Phew!
I'll come back to ND in a minute.
OSU Will Get Crushed by USC
This is an extremely over-rated squad. The defense is service-able, but the offense has almost no identity. Decent players, good skill positions, but no identity. They seriously struggled to find any rhythm against Ohio, and they could've dropped that game just as easily as the actual result. Are they Top 25? Yes. Top 10? No way. This team will get mauled by USC. MAULED.
Michigan: More like Spread and Suck Except First 10 Minutes
The Michigan offense looked really good in the first quarter. Spreading Miami (OH) out a bunch, Threet running well. They actually looked like they had some competence. Congratulations to RichRod and the Offensive Staff for completely screwing that up. Abandoning that run threat offense, and messing around with Sheridan screwed up any momentum they had built up. RichRod, today, looked like a moron. And it almost cost them the game.
ECU is a Top 15 Team
Mark May is getting ahead of himself with his Top 10 call, but Skip Holtz has turned this into a good, solid team. This could be the BCS-buster squad of the 08-09 season. Obviously, WVU was over-rated, and just as obviously, Stew needs to learn that if it ain't broke don't fix it. Pat White is a QB that can run. Sure, you have him throw when he needs to, but you don't change an offense that was SO good a year ago this drastically. Stew is a nice guy, and I'd like to see him do well, but why did he mess with a formula that worked? To get a new, "unique" identity? Screw that, do what wins Stewie! Have Pat run first, throw second. Do it.
ND:
I Was Right\
Everyone that gave me shite about my pessimistic view on the team this year needs to seriously kiss some butt this week. Don't get me wrong, I HATE that I was right - but nonetheless, this team has a LONG way to go before we're good. Those kool-aid drinkers calling 11-0 going into USC??? Give me a break. I like the optimism, but I shouldn't get crap anymore when I was clearly more right than wrong. I'm sticking with 7-5, but lean more towards 6-6 than I do 8-4 after seeing us today.
The O-Line
Somehow, this 'pound it' team didn't look like it could do that at all. Even against a decimated and extremely under-sized DL. Seriously, they had EIGHT GUYS HURT on the DL, and we still couldn't blow a single guy off the line. The O line consistently got beat on running plays. Some of it was because of our younger guys in the TE position. They clearly need to learn how to block a bit better. But a lot was our core OL. Given the weight advantages, we should've been able to run the ball, at will, for 3-4 yard gains and just blow their DL back 2-4 yards every play. We couldn't. Something is wrong.
The good: We're much better at pass protection this year (more on why this is important in a minute). No sacks, Jimmy had time for most of the game. Also, there's definitely more cohesion in the line. The 'gelling' they all talked about is there.
We're Gonna Pound It? Complete B.S.
Charlie said we're gonna pound it. Haywood said that if the coach says we're gonna pound it, we're gonna pound it. Message to the coaches: Passing on 1st down, then running for 2 yards and setting up 3rd and 8 (which then forces a pass play) is not pounding it. At all. Pounding it is: 1st down for 2-5 yards. 2nd down run for 2-5 yards. 3rd down for 2-5 yards. Repeat, with a pass thrown in there to keep the D off balance. You guys never gave the O-line a chance to blow guys off the ball, because there was absolutely NO rhythm to the running game. To get that rhythm, you have to stick to the run.
Yeah, we ran okay in the 4th on a tired SDSU DL. But how can we pound it against a decent sized DL, if we can't do it today against dudes going 220?
Until I see a game where we consistently run the ball half the time or more, I will believe this coaching staff is incapable or unwilling to really pound it. This is a pass-happy offensive staff. There's nothing wrong with that, but if that's what you are - embrace it.
Jimmy
Jimmy looked pretty good today. He showed resilience and came back for a solid second half. Some of his decisions were seriously questionable, but so were some of the play calls. So some of it I pass on to Haywood. Overall, his arm is clearly a lot stronger, and he's more accurate.
Hold Onto the Freaking Ball
It's clear that turnovers was what made this a close game. Note to Hughes and Allen - you can run, that's great. Quit fumbling.
The D
Overall the D looked pretty good today. There was clearly a TON of pressure on the QB, even if the small number of sacks makes it seem like there wasn't. Lindley was rushed on ~50% of his plays, and that's a good thing. Our DL made some great plays, including deflected passes, and our Secondary held up okay.
But...we need to learn how to cover tighter in open space. I can't even believe how many times there was a random receiver wide open for a 6-7 yard gain. (90% of the time a TE). Somebody cover that dude! I know we don't want to give up the big play, but letting a guy pass for 7 yards at a time, all day, isn't a way to stop anyone either. I love the pressure we bring now - love it. But we need to be sure that our LBs and DBs in coverage stick to the opposing WRs like glue.
Golden Tate is a Legit Freaking Receiver
In my eyes, the kid was the best offensive player on the field today. Amazing progress in running routes, coming back to the ball, and field presence. He almost single-handedly (along with Jimmy) brought the Irish back in the 2nd half. AND he was robbed of that out patter for a 1st down (that we got anyway because of a penalty) Speaking of penalties...
Stop the Stupid Penalties
Just as important as taking care of the football, is not committing stupid penalties. We gave up at least 4 first downs this way. And while all SDSU points came off turnovers, these penalties kept drives alive. We need to focus on being aggressive on defense, yes. But also smart.
Summary
We won! Awesome. I'm pumped to see the Irish 1-0, especially after watching that first half!!!!
But...
But we were literally ONE PLAY (the fumble on our .0000000001 yard line) from losing to SDSU. One-one-thousandth-of-an-inch difference, and we lose. To a team that lost to Cal Poly last week. At Notre Dame Stadium. HUH? This team has a good base to grow from - some great young talent (Floyd, Rudolph, Clausen, Tate, Hughes/Allen, etc) on offense, but it still needs a lot of work. This team has a fairly cohesive defense that puts good pressure on, and an emerging DB corps led by McCarthy that played pretty well today. But the holes that were there today will only be bigger against better and better competition. This team needs to hammer out some of those first-game mistakes, and come back more energetic, sharper and more passionate for a FULL GAME next week. Else the Irish will be 1-1, even against the Spread n Suck led by a Rod of a Dick.
By OC Domer September 6, 2008 - 9:08 pm
Nice rundown. It looks like we saw it the same way. I think we could have pounded it if we had wanted to, but Haywood seemed determined to pass it. Maybe he wanted to show off #23 and #3.
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By DeepTeaKup September 6, 2008 - 9:39 pm
Biscuit,
Of course I beg to differ on your UM analysis. Yes it worked in the 1st quarter but Miami did manage to take Threet’s running threat away, because he could not pass at all downfield. Sheridan actually provided a bit of a spark in the 4th when the running game came alive.
ND’s suckitude was kind of a surprise to me. Only saw about 1/2 the game, probably watch the rest later. You may be right about the 7-5 prediction, good thing you have MSU on the road so ND at least has a chance at winning that one.
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By Jay-A September 6, 2008 - 9:56 pm
I know this sounds crazy given how close ND just came to what, undoubtedly, would have been one of the biggest (the biggest?) upsets in school history, but do you think the Irish were holding things back for next week? Think about it – Aldridge didn’t play at all, They never went back to Floyd after the touchdown, Rudolph didn’t get a lot of looks. I just can’t shake the feeling that, offensively, they left a lot on the table. I certainly prefer to think it was by design, rather than ineptitude.
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By LBAM September 6, 2008 - 10:54 pm
I think the new D scheme is going to get this team destroyed when they meet a team that has any idea how to run a screen or a draw. That shovel-pass play that worked for SDSU twice, first when buried in their own end-zone for a long gain? That’s gonna be much, much worse when a team with a real running game is on the field.
I do agree that Clausen and the pass protection were better. And I think I share your pessimism. 7-5 would be a good goal for this team.
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By trey September 6, 2008 - 11:26 pm
I agree with you on a few points, disagree on a few.
Where I disagree is the record. I STILL think we are going to go 9-3 minimum. Look around the NCAA, how many close upsets have there been this week and last week? Somehow, David has had a lot of emotion in the early part of these games. Also, I think we looked a hell of a lot better in our first game stumble than, say Michigan(sucks!) did in theirs. And not just because of the tally in the win column. We were able to progress at OUR pace, even though it wasnt sustained or a regular thing.
Secondly, as bad as the offense was(and im sure you read my shout during the game about it) god awful in the first 3/4 of the game. But when it came to crunch time, Jimmy’s experience and composure was able to hold it together and show a respectable performance in the 4th quarter. They always say defenses get it together before their offensive counterpart, and we’ll be able to work these kinks out. BTW, no freaking WAY that was a fumble by Hughes. Freaking knee was down for .3 of a second at LEAST before the ball came out. How the hell they didnt overturn that, I’ll never know.
Finally, I dont like the over-use of the blitz if its going to cause these 3-yard dink-and-run-for-12-yards plays. The purpose of a blitz is to a) put the QB on his ass, b) hurry the QB into bad decisions/mistakes and c) keep the OL on their heels allowing for run blocking miscues. None of that happened today. However, the D as a whole held very well, and for me, thats what I want out of a good D. I dont care if you get 20 sacks, 15 ints, whatever. If you keep points off the board, do whatever it takes to make that happen.
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By garvo23 September 7, 2008 - 9:12 am
I saw the first 1/2 and just like I thought after the game was over the slamming starts. It would have been great had ND really put the wood to SDSU throughout the game but it didn’t happen. Did it happen by design not so much. It seems to me that this program is held to a much higher standard than the rest of the football programs and regardless of the fact that this team had to be rebuilt from scratch they will never be looked at any other way. ND is damned if they do or damned if they don’t.
From what I saw of the OL they didn’t do too badly at all. Protected the QB better than last year and I did see them move the DL when they had to. Oh by the way who fumbled the ball and threw interceptions the OL DIDN’T. I believe the OL hasn’t forgotten what happen last year. Untill the turnovers stop the games will be close
Do I believe that they will win more than 9 no. But I do believe they will improve throughout the year. Just keep in mind the TY is 0-2 and Mark Mays is blaiming the REFS for their second lose. Never mind that TY just is a bad coach but don’t tell Mark that.
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By Bad Kermit September 7, 2008 - 11:39 am
Biscuit, Biscuit, Biscuit. I’ve been saying 6 wins all offseason. Thank GOD they won that game, but it was sinfully ugly.
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By KentAllard September 7, 2008 - 12:40 pm
I agree with your analysis, and I’m downgrading my 8-4 hopes to 5-7. Will we ever see a dominating performance by the ND line again? They should have overwhelmed SDSU, but barely escaped with their lives. I also missed the punt block because I was trying to find a sleazy doctor who would prescribe enough anti-depressants to get through this season. Next week’s game against those bastards isn’t looking good.
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By phreeblogger September 7, 2008 - 12:57 pm
The game stats show 34 running plays and 34 passing plays. How is that a “pass happy” offense? Also, even if SDSU scores on the goal line fumble ND wins 21-20. Plus the Irish were in scoring position when the game ended. At least a field goal at that point would have broken a 21-21 tie if it came down to that. The point is, we don’t automatically lose if the fumble doesn’t happen.
There is work to be done for sure. but I saw some positive things happen in this game. We’re much farther along this year than last year at this time.
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By ForeverFaust September 7, 2008 - 1:06 pm
D good. O line much better in pass protection. Run blocking did suck, but should improve (I hope). One thing I did not like yesterday was Jimmy’s performance. Too many times I seen him barring down on one side of the field looking for an open receiver. Many of those times, he wouldn’t even bother to look the other way. Remember the TD to Floyd? He went left both times even though the guy was double covered. Floyd was open each time. I also seen him do some of the same stupid things he did last year as a freshman. I hope he improves throughout this year or this guy could end up being another Jeff George (without the rocket for an arm).
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By The Biscuit September 7, 2008 - 1:41 pm
Phreeblogger – it was 34 run and 34 pass when the plan was ‘to pound it’. And, a big percentage of those runs came on the last 2 drives when we were trying to kill the clock. I bet if you did that same analysis before the last few minutes in the game, I bet it’s 75% pass.
And if SDSU gets in on the play where they fumbled, I would bet the farm that ND doesn’t come out and put together 2 solid drives like that. SDSU would’ve had a ton of momentum, the crowd would’ve gone out of it. I can’t be sure that we would’ve lost, but I can say the outcome would’ve been seriously in doubt. After watching the first 3/4s of that game, do you think we would’ve come back? There is such a thing as momentum, and spark, in CFB. And that fumble was our catalyst.
Listen folks, I’m not bashing. I love this team and want more than anything to see them succeed. I saw some good things out there and some improvement over last year. We have the potential to be a decent team this year. What I’m saying here is that those folks who were calling 11-0 or 10-1 going into USC were drinking way too much kool-aid. This team is still young and still learning, and things don’t just turnaround 180 in a single off-season because of some lifting and a year of experience.
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By Mr. Wednesday September 7, 2008 - 2:08 pm
SDSU’s fumble was paying back the gifts we gave them with turnovers deep in their territory. You what-if with that one, how about if the refs hadn’t blown the possible lateral dead (Smith would have run it back for 7), if Hughes hadn’t dropped the ball or had been ruled down (very likely would have led to 3 or 7), if Kamara hadn’t waved ineptly at the interception (very likely would have led to 3 or 7).
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By trey September 7, 2008 - 2:53 pm
I dont know what the criticism of the run game is, I thought it was going pretty well until Hughes went out after the fumble. He totally dominated that drive. Coaches probably didnt want to risk leaning on him too heavily before UM(sucks!).
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By The Biscuit September 7, 2008 - 11:11 pm
Wednesday, you’re right. But we shouldnt need ‘what if’s’ against SDSU. It should’ve been 100-6 in the 2nd qtr.
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By SanJuanVet September 7, 2008 - 11:17 pm
Sorry guys, anybody who believes that at this point Charlie would hold ANYTHING back is dreaming. Don’t look for ND to win vs. UM. Unless they have major changes from this game, they lose by three TD’s. Plain truth is that ND needs another coaching change. CW is simply not getting it done as a head coach.
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By ForeverFaust September 8, 2008 - 2:04 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention…Scalpers were selling tickets for $10.00 before tip-off outside the stadium. $10.00!!!! Maybe it is a sign…
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