I hope to see that adjustment become a regular part of the defensive gameplan.

Notre Dame has improved their rushing defense significantly over the last 3 games.  ND allowed 190 yards on the ground against Michigan, cut State's ground production to 109 yards, and held Purdue to just 74 yards.  Second leading rusher in the nation?  Not anymore!  The Fighting Irish defense improved from the 74th rushing D nationally to the 57th in one game.  Now if the secondary could just follow suit, the defense could start winning games for us instead of leaning on the offense each week.

Consider this, if you take Sam Bradford away for half the game, Jermaine Gresham for the entire game, and subtract starting RB DeMarco Murray, you get an Oklahoma loss to BYU in week 1.  Jimmy played half the game for the Fighting Irish on Saturday, which was our first game without Michael Floyd.  To top it off, our leading rusher, Armando Allen, didn't see the field.  Unlike Oklahoma, Notre Dame fought through it and came away with the win.  I dare you to apply that handicap to any team in the country, including the mighty Gators, and give them a guaranteed win on the road.  You can't.  That is why Notre Dame's victory over Purdue was big.

The signs of a great team are there.  Notre Dame has the athletes, the leadership, and the determination to have a great season.  They just need to continue the improvement on the defensive side of the ball, and show up each week with that fiery will-to-win that we saw Saturday.  Keep it up Notre Dame.

Go Irish!

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Week 4 - Where's me pot o' gold?

ND vs. Purdue First Impression

The word of the week is "run".  Quite a few question marks surround that word heading into game 4 versus Purdue.  The Fighting Irish will make the 110 mile trip south to West Lafayette with questions regarding the health of Jimmy Clausen and Armando Allen.  Will Jimmy run the offense effectively with his turf toe?  Will Allen continue his streak of running for 100+ yards on a bum ankle?  Will the nations 2nd leading rusher, Ralph Bolden, run all over the Irish defense Saturday night?

So many questions cloud the minds of ND fans as we count down to kickoff.  Maybe the most obvious question being "Who will fill Michael Floyd's shoes?"

What could go wrong for the Irish?

If the Notre Dame defense fails to continue its slight improvement against the run on Saturday, we could be in for a long game.  Ralph Bolden, Purdue's stud running back, has stacked up 421 yards in 3 games.  Purdue will undoubtedly attempt to run downhill on us, considering our defense ranks 105th nationally allowing 4.87 yards per carry.  Boldens 421 yards are a result of a 234 yard effort against Toledo in week 1, a 123 yard game against Oregon in week 2, and just 64 yards against Northern Illinois last week.  If our defense doesn't display its best effort yet, look for Bolden to get back on track.  This team can score points.  Purdue averages 36.3 per game.

We will see the first effects of Floyd's absence in this game.  Knowing that there will be only one proven playmaker running routes, Purdue will favor Golden Tate's side of the field all day.  If the Irish are not able to field a legitimate threat in Floyd's old spot, Jimmy might see his first average passing game of the season.  Armando Allen is on a roll coming off of back-to-back 100+ yard games.  Unfortunately, his ankle got rolled in the process.  With James Aldridge still out, Armando is the only consistent rusher we have.  If Jonas Gray fails to take some of the load off of Allen, ND could become one-dimensional on offense.

Where's me pot o' gold? (keys to the game, or "me pot o' gold")

After allowing 190 yards on the ground at Michigan, Notre Dame responded by limiting MSU's rushing production to 105 yards.  The key to "finding gold" this week is limiting Purdue's rushing attack.  Despite the horrendous defensive statistics, I have faith that the Irish can "right the ship" and improve from week to week.  This will be the biggest rushing threat that we have seen thus far.  If the Fighting Irish are able to force Purdue to pass, Kyle McCarthy and company should have the opportunity to get a pick or two.  Purdue's QB, Joey Elliott has thrown 5 interceptions on the season and just 4 TD passes.  Turnovers should play a positive roll for the Irish.

Offensively, Notre Dame will need to run the ball well.  The passing game will be less potent this week, making our ground game that much more important.  I hope to see Duval Kamara step up this game and fill the void that exists.  While that is important, the key for the Irish passing game will be Golden Tate.  Even if his catches are limited, maximum effort on each play from Tate will create opportunities for other wide receivers to get involved.  That is assuming that Jimmy Clausen is able to throw the ball well off that shaky plant foot.

I hope to see a resilient Irish offense that works through injury and continues its dominance on Saturday night.

What do I think will happen on Saturday?

I believe we will see a gritty QB lead his Fighting Irish offense into West Lafayette and continue to put up points in bunches.  They may have a drive or two sputter, but this is not the Notre Dame team of 2008.  They have displayed an eagerness to win this year that we haven't witnessed since Brady Quinn's days in South Bend.  I expect the offense to provide enough scoring to win this game by a fairly wide margin.

Purdue will get their yards, mostly on the ground.  When Notre Dame is able to mount a few consecutive scoring drives Purdue may be forced to throw.  I expect at least 1 interception Saturday.  Maybe McCarthy can make it 4 in a row!  Look for a tight game early, but ND's defense will surprise us by creating some pressure in the backfield and slowing Purdue's grinding offense. 

ND 31 - Purdue 20

Go Irish!

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Week 3 Reaction - Have we forgotten about the gold?

Notre Dame finally beats Michigan State in South Bend and I'm suprised by my own reaction to the game.  I am not that excited about the game.  Don't get me wrong, I am happy that we won and I'm happy that we are 2-1 on the season.  My problem is, I can't help but think that this team isn't playing up to it's potential.  Notre Dame found themselves fighting off a driving opponent in the closing seconds of the game for the second week in a row.  That would be OK, if they were playing disciplined football.  Much like the Michigan game, the Fighting Irish committed penalties that allowed the opposing team to hang around long enough to have a legitimate chance at winning the game.  Luckily we put a tick in the W column this week thanks to Kyle McCarthy's 3rd pick on the year.

Another seemingly constant theme showed up again this weekend.  Terrible officiating.  Michael Floyd's last touchdown catch of the 2009 football season was ruled an incomplete pass.  Despite multiple replay angles that confirmed the catch, the officials decided to put their heads their rear-ends and ignore the video evidence.  It reminds me of that Buffalo Wild Wings commercial where the ref puts his head under the replay hood and the restaurant patrons tell him to send it to O.T.  What will they do to us next, start tripping players on the field?

I'm not going to be a Charlie Weis apologist any longer.  He may have seemingly "saved" his career for now, but let's not go extending his contract for another 10 years just yet.  Notre Dame's offense was great again, for that I give Charlie credit.  But I fault him for the undisciplined play that we have witnessed that past 2 weeks.  Notre Dame was penalized 11 times or 99 yards on Saturday.  After 3 games we are ranked 100th in the nation in total penalty yards.  I can understand one bad game with a few accidental penalties, but when it becomes a theme I have to question the team's preparation and discipline.  That falls on Charlie.  It seems that his switch to Offensive Coordinator / Head Coach has resulted in lots of Coordinator and not enough Coach. 

Defensive Coordinator John Tenuta is known for his "crazy all-out blitzing schemes" that supposedly create pressure on offenses.  Well, we didn't sack the quarterback at all last game, and only had 4 tackles for losses totaling 4 lost yards.  That is not pressure in my book.  We are ranked 74th in rush defense and 91st in pass defense, which makes us the 96th ranked defense in the country.  Even if we score 34 points per game, those defensive numbers will not take us to a BCS bowl.  This defense has a long way to go, and I am starting to doubt whether Tenuta's defense is the answer.

In my opinion, here is what we "know" about this team:

1. Our offense is capable of scoring everytime they touch the ball.  One of the best O's in the nation.
2. Our Quarterback has a great arm.  He is accurate, has a gun, and is a demonstrated leader.  He showed us his toughness playing through injury on Saturday and should start to enter the Heisman conversations.
3. We now have a pressing need for an additional receiving threat with the loss of Michal Floyd.  He will likely miss the remainder of the regular season as he underwent surgery today on a broken collarbone.
4. Golden Tate is amazing... when he wants to be.  If he gave 100% effort on every play, he and the other receivers would benefit from his hustle.
5. Our Defense isn't as good as we expect.  Our linebackers are solid, bu the defensive line and secondary are not playing to potential.
   
6. Darrin Walls is struggling.  Quarterbacks are gong to his side of the field whenever they get a chance because he hasn't proven that he can cover.  One pump fake and he bights.
   
7. Our Special teams aren't that special.  Kickoff coverage has declined and the field goal / PAT kicking isn't consistent.  

Here's is what we hope to see:

1. A team that plays through adversity and injury.  It was great to see Notre Dame come out of the gates hot on Saturday.  I hope they can continue to play with intensity while improving as the season marches on.
   
2. A defense that adjusts when our blitzing linebackers fail to create pressure.  If we cant get to the ball when we send everyone, then the 9 yard pass plays will march the opposing team down the field.  Our corners are forced to play with a large cushion and the underneath routes are hurting us.  Maybe start dropping linebackers into coverage more often?
3. A more disciplined team.  Penalties are giving opponents too many points and killing momentum.
4. Someone needs to swat that injury bug.  Lets try to keep our key playmakers healthy.  This dynamic offense will become average if we lose anymore impact players. 
5. A win against USC.  This weekend they showed us that they are very beatable.  A win over USC could mean a 1 or 2 loss season, if the defense improves.  That hope is very real.

I may seem awfully pessimistic after an Irish win, but if we hold true to the goal of being a BCS team, then some things need to improve.  I love Notre Dame football and I would love to see Charlie Weis get the monkey of his back by turning this season into a memorable one.  Now lets have a good week of practice and pound the Boilermakers next weekend.

Go Irish!

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Week 3 - Where's me pot o' Gold?

Week 3 First Impressions

Heading into the season many Notre Dame fans including myself considered the Michigan State game to be the Irish's first "true' test.  Well, that all changed when ND was shocked by the Wolverines.  This week's game isn't the season's first barometer, but instead a measurement of the toughness and resiliency of the Fighting Irish.  Given that both MSU and ND are looking to rebound after suffering heartbreaking loses, I believe this game is pivotal for both team's seasons.  When the final whistle blows on Saturday, one team will walk off the field with the weight of a losing streak on their shoulders, and the other with a sense of renewal.  Notre Dame's high-powered offense squares off against a stout defense that considers South Bend to be it's vacation home.  I think all the drama, emotion and urgency that surrounds this game will equate to an exciting contest come Saturday afternoon.  Not to mention the "must win" scenario for Charlie Weis.  Needless to say, I am anxious for kickoff.

What could go wrong for the Irish?

This Spartan offense is not the 65 rushing attempt, grind-it-out, Big Ten smashmouth team that we saw last year.  That may be the style of ball that Mark Dantonio preferred last year, but I think this team has more weapons than last year's one-man show starring Javon Ringer.  While the Spartans still haven't solidified the starting QB spot, Cousins and Nichol both provide an upgrade at the QB position for State.  Cousins seems to be the reliable arm, while Nichol provides the "happy feet" playmaking ability that hurt the Irish last week.  They have a respectable receiving core headlined by Cunningham that could hurt us if we don't stay disciplined in pass coverage.  While the MSU running game features 2 true freshman, they have the potential to stack up yards, considering our rushing defense is currently ranked 88th in the nation.  If State is able to establish a rhythm on offense and run the ball up the gut for big yards, expect their passing game to hurt ND more than Michigan's did last week. 

Defensively, this team is solid.  While they did allow Central to win last week, I don't doubt that they are ready to make a statement this weekend.  Junior linebacker Greg Jones is a force to be reckoned with, ranking 2nd in the nation in tackles with 29 after 2 games.  Lookout for that guy!  If the Irish O struggles to keep this D off balance, we could have a hard time running the ball.  If they can manage to contain our rushing attack without leaving 8 in the box, the high-octane Irish passing attack could sputter with additional coverage waiting for them.

Michigan State is a well-coached team that always shows up for battle against ND.  They have proven success on our field, and they expect to win.

Where's me pot o' gold? (Keys to the game, or "me pot o' gold")

Notre Dame's offense has been "money" through the first 2 games.  Take away a few bad penalties and some blown calls, and you have an offense that moves the ball at-will.  I expect to see that continue, minus the crap that plagued us in Ann Arbor (oh wait, are the Big Ten officials gonna be there?).  My first key to the game is more mental than physical: confidence.  I want to see this team march out on to the field prepared to defend their turf at all costs.  I want to see a team that is focused and determined.  I want to see a defense that hits like it did in game 1.  Show me some swagger, you're the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, and this is the house the Rockne Built.

Okay, more X's and O's.  The defense needs to create pressure.  That coin fell out of my pocket sometime before last week's game.  Pressure up front will take some of the heat off of our secondary, who will be facing a quarterback that ranks just below Jimmy Clausen on the QB rating chart (assuming Cousins will take a majority of the snaps). Regardless of who is under center for the Spartans, Notre Dame needs to smack 'em around a bit.  Both QB's are are tasting the first playing time of their careers this year.  Lets give them a facemask full of turf and welcome them to South Bend.  The MSU receivers will probably be the best we've seen thus far, so our secondary needs to demonstrate it's maturity by avoiding breakdowns in coverage.

Irish fans can stop holding their breath now, Michael Floyd is OK after a scary moment last week.  Other than 15 stitches in the knee and a little soreness, he is ready to snatch the pigskin out of the sky.  A key that has been mentioned each week is the rushing game.  I know it's a given, but I have to mention it again.  Another solid performance out of Armando Allen is key to a win.  Oh, and keep the long-balls in the field of play Jimmy.  Do that and you're back to 88% completion percentage.

What do I think will happen Saturday?

I expect the Fighting Irish to respond to the leadership that Jimmy Clausen displayed when addressing his team after last week's loss.  Reports of "maximum effort" being the theme in practice this week lead me to believe that this team isn't going to roll over now that Lou's prediction of an undefeated season is blown.  I see Notre Dame's offense moving the ball well again, hopefully scoring more touchdowns and settling for less field goal attempts.  I think we will see more of Kyle Rudolph this game, as the Michigan State defense pressures Jimmy to get rid of the ball quickly.  Armando will continue to assert himself running the ball and we will control the time of possession stat.  

Defensively I think we will improve slightly in our run-stopping this week facing young RB's.  State will get some points with their newly balanced offensive attack, but I expect our defense to create some turnovers against their inexperienced quarterbacks and runningbacks.

This will be a battle.  Michigan State has planted their flag in Notre Dame Stadium before, but I expect the same will-to-win that Michigan State witnessed during the 4th quarter comeback in East Lansing 3 years ago.  Let me remind you...

A fired up ND team will win Saturday, 28-17.

 

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My Shillelagh - Why I have no respect for MSU

Let me tell you a quick story about the day I lost respect for Michigan State.  The date was September 24th, 2006.  A day that went down in infamy for two reasons: one of the greatest ND comebacks of all-time, and one of the worst displays of sportsmanship that I have ever witnessed.

A good friend and I attended the ND v. MSU game in East Lansing.  We had a great time tailgating and headed to the stadium to grab our seats.  On our walk over, we made a pit-stop at the port-o-potties and encountered a mob of ridiculously drunken MSU students.  Okay, I understand having fun before the game, drinking a few B's and getting rowdy before game time... but this was extreme.  As we stood in line (I was wearing my ND "Tradition" shirt) we had a continuous stream of slurred four-letter words slung at us from all directions.  We took care of business, in separate johns of course, and pushed our way past the friendly locals and shrugged the incident off.

The remaining steps to the stadium were mildly entertaining.  At one point I stepped over a girl (that looked way to young to be inebriated) passed out in the middle of the road .  But the next thing I saw made me want to puke more than a plastered MSU freshman.  A group of elderly, distinguished-looking Notre Dame fans, likely alumni given their garb, were strolling to the gate just outside the stadium when a group of MSU students took notice.  The pack of rabid Spartans proceeded to surround these older Irish fans and start a chant of "F*** you" F*** you!" while circling the frightened group.  Those men looked shocked... and scared.  I've never been that disgusted at a sporting event.  Before we had a chance to break it up, some other bystanders intervened and the crowd disbursed.  That is when I first learned of the lack of class in East Lansing.

Well, needless to say, in the driving rain ND was getting beaten pretty badly through 3 quarters.  Just like the Notre Dame team on the field, we took our share of jabs and shoves in the stands.  I was spit on by people in the stands, punched in the back while standing in line for the bathroom at halftime, and shoved multiple times while inside the stadium.  But when the Irish turned it around on the field and capped the greatest comeback of the Brady Quinn era, 80,000 State fans fell silent.  The jerks behind us stopped shoving, the ND fans perked up, and I quietly marched out of the stadium grinning from ear to ear.  I didn't say a word.  I didn't need to.  Every MSU fan knew exactly what their 3-hour punching bags were thinking.

This Saturday, I don't want ND fans to return the favor.  I want visiting State fans to see what a classy fanbase looks like.

Go Irish! Beat Sparty!

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Week 2 Reaction - Lost Me Pot O' Gold.

 

A Notre Dame fan goes through some clearly defined psychological stages after a tough loss.

1. Disbelief:  "I can't believe this is happening."
2. Denial:  "This must be a terrible nightmare.  Did we just lose to an unranked Michigan team?  What?! A freshman QB just single-handedly beat us?"
3. Projection:  "The Big Ten officials were ridiculous!  THEY cost ND the game!"
4. Isolation:  "Don't talk to me!  I'm going home and going to bed... this stinks."
5. Reasoning:  "We were the better team, we moved the ball at will, we just shot ourselves in the foot one-too-many times."
   
6. Acceptance. "Well, it was a close game and Michigan was better than I expected.  It's time to move on and beat the Spartans."

After 2 days of riding the emotional roller coaster described above, I am ready to react to Saturday's loss.

I found some of "me gold" this weekend.  The offense proved that they are a force to be reckoned with.  I was looking for a solid running attack from the Irish, and I found it with a career-high 139 yards from Armando Allen.  Michael Floyd demonstrated again that he is one of the nation's elite receivers.  Jimmy had a solid day with 336 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.  He played well with the exception of a few errand long-balls early in the game.

Here is what I didn't find in "me pot" on Saturday.  A defense that contained well and stopped the run.  A few costly breakdowns swung the momentum in Michigan's favor, especialy when a freshman QB was allowed to jog into the endzone from 31 yards out.  I didn't expect to see a breakdown on kickoff coverage either, considering that has been a strong suit for the Irish.  However, I did expect better play from our secondary.  We gave up a few crucial pass plays that were a result of coverage breakdowns; most notably the game winner in which newcomer Tate Forcier made Darren Walls look like the freshman.

Needless to say, I was disappointed that we lost that game.  To quote two of my co-workers, who happen to be Michigan fans, "Notre Dame was the better team, they just kept killing themselves with penalties and missed opportunities."  That is what makes the loss hard.  We should have won that game, but costly penalties plagued ND throughout.  We killed our own momentum. Dropped passes and an untimely misque hurt as well.  Some of those things are expected, just not all at once, in a game of this magnitude.

As a result of the loss, Charlie Weis is facing the usual criticism from the average college football fan.  Most people are upset with his playcalling, especially at the end of the game.  Domers and Charlie-haters alike shouldn't rush to judge that aspect of is performance Saturday.  If you read the notes from his presser following the game, he defends why he called 2 passing plays on 2nd and 3rd down when the clock needed to be run out.  Armando Allen left the game with an injury to his thigh.  Anytime it was an obvious running down and ND fielded a RB other than #5, Michigan stacked the line.  After all, Armando was the only Irish rusher giving them trouble.  Charlie recognized this and opted to call a pass play that had been open all game.  Unfortunately Golden Tate was pass interfered with... uh hemmm... "defended well" and Tate wasn't able to haul it in.  This all makes sense.  Just a missed opportunity, or a bad "no-call", either way it could have meant a first down and the game would have been over.  The problem with the following play was 1 of 2 key players in the "pitch and catch" was sitting on the sideline.  If Michael Floyd is in the game at that point, its a first down.  I do question why we were throwing to a freshman in that pressure situation.  The only other questionable play call, a terrible play call in my opinion, was the QB draw on our first offensive series.  Please don't run that again Charlie.

I do have to question Weis' ability to prepare his team for a big game.  Senior center Eric Olsen admitted "We had a little bit of a sloppy practice on Tuesday, and even Wednesday."  This is inexcusable and Weis should take the blame for it.  Olsen concluded ""We'd lose focus at times. In their minds, guys are just trying to survive practice, get through it, it's just another practice. We've gotta use every rep in practice as a way to get better. It translates directly into the game."  Olsen is right.  Practice doesn't make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect.  Jimmy Clausen reportedly addressed the team in the locker room following the loss.  Let's hope that the Fighting Irish can rally behind the words of their QB and have a good week on the practice field.

All in all, ND fans are left waiting to see if their team can rebound.  Will they show some resiliency and bounce back with a victory at home?  Will ND's defense improve their ability to stop the run, which is currently ranked 88th in the nation?  Will Charlie motivate his team in practice this week?  I think so.  I hope so.

We will see.

Until then, Go Irish!

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Week 2 - Where’s me pot o’ gold?

Week 2 First Impression

Coming off of a statement game by the Irish, it would be easy to let my emotions take over and throw rational out the window concerning our next opponent. With a convincing 35-0 shutout under our belts, ND fans may have the urge to consider Lou's National Championship prediction to be law. But we aren't Michigan fans, are we. The Wolverines managed to impress the country with a one-sided victory of their own. They demonstrated improved discipline, surprising poise, and speed. Rodriguez has a history of significantly improving his team from year one to year two. At West Virginia, Dick Rod improved a 3-8 record to a 9-4 record in his first 2 seasons. All controversy aside, the guy can coach. That said, I don't think he has all the pieces to his puzzle in Ann Arbor, yet. Week 2 offers two traditional powerhouses brimming with confidence and newly raised expectations. This game has the potential to be another classic in a storied rivalry that excites both Fighting Irish and Wolverine fans alike.

What could go wrong for the Irish?

Michigan will have a packed house full of 110 thousand Wolverine fans aching for a significant victory. Notre Dame must march into Ann Arbor focused and unshaken by the recent improvement of their opponent. If Charlie allows the hostile environment to distract the players from the gameplan, we could be in for a long day. I consider Michigan's home field advantage to be their only significant edge on Saturday. That said, they do have more weapons than last year. Tate Forcier demonstrated remarkable poise for a true freshman starting his first game as a college athlete. He completed 13 of 20 passes last week, 3 of which resulted in 6 points. If this kid gets on a roll on Saturday, his confidence will continue to grow and he might start to back up that "cocky" attitude. Michigan also demonstrated speed in their opener. Enter Denard Robinson. A reported 4.32 second 40 yard dash and he doesn’t know how to tie his shoes? That's blaze'n folks. He touched the ball a few times last week, and managed to take a broken play and turn it into a 43 yard sprint to the endzone. If the Irish D gives him room, call it 6. The Wolverine defense headlined by stud DE Brandon Graham did look improved. If they pressure Jimmy all day and manage to stop the Irish running attack, ND will struggle.

Where's me pot o' gold? (Keys to the game, or "me pot o' gold")

If you stack these two teams side-by-side Notre Dame has the clear talent edge. The Fighting Irish are much deeper and more seasoned than the less experienced Wolverines. However, Notre Dame needs the key components of its gameplan to click in order to come away with the win.

The biggest key to a Notre Dame victory on Saturday is containment. Michigan will try to spread the ball and create space on offense. Our defense will "cash in" if they can pressure the edges and keep Michigan from moving the pocket on passing plays, and gaining the edge with its speedsters. Now, Notre Dame did demonstrate some weakness up the middle last week. So the blitzing linebackers need to hit their gaps to prevent 15 yard rushing gains up the middle. That's another nugget in the old pot o' gold for ND. Our DB's have the talent edge on Michigan's receiving core, so I don't see that being an issue unless our safeties are forced to focus on defending the run.

Offensively, one thing is certain: Notre Dame is going to score points. The number of points will be determined by the effectiveness of our running game. Yes, our running game. We know that Golden-Floyd and Company will get theirs. Especially considering one of Michigan's starting corners, Boubacar Cissoko, aggravated an injuray last week and is questionable for Saturday. An established running game will force Michigan to leave our receivers in one-on-one coverage, creating enormous scoring opportunities for ND. I am looking for a repeat of last weeks rushing numbers from the Irish. If that happens, the Michael Floyd highlights continue. Duh duh dut, duh duh dut.

A disciplined defense coupled with a balanced offensive scheme will translate to a victory for the Fighting Irish on Saturday.

What do I think will happen Saturday?

I see Notre Dame quieting the rowdy "Big House" crowd with a couple quick scores in the 1st quarter. Michigan will pull some trick plays out early, hoping to gain the momentum off the bat, but ND's defense will rise to the occasion by creating an early turnover. I expect the Irish to be up at least 7 points going into the half. Sparks will continue to fly for the ND offense in the 2nd half, and Michigan will struggle to keep pace without the ability to establish a rhythm on offense. Much like Nevada's offense last week, they will get their yards, but drives will stall for the Wolverines. Second half play will be greatly influenced by the depth advantage that ND holds over U of M.

Outmatched and beaten down, the Wolverines surrender a 35-17 victory to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Saturday. Sound familiar? That was the score of last year’s match in South Bend.


 

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My Shillelagh - Why I Hate Michigan Football

I can't stand the Michigan Wolverines.  I cannot stress enough how much I despise that football team.  I moved from the South Bend area to Michigan with my family when I was 3 years old.  I still remember the smell... the first time I sniffed the B.S. that fuels Michigan fans across this state.  I recognized it at the age of 3, and I smell it now at the age of 27.  Don't get me wrong, as a grown man I chose to settle in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I love this state.  It's just too bad that the majority of college football fans here choose to cheer for the Wolverines.

I will never get over the "Why aren't you a Michigan fan?  You live in the State of Michigan dummy!" argument that plagued the playground at Lincoln Elementary School.  I still hear that one from grown men today... and that's just stupid.  If you want to use the proximity argument, I live closer to ND's campus than U of M's, geography wiz.  I will never forgive my childhood friend Timmy for switching from an ND fan to the dark side because his Dad made him.  I will never forgive one of my high school football coaches (Michigan fan) for defaming the University of Notre Dame for allowing Tony Rice to play football (according to him, Rice was "dumber than a box of rocks").  That is blasphemy as far as I am concerned.  Bring up Michigan's current high-standard coach that produced such fine student-athletes as Pacman Jones, and you will get "oh, I'm sure ND cheats... they have to".  Good comeback Bevis.  It seems that all Michigan fans love to ignore the facts and base all arguments on irrational emotion driven by a 30 pack of icehouse.

Let me offer a story that all you married men will appreciate: 

I married the 2nd oldest of 8 children.  My in-laws produced 3 sweet girls that could care less about football, and 5 foaming-at-the-mouth Michigan fan boys.  Now, I have been able to handle the constant badgering (or should I say "wolverine-ing") at family get-togethers and holidays.  But what happened one sunny Sunday afternoon trumps all ridiculous claims and unwarranted remarks from any Michigan fan.

It was a Sunday morning and I was ironing my shirt and preparing to head off to church.  As I meticulously flattened a shirt that I probably wore the day before, my lovely wife chimed in with a question.  "Will you go shopping at Kohls with me after church?"  Now, in my morning stooper I thought nothing of it and gladly agreed to go.  Fast-forward to the church parking lot following the worship service.  Apparently I had stayed up a little too late the night before, and by this time I was feeling the effects of little sleep coupled with sitting for a few hours straight.  The entire trip home my mind focused on nothing more than the sweet Sunday afternoon nap that was inevitable at this point.  But as we pulled up the driveway my better half kindly reminded me that I "promised" that I would go shopping at Kohls.  (Here comes my mistake...)  Shopping, at Kohls... for girl stuff... the last thing I wanted to do.  I had neither the energy nor the patience that this kind of endeavor requires.  So, I acted as if I completely forgot, which I kinda did, and I mumbled "I forgot... can you go without me?  I need a naaa (SLAM)!" I shut the bedroom door and climbed under the covers.  Well, apparently this ticked my wife off, but she didn't let on to it.  The afternoon passed and I arose victorious form my nap, feeling like a million bucks.  My wife returned from her shopping splendor and we carried on as usual.  Until I asked about the shopping trip.  "What did you buy honey?  Show me."  That is when it appeared... the most disgusting thing I have ever seen, has ever entered my home, and has ever touched my wife.  A grey University of Michigan football sweatshirt, made especially for the spiteful wife of a Notre Dame fan... complete with sparkly glitter etching that hideous block M.  Never in my life have I been that disappointed, that hurt, and that pissed-off that I didn't go shopping.  "You did this because I didn't go, didn't you!" I shouted.  "I don't know what you are talking about" she said as she walked to her closet to stash it away.

Needless to say, she knew EXACTLY what to do to get her point across, and to this day she claims it was innocent, with no ill-intent.  But I know better...  Needless to say, when we were on campus for the Blue-Gold game this spring, we spent a good hour in the bookstore finding new, cute ways to introduce some Irish pride into my wife's wardrobe.  Now that's my kind of shopping.

I'm sure you get the point.  I hate Michigan Football.  That said, I do have a certain level respect for their program.  They don't get to be called the winningest program in college football history (for a few years) by being a complete bunch of morons.  You can shove that respect aside come this Saturday though.  I'll be grinning from ear to ear as my Fighting Irish trounce the overexcited Wolverines.

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Week 1 reaction: Found me pot o' gold!

 

I found me pot o' gold!  The Fighting Irish provided multiple pieces of gold that I, and many Irish fans alike, were looking for in the season opener against Nevada.  Notre Dame finally opened a season with a convincing victory.  A victory that has began to satisfy months of off-season hope and speculation.  I am happy to say that I was half-correct in my final score prediction of 35-24 considering that my error was the result of a zero for the visitors.  What a great way to start the season!

 

So many questions fueled the anticipation that sat like a brick in my gut prior to 3:43 p.m. last Saturday.  Will the defense rise to the challenge?  Will the offense live up to expectations?  This week the answers are yes and yes.

 

The Irish defense showed up to play, allowing a potent offense to gain little momentum throughout the game.  There were times that Nevada moved the ball, picking up yardage in rather large chunks.  Just as the defense looked to be on it's heels, they would apply pressure and force mistakes.  That is what impressed me most.  "Bend, don't break", you've heard it before.  The defense showed poise on Saturday... that impressed me.  That said, early on in the game I did see glimpses of a young d-line that was pushed around.  Luckily our stout linebacking core masked that weakness.  The pressure that Tenuta's scheme creates can offset some of the vulnerability that I think the Irish have against a good offense line.  All in all, I am thrilled with the defense's effort.  Zero points against... you can't get better than that! (on paper)

 

The offense came to play as well.  The passing game forgot that the last whistle blew in the Hawaii Bowl, seeming to pick up right were it left off last year.  While I didn't find a 100 yard coin with Armando's face on it in my pot o' gold, the Irish rushed for 178 yards as a team.  That is a stat we have been seeking for a long time.  Do that a few games in a row and we will start saying that the Fighting Irish have a consistent running attack.  Oh, and if the nation didn't know the name Michael Floyd before, they better now.  This guy is a freak.  Get used to seeing #3 in the endzone folks.  

 

To put all of the positives into context, I have to remind myself that ND was playing a WAC school.  Our schedule is NOT as soft as the layperson believes it to be, and most of the teams that the Irish will face will offer more balanced opposition.  Notre Dame must step onto the field with the same energy each week.

 

The very next game is the most important one on the schedule, and the upcoming bout at the "little house that Dick Rod built" will be no sissyfight.  I have a whole new "pot o' gold" that I am looking for against the Wolverines.  More to come on that subject.

 

Until then, Go Irish!

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Week 1 - Where’s me pot o’ gold?

Week 1 First Impression.

The Fighting Irish open the 2009 season with the Nevada. To the casual fan, this is supposed to be an easy win, right? I mean, it’s the opener. All good teams schedule cupcakes for the season opener, right? Wrong. Nevada is no cupcake. They may hale from an overall weak conference, but this team is legit. They have the potential to give Notre Dame all it can handle on Saturday.

What could go wrong?

Nevada will march into Notre Dame Stadium in Saturday lead by returning starter and dual threat QB Colin Kaepernick. This guy threw for 2,849 yards last year and ran for an additional 1,130. Granted, this is against JV competition for the most part, but the stats cannot be ignored. The Wolf Pack ranked 3rd in rushing yards per game last year. This team obviously has talent. If Notre Dame lets this offense start rolling out of the gate, and do not make the necessary adjustments required to minimize their production, we could end up in a shootout that goes down to the wire. True, ND’s offense looks promising, but all it takes is a few miscues, a few shots from the “pistol” offense, and we are in a dogfight... or worse, we are playing catch-up.

Where’s me pot o’ Gold? (Keys to the game, or “me pot o’ gold”)

I think a successful day for the Irish, resulting in a quality win, will include several nuggets that contribute to the pot. Here’s a John Madden insight for ya: in order to win we need to put up more points than the other guys, right? Their pass defense is extremely vulnerable, giving up the most passing yards per game in the nation last year. 311.62 yards per game, to be exact... dead last. Jimmy and Charlie must exploit this. You will find big days from Tate and Floyd in my pot o’ gold. To make this much easier, the Irish need to establish a ground threat. I’m looking for Armando Allen to set the tone for his season in game 1. One hundred yards or more from Armando would also be in the pot.

The Fighting Irish defense will be poked and prodded for weaknesses all 4 quarters by this multifaceted offense. In my opinion, we will need good Defensive End play throughout the game. Containing this QB will be a chore considering he can make plays with his feet as well as his arm. Kaepernick throws the ball well on the run, so D Ends that make their reads and contain will need to be in the pot. However, my biggest worry is generated by a young, inexperienced ND Defensive Line. With 3 returning 1,000 yard rushers on the Wolf Pack O, limiting the ground production is key.

With the inevitable uncertainties that exist before every season opener, my pot o’ gold for Nevada is a grab bag of hopes.

What do I think will happen on Saturday?

I see both teams screaming out of the gates with a few quick scores for both sides. Once the guesswork lessens and both sidelines settle down, I believe Notre Dame will begin to disrupt the Wolf Pack offense. By the 3rd quarter the Irish will begin to wear down the Nevada defense and start to control the clock. The surprise of the day will be the decent play of the Notre Dame defense against a big play offense.

Final score: Notre Dame – 35, Nevada – 24

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Follow me...

Allow me to introduce myself. "Hi, my name is The Leprechaun, and I am an Irish-aholic." To further clarify: I bleed kelly green, I dream of blue-gray skies, and my tears contain tiny flakes of 24 kt gold. I might be embellishing a bit, but truth be told, I am an avid Notre Dame Football fan. On the eve of the 2009-10 college football season I am brimming with anticipation.

I invite everyone, those that share my passion for the Fighting Irish, those that love the game, and those that pledge their allegiance to other teams, to follow my journey through the upcoming season on this blog. I will be documenting my thoughts, emotions, expectations and analysis throughout the season. My hope is to provide an in-depth look at the life of a true ND football fan.

Here is where I stand at this point in time:

I am filled with cautious optimism as the dawn of the upcoming season is upon us. Optimism that began brewing on December 24th, 2008 with Notre Dame’s first bowl victory in 15 years. Hope that gained momentum as we saw Charlie Weis shore up another fantastic recruiting class with the signing of the #1 defensive recruit in the country. Confidence that grows with daily progress reports bringing news of a focused squad that has improved under the direction of a revamped coaching staff. Yet, I must remind myself of the reality of two disappointing seasons preceding the “inevitable success” that I have imagined.

My reasons for hope are measureable.

1. New Leadership

Charlie has finally assumed the role that he is built for, Head Coach AND Offensive Coordinator. ND fans and Weis haters alike cannot deny this man’s masterful ability to put an offense in position to score… a lot. The long overdue addition of a credible, fiery O-Line Coach in Frank Verducci has reportedly transformed a group of now-veteran lineman into the unit that the offense desperately needs to succeed. The new Running Backs coach, Tony Alford, brings a fresh toughness that should result in more aggressive running backs on the field. The introduction of Defensive Line Coach Randy Hart offers a proven track record of success and a wealth of knowledge to the unit that many believe is the biggest question mark heading into ’09.

2. Depth

There is no denying the lack of personnel that Weis and Company has had to work with the last 2 years, regardless of your position on the theory (fact) that the previous regime left the barrel dry. It’s difficult to coach an A+ game plan to a C average team. Until now. Charlie has mentioned in his recent pressers that he feels very comfortable going 2 or 3 deep in virtually all positions on both sides of the ball. I believe we have not seen this kind of quality depth at Notre Dame since the Holtz era.

3. Experience

Aside from the obvious advantage of having Jimmy Clausen heading into his 3rd year as the starting QB, there are other huge experience points that should translate to success. Namely, the offensive line is bringing a combined 100 starts worth of battle tested grit into this season. That’s the most of any major FBS team. Golden Tate and Michael Floyd are the faces of arguably the best receiving core in the nation. The Offense returns 10 starters overall. The Irish defense returns 6 starters, headlined by an athletic secondary. The linebacking core is deep, with 3 Smiths, a Fleming, and a highly touted Te’o. The D-line has noteable depth this year as well, albeit younger and less experienced than the other units on the field.

As the stars seem to align for what should be a breakout season for the Fighting Irish, I can’t help but think back to recent shortcomings. Caution rightfully remains, lurking behind my enthusiasm. Will we see a defense that can’t stop the run? Will we see the running game get stopped on 3rd and short countless times? Will we question stubborn play calling? I don’t think so, it can’t be as bad as last year, and I sure hope not (for Charlie’s sake).

One thing is certain. I will be there every Saturday to do my part. I’ll gird myself with my lucky boxers, I’ll pull my 2009 student shirt over my head (even if this year’s colors are a little off), and I’ll plant my Irish flag in the front yard before retreating to my freshly painted (Blue and Gold) man-cave of a basement to huddle down in front of the tube in time for the duh-dut-duh duuuh duuuuuh on NBC. Of course the exception to this is when I make the short trek to my birthplace, South Bend Indiana, with ticket in hand. In which case the boxers, shirt and flag make the trip.

On a related note, the Beer of the Year has been chosen. Each year I delegate one beverage to accompany me into battle on Saturdays. Last year it was Keystone Light (I know it’s cheap stuff, but my brother and I enjoyed a handful in the North Lot before we witnessed the bashing of the Wolverines from our upper level seats). This year’s brew: Schlitz. Schlitz is a legendary beer that put Milwaukee on the beermaking map back in the day, just as Notre Dame’s legacy was being built far before my time. So feel free to join me in drinking a few recently resurrected Schlitz beers as we witness the Irish rise from the ashes to glory once again.

More articles to come as the Irish strap up for battle against Nevada this weekend.

Until then, GO IRISH!

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