Dealing with a Tragedy

The ND family is responding to a terrible tragedy this week, the death of Declan Sullivan. Grant him, Lord, eternal rest, and let everlasting light shine upon him.

Impossible to know how these circumstances will affect the mindset of the team or fans. Each in his/her own way I suppose. There will be a moment of silence preceding the game, players will wear a decal in Declan's honor and dedicate the game to his memory. Pep rally and many football Friday events have been cancelled.

The last point spread I saw had ND favored by 8, considering we were favored by 6 over Navy that is little comfort. The odds makers are always a little too positive about ND, perhaps because of all the ND lovers who bet too much on the Irish. Some interesting stats about the odds and spread for ND. Notre Dame is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games following a game which they didn't cover, 5-12-2 against the spread in their last 19 games overall, and 5-16 against the spread in their last 21 home games against a team with a winning record. Tulsa is 4-0 against the spread in their last four games overall, 2-5-1 against the spread in their last eight road games, and 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five games following a win. Try to make some conclusions from that!

Have to pick the Irish in this one but again I expect us to have our ups/downs in perhaps a high scoring affair. Tulsa features a shifty QB and fast team which usually causes our defense fits.

Let's go with ND 35, Tulsa 30

Go Irish!