Saturday, December 09, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
BCS - Should it Stay or Should it Go Now?
It's funny. I've always been in favor of a playoff, with at least 8 teams. Of course, that would leave out the Irish, even with restrictions on how many teams one conference can have in. But in an eight team format this year, we have no complaints being left out.
However, in all the years of this BCS silliness, this is the first year when it feels like we really have had a playoff. Every week over the last six weeks has seemed like early rounds of a playoff, in my mind. WVU/Louisville, Louisville/Rutgers, WVU/Rutgers. All classics. Arkansas/Tennessee, Arkansas/LSU, Florida/Arkansas. USC/Oregon, USC/Cal, USC/ND. OSU/Michigan. Oklahoma/Nebraska. It's seemingly been one playoff game after another. I don't remember a more exciting November, do you? And guess what made it even more fun? Florida State and Miami had nothing to do with it!
That being said, we still don't know if the BCS championship game has the right teams playing. Michigan or Florida?
Even using the two teams max per conference rule, we'd be out of an 8 team playoff. Wisconsin and Auburn drop out, but that leaves us as #9, noses against the glass, drooling over the sights inside the candy store. So be it.
In round one, OSU would play Oklahoma, Florida vs Boise State, Michigan vs Louisville, and LSU vs USC. WOW. What a great slate that would be.
Think of what could be. Four games on 30 December, two games on 6 January, and the national championship on the 13th of January, before most schools go back for spring semester. Final exams left intact and the best college football players get to show their stuff 1 to three more times this season.
In Fantasyland...
However, in all the years of this BCS silliness, this is the first year when it feels like we really have had a playoff. Every week over the last six weeks has seemed like early rounds of a playoff, in my mind. WVU/Louisville, Louisville/Rutgers, WVU/Rutgers. All classics. Arkansas/Tennessee, Arkansas/LSU, Florida/Arkansas. USC/Oregon, USC/Cal, USC/ND. OSU/Michigan. Oklahoma/Nebraska. It's seemingly been one playoff game after another. I don't remember a more exciting November, do you? And guess what made it even more fun? Florida State and Miami had nothing to do with it!
That being said, we still don't know if the BCS championship game has the right teams playing. Michigan or Florida?
Even using the two teams max per conference rule, we'd be out of an 8 team playoff. Wisconsin and Auburn drop out, but that leaves us as #9, noses against the glass, drooling over the sights inside the candy store. So be it.
In round one, OSU would play Oklahoma, Florida vs Boise State, Michigan vs Louisville, and LSU vs USC. WOW. What a great slate that would be.
Think of what could be. Four games on 30 December, two games on 6 January, and the national championship on the 13th of January, before most schools go back for spring semester. Final exams left intact and the best college football players get to show their stuff 1 to three more times this season.
In Fantasyland...
Monday, December 04, 2006
Can't Spell Sugar Without ND
On to the Sugar Bowl. Our family will attend on the official tour package. Great circle of life event to see our son march in the Superdome and visit Cafe du Monde again.
LSU should give us one heck of a game. Predictions later. For the other big bowls I predict Oklahoma, Michigan, Louisville and OSU in the national championship. No matter the year, seems the BCS gets a lot of grief for its "system". Well this year the computers ranked Michigan and Florida dead even and the pollsters picked Florida. Maybe we should go back to the old days where bowl sponsors picked the matchups (which is what happened for the big 4 anyway). A playoff is probably inevitable in the next 10 years or so. It is all about money and once everyone figures out how to split up that TV revenue, the playoff will be here.
Go Irish, Beat Tigers!
LSU should give us one heck of a game. Predictions later. For the other big bowls I predict Oklahoma, Michigan, Louisville and OSU in the national championship. No matter the year, seems the BCS gets a lot of grief for its "system". Well this year the computers ranked Michigan and Florida dead even and the pollsters picked Florida. Maybe we should go back to the old days where bowl sponsors picked the matchups (which is what happened for the big 4 anyway). A playoff is probably inevitable in the next 10 years or so. It is all about money and once everyone figures out how to split up that TV revenue, the playoff will be here.
Go Irish, Beat Tigers!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Probably wasn't good for ND but
It sure was fun to watch UCLA beat USC tonight!
Do you think they burned themselves out last week and that caused their loss today? UCLA doesn't care one way or another, that's for sure!
Do you think they burned themselves out last week and that caused their loss today? UCLA doesn't care one way or another, that's for sure!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
It Was Worse In Person
However, because of Don’s magnanimity, I’ve moved my last paragraph to first:
I hope all your Thanksgiving weekends were warm and cheerful, outside of four hours last night. I’m constantly reminded of the wonderful weekend we spent with you all on the auld sod last month-—a blessing for my family, for which I gave thanks Thursday and have every day since we parted company. Distance prevents more frequent face to face encounters, which makes the ones we do accomplish all that more special. Who’s going to be first to buy a house on Notre Dame Ave and throw out the welcome mat year-round??
And now, the news.
Don, you were very generous in your post mortem. I guess you’re just superior to me. And you stole my entry title. From the time we didn’t score on our first drive, the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” mantra kept passing through my head. Didn’t feel like that against Michigan, but even though we lost by 20 last night, this outcome coulda been different.
I remember a movie title from a decade or so ago. Didn’t see the movie, but boy is the title apropos: Reality Bites.
Adios, Mike Richardson. You went out in style. That lame attempt at a shoulder tackle on Dwayne Jarrett after getting beat (again) and allowing him to score typified your stay in our defensive background. Hope you’re getting good grades, because we won’t be watching you on Sunday afternoons next year. OK. I'm done being mean now.
My one word description for this game: Execution. Not the mafia hit kind, the football kind. USC executed their game plan. We did not. Dropped passes (several, bordering on too many to count). Bad decisions (Brady could have run for a first down on our first drive and instead overthrew McKnight on 4th down). Covering lanes (classic breakdown on the onside kick). It’s bad enough when uniform #10 Quarterback scores 4 times, but when uniform #10 3d string linebacker scores on an onside kick, you know you’re in trouble. False start penalties. It was loud in the stadium, but I’m sure they were going on a silent count. And you’d expect the Freshman tackle to be making those mistakes, not the senior.
Brady played well, no egregious errors. He did have a lot of dropped passes, although he missed his share as well. Outside his 60 yard run, we didn’t establish a running game, per se. Don, you were right, although no surprise here-—Carlson was definitely missed.
And the defensive line that was starting to have a presence over the last several games just wasn’t up to snuff against a top tier O-line. Just one sack of Booty, and that was late in the game. I guess practicing against the service academies wasn’t the right prescription for this bunch.
And Don, you’re right. I think Charlie did get outcoached a bit. I can look at his somewhat gaudy 19-5 record and say he still hasn’t made his college coaching bones. Don’t get me wrong; I want him to stay for the duration of his contract. I just think he has some seasoning to undergo.
Outside of the score, it was fun to make the trek to the Coliseum for the game. Seats were decent. We were right across the field from our band contingent, which sounded good when they weren’t being drowned out by the Trojan band, which was often. USC band must have some very tired lips and wrists at the end of a game. We visited a tailgater of a colleague of mine; prime parking, 50 ft from the gate. They have the tailgating experience down to a science, for sure. They arrived at 9 AM for the 5 PM game. Drank a Belgian beer (Chimay) that’s 14% alcohol—-wow. Didn’t taste as good as the Harp we brought! He keeps the back of his truck packed with all the non-food items all season long. Coolers come in and out each week. Quite an operation!
We’re 10th in the BCS poll. We’ll move up to 9 after either Florida or Arkansas loses the SEC championship game. But I guess that will give us enough juice to get us into a BCS bowl. I was really surprised Arkansas lost to LSU. Didn’t see the game; was having too much fun at Legoland with my brother and his family, so can’t really comment on how it went. Did watch some of Florida-Florida State. Would still have to favor Arkansas in the SEC Championship game. And look for Oklahoma-Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game to be a whale of a game. OU (12th) could potentially pass us with a win, but their computer score is really low (under .500), so I don’t think so. Didn’t they used to play each other every year? Another injustice modern college football hath wrought. Don’t get any thoughts that UCLA might beat USC; Uncle Pete will not let that happen.
And so the regular season draws to a close. We’ll have time for a more lengthy retrospective on that between now and the bowl game. But knowing what we know today about our team and our opponents, I’m going to have to say, in retrospect, that we’re right where we belong. We were AP preseason #9, USA Today/Coaches #11; they both have us #12 right now. Not sure I agree with 12, but 9 or 10 sounds about right.
So dear friends (the 3 or 4 of you who are reading), let’s wait for the bowl selections. With my geographical bias, I’m rooting for a Rose Bowl rematch with Michigan. We’ll be here. House is small but we’ll move furniture for sleeping bags and Aerobeds if you want to come out.
Seriously, if we wind up in the Rose Bowl, the (small) house is absolutely open. Oh, and I need 4 tickets!
GO IRISH!!! BEAT (PICK ONE) WOLVERINES, RAZORBACKS, GATORS, SOONERS, HUSKERS, DEACONS, SCARLET KNIGHTS, CARDINALS, YELLOW JACKETS (AGAIN) OTHER!!!
I hope all your Thanksgiving weekends were warm and cheerful, outside of four hours last night. I’m constantly reminded of the wonderful weekend we spent with you all on the auld sod last month-—a blessing for my family, for which I gave thanks Thursday and have every day since we parted company. Distance prevents more frequent face to face encounters, which makes the ones we do accomplish all that more special. Who’s going to be first to buy a house on Notre Dame Ave and throw out the welcome mat year-round??
And now, the news.
Don, you were very generous in your post mortem. I guess you’re just superior to me. And you stole my entry title. From the time we didn’t score on our first drive, the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” mantra kept passing through my head. Didn’t feel like that against Michigan, but even though we lost by 20 last night, this outcome coulda been different.
I remember a movie title from a decade or so ago. Didn’t see the movie, but boy is the title apropos: Reality Bites.
Adios, Mike Richardson. You went out in style. That lame attempt at a shoulder tackle on Dwayne Jarrett after getting beat (again) and allowing him to score typified your stay in our defensive background. Hope you’re getting good grades, because we won’t be watching you on Sunday afternoons next year. OK. I'm done being mean now.
My one word description for this game: Execution. Not the mafia hit kind, the football kind. USC executed their game plan. We did not. Dropped passes (several, bordering on too many to count). Bad decisions (Brady could have run for a first down on our first drive and instead overthrew McKnight on 4th down). Covering lanes (classic breakdown on the onside kick). It’s bad enough when uniform #10 Quarterback scores 4 times, but when uniform #10 3d string linebacker scores on an onside kick, you know you’re in trouble. False start penalties. It was loud in the stadium, but I’m sure they were going on a silent count. And you’d expect the Freshman tackle to be making those mistakes, not the senior.
Brady played well, no egregious errors. He did have a lot of dropped passes, although he missed his share as well. Outside his 60 yard run, we didn’t establish a running game, per se. Don, you were right, although no surprise here-—Carlson was definitely missed.
And the defensive line that was starting to have a presence over the last several games just wasn’t up to snuff against a top tier O-line. Just one sack of Booty, and that was late in the game. I guess practicing against the service academies wasn’t the right prescription for this bunch.
And Don, you’re right. I think Charlie did get outcoached a bit. I can look at his somewhat gaudy 19-5 record and say he still hasn’t made his college coaching bones. Don’t get me wrong; I want him to stay for the duration of his contract. I just think he has some seasoning to undergo.
Outside of the score, it was fun to make the trek to the Coliseum for the game. Seats were decent. We were right across the field from our band contingent, which sounded good when they weren’t being drowned out by the Trojan band, which was often. USC band must have some very tired lips and wrists at the end of a game. We visited a tailgater of a colleague of mine; prime parking, 50 ft from the gate. They have the tailgating experience down to a science, for sure. They arrived at 9 AM for the 5 PM game. Drank a Belgian beer (Chimay) that’s 14% alcohol—-wow. Didn’t taste as good as the Harp we brought! He keeps the back of his truck packed with all the non-food items all season long. Coolers come in and out each week. Quite an operation!
We’re 10th in the BCS poll. We’ll move up to 9 after either Florida or Arkansas loses the SEC championship game. But I guess that will give us enough juice to get us into a BCS bowl. I was really surprised Arkansas lost to LSU. Didn’t see the game; was having too much fun at Legoland with my brother and his family, so can’t really comment on how it went. Did watch some of Florida-Florida State. Would still have to favor Arkansas in the SEC Championship game. And look for Oklahoma-Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game to be a whale of a game. OU (12th) could potentially pass us with a win, but their computer score is really low (under .500), so I don’t think so. Didn’t they used to play each other every year? Another injustice modern college football hath wrought. Don’t get any thoughts that UCLA might beat USC; Uncle Pete will not let that happen.
And so the regular season draws to a close. We’ll have time for a more lengthy retrospective on that between now and the bowl game. But knowing what we know today about our team and our opponents, I’m going to have to say, in retrospect, that we’re right where we belong. We were AP preseason #9, USA Today/Coaches #11; they both have us #12 right now. Not sure I agree with 12, but 9 or 10 sounds about right.
So dear friends (the 3 or 4 of you who are reading), let’s wait for the bowl selections. With my geographical bias, I’m rooting for a Rose Bowl rematch with Michigan. We’ll be here. House is small but we’ll move furniture for sleeping bags and Aerobeds if you want to come out.
Seriously, if we wind up in the Rose Bowl, the (small) house is absolutely open. Oh, and I need 4 tickets!
GO IRISH!!! BEAT (PICK ONE) WOLVERINES, RAZORBACKS, GATORS, SOONERS, HUSKERS, DEACONS, SCARLET KNIGHTS, CARDINALS, YELLOW JACKETS (AGAIN) OTHER!!!
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
Well, that loss hurts but I thought the Irish did okay against what is clearly a better team. The same themes from earlier in the year emerged again. Our dbacks cannot cover outstanding receivers. Pressure on Brady hurts his effectiveness. Our receivers do not make the big plays consistently. Did it seem like USC had our playbook again? The Trojans seemed to have the right play called on both sides of the ball so often. And while we don't have the same athletes across the roster, I have to say Charlie was outcoached a bit again. We had our chances to make it a much closer game but could not execute consistently. Wait till next year!
But on the bright side our last 3 losses came to arguably the 3 best teams in the country (according to the polls) so we should be proud of the Irish for another terrific season. And we are off to a BCS bowl game again! Very excited about our outside shot at the Rose Bowl. That would be a heck of a thing for ND. Figure it is going to be the Sugar Bowl though against Florida hopefully. That would have a good backstory with Urban Meyer turning down the ND job a couple years ago.
Go Irish, Win a Bowl Game!
But on the bright side our last 3 losses came to arguably the 3 best teams in the country (according to the polls) so we should be proud of the Irish for another terrific season. And we are off to a BCS bowl game again! Very excited about our outside shot at the Rose Bowl. That would be a heck of a thing for ND. Figure it is going to be the Sugar Bowl though against Florida hopefully. That would have a good backstory with Urban Meyer turning down the ND job a couple years ago.
Go Irish, Win a Bowl Game!
No, We Didn't
It's late, too late to write in any great detail. Especially after waiting 45 minutes on the roof of the parking garage for the lower levels to clear out. But here's a few words to enjoy with your Sunday coffee.
Good atmosphere, lots of Irish fans. Trojan band is obnoxious in the "we're going to play non-stop, especially if the other band is trying to play" kind of way. Did get to see them do Tusk at halftime though. Kinda cool. We sat on North side of the stadium, near Trojan band (east) end zone. We weren't behind them, but were about equal with the net behind the end zone. 77th row. Not too bad a vantage point.
One vignette. We were coming from a friend's USC tailgater over to the stadium and the Trojan band was playing their version of Concer on the Steps prior to going in to the stadium. They have a flag squad. As the band was playing a song, two ND fans tried to cut through the flag squad. One of the flag squad girls stepped in fron of this guy, grabbed him, told him he couldn't cut through and sent him packing. She did a great job! Some rules are universal I guess.
More tomorrow.
Good atmosphere, lots of Irish fans. Trojan band is obnoxious in the "we're going to play non-stop, especially if the other band is trying to play" kind of way. Did get to see them do Tusk at halftime though. Kinda cool. We sat on North side of the stadium, near Trojan band (east) end zone. We weren't behind them, but were about equal with the net behind the end zone. 77th row. Not too bad a vantage point.
One vignette. We were coming from a friend's USC tailgater over to the stadium and the Trojan band was playing their version of Concer on the Steps prior to going in to the stadium. They have a flag squad. As the band was playing a song, two ND fans tried to cut through the flag squad. One of the flag squad girls stepped in fron of this guy, grabbed him, told him he couldn't cut through and sent him packing. She did a great job! Some rules are universal I guess.
More tomorrow.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
We Beat USC
Very few pundits are predicting an Irish victory today but I am going with the good guys for several reasons. One of the great things I love about college football is that emotion plays such a big part of the game sometimes and the Irish have many things motivating them on this one. Of course we have the fact that the seniors have never beaten USC. Then there is Brady Quinn's outside shot at the Heisman. How about the team's outside shot at the National title? But most of all I think the memory of that great but heartbreaking game last year will be the secret sauce that carries the day. USC wants to play for the national title but I am hoping that actually clouds their focus today as they think ahead. For the Irish it is all about today.
So I am predicting the upset Irish 35, Trojans 30 in a very good game.
Regardless of the outcome today the bowl picture is getting more complex all the time as top 10 teams keep dropping like flies. How about Florida loses today for some icing on the cake?
GO IRISH!
So I am predicting the upset Irish 35, Trojans 30 in a very good game.
Regardless of the outcome today the bowl picture is getting more complex all the time as top 10 teams keep dropping like flies. How about Florida loses today for some icing on the cake?
GO IRISH!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Speed, Pressure and Carlson
This is such a big game Saturday it deserves more than one blog entry. I think we are in for a treat again as we know two great teams will clash in the Coliseum this time.
There is no question the Irish can win the game but there are a few key factors that will determine the outcome. First, will we be able to overcome the speed factor. USC has more speed on both sides of the ball but if the Irish play the right assignments, block and tackle we will be okay. Missed tackles will be a key. Second, it is time for Brady to knock it out of the park. He is not going to win the Heisman unfortunately, but he can put his final stamp on a great career by leading a win for the ages. So his reaction to USC defensive pressure and calmness in the pocket may make the difference. He does not have great stats against USC but he was playing against a National Championship caliber team the past 3 years. Finally, I am really bummed about Carlson being injured. He would have a super game against USC and provide Brady with an important option. Note the lack of production from Carlson's backup last week. That really hurts in this game because very few defenses can cover a good tight end.
So the bowl picture is still interesting. Reading the press and other sources, I don't see the Irish jumping over Michigan under any circumstances which is a bummer. But we could actually end up in the Rose Bowl which would be a trip (literally). We may actually have a better shot at the Rose Bowl if we lose to USC since they will go to the Championship. With Florida and Arkansas still in the mix and the possibilities or reluctance for rematches there are still many possibilities. Any way you slice it the Irish end up in a BCS game against a good team. We may try to attend.
Score prediction later. Happy T-day!
There is no question the Irish can win the game but there are a few key factors that will determine the outcome. First, will we be able to overcome the speed factor. USC has more speed on both sides of the ball but if the Irish play the right assignments, block and tackle we will be okay. Missed tackles will be a key. Second, it is time for Brady to knock it out of the park. He is not going to win the Heisman unfortunately, but he can put his final stamp on a great career by leading a win for the ages. So his reaction to USC defensive pressure and calmness in the pocket may make the difference. He does not have great stats against USC but he was playing against a National Championship caliber team the past 3 years. Finally, I am really bummed about Carlson being injured. He would have a super game against USC and provide Brady with an important option. Note the lack of production from Carlson's backup last week. That really hurts in this game because very few defenses can cover a good tight end.
So the bowl picture is still interesting. Reading the press and other sources, I don't see the Irish jumping over Michigan under any circumstances which is a bummer. But we could actually end up in the Rose Bowl which would be a trip (literally). We may actually have a better shot at the Rose Bowl if we lose to USC since they will go to the Championship. With Florida and Arkansas still in the mix and the possibilities or reluctance for rematches there are still many possibilities. Any way you slice it the Irish end up in a BCS game against a good team. We may try to attend.
Score prediction later. Happy T-day!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Can the Irish Do It?
According to the local media, um, no. Local radio and papers seem to be treating a USC victory as a foregone conclusion.
Basic argument makes sense in some ways. We've played one team that was ranked when we played them and lost. Big. At home. We still lack speed on defense. Put pressure on Brady and he gives up too many sacks.
Oh, and they're still PO'd about how long the grass was in the Bend last year.
Interesting article on Fort Wayne News-Sentinel page today (where do I find these?) that talks about Charlie not yet having a "signature win". I would agree with that. The MSU and UCLA comebacks were in games we were supposed to win, so they don't count. Michigan last year was down overall, so that victory at Ann Arbor doesn't hold up.
USA Today is showing USC as 7.5 point favorites. What to make of that? We're about the same team we were last year. USC is not as good as last year. USC has home field advantage. Prediction on the score later in the week.
My strategic prediction for Charlie's game plan--Air Assault.
More tomorrow...
Basic argument makes sense in some ways. We've played one team that was ranked when we played them and lost. Big. At home. We still lack speed on defense. Put pressure on Brady and he gives up too many sacks.
Oh, and they're still PO'd about how long the grass was in the Bend last year.
Interesting article on Fort Wayne News-Sentinel page today (where do I find these?) that talks about Charlie not yet having a "signature win". I would agree with that. The MSU and UCLA comebacks were in games we were supposed to win, so they don't count. Michigan last year was down overall, so that victory at Ann Arbor doesn't hold up.
USA Today is showing USC as 7.5 point favorites. What to make of that? We're about the same team we were last year. USC is not as good as last year. USC has home field advantage. Prediction on the score later in the week.
My strategic prediction for Charlie's game plan--Air Assault.
More tomorrow...
Monday, November 20, 2006
Did you see it?
The Band News came in the mail today; there's some good photos of the reunion but hard to tell individuals for the most part.
Also, there's a CD out now called Live the Tradition and it features the Alumni Band. Sounds like maybe Santa will be loading a bunch of these in his sleigh.
In case you haven't gotten the note, you can go to
www.ndband.com
to order this and other band merchandise (if I sound like I'm promoting this, sorry, but that's what I do these days!)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Also, there's a CD out now called Live the Tradition and it features the Alumni Band. Sounds like maybe Santa will be loading a bunch of these in his sleigh.
In case you haven't gotten the note, you can go to
www.ndband.com
to order this and other band merchandise (if I sound like I'm promoting this, sorry, but that's what I do these days!)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Dump the BCS!
OK, I just saw we DROPPED a slot in the coaches poll (how does that happen?) and of course Michigan is still ahead of us at #3 as expected. The good news is that USC moved up to #2 which means they will probably move up to #2 in the BCS as well. Our road is clear, we need to beat the Trojans. But with Arkansas and Florida ahead of us we seem doomed to a date in the Sugar Bowl.
But I long for the days when the bowls were not tied to the BCS because ND will always be a preferred opponent for any good team on Jan 1st (or 2nd or 3rd or 8th) because of our marquee name and great tradition. In the current system we will never get a shot to jump from #5 or so to the #1 spot as we did in 1977/78.
So here is the good news. With the Heisman and probably the National Title extremely unlikely; we can focus on the only thing that really matters. We beat USC, ruin their season and make ours something special. I have a good feeling about it after seeing the Irish fire up after the game last night. We are going to win!
Go Irish, Beat Trojans!
But I long for the days when the bowls were not tied to the BCS because ND will always be a preferred opponent for any good team on Jan 1st (or 2nd or 3rd or 8th) because of our marquee name and great tradition. In the current system we will never get a shot to jump from #5 or so to the #1 spot as we did in 1977/78.
So here is the good news. With the Heisman and probably the National Title extremely unlikely; we can focus on the only thing that really matters. We beat USC, ruin their season and make ours something special. I have a good feeling about it after seeing the Irish fire up after the game last night. We are going to win!
Go Irish, Beat Trojans!
Bring on the Trojans!
As the sun begins to set on an extremely exciting college football season, some random thoughts:
It took us a quarter to get going today, but our first TD drive got us in to cruise control…I think that’s as close as I’ve come with a pregame score prediction…First time we’ve not started the first quarter on offense. Strange…It’s funny. I know in my head I should be rooting for Southern Cal, but I keep find myself rooting for Cal. Some habits die hard…I’d still like to watch the Air Force game….Troy Smith beat Michigan; Brady Quinn did not. Heisman, Smith…Nice show from the band today. I don’t think we ever danced like that…Has anyone been able to find the North Carolina halftime show on nbcsports.com? Please help me if you have…Rutgers laid a bigtime egg at Cincinnati…Did I mention I’m going to the game next Saturday?...I’m sure the Bookstore is rejoicing—Green Jersey merchandise just in time for XMAS! Know what’s sad? I’ll buy the green Samardzija jersey…USC is uncharacteristically sloppy on offense. Multiple false starts and the like. And Booty is not Leinart or Palmer. Not close…Ohio State is not a “team for the ages”, but they do everything solidly well…USC is starting to pull away from Cal. I hope they vault over Michigan. Florida won’t and we won’t…Our strength of scheduled wasn’t helped by our previous opponents today. 5-4, not including UCLA, who’s up by 5 in the 3d quarter…If we don’t make it to the championship game, I’m rooting for OSU-Arkansas. And then I’ll root for Arkansas to win.
I’ve been waiting a long time to say this: GO IRISH!!! BEAT TROJANS!!!
It took us a quarter to get going today, but our first TD drive got us in to cruise control…I think that’s as close as I’ve come with a pregame score prediction…First time we’ve not started the first quarter on offense. Strange…It’s funny. I know in my head I should be rooting for Southern Cal, but I keep find myself rooting for Cal. Some habits die hard…I’d still like to watch the Air Force game….Troy Smith beat Michigan; Brady Quinn did not. Heisman, Smith…Nice show from the band today. I don’t think we ever danced like that…Has anyone been able to find the North Carolina halftime show on nbcsports.com? Please help me if you have…Rutgers laid a bigtime egg at Cincinnati…Did I mention I’m going to the game next Saturday?...I’m sure the Bookstore is rejoicing—Green Jersey merchandise just in time for XMAS! Know what’s sad? I’ll buy the green Samardzija jersey…USC is uncharacteristically sloppy on offense. Multiple false starts and the like. And Booty is not Leinart or Palmer. Not close…Ohio State is not a “team for the ages”, but they do everything solidly well…USC is starting to pull away from Cal. I hope they vault over Michigan. Florida won’t and we won’t…Our strength of scheduled wasn’t helped by our previous opponents today. 5-4, not including UCLA, who’s up by 5 in the 3d quarter…If we don’t make it to the championship game, I’m rooting for OSU-Arkansas. And then I’ll root for Arkansas to win.
I’ve been waiting a long time to say this: GO IRISH!!! BEAT TROJANS!!!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Moving
OK, so I really remember the emotions and tears from my senior day; it all comes back watching the band seniors on the sidelines and seeing the Army team stand with the ND team for the Alma Mater. Seems like the green jersey thing wasn't a bad risk either, but I still don't trust that 'tradition' either, Colonel.
Let's Go Blue (and I never thought I'd say that!)
Go Irish, Beat Trojans!!!
Let's Go Blue (and I never thought I'd say that!)
Go Irish, Beat Trojans!!!
Seniors Go Out in Style
Irish win today 45-10, I agree with the Colonel.
Predicting a Michigan victory today, but very close in a good game. The back story will be how Troy Smith plays because if he plays well, he wraps up the Heisman award. Would really like to see Brady win that thing considering his great career at ND. I think his records will stand for some time.
So consider this. Did you think a few years ago we would be talking about winning the national championship and possibly the Heisman at ND as we approach the end of the season? Fun times.
Go Irish!
Predicting a Michigan victory today, but very close in a good game. The back story will be how Troy Smith plays because if he plays well, he wraps up the Heisman award. Would really like to see Brady win that thing considering his great career at ND. I think his records will stand for some time.
So consider this. Did you think a few years ago we would be talking about winning the national championship and possibly the Heisman at ND as we approach the end of the season? Fun times.
Go Irish!
Give it a Click
If you haven't seen this 10 minute video on the University's legacy, go to the folowing page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPcgjv7_9Ac
Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPcgjv7_9Ac
Enjoy...
Commander in Chief's Trophy
While Navy will officially win it with victories over Army and Air Force, I think they should cede it over to us after tomorrow. Y'know, if we had gone 12-0, we would have been 4-0 vs Big Ten, 3-0 vs Pac 10, 2-0 vs ACC and 3-0 vs the academies. Would have been quite the run. Oh well.
Not anticipating too much trouble tomorrow. Trying to figure out whether to watch our game and tape OSU/Michigan or vice versa. I'll probably watch first hour of our game, then, assuming we're in command, hit "record" for the rest of our game and switch over to the Horseshoe. And Cal/USC will be a good one too.
RIP Bo Schembechler. Big loss in Ann Arbor, as I noted in Rosie's previous post. Trivia question: What was Bo's real first name? I didn't know until I heard it today.
Tomorrow's excitement can't top last Saturday's though. I'm still kinda shocked about all the dominos that fell last week. Was figuring us for being 7th or 8th with absolutely no shot. Still not a straight line, but there's hope.
So I'll be rooting for Michigan and the rematch. Will also be rooting for USC, since I want their record at 9-1 when we beat them next week. Did I mention I'll be attending the game? I doubt Arkansas (still my worst fear as a competitor to make the BCS championship game) will lose to Mississippi State tomorrow. LSU next week is the foe that has to take the Sooey Pigs down, before they beat Florida in the SEC championship game. Doubt we can count on Florida State next week to beat Florida.
So, enjoy the games tomorrow. So many games have been classics this year, I just hope OSU/UM can live up to the high standard already set.
Final Score: ND 45 Army 10
GO IRISH!!! BEAT ARMY!!!
Not anticipating too much trouble tomorrow. Trying to figure out whether to watch our game and tape OSU/Michigan or vice versa. I'll probably watch first hour of our game, then, assuming we're in command, hit "record" for the rest of our game and switch over to the Horseshoe. And Cal/USC will be a good one too.
RIP Bo Schembechler. Big loss in Ann Arbor, as I noted in Rosie's previous post. Trivia question: What was Bo's real first name? I didn't know until I heard it today.
Tomorrow's excitement can't top last Saturday's though. I'm still kinda shocked about all the dominos that fell last week. Was figuring us for being 7th or 8th with absolutely no shot. Still not a straight line, but there's hope.
So I'll be rooting for Michigan and the rematch. Will also be rooting for USC, since I want their record at 9-1 when we beat them next week. Did I mention I'll be attending the game? I doubt Arkansas (still my worst fear as a competitor to make the BCS championship game) will lose to Mississippi State tomorrow. LSU next week is the foe that has to take the Sooey Pigs down, before they beat Florida in the SEC championship game. Doubt we can count on Florida State next week to beat Florida.
So, enjoy the games tomorrow. So many games have been classics this year, I just hope OSU/UM can live up to the high standard already set.
Final Score: ND 45 Army 10
GO IRISH!!! BEAT ARMY!!!
Friday, November 17, 2006
The "Bo" Factor
It will make tomorrow's UM v OSU game all the more interesting. That's all of the analysis that I can provide. I'm sure that the rest of you can take up the slack.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Vote for Brady Quinn
Nissan, the sponsoring corporation for the Heisman Trophy, has the ability to cast one vote deciding the winner. They have decided to pass this vote onto the public and allow people to vote online to decide for themselves. Not many Notre Dame fans seem to know about this as Brady Quinn currently holds only 2 percent of the vote. Troy Smith holds a commanding lead, followed by Steve Slaton of West Virginia and McFadden of Arkansas. Slaton holds votes in the hundreds of thousands, while Quinn has around 2,500.
The site allows voting only once per week, so get behind this vote to ensure that Quinn gets recognition for the hard work that he has put in this year both on and off the field, as success does not come just by showing up on Saturday (especially for a quarterback). Surely a school like Notre Dame has the combined fan power to cast some votes in meaningful numbers to change the current state of the fan poll.here's the website:
https://r.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/index
The site allows voting only once per week, so get behind this vote to ensure that Quinn gets recognition for the hard work that he has put in this year both on and off the field, as success does not come just by showing up on Saturday (especially for a quarterback). Surely a school like Notre Dame has the combined fan power to cast some votes in meaningful numbers to change the current state of the fan poll.here's the website:
https://r.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/index
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The pieces finally fell into place!
I wanted to wait until the BCS came out this week before posting my blog. We have not been doing well in the polls but after lots of close calls in the past few weeks, four teams above us in the BCS bit the dust. Yeah, and Florida should have lost also. We are sitting pretty if we win out and actually have a chance to play for the National Championship as crazy as that sounds. Will the world like a Michigan/ND rematch? Probably not, but we will! Good news is that ND is likely to be in one of the big 5 bowls regardless of the USC outcome though winning that game will get us in one of the top two games. I like our odds against everyone but OSU, though a rematch of last year's Fiesta would be nice. Still a few games to be played that could change the matchups but it is either OSU or Michigan in the title game.
Quinn seems to still be behind Troy Smith for the Heisman though I cannot figure it out. It all comes down to the big games this month. How about Brady throws for 400 yards against USC and runs away with it?
Band Alert! ND is sending a 75 person pep band to the USC game so the Colonel will get to hear the real version of the Victory March. Great news unless you volunteer for it. Band will fly out on Saturday morning, play the game and fly back on the red eye. No hotel. I think it would be a ball but pretty brutal on the beauty sleep. Tony will be watching the game here with us.
Nothing to say about Air Force except we won. Will be very similar next week.
Go Irish, Beat Army.
Quinn seems to still be behind Troy Smith for the Heisman though I cannot figure it out. It all comes down to the big games this month. How about Brady throws for 400 yards against USC and runs away with it?
Band Alert! ND is sending a 75 person pep band to the USC game so the Colonel will get to hear the real version of the Victory March. Great news unless you volunteer for it. Band will fly out on Saturday morning, play the game and fly back on the red eye. No hotel. I think it would be a ball but pretty brutal on the beauty sleep. Tony will be watching the game here with us.
Nothing to say about Air Force except we won. Will be very similar next week.
Go Irish, Beat Army.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Back on the Fiesta Highway?
Twelve hours ago it was very improbable. It's not easy yet, but boy it's a lot less hard. Louisville...DEAD! Auburn...DEAD! Cal...DEAD! Texas...DEAD! Southern Cal is up 35-10 in the 4th quarter, so that’s over. And Florida should have lost. Two blocked FGs and a missed PAT for South Carolina or the Ole' Ball Coach would have made our road much easier.
Oh yeah, the Irish played very well today. The defense, as usual, allowed big plays (two over 40 yards) and key penalties (3 drives extended with Pass Interference and two personal fouls). But the offense was definitely on, and the blocked field goal runback was key as well. Still haven't seen that on the highlight shows.
Don Criqui put it well near the end: “The game, in effect, was over after the first two plays.” And indeed it was. BQ to the Shark for 29, BQ to the Shark for 51 and a TD. Too cool. And my man DW went 15 carries for 152 yards. As I said earlier in the season, with a new QB next year, I really think Darius can get some Heisman attention. Of course, with Aldridge and Prince, he may not get enough carries, but that’s a situation I think we can all deal with.
If anyone sees that there will be a replay of the game on some obscure cable station, please let us all know. I’d love to tape it and watch with zipping/zapping remote in hand.
I totally expect the offense to continue its SC tuneup next week. Senior Day should be a good one for all involved on the Irish sidelines.
So now things get truly interesting. If you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t been loved by the BCS poll. We made it to 8th, then fell to 9th after a win and haven’t moved up even though teams ahead of us have lost. Example is Cal last week, who jumped from 10 to 8, even though we beat North Carolina convincingly. So will BCS voodoo do us in again? I don’t think so. I won’t pretend to be a BCSologist, but the next 4 teams behind us (West Virginia, Arkansas, LSU and Rutgers), who all won, seem to be very far behind us. Rutgers obviously has the most to gain, and if they vault over us, can we argue? Probably not. The others, though, I’d have a problem with. Although Arkansas looks really good. Their out of conference schedule, though, other than a big loss to USC, is Utah State, Southeast Missouri State and Louisiana-Monroe, which really hurts.
Here’s my prediction on this week’s BCS Top 10: Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Florida, Notre Dame, Rutgers, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisville, Wisconsin. So yes I think we’ll be top 5. Rutgers might leapfrog us, but I don’t think so, based on this week’s BCS subtotals. Pretty interesting, eh? We don’t control Florida, but I think Arkansas will take them in the SEC championship game. What we need to root for is LSU beating them in two weeks. Arkansas would still go to the SEC championship game, but they’d have two losses.
And finally, root for Michigan to beat Ohio State soundly. If Michigan loses and we leapfrog them, it will be a sullied effort for us, invoking the 1993 FSU rule. We have to root for the rematch, and then it could be a wonderful redemption game, both for the September loss and, maybe more importantly, our very long bowl game losing streak. I like our odds with Charlie against Lloyd for a national championship.
That’s all for now. Please chime in. And who is ngoma83???
GO IRISH!!! BEAT ARMY!!!
Oh yeah, the Irish played very well today. The defense, as usual, allowed big plays (two over 40 yards) and key penalties (3 drives extended with Pass Interference and two personal fouls). But the offense was definitely on, and the blocked field goal runback was key as well. Still haven't seen that on the highlight shows.
Don Criqui put it well near the end: “The game, in effect, was over after the first two plays.” And indeed it was. BQ to the Shark for 29, BQ to the Shark for 51 and a TD. Too cool. And my man DW went 15 carries for 152 yards. As I said earlier in the season, with a new QB next year, I really think Darius can get some Heisman attention. Of course, with Aldridge and Prince, he may not get enough carries, but that’s a situation I think we can all deal with.
If anyone sees that there will be a replay of the game on some obscure cable station, please let us all know. I’d love to tape it and watch with zipping/zapping remote in hand.
I totally expect the offense to continue its SC tuneup next week. Senior Day should be a good one for all involved on the Irish sidelines.
So now things get truly interesting. If you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t been loved by the BCS poll. We made it to 8th, then fell to 9th after a win and haven’t moved up even though teams ahead of us have lost. Example is Cal last week, who jumped from 10 to 8, even though we beat North Carolina convincingly. So will BCS voodoo do us in again? I don’t think so. I won’t pretend to be a BCSologist, but the next 4 teams behind us (West Virginia, Arkansas, LSU and Rutgers), who all won, seem to be very far behind us. Rutgers obviously has the most to gain, and if they vault over us, can we argue? Probably not. The others, though, I’d have a problem with. Although Arkansas looks really good. Their out of conference schedule, though, other than a big loss to USC, is Utah State, Southeast Missouri State and Louisiana-Monroe, which really hurts.
Here’s my prediction on this week’s BCS Top 10: Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Florida, Notre Dame, Rutgers, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisville, Wisconsin. So yes I think we’ll be top 5. Rutgers might leapfrog us, but I don’t think so, based on this week’s BCS subtotals. Pretty interesting, eh? We don’t control Florida, but I think Arkansas will take them in the SEC championship game. What we need to root for is LSU beating them in two weeks. Arkansas would still go to the SEC championship game, but they’d have two losses.
And finally, root for Michigan to beat Ohio State soundly. If Michigan loses and we leapfrog them, it will be a sullied effort for us, invoking the 1993 FSU rule. We have to root for the rematch, and then it could be a wonderful redemption game, both for the September loss and, maybe more importantly, our very long bowl game losing streak. I like our odds with Charlie against Lloyd for a national championship.
That’s all for now. Please chime in. And who is ngoma83???
GO IRISH!!! BEAT ARMY!!!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Raise your Hand if you're Watching the Game Tomorrow
I'm not, thanks to the limited coverage CSTV provides. The local alumni club game watches aren't real family friendly, so AM radio will be my buddy tomorrow. Should be interesting.
While Air Force doesn't scare me like they have in previous years, I think our defense will play predictably and keep USAFA in the game longer than they should be in it. I think Temple would score 10 first half points off this year.
Only exception is if Brady and his receivers go crazy from the get-go and deliver knockout punch early. It's only happened twice this season, so odds are it won't happen tomorrow.
Don't know what the over/under is for the game, but I'd probably bet the under. We're 11.5 point favorites in my paper this morning. Once again, I think we'll cover, but it won't be a blowout.
Boy did I look good attending our office Thanksgiving lunch yesterday in my shiny new Jeff Samardzija jersey! So glad '83 is a jersey for sale this year at the bookstore. As you would expect, it was a real crowd pleaser with all my USAFA pals. But no one wanted to bet me on the game, so I guess they're not expecting too much either. Last time we played them out there in 2002 was a 21-14 Irish victory, but it wasn't that close, actually. The USAFA faithful were a lot more uppity four years ago.
Here's hoping I can go in to the office Monday!
Remember, you heard it here first: ND 27 USAFA 14
GO IRISH!!! BEAT FALCONS!!!
While Air Force doesn't scare me like they have in previous years, I think our defense will play predictably and keep USAFA in the game longer than they should be in it. I think Temple would score 10 first half points off this year.
Only exception is if Brady and his receivers go crazy from the get-go and deliver knockout punch early. It's only happened twice this season, so odds are it won't happen tomorrow.
Don't know what the over/under is for the game, but I'd probably bet the under. We're 11.5 point favorites in my paper this morning. Once again, I think we'll cover, but it won't be a blowout.
Boy did I look good attending our office Thanksgiving lunch yesterday in my shiny new Jeff Samardzija jersey! So glad '83 is a jersey for sale this year at the bookstore. As you would expect, it was a real crowd pleaser with all my USAFA pals. But no one wanted to bet me on the game, so I guess they're not expecting too much either. Last time we played them out there in 2002 was a 21-14 Irish victory, but it wasn't that close, actually. The USAFA faithful were a lot more uppity four years ago.
Here's hoping I can go in to the office Monday!
Remember, you heard it here first: ND 27 USAFA 14
GO IRISH!!! BEAT FALCONS!!!
Had to Post This Link
Good Morning All
Found this link on NDToday.com. It's from ESPN and is written by a UCLA fan making his first trip to the Bend for a football game. A little long, but a good description.
http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=2648507&num=true
A story: A guy I work, in his 50s, USC grad. He and his wife went to the game last year at ND. He came back gushing about the campus and the stadium but mostly about how nice everyone was. He's a USC season ticket holder and big tailgater. He's posting an "ND Fans Welcome" sign at his tailgater this year because of how many tailgaters took them in last year.
Got my tickets yesterday. I'll be sitting in the middle of the USC athletic department staff. Think I'll stick out??
Found this link on NDToday.com. It's from ESPN and is written by a UCLA fan making his first trip to the Bend for a football game. A little long, but a good description.
http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=2648507&num=true
A story: A guy I work, in his 50s, USC grad. He and his wife went to the game last year at ND. He came back gushing about the campus and the stadium but mostly about how nice everyone was. He's a USC season ticket holder and big tailgater. He's posting an "ND Fans Welcome" sign at his tailgater this year because of how many tailgaters took them in last year.
Got my tickets yesterday. I'll be sitting in the middle of the USC athletic department staff. Think I'll stick out??
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Colonel WILL be watching
As Rutgers and Louisville meet Thursday night. Should be a good game; aren't both teams undefeated?
And Saturday, I'm looking for a good win again. I'd really like to see a tighter offensive line and a more determined defense. That's my wish list!
Rose
And Saturday, I'm looking for a good win again. I'd really like to see a tighter offensive line and a more determined defense. That's my wish list!
Rose
Sunday, November 05, 2006
As effective as victory burgers and ohh so much tastier!
Does anyone know, do they still serve victory burgers on Saturday mornings?
Following is my answer to the victory burger -- great game day fare that leaves you asking for more.... napkins!
Ham Barbecue
½ C. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ C. oil
1 C. catsup
½ C. water
¼ C. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. worchestershire
2 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. thyme
1 lemon, sliced, seeds removed
Dash hot sauce
1 lb. shaved deli ham (in Pittsburgh we ask for “chipped chopped ham”)
Sauté onion and garlic in oil until tender
Add all other ingredients except ham
Mix well
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat, simmer 5 min.
Add ham – cook until heated through
Following is my answer to the victory burger -- great game day fare that leaves you asking for more.... napkins!
Ham Barbecue
½ C. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ C. oil
1 C. catsup
½ C. water
¼ C. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. worchestershire
2 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. thyme
1 lemon, sliced, seeds removed
Dash hot sauce
1 lb. shaved deli ham (in Pittsburgh we ask for “chipped chopped ham”)
Sauté onion and garlic in oil until tender
Add all other ingredients except ham
Mix well
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat, simmer 5 min.
Add ham – cook until heated through
Well, since Don W. and Nancy insist...
I am posting to this blog today. Mostly because neither Don W. nor Don G. mentioned my favorite player on the other team, Cooter. I don't remember his last name, but do you think he was baptized Cooter, or was it just a nickname? Was there ever a St. Cooter?
Other unimportant stuff that I noticed while at the game. The UNC band announcer wished the crowd "may all your skies be Carolina Blue" at the end of their halftime performance. I thought that that was a pleasant thought - especially since the skies were Indiana permafrost gray at the time.
The stadium hot chocolate was a tasty treat as the wind kept blowing.
That's the news from where I was sitting (at the south 10 yard line on the visitor's side). Go Irish, Beat Falcons!
Other unimportant stuff that I noticed while at the game. The UNC band announcer wished the crowd "may all your skies be Carolina Blue" at the end of their halftime performance. I thought that that was a pleasant thought - especially since the skies were Indiana permafrost gray at the time.
The stadium hot chocolate was a tasty treat as the wind kept blowing.
That's the news from where I was sitting (at the south 10 yard line on the visitor's side). Go Irish, Beat Falcons!
25 or 6 to 4 (A juxtaposition of 45 to 26!)
Well I hope they showed some of the halftime show yesterday because according to Kevin Dix (who speaks softly but carries a big brain) it may have been the "best ND band halftime ever". Yes the band Chicago joined our Marching Irish on the field and played 2 great tunes. There was a very nice tribute to Fr. George as part of the intro thanks to his connection with Chicago back when they started (he taught Jim Pankow). A particularly nice treat was that Chicago also played the Concert on the Steps which was just great. Amplified sound was pretty good considering the outside venue.
I looked at my son's music and noted what he called "lots of ink on the page". Some terrific arrangements and given Chicago's horn section, the music is well suited to a marching band. Watch the replay on NBC.com when it comes out and by the way the UCLA show is finally out there and definitely worth a watch. Of course I am biased, but the band looks and sounds great and the arrangements are super. Nina and I thought we would see the band standing around a lot yesterday but there were some nice maneuvers in the show including the script Chicago and a unique clock thing during "Does Anybody Know What Time it Is".
Couple other band notes since I know you readers give a toot. North Carolina band made a 15 hour bus ride up for the game (slept in Indy) and are driving back today. Brought 300 marchers and they were OK, not as good as UCLA. ND is a such a big deal these days I think we can expect lots of visiting bands going forward. Army is bringing its unit on November 18th. Thank goodness Stanford is banned so we can squeeze in a band alumni reunion here and there. Also want to mention that I was able to enjoy an abbreviated Drummer's Circle yesterday since they relocated to the Dome area (Chicago band was in the way by Bond Hall). The drummers did not do a routine though, does anyone know if they still do? I have not seen them for a few years as we go to the Trombone thing of course.
Oh yeah, there was a football game going on as well. Brady was a stud again. He really should win the Heisman though I agree with the Colonel that he has to play well against USC to put himself over the top. UNC hurt us with big plays (Lambert does make receivers look good for our opposition doesn't he?). But we had Zibby's punt return to cheer. UNC definitely lost their cool at the end. Don't know if they showed it on TV, but a couple Tar Heels ALMOST ran across the field after that Quinn late hit play. Happily a couple UNC coaches threw them to the ground (literally) and avoided an ugly scene.
Good turnout by UNC fans Donny. They had a couple funny Bronx cheers in the first half on the rare plays when the Tar Heel defense actually stopped the Irish. They were shivering in the 40 degree weather, but we all stayed dry again.
Go Irish, Beat Falcons!
I looked at my son's music and noted what he called "lots of ink on the page". Some terrific arrangements and given Chicago's horn section, the music is well suited to a marching band. Watch the replay on NBC.com when it comes out and by the way the UCLA show is finally out there and definitely worth a watch. Of course I am biased, but the band looks and sounds great and the arrangements are super. Nina and I thought we would see the band standing around a lot yesterday but there were some nice maneuvers in the show including the script Chicago and a unique clock thing during "Does Anybody Know What Time it Is".
Couple other band notes since I know you readers give a toot. North Carolina band made a 15 hour bus ride up for the game (slept in Indy) and are driving back today. Brought 300 marchers and they were OK, not as good as UCLA. ND is a such a big deal these days I think we can expect lots of visiting bands going forward. Army is bringing its unit on November 18th. Thank goodness Stanford is banned so we can squeeze in a band alumni reunion here and there. Also want to mention that I was able to enjoy an abbreviated Drummer's Circle yesterday since they relocated to the Dome area (Chicago band was in the way by Bond Hall). The drummers did not do a routine though, does anyone know if they still do? I have not seen them for a few years as we go to the Trombone thing of course.
Oh yeah, there was a football game going on as well. Brady was a stud again. He really should win the Heisman though I agree with the Colonel that he has to play well against USC to put himself over the top. UNC hurt us with big plays (Lambert does make receivers look good for our opposition doesn't he?). But we had Zibby's punt return to cheer. UNC definitely lost their cool at the end. Don't know if they showed it on TV, but a couple Tar Heels ALMOST ran across the field after that Quinn late hit play. Happily a couple UNC coaches threw them to the ground (literally) and avoided an ugly scene.
Good turnout by UNC fans Donny. They had a couple funny Bronx cheers in the first half on the rare plays when the Tar Heel defense actually stopped the Irish. They were shivering in the 40 degree weather, but we all stayed dry again.
Go Irish, Beat Falcons!
Let's Focus on the Positive
Note to the crowd: I'm going to "simulcast" this to the drummers and trumpets email lists, so apologies if you see this twice. I believe we need more participation, so I'm going to solicit others to join "Rock is Up" using this blog.
I'll do my best to ignore the 90, 72, 41, 35 and 21 yard plays against our defense and kickoff return teams. Really, I will. But guess what? Our future opponents won't. I'm hoping UNC would beat Ball Statem, who lost to Michigan by only 8 today. But I don't know. UNC averaged only 16 points per game before today. So glad we could create in Hakim Nicks another All-American receiver this year in addition to Mario Manningham from Michigan.
Did the nation notice that Troy Smith was 13 of 23 for a measly 108 yards today, with 0 TDs and 1 INT in a 7 point victory over Illinois??? Probably not. Brady completed 11 passes in the first quarter. Give me a break. There is no comparison, if you ask me. I jumped back on BQ for the rushing stiff-arm man trophy last week. Today seals it for me. We must (really must) beat Southern Cal for Grady to win the Heisman. And Michigan doesn't have to win, but they need to stymie Smith a bit. But I think BQ is having a better year.
Today's Brady to the Shark show was what we've been expecting to happen every Saturday; admit it. They've seemed just a bit off most games this year, like that 10 year high school reunion you can't wait for but doesn't turn out quite like you were expecting. But today was a thing of beauty.
Godfather--was there a big UNC crowd today? I was monitoring 1st half by Blackberry on espn.com, listening to 3d quarter on the radio, and it sounded on the radio like the Heels had a good supporting fan base. By the way, the Stanford visiting crowd when we were there was the smallest I ever remember.
Although this is only Charlie's second year, I hope you all realize we are witnessing the end of an era. The senior list is huge: McKnight, Zbikowski, Quinn, Price, Ndukwe, Wooden, Thomas, Richardson, Gioia, Santucci, Landri, Harris, Frome, Morton, Sullivan, Samardzija, Freeman, Carlson, Abiamiri, Laws. A very long list of significant (to say the least) contributors. And these guys really seem to enjoy playing with each other. Lots of chatter on the sidelines, obvious friendships. Classic interview with the Shark's dad, when he said Louis better go find Rhema's parents because he could catch Jeff in TD passes. I get a real family attitude from this group. Let's hope it can be replicated in seasons to come. One big help will be James Aldridge; he's the real deal. He and DW will run wild next year.
I felt better after watching the game than I did doing the internet/radio gig. And I managed to not know about Zibby's TD punt return or Grimes' long kickoff return. We haven't had much excitement on kick returns this year, so that was fun. Is this the time to talk about the two penalties (one flagrant, one not so) on their kickoff TD return? Yes, we missed some tackles, but it definitely should have been called back.
And speacking of penalties, have you ever seen a team get 5 personal fouls in one quarter?? Well, the Heels did that in the 4th quarter today. And the game was nowhere near lost for them when this stupidity started. No surprise the head coach is on the way out. Not only is this team not good, it's not disciplined either.
Watching the offense in teh first half reminded me so much of watching the Patriots on Monday night. Tom Brady hit 10 different receivers, 4 different for TDs. Looked exactly like BQ's day today.
So on to the Zoomies. Gonna be cold. The Springs got 2 feet of snow last week, so winter has definitely arrived. But like I said last night, I'm not too worried, even given their 40+ poins against Army. We'll stuff them. I think the Navy game was good practice.
That's all for now. Let's talk on my BCS Madness blog to discuss where we may or may not land come bowl time.
GO IRISH!!! BEAT FALCONS!!!
I'll do my best to ignore the 90, 72, 41, 35 and 21 yard plays against our defense and kickoff return teams. Really, I will. But guess what? Our future opponents won't. I'm hoping UNC would beat Ball Statem, who lost to Michigan by only 8 today. But I don't know. UNC averaged only 16 points per game before today. So glad we could create in Hakim Nicks another All-American receiver this year in addition to Mario Manningham from Michigan.
Did the nation notice that Troy Smith was 13 of 23 for a measly 108 yards today, with 0 TDs and 1 INT in a 7 point victory over Illinois??? Probably not. Brady completed 11 passes in the first quarter. Give me a break. There is no comparison, if you ask me. I jumped back on BQ for the rushing stiff-arm man trophy last week. Today seals it for me. We must (really must) beat Southern Cal for Grady to win the Heisman. And Michigan doesn't have to win, but they need to stymie Smith a bit. But I think BQ is having a better year.
Today's Brady to the Shark show was what we've been expecting to happen every Saturday; admit it. They've seemed just a bit off most games this year, like that 10 year high school reunion you can't wait for but doesn't turn out quite like you were expecting. But today was a thing of beauty.
Godfather--was there a big UNC crowd today? I was monitoring 1st half by Blackberry on espn.com, listening to 3d quarter on the radio, and it sounded on the radio like the Heels had a good supporting fan base. By the way, the Stanford visiting crowd when we were there was the smallest I ever remember.
Although this is only Charlie's second year, I hope you all realize we are witnessing the end of an era. The senior list is huge: McKnight, Zbikowski, Quinn, Price, Ndukwe, Wooden, Thomas, Richardson, Gioia, Santucci, Landri, Harris, Frome, Morton, Sullivan, Samardzija, Freeman, Carlson, Abiamiri, Laws. A very long list of significant (to say the least) contributors. And these guys really seem to enjoy playing with each other. Lots of chatter on the sidelines, obvious friendships. Classic interview with the Shark's dad, when he said Louis better go find Rhema's parents because he could catch Jeff in TD passes. I get a real family attitude from this group. Let's hope it can be replicated in seasons to come. One big help will be James Aldridge; he's the real deal. He and DW will run wild next year.
I felt better after watching the game than I did doing the internet/radio gig. And I managed to not know about Zibby's TD punt return or Grimes' long kickoff return. We haven't had much excitement on kick returns this year, so that was fun. Is this the time to talk about the two penalties (one flagrant, one not so) on their kickoff TD return? Yes, we missed some tackles, but it definitely should have been called back.
And speacking of penalties, have you ever seen a team get 5 personal fouls in one quarter?? Well, the Heels did that in the 4th quarter today. And the game was nowhere near lost for them when this stupidity started. No surprise the head coach is on the way out. Not only is this team not good, it's not disciplined either.
Watching the offense in teh first half reminded me so much of watching the Patriots on Monday night. Tom Brady hit 10 different receivers, 4 different for TDs. Looked exactly like BQ's day today.
So on to the Zoomies. Gonna be cold. The Springs got 2 feet of snow last week, so winter has definitely arrived. But like I said last night, I'm not too worried, even given their 40+ poins against Army. We'll stuff them. I think the Navy game was good practice.
That's all for now. Let's talk on my BCS Madness blog to discuss where we may or may not land come bowl time.
GO IRISH!!! BEAT FALCONS!!!
Friday, November 03, 2006
The Word is Win...
...and a big win at that.
North Carolina is not good, folks. Jeff Sagarin's ratings has them 126th, which means that some division 1-AA teams are better than them. They're 4 spots ahead of Stanford, if that gives you any idea.
This will be a walk in the park. Expect Brady to miss most of the 4th quarter in this one.
Looking ahead, don't have any fear about next week due to Air Force's 43-7 win over Army. Army turned the ball over 5 times in the first half, and took a safety on a kickoff return. It was 43-0 at halftime. AF isn't that good; Army's that bad.
Will we break 50 tomorrow? Only if UNC does some stupid things in the second half like throw INTs or kick punts that we run back for scores. Charlie won't pile it on.
I'm expecting we'll score mid-high 40s (just like the temperature in the stadium tomorrow) and UNC will have a harder time scoring than Navy did.
IRISH 48
UNC 6
GO IRISH!!! BEAT TARHEELS!!!
North Carolina is not good, folks. Jeff Sagarin's ratings has them 126th, which means that some division 1-AA teams are better than them. They're 4 spots ahead of Stanford, if that gives you any idea.
This will be a walk in the park. Expect Brady to miss most of the 4th quarter in this one.
Looking ahead, don't have any fear about next week due to Air Force's 43-7 win over Army. Army turned the ball over 5 times in the first half, and took a safety on a kickoff return. It was 43-0 at halftime. AF isn't that good; Army's that bad.
Will we break 50 tomorrow? Only if UNC does some stupid things in the second half like throw INTs or kick punts that we run back for scores. Charlie won't pile it on.
I'm expecting we'll score mid-high 40s (just like the temperature in the stadium tomorrow) and UNC will have a harder time scoring than Navy did.
IRISH 48
UNC 6
GO IRISH!!! BEAT TARHEELS!!!
What's the word, gang?
Any predictions about tomorrow's game? Will it be too chilly for the Tarheels?
I have little knowledge of NC so I don't even want to venture a guess but I'd really like to see a game where both halves are played well and convincingly. Now that WVA has a loss, it would be helpful if our guys can put on a very strong show tomorrow.
Dream score: ND 49 Tarheels 12
Check out this link and tell me the truth: Did Colonel Don write the letter to the editor which is referenced in the last line of the article?
http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=34996
I have little knowledge of NC so I don't even want to venture a guess but I'd really like to see a game where both halves are played well and convincingly. Now that WVA has a loss, it would be helpful if our guys can put on a very strong show tomorrow.
Dream score: ND 49 Tarheels 12
Check out this link and tell me the truth: Did Colonel Don write the letter to the editor which is referenced in the last line of the article?
http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=34996
Thursday, November 02, 2006
BCS Madness
Louiville vs West Virginia is turning in to maybe the best game of the year to date. Just wanted to note that. Feel free to share any other BCS thoughts here. It's now 37-27 Louiville after the missed WVa 2-pt conversion. More scoring looms, I'm sure.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
60 Minutes
Nice interview of Charlie Weiss on 60 Minutes. I hope you all get (got) a chance to see it; there were some choice shots of the band and even one of the alumni band (I think, have to slow it down on the DVR to verify that.)
I don't know how I missed the fact that USC lost -- chalk it up to hosting some friends for dinner and getting caught up in the cooking. I was glad to hear it though, and the next thing I'm looking for is the rankings.
CBS commentators and a few others are really behind Brady at the moment; he's looking pretty good. Of course, it doesn't hurt his chances that he has a stable full of guys to toss that ball to. What good is the QB if there's no one there to catch the passes? (Sort of like the tree falling in the forest with no one to hear it.) Still, I've thought Brady should be recognized and now that he's a senior, I'll be very upset if he doesn't come in the top two in Heisman voting, at the least.
Even though we gained that hour, I'm still behind. Have a good week and Happy Halloween!
I don't know how I missed the fact that USC lost -- chalk it up to hosting some friends for dinner and getting caught up in the cooking. I was glad to hear it though, and the next thing I'm looking for is the rankings.
CBS commentators and a few others are really behind Brady at the moment; he's looking pretty good. Of course, it doesn't hurt his chances that he has a stable full of guys to toss that ball to. What good is the QB if there's no one there to catch the passes? (Sort of like the tree falling in the forest with no one to hear it.) Still, I've thought Brady should be recognized and now that he's a senior, I'll be very upset if he doesn't come in the top two in Heisman voting, at the least.
Even though we gained that hour, I'm still behind. Have a good week and Happy Halloween!
Fall of Troy
I love seeing USC lose and they have been teetering on the brink for several weeks. They should lose at least two more, CAL and the Irish hopefully.
Nice solid game yesterday. While our chances for the national championship continue to be slim, we are positioning ourselves for a nice bowl game in the big 4. Is there an outside chance we play in the Rose Bowl against Cal? That would be a great trip to make. But I guess that will be the Big 10 loser against the Pac 10 like always. Sugar Bowl against Florida still looking like the best bet though there are more upsets out there. Texas and Tenn both survived scares yesterday.
Well, let's hope for a few more ho-hum games in November as we prepare for USC. Here is some BIG band news for you bandies. The band CHICAGO will be performing with the marching Irish next Saturday. Tony says the music is something else. Dave Pankow of Chicago has a slight connection with ND as he was taught by Fr. George in high school. Go Marching Irish!
Go Irish, Beat Tar Heels.
Nice solid game yesterday. While our chances for the national championship continue to be slim, we are positioning ourselves for a nice bowl game in the big 4. Is there an outside chance we play in the Rose Bowl against Cal? That would be a great trip to make. But I guess that will be the Big 10 loser against the Pac 10 like always. Sugar Bowl against Florida still looking like the best bet though there are more upsets out there. Texas and Tenn both survived scares yesterday.
Well, let's hope for a few more ho-hum games in November as we prepare for USC. Here is some BIG band news for you bandies. The band CHICAGO will be performing with the marching Irish next Saturday. Tony says the music is something else. Dave Pankow of Chicago has a slight connection with ND as he was taught by Fr. George in high school. Go Marching Irish!
Go Irish, Beat Tar Heels.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Today, ND Stands for Nicely Done
I didn’t take notes today because I had to be in and out of the house during the game today. Hey, it was just Navy.
(I heard a rumor.)
I decided that the SEC doesn’t have any Heisman candidates today, because CBS was hyping BQ for the entire game. SEC football is great on CBS, but there isn’t anyone in the running for this year’s “Running Man with Stiff Arm”. And you know what? That’s OK with me. Brady is a better quarterback than Troy Smith, IMHO. So as long as we keep winning, I’m back on the Brady for Heisman Bandwagon. Now I do wish he got at least 5 more than the 295 yards passing he amassed today. But, true to what Godfather and Rosie said, Charlie wouldn’t have dared brought him in for one more pass to get him past 300. We’ll take the high road and have to be satisfied if it doesn’t lead to Heismanville.
(Something about Southern Cal.)
Outside of the 4th and goal that we didn’t convert, a very good game by Charlie’s Boys today. Yes, it took a while to figure out the option, and really, we never totally figured it out. But a few key stops, and an offense that refused to punt (did we punt today? I don’t think so), piled the lead high enough to force Navy out of their game. A good tuneup #1 for the mighty USC.
(Something about the Trojans not being so mighty anymore.)
Well looky looky here. I hope some of you were able to watch the Crimp in Corvallis. Oregon State had leads of 21-0 and 33-10, but the Men of Troy made it close. They went for two earlier in the second half and made it, so they were only down 8 at the end. They got the TD with 7 seconds remaining, but JD Booty’s pass on the 2-point conversion was deflected at the line. For once, things didn’t go right for Uncle Pete. If only Texas Tech and South Carolina could have kept their second half leads over Texas and Tennessee. Oh well. Maybe next week.
I won’t belabor our victory. It was good, it was solid, it was what it should have been. And don’t worry about Air Force’s option this year—they’re just not very good this year.
So I’ll just close by saying I stand by our continued commitment to playing one or more of the service academies every season. It’s a lot more classy than BC beating up on Buffalo today, if you ask me. I’m admittedly a little biased here, but in a good way, I think. We rarely play all three, and we can’t help it that some of our ACC (North Carolina) and PAC-10 (Stanford) opponents are awful. Although, I’d love to be in the room when our AD is trying to put together future schedules. An interesting process, I’m sure.
So we’ll see how far the Trojans fall. Since their loss is against an unranked team and ours is against #2 UofM, they should fall below us, in my mind, especially given all their non-blowout victories over the last several weeks. We shall see.
I’ll write again tomorrow after the BCS poll comes out, be it good or bad results.
(I heard a rumor.)
I decided that the SEC doesn’t have any Heisman candidates today, because CBS was hyping BQ for the entire game. SEC football is great on CBS, but there isn’t anyone in the running for this year’s “Running Man with Stiff Arm”. And you know what? That’s OK with me. Brady is a better quarterback than Troy Smith, IMHO. So as long as we keep winning, I’m back on the Brady for Heisman Bandwagon. Now I do wish he got at least 5 more than the 295 yards passing he amassed today. But, true to what Godfather and Rosie said, Charlie wouldn’t have dared brought him in for one more pass to get him past 300. We’ll take the high road and have to be satisfied if it doesn’t lead to Heismanville.
(Something about Southern Cal.)
Outside of the 4th and goal that we didn’t convert, a very good game by Charlie’s Boys today. Yes, it took a while to figure out the option, and really, we never totally figured it out. But a few key stops, and an offense that refused to punt (did we punt today? I don’t think so), piled the lead high enough to force Navy out of their game. A good tuneup #1 for the mighty USC.
(Something about the Trojans not being so mighty anymore.)
Well looky looky here. I hope some of you were able to watch the Crimp in Corvallis. Oregon State had leads of 21-0 and 33-10, but the Men of Troy made it close. They went for two earlier in the second half and made it, so they were only down 8 at the end. They got the TD with 7 seconds remaining, but JD Booty’s pass on the 2-point conversion was deflected at the line. For once, things didn’t go right for Uncle Pete. If only Texas Tech and South Carolina could have kept their second half leads over Texas and Tennessee. Oh well. Maybe next week.
I won’t belabor our victory. It was good, it was solid, it was what it should have been. And don’t worry about Air Force’s option this year—they’re just not very good this year.
So I’ll just close by saying I stand by our continued commitment to playing one or more of the service academies every season. It’s a lot more classy than BC beating up on Buffalo today, if you ask me. I’m admittedly a little biased here, but in a good way, I think. We rarely play all three, and we can’t help it that some of our ACC (North Carolina) and PAC-10 (Stanford) opponents are awful. Although, I’d love to be in the room when our AD is trying to put together future schedules. An interesting process, I’m sure.
So we’ll see how far the Trojans fall. Since their loss is against an unranked team and ours is against #2 UofM, they should fall below us, in my mind, especially given all their non-blowout victories over the last several weeks. We shall see.
I’ll write again tomorrow after the BCS poll comes out, be it good or bad results.
Answer: Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada
Question: Name Navy's starting QB today. That's right. Due to an injury to Senior starter Brian Hampton two weeks ago against Rutgers, sophomore K-N K-E will make his first college start today against the Irish. But given the Middies are averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground, don't expect K-E to be trying to light up the Irish secondary.
His counterpart, Brady Quinn, has started 3 times against Navy. In those three games, BQ has completed 47 of 78 passes (60 percent) for 551 yards, with 5 TDs and 1 INT. Oh, by the way, he's also bigger than all but 3 of Navy's defensive starters.
Would you guess we have 3 receivers with 40 or more catches this year? I wouldn't have, but the Shark (42), DW (42) and Rhema (40) have done just that.
OK, the Southern Cal pre-season begins today. Navy. North Carolina. Air Force. Army. With exception of Air Force, who always seems to play us close (and the game's in Co Springs), we should win by 4 touchdowns (at least) and get the offense tuned to fine precision. We shall see.
Interesting note: this series has seen games in 7 cities in addition to South Bend: Baltimore, Clevelend, East Rutherford, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raljon and Dublin. Extra bonus points for you if you know where Raljon is. I've been to Raljon and actually played in an alumni band at a game in Raljon, if that's any hint.
Also, listen for Steve Beuerlein as the color commentator on today's broadcast. Somebody named Craig Bolerjack will be the play-by-play guy on CBS today.
Don't have my newspaper yet (it's 5:00 AM) and yesterday's didn't have the point spreads. But I was surprised earlier in the week that we weren't more heavily favored. It was only 14 or so.
But let's put this game in perspective for Navy, with a quote from Navy outside linebacker Tyler Tidwell: "A Navy team could go 1-10, but if they beat Notre Dame, they's always be remembered." There you have it. The longest head-to-head losing streak in football (42 games) makes players say things like that. And he's right, too. But, alas for the Middies, loss #43 starts in about fours hours.
And the Irish will cover, whatever the spread is. ND 41, Navy 13.
GO IRISH!! BEAT NAVY!!!
His counterpart, Brady Quinn, has started 3 times against Navy. In those three games, BQ has completed 47 of 78 passes (60 percent) for 551 yards, with 5 TDs and 1 INT. Oh, by the way, he's also bigger than all but 3 of Navy's defensive starters.
Would you guess we have 3 receivers with 40 or more catches this year? I wouldn't have, but the Shark (42), DW (42) and Rhema (40) have done just that.
OK, the Southern Cal pre-season begins today. Navy. North Carolina. Air Force. Army. With exception of Air Force, who always seems to play us close (and the game's in Co Springs), we should win by 4 touchdowns (at least) and get the offense tuned to fine precision. We shall see.
Interesting note: this series has seen games in 7 cities in addition to South Bend: Baltimore, Clevelend, East Rutherford, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raljon and Dublin. Extra bonus points for you if you know where Raljon is. I've been to Raljon and actually played in an alumni band at a game in Raljon, if that's any hint.
Also, listen for Steve Beuerlein as the color commentator on today's broadcast. Somebody named Craig Bolerjack will be the play-by-play guy on CBS today.
Don't have my newspaper yet (it's 5:00 AM) and yesterday's didn't have the point spreads. But I was surprised earlier in the week that we weren't more heavily favored. It was only 14 or so.
But let's put this game in perspective for Navy, with a quote from Navy outside linebacker Tyler Tidwell: "A Navy team could go 1-10, but if they beat Notre Dame, they's always be remembered." There you have it. The longest head-to-head losing streak in football (42 games) makes players say things like that. And he's right, too. But, alas for the Middies, loss #43 starts in about fours hours.
And the Irish will cover, whatever the spread is. ND 41, Navy 13.
GO IRISH!! BEAT NAVY!!!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Do we finally get a Blowout?
Probably not with Charlie's respect for the Service Academies, but we will win one comfortably for a change. Irish 40, Navy 21 is my prediction.
Will be nice to sit in my chair and watch one on TV for a change. I can enjoy the TV timeouts from another room while I get a liquid refreshment!
Go Irish, Beat Middies.
Will be nice to sit in my chair and watch one on TV for a change. I can enjoy the TV timeouts from another room while I get a liquid refreshment!
Go Irish, Beat Middies.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Taking a hit from SI
Stewart Mandel really gives it to Charlie today in Sports Illustrated online issue. He jumps all over Charlie for not understanding why ND is ranked only 9th. Then he compares schedules with 'team B' that turns out to be Boston College, and is ranked 7 spots lower than ND.
So is Charlie whining or is Stewart being unreasonable?
Go Irish! ND 42 Navy 17
So is Charlie whining or is Stewart being unreasonable?
Go Irish! ND 42 Navy 17
Sunday, October 22, 2006
They didn't lose their pants
But apparently Paul Hornung did at the pep rally Friday night.
Confirmation from anyone who was there, please!
Confirmation from anyone who was there, please!
WWW - Wow, We Won
What a finish to that game yesterday. As usual the ND faithful were generally quiet during most of the game but I have to say that the noise after that final touchdown and throughout the final 25 seconds was deafening. Of course the Irish finally gave us something to cheer about! We were in section 113 around the south goal line so had a good view of Samardjia's final score. Really thought he was going down 3 different times the way he was wobbling around. Amazing play. The only thing that could have made the day better was if Texas and Tennessee had lost although we already lead Tenn in the BCS.
The Colonel, newspapers and NBC.com can give you good analyses so I will focus on some on-site observations. Watch Charlie's post-game press conference if you can, some very good insights there. Statistically we did okay yesterday, though the five sacks and relentless pressure from UCLA definitely messed up Brady. Felt like we were getting beat most of the day while at the same time I had this feeling we were just on the edge of breaking through. Donny was right about UCLA, they came ready to play but I have to compliment our defense on a solid performance against what turned out to be a good UCLA "2nd-string" quarterback. We got burned on two long plays again but the defense really kicked it up a notch in the second half and gave us a chance to win (which we did!).
The guy behind us in the stands predicted EXACTLY how the game would play out with about 10 minutes left. Absolutely amazing though he was guessing and hoping like most of us. Best line from him during our chat: "Joe Montana used to need 30 seconds to score, Brady Quinn is half as good as Montana, so Brady should score in 60 seconds". WRONG, Brady only needed about 30 seconds also! We also had a guy with a bagpipe in the stands with us, and yes he played the Victory March after the first touchdown. He also got yelled at by the ushers.
Be sure to watch the halftime show on NBC.com when it becomes available. Two fine performances by the bands. ND dusted off the MSU show and has a terrific arrangement of Africa by Toto. We produce so much sound and good balance I think. UCLA band has a nice sound, march about 200+, very intricate marching on the field. Their band members raised funds for this trip because of its special nature. For you boys, the UCLA cheerleaders are USC-caliber hotties but the band is much classier than USC (like they don't play on every down!). UCLA brought a big crowd and they were very good fans. There were the usual bunch of opposing fans sprinkled through the seats (thanks to greedy ND fans) but absolutely the biggest visiting crowd in opposing team seats I can recall; great turnout by them. This was a big deal to them and they had to really be bummed at the end. Weather turned out to be spectacular though we expected cold and rain. How the heck did that happen?
One final note. I never thought I would say or write these two words together: "band juggler". Yes, UCLA has a band juggler and he was featured in one of the halftime numbers. Believe it.
Go Irish, Beat Middies!
The Colonel, newspapers and NBC.com can give you good analyses so I will focus on some on-site observations. Watch Charlie's post-game press conference if you can, some very good insights there. Statistically we did okay yesterday, though the five sacks and relentless pressure from UCLA definitely messed up Brady. Felt like we were getting beat most of the day while at the same time I had this feeling we were just on the edge of breaking through. Donny was right about UCLA, they came ready to play but I have to compliment our defense on a solid performance against what turned out to be a good UCLA "2nd-string" quarterback. We got burned on two long plays again but the defense really kicked it up a notch in the second half and gave us a chance to win (which we did!).
The guy behind us in the stands predicted EXACTLY how the game would play out with about 10 minutes left. Absolutely amazing though he was guessing and hoping like most of us. Best line from him during our chat: "Joe Montana used to need 30 seconds to score, Brady Quinn is half as good as Montana, so Brady should score in 60 seconds". WRONG, Brady only needed about 30 seconds also! We also had a guy with a bagpipe in the stands with us, and yes he played the Victory March after the first touchdown. He also got yelled at by the ushers.
Be sure to watch the halftime show on NBC.com when it becomes available. Two fine performances by the bands. ND dusted off the MSU show and has a terrific arrangement of Africa by Toto. We produce so much sound and good balance I think. UCLA band has a nice sound, march about 200+, very intricate marching on the field. Their band members raised funds for this trip because of its special nature. For you boys, the UCLA cheerleaders are USC-caliber hotties but the band is much classier than USC (like they don't play on every down!). UCLA brought a big crowd and they were very good fans. There were the usual bunch of opposing fans sprinkled through the seats (thanks to greedy ND fans) but absolutely the biggest visiting crowd in opposing team seats I can recall; great turnout by them. This was a big deal to them and they had to really be bummed at the end. Weather turned out to be spectacular though we expected cold and rain. How the heck did that happen?
One final note. I never thought I would say or write these two words together: "band juggler". Yes, UCLA has a band juggler and he was featured in one of the halftime numbers. Believe it.
Go Irish, Beat Middies!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
1:02/80 Yards
In a game they shouldn't have won, BQ and the Shark came through again. Similar to their comeback against Stanford in 2005 that definitely saved a BCS berth, Brady Quinn hit Jeff Samardzija with 27 seconds left for a 45 yard TD pass that proved to be the difference. The Irish won a squeaker, 20-17. Some October magic was required, for sure.
I can’t believe how many times I wrote the word “blech” on my notes page. Before the final drive, we had 13 possessions for 13 points. Like I said, “BLECH”. Here’s a good metric: I always keep track of how many different receivers Brady hits each half. His usual minimum is 5, maximum 7. Second half today? 3. DW, Grimes and the Shark. What is up with the O-line this year? We should be blowing people away up there, but UCLA ruled the day today. On one play, we kept Carlson in to block and the six blockers couldn’t stop the 3 rushers.
I suppose some of that was receivers not open, but it was more Brady Rushed than Brady Can’t Find a Receiver. And Brady took a few bad sacks today too.
Here is an absolutely amazing stat, even given that sacks count as rushing attempts. The two teams combined today rushed the ball 63 times for 67 yards. Find a worse running day in the archives, I dare you.
The non-scoreboard stats look like a clean ND victory. Time of possession was 34-26, ND. We outgained them 345 to 243. Ran 20 more plays from scrimmage (80-60). First downs were 20-12 in our favor. We won turnovers, 2-1. But as we all know, statistics lie (I’m a math major, I can say that). Example: in the second quarter, we out-possessed them 11 minutes to 4, but they outscored us 14-3!
I noted at the beginning of the 3d quarter that we rarely rush more than 4. Midway through the 3rd I noted “we’re starting to blitz”. And bringing more was the key for the defense today. Outside of those two long TD passes, defense played well, giving up 153 yards all game outside those two plays. Heck, I predicted 17 points for UCLA, so I have to be happy about the D. I shouldn’t mention that UCLA had only two 20+ yard passing plays ALL SEASON before today, when they had 3. But I just did. And I shouldn’t mention the 3 missed tackles on their second TD. But I just did. Oops.
What’s your vote for the biggest play of the game, BESIDES the BQ-Shark TD? On UCLA’s 4th drive in the second half, they had 3rd and 3 at our 37. In Medlock’s FG range. Mo Crum, Jr. (how did his dad let him go to ND?) timed the snap perfectly, sacked Cowan for 7 yard loss, forcing a punt. Potentially 3 points lost there. A biggie.
When I write my game notes I write each team’s drives down either side of a piece of unlined paper, capturing big plays and other things of note. For the last drive, instead of simply writing “ND 7th drive (20 yd line)” I wrote “1:02/80 yards”. Well, it didn’t take 1:02. It took 35 seconds and 3 plays. Samardzija for 21, Grimes for 14, Samardzija to the House. Way to go, BQ. You da man.
My final point of analysis is that we should start each game in no-huddle and stay there until the game is out of reach. We're more "in charge" and today UCLA burned at least two timeouts on defense today just to re-collect themselves when we were in no-huddle.
Other notes of note: Ain’t it fun seeing FSU and Miami this bad?...John Carlson is a better tight end than Anthony Fasano. Better yards per game, yards per catch and total catches…AMAZING 35 point comeback by the Spartans to beat Northwestern. Down 38-3, they won 41-38. Largest comeback in NCAA history…Brady was 32nd in history to pass for 10,000 yards… I was thinking Tigers in 5, but that’s a tall order now.
So on to Navy. If we don’t win by at least 3 touchdowns, I’m going to be angry. Very, very angry. Don’t think anyone ahead of us lost today, since Nebraska gagged against Texas. Cal and Tennessee, who were right behind us, won close, so we’ll probably hold on to the #8 spot. Clemson stomped on Ga Tech, so our strength of schedule will go down a bit. But I don’t think Clemson will pass us. Would have been real nice for Texas to lose. Oh well. Next week, who ahead of us can we realistically root for to lose? Nobody, really. Closest is Florida, who hosts Georgia. Iffy.
I’d apologize for the length of this, but Blogger.com has been down for hours, so I keep writing more in MSWord while waiting for the site to come back up. So blame Nancy Rose! Yeah, that’s it. That’s the ticket. (Remember when SNL was good?).
Have a good week, all of you. Blog away, please!
I can’t believe how many times I wrote the word “blech” on my notes page. Before the final drive, we had 13 possessions for 13 points. Like I said, “BLECH”. Here’s a good metric: I always keep track of how many different receivers Brady hits each half. His usual minimum is 5, maximum 7. Second half today? 3. DW, Grimes and the Shark. What is up with the O-line this year? We should be blowing people away up there, but UCLA ruled the day today. On one play, we kept Carlson in to block and the six blockers couldn’t stop the 3 rushers.
I suppose some of that was receivers not open, but it was more Brady Rushed than Brady Can’t Find a Receiver. And Brady took a few bad sacks today too.
Here is an absolutely amazing stat, even given that sacks count as rushing attempts. The two teams combined today rushed the ball 63 times for 67 yards. Find a worse running day in the archives, I dare you.
The non-scoreboard stats look like a clean ND victory. Time of possession was 34-26, ND. We outgained them 345 to 243. Ran 20 more plays from scrimmage (80-60). First downs were 20-12 in our favor. We won turnovers, 2-1. But as we all know, statistics lie (I’m a math major, I can say that). Example: in the second quarter, we out-possessed them 11 minutes to 4, but they outscored us 14-3!
I noted at the beginning of the 3d quarter that we rarely rush more than 4. Midway through the 3rd I noted “we’re starting to blitz”. And bringing more was the key for the defense today. Outside of those two long TD passes, defense played well, giving up 153 yards all game outside those two plays. Heck, I predicted 17 points for UCLA, so I have to be happy about the D. I shouldn’t mention that UCLA had only two 20+ yard passing plays ALL SEASON before today, when they had 3. But I just did. And I shouldn’t mention the 3 missed tackles on their second TD. But I just did. Oops.
What’s your vote for the biggest play of the game, BESIDES the BQ-Shark TD? On UCLA’s 4th drive in the second half, they had 3rd and 3 at our 37. In Medlock’s FG range. Mo Crum, Jr. (how did his dad let him go to ND?) timed the snap perfectly, sacked Cowan for 7 yard loss, forcing a punt. Potentially 3 points lost there. A biggie.
When I write my game notes I write each team’s drives down either side of a piece of unlined paper, capturing big plays and other things of note. For the last drive, instead of simply writing “ND 7th drive (20 yd line)” I wrote “1:02/80 yards”. Well, it didn’t take 1:02. It took 35 seconds and 3 plays. Samardzija for 21, Grimes for 14, Samardzija to the House. Way to go, BQ. You da man.
My final point of analysis is that we should start each game in no-huddle and stay there until the game is out of reach. We're more "in charge" and today UCLA burned at least two timeouts on defense today just to re-collect themselves when we were in no-huddle.
Other notes of note: Ain’t it fun seeing FSU and Miami this bad?...John Carlson is a better tight end than Anthony Fasano. Better yards per game, yards per catch and total catches…AMAZING 35 point comeback by the Spartans to beat Northwestern. Down 38-3, they won 41-38. Largest comeback in NCAA history…Brady was 32nd in history to pass for 10,000 yards… I was thinking Tigers in 5, but that’s a tall order now.
So on to Navy. If we don’t win by at least 3 touchdowns, I’m going to be angry. Very, very angry. Don’t think anyone ahead of us lost today, since Nebraska gagged against Texas. Cal and Tennessee, who were right behind us, won close, so we’ll probably hold on to the #8 spot. Clemson stomped on Ga Tech, so our strength of schedule will go down a bit. But I don’t think Clemson will pass us. Would have been real nice for Texas to lose. Oh well. Next week, who ahead of us can we realistically root for to lose? Nobody, really. Closest is Florida, who hosts Georgia. Iffy.
I’d apologize for the length of this, but Blogger.com has been down for hours, so I keep writing more in MSWord while waiting for the site to come back up. So blame Nancy Rose! Yeah, that’s it. That’s the ticket. (Remember when SNL was good?).
Have a good week, all of you. Blog away, please!
I have no clue
About the score for today's game but I think, along with Don x2 that we will prevail. Irish are picked in this morning's Syracuse paper by 13; I'd be surprised if is less than that.
The pre-game talk on NBC mentioned UCLA's QB throat troubles; the Bruins looked flat coming onto the field, so I'm hoping that's a good sign for us. Looks pretty decent weather-wise at ND today but they mentioned rain later in the afternoon.
Looking forward to comments later in the game!
Rose
The pre-game talk on NBC mentioned UCLA's QB throat troubles; the Bruins looked flat coming onto the field, so I'm hoping that's a good sign for us. Looks pretty decent weather-wise at ND today but they mentioned rain later in the afternoon.
Looking forward to comments later in the game!
Rose
Inflection Points of our Own
Leave it to the Godfather to use a word like "inflection". But you know what? He's right, but in the wrong way. This is the Irish Inflection Point, the well-known IIP.
Why? Don't know if I mentioned this early in the year, but I have always viewed this as ND's "trap" game.
As Don notes, we're 12 1/2 point favorites (down from 14 at beginning of the week, by the way). Bruins haven't visited in 42 years, Karl Dorrell treating this as "just another game", QB can't bark signals, etc. And, oh by the way, it will be raining all day, highs in the low 50s. It hasn't rained in LA since March of last year. All set up for a nice, tidy, Irish victory. I hope so.
LA press is not giving UCLA much of a chance, to be honest. Foregone conclusion, the Bruins are the also-ran, and, to be honest, they looked horrible against Oregon last week. So we can hope those Bruins show up tomorrow. I hope so.
What's all this "Charlie and the NFL" talk this week? A nice, tidy "not interested" would have been nice, but talk of "I can't afford to leave" doesn't say not interested to me. I don't think he's leaving any time soon, but distractions while preparing for a game are no good.
So will we cover tomorrow? Contrary to all the angst above, yes, I think we'll cover. Will it feel like a good cover? I hope so. I don't think UCLA is a very good football team. Another item in the press was Dorrell throwing his offensive coordinator under the bus. His coordinator calls the plays, but Dorrell was second guessing him to death post-game after Oregon. But Koach Karl isn't taking over play calling tomorrow. So that doesn't bode well for the Burins either.
Boy am I depressing. And I shouldn't be. Know why? I SCORED SOUTHERN CAL TICKETS TODAY! And to add to the sweetness of that, I'll be sitting with Southern Cal Athletic Department staff, I think. One of my captains is married to a trainer for the SC women's soccer team. They're away for Thanksgiving, so I'm getting his tickets. Hate it when that happens! I'm going to look very strange in the sea of Cardinal and Gold. CAN'T WAIT!
Hopefully my post-game prose will be more uplifting than this.
Enjoy the game all. The Irish will prevail, 30-17.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Why? Don't know if I mentioned this early in the year, but I have always viewed this as ND's "trap" game.
As Don notes, we're 12 1/2 point favorites (down from 14 at beginning of the week, by the way). Bruins haven't visited in 42 years, Karl Dorrell treating this as "just another game", QB can't bark signals, etc. And, oh by the way, it will be raining all day, highs in the low 50s. It hasn't rained in LA since March of last year. All set up for a nice, tidy, Irish victory. I hope so.
LA press is not giving UCLA much of a chance, to be honest. Foregone conclusion, the Bruins are the also-ran, and, to be honest, they looked horrible against Oregon last week. So we can hope those Bruins show up tomorrow. I hope so.
What's all this "Charlie and the NFL" talk this week? A nice, tidy "not interested" would have been nice, but talk of "I can't afford to leave" doesn't say not interested to me. I don't think he's leaving any time soon, but distractions while preparing for a game are no good.
So will we cover tomorrow? Contrary to all the angst above, yes, I think we'll cover. Will it feel like a good cover? I hope so. I don't think UCLA is a very good football team. Another item in the press was Dorrell throwing his offensive coordinator under the bus. His coordinator calls the plays, but Dorrell was second guessing him to death post-game after Oregon. But Koach Karl isn't taking over play calling tomorrow. So that doesn't bode well for the Burins either.
Boy am I depressing. And I shouldn't be. Know why? I SCORED SOUTHERN CAL TICKETS TODAY! And to add to the sweetness of that, I'll be sitting with Southern Cal Athletic Department staff, I think. One of my captains is married to a trainer for the SC women's soccer team. They're away for Thanksgiving, so I'm getting his tickets. Hate it when that happens! I'm going to look very strange in the sea of Cardinal and Gold. CAN'T WAIT!
Hopefully my post-game prose will be more uplifting than this.
Enjoy the game all. The Irish will prevail, 30-17.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Will be closer this time, but Irish prevail
Seems like an eon since we were in ND stadium on that beautiful sunny afternoon two weeks ago. But here we are ready to play some football again against the Bruins. I know nothing about UCLA so it is difficult to get a vibe on this game. Chicago Tribune has the spread at 12.5 for the Irish which is pretty big.
On the Irish side we have the two week break and Charlie's ability to get them focused on the second half of the season. We have seen a steady improvement in the offense but UCLA has a decent defense and a key factor will be our ability to run the ball. The Irish also will have the ND mystique working for them as UCLA will be overwhelmed by the aura of our campus and tradition. Give us 7 points for the "awe" factor alone.
UCLA is having another schizophrenic season and is coming off a tough loss at Oregon. I expect them to come ready to play because this game is the inflection point for their season. As the Colonel pointed out, they have a serious quarteback dilemma as well. A win puts them back on track, a loss will continue the spiral to a losing record I think. But they will go home disappointed. Irish have too much for them but it will be a very good game I think.
Final score ND 28 - UCLA 20.
Go Irish, Beat Bruins!
On the Irish side we have the two week break and Charlie's ability to get them focused on the second half of the season. We have seen a steady improvement in the offense but UCLA has a decent defense and a key factor will be our ability to run the ball. The Irish also will have the ND mystique working for them as UCLA will be overwhelmed by the aura of our campus and tradition. Give us 7 points for the "awe" factor alone.
UCLA is having another schizophrenic season and is coming off a tough loss at Oregon. I expect them to come ready to play because this game is the inflection point for their season. As the Colonel pointed out, they have a serious quarteback dilemma as well. A win puts them back on track, a loss will continue the spiral to a losing record I think. But they will go home disappointed. Irish have too much for them but it will be a very good game I think.
Final score ND 28 - UCLA 20.
Go Irish, Beat Bruins!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
QB Quandary (Theirs, not Ours)
You probably know that UCLA is down to their backup QB. Did you also know he took a shot to the throat last game and can hardly talk? They don't know if he can call signals Saturday, are working various alternatives, including starting a redshirt Freshman who's never taken a snap. I'll keep you posted.
Also, read an interesting article that had Coach Dorrell of UCLA talking about Saturday, which will be his first trip to South Bend--ever. He talked of treating the visit "just like any other road game". Point of the article was he doesn't know what he's in for visiting ND for the first time. Hopefully enough students will be back from break to make it loud enough to make a difference.
Also on the QB front, Navy's starting QB is out for the season as well. He went down in first quarter against Rutgers. Navy lost 34-0.
They're falling like flies...
Also, read an interesting article that had Coach Dorrell of UCLA talking about Saturday, which will be his first trip to South Bend--ever. He talked of treating the visit "just like any other road game". Point of the article was he doesn't know what he's in for visiting ND for the first time. Hopefully enough students will be back from break to make it loud enough to make a difference.
Also on the QB front, Navy's starting QB is out for the season as well. He went down in first quarter against Rutgers. Navy lost 34-0.
They're falling like flies...
Monday, October 16, 2006
We're on the Clock!
Nancy's clock has us marching again at 3 AM EDT. COOOOL! Let us know where we need to be. Can't wait to wake up the echoes....and the student body!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Here are a few pictures -- Enjoy!
Hope you like the view from inside the circle! (and the visit to years gone by . . .)
Are the Pieces Falling in Place?
Yesterday's college games provided exciting tidbits of things to come: More Upsets! There was a moment where I thought USC, Michigan and Florida all might lose. Only the Gators bit the dust but one less team between us and #1 now. Hopefully Auburn will not jump over us in the polls tonight.
Watched a lot of the Florida and Michigan games (isn't picture-in-picture great?). Michigan does look very good; should be a heck of game with OSU. I really do not want to play either one of them but will be rooting for Michigan because if we are fortunate to be in the national title game against them I figure the Irish will have an edge. Very tough to beat the same team twice in one season and I think we will be better by January.
As the Colonel has said before, USC looks very beatable so I am hopeful this time around will go to the Irish. Those of you that want them to be undefeated till we get there should remember that our destiny is really in our hands. We have to keep winning and should expect that most of the teams still ahead in the polls will lose by BCS time. USC's ranking won't matter to us except we may want them to knock off Cal or Oregon later this season.
Some cards still have to fall our way but one or two seem to drop every week and I don't see any stumbles on our schedule. UCLA will give us a game but we will win.
Go Irish!
Watched a lot of the Florida and Michigan games (isn't picture-in-picture great?). Michigan does look very good; should be a heck of game with OSU. I really do not want to play either one of them but will be rooting for Michigan because if we are fortunate to be in the national title game against them I figure the Irish will have an edge. Very tough to beat the same team twice in one season and I think we will be better by January.
As the Colonel has said before, USC looks very beatable so I am hopeful this time around will go to the Irish. Those of you that want them to be undefeated till we get there should remember that our destiny is really in our hands. We have to keep winning and should expect that most of the teams still ahead in the polls will lose by BCS time. USC's ranking won't matter to us except we may want them to knock off Cal or Oregon later this season.
Some cards still have to fall our way but one or two seem to drop every week and I don't see any stumbles on our schedule. UCLA will give us a game but we will win.
Go Irish!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Finally, my ears have stopped ringing...
It was great seeing all of you this weekend! And I missed all who couldn't make it. I can't believe how fast it went, and like Rosie, I felt that I didn't get to visit with many of you for very long. The time just went too fast. But it was a great time, and I'm looking forward to 4 years from now (anyone know the date, yet? Let's start a count down!)
Colonel, I did find the half time show on nbcsports.com. I clicked on the "video" choice, then when a new window opened, chose Notre Dame, then all the way at the bottom of the choices "Halftime band....". There's a close-up of Rosie, and Kevin O'B (and a lot of current bandies with music hiding their faces - that'll serve them right for not memorizing their music!)
I'll be at ND for UCLA - my brother Phil ('79) and his wife are coming in for a "family reunion". It'll be good to get back again. I was kind of sad to leave on Sunday after such a great weekend!
Colonel, I did find the half time show on nbcsports.com. I clicked on the "video" choice, then when a new window opened, chose Notre Dame, then all the way at the bottom of the choices "Halftime band....". There's a close-up of Rosie, and Kevin O'B (and a lot of current bandies with music hiding their faces - that'll serve them right for not memorizing their music!)
I'll be at ND for UCLA - my brother Phil ('79) and his wife are coming in for a "family reunion". It'll be good to get back again. I was kind of sad to leave on Sunday after such a great weekend!
Anyone else think the tunnel was louder than ever? No wonder the current drummers all use ear plugs! It was great!
Go Irish! Beat Bruins!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Was There a Game Saturday?
Indeed there was, and I watched it yesterday. Strange--this was the 3rd game in a row I watched on tape having known the end result. And for this one, I had actually seen the game live. So I found myself focusing on different things than I usually do while watching it fresh, to wit:
Our starting defensive line is all Seniors. It’s not very good. That doesn’t bode well for the younger players that can’t crack first string...I think John Carlson can be an All-American tight end...Munir Prince looks very fast; hopefully he can work in some more carries over the rest of the season...NBC is still really bad with the “down and yards to go” and play clock graphics displays—it shouldn’t be that hard to get right...Media Timeouts go by really quickly with a fast forward button...Our first drive was the longest in yards (91), time (7:10) and plays (19) of the season so far...After Geoff Price’s first short punt, cameras isolated him on the sideline while going to commercial—he’s got a real potty mouth...
Trivia question: Against Stanford, Rhema McKnight passed the previous Irish #2 and #3 career receptions leaders to take over sole possession of #2. Who did he pass? Who’s #1? I got #1 wrong (guessed the guy who was #3). Tom and Pat said who #2 was when McKnight passed him, so I didn’t get to guess him.
Godfather: Based on my watching the game, here are the answers to some of the questions we asked each other while watching the game together:
1. Yes, we fumbled the opening kickoff. That’s what took so long to get all the way to the 9 yard line.
2. The Stanford “interception for a touchdown” was correctly called an incomplete pass. While the angle Tom and Pat had made them think it was an intercept, Pat picked up pretty quickly that even if it was an INT, the guy was down and it wouldn’t have been a TD.
3. The facemask personal foul call on Samardzija in the first drive was a good call.
4. The late hit on Brady in the 3d quarter could have gone either way. Out of bounds, but close, not flagrant at all.
5. Carlson’s catch on the last TD was indeed a thing of beauty.
Quote of the game from Pat Haden: “Darius Walker is like a run on sentence. He just kinda keeps going and going and going.” On the next play, DW ran for his 32 yard touchdown.
Speaking of that run, GREAT Blimp-cam coverage on it. Great campus shots too. Even though it looks a lot different than our day, it’s still a magnificently beautiful sight.
And speaking of campus, I think the University needs to come up with an improvement plan for Juniper Road now that they’ve closed it through campus. Right now it looks like a deserted alley in some respects. Between the nice new entrance at ND and Angela, and the brick work they did in the ground in front of the Dome, I’m sure there are some plans on the drawing board for this. As I said to several of you, I didn’t feel like I was on campus until Friday after I registered and actually crossed Angela on to the campus I remember. Juniper was the border, except for the ACC (still can’t call it “the JACC”) and the practice field behind it (Stepan Field? Alumni Field? Can’t remember). Juniper is now “inside the fence” but it doesn’t llook like it belongs there. It looks like Pennsylvania Avenue after Clinton closed it between 15th and 17th in downtown DC. Are we protecting the stadium from terrorists? I don’t think so. Let’s spruce it up, make it look like a nice promenade, if you will. Just don’t put a Starbucks there, please! Rant over.
Bottom line on this game: we played OK against a greatly overmatched team. Their top three receivers were two walk-ons and a freshman. Their defensive line is a bunch of second stringers. They were last in Divisino 1A (119th) in run defense, 117th in total defense and points allowed. On the positive side, no turnovers for second game in a row. Seven different receivers with catches. DW continues to click along.
Unfortunately very little Alumni Band coverage. When NBC came on air there was a good shot of all of us on the field during pre-game. No sound, though. They mentioned Band Alumni weekend once, very near end of game. NO shots of alumni band playing on the sidelines. Showed us milling in to place after current band marched in to tunnel after game. More focus on the KofC pipe and drum band playing around campus than us. Can't find any halftime links on nbcsports.com. And in the ultimate NBC shill, they came back from a commercial focused on our "glocks" who played the N-B-C notes for the camera. Somehow, I don't see Rosie or Nina caving to corporate pressure (at least not for free!). As I said in my last blog, I think University could have gotten some good mileage out of the event with NBC, but, oh well.
So on to the Bruins. Heard today that their starting QB will most likely not play Saturday against the Ducks due to a knee sprain or some such injury. We shall see. Depending on what happens to UCLA Saturday, I predict we’ll be 7 ½ - 8 ½ point favorites. We should cover.
Please feel free to blog away during the bye week. I’ll blog more later on my impressions of the weekend, including my nominees for the percussion section Dorian and Dora Gray awards. You won’t want to miss that, I’m sure!
Apologies for the length of this one. Nancy, please don't ban me!
GO IRISH!! BEAT BRUINS!!
Our starting defensive line is all Seniors. It’s not very good. That doesn’t bode well for the younger players that can’t crack first string...I think John Carlson can be an All-American tight end...Munir Prince looks very fast; hopefully he can work in some more carries over the rest of the season...NBC is still really bad with the “down and yards to go” and play clock graphics displays—it shouldn’t be that hard to get right...Media Timeouts go by really quickly with a fast forward button...Our first drive was the longest in yards (91), time (7:10) and plays (19) of the season so far...After Geoff Price’s first short punt, cameras isolated him on the sideline while going to commercial—he’s got a real potty mouth...
Trivia question: Against Stanford, Rhema McKnight passed the previous Irish #2 and #3 career receptions leaders to take over sole possession of #2. Who did he pass? Who’s #1? I got #1 wrong (guessed the guy who was #3). Tom and Pat said who #2 was when McKnight passed him, so I didn’t get to guess him.
Godfather: Based on my watching the game, here are the answers to some of the questions we asked each other while watching the game together:
1. Yes, we fumbled the opening kickoff. That’s what took so long to get all the way to the 9 yard line.
2. The Stanford “interception for a touchdown” was correctly called an incomplete pass. While the angle Tom and Pat had made them think it was an intercept, Pat picked up pretty quickly that even if it was an INT, the guy was down and it wouldn’t have been a TD.
3. The facemask personal foul call on Samardzija in the first drive was a good call.
4. The late hit on Brady in the 3d quarter could have gone either way. Out of bounds, but close, not flagrant at all.
5. Carlson’s catch on the last TD was indeed a thing of beauty.
Quote of the game from Pat Haden: “Darius Walker is like a run on sentence. He just kinda keeps going and going and going.” On the next play, DW ran for his 32 yard touchdown.
Speaking of that run, GREAT Blimp-cam coverage on it. Great campus shots too. Even though it looks a lot different than our day, it’s still a magnificently beautiful sight.
And speaking of campus, I think the University needs to come up with an improvement plan for Juniper Road now that they’ve closed it through campus. Right now it looks like a deserted alley in some respects. Between the nice new entrance at ND and Angela, and the brick work they did in the ground in front of the Dome, I’m sure there are some plans on the drawing board for this. As I said to several of you, I didn’t feel like I was on campus until Friday after I registered and actually crossed Angela on to the campus I remember. Juniper was the border, except for the ACC (still can’t call it “the JACC”) and the practice field behind it (Stepan Field? Alumni Field? Can’t remember). Juniper is now “inside the fence” but it doesn’t llook like it belongs there. It looks like Pennsylvania Avenue after Clinton closed it between 15th and 17th in downtown DC. Are we protecting the stadium from terrorists? I don’t think so. Let’s spruce it up, make it look like a nice promenade, if you will. Just don’t put a Starbucks there, please! Rant over.
Bottom line on this game: we played OK against a greatly overmatched team. Their top three receivers were two walk-ons and a freshman. Their defensive line is a bunch of second stringers. They were last in Divisino 1A (119th) in run defense, 117th in total defense and points allowed. On the positive side, no turnovers for second game in a row. Seven different receivers with catches. DW continues to click along.
Unfortunately very little Alumni Band coverage. When NBC came on air there was a good shot of all of us on the field during pre-game. No sound, though. They mentioned Band Alumni weekend once, very near end of game. NO shots of alumni band playing on the sidelines. Showed us milling in to place after current band marched in to tunnel after game. More focus on the KofC pipe and drum band playing around campus than us. Can't find any halftime links on nbcsports.com. And in the ultimate NBC shill, they came back from a commercial focused on our "glocks" who played the N-B-C notes for the camera. Somehow, I don't see Rosie or Nina caving to corporate pressure (at least not for free!). As I said in my last blog, I think University could have gotten some good mileage out of the event with NBC, but, oh well.
So on to the Bruins. Heard today that their starting QB will most likely not play Saturday against the Ducks due to a knee sprain or some such injury. We shall see. Depending on what happens to UCLA Saturday, I predict we’ll be 7 ½ - 8 ½ point favorites. We should cover.
Please feel free to blog away during the bye week. I’ll blog more later on my impressions of the weekend, including my nominees for the percussion section Dorian and Dora Gray awards. You won’t want to miss that, I’m sure!
Apologies for the length of this one. Nancy, please don't ban me!
GO IRISH!! BEAT BRUINS!!
A good time was had
By all, I would guess. It was wonderful seeing everyone, and I almost felt like I didn't have enough time with everyone. Getting stuck on 294 contributed to that; I felt cheated out of a couple of hours that would have been better spent on campus than in a rental car. I know I saw Nina for about 15 seconds, long enough to say hi but then didn't cross paths with you again, and I'm sorry about that. There were so many people to see and not enough time. Collecting e-mail addresses became a kind of hobby so that perhaps we can establish some ties again after all these years.
Oh, well. I sent a thank you e-mail to the band staff this morning and asked if there was any way they could put a link to the halftime show on the band website. With any luck we'll be able to see ourselves and the performance. Judging by the reaction of people in the stands, I think we acquitted ourselves well. Friends of mine e-mailed and said the internet coverage was wonderful and some of us actually had fleeting face shots, so that makes me all the more interested in seeing the show.
Drummers circle rocks. When I get my pictures developed, I'll post them here because I got a couple of really good shots of y'all having a ball. And speaking of pictures, I'm also curious about seeing the group shots by Kevin Knepp. He hasn't changed that much, has he?
And marching. Wow, it really hurt to pick up my knees. The trot was a distant dream; I was just glad not to do a face plant in front of all those people. Fortunately my glock is a light version, otherwise I would have sidelined myself like Marsa Mitchell did (she had just gotten out of a cast from breaking her ankle). The knees just aren't ageing very well. Next time I would suggest that band members make massage appointments after the game!
Leaving the field after pre-game was kind of strange. We were all saying GO! GO! GO! and no one at the end of our line moved. I don't know if the wrong person ended up on the point or if everyone just had a senior moment there. I saw the cell phone drop, Kevin, so when the Stanford staffer picked it up off the field I beelined to make sure it came back to the band. I wasn't sure who had dropped it but I knew if I held it up it would be claimed.
We all look pretty good for not having regular practice for lo these 20 some odd years. And I enjoyed meeting some of the people that were just legends to me, like Jim Catalano and Tom Burke. Those were some of the names I remembered hearing from freshman year and it's good to put faces to names. Now guys, get in touch with Cat and see if he can help you locate those 7 lb. drums.
I vow to work out more in the four years leading up to the next reunion!
one final thought -- it was a great feeling as Fr. Ed said at Mass of family and belonging. The hugs and love we share are great and it's too bad we can't do it more often. I guess the next best thing is keeping up with this blog, so thanks once again to Nancy for getting us started on the blog. Kevin, I have every confidence that you will be blogging with us soon!
Rosie
Oh, well. I sent a thank you e-mail to the band staff this morning and asked if there was any way they could put a link to the halftime show on the band website. With any luck we'll be able to see ourselves and the performance. Judging by the reaction of people in the stands, I think we acquitted ourselves well. Friends of mine e-mailed and said the internet coverage was wonderful and some of us actually had fleeting face shots, so that makes me all the more interested in seeing the show.
Drummers circle rocks. When I get my pictures developed, I'll post them here because I got a couple of really good shots of y'all having a ball. And speaking of pictures, I'm also curious about seeing the group shots by Kevin Knepp. He hasn't changed that much, has he?
And marching. Wow, it really hurt to pick up my knees. The trot was a distant dream; I was just glad not to do a face plant in front of all those people. Fortunately my glock is a light version, otherwise I would have sidelined myself like Marsa Mitchell did (she had just gotten out of a cast from breaking her ankle). The knees just aren't ageing very well. Next time I would suggest that band members make massage appointments after the game!
Leaving the field after pre-game was kind of strange. We were all saying GO! GO! GO! and no one at the end of our line moved. I don't know if the wrong person ended up on the point or if everyone just had a senior moment there. I saw the cell phone drop, Kevin, so when the Stanford staffer picked it up off the field I beelined to make sure it came back to the band. I wasn't sure who had dropped it but I knew if I held it up it would be claimed.
We all look pretty good for not having regular practice for lo these 20 some odd years. And I enjoyed meeting some of the people that were just legends to me, like Jim Catalano and Tom Burke. Those were some of the names I remembered hearing from freshman year and it's good to put faces to names. Now guys, get in touch with Cat and see if he can help you locate those 7 lb. drums.
I vow to work out more in the four years leading up to the next reunion!
one final thought -- it was a great feeling as Fr. Ed said at Mass of family and belonging. The hugs and love we share are great and it's too bad we can't do it more often. I guess the next best thing is keeping up with this blog, so thanks once again to Nancy for getting us started on the blog. Kevin, I have every confidence that you will be blogging with us soon!
Rosie
The Colonel's Weekend Analysis...
...right after this Media Timeout!
No, seriously, I haven't finished watching the game yet, which is why I haven't blogged since getting back this afternoon.
That being said, I will note that NBC was oblivious to our little gathering this weekend. I woulda thunk the University would have clued them in to use that angle at least once during the game. Hopefully I'll be able to find the halftime show link on nbcsports.com. Sue said she was able to see all of them from the season last week. I'll have to check in the morning.
Stay tuned, we'll be right back after a word from our sponsor....Sparkle! Sparkle: when your game rags have to look that good!
No, seriously, I haven't finished watching the game yet, which is why I haven't blogged since getting back this afternoon.
That being said, I will note that NBC was oblivious to our little gathering this weekend. I woulda thunk the University would have clued them in to use that angle at least once during the game. Hopefully I'll be able to find the halftime show link on nbcsports.com. Sue said she was able to see all of them from the season last week. I'll have to check in the morning.
Stay tuned, we'll be right back after a word from our sponsor....Sparkle! Sparkle: when your game rags have to look that good!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Hail Mary, I Didn't Break My Back!
Thanks to fervent praying at the grotto this weekend, I was able to survive the band reunion without a major injury. We were blessed with great weather and great company and I have to say it was a kick to perform on the field with our son in the band. Lots of fun and it was great to see so many bandies again. With over 1000 "milling" around, it was quite possible to miss people despite the rehearsal and performance time together.
Still not quite sure what happened during the pre-game. I guess half the band (including me) could not hear the about face or the whistle. Then we were marching in place for a while until someone figured out that we should get the heck off the field. Besides that low point, I thought the alumni band did okay and kudos to the band staff for keeping it simple and not freaking out about our lack of precision. It was great to be on the field but I would have liked to hear a 1300 strong band play from the stands. I think they heard us in Chicago.
Couple comments on the football game. I did not realize how many starters Charlie kept out until reading the news today. Interesting choice but probably pretty smart considering it was Stanford. Brady once again distributed the ball very well and that touchdown catch by Carlson will definitely make the season highlight reel. The offense is showing some nice balance but the defense is still suspect. So at the halfway point we are 5-1 and will be in the top 10; pretty good start all things considered. But similar to the Colonel, I feel this is not a national championship caliber team; too much inconsistency and lacking the total dominance you see from the top teams. Probably we expect too much, but we shall see. If they keep improving, beat USC, and we get a couple upsets in the top teams, we could still be right there at the end of the season.
Scuttlebutt on campus is that the SUGAR BOWL is the most likely possibility at this point. Stay tuned.
Enjoy the bye week. Go Irish, Beat Bruins!
Still not quite sure what happened during the pre-game. I guess half the band (including me) could not hear the about face or the whistle. Then we were marching in place for a while until someone figured out that we should get the heck off the field. Besides that low point, I thought the alumni band did okay and kudos to the band staff for keeping it simple and not freaking out about our lack of precision. It was great to be on the field but I would have liked to hear a 1300 strong band play from the stands. I think they heard us in Chicago.
Couple comments on the football game. I did not realize how many starters Charlie kept out until reading the news today. Interesting choice but probably pretty smart considering it was Stanford. Brady once again distributed the ball very well and that touchdown catch by Carlson will definitely make the season highlight reel. The offense is showing some nice balance but the defense is still suspect. So at the halfway point we are 5-1 and will be in the top 10; pretty good start all things considered. But similar to the Colonel, I feel this is not a national championship caliber team; too much inconsistency and lacking the total dominance you see from the top teams. Probably we expect too much, but we shall see. If they keep improving, beat USC, and we get a couple upsets in the top teams, we could still be right there at the end of the season.
Scuttlebutt on campus is that the SUGAR BOWL is the most likely possibility at this point. Stay tuned.
Enjoy the bye week. Go Irish, Beat Bruins!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Irish Finally Get a Breather
OK, Stanford is really bad this year, we should blow them out. Final Score 45-14. I am crediting the Irish with an extra touchdown due to the extra spirit lift of Alumni Band.
Everyone attending the reunion should post a blog with bragging rights and highlights of the experience. Feel free to critique other marchers' style. We already know KD stinks!
Go Irish.
Everyone attending the reunion should post a blog with bragging rights and highlights of the experience. Feel free to critique other marchers' style. We already know KD stinks!
Go Irish.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Calm Before the Storm?
Boy, mighty quiet around these parts this week. Must be everyone resting their arthritic fingers for the events to come.
It's 57 degrees on campus right now. Prognosis for Saturday has been holding fast all week--high of 64 and sunny. In other words....PERFECT FOOTBALL WEATHER! Overnight low Friday night of 39--perfect shorts weather for Saturday practice. Too bad we'll be practicing inside.
Friday. 3:00. Practice. Band Room. Be There, Aloha.
Ladies and gentleman--start your cadences.
(Who will we see at the bookstore first, I wonder?)
It's 57 degrees on campus right now. Prognosis for Saturday has been holding fast all week--high of 64 and sunny. In other words....PERFECT FOOTBALL WEATHER! Overnight low Friday night of 39--perfect shorts weather for Saturday practice. Too bad we'll be practicing inside.
Friday. 3:00. Practice. Band Room. Be There, Aloha.
Ladies and gentleman--start your cadences.
(Who will we see at the bookstore first, I wonder?)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Mystery Member
Will the Mistress of the Land of Lost Toys please step forward to identify herself? I'm at a loss trying to figure out who she is. Perhaps a post that reveals some clues as to her identity would be in order?
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Weird commentary
Did anyone else watching on TV catch the totally bizarre comment about Brady Quinn? In the third quarter, things were a bit dull due to the rain and to fill time, either Tom or Pat shared that Brady likes to shave his arms and legs!
Apparently this habit started when he was in high school and shaved his ankles (I'm guessing to make taping his ankle less painful) and liked it so much he just progressed from there.
As Lewis Grizzard, comedian/columnist from Atlanta used to say, I don't believe I'd have told that one!
Apparently this habit started when he was in high school and shaved his ankles (I'm guessing to make taping his ankle less painful) and liked it so much he just progressed from there.
As Lewis Grizzard, comedian/columnist from Atlanta used to say, I don't believe I'd have told that one!
September Swan Song
And so, my one word biggest season challenge—September—is over. And the Irish emerge 4-1. We certainly laid an egg against Michigan, struggled against Georgia Tech and had to score 19 in the 4th quarter to beat Michigan State. So, are we happy?
Sorry, I have to say no.
This offense should never be held to 14 or 21 points. Just shouldn’t happen. And our defense is not good. I’m really tired of creating new All American receivers for the other team every week. First it was Mario Mannigham for UofM. Today, it was Selwyn Lymon , who set a new ND opponent record for receiving yards with 220.
Let’s do some glaring but completely inappropriate comparisons based on today’s home game guests: the 1966 Irish gave up 5 touchdowns ALL YEAR. And pitched 6 shutouts. Yes, I know it’s not 1966. Not even close. But c’mon. This defense is not good. We still haven’t “solved” anybody; every team has moved the ball on us pretty well. One glimmer: Terrail Lambert is becoming a bit of a presence in the defensive backfield. Let’s hope that continues
OK, so did anything go right today? Look at drives three and four in the first half. After drive three, I wrote down “the perfect drive”. Three different receivers and DW for 15 and the score. The run/pass distribution on drive 4 was P-R-P-R-P-P-R-R-P-P. Beautiful.
The fake field goal was one of my surprises. I was “watching” the game on espn.com, so I knew about all the scores. But I didn’t know we were going to fake a field goal. What a call. And perfect execution. Just yummy. My other surprise was the “why didn’t we score any more” question I had. Weird, long drive that resulted in a missed field goal and two punts after some first downs. I was expecting three or four 3-and-outs, which didn’t happen, so that was good.
Other game observances: on Purdue’s first TD drive, their first play was a 38 yard pass. There was a HUGE hold on that play when Landri was going to get the sack. No flag thrown. Would have completely changed things. On their next drive, they had three consecutive first downs with gains of 14, 11 and 14. Like I said, our defense isn’t good. We’re lucky Purdue seemed sluggish in the 4th quarter; no sense of urgency down multiple touchdowns. Strange.
So what’s the prognosis from here? Everyone ahead of us other than Ohio State and Michigan looked very average this week. SC struggled with Washington State. Auburn only by 7 over South Carolina. Va Tech lost. Georgia looked bad. Florida’s 15 point win was a one point game midway through the fourth quarter. But, we could still have multiple undefeateds at the end, between USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Louiville and West Virginia. OSU plays Michigan, Louiville plays WVU, but that could still yield 3 undefeateds. I don’t think anyone in the SEC will emerge undefeated; they all have to play each other. Hard to believe Rutgers might have a say—they play both Louiville and West Virginia in November. So we’re still way on the outside looking in, although we should be 10-1 going out to Southern Cal. UCLA is the “trap” game, depending on which Bruins team shows up. But we’ll have two weeks to prepare, so I’m hoping we take care of them.
It’s official: we ruined Michigan State’s season. They lost to Illinois yesterday, which is truly amazing. Almost feels like George Perles is coaching the Spartans, doesn’t it?
Question: was Pat Haden wearing pink pants yesterday? Maybe it was my TV. Or maybe it was just the reflection off Tom Hammond’s definitely pink tie.
How wet did you get, Godfather?
And so, it’s now time to look forward to being in The House for what I’m sure will be a drubbing of the woeful Stanford Cardinal. Bring your ear plugs; 1000 instruments on the field isn’t going to be quiet. Rock is most definitely up. See you all Friday!
GO IRISH!!! BEAT CARDINAL!!!
Sorry, I have to say no.
This offense should never be held to 14 or 21 points. Just shouldn’t happen. And our defense is not good. I’m really tired of creating new All American receivers for the other team every week. First it was Mario Mannigham for UofM. Today, it was Selwyn Lymon , who set a new ND opponent record for receiving yards with 220.
Let’s do some glaring but completely inappropriate comparisons based on today’s home game guests: the 1966 Irish gave up 5 touchdowns ALL YEAR. And pitched 6 shutouts. Yes, I know it’s not 1966. Not even close. But c’mon. This defense is not good. We still haven’t “solved” anybody; every team has moved the ball on us pretty well. One glimmer: Terrail Lambert is becoming a bit of a presence in the defensive backfield. Let’s hope that continues
OK, so did anything go right today? Look at drives three and four in the first half. After drive three, I wrote down “the perfect drive”. Three different receivers and DW for 15 and the score. The run/pass distribution on drive 4 was P-R-P-R-P-P-R-R-P-P. Beautiful.
The fake field goal was one of my surprises. I was “watching” the game on espn.com, so I knew about all the scores. But I didn’t know we were going to fake a field goal. What a call. And perfect execution. Just yummy. My other surprise was the “why didn’t we score any more” question I had. Weird, long drive that resulted in a missed field goal and two punts after some first downs. I was expecting three or four 3-and-outs, which didn’t happen, so that was good.
Other game observances: on Purdue’s first TD drive, their first play was a 38 yard pass. There was a HUGE hold on that play when Landri was going to get the sack. No flag thrown. Would have completely changed things. On their next drive, they had three consecutive first downs with gains of 14, 11 and 14. Like I said, our defense isn’t good. We’re lucky Purdue seemed sluggish in the 4th quarter; no sense of urgency down multiple touchdowns. Strange.
So what’s the prognosis from here? Everyone ahead of us other than Ohio State and Michigan looked very average this week. SC struggled with Washington State. Auburn only by 7 over South Carolina. Va Tech lost. Georgia looked bad. Florida’s 15 point win was a one point game midway through the fourth quarter. But, we could still have multiple undefeateds at the end, between USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Louiville and West Virginia. OSU plays Michigan, Louiville plays WVU, but that could still yield 3 undefeateds. I don’t think anyone in the SEC will emerge undefeated; they all have to play each other. Hard to believe Rutgers might have a say—they play both Louiville and West Virginia in November. So we’re still way on the outside looking in, although we should be 10-1 going out to Southern Cal. UCLA is the “trap” game, depending on which Bruins team shows up. But we’ll have two weeks to prepare, so I’m hoping we take care of them.
It’s official: we ruined Michigan State’s season. They lost to Illinois yesterday, which is truly amazing. Almost feels like George Perles is coaching the Spartans, doesn’t it?
Question: was Pat Haden wearing pink pants yesterday? Maybe it was my TV. Or maybe it was just the reflection off Tom Hammond’s definitely pink tie.
How wet did you get, Godfather?
And so, it’s now time to look forward to being in The House for what I’m sure will be a drubbing of the woeful Stanford Cardinal. Bring your ear plugs; 1000 instruments on the field isn’t going to be quiet. Rock is most definitely up. See you all Friday!
GO IRISH!!! BEAT CARDINAL!!!
Looking Good on O, Frustrating on D
Fun game yesterday despite the weather, after the rain passed through it was quite nice again and we were able to celebrate another fine Irish win. Those of us playing at the band reunion next week should get ready for several iterations of the Clog and Victory March as I expect the Irish will light it up against Stanford. Turns out some of the teams ahead of us in the polls barely survived tight games, and Virginia Tech got murdered by Georgia Tech. So we will move up at least one, maybe two if the usual Irish favoratism plays out.
Quinn looked composed and solid this week. Once again spreading around the ball (5 to the tight end, 9 to Darius Walker noteworthy in particular). Walker broke out with a terrific day on the ground as well. Of course the Purdue defense stinks but then again the press was saying "the swagger is back for the Boilers" prior to this week. Probably a waddle on the way back home last night! Charlie brought out some nice variety in the play book and one had the sense the boys were having fun out there. It is a GAME after all.
Still troubled by our breakdowns on defense. Felt Zibby played very poorly and the defensive backfield simply did not make plays. Absolutely no excuse for giving up that bomb in the first half considering the game situation and score at the time. We were in the right coverage scheme on many occasions and still got beat in plays on the ball. LOTS of missed tackles as well. We just do not seem to have the playmakers on defense though I know they won the game for us at MSU. Purdue's quarterback had time for coffee and donuts against our pass rush so there is opportunity for improvement there as well.
Enough for this week. GO Irish, BEAT Cardinal. See you all soon!
Quinn looked composed and solid this week. Once again spreading around the ball (5 to the tight end, 9 to Darius Walker noteworthy in particular). Walker broke out with a terrific day on the ground as well. Of course the Purdue defense stinks but then again the press was saying "the swagger is back for the Boilers" prior to this week. Probably a waddle on the way back home last night! Charlie brought out some nice variety in the play book and one had the sense the boys were having fun out there. It is a GAME after all.
Still troubled by our breakdowns on defense. Felt Zibby played very poorly and the defensive backfield simply did not make plays. Absolutely no excuse for giving up that bomb in the first half considering the game situation and score at the time. We were in the right coverage scheme on many occasions and still got beat in plays on the ball. LOTS of missed tackles as well. We just do not seem to have the playmakers on defense though I know they won the game for us at MSU. Purdue's quarterback had time for coffee and donuts against our pass rush so there is opportunity for improvement there as well.
Enough for this week. GO Irish, BEAT Cardinal. See you all soon!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
From the Stadium - Purdue
Weather looks a bit dicey but it is nice and cool. Glee Club reunion crowd sang the National Anthem. They are honoring the 1966 team today, they had incredible stats. Be sure to watch the halftime replay today, I think the is a very nice drum feature in the last tune. More later in comments section if anything to report.
Half time. Stupid defensive play there at the end but the offense looks great. Reminds me of last year. Big chunks of yardage and very few third downs. We got a weather warning a few minutes ago. First time I ever heard that here.
More later.
Half time. Stupid defensive play there at the end but the offense looks great. Reminds me of last year. Big chunks of yardage and very few third downs. We got a weather warning a few minutes ago. First time I ever heard that here.
More later.
Offense Hits Its Stride
Hopefully, I'll use the same headline after the game.
Don, I dont' think we'll crack the top 10 this week unless we win 70-0. I don't see anyone in the AP ahead of us losing. Only team ahead of us in Coaches' Poll to lose will be Iowa to Ohio State. And even if Iowa were to pull off the upset, we wouldn't move ahead of OSU. So, I think we'll stay right about where we are.
That being said, I'm looking for last week's 4th quarter momentum to carry us to a more or less easy win. I think the fans will be up today, cheering the team for their comeback last week, and remembering how dead things were against UofM.
THE BIG KEY: 1st Quarter Offense. Even against Penn State we started slow; our deluge began in the latter part of the second quarter. The "scripted offense" needs to script a few TDs early today, let the fans have a good time.
I still don't feel like the defense has a personality I can warm up to yet. Charlie needs to recruit some real studs whose names we'll remember between games without using our team rosters. Other than poor Mike Richardson, shortest 5'11" guy I've ever seen. He's just bad, I'm sorry to say.
Once again, I'll be watching on tape delay--church family function from noon to 3, right on top of the game. Cheer loud, take good notes, blog away. I'll watch the game late this afternoon PDT and report back tonite.
FINAL SCORE: IRISH 38 PURDUE 17
GO IRISH!! BEAT BOILERMAKERS!!
Don, I dont' think we'll crack the top 10 this week unless we win 70-0. I don't see anyone in the AP ahead of us losing. Only team ahead of us in Coaches' Poll to lose will be Iowa to Ohio State. And even if Iowa were to pull off the upset, we wouldn't move ahead of OSU. So, I think we'll stay right about where we are.
That being said, I'm looking for last week's 4th quarter momentum to carry us to a more or less easy win. I think the fans will be up today, cheering the team for their comeback last week, and remembering how dead things were against UofM.
THE BIG KEY: 1st Quarter Offense. Even against Penn State we started slow; our deluge began in the latter part of the second quarter. The "scripted offense" needs to script a few TDs early today, let the fans have a good time.
I still don't feel like the defense has a personality I can warm up to yet. Charlie needs to recruit some real studs whose names we'll remember between games without using our team rosters. Other than poor Mike Richardson, shortest 5'11" guy I've ever seen. He's just bad, I'm sorry to say.
Once again, I'll be watching on tape delay--church family function from noon to 3, right on top of the game. Cheer loud, take good notes, blog away. I'll watch the game late this afternoon PDT and report back tonite.
FINAL SCORE: IRISH 38 PURDUE 17
GO IRISH!! BEAT BOILERMAKERS!!
Friday, September 29, 2006
We'll Crack the Top 10 this week
I will keep it short on the prediction entry. Irish put it all together tomorrow and blow out Purdue 40-10! I will blog from the game if I can...
GO IRISH!
GO IRISH!
How to drum?!?
Perhaps the title should be "How Not to Drum"
This video was taken during reunion '06 this June. KD was showing us how he plays the bass drum. Watch this space for follow-up footage.
Go Irish!
This video was taken during reunion '06 this June. KD was showing us how he plays the bass drum. Watch this space for follow-up footage.
Go Irish!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Just one more week
Hey, you all ready? Got the drums shipped to ND? Toughened up the hands a bit?
The long range forecast is good -- sunny Friday and clouds on Saturday. No rain in the forecast!
The long range forecast is good -- sunny Friday and clouds on Saturday. No rain in the forecast!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Titles and National Titles
While watching that crazy game last night (did we really win or was that a dream?) I kept crafting different potential titles for my blog contribution. Some of them: "we are not a very good team", "at least BC lost too", "bring back Bob Davie", "who were those guys", "what is it about MSU?" and "an ill wind blows in East Lansing". Happily we came through in the end and watched the greatest ND comeback since (you guessed it!) the 1979 Cotton Bowl against Houston which many of us attended (I am still thawing out). That was a 22 point deficit prior to Joe Montana's spectacular chicken soup finish.
The Luck of the Irish finally played out our way last night. We made a great turnaround but I agree that MSU helped along the way. Of course we helped them quite a bit in the first half. Brady's interception was one of the worst I can imagine. To get back to a truly BCS quality team a few things have to change and the Colonel hit on one of them. First, Brady has to "get his head in the game" (if you know about the phenomenon of High School Musical feel free to sing along). What is with him and his throws? Second, we have to start winning the line of scrimmage on offense. Most of our runs are DW falling forward for 2 yards and Brady is under a lot pressure throughout the game. Time to strap up and hit some people! Over the long term we still need more speed on defense, sometimes the long plays just look way too easy for the other team.
But how nice to see the defense step up and play well in the second half and really win the game for ND. The forced fumble, interception for a TD and interception to seal the win were as fine a defensive sequence as we have seen in many years. And while Brady's Heisman hopes have dimmed, 319 yards and 5 touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. He spread it around very nicely again and I really liked the breakthrough night from Samardzija. I will say it again, we should never be out of any game with Brady at the helm. Perhaps last night will be the turning point for the offense this year.
TV coverage was better than the last time we suffered through Brent and the boys. There were the usual outlandish comments: "best two back combination in the nation", "Drew Stanton will be a first round NFL draft pick". But there were also a lot of good insights this time around including MSU's self-destruct nature and Bob Davie's point that defensive coordinators are better prepared for Charlie's offense this year (they are). Davie also suggested forcing MSU to pass on 3rd down (which we did) right before the fateful interception for a touchdown. Bob knows defense but his comments about going on 4th down show why he will never be a head coach again. No guts, no glory. Turning it over on downs at the opponent 37 is no big deal even though MSU put together their only scoring drive of the second half afterwards. ABC did show the ND band a lot; we even got a brief glimpse of our son during one scan of the trombones.
Finally, to answer Donny's questions on the band; they did drive back/forth on the same day. Left ND at 1PM and returned around 3AM. Money is the issue not time. One night to house the band is well over $200,000 these days and there is no budget for it. Plus they have to find a hotel in the neighborhood. So any of you millionaires our there feel free to address that in your next donation. Trivia question for you bandies. I made two band trips to MSU and seem to remember actually sitting in the stands in the endzone. Now the visiting band is on the field. Do I remember it wrong?
Go Irish, Beat Boilers!
The Luck of the Irish finally played out our way last night. We made a great turnaround but I agree that MSU helped along the way. Of course we helped them quite a bit in the first half. Brady's interception was one of the worst I can imagine. To get back to a truly BCS quality team a few things have to change and the Colonel hit on one of them. First, Brady has to "get his head in the game" (if you know about the phenomenon of High School Musical feel free to sing along). What is with him and his throws? Second, we have to start winning the line of scrimmage on offense. Most of our runs are DW falling forward for 2 yards and Brady is under a lot pressure throughout the game. Time to strap up and hit some people! Over the long term we still need more speed on defense, sometimes the long plays just look way too easy for the other team.
But how nice to see the defense step up and play well in the second half and really win the game for ND. The forced fumble, interception for a TD and interception to seal the win were as fine a defensive sequence as we have seen in many years. And while Brady's Heisman hopes have dimmed, 319 yards and 5 touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. He spread it around very nicely again and I really liked the breakthrough night from Samardzija. I will say it again, we should never be out of any game with Brady at the helm. Perhaps last night will be the turning point for the offense this year.
TV coverage was better than the last time we suffered through Brent and the boys. There were the usual outlandish comments: "best two back combination in the nation", "Drew Stanton will be a first round NFL draft pick". But there were also a lot of good insights this time around including MSU's self-destruct nature and Bob Davie's point that defensive coordinators are better prepared for Charlie's offense this year (they are). Davie also suggested forcing MSU to pass on 3rd down (which we did) right before the fateful interception for a touchdown. Bob knows defense but his comments about going on 4th down show why he will never be a head coach again. No guts, no glory. Turning it over on downs at the opponent 37 is no big deal even though MSU put together their only scoring drive of the second half afterwards. ABC did show the ND band a lot; we even got a brief glimpse of our son during one scan of the trombones.
Finally, to answer Donny's questions on the band; they did drive back/forth on the same day. Left ND at 1PM and returned around 3AM. Money is the issue not time. One night to house the band is well over $200,000 these days and there is no budget for it. Plus they have to find a hotel in the neighborhood. So any of you millionaires our there feel free to address that in your next donation. Trivia question for you bandies. I made two band trips to MSU and seem to remember actually sitting in the stands in the endzone. Now the visiting band is on the field. Do I remember it wrong?
Go Irish, Beat Boilers!
They Can't Sing, But They Know the Words!
As luck would have it, the TV gods were smiling today. While I was right that the Southern Cal game was on ABC locally, the ND game was on the Deuce. So, it's 0130 PDT, and I've just finished watching. Sometimes, when I'm not home for a game, I try to avoid the radio, not wanting to know what happens so I can watch as if it's happening. Not tonite. At our Dining Out, I had my Blackberry in my inside jacket pocket, and I was refreshing the score on the ESPN home page regularly. So I did get to experience all the highs and lows, albeit at the macro level. And I knew we had won, but had no idea how the pulled it off.
One voice mail at the house gave me a clue. My brother Randy (PSU '86) left a message that went more or less: "There are 3 things that are certain: death, taxes, and MSU choking early in the season. I can't believe what just happened". Well Randy, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Not to say we didn't have many flashes of good to go along with the lucky. But c'mon. Right after the wind changes against us to start the 4th quarter, we have a short punt and MSU has 1st and 1o on our 42. After one procedure and 2 holding penalties, it's 3d and 42! Then they hold on 3d down, which we decline, and their punter doesn’t even try to coffin corner us.
Rosie, I love you. What a great game description. In addition to the immaculate interception by Terrell Lambert, the tip catch by Carlson on our drive after the aforementioned MSU debacle drive was the picture of concentration. A few plays later, on another “go for it” 4th down, the Shark racks up 38 yards after the catch for the score. By the way, on the 2 point conversion, I thought the quick pitch to DW was a good call. Just didn’t work.
Yes Rosie, great strip and capture by Ndukwe on the next drive. At this point, Stanton still hadn’t completed a pass in the second half. Why were they afraid to call a pass though? One of those “fake the option, then drop back” plays might have worked. It’s really amazing to watch how teams that get a good but not great lead retreat into their shell, only to regret it later. It’s certainly happened to the Irish on several occasions, but if you want a textbook example, I think I’d point to the Spartans’ performance tonight.
Rosie, if you had your volume turned down for the second half, you missed some great ragging on MSU. The terms “cloud of doom” and “trying to hold off the storm” were used in reference to MSU. At one point, Kirk said something like “this is Michigan State for the last 50 years”, referencing their streaky (both good and bad) nature. Best exemplar: after we score to get within 37-33, their kick receiver downs the ball on the 12 because they didn’t have their normal return team in. There were at least 10 yards of daylight in front of him. What’s up with that?The crowd shots at the end of the game were priceless.
Lambert’s first INT which went for the game winning score was ignited by a very good up the middle rush by Landri. And Lambert maneuvered well to get in to the end zone.
Did anyone else notice Charlie’s intensity during MSU’s last timeout (:37 remaining) with the defense? He was talking calmly and then all of a sudden he started barking something very forcefully for a few seconds. The defense looked like they understood, even though they gave up the first down on 4th and 1 after the timeout. The next play turned in to Lambert’s and Richardson’s footsie interception. Good call by the refs. If you didn’t notice the barking and have it on tape, go back and look. It’s worth it.
Let’s talk about the band. Don’t know if there was any halftime simulcast, but boy, we had better mikes than the MSU band, if I’m not mistaken. Kept hearing the Darth Vader defense song from us. And given the weather, I’m betting this will be a trip to remember. Please, someone, tell me they didn’t drive up in the morning and drive back tonite after the game. This is a crime if so. I saw some hooey on the band home page that talked to our precious student bandletes not being allowed to miss too many classes, hence the lack of road trips. What would happen if someone presented the band with an endowment to allow them to travel to most or all of the away games. They’d jump at it, I’m thinking. But that’s just me. I could be wrong.
Quote of the night from Coach Weis: “Get them over with the band.” As TV cut to the soaked sideline soliloquist to interview the coach, that’s what we heard. Band was playing the Victory March, getting ready to play the Alma Mater. And hence the title of this blog. Those football players, bless their victorious hearts, can’t carry a tune worth a lick. But for Notre Dame Our Mother, each and every one of them that got shown on TV was proudly and correctly singing the words. Good on them.
Oh and by the way, if Coach Weis calls, I’ve figured out both of the offense’s problems. First, Brady must get synched with his receivers on the short out patterns. They haven’t worked all year, but when they do, they really take the pressure off the run and start to open things up for the long passes. Second, they need to go no huddle more often.
In closing, I’d like to salute the Band Queen, who absolutely beat me to the punch of my original title/theme. I had been considering “Don’t ever give up” or some such title. But it was already taken, and rightly so. And true to Nina’s words, it was obvious the team never gave up or gave in. In fact, right when they should have been going in the tank, they stepped up and forced Michigan State to lose. Here’s to more of the same next week. Albeit earlier in the game this time, OK fellas?
GO IRISH!! BEAT BOILERMAKERS!!!
One voice mail at the house gave me a clue. My brother Randy (PSU '86) left a message that went more or less: "There are 3 things that are certain: death, taxes, and MSU choking early in the season. I can't believe what just happened". Well Randy, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Not to say we didn't have many flashes of good to go along with the lucky. But c'mon. Right after the wind changes against us to start the 4th quarter, we have a short punt and MSU has 1st and 1o on our 42. After one procedure and 2 holding penalties, it's 3d and 42! Then they hold on 3d down, which we decline, and their punter doesn’t even try to coffin corner us.
Rosie, I love you. What a great game description. In addition to the immaculate interception by Terrell Lambert, the tip catch by Carlson on our drive after the aforementioned MSU debacle drive was the picture of concentration. A few plays later, on another “go for it” 4th down, the Shark racks up 38 yards after the catch for the score. By the way, on the 2 point conversion, I thought the quick pitch to DW was a good call. Just didn’t work.
Yes Rosie, great strip and capture by Ndukwe on the next drive. At this point, Stanton still hadn’t completed a pass in the second half. Why were they afraid to call a pass though? One of those “fake the option, then drop back” plays might have worked. It’s really amazing to watch how teams that get a good but not great lead retreat into their shell, only to regret it later. It’s certainly happened to the Irish on several occasions, but if you want a textbook example, I think I’d point to the Spartans’ performance tonight.
Rosie, if you had your volume turned down for the second half, you missed some great ragging on MSU. The terms “cloud of doom” and “trying to hold off the storm” were used in reference to MSU. At one point, Kirk said something like “this is Michigan State for the last 50 years”, referencing their streaky (both good and bad) nature. Best exemplar: after we score to get within 37-33, their kick receiver downs the ball on the 12 because they didn’t have their normal return team in. There were at least 10 yards of daylight in front of him. What’s up with that?The crowd shots at the end of the game were priceless.
Lambert’s first INT which went for the game winning score was ignited by a very good up the middle rush by Landri. And Lambert maneuvered well to get in to the end zone.
Did anyone else notice Charlie’s intensity during MSU’s last timeout (:37 remaining) with the defense? He was talking calmly and then all of a sudden he started barking something very forcefully for a few seconds. The defense looked like they understood, even though they gave up the first down on 4th and 1 after the timeout. The next play turned in to Lambert’s and Richardson’s footsie interception. Good call by the refs. If you didn’t notice the barking and have it on tape, go back and look. It’s worth it.
Let’s talk about the band. Don’t know if there was any halftime simulcast, but boy, we had better mikes than the MSU band, if I’m not mistaken. Kept hearing the Darth Vader defense song from us. And given the weather, I’m betting this will be a trip to remember. Please, someone, tell me they didn’t drive up in the morning and drive back tonite after the game. This is a crime if so. I saw some hooey on the band home page that talked to our precious student bandletes not being allowed to miss too many classes, hence the lack of road trips. What would happen if someone presented the band with an endowment to allow them to travel to most or all of the away games. They’d jump at it, I’m thinking. But that’s just me. I could be wrong.
Quote of the night from Coach Weis: “Get them over with the band.” As TV cut to the soaked sideline soliloquist to interview the coach, that’s what we heard. Band was playing the Victory March, getting ready to play the Alma Mater. And hence the title of this blog. Those football players, bless their victorious hearts, can’t carry a tune worth a lick. But for Notre Dame Our Mother, each and every one of them that got shown on TV was proudly and correctly singing the words. Good on them.
Oh and by the way, if Coach Weis calls, I’ve figured out both of the offense’s problems. First, Brady must get synched with his receivers on the short out patterns. They haven’t worked all year, but when they do, they really take the pressure off the run and start to open things up for the long passes. Second, they need to go no huddle more often.
In closing, I’d like to salute the Band Queen, who absolutely beat me to the punch of my original title/theme. I had been considering “Don’t ever give up” or some such title. But it was already taken, and rightly so. And true to Nina’s words, it was obvious the team never gave up or gave in. In fact, right when they should have been going in the tank, they stepped up and forced Michigan State to lose. Here’s to more of the same next week. Albeit earlier in the game this time, OK fellas?
GO IRISH!! BEAT BOILERMAKERS!!!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
When Everyone Else Gave Up, They Didn't
That's all I need to say. Are they a National Championship team? Maybe not today, but they could be.
The band will have a fun ride home tonight!
The band will have a fun ride home tonight!
Instant Classic
Hey Colonel
Look for this game on ESPN's Instant Classic replay tomorrow morning. You might just get to see it after all!
I had a sneaky suspicion that I'd be up late and then charged up so it will be hard to settle down. I foresee yawning during the sermon tomorrow.
The first half was just dismal with flashes of brilliance, which were dampened by MSU's quick answers. Even in the third quarter, things didn't look so hot and I was truly sick of listening to Bob and Brent blather on. SO I muted the TV and got the knitting out. These games sure are good for the progress of my brother's sweater.
Anyway, it got a whole lot better in the fourth quarter. Ndukwe stripped the ball which helped give us the momentum needed to make the change happen. The biggest disappointment in the 4th was not converting the extra points. The first time, DW couldn't run it in and the second time Gioia hooked it. That left us needing the extra score, but an interception gave us what we needed and we were able to hang on, finishing the game with that freaky interception that wasn't reviewed by the booth but certainly was worn out by the commentators. It was weird but it was ours.
I'm sure there will be better commentary from the Godfather and the Colonel, but boy do I feel much better now!
Go Irish! Beat Boilermakers!
Look for this game on ESPN's Instant Classic replay tomorrow morning. You might just get to see it after all!
I had a sneaky suspicion that I'd be up late and then charged up so it will be hard to settle down. I foresee yawning during the sermon tomorrow.
The first half was just dismal with flashes of brilliance, which were dampened by MSU's quick answers. Even in the third quarter, things didn't look so hot and I was truly sick of listening to Bob and Brent blather on. SO I muted the TV and got the knitting out. These games sure are good for the progress of my brother's sweater.
Anyway, it got a whole lot better in the fourth quarter. Ndukwe stripped the ball which helped give us the momentum needed to make the change happen. The biggest disappointment in the 4th was not converting the extra points. The first time, DW couldn't run it in and the second time Gioia hooked it. That left us needing the extra score, but an interception gave us what we needed and we were able to hang on, finishing the game with that freaky interception that wasn't reviewed by the booth but certainly was worn out by the commentators. It was weird but it was ours.
I'm sure there will be better commentary from the Godfather and the Colonel, but boy do I feel much better now!
Go Irish! Beat Boilermakers!
This game will tell us a lot
MSU has another solid team and we know they get up for the Irish. My intuition tells me our boys will show what they are made of and bounce back from last week's debacle. I expect a nice offensive performance and a few scary moments on defense. Final score ND 35, MSU 20. GO IRISH!
Going to be a tight game
And the final score: ND 24 MSU 21
It will probably be decided at the last minute (because it's a night game and will keep us up late on the East Coast.)
Two weeks to reunion! Go Irish!
It will probably be decided at the last minute (because it's a night game and will keep us up late on the East Coast.)
Two weeks to reunion! Go Irish!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Post-Loss Doldrums Got You Down?
Yeah, me too. Boy oh boy. I can tell by the lack of blogging this week that we're all in a funk. Of course, I was on the road Monday night through last night, so that's my excuse. But that was a punch in the face, wasn't it?
When we lose, it always begs the question of whether a tough, close, hard-fought loss is better or worse than taking a beating. I think in the short term, the USC 2005-like loss is harder, but in the long term, Michigan stays with you longer. Has something to do with "outsiders" saying "tough loss, huh?" or "boy you really got the snot kicked out of you". I prefer the former.
This will probably be the shortest pre-game preview I'll write. Haven't had time to read the Detroit Free Press or the Lansing Spartanian or the SBT, so don't have any of the prep feel. I saw some of Charlie's words afterword, and he was his poker face (albeit a bit more solemn) self.
So what about the Spartans and the Irish? We're 3 point favorites. Will the Spartans smell blood in the water and swarm us over? Or do Charlie's boys regroup, find themselves and start to right the ship? Heck, I don't know. But I'm counting on the latter, so look for a not too high scoring game, but the good guys come out on top.
Final score will be: ND 24 MSU 16
Take good notes everyone. We'll get home from our military ball after midnight on the east coast. I hope I'll get to read all of your detailed impressions of a glorious ND victory!
Enjoy the game!
Don
When we lose, it always begs the question of whether a tough, close, hard-fought loss is better or worse than taking a beating. I think in the short term, the USC 2005-like loss is harder, but in the long term, Michigan stays with you longer. Has something to do with "outsiders" saying "tough loss, huh?" or "boy you really got the snot kicked out of you". I prefer the former.
This will probably be the shortest pre-game preview I'll write. Haven't had time to read the Detroit Free Press or the Lansing Spartanian or the SBT, so don't have any of the prep feel. I saw some of Charlie's words afterword, and he was his poker face (albeit a bit more solemn) self.
So what about the Spartans and the Irish? We're 3 point favorites. Will the Spartans smell blood in the water and swarm us over? Or do Charlie's boys regroup, find themselves and start to right the ship? Heck, I don't know. But I'm counting on the latter, so look for a not too high scoring game, but the good guys come out on top.
Final score will be: ND 24 MSU 16
Take good notes everyone. We'll get home from our military ball after midnight on the east coast. I hope I'll get to read all of your detailed impressions of a glorious ND victory!
Enjoy the game!
Don
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