We cannot lose. This will be a game where 99% if the country will be rooting for the feel good story in the Owls. We need to make them all switch to the World Series early because the game is over by halftime.
Texas has been our only start-to-finish runaway win. We need another one to look like an impressive 1-loss team.
Hold on to the ball and we win. Big.
Irish 38. Temple 13.
GO IRISH!!! BEAT OWLS!!!
The Colonel.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
I Don't Think So
A lot of people seem to be making a lot of hullabaloo about Temple and the potential that they might upset the Irish tonight. Nope, I don't think so. Good for the Owls, they are having a great year and making the most of their talent and schedule to get noticed. They deserve the attention including getting ESPN Gameday in town today. But they are not going to win tonight. We simply have too many weapons and if you look carefully at Temple's resume you don't see a lot of dominating wins against premium teams. Just because a team is in a Power5 conference does not make it a great team
so I think making too much of those wins is a flaw in the argument.
And just being Notre Dame does not guarantee a great team either as we know. But with 2 weeks to prepare, with an eye on the playoff prize and our superior talent we really should win. There is a reason we are favored by 11. But to make sure things go our way I suggest the following. Defense, how about we play all 4 quarters starting with the first snap. Offense, no turnovers. Run right at them and crush their will early, none of this hang around and keep it interesting. We still have something to prove to ourselves about playing on the road and this will be a good test. Let's take care of business again.
ND 40, Temple 14
GO IRISH!
The Godfather
so I think making too much of those wins is a flaw in the argument.
And just being Notre Dame does not guarantee a great team either as we know. But with 2 weeks to prepare, with an eye on the playoff prize and our superior talent we really should win. There is a reason we are favored by 11. But to make sure things go our way I suggest the following. Defense, how about we play all 4 quarters starting with the first snap. Offense, no turnovers. Run right at them and crush their will early, none of this hang around and keep it interesting. We still have something to prove to ourselves about playing on the road and this will be a good test. Let's take care of business again.
ND 40, Temple 14
GO IRISH!
The Godfather
Monday, October 19, 2015
Nice Night
Well, it was a bit dramatic, but the Irish did care of business against the Trojans on Saturday. Actually a very fun game to watch and NBC had to love it; imagine the network ratings were fantastic. Very Electric in the stadium and Yes, USC band played its only two songs on every break. Let's see what we learned.
GO IRISH! BEAT OWLS!
The Godfather
- Irish offense is for real. Prosise would probably be a Heisman candidate if he had not come out of nowhere, what a player. Kizer continues to mature; he can make all the throws, great poise in the pocket, does not make many mistakes, and turns out he can run! Fuller has to on a short list for the top receiver awards - simply impossible to cover 1-1 consistently. And I was really pleased to see the offensive line assert itself at times in the game. Love that smash mouth attitude. 475 yards of offense against USC is pretty impressive.
- Kevarie Russell finally made a big play. The story is Kelly told him to play the ball not the man and he listened. That interception was a game breaker at that point in the game. Defense still has trouble with speed; but as one announcer said "USC has scholarship players also". But giving up 590 yards of offense to Trojans, wow we were lucky we put it all together and win. Defense still needs to improve.
- Trojans came to play right from the opening drive to the last minute. Got to give them credit for not folding though our fumble at the goal line helped a lot. The coaching change did not seem to get in their heads at all, maybe helped them. Clearly they came out like it was their bowl game and maybe it was because they have some work to do to compete even in their conference. But they are still a scary team and controlled the game for a couple quarters.
- A couple more puzzle pieces fell into place in the top 25 as we moved up 3 slots. Stanford jumped ahead of us based on a big win over UCLA. The Cardinal is getting it together as they always do and will be a formidable opponent on Thanksgiving weekend. Temple and Pitt crept into the top 25 which will help our strength of schedule but of course warns us that those are 2 trap games coming up. November looked easy back in the summer but now we have three tough road games to tackle. Good news is that winning out should put us in the conversation as there are many top 10 losses to come with the big conference matchups ahead. We may need a little help, but I feel pretty good about where we are in the polls at this juncture.
GO IRISH! BEAT OWLS!
The Godfather
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Our Turn
There have been many ebbs and flows in the ND-USC rivalry; long runs by both teams, blowouts, classics, folklore - ok pretty much everything. The Trojans beat up on a decimated Irish team last November and it is time for payback.
The Trojans coaching carousel has caused a bit of disarray in la-la land and I cannot help thinking this makes things better for us. Even USC "student"-athletes are still kids and it is hard to think they can plow through all this noise and become more focused. I also watched most of their loss to Washington and concluded they are not that good. Certainly a lot of raw talent on the squad but as a team still many holes. We really should beat them. Oh and through in the expected cold weather and you really have to pick the Irish.
The Irish on the other hand put a strong game together against Navy and know they have to win out to have any chance at the playoff. We simply have to take care of business again today. Kizer looks really solid, the defense is getting a bit more consistent (though still not there) and Prosise is simply a stud.
Of course part of me knows that this is a rivalry game and the odds makers are often wrong. But they say we should win by five. I think we will do better than that.
ND 30, USC 21
GO IRISH!
The Godfather
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Time to Bounce Back
The main concern with any Navy game is injuries due to the cut blocks. Hope we get through this one healthy. USC is coming to town next week and after dropping their SECOND (yeah) PAC12 loss, they will be wanting to win. I was watching the USC game, rooting against them and thinking how they sold out to TV for a Thursday game, then I realized they get two extra days rest before thr Irish. Figures. Well we can worry about that starting tomorrow.
Today we have another frustrating Middie team to play and I think the first quarter will tell us a lot. I saw some stats about Navy that indicated they mostly win when they score first and mostly lose when they don't. Watch for that ttoday. We know they devour clock when they are ahead and usually have difficulty playing catch up when behind. Of course last year they gave us all we could handle and they always play 60 minutes. I was encouraged by our defense against GT so I am thinking we will be stout again today. And I think we will score plenty to win.
Prediction ND 35, Navy 20
Band show is a tribute to the military with a Glenn Miller medley, the services tunes medley, and God Bless America. The ROTC crowd was mot at rehearsal yesterday, but we surmised they will be playing a part by unfurling a big flag. Go America.
One special treeat yesterday. We ran into our friend Astronaut Kevin Ford on campus. He is handing over the colors in pre-game with a Navy grad Astronaut who we also met. Nic pic of Kevin with some drum sticks here. He is doing great and they will mention he was a drummer during the pre-game voice over.
GO IRISH!
Godfather
Today we have another frustrating Middie team to play and I think the first quarter will tell us a lot. I saw some stats about Navy that indicated they mostly win when they score first and mostly lose when they don't. Watch for that ttoday. We know they devour clock when they are ahead and usually have difficulty playing catch up when behind. Of course last year they gave us all we could handle and they always play 60 minutes. I was encouraged by our defense against GT so I am thinking we will be stout again today. And I think we will score plenty to win.
Prediction ND 35, Navy 20
Band show is a tribute to the military with a Glenn Miller medley, the services tunes medley, and God Bless America. The ROTC crowd was mot at rehearsal yesterday, but we surmised they will be playing a part by unfurling a big flag. Go America.
One special treeat yesterday. We ran into our friend Astronaut Kevin Ford on campus. He is handing over the colors in pre-game with a Navy grad Astronaut who we also met. Nic pic of Kevin with some drum sticks here. He is doing great and they will mention he was a drummer during the pre-game voice over.
GO IRISH!
Godfather
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Too Lazy to Think - So I Copied "Notre Dame Football’s Silver Lining"
Bummer Loss but some good news in there. This article from UHND says it better than I possibly could:
Notre Dame falling to Clemson 24-22 in Death Valley in dramatic fashion put the first blemish on head coach Brian Kelly’s squad for the 2015 season. And while no team searches for moral victories in defeat, the truth is not all losses are created equal. Notre Dame’s thrashing at the hands of USC last season provided little future value other than quarterback Malik Zaire gaining some game experience in garbage time. However, there were numerous positive developments from the Clemson game that should leave Notre Dame fans upbeat about the future.
Kizer undoubtedly had his youthful moments. He had inaccurate throws and what was nearly a very costly interception, as well as a missed read that would have led to a Notre Dame touchdown. But he played well enough and with enough poise that Notre Dame had the pieces it needed on the field to beat Clemson. And although Notre Dame fell short, the fact the Irish had what it needed to win with their former No. 3 quarterback on the field speaks volumes.
ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit said it best during the game.
“His numbers aren’t going to blow you away when you pick up the box score tomorrow, but what’s going to impress you if you watch this game is how he just kind of hung tough. They have not been able to run the football, they have put him in some tough positions – I just can’t get over how he sits in the pocket, and how much time he has, and how he doesn’t panic.”
The beginning of the Clemson game hinted the latter was clearly the case. VanGorder’s defense surrendered 14 points within the first seven minutes of the game as Clemson bullied their way to 9 yards per offensive snap. But Notre Dame’s defense shook off the opening jitters and battled back. Clemson was held to 10 points over the next three quarters, and star quarterback Deshaun Watson was limited to less than 100 yards in the air with only a 50-percent completion rate. And all of this was accomplished despite Notre Dame’s offense turning the ball over four times and providing Clemson with short fields.
While Notre Dame losing is the ultimate storyline, the Clemson game was a step in the right direction for Notre Dame’s defense in its quest to prove it can slow down spread attacks.
Notre Dame trailed 14-0 and the Tigers appeared on their way to a route. The momentum needed to be halted and the Irish needed a score. Facing fourth down and ten yards to go, Kelly had little choice but to send out Yoon to attempt a 46-yard field goal. A true freshman trying to make a desperately needed field goal in prime time in Death Valley is intimidating enough. Add historic rainfall and intensely gusting wind into the mix and the idea seems doomed from the get-go. But Yoon drilled the attempt, which was a huge turn of events for Notre Dame, and an enormous confidence boost for the young kicker.
Yoon has the physical ability and mental makeup to be a truly special player for Notre Dame. Irish fans need to be patient and give the true freshman kicker a chance to transition to the pressure of major college football.
Notre Dame’s start against Clemson had eerie similarities to Notre Dame’s blowout loss at the hands of Alabama during the BCS National Championship game. But rather than fall apart, Notre Dame’s defense dig in, and the offense overcame numerous miscues to take Clemson to the brink. The storylines coming out of this game will be one ones of Clemson’s survival rather than of Notre Dame’s faltering, which is exactly what the Fighting Irish need moving forward.
GO IRISH! BEAT MIDDIES!
Notre Dame falling to Clemson 24-22 in Death Valley in dramatic fashion put the first blemish on head coach Brian Kelly’s squad for the 2015 season. And while no team searches for moral victories in defeat, the truth is not all losses are created equal. Notre Dame’s thrashing at the hands of USC last season provided little future value other than quarterback Malik Zaire gaining some game experience in garbage time. However, there were numerous positive developments from the Clemson game that should leave Notre Dame fans upbeat about the future.
Deshone Kizer’s poise is something to behold
In August UHND.com predicted Notre Dame would beat Clemson and that Malik Zaire would be the difference in the game. The thought process behind the prediction was Notre Dame’s offense would need to score many points to overcome the Tigers, and with Zaire lost for the season, it was doubtful the Fighting Irish would be able to do so. And while quarterback DeShone Kizer had been extremely impressive in action against Virginia, Georgia Tech and UMass, playing within the hostile confines of Death Valley is a challenge on another level entirely.Kizer undoubtedly had his youthful moments. He had inaccurate throws and what was nearly a very costly interception, as well as a missed read that would have led to a Notre Dame touchdown. But he played well enough and with enough poise that Notre Dame had the pieces it needed on the field to beat Clemson. And although Notre Dame fell short, the fact the Irish had what it needed to win with their former No. 3 quarterback on the field speaks volumes.
ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit said it best during the game.
“His numbers aren’t going to blow you away when you pick up the box score tomorrow, but what’s going to impress you if you watch this game is how he just kind of hung tough. They have not been able to run the football, they have put him in some tough positions – I just can’t get over how he sits in the pocket, and how much time he has, and how he doesn’t panic.”
Notre Dame’s defense kept them in the game
The defense was a question mark heading into the 2015 season. Which defensive identity was the true one from last year: the one that helped lead the team to a 6-0 start, or the one that surrendered 44.5 points per game during the last four regular season games? The jury was still out as to whether injuries were the culprit that derailed the defense in 2014 or if defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s scheme was incapable of standing up to a spread offense with a mobile quarterback.The beginning of the Clemson game hinted the latter was clearly the case. VanGorder’s defense surrendered 14 points within the first seven minutes of the game as Clemson bullied their way to 9 yards per offensive snap. But Notre Dame’s defense shook off the opening jitters and battled back. Clemson was held to 10 points over the next three quarters, and star quarterback Deshaun Watson was limited to less than 100 yards in the air with only a 50-percent completion rate. And all of this was accomplished despite Notre Dame’s offense turning the ball over four times and providing Clemson with short fields.
While Notre Dame losing is the ultimate storyline, the Clemson game was a step in the right direction for Notre Dame’s defense in its quest to prove it can slow down spread attacks.
Justin Yoon drilled one in a monsoon
True freshman kicker Justin Yoon has taken a lot of ribbing from Notre Dame fans after his rough start. The former No. 1 kicker in the nation came in to the Clemson game 4-6 on field goal attempts, including missed extra points against Georgia Tech and Massachusetts. The shaky performances were unquestionably going through the mind of Brian Kelly as he trotted Yoon out onto the field for a must-have field goal attempt against Clemson.Notre Dame trailed 14-0 and the Tigers appeared on their way to a route. The momentum needed to be halted and the Irish needed a score. Facing fourth down and ten yards to go, Kelly had little choice but to send out Yoon to attempt a 46-yard field goal. A true freshman trying to make a desperately needed field goal in prime time in Death Valley is intimidating enough. Add historic rainfall and intensely gusting wind into the mix and the idea seems doomed from the get-go. But Yoon drilled the attempt, which was a huge turn of events for Notre Dame, and an enormous confidence boost for the young kicker.
Yoon has the physical ability and mental makeup to be a truly special player for Notre Dame. Irish fans need to be patient and give the true freshman kicker a chance to transition to the pressure of major college football.
Notre Dame is still in the mix
Any objective observer of Notre Dame’s 2015 team had to know they were not going to go undefeated. There isn’t a team in the country that can lose nearly one-third of their starting lineup to season-ending injuries and finish the season unscathed. Losses are fine – it’s the blowouts that are a problem.Notre Dame’s start against Clemson had eerie similarities to Notre Dame’s blowout loss at the hands of Alabama during the BCS National Championship game. But rather than fall apart, Notre Dame’s defense dig in, and the offense overcame numerous miscues to take Clemson to the brink. The storylines coming out of this game will be one ones of Clemson’s survival rather than of Notre Dame’s faltering, which is exactly what the Fighting Irish need moving forward.
GO IRISH! BEAT MIDDIES!
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Rain, Rain Come This Way
I do not want to wish South Carolina residents any ill but I am kinda glad it will be raining a lot down in Clemson tonight. It has to keep some fans at home and put a "damper" on the noise in Death Valley. Both teams will have to deal with the drenching rain, but as my lovely wife pointed out, we have plenty of experience with lousy weather.
I understand that Lee Corso picked us this morning on College Gameday which will either be prophetic or the kiss of death. The last predictions I read had this as a pick em game which is about what it feels like to me. The weather will obviously play a factor and I am predicting that a turnover or multiple turnovers may set the tone.
Clemson is going to be sky high, which sometimes works against a team. This is their chance to be noticed in a bigger way then at any time in recent history even though their record of accomplishments is pretty good. Better than ours over the past 3 decades actually. Having said that, we play in a lot more BIG games than they do and will be ready tonight. We saw lots of poise from the Irish at Oklahoma, FSU and even ASU in similar situations and I think we can expect that our boys will not be flustered.
The question is who will win the "want to" game tonight. Like I said, one turnover at the right time could set the tone but we have demonstrated that we have a potent and diverse offense and usually a rock solid defense. Clemson will have to play its best to beat us.
I had this as an Irish loss in my pre-season prediction but am going the other way based on current conditions, including the weather. I think it will be low scoring and we win in the trenches.
ND 20, Clemson 15
GO IRISH!
I understand that Lee Corso picked us this morning on College Gameday which will either be prophetic or the kiss of death. The last predictions I read had this as a pick em game which is about what it feels like to me. The weather will obviously play a factor and I am predicting that a turnover or multiple turnovers may set the tone.
Clemson is going to be sky high, which sometimes works against a team. This is their chance to be noticed in a bigger way then at any time in recent history even though their record of accomplishments is pretty good. Better than ours over the past 3 decades actually. Having said that, we play in a lot more BIG games than they do and will be ready tonight. We saw lots of poise from the Irish at Oklahoma, FSU and even ASU in similar situations and I think we can expect that our boys will not be flustered.
The question is who will win the "want to" game tonight. Like I said, one turnover at the right time could set the tone but we have demonstrated that we have a potent and diverse offense and usually a rock solid defense. Clemson will have to play its best to beat us.
I had this as an Irish loss in my pre-season prediction but am going the other way based on current conditions, including the weather. I think it will be low scoring and we win in the trenches.
ND 20, Clemson 15
GO IRISH!
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