Oklahoma Week Part Two

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Ok, so let’s see what the Sooners have been doing this year–ranked # 8 with a 5-1 record:

    UTEP W 24 – 7
    Fla. A & M? W 69 – 13
    Kansas State L 24-19
    Texas Tech W 41 – 20
    Texas 63 – 21
    Kansas W 52 – 7

So they start out and tune up against what I would consider high school teams and then lose to Kansas State by 5 points. KSU is currently rated the # 3 team in the polls. Then the Sooners catch fire and steamroller the next 3 teams, one of which is Texas 63-21. That’s a game I don’t get, Texas constantly in the top 5 in recruiting–even without a coach this should not happen.

What ever happened to Mack Brown? or was he just riding the talent of his assistants? Anyhow the money here is Brown gone end of the season.

Kansas State? Bill Snyder must be closing in on 80 and they had to bring him out of retirement to start winning again. Note to Charlie Weis–do whatever Snyder is doing, the primary word here is– whatever.

Oklahoma has a very good QB in Landry Jones who just isn’t very good when pressured. Leave him alone and he will pass you crazy–oh he can run a little bit too. I would say their running game is fair–but it’s thru the air that makes Oklahoma dangerous. Inside the 10 yd. line they bring in # 2 QB Blake Bell all 6’6″ 254 lbs. of him to go all Tebow on you.

This may seem odd but I would have my LB’s go chest to chest tackling on him. A guy that tall can’t run low–hit him high and wrap and bend him backwards–for primer on this see previous Butkus post. OK solved that.

Notre Dame can win this game if they just stop all the stupidity Note to Troy Niklas–the object is to goad the other guy to hit you and draw the flag, not the way you’re doing it. Get the plays in, go on the count, don’t fumble and don’t throw picks–solved that.

Everett Golson has to just play all out like he did in HS–too many marbles rolling around in his head but for Christ sake PROTECT THE BALL.

Davonte Neal–why is he playing? If you have no intention of returning punts just let Goodman do it. Why not try a short pass to him in space? Or maybe end around. Wasting a lot of talent and a year of eligibility AND should I mention speed.

That’s it for today.

Oklahoma Week

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Hopefully history will repeat itself once again when ND visits Norman Okla. to take on the Sooners. If there is anywhere in the country more savagely anti Notre Dame I don’t know where it is. Even before the classic 1957 game the Sooner nation hated ND and not just for football.

Oklahoma football was just about a religion in that State as was the predominant Protestant religion. In this day and age, not politically correct, but I’ll say it anyhow–this area of the country was rabidly anti Catholic and the fans let the ND players know it–often. Anyhow times change, maybe, thank God.

The 1957 Oklahoma team was undefeated in 47 games and ND came to Norman as 3 touch down underdogs but ND brought with them their All American QB Bob Williams as well as All American fullback Nick Pietrosante and future All Pro DB Dick Lynch (New York Giants). Oklahoma had All American players all over the place along with the legendary coach Bud Wilkinson.

Check out the youtube video of this classic game. Note the classic ND leather helmets–can’t see in black and white but it was light tan with dark brown cross front to back and side to side. This helmet was the most known helmet in the country at the time and every Catholic school kid wanted one for Christmas.

This was a time when all the ND games were re-run on Sunday TV across the nation–no one else had this deal–see where some of the hate is coming from yet today.

When you look at this film watch how ND QB handles the ball–a lot of hiding pitching etc. The old jump pass was in vogue in those days–long before Tebow. In those days players went both ways and ND was always a very physical team and usually just beat up opposing teams. Leahy gone by this game, Brennan coaching, but the psyche was still Leahy’s–we refuse to lose to anybody.

Williams place in Notre Dame lore is a mystery–he is never mentioned among the greats but he was simply a terrific player, All American QB and a magician with the ball and as good a clutch QB that ND ever had—still a mystery to me to this day.

Anyhow, watch the video and go back in time–under dog in a very hostile place and shoving all that hostility right in Sooner Nation’s face.

Notre Dame 17 BYU 14

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ND vs BYU Eifert Catch
Whew, well that’s over and the Irish are 7-0. Really not a good offensive day for ND point wise but ND racked up 270-60 yards rushing over BYU which was 3rd in the country in rushing defense. ND got it going just enough to win late and that is scary with the Oklahoma Sooners on the horizon.

Rees started out great hitting Eifert who had a TD catch then things reverted back to tipped balls for picks. Who says Rees can’t fire the ball, he threw a rocket to DaVaris Daniels that almost took his head off, unfortunately he was only about 5 yards away. So we know Rees can throw a fast hard ball but really never see him do it. His jump balls to Eifert were just things of beauty–right on the money.

Heroes of the game:

  • Eifert–what more can you say–get it near him and he catches it.
  • Riddick– 15 carries 143 yards–tough tough running on the inside.
  • Wood–18 carries 114 yards–real nice running.
  • GA III — nice move for TD when we needed it.
  • OL — sometimes
  • Stephon Tuitt– 2 big sacks and harassed QB all day.
  • Manti Te’o—usual game and gets a pick.
  • Danny Spond — great all day and ended game with a pick.
  • Defense–another great game but man BYU receivers way too open.
  • Punch out winner–Troy Niklas for smacking a guy right in front of the ref.

So we move on to Oklahoma who throttled Kansas 52-7 with over 300 passing yds uh oh.

I personally think BYU a good team but at times we gave them too much time to throw–can’t do that against Oklahoma. We get Golson next Saturday and I really hope Kelly has a high octane offense ready–we just have to score points and more points here on out.

We won’t beat Oklahoma if we just score 17 points. Our offensive production is scary when you look at what others are putting up–like Oregon and Kansas State.

I wish our coach Kelly had spent the bye week with Oregon’s coach Kelly to learn what a spread is supposed to do. Or even Rich Rod at Arizona who pummeled Washington 52-17.

Ya gotta score points period and we haven’t outside of 2 games. Sooner or later our defense will not be able to save us.

Bowling–I’ll take LSU–want no parts of the others.

Kelly Muddles the Quarterback Situation

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At Brian Kelly’s final press update for the BYU game he indicated he can’t name starting QB at this time and won’t know until game day. He went on to say Golson is progressing and they will continue to monitor him even though he has been green lighted to practice.

What surprised everyone was when Kelly indicated that Andrew Hendrix is in the mix of the 3 to start.

Everyone just assumed if Golson can’t go Rees would start. However earlier in the week Kelly let slip that the starting QB had to be able to run and in his final presser he said Hendrix had a good week.

Don’t know if this is just to throw BYU off course or if something is really brewing here.

My guess is that it is too dangerous to play Golson–this is not the Pro’s and as a parent I would not allow my son to play this soon–perhaps Golson’s parents flagged this.

So maybe he does start Hendrix to run the running game with just a few easy passes thrown in. This kid is 6-2/220–hell he could be the fullback I want. Even Paul Hornung played FB before taking over as the QB.

Very Interesting or maybe nothing at all. We’ll find out game day.

P.S. Rumors circulating that Alex Anzalone ILB will decommit. Also he cancelled his trip for the BYU game. He’s gone.

Notre Dame Vs. BYU

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I really wish Notre Dame had a tuneup opponent this week. Somehow or other I would like to see a solid running game by the Irish to determine whether this is a good line or not. Also I’m not sold on their pass blocking. Our QB’s have very little time to scan the field and are getting hit too often.

I have always been in favor of having a real fullback in my offense, not only to run the ball in the short game but also as a pass protector. I know Kelly not really into the fullback position but if he’s changing in his thinking about his offense he may be open to the benefits of a real fullback, He actually has one in the 2013 recruiting class in Alex Anzalone–who could play ILB and fullback on occasion–think goal line.

On Anzalone, glad to see he’s returning this week for the BYU game. I was very worried when he went to the FLA. LSU game. Really hope ND gives him a lot of loving this weekend.

Ok, onto BYU currently 4-3 but could easily be 6-1 and they really hung in there with Oregon State. By the end of the 3rd quarter score was 21-21. Things broke down in the 4th quarter including a pick by Oregon State for a 47 yd touchdown.

BYU quarterback Riley Nelson has a good arm and can also run as well as pass on the run. He’s dangerous for 4 quarters and given time he could really light it up.

The BYU defense is for real–currently listed in the top 20. They held OSU to 118 yds. rushing but gave up 332 in the pass game. Solid front seven led by a great linebacker in Kyle Van Noy. No doubt he will go at it with Troy Niklas after watching Niklas against Stanford. Hope someone worked real hard with Troy this week.

The BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall also serves as the DC–he’s good as well as innovative. Just watch what he brings in the ND game. With what I consider a unstable QB situation at ND — BYU will be coming after the QB on every play and you can bet–strip the ball was a priority this week.

Notre Dame has to score 35 points to win and the ND defense must play another shut down game.

I’ve been trying to think who Tommy Rees reminds me of, and it finally came to me–Bernie Kosar who played for Miami and the Cleveland Browns. Kosar had a weak arm but he was very accurate as well as smart as hell re football. It looks like we will never find out with Kelly’s infatuation with Golson.

Anyhow scary game. My prediction:

Notre Dame 31 BYU 24

BYU WEEK

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BYU’S season stands at a deceptive 4-3 and got waxed last week by # 10 ranked Oregon State 42-26.

Head Coach– Bronco Mendenhall also serves as the Defensive Coordinator. He has a Head Coaching record of 66-24 which is not bad and has won 5 of 6 Bowl games in the last 6 years. He was the DC for the legendary BYU coach LaVelle Edwards for 2 years and it was Edwards who pushed hard for him to be the new Head Coach when he retired.

I’ve always been interested in BYU, now an Independent in football. They will play anybody and always put up a battle with good old time football. Have always favored a passing offense and good defensive play. Bronco has developed a very confusing defense which starts out as a base 3-4 with a lot of movement and they can be very difficult to run on. So let’s see how 2012 is going for them:

  • Washington State W 30-6
  • Weber State W 45-13
  • Utah L 24-21
  • Boise State L 7-6
  • Hawaii W 47-0
  • Utah State W 6-3
  • Oregon State L 42-26

So outside of Oregon State they’ve not been too bad at all and could be a real problem for ND this Saturday. I expect them to Surprise–load the box, blitz from all over and harass Golson the whole game at the same time doubling up on Eifert. Until Golson proves he can throw the ball, he’s in the cross-hairs of every team he plays. You can bet BYU’s been practicing all week to strip the ball.

Mendenhall is a terrific defensive CO and BYU will come to play and not be intimidated playing in Notre Dame stadium. Upset alert?

Wrapping up The Stanford Game

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Continuous showing of last play by the sporting press still leaves them with ND stop after refs did not whistle play over for 3-5 seconds when ND was holding him up short of goal line–you lost so move on.

Many great plays by a lot of the defensive players–kudos to Mathias Farley, Dan Fox, Carlo Calabrese, Danny Spond and super hitter Zeke Motta–damn I wish he had another year.

3 players I would not like to be at this weeks practice #1 Troy Niklas #2 Mike Golic and #3 Everett Golson. Golson has a good excuse just say still out of it. Golson, if I have it right doesn’t keep his fingers on the laces of the football–first I ever heard of any QB not lacing and that could cause erratic passing as well as fumbling

Here’s a good video of wrap up by und.com:

Notre Dame 20 Stanford 13

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ND vs Stanford Goal Line Stand
Game played in pouring rain at times but ND scores 7 in OT for win. Rees to TJ Jones who made a great catch for the winning score. But, hold on, now it’s Stanford’s turn 1st. and 4 to even it. Stanford RB Taylor 4 straight runs and stopped all 4 times–just a tremendous goal line stand and with 4th and goal Carlo Calabrese stood Taylor up and bent him back and further smacked by Zeke Motta and a host of others.

Of course with Pac 10-12 refs a controversy ensued they just can’t find it in themselves to whistle a play dead. Progress was stopped for seconds–they apparently were hoping if they waited long enough Taylor would get free and score–didn’t happen and replay confirmed.

Why is it in our stadium we have to use Pac10-12 refs? With our new quasi affiliation with ACC maybe we get to use those refs in the future. Stanford thinks they scored–hey go tell it to USC!!

Everett Golson–man does he need a crash course in ball security–it’s like he’s a disaster waiting to happen and it usually does. Unfortunately, he’s no Denard Robinson who make all sorts of fuck ups but then runs 50, 60 or 70 yds to make up for them. I think he might be real good for us if he holds the ball and learns their are 2 sides to a field and gets some clock in his head before he is pummeled. I still think he should be situational ala Tebow until something clicks for him.

Rees–talk about being put into the pressure cooker–comes in cold and wins now what is his 3rd game for us. Their is a lot he can’t do but this is offset by calm coolness–use him to get us up by 14 then insert Golson for a few series etc etc.

Defense-what can you say–just outstanding and boy does Motta hit guys. Finally, Carlo Calabrese has his day stuffing guy at goal line. Fox flying around–we need both these guys to get 5th year.

Still cannot understand no up tempo, fast 2 minute drill offense. Arizona ran plays so uptempo Stanford could not get subs in and had no time to jump all around and show different looks.

All in all it’s still a “W” and were 6 – 0. No more rain please.

Must See TV Prior To The ND-Stanford Game

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Game starts at 3:30 EST on NBC but you are in for a treat the hour before the game as NFL Films presents a one hour program 2:30 EST on NBC. Titled ONWARD NOTRE DAME you’ll get a behind the scene view of the ND football program. Pre-Game, Half Time and Post Game Locker Room peek of the secret stuff we never see. This is not a look at the players warming up or Kelly giving a post practice report this is the real deal and a must see for all ND fans.

That NFL Films is involved shows once again how relevant ND is despite all the detractors who will probably go crazier after this shows on National TV.

It also says a lot about Kelly who is secretive to the nth degree about his program. It also shows his confidence in this team that he would allow this just prior to the Stanford game. He’s basically telling his players–Ok now it’s on you to beat the hell out of Stanford I just gave you the big buildup and showed my confidence in you, now go out and prove me right.

Now Notre Dame must win for you certainly don’t want to flop with such a build up. Expect the ND team to come out on fire(I hope). Kelly made a loss here impossible to comprehend–I certainly hope he’s right.

Notre Dame VS. Stanford

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I’m going to say at the outset that ND is going to roll all over Stanford this Saturday and just might go over 40 points. Why do I feel so confident–I saw them play an undersized Arizona team that put 48 points on them and Stanford needed to go into OT to win. They simply wore Arizona down.

Stanford looked very uncomfortable playing Rich Rod’s fast paced spread offense and gave up big chunks of yardage. If ND can up the tempo they can roll.

I also refreshed myself on last year’s game played at Stanford. Bad Bad game for Tommy Rees and in the first half he threw a pick and fumbled and Stanford led at halftime 21-0 on 3 Andrew Luck passes.

Hendrix started 2nd half and TD pass to Floyd. 21-7. 4th. quarter ND going for a score when Hendrix pass tipped for an interception. With 5 minutes to go in 4th Luck throws his 4th TD. Final 28-7.

Ok this is 2012 and Stanford doesn’t have Luck or the 2 All American offensive linemen and current QB Nunes while not bad is nowhere the QB Luck was.

Stanford only beat San Diego State 20-17, beat USC 21-14 and lost to Washington 17-13 before the shootout with Arizona.

I base my optimistic outlook dependent on no ND turnovers. If no fumbles or picks ND wins easily. They should be able to run and pass against this Stanford “D” hell Arizona bedazzled them.

On defense Notre Dame has to go full out pressure from the first snap and just harass Stanford’s QB the whole game. While he can move around he is basically a pocket passer–so let the dogs feed on him. They haven’t played a team as talented as this ND defense– but all bets are off if Diaco out thinks himself and goes prevent anytime during this game.

I see Cam McDaniel getting his 2nd TD of the season doing cleanup in the 4th.

Prediction:

Notre Dame 45 Stanford 21