Boiler-ing With Anticipation

So here we go again!

Magic or muddle or something in between? We’ll probably see all three today, as the “New Look Irish” show us a new offense, a new defense, a new QB and a new head coach. And a new "tradition": when the team comes out for warm-ups, they're coming through the student section. Hope no one trips on the cement steps and ruptures and ACL...

Many of last year’s weapons return, especially on the offensive side: Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph, Armando Allen. That’s a good thing. I won’t say the same on defense. Based on their performance last year, no one earns a “returning weapon” moniker. And yes, I’m including Manti Te’o in my assessment. Way out of position too often, missed many tackles, etc. They’re pumping him up to be “the horse” on defense this year. I hope that happens, but he’s not a “returning weapon”. Now, their performance this year could move them into the “defensive weapon” category. But other than Manti, I struggle to remember a single name on defense. I’ll bet you can still rattle off five or six names from the ’88 national champion defense (Zorich, Stonebreaker, Stams, Pritchett, etc.) That means no “weapons”. Let’s get some weapons this year.

So I’ve predicted 7-5 this year, with Purdue chalked up in the W column. How will we do that? Hopefully with a good mix on offense and a defense that’s not going to give up almost 400 yards per game this year. I’d like to see an offense that rallies to DC’s leadership. JC always seemed a bit aloof on the field and the sidelines. I never got the impression the offense liked him very much. And we need a big hit mentality on defense. If we’re blitzing, we need to get to the QB for at least a hurry, if not a sack. When you can use an hourglass to count how much time the opposing QB has to throw, that’s a bad thing. That has to end. And the front three need to occupy bodies and real estate to free the LBs to get to the running backs. Our “big plays allowed per game” average has to come down significantly. For me, that’s plays that gain at least 15 yards.

I look forward to the Godfather’s “From the Campus” report of atmosphere, crowd intensity, player focus, etc. It is a new era; hopefully the direct participants (players, coaches, fans) are up to the challenge.

I’d be happy with Godfather’s 35-20 prediction. I’m going to say we don’t cover, though. So let’s say ND 30, Purdue 24. And I think we’ll have the lead most of the day, but we won’t be relaxing in the last 2 minutes. Hope I’m wrong!

GO IRISH!!!! BEAT BOILERS!!!!

The Colonel