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Freeman’s Evolving Staff: Life is one constant is change

It seems like Notre Dame football is at a major crossroads, with significant changes happening after an impressive 14-2 season. Despite the success, it's clear that the program's staff turnover is creating some big challenges for head coach Marcus Freeman. But it also looks like Freeman is working diligently to navigate these changes by bringing in some strong new hires.
Chris Ash replaces Al Golden

The decision to replace Al Golden with Chris Ash seems strategic, especially considering Ash's background with defensive backs and his leadership beside Luke Fickell. Golden's style was clearly popular, so it'll be interesting to see if Ash’s fiery approach can maintain that same level of success. His expertise should complement the strong defensive talent already present, but the transition could still have its bumps.
Ja’Juan Seider is a big get

With the talented trio of Jerimiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Aneyas Williams at running back, having someone with Seider’s track record will certainly keep that position as a strength. His experience with developing 1,000-yard rushers at Penn State is a major win for the Irish.
Mike Martin at GM

The search for a new General Manager is definitely an intriguing one. The evolving nature of college football’s rules around recruiting, the transfer portal, and NIL demands a savvy, experienced leader. Mike Martin seems like an excellent choice to help navigate this new era, and building out a robust scouting department could help the Irish gain an edge on the competition, especially with such a complex landscape.
Building for Long-Term Success
All in all, Marcus Freeman is making moves to stay ahead of the curve, and while there are inevitable challenges, these hires could help position Notre Dame for continued success. It's exciting to see how these changes will unfold and if they'll pay off in the long run. What do you think of these moves? Does the future of Notre Dame football look bright to you?
FaithInIrish Forever
FaithInIrish Forever

The Rise of Riley Leonard!

Riley Leonard showed his faith as he Led the Irish to Victory in Kyle Field at Texas A&M, 23-13 in week one. Fans were uneasy as Leonard’s passing statistics did not live up to expectations. The new Irish offense engineered by Mike Denbrock was not humming. The defense had to carry the Irish.
                When the Irish lost to Northern Illinois in week two the bandwagon became empty. Fans were ready to fire Denbrock, put Freeman on the hot seat and bench Leonard. The next week the Irish really confused people by putting up 60+ points at Purdue but it is just Purdue they cannot be any good. Every time Riley gets inside the 10 yard line its almost an automatic touchdown. What is going on here?
                Miami of Ohio scores first.. Oh, no not again. Just kidding! The Irish went on a scoring run and by the fourth quarter were easily in victory formation, 28-3!
Louisville comes to us, and we give them the ball after fumbling the opening kickoff. Assuredly our winning run would end here. Not so fast! Riley hits a deep pass to Greathouse on the way to victory. The Irish learn about the Hustle of Leonard Moore who tracks down the Louisville QB, like he was in slow motion and Leonard Moore was in fast forward and forces an important fumble. The Irish win the turnover fest by a touchdown,
                During this time, we are convinced Riley is awful. Stats are unimpressive while the wins pile up. Teams still cannot stop Riley Leonard in the redzone but scoring points is an overrated statistic, right? We need the Heisman with our wins after all. Stanford comes across the country  only to be sent back 49-7.
                The Irish must be in trouble now. Georgia Tech beat Florida State  in Ireland. Wait their QB is injured that must mean the Irish will score a ton. 31-13. Cam Ward would have put 60 on them. Wait, Georgia Tech might of scored 45 on Miami too.
                Navy, they pass now. How will the Irish ever prepare? Navy had six turnovers. Riley kept scoring touchdowns. 51-14.
                The Irish enter November. Leonard has not seen a bench yet. But he is seeing a bunch of end zones 19(11 rushing eight passing) total touchdowns with three interceptions in all. Many lost faith in Riley in September but he has not lost faith in GOD, the team. the fans or himself. We would do well to follow Riley Leonard’s example of perseverance in the face of adversity
FaithInIrish Forever
FaithInIrish Forever

Marcus Freeman is undeniably building something special at Notre Dame!

Marcus Freeman is undeniably building something special at Notre Dame, turning the program into a competitive powerhouse. After taking over the coaching reins with high expectations, Freeman's leadership has shown significant growth, and the Irish have responded with tremendous success. His mantra of "one play, one life" and "reload" encapsulates the relentless, process-oriented mentality he instills in his team. The current 10-game winning streak speaks volumes about his ability to create a strong team culture that focuses on continuous improvement and adaptability.
The foundation of Freeman’s success lies in his commitment to developing a program driven by both the offensive and defensive lines. The emphasis on the running game and a hard-hitting defense, reminiscent of legendary coaches like Lou Holtz, has been central to the team's identity. Under offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, the Irish have found a balance between the spread offense and a powerful inside running attack, leading to long, impactful touchdowns. On the defensive side, Freeman has cultivated a tenacious, top-5 ranked unit known for creating turnovers and controlling the game.
While Freeman’s early years featured some growing pains, including tough losses to teams like Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Northern Illinois, his faith in his players and coaching staff never wavered. His leadership style, which prioritizes practice and learning from mistakes, has clearly paid off. The team has adopted his mentality, and the results are undeniable.
Freeman has also demonstrated an astute approach to recruiting, recognizing the importance of evolving with the times. The transition from a single recruiting coordinator to a full staff under Chad Bowden has paid dividends. Despite the competitive nature of the recruiting landscape, Freeman and his staff secured a top-15 class and have leveraged the transfer portal effectively. The acquisition of starting QB Riley Leonard exemplifies the strategic use of the portal, which Freeman will continue to tap into as he builds for the future.
As the Irish gear up for their College Football Playoff game, Freeman's vision for the program has truly taken shape. Notre Dame fans can look forward to a bright future under Freeman's leadership, marked by a blend of tradition and innovation. The 2024 season's success is just the beginning, and with Freeman at the helm, the Irish are poised for even greater achievements ahead. It's an exciting time to be a Notre Dame football fan!
FaithInIrish Forever
FaithInIrish Forever

The "Golden Era" of Defense

The “Golden Era” of Defense
Al Golden was Marcus Freeman’s choice to become his defensive coordinator after Freeman became Head Coach. Golden has turned out to be a wonderful choice. His leadership experience coaching both at the NFL and college level has resulted in a scheme that is player driven and uses the defenses strengths to limit the high-powered spread passing attacks that have become popular across the nation.
                Golden’s first strength was that he recognized that this was meant to be the “Notre Dame Defense” not the “Al Golden Defense”. Marcus Freeman got elevated to head coach after one season of being Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.  Notre Dame’s former Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick recognized with Freeman’s energy, magnetism and recruiting success that he would be a top name on other team’s wish list. When Brian Kelly left for LSU, Jack took the risk and elevated Freeman before another team could hire him away. Freeman realized he would need coordinators that had more coaching experience than he did. Al Golden had both college and NFL coaching experience and loves Notre Dame.
The first thing Golden and Freeman agreed on is the importance of man-to-man defense. During a lot of the Weis and then Kelly Era Notre Dame began to accept a “bend but don’t break” defensive philosophy. Schematically this means you’re in a two deep zone set up for about eighty yards of the field. The object of “bend but don’t break” defense is to allow yardage in non-scoring areas of the field then as soon as your opponent enters scoring range you begin to be more aggressive. This passive approach allows teams to win the field position game and control time of possession. Freeman, Golden and the defensive staff reject “bend but don’t break defense” in favor of a more aggressive style of defense that depends on great coverage from the secondary and active, fast, and aggressive linebackers.
On any given Saturday with seventy-five yards to go you will see Golden’s defense with a single safety deep, his corners in press man coverage and his other safety disguising what he’s doing. Risky? Yes. . But in his 4-2-5 they almost always have a nickel defensive back inside and the linebackers are lighter and faster than usual.  The pressed corners are taught that they have help inside so deep routes are forced out of bounds with outside leverage and everything inside is met with multiple hustling defenders.
This defense is easily in the top ten and some metrics have it in the top 5. Ask Florida State who passed for just 88 net yards last week, facing a Golden Era defense is no easy task. As Al Golden likely earns himself another shot at head coaching somewhere soon it’s important that we appreciate this “Golden Era” of defense.

Additional Reading
FaithInIrish Forever
FaithInIrish Forever

The Battle Inside The Tackle Box

The Battle Inside The Tackle Box
Notre Dame's Evolving Offensive Philosophy: "More Space Equals More Yardage"
In 2024, Mike Denbrock has introduced a new offensive philosophy to Notre Dame football that centers around one simple but powerful principle: “More Space Equals More Yardage.” This approach marks a stark departure from last season’s style, which was designed to play downhill and maximize the talents of now-NFL-bound power back Audric Estime. Instead, Denbrock has built an offense around balance, speed, and the ability to capitalize on small, well-timed spaces — a strategy that has already paid dividends.
Replacing Estime's power is a trio of dynamic backs who bring different skill sets to the table: powerful quarterback Riley Leonard, elusive running back Jadarian Price, and the home-run-hitting all-purpose back Jeremiyah Love. While Estime’s bruising style of running has been swapped out for more speed and finesse, the emphasis on physicality is still very much alive.
The new offense is not about running through defenders, but rather around them, relying on smart blocking and misdirection to create the necessary space for explosive plays. One prime example of this came against Virginia, when Love turned a routine first-down carry into a 76-yard touchdown, running through defenders. The play worked because the offensive line had done its job — opening up small gaps that allowed Love to hit top speed, and the presence of the dual-threat quarterback, Riley Leonard, made the defense hesitate for just a moment, creating the space necessary for the big play.
The QB run threat, specifically with Leonard’s running ability, forces defenses to hesitate just enough, knowing that they can’t commit entirely to stopping the running backs. With each running play offering two potential ball carriers — Leonard or one of the backs — defenses are forced to second-guess, giving the offensive line an additional advantage in their blocking assignments. The result? More yardage on every play, and more opportunities for big runs that can change the course of a game.
Depth and Resilience: A Strength in Adversity
When blue-chip tackle Charles Jagusah went down, Irish fans were understandably concerned. But the concerns only grew when starting center Ashton Craig and premier guard Billy Schrauth were also sidelined. Losing key players on the offensive line could have derailed the offense, but Coach Joe Rudolph and the staff have done an exceptional job in developing depth. Backup linemen have stepped up, ensuring that the offense continues to function at a high level.
Despite the injuries, the line has consistently opened up space for the running backs and given Leonard enough time to pass the ball effectively. While you might not see defenders flat on their backs after every play, you’ll consistently see gold helmets working in sync to give the running backs the room they need to make plays. The plays are drawn up to maximize space — not just physical strength — ensuring that even when the offensive line isn’t 100%, the team can still execute its game plan.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Dreams Still Alive
As November winds down, the Irish find themselves in a strong position, with their playoff hopes still very much alive. But to reach the College Football Playoff, they’ll need to win the battle inside the tackle box, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
With their unique blend of explosive running backs, a mobile quarterback, and an offensive line that continues to improve under adversity, the Irish have everything they need to compete at the highest level. It’s clear that this offense thrives on space — and in the crunch time of late-season games, every yard counts. With the coaches and players in place, it’s hard not to like their chances of finishing the season strong and achieving their playoff goals.
In the end, more space might just be the key to making those dreams a reality
FaithInIrish Forever
FaithInIrish Forever

The Notre Dame Conundrum for the Playoff Selection Committee

What matters more to the Playoff Selection Committee, good wins or “good” losses? And is a 1-loss team always better than a 2-loss team?
In 2014, the first season that featured a four-team playoff, ESPN aired the initial rankings in primetime on October 28th. At that point in the season, Notre Dame was 6-1, with its only blemish being a controversial 4-point loss to #2 Florida State, the defending national champions. At that point in the season, Notre Dame only had one Top 25 win on its resume (a 17-14 win over #14 Stanford after a 4th-and-11 touchdown pass from Everett Golson to Ben Koyack with one minute left). Still, despite the dearth of quality wins, many media members pegged Notre Dame as a borderline Top 5 team given the near miss against Florida State two weeks prior. The Committee had other ideas. Notre Dame appeared 10th in the initial rankings, and they never rose higher, as the 2014 season turned into a disaster in November after a 55-31 thrashing at the hands of Arizona State was followed by three consecutive losses.
In the first season of the Playoff, the Committee’s rankings signaled that it valued good wins more than “good” losses. Flash forward ten seasons, and that premise seemed to hold true for most of the four-team playoff era, as the Committee generally rewarded teams with the best wins over teams that could only tout “good” losses.
In 2024, this same issue is creeping to the forefront. For example, how does the Committee evaluate 8-1 Penn State, a team that lacks quality wins (zero Top 25 wins), but has a “good” loss to 8-1 Ohio State. Despite lacking quality wins, Penn State was 6th in the first rankings by virtue of its “good” loss to Ohio State. Notre Dame was ranked 10th despite having two Top 25 wins. Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois seemed to drag the Irish down, as they found themselves ranked lower than five other 1-loss teams (Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Penn State, Tennessee), despite having more Top 25 wins than four of them (Texas and Penn State have zero, while Tennessee and Ohio State have one).
Not only is there a question of how the Committee compares good wins to “good” losses, but there is also a question of whether 1-loss teams will continue to be looked upon more favorably than 2-loss teams. That was always the case in the four-team playoff, but in the twelve-team playoff, it is a question that has yet to be answered. That may change this week.
While Notre Dame moved up to 8th in this week’s AP Poll after a 52-3 demolition of hapless Florida State, things have gotten murkier as the SEC. The 16-team power conference currently features a glut of teams (eight) with two or fewer conference losses. The 2024 Playoff is shaping up to be a battle between Notre Dame and the SEC for a coveted spot in the 12-team playoff. How does the Committee compare the 1-loss Irish to the 2-loss teams from what is widely-regarded as college football’s best conference?
While it’s unclear what the Committee will do with Notre Dame this week, statistics (and the “eye test”) support Notre Dame not only maintaining its Top 10 ranking but moving up. Week 11 saw Miami (previously ranked 4th) suffer its first loss against Georgia Tech, a team that Notre Dame beat by 18 points two weeks prior, Georgia (ranked 3rd) suffer its second loss to Ole Miss by 18 points, and Alabama (ranked 11th) beat 15th ranked LSU 42-13 in Baton Rouge. What does the Committee do with 1-loss Notre Dame and the following 2-loss SEC teams: Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia?
If the Committee still values quality wins over everything else, then Notre Dame should be ranked 8th or 9th, moving ahead of 1-loss Miami and 2-loss Georgia. Notre Dame has two Top 25 wins, with the road win at Texas A&M looking better each week and the Louisville win becoming more impressive after the Cardinals thumped Clemson in Death Valley last weekend. The problem for Notre Dame is that its two Top 25 wins are equaled by Georgia (Clemson and Texas) and Ole Miss (South Carolina and Georgia). While Georgia has two impressive wins, their two losses (and other near misses) probably relegate them to a spot behind Notre Dame, which is reflected in the AP Poll where Notre Dame is ranked 8th and Georgia is ranked 11th. The key question is whether Alabama and Ole Miss, which both rank behind Notre Dame in the AP Poll at 9th and 10th, respectively, stay behind the Irish in the second College Football Playoff rankings set to be released tonight. It’s hard to argue against Alabama moving past Notre Dame (and others) because the Tide have four Top 25 wins (Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri, LSU), which is more than any other team in the country. While Ole Miss has the same number of Top 25 wins as Notre Dame, it has a second loss. How the Committee ranks these SEC teams compared to Notre Dame will say a lot about whether Notre Dame can move up enough to host a First Round Playoff game.
For Notre Dame fans, while the last seven weeks have been filled with Irish blowouts, the Northern Illinois loss remains in the minds of the voters. That loss is, by far, the worst loss among the true College Football Playoff contenders. Yet, Notre Dame should be in a position to host a Playoff game by virtue of its two Top 25 wins and its average 34-point margin of victory over the last seven weeks. While Notre Dame’s strength of schedule has been a talking point (and deservedly so), Notre Dame’s offensive and defensive rankings are impressive. FEI, which accounts for disparate SOS by ranking teams based on opponent-adjusted efficiency, ranks Notre Dame 14th on offense, 5th on defense, and 8th overall, behind only Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Penn State, and Georgia, and ahead of Indiana, Miami, Tennessee, and BYU.
So, the question remains, will Notre Dame continue to be punished for the Northern Illinois loss and get jumped by one or two 2-loss SEC teams this week, or will the Committee continue to value Notre Dame’s wins more than its bad loss?
tneun89
tneun89

Kyle Rudolph Interview

Notre Dame commit and #1 ranked TE talks to DomerDomain.com about his future with the Irish, and some recruiting too.
 
1) After seeing the first 5 games, how do you think Notre Dame implements the TE into their game plan?
 
Well from seeing this past week I think Coach Weis does a nice job of getting multiple TE's into the game...not only was John in, but Will gets in a lot and Ragone saw some minutes as well. Then John had 5 catches and a TD.
 
2) Are you still a solid verbal after an 0-5 Notre Dame start, and if yes/no, why?
 
Yes. I know Notre Dame is the right place for me both in football and as a student.
 
3) Are other schools still trying to recruit you? If so, which ones?
 
Not really, coach Ramsey [high school coach] does a nice job of keeping them away.
 
4) Do you have much contact with any other ND ’08 recruits? Do you know if they’re all still committed?
 
I do talk to some of them from time to time, and yes, I think they're still all in.
 
5) Are you planning on coming up to Notre Dame for an official visit? If so, which game?
 
I’m coming up for the BC game, but that isn’t my official. I'm not sure when I will make my official.
 
6) What was the biggest reason you chose Notre Dame?
 
After the great football program, it had to be the people and the atmosphere.
 
7) There’s been talk about certain Notre Dame recruits looking at other schools. How do you think this affects coach Weis’ policy on “If you’re looking, we’re looking.”
 
I’m not familiar with that policy, but I would say that’s fair.
 
8) Do you know any recruits who are looking at ND strongly as of now? Who do you believe the next commit will be?
 
I’m not sure. I hope its Mike Floyd. He was at camp with me this summer and seemed to like ND.
 
 
Nick Ironside
Nick Ironside

Deion Walker Interview

Deion Walker, a 4-star wide receiver out of Christchurch, Virginia recently spoke to DomerDomain.com about his trip to Notre Dame. 1) How was your visit overall? What did you like about it?
 
Yea we really had fun…I liked chilling with the players
 
2) What would you say was the best part of the game atmosphere/game it self?
 
The fans were really cool, and yea, it was kind of loud and the fans are very loyal, so that was a good thing.
 
3) Have you met any current Irish commits? Have they been recruiting you?
 
Yeah, I met Braxston and Steve and Darius…They were real cool.
 
4) What’s your favorite on campus site?
 
Touchdown Jesus, I got to take a ton of pictures there.
 
5) How high would you rank ND now on your list? Is it up there with teams like FSU and USC?
 
It’s hard to say because I haven’t seen them but it’s at the tops. In the top with the rest.
 
6) What’s the hardest part of being a wide receiver? Your favorite?
 
The hardest is not having a quarterback…my favorite is making a big play
 
7) How were the coaches? What did you think of their overall mentality?
 
The coaches are really cool, they were very straight forward and that’s the thing I liked the most about them.
 
 
Nick Ironside
Nick Ironside

DD Welcomes Fla CB, Lo Wood!

It sure is good to land a prospect over rival Michigan. This 5'10" CB has shown the knack for locating the ball, all while displaying a toughness that can't be overlooked. With ten major offers on the table, one stood out the most. Our Lady of the Lake. Welcome to Notre Dame Mr. Wood, we'll be the fanatics following you from here on out!
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

All That Glitters Is Not Gold?

Hype: Excessive publicity and the ensuing commotion.
 
Did I rip this straight off of the first credible definition found from a Google search? Yeah, I did. Based on everything else that is been said leading up to the eighty-second meeting of Notre Dame and USC, that seems to be the gold standard of thoughtfulness and insight behind this game.
 
It is all too easy to say things on the internet, in front of a camera, or to a microphone that are half thought out and dripping with unnecessary drama. By the same token, it is just as easy as it is to become consumed by the pomp and circumstance being poured into tonight's match up.
 
Newly christened gold helmets – now with added sparkle!
 
Brian Kelly's winks and nudges towards the inevitability of alternate uniforms.
 
Notre Dame's first night game since the death of the beeper.
 
Kelly camping out in Bristol, Connecticut a week in advance of game day.
 
Speculation on grass height. That's right, you heard me.
 
Chuck Martin playing Pied Piper to dozens of elite high school prospects, with their own form of sparkles next to their names as well.
 
Kiffin calling this game Notre Dame's Super Bowl, and being honored to be a part of our history – tongue, meet cheek.
 
You see, that’s just what they want you to think about. If the powers that be throw enough nostalgic, flashy, enticing, exciting, and emotional words and images at their fan bases, the waters are muddied and replaced with this ambiguous, ominous feeling of “What if?” Kiffin vowing to never lose to Notre Dame again. This highlight reel of USC posterising the Irish for a decade. That Ronald Johnson's drop heard 'round the world. This Robert Hughes pushing the pile into the end zone. That Youtube; ATTACK!
 
You know what none of those things will impact?
 
Tonight's final score.
 
The fact remains that none of these factors being discussed address the reality of what we will see transpire Saturday night between the lines. The “swag” of ND's jerseys will not make Cierre Wood run any harder. Kiffin's personal feelings about it's significance to Notre Dame's histrionics will not make Nick Perry any more physical at the point of attack. Kiffin, media, and others alike want you to think that those things matter. They want you to soak it in and become consumed by all things unimportant. They want you to watch the birdie.
 
Once the sediments of sentiment settle in, and the muddied waters become clear again, all you have left to see is a reflection of you and your opponent. That is all this game really is. You vs. Them.
 
Its Notre Dame. Its Southern Cal. Lets get down to it.
 

Why the Irish?
 
Its easy to make excuses for being 4-2. Too easy, in fact. Reality is, this team entered the 2011 season without an identity, despite everyone's best guess leading up to opening kick against South Florida. While progress has been made in execution and discipline, this team still has yet to repent for it's sinful turnover ratio after it's first two games. Especially when considering how much the athletically average Tommy Rees struggled to keep the ball out of Trojan mitts last year, it would be foolish to assume the Irish are immune to getting in their own way.
 
The simple fact is this is the best offensive line Notre Dame has enjoyed in about a decade. They keep Tommy Rees upright (to the tune of less than 1 sack a game), and they give both Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray UPS truck sized holes to run through (as evidenced in their team average of 6.0 YPC).
 
Its a position nuanced and inglorious enough that is almost immune to all hype, and yet it remains the backbone to any decent football team. This year's Irish squad is no different in that regard. For the first time since I emerged from my Y2K bunker, I feel that our line can hang with whatever waves of Trojan edge rushers are thrown at us.
 
They, in turn, enable the Irish to try and exploit their one clearest mismatch, found in Notre Dame's receiving corps. Most feel that Michael Floyd is a one-man band driving the rhythm and sound of Brian Kelly's spread offense. Those that do are significantly miscalculating the caliber of player Tyler Eifert is. He's tall (6'6”), he's big (250), has great hands, and looks like a giant, hairy wide receiver when flexed out next to our 6'3” 224 pound battering ram in Floyd.
 
Like it or not, verbal jumping jacks won't change the inherent mismatch posted by fielding a pair of big, physical, speedy receivers who are as close to money as you'll find with the ball in the air. And as long as USC's Nickell Robey surrenders 7 and 10 inches respectively to these two, odds are the Irish will win that match up should it come to fruition. Floyd has a history of pulverizing shorter corners (Michigan's Boubicar Cissoko in 2009), so Kelly's shifting of X's and O's on offense should be a consistent advantage.
 
The final feather in Notre Dame's cap is the depth of their defensive front. For once, the Irish enjoy the perks of having athletes worthy of rotating in along the front seven. This is not to say that guys like Stephon Tuitt, Aaron Lynch, Troy Niklas, or Sean Cwynar are equal to the starters they relieve, but for once, the 2nd name on the two deep brings a unique skill set to the table rather than simply a fresh pair of legs.
 
The size and speed of this versatile front is designed to harass pro style offenses, which happens to be the scheme deployed by Southern Cal. If the Irish win Saturday night, it is because their line keeps #11 upright, creates holes for our backs, allows Rees to find a sizable advantage in his two favorite receivers, and in turn the defense nips at Barkley's heels enough to throw them out of rhythm.
 

Why the Trojans?
 
To say this group compares to the powerhouses Pete Carroll trotted out for a decade of dominance would be far too generous. His defenses were embarrassed to give up more than 30 in a game, let alone back-to-back 40+ point outbursts. The affects of scholarship restrictions and no-strings-attached transfers are clear at a few positions on the roster.
 
Even when they have won this year, it hasn't been pretty, and it hasn't been against opponents that make fans and pollsters believe, as is evidenced by their omission from the AP Top 25 despite a 5-1 record.
 
Still, that's not to say they're dead in the water. Robert Woods IS that one-man-band, totaling a staggering 60 receptions in just six games. In the slot, on the reverse, split out wide, motioned into the backfield – you name it, he does it, and he does it well most every time. Likewise, Matt Barkley is no slouch in his own right. Known for both Jekyll and Hyde moments, the one consistent connection in LA these past two seasons has been Barkley to Woods. Barkley nor Woods may have the stature and accolades of names like Lienart and Williams, but don't be fooled by the measuring sticks of past – these two can play.
 
Likewise, the star power of USC's skill positions still needs to be considered. George Farmer had every school in America drooling over his promise at receiver, and USC decided to move him to running back just for giggles – because they could afford to. When names like Dillon Baxter aren't even dressing, the hype surrounding USC's demise seems rather overstated and premature. No, their defense doesn't have Troy Polamalu, Sedrick Cody, Rey Maualuga, and other Trojan legends patrolling the field, but it does have plenty of dynamic talent waiting in the wings and on the field still searching for an identity.
 
If USC finds a way to resolve it's identity defensively, that caliber of athlete is still present in a way that would be felt rather immediately. All that they need is for a light bright enough to shine on the right path, and they're dangerous.
 
Furthermore, their special teams unit can't be ignored. I'm sure there are those in So Cal who have started a swinging gate drinking game, but ignoring the relatively cute concept of catching PAT defenses “napping”, the Irish have struggled with special teams all year, while SC has it's fair share of standouts.
 
Kicker Andre Heidari is enjoying a fabulous season of perfection on PATs while missing all but one of his 11 field goal attempts. Offensive tackle Matt Khalil owns the most blocked kicks in all of college football this year with 4, a fact which seemingly picks at a scab for Notre Dame, as they've bundled their fair share of snaps and kick opportunities this year without the gigantic Khalil playing the role of windmill.
 
To say that any of their return men are average athletes is a huge oversight on their overall team speed. If the Trojan faithful are to raise their glasses in praise and glory Saturday night, they will be toasting Barkley to Woods, the fact that any grass shenanigans couldn't slow down their fleet of athletes, and that special teams helped turn the tide while allowing Southern Cal to play with a lead on defense.
 

Net Worth
 
Neither team is without evident flaws. Neither team is devoid of tangible strengths either. Those strengths and weaknesses will decide who wins tonight - not who Lee Corso picks from East Lansing, or whatever celebrities are caught on camera from the stands at half time or on commercial break. No matter how many gimmicks and sugary sentences spill out in advance of tonight's 7:30 EST kickoff, the fact remains that this is still the same game being played by two teams who don't like each other very much. Pure, simple, dislike.
 
I see the proverbial war in the trenches tipping the scales in favor of the Irish just enough to get ahead and stay there. I don't doubt that Lane Kiffin will trot out something creative and effective on special teams to give Irish faithful a scare, but the injury to Trojan running back Marc Tyler will prove too much to overcome offensively.
 
Whether its Cierre Wood or Jonas Gray, the ground attack will set up Rees to find Eifert in the back of the end zone for pay dirt glory in the red zone. Barkley keeps his team close, but throws them out of contention late in the game as the depth of Notre Dame's front seven proves too much.
 
If you're looking for one sizzle prediction, newly minted punt returner Michael Floyd goes out with a bang in his final game against the Trojans - flips field position with the kind of physical punt return Tommy Zbikowski would be proud of, firing up crowd and team alike in the early going.
 
Irish pull away in a game without any frills sans some special teams excitement. Notre Dame 34, USC 21.
Donjuan
Donjuan

Our Latest RB Offer

Here's some footage of recently offered CA RB, Cameron Roberson. He looks to have good size standing slightly over 6 feet tall, and weighing around 215 pounds. Holding eight offers and looking for more, Cameron hopes to makes his decision some time after his senior year.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Another Day, Another Verbal

DD welcomes FLA CB, Spencer Boyd! With the earlier commitment of LB Kendall Moore, Spencer joins as lucky number thirteen. With it coming down to the Irish, the Wolverines, and the Bulldogs of Georgia; Mr. Boyd couldn't turn his back on Notre Dame according to his father. "It's a place we all hoped he would pick from the beginning" said his dad to a local newspaper covering the official announcement slated for tomorrow night. With the cat already out of the bag--thanks to pops--Domerdomain welcomes the latest, quality pickup for the 2010 class.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Red Zone Threat

Not every day do you see a physical, fast, sure-handed receiver all in one; but today is different. While it sounds like Kyle will be taking his official visits before any type of a decision is made, if Notre Dame can finally live up to it's talent-insinuated hype, the Irish will stand a great chance at landing this Chicago star.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Cold Playing The Competition

Recent weeks of speculation about Chris's plans on taking more visits, has left a certain uneasy feeling in many twice-bitten Notre Dame fans. Although the rumors were squashed and a re-dedication was made, it seems as though the wolves are always there fighting off the "no's" with a salesman-type efficiency. In any case, a collective sigh will be heard nation-wide once that pen hits the paper. In this video you can see the weight gain and his versatility. Couple that with his high motor and higher football IQ, and you get an elite, five-star prospect. All we can do now is win, let them follow our lead.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Blowing It Up

Josh is 6'2" and weighs a robust 225. His max on the benchpress is 355 pounds, while his max squat is a hefty 495 pounds. He runs a 4.5 forty and also carries a 3.3 GPA. He has offers from everybody and their moms, and when I say moms, I mean the whole western United States. He likes to hike through opposing teams, and long walks on your face as well. With a knack for blowing up blind dates on the field, Josh enters our hearts as a possible future partner. Here's a video of Josh Shirley expressing his inner-most feelings. What's not to love?
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Cameron Oh Cameron

Cameron Roberson is a name on the tip of every recruitnik's tongue. Darius Walker meets a healthy Robert Hughes so to speak, would be a fair comparison. Standing a little over 6 feet tall and weighing 215 pounds, Cameron would bring an already-sturdy, college football-type of body to one lucky team. With offers up and down the west coast, this 4-star Californian back should be hard to pull, right? Not according to recent reports. It's been said Mr. Roberson is "really excited" about his Notre Dame offer and that it won't take much to get his pledge. We shall see though as we've all heard this before. Maybe I should just say we have no chance with him so that we can all be excited if he commits? Consider Cameron a bonus get. A big bull of a back but with the shiftiness needed for running Charlie's screen game--but we have no chance at him, zero.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Shawshanked

Explosive playmaking ability has shot this defensive-back up to an elite level of recruitment. Can the Irish lure him in with the possibility of two Florida boys manning the backfield? One thing's for sure though. dem Florida boys are off the hizzo...or in proper vernacular, these Florida athletes are very athletic. Who'd want to throw on them? That's the message being sent to Palmdale by staff and other verbals. Others referring to Chris Martin in particular. I'm pulling for Chris to reign him in.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Possible Number Three

With Duval sidelined with a knee injury, Shaq looks to step up and grab the thrid WR spot. And with everything we're hearing he seems to have made quite the argument on why he should be on the bus. Quickness and a knack for making big plays will add a dimension to the typical possesional third receiver role we've all become accustomed to. Two burners on the outside, a great sure-handed slot guy who can go the distance at will, and a tower streaking down the middle on a seam route will make for a hard cover. We'll see tomorrow who has made the cut, but I bet we'll be seeing Mr. Evans' name on that list.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Roberson Is Irish!

Cameron Roberson saw enough on Saturday to make it official that he would join the up-and-rising Irish next year. At 6'1" 215 pounds, Cameron brings some good size for our FB position which is currently in dire need. He ran for around 1,500 yards on 226 caries as a junior and looks to surpass that this season. With offers from Arizona, UDub, Northwestern, BYU amd assumingly UCLA; this Newbury Park, CA native was definitely noticed by the west coast, but made the call to Charlie in then end. Domer Domain welcomes Cameron to Notre Dame and looks forward to following his senior season! Glad you're here "Robo", glad you're here!
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Giovanni Bernard is Irish!

Domer Domain welcomes Giovanni Bernard as Notre Dame's 17th commitment! Standing at 5'9" and weighing in at 195 pounds, Gio has a low center of gravity and is known for his excellent balance. His vision is solid allowing for his offensive line to set the table for him, leading to more from less. Alabama, Florida, Florida St., Miami, Nebraska, Oregon St, and Tennessee have also offered Bernard so it's nice to be able to win with such a heavy-hitting cast making their pitch to him. Giovanni Bernard plays for St. Thomas Aquinas, a school that also hosts other Notre Dame offers. Maybe some of this will rub off?
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Tough Shoes To Fill

Who will step up to the plate with this playmaker heading off into the sunset? The list is long and the talent is wide. From Floyd to Goody, to Parris to Shaq, maybe even a Walker in there too; the cupboard is not empty and Kelly will have a nice array of alternatives to choose from. Besides Floyd, I suspect we'll be seeing a lot of the Hoosier Shaqtus. His measurements are small but he has the raw athleticism to cause major headaches for other teams. Golden's hands are gone and his shoes will be tough to fill, but we still have talent--and not to mention a very quick Toma. But look for Shaq to step up and become the second option. A Marty Gilyard comparison can definitely be made and his shoes will be hard to fill as well.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

In The Rough?

Congratulations to Justin Utupo for winning Lineman of the Year by the LA Times! The 6'2", 235 pound DE from Lakewood, California proved all year what a strong work habit and a perpetual motor will do for you. According to his coach, Thadd MacNeal, "Justin was the heart and soul of our defense and he made all the little plays he was supposed to make and then he made the Notre Dame-type plays." We, that is all of us who sit at home and judge recruits off of an oft'-flawed star-rating system, tend to place the "Justins" of our class on the back burner, usually forgetting and quite often referring to them as a star and not as an individual talent like they should be. Well Mr. Utupo's not going down quietly and he deserves praise by muchisima gente'--or many people. This class has the feel of a 'diamond in the rough' type of class, but Justin is already gleaming bright!
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

Practice Makes Perfect?

Every now and then, I read or watch something that triggers a flashbulb-type thought that I have to write something about. Watching the epitome of selfishness on this video got me thinking. How important is practice? Can practice be too business-like?
 
After watching Notre Dame play uninspired ball for yet another year, and having seen the changes made in practice philosophy--i.e. the Irish Eyes drill; I wonder to myself if tempo and over-thinking a complicated scheme would lead to slower looking/performing team play.
 
If you ever want a treat, go check out a practice at a lower level college, say Toledo, and look at the simplistic ways which players are taught. See Spot run, tackle Spot or run stadium stairs. Now obviously not all colleges are this basic by nature and some require hours upon hours of film study, but does all this over-thinking hurt an athlete's natural instinct to attack on pulse without the cognitive getting in the way?
 
I think it does. Now don't call me a buffoon yet, please hear me out. I'm not suggesting that Notre Dame's problems are all related to complicated practice routines, but I do think it adds to the confusion we often see on our LB's faces as they blitz and a TE runs a seam route right past them for a 20 yard gain.
 
Practicing the right way will be an important foundation for Brian Kelly and his new staff. How we scrimmage Tuesday through Thursday will directly effect how we play on Saturdays. "Getting back to basics" is a popular halftime phrase used by coaches to explain how their team will have to adjust to the other teams' first half success, but in our case rings particularly true.
 
Building a foundation of good practice will perhaps allow the chains of indecision to fall off and for once, afford us fans the luxury of watching a controlled, passionate team playing with fire and intensity. Practice makes perfect.
 

Donjuan
Donjuan

A Guy Walks Into a Barr...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg141/donjuan190/anthony.jpg

When Charlie Weis recruited Anthony Barr, the message was clear. "You're best suited as a LB in the pros so that's where I'll put ya" was the mutual understanding. Being 6'4" and weighing 230 doesn't normally translate over to the RB position; normally. But when Brian Kelly talked with Anthony, the message was different. "We need playmakers on the field, and if that means you'll be playing on offense; so be it."

I think Anthony Barr liked the idea of being able to compete at a position he's excelled at throughout his highschool career, and according to my peeps, will be inking with the Irish in early February. Look for more concentration on the college side of things when it comes to recruiting from Brian Kelly and staff; after all, this is college and someone will undoubtedly walk into this Barr.

Donjuan
Donjuan