Category: Football

Let me start this column by saying MSU does not get the type of quality recruits that Notre Dame does, no one talks about what great classes they get each year. What they do get are hard nosed, tough kids that play 60 minutes. So, in all actuality these games should not be close but they always are. Why, great coaching.

They always play with a chip on their shoulders for the simple reason very few of them get offers from Notre Dame, Michigan or Ohio State. Feeling slighted they are jacked and out to prove they belong when they play these 3 teams. OK, so much for that–moving onto Saturday’s game.

Night game–ND does not play well at night games period. They always come out flat on offense and the “D” wilts in the 4TH quarter. Too late, Too tired–who knows. When you carefully look at this years edition of both teams–you think ND blowout, but that, of course depends on what ND team shows up(yearly refrain).

MSU got tattooed at Notre Dame last year 31-13 but interestingly out gained the Irish 358 yds -275 yds with a quality QB in Cousins who also threw a pick on ND’s goal line. The guy they have now is only starting his 3rd. college game(just like Golson) and should be a feast for this ND front seven. They should be able to shut down both the pass and the run, provided Diaco plays aggressive for all 4 quarters and doesn’t lapse into a prevent defense as he tends to do too often.

Advantage Notre Dame.

MSU defense–they have one guy on the DL to worry about 6’7″ 285 DE William Gholston–remember their All American NG Jerel Worthy now a pro but even with him ND was able to run inside last year. Expect lots of blitzing from MSU to rattle Everett Golson so look for roll-outs quick hitters. Probably MSU will Imitate Purdue and stack their defense which could help ND in this game.

Notre Dame on offense. Hoping that the ND OL got the full purple faced Kelly at practice this week. You take MSU’s Gholson out of the game by running right at him or away from him with frequent cut backs. Go wide but most of all play fast then faster. Since GAIII is so valuable with great speed I’d try him at WR–just race down the field, with Davonte Neal trailing–nothing but speed on one side with Eifert also going long on the opposite side–get the safety’s out of the running game.

The big question–the ND offensive line. What do we actually have–let’s see.

• LT Zack Martin SR 6’4″ 304—touted by some for All American this year
• LG Chris Watt SR 6’3″ 310–also highly regarded
• C Braxton Cave 5th yr 6’3″ 304–some All American vibes
• RG Mike Golic 5th yr 6’3″ 300–journeyman
• RT Christian Lombard JR 6’5″ 309 since arrival considered a phenom

Just what every team wants –an experienced OL with quality at each position. Golic is the soft spot but after 5 yrs in system he should be able to at least get in the way once in awhile. Backup at guard Connor Hanratty + 300 lbs sophomore–do you play him?

No mention of Tate Nicols 6’8″ 320 with kneecap problems.

Advantage Notre Dame (maybe). As I said–all on paper but not on the field.

Prediction: Only if ND jumps out early.

ND 38 MSU 17

This week featuring Michigan State at night is the time for Notre Dame’s offensive line to show something more than the false praise heaped on them going into the season. Remember the concern that LT Martin and LG Watt would bolt early for the NFL, well forget that–neither would be drafted. And center Cave looking at an All American spot and contesting for the Rimington award–forget that too. Golic, while a nice guy with a good pedigree is simply not good enough to start. Next, the phenom Lombard that the coaches have been drooling over–reality set in.

This entire OL simply is not good enough to play with the big boys. They were mauled and abused by a good(not great) Purdue defensive line. Perhaps with one exception–Chris Watt at Left Guard they were a complete embarrassment and looked completely lost, in other words they got the s–t kicked out of them again–recall last years USC and Stanford games where they looked scared and played that way. They just do not show up when it counts especially in night games.

I thought with the addition of the new OL coach Hiestand, with Pro experience that was all to change. All we hear about him is what a nice guy he is and players like him. Well, after last weeks beat-down, does he have it in him to act more like Joe Moore and give them a brutal week of practice–ask Aaron Taylor what that was like.

Next, Defense. This is the type of offense that Carlo Calabrese can finally live up to his potential. MSU relies heavily on the run with big time running back LeVon Bell 6’2″ 245 lbs. If ND’s defensive line plays like expected both Calabrese and Te’o should have great opportunities to each have great games.

Carlo it’s time to step it up. Forget last week, I’ll write that up to rust. The 7 tackles were good but you did not have a good game and a non factor in all actuality. Let’s hope Diaco gives you the opportunity for redemption.

I don’t know why Kelly seems to have no interest in big Fullback types. I think Hughes or Jonas Gray would have scored near the end on Riddick’s run to set up the field goal.

So, another night game, an exposed OL and holes in the defense plus playing away, with MSU looking for revenge plus a very good coach in Dantonio spells a lot of trouble for this ND team.

With 20 recruits in the bag and a few more excellent recruits along with playing at night as an underdog, it’s critical that ND win this game.