In Camping World Stadium there lived many a nightmare for Notre Dame fans. Not a nasty, windy, wet monsoon game, filled with questionable play-calling decisions and an all-to-familiar lack of execution, nor a game in Hard Rock Stadium where the mere presence of the Irish brings a blowout; it was the Citrus Bowl, and that means things could be different. Still, a game with rainy conditions, in Florida, on New Year's Day, facing an opponent with a solid defense, especially in the secondary ...
Josh Adams
Sunday School w/Padre: Victory & Defeat
“Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out.” So said Edwin Markham, the poet. And as the Irish defeat yet another ranked opponent by more than 20 points, climbing yet higher in the rankings themselves, perhaps it’s appropriate to ask whether a one-point loss to Georgia was better than a two-point victory that night. For truly, it served to shake the team, and their triumphs since then have indeed been glorious; but would they be in the same place today had they ...
Let’s Talk About Wimbush and Accuracy
We, as Notre Dame football fans, will always have an eagle eye out for anything that seems potentially broken. We can't help it. We've been hurt too much in the past. We constantly await for the other shoe to drop. So, as great as the win against Miami of Ohio was, we can't help but feel concerned about Brandon Wimbush's 7-18, 119 yard performance. Yes, three of those passes were for TD's, allowing for his QBR to not dovetail into horrendous territory, although a 61.5 will earn no more than a ...
My Early Prediction For Next Year
I was happy to turn the page on the new year if nothing else than to turn the calendar on one of the worst years of Notre Dame football that I can remember. Starting on New Year’s Day of 2016 and throughout the season it was seemingly one bad moment after another. Now with the national title playing out tonight, our long Notre Dame nightmare can end. Or can it? Since the end of this season, there have numerous coaching changes. When the Irish tee it up on opening day next year, the ...
Running Back: Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy
This preseason series highlights Notre Dame’s 2016 stars by personnel grouping and identifies who to watch on opposing teams. Today’s position group: the running backs. ...
Analyzing the Fall Camp Depth Chart
Fall camp produces the perfect mix for any college football junkie - immeasurable aspirations coupled with unlimited potential. The 2016 Fighting Irish are no exception. Many positional battles follow #NDFB into fall camp and understandably so with the solid depth at all positions. Let's do a quick rundown of what to expect. Depth, baby! Everything this fall will revolve around the exceptional depth that has slowly been built year over year. The coaching staff has recruited exceptionally well ...
Four Irish Footballers Turning 21 During Fall Camp
Perhaps you've heard of the "beer mile," where participants drink a full-sized beer and then run a quarter mile four times over. It's a competitive event, sure, but not one I'd suggest doing during the hot August heat in South Bend, Ind. Fall camp under Brian Kelly usually opens in the first week of August, which is great if you're not happening to reach legal drinking age soon thereafter. So let's pour one out for senior TE Durham Smythe, junior RB Justin Brent, junior S Drue Tranquill and ...
Scouting Report: USC
The Trojans open as 6.5 point favorites over the Irish for the Nov. 26 matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. SEASON OUTLOOK "The Trojans' entire schedule is a meat grinder," said FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman. "Eleven of their 12 opponents played in bowl games last season. The opener is against defending national champion Alabama in Texas. The closest of their three non-conference games to being seen as a breeze is against a Utah State team that has won 36 games the past four seasons ...
Blue Gold Game Preview: The Running Backs
2015 starters lost: C.J. Prosise - 156 attempts, 1032 yards, 54.1% of snaps Incoming freshmen: Tony Jones and Deon McIntosh Tarean Folston was supposed to be the foundation that supported a very inexperienced backfield. Seven plays into the 2015 season, it was on to Plan B. Folston, the team's leading rusher in 2014, tore the ACL in his right knee on his third carry from scrimmage. C.J. Prosise, newly converted to the backfield, entered the game having amassed just 10 career ...
Top Fifteen Plays of the Kelly Years
Last week, we gave you the Top Five Games of the Brian Kelly Years. Last night, you watched The Oscars. This morning, for your consideration and viewing pleasure, we present the Top Fifteen Plays of the Brian Kelly Years. @SupermanTDJesus helped with this project. I am grateful for his technical abilities and efficiency. Let's face it, though. There have been a lot of plays in five seasons of football. And, if we're being honest, a lot of booze chased away the memory of the bad ones. ...