N.D. VS. PURDUE

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8 P.M. GAME ON ESPN

So let’s take a look:

Purdue just finished an arduous 3 game schedule and just recuperated with a bye week prior to playing ND.

In game 1- they edged Middle Tennessee 27-24.
In game 2–they lost to Rice 24-22.
In game 3–they trounced S.E. Missouri State 59-0.

Outside of Rice are the other 2 really colleges?

Purdue has been averaging about 250 yds rushing and their main man is Ralph Bolden–they also have a 255lb fullback. with a good sized offensive line–so again ND’s main job will be to stop the run.

They utilize 2 Qb’s-Caleb TerBush and the Mitch Mustain clone QB Robert Marve–Marve, once a highly recruited talent who originally went to Fla or Miami–really don’t remember.

Big defensive line with a couple 300 lb defensive tackles–one of which Bruce Gaston(Chicago) highly recruited by ND.

I expect that Purdue will try to duplicate the Pitt defense and while they don’t have a very good secondary, neither did Pitt.

So it all comes down to whether or not ND comes to play or just tries to get by easiest way they can with as little effort as possible.

If ND plays fired up ball, this game is over by half time–could easily put up 30 in first half and then coast to a 44-14 win.

Game will mark T. Rees 9th start–hopefully he finally plays a error free game. Really is time for him to improve dramatically.

ND desperately needs a blow out game, not only to rest the starters but to get the reserves some real time game experience.

Roby Toma has best game of his career.

Prediction:

ND 44 PURDUE 14

Pitt Aftermath

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I have already expounded on my take of the Pitt game–lucky win, but so were the losses lucky for our opponents.

Read Kelly’s comments on this game (I’m in control) and Rees is MY QB–okay so what if he is planted in the sod of ND stadium–what is plan B–really no answer except maybe more Frosh will play.

So what do we take from that. My gut instinct–Crist out, Hendrix out and Golson is next in , even if preferable to redshirt him.

I further read this that the Charlie Weis recruits out, namely Crist and Hendrix. Crist and Hendrix are both Pro-set QB’s–so they are out

If I were either, I’d tell Kelly to stuff it–Crist, maybe has 1 yr. eligibility left–Anyone need a strong arm Qb that plays Pro set–same for Hendrix–Charlie Weis wanted this kid real bad and if anything CW knows Qbs–so off to Fla goes Hendrix. Crist one year left goes anywhere he can start.

So that brings us back to the present. We just saw a defense with Pitt that worried about vertical long strike hold ND to 15 pts–every team ND faces will play short knowing Rees can’t throw the long ball.

So mix in the OL woeful pass block ability ND has a real problem–an absolutely piss poor Pitt Db’s took Floyd out of game.

Looking ahead USC and Stanford(with much Better athletes) blanket Floyd and blitz the shit out of Rees resulting in regular picks and fumbles.

The only thing Kelly has going for him is the Defensive side of the ball although Diaco has movie star looks, can recruit, doesn’t have the cojones yet to be outstanding defensive coordinator–hey you have the players–let them loose the entire game.

ND’s future rests on the defensive side of the ball.. Kelly has to get the offensive moving–see how fast we run the offensive–I don’t see it happening against USC or STANFORD.

ND 15 PITT 12

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Your lying eyes are not deceiving you. This game was bloody awful.

It was obvious right from the outset and throughout the game that ND was completely out coached, out played and outhit.

It seemed that the Pitt defensive coordinator was wired into Brian Kelly’s headset. It was also obvious that Bob Diaco was hopelessly confused as were the players.

Rees tossed a pick and fumbled as usual. He had absolutely zero pass protection. I have wondered why previous opponents didn’t just blitz all the time.

I have nothing good to say about the Offensive Line–each would get an F if I was evaluating them.

Defensive Line played well especially Aaron Lynch–that guy could make one of the All American squads by years end. Stephon Tuitt was very good also.

What genius had Louis Nix playing off the line–he also seemed to wear down as game went along. Was not impressed by the play of the OLB’S.

I don’t know what the deal is with Teo–he is not the dominant ILB that was projected by all.

Pitt took Michael Floyd completely out of the game

Offense:

Jonas Gray had a real nice 78yd touchdown run. MVP Offense

Tyler Eifert came through in the clutch.

Tommy Rees while befuddled managed to lead ND for the win.

DEFENSE:

Not impressed except for mentions above.

Carlo Calabrese MVP Defense for game saving pass knock away.

Pitt had like 4th and 38yds to go and Carlo ended up one on one and saved the game. The question I have–where was everyone else in this prevent defense–if that pass completed could have gone all the way.

Field Goal attempt–what the hell was a center doing placing the ball??? I admit I did not pay close attention to the holder until now but it makes no sense to me–at the very least, you want a holder who can move and possibly pass on a bobbled snap.

Pitt should have won this game–better team today.

4 games into the season and now standing at 2W 2L but this team is not improving–sort of treading water–both players and coaches.

Expected much much more but give the Pitt coaches and players credit–they wanted this game much much more and played like it.

What’s ahead–who the hell knows!!!!!!!!!

ND VS PITT

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Which team shows up for this away game at Pittsburgh?

After stumbling around searching for a Head Coach they landed the high octane offense of the Tulsa head coach Todd Graham–we all remember Tulsa from last year but now he has better players.

I briefly watched Pitt vs Iowa and was shocked that Iowa came back to win the game. Prior to that I was impressed by Pitt QB Sunseri.

Nevertheless ND should roll Pitt even though it’s an away game and starts at 12 noon on ABC. Of course, penchant for sloppy play and turnovers could sink my prediction. Somehow or other Rees just has to be able to throw long or defenses will just dare him to and play only short passes–can Rees do it? don’t know but it is hurting this offense. It is also wasting Mike Floyd on just short dumps. This has worked so far but it leaves Floyd open to major hits–we want him in space and not anywhere around hits by Linebackers.

Once again victory rests on the offensive and defensive lines. I’m not worried about the DL but not sold on the OL or Rees.

Aaron Lynch has another monster game and ND rolls.

Prediction:

ND 48 PITT 30

ND 31 MSU 13

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Finally the first win–although errors persistently continue.
This was a very good win but major concerns still exist and we kept MSU in the game for too long.

Go back and replay the game and you will see a marked difference between the halves. Still not playing 4 quarters of solid football–but I’ll take the win, it’s a start

Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton were outstanding.

Teo was Teo and Michael Floyd is the best WR in college football.

Here come the freshman: George Atkinson took a kickoff to the house.
Tuitt, Niklas and Williams showed flashes but tentative which is understandable.
Aaron Lynch is a phenom–he simply could not be blocked. Star rising faster than Teo’s.

The OL finally played some real smash-mouth for the most part–can’t put my finger on it but 1 of the 5 is not playing up to snuff.

Re-play the game and ask yourself “where would we be without Michael Floyd?”

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2012 recruit # Number 15 commit WR Chris Brown 6’2″ 200 lbs.from South
Carolina.

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1st commit for 2013 OT Steve Elmers 6’6″ 300 lbs from Michigan–yes!!!!!

ND VS. MSU

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ND–must win this game or Brian Kelly will be escorted off the field in a straight jacket.

Ok– he comes up the coaching chain–wins everywhere and lands at ND with more talent than he has ever had. Must be thinking this is a joke, compared with Cinn. I can win a national championship easy with these guys and my system.

Then reality sets in. As opposed to Cinn. everybody is gunning for ND–they can lose every game but if they take a ND SCALP, their season is a success.

Now to the present. ND must win this game–they beat themselves 2x–it has to end sometime–the turnovers etc. so it ends against MSU–ABSOLUTELY HAS TO.

Few thoughts:

Manti Teo– right now he is an average linebacker, not really playing any better than Calabrese or Fox. Somehow the OC’s have figured a way to handle him.

The OLB’s have been horrible–they still have big problems with an option attack. Thankfully, State has a more conventional offense.

The keys to winning this game, once again rests on the Line play on both Offense and Defense. Pass Rush against Quarterback Cousins is critical if Notre Dame is to prevail. I look for a breakout game by freshman Aaron Lynch–he has to play a lot and could take that starting position from Ethan Johnson. Stephon Tuitt also shows his stuff.

I believe Notre Dame rolls Michigan State:

Notre Dame 45 Michigan State 28

What Now

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Let’s treat 1st 2 games as exhibition games with next 10 our regular season.

Really have to get all the DB’s heads screwed on right. Gray, in particular–but after re-playing the game–no real pressure on the QB in passing situations and that makes it very difficult to maintain coverage. 2 games and I can’t recall 1 sack or good pressure on either QB.

The strength of this team was supposed to be the front 7 which in turn would help the DB’s with pics–isn’t happening.

So what do you do–well last 30 seconds, knowing they have to pass why not get the best line athlete on field with one job only–get the QB. Aaron Lynch should have been the guy.

He is every bit as good as Teo was as a freshman–get him on the field starting right now.

Get Tuitt much more involved. Niklas and Williams need more playing time also.

All of these guys would be starting elsewhere.

Run defense was very good but changes have to be made in obvious passing downs.

Somehow we need to get Teo freed up. Too often he is shielded out of the play.

Speaking of LB’s Calabrese was really hammering anyone he came in contact with while Fox showed good speed and range.

Nix again was a force but Johnson and Moore really have to step it up.

Next up more conventional teams–we simply have to play guys that can rush the passer. OLB’s real disappointment at this stage.

We can run the table if we just play the right guys on D.

If anything, you can bet that the D as a whole will be fully re-evaluated this week.

Let’s hope so.

MICHIGAN 35 ND 31

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How the hell does a team go 80 yds in 30 seconds with a mediocre passer-(-we are not talking Joe Montana to Jerry Rice) by just lobbing the ball up and short? Interceps just for the taking.

This is an experienced defensive team and Gray, Blanton & H. Smith have multi year experience–Gray’s play was shocking.

Does ND have a men’s Rugby team? If so get some guy from there–must be someone who can punt more than 25 yds. Christ, massive DT Kevin Hardy used to punt and he could barely get his leg off the ground.

This defense was to be the backbone of the team but they just imploded in this game–where is all this 4th quarter energy we hear about.

So we are 0-2 against teams that are not all that talented and we have a slew of good passers coming up–looking grim.

Rees will be ok with more experience.

Nothing else to say except kudos to Hoke for going for the win vs. the tying field goal; with 2 secs to go.

ND VS. MICHIGAN

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Really do not like night games, especially in that stadium. On paper ND should win this game–superior offense vs questionable Michigan defense–but these are basically the same teams from last year.

Did not like at all,when it really mattered, USF’s late long march down the field that put game away.

Believe Rees is a marked man and will see more blitzes than he ever dreamed of and gets flattened after throwing 2 picks.

Special teams for ND could once again lose this game.

In order for ND to win this game, they have to be flawless with both Floyd and Wood having monstrous games and the ND defense has to keep Denard Robinson to 200 total yards.

This is a very good Michigan OL and Robinson can throw as well as run–so look out.

ND falls in 4th quarter just like last year.

Pick: Michigan 31 ND 24