This should be an easy game for the Irish – you know like a 4 TD win, but in all likelihood it won’t. Las Vegas has ND by 14 1/2 pts and if I was going to bet this game I’d take Rutgers and the points.

I think we are going to see a re run of the Pitt, Purdue, Navy and Temple games with bad play calling and never getting to the QB. Wish I could be more optimistic but Kelly plays “not to lose” football – just squeak by and finish 9-4. The only problem with that is you eventually piss away games, letting inferior opponents stay in the game when you should have finished them off in the first half. It also sets you up, once again, with having Tommy Rees carrying the load and putting winning the game on his shoulders.

What does Rutgers have? Not much except they are something like number 4 in Rush defense and ND just can’t run that well. The ND OL outweighs the Rutgers DL by about 50 lbs. per man – ND should be able to blow these guys off the line easily.

We will see what Kelly is doing very early – like if Folston doesn’t start. If we see any other back start, Kelly playing not to lose. Every team Rutgers played lit them up passing, so even if Rees throws his usual 2 picks ND should be able to pass them blind if we get any type of running game going. Good opportunity to see what Denbrock brings as OC – just a little imagination. If it’s the same old same old it means Kelly is still calling the plays.

This game should be a rout like a 45-10 final score – but ND continues to play down to the competition, guess saving it for Fla. State in 2014.

Final Score: Notre Dame 31 Rutgers 24