Redemption Time
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.
4 thoughts on “Redemption Time”
Love this blog. GO IRISH!
Chris–thanks for checking our site and your kind comment.
This is a no bullshit site–tell it the way I see it.
I think Kelly in his introspection is too touchy feely–neither Holtz or (probably before your time) Frank Leahy
would publicly go with that way. Leahy had 5 full teams ready to go. He often benched the first team and kept them sitting until they begged to get back in. I’m assuming you’re young but just for your info Leahy coached Vince Lombardi at Fordam before Lombardi was a superstar coach. Again, too verbose but like that you read our column. Who wins Saturday?
Hey Chris. Nice to have you visit the site. Everyone is saying MSU is going to win this game but I think the Irish are going to surprise everyone. MSU has not faced a defensive front line like NDs and their qb is not that good. I expect to see cierre wood break out in this game and I think the o-line to be have a better game this time around.
Cierre Wood, GAIII, and Theo Riddick are going to have big games if the O-Line doesn’t get pushed around again like they did against Purdue. I want to see at least two reverse plays with big gains. Also I’ve been very happy with the way TJ Jones and Robby Toma have played. The Irish have to hold the line.