The Irish are now 3-1 against streaks in the last 365 days. They've defeated the bowl game losing streak. They've defeated the MSU at home losing streak. And they've defeated the BC losing streak; the worst streak of them all. Sure, they came up at least one pass short of killing off the Losing to SC streak, but that's still pretty solid work. Had a new HC replaced Weis after the 2008 season, then the media would be heralding those streak-killing performances as proof positive that Notre Dame is now, for real, on a "Return to Glory." Anyway, now it's time to kill another streak: The failure to score 40 or more points in a regulation regular-season game.
Thanks to the excellent George Macor ND Football Database, we find it's been nearly three calendar years since the Irish put up 40 points on an opponent within 4 quarters of regular season football. The last time ND accomplished this was in November of 2006 against Army. That's astonishing when you consider that, in Weis' first 2 years at ND, the Irish scored 40 or more points 8 times.
And what an excellent week to get back in the habit! WSU currently ranks 119th in total defense and 111th in total offense. The Irish should be scoring so many points so often, that by the end of the game, we'll need to look up data about the last time the Irish scored 60. (It ain't happened since Holtz.)
By SDI October 27, 2009 - 12:37 pm
Good post DMQ. I was thinking about this just the other day–why ND doesn’t blow teams out anymore. Just off the top of my head I can remember a whole bunch of games from the 2005 season, beginning with Pitt and Purdue right of the bat, where the Irish just throttled people. With the exception of Hawaii, it’s been a long while. This year, I think it’s a result of shoddy D and special teams, combined with poor offensive execution–penalties and mental errors by the O line mostly. Also, Weis doesn’t seem to throw as many deep balls these days. Maybe it’s the lack of having reliable deep ball/jump ball receivers like Stovall and Shark, along with double teams on Tate. Hopefully that will change when Floyd gets back.
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By Trey October 27, 2009 - 1:37 pm
I cant decide if i want to go halloween costume or standard nd attire for the game. Should i dress up as a leprechaun or no?
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By JVH October 27, 2009 - 2:05 pm
It ain’t gonna happen. ND will go up by two scores and then Charlie will call off the dogs. It’s in his blood. No killer instinct.
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By domer.mq October 27, 2009 - 2:51 pm
JVH, that’s not really true though. In 2005, he beat practically every team ND beat by a bigger margin than anyone else beat those same opponents. Perhaps you’re just having a laugh, but may I point you to ’06 PSU or ’05 BYU?
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By Mark October 27, 2009 - 4:27 pm
Trey are you actually going to the game? If you are you, have two options:
1.) Green Man
2.) Dayman or Nightman
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By domer.mq October 27, 2009 - 6:49 pm
trey,
Go as a Pac-10 Ref’s flag for personal foul and never appear.
Or go as Bob Stoops. Carry around a big “1″ and keep losing it.
Or go as Jim Tressel. Just keep calling for a run right, up the gut.
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By The Biscuit October 27, 2009 - 11:12 pm
I recommend going as a non-sell-out ‘home game’, bc that’s what this is gonna be.
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