I promised more of my musings around the 5 big questions as we approach the football season. Game 1 prediction will come late this week. So for now, here are my views on the 5 questions.
1. Will we finally see the offensive line play like a college line?
My answer is a lukewarm yes. The team has more experience, more muscle and a new line coach but basically the same guys so I don't expect a dramatic improvement. But even a modest improvement could make a huge difference for the team. A little more time for the QB to throw, a little more push for some great running backs and all of a sudden you have a consistent offense. The big test for me will be if we can reliably gain 1 yard on those 3rd & short plays. Our hit rate the last couple years has to be about 20% and often we had to rely on a quarterback sneak. Good teams get the 1 yard gain 90% of the time to keep drives going and exert their will over the opposition. So the answer is better, and better will be a big deal for the Irish.
2. Has Clausen finally turned the corner and become the star quarterback?
My answer is no. I expect him to have a good year and hopefully play a little smarter but don't expect his name to appear in any Heisman ballots. I suppose you have to be a bit of a gunslinger to be a good quarterback. If one is afraid you will never succeed. But Jimmy seems to make a lot of bonehead decisions and I think this will prevent him from really becoming the star we hope he will be someday. He will probably have a couple games like the bowl game where he looks like Superman; but watch for the bad days against the likes of USC.
3. Do we see a new aggressive, attacking defensive scheme this year?
Yes we will. An improved offense is likely to score a lot and this should free up the defense to take more risks which is coordinator Tenuta's style. We have some speed as well so I expect more sacks, more interceptions, more turnovers and more tackles for a loss than in 2008. I do think we may be scored on more than last year but I am hoping it will not matter as the offense should be lighting it up.
4. Do the Irish compete for a BCS bowl spot?
Yes they do. Given that I have already predicted a 10-2 season, I have to expect we will be in the mix for a BCS bowl berth, particularly with the favorable Irish qualification criteria. Every bowl loves to have us alums come down and spend money! Even at 9-3 we should be on the fringe of the BCS list depending on what the top tier teams do along the way. Block your calendar for the first week of January!
5. Where will Charlie Weis fall on the goat to saint spectrum in 2009?
This is the most difficult question in my list. So let's look at it in a few different ways. If ND beats USC this year, start making the Charlie statue to replace Mary on the Golden Dome. Assuming that does not happen, I don't think he can achieve saint status unless he somehow wins the national championship (yes, we can lose to USC and still see that happen). But since that is also a crazy idea (sorry Lou Holtz) I am afraid that goat status is possible. Last season was marred by a couple games we should have won. Not just because of the score or particular game in 2008, but because we should ALWAYS beat a Syracuse. Charlie is a bad game coach and if an overachieving doormat opponent (say Nevada or Washington State or Stanford) jumps up and bites us, expect Weis burned in effigy. My bottom line answer is Charlie will fall short of saint but achieve "loved" status as he brings the Irish back to national prominence and maybe a big bowl game.
What do you think?
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