31-13, Just in Case Anyone Forgot

[2lakes 4]

That was the score last year, and Notre Dame had 31.

 

This is what happens when Notre Dame plays tough, smart football, with nothing to lose, for 4 quarters.

 

So those of you doubting we can beat Sparty, remember that this year's teams are not that much different than last. Yes, a year's worth of players are gone, and a year's worth of new ones are here. Still, this year's ND team is better than the one that, but for a defender falling down on a faked FG, would have beaten MSU two years ago; and this year's team has the same core of players who beat the Spartans by 18 last year.

 

Looking through the highlights, yes, Floyd had a big game, Blanton had a big game, and Lynch had a big game; and, yes, they are gone.

 

But Cierre had a big game too, and he is back and rested. KLM, Tuitt, Ishaq, and Nix are back, and they are all better than ever. Ditto for Te'o. In Day, we've added a talented freshman to the depth, and as a freshman he will improve by leaps and bounds.

 

GA3 is back, and now we've also got a punt returner who could take one to the house if he gets two good blocks.

 

An all new and improved Riddick is a guy they haven't really seen yet, but they will Saturday.

 

Eifert is ready to go ballistic, while Koyack and Niklas double the firepower at an already lethal TE position. Guys like Martin, Lombard, and Cave had their one bad game; but a renewed emphasis on the run will solve that by allowing those guys to go back on the attack.

 

Last but not least, we got Golson now. And he is just about ready for prime time.

Edited September 13, 2012 by 2lakes

[corysold 0]

If "just about" was a little closer to "almost" I'd be right with you.

[SpeedsterX 751]

Ok, Oklahoma! What did you do with 2Lakes??? I smell something fishy!

[corysold 0]

There is a lot of merit to this post.

 

Yes, they have Gholston, but we have Tuitt. Different style players, but equally disruptive.

 

Do they have a Nix at DT?

 

Is their second DE equal to Kap?

 

They don't have a Te'o.

 

We don't have their corners.

 

They don't have an Eifert.

 

Both teams have young QB's.

 

They have Bell, we have Wood, Riddick, GAIII.

 

There O-Line is pretty good. Our O-Line should be pretty good.

 

There is plenty on both sides, but I don't see one area where Michigan St. is just so much better than ND that this shouldn't be a game.

[phony 0]

There is a lot of merit to this post.

 

Yes, they have Gholston, but we have Tuitt. Different style players, but equally disruptive.

 

Do they have a Nix at DT?

 

Is their second DE equal to Kap?

 

They don't have a Te'o.

 

We don't have their corners.

 

They don't have an Eifert.

Both teams have young QB's.

 

They have Bell, we have Wood, Riddick, GAIII.

 

There O-Line is pretty good. Our O-Line should be pretty good.

 

There is plenty on both sides, but I don't see one area where Michigan St. is just so much better than ND that this shouldn't be a game.

 

Sims is a helluva player, though.

 

Different type of TE, but no less dangerous (Reminds me of a Dwayne Allen type TE). Limiting his effectiveness is the key to the game for ND, in my opinion.

 

Watch: MSU's going try and get him involved early to open up their outside throwing game, and force ND out of the box for Bell . . .

[drfishopolis 2]

You know who I bet hasn't forgotten 31-13? MSU.

 

I hope we kill them again this year, but I think they are a legitimate top-10 team playing at home, at night, and with a score to settle. Don't get me wrong, we can still beat them, but they aren't going to give a weak performance similar to last year's.

[Rockets Revenge 0]

Sims is a helluva player, though.

 

Different type of TE, but no less dangerous (Reminds me of a Dwayne Allen type TE). Limiting his effectiveness is the key to the game for ND, in my opinion.

 

Watch: MSU's going try and get him involved early to open up their outside throwing game, and force ND out of the box for Bell . . .

 

You are spot on. I think Sims is the key to their offensive game plan and his effectiveness will probably determine the game. We know Fox and Calbrese suck in pass coverage so it will be up to Slaughter (mostly) and Motta to try to neutralize Sims. If they can't ND will probably lose.

[ErickJD08 0]

There is a lot of merit to this post.

 

Yes, they have Gholston, but we have Tuitt. Different style players, but equally disruptive.

 

Do they have a Nix at DT?

 

Is their second DE equal to Kap?

 

They don't have a Te'o.

 

We don't have their corners.

 

They don't have an Eifert.

 

Both teams have young QB's.

 

They have Bell, we have Wood, Riddick, GAIII.

 

There O-Line is pretty good. Our O-Line should be pretty good.

 

There is plenty on both sides, but I don't see one area where Michigan St. is just so much better than ND that this shouldn't be a game.

 

Should is the key word there. If the OL played up to their potential, we would have smoked Purdue. So that's the key to the game I think, if we can establish the run and protect EG, we win.

[nd1989 216]

I read somewhere they've won 15 in a row at home. This will be a tough tough game.

[BlackIrish42 0]

And all the people on her last week reminding us how we ran all over Purdue last year and how we could expect to do the same this year?? Hmmm? How'd that prediction go?

 

LOL! Last year means nothing in CFB...

[hawaiiirish 62]

I think last year likely means a little something-- our QB was upgraded their QB was downgraded---indeed i think if we simply evaluate these teams in a vacuum its VERY easy to make strong case for ND .

 

But as i posted in the kelly's biggest game thread--

 

NOTRE DAME HAS NOT BEATEN A TOP TEN TEAM IN ITS LAST NINE TRIES GOING BACK TO WEIS vs MICHIGAN IN 2005!

 

MSU HAS WON 15 STRAIGHT AT HOME!

 

Our players vs their players looks like anybody's game to me , maybe an edge to ND----

 

Take those other factors into account and it looks like a HOPE & A PRAYER!

 

Funny---

 

Will be interesting to see how reality stacks up to expectations & history!

 

aloha's

[SanDiegoIrish 0]

Granted, we may be without Te'o if he decides to head back home, which is completely warranted given the situation. But as with the other positions, it's all about next-man-in, and I still think we're in good shape without him.

[piratey 6]

Granted, we may be without Te'o if he decides to head back home, which is completely warranted given the situation. But as with the other positions, it's all about next-man-in, and I still think we're in good shape without him.

 

Where is this Te'o back home news coming from??? I've seen it mentioned on here a couple of different places but no sources..

[nd1baby 0]

yes, no sources anywhere except this board and that twitter

[hawaiiirish 62]

My guess is that Mant'i will play saturday and come home sunday for a couple of days---i'm sure he will have the staff & teams support whatever decision he makes, but i expect him to play saturday.

 

aloha's

[OklahomaIrish 0]

Ok, Oklahoma! What did you do with 2Lakes??? I smell something fishy!

 

 

He woke up to smell the roses!!

[IrishMax 0]

Last but not least, we got Golson now. And he is just about ready for prime time.

Surprised at this quote from you. This is game 3 for EG. Last week against a mediocre Purdue team, he was shaky with the play calling, and shakier in the 4th quarter. Definitely had his good moments, but nothing that I would call close to prime time.

Against Purdue, for god's sake.

Yes, he will continue to improve and most likely have some prime time moments - even possibly games - this year. But this will be a year of slowly improving fits and starts that will/should eventually overcome the main description of him this year: inconsistent.

Next year, whatever results from the competition between EG's experience and Gunner's abilities, the qb should be a whole lot more consistent, on a higher level that could probably be defined as prime time.

 

I just hope to god that EG survives the big hits he's going to get this year (actually, my biggest fear this year), so that he can gain the experience needed for significant growth and improvement.

[2lakes 4]

Surprised at this quote from you. This is game 3 for EG. Last week against a mediocre Purdue team, he was shaky with the play calling, and shakier in the 4th quarter. Definitely had his good moments, but nothing that I would call close to prime time.

Against Purdue, for god's sake.

Yes, he will continue to improve and most likely have some prime time moments - even possibly games - this year. But this will be a year of slowly improving fits and starts that will/should eventually overcome the main description of him this year: inconsistent.

Next year, whatever results from the competition between EG's experience and Gunner's abilities, the qb should be a whole lot more consistent, on a higher level that could probably be defined as prime time.

 

I just hope to god that EG survives the big hits he's going to get this year (actually, my biggest fear this year), so that he can gain the experience needed for significant growth and improvement.

 

Hey, it's Thursday. No time to be insecure now.

[IrishMax 0]

Hey, it's Thursday. No time to be insecure now.

Realism.

Remember that word?

And why does realism have to mean insecure?

There's worlds of distance between insecure and prime time.

How about adequate?

With adequate you can still get your win without being over slurpy. You start expecting prime time, you then get disappointed with good old-fashioned adequate. If EG is adequate this week, with some bad but enough good, I'll be thrilled. And so should you be.

Oklahoma Soma can easily lead to unnecessary acid indigestion. Take a step back into reality again. You might even enjoy it without chewing through all of your fingernails when Prime Time is off commentating for ESPN.

.......:spider:.......:spider:.......:spider:.....

[NDhoosier 1,336]

Dont worry, Te'o is planning on playing at East Lansing.

 

"It's been confirmed by Eric Hansen that Manti will play on Saturday against Michigan State."

[piratey 6]

Dont worry, Te'o is planning on playing at East Lansing.

 

"It's been confirmed by Eric Hansen that Manti will play on Saturday against Michigan State."

 

And then I read this:

"It's been confirmed by Pregame that Rees will start on Saturday against Michigan State"

[2lakes 4]

Realism.

Remember that word?

And why does realism have to mean insecure?

There's worlds of distance between insecure and prime time.

How about adequate?

With adequate you can still get your win without being over slurpy. You start expecting prime time, you then get disappointed with good old-fashioned adequate. If EG is adequate this week, with some bad but enough good, I'll be thrilled. And so should you be.

Oklahoma Soma can easily lead to unnecessary acid indigestion. Take a step back into reality again. You might even enjoy it without chewing through all of your fingernails when Prime Time is off commentating for ESPN.

.......:spider:.......:spider:.......:spider:.....

 

Hey, gimme a break. I said "just about ready for prime time." This Saturday probably will be prime time, and I believe Golson will rise up and at the very least come close to meeting the challenge. That's more than adequete. Adequete is waking up and drinking microwaved cold coffee from the day before.

Edited September 14, 2012 by 2lakes

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,570]

I really want ND to Win

 

that's all the realism I need. Sorry Max call me what you will.

[IrishMax 0]

Hey, gimme a break. I said "just about ready for prime time." This Saturday probably will be prime time, and I believe Golson will rise up and at the very least come close to meeting the challenge. That's more than adequete. Adequete is waking up and drinking microwaved cold coffee from the day before.

OK 2L, after rereading your original post. I'll admit I may have been somewhat over presumptive, so I'll back off, with apologies, and just see how it goes tomorrow.

 

In actual fact, I have no idea what's going to happen in EL nor, for that matter at this point, anywhere along the line. This is a team with inexperience and holes - or potentially fatal wobbles - at various critical points. Whether our young talent is going to fill these vulnerabilities is something I can't predict after two very inconclusive games so far. As many have stated, that we will get stronger with each week that passes, I can also say the same about our opponents. Say what you will about any of them but there is a whole boatload of highly rated young talent that we will be facing who will emerge this year as unknown or unforeseen jewels. If we can get excited about the Golsons, Nixes, Tuitts, and Cam McDaniels of our NDN, our opponents I'm sure have hidden surprises for us as well.

 

Because of the nature of CFB, turnover is rapid and severe on a yearly basis and apart from the few powerhouses like Ala and USC who are able to reload fully stocked warehouses with elite replacements, the rest of us (including everyone on our schedule except Troy) are made up of a stream of always changing questions which can only be answered on game day.

 

To be sure our cupboard is filling up, which makes the future brighter. How that plays out should be met with patience, understanding and thoughtful analysis as opposed to expectations based on fantasy or short sighted personal prejudices and division, such as the ridiculous negative reactions to the Tommy Rees conclusion to the Purdue game.

Adequete is waking up and drinking microwaved cold coffee from the day before.

To me, adequate is waking up a winner. The way things have been going for the past decades, I would not mind at all waking up to twelve straight adequates and leave the flash for others to deal with.

.......:spider:.......:spider:......

As for

I really want ND to Win

that's all the realism I need. Sorry Max call me what you will.

I've got absolutely no problem with that, Faith.

What would I call you? A diehard Irish fan. And bless you for that!!

:thumb: