So, I am hosting this week's Irish Blogger Gathering, and yet I still can't get my act together to post until Friday. I just can't seem to get myself motivated about this team any longer - and I think that will be reflected in my answers.
So, without further ado, the questions:
1. The Pitt loss: give me something good about it, something bad about it, and something ugly about it.
Something good: I had fun in Pittsburgh. Other than the game, I mean. That part sucked.
Something bad: The game.
Something ugly: The game. (Hey, I didn’t say that these had to be different things)
2. UConn this week. Does the sellout streak end? Do you care if it does end? And if it does, does this have any meaning beyond it being the end of yet another ND streak during the Charlie Weis era?
I think the streak ends. And I kind of do care, even though it is something that should be meaningless. This is a team that people wait their whole lives to see just once at Notre Dame Stadium. There should never be any doubt about the stadium selling out legitimately, and there should never be a game that someone attending Notre Dame Stadium for that one time in their life should think is sub-par. Yet, with the asinine scheduling of opponents and the lack of quality on the part of Notre Dame recently, that is exactly what has happened.
3. UConn is coming off of a bye week, with three losses just before that, including close losses to West Virginia and Cincinnati. The last time they won was just before cornerback Jaspar Howard was killed. These factors - along with ND's sorry performances recently - suggest to me that UConn is a dangerous team for a Notre Dame team that could really use a win going into Stanford. Should I be worried about this game? And what should I be worried about?
I am worried. Frankly, if we were playing Washington State this weekend, I would be worried. It is not so much about Uconn for me, but about Notre Dame. They just don’t seem to show up until it is almost too late, or too late, in the game. Put that together with a team that is desperate for a win, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
4. Notre Dame will be seeing a familiar face in UConn quarterback Zach Frazer. Is there anyone who transferred out of Notre Dame, or who the Irish nearly got in the recruiting process, that you think would have made a significant difference on this year's team?
I don’t think that there is one particular player that would have put Notre Dame over the top. However, I do find myself regularly wondering whether a few more guys on the defensive side of the ball in those early classes would be the difference between us still referring to Charlie as a genius, and us referring to him as a former coach.
5. I, for one, was very optimistic at the beginning of the season. Now, at 6-4, I am nearly disgusted with this team, and I admit to some actions regarding Notre Dame football that I never thought I would engage in. I can't imagine I am alone. Have you done anything this season - turn off games at halftime, leave early, not watch at all, etc. - that smack of desperation and disgust with this team?
This weekend, I am doing something unthinkable - I am not only not going to the game at home, but I am choosing to go to another football game entirely (Wisconsin vs. Northwestern). And, this is the part that makes it even worse - the games are at the same time, so I won’t even watch the Notre Dame game until I get home on Sunday and watch it on TiVo. And you know what? I am perfectly fine with this decision. I never thought I would get here, but here I am.
And I never want to be here again.
The Other IBG Posts:
One Foot Down
Domer Law Blog
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Irish Blogger Gathering: The Feels Like 2005 All Over Again Edition
After taking a hiatus for a few weeks (as always, work life intrudes), I am back with this week’s IBG, hosted by OC Domer, a poor man stuck in USC territory. Somehow, in between obsessive weather checks, constant perusing of the internet, and prayers for Michael Floyd’s immediate health and return to the field (I love USC week), I managed to get this thing knocked out. So, without further ado, the questions:
1. The weather forecast for Saturday's game (as of this writing) has the high temperature in the mid 40's with some chance of rain (or snow?). What weather would give Notre Dame the best chance to beat USC? Why?
I was originally tempted to ask for rain, but thanks to my crack detective skills (read: watching Conan O’Brien), I have discovered that it has been raining in Los Angeles. So, even with rain this week in South Bend, a rainy day on Saturday would be a wash in terms of preparation for the weather (haha, get it? A wash? Wow, I really need to stop working so much).
The other obvious answer is snow. But no one is prepared for snow this early in the year (except for maybe North Dakota), so any advantage ND might have on that front at the end of November is not there right now.
So, what I really want is what the weather forecast for Saturday actually is: sunny and very cold (well, very cold for mid-October). Anyone who has lived in a cold climate knows how deceiving a sunny - but cold - day can be if you are not prepared for it. One aspect of this is under-dressing. Sure, it seems like a good idea not to wear something with sleeves under the uniform when you are in the locker room, or even while you make the quick trips between hotel and bus, and bus and locker room, but once you get on the sidelines, waiting while Jimmy makes a long drive down the field, it could be a regretted decision.
2. Irresistable Force or Immovable Object? Notre Dame's offense is ranked #10 in yards (470 per game) and #27 in points (32.6 per game). USC's defense is ranked #6 in yards allowed (238.6 per game) and #4 in scoring allowed (just 8.6 points per game). In 2008 Notre Dame had just 91 total yards against USC. Will the Notre Dame offense be able to move the ball on Saturday? If so, how?
The one thing I don’t worry about with ND is moving the ball. Rudolph and Tate provide two constant and legitimate threats, and I have been steadily gaining confidence in the run game to provide at least some alternative to the passing game. Of course, I would feel about ten times more confident in these statements if Michael Floyd were involved. As was posted by “Brad” in the comments over at Blue-Gray Sky:
That’s kind of my inner hope.
Back to reality, though, my one big worry is that the turf toe will be bothering Jimmy, and he won’t be able to make the passes he needs to make, or scramble when USC comes after him. Hopefully, the bye week and the adrenaline of USC week will erase most of the problems here, but it’s still my number one worry.
I still hate the wildcat, though. If you don’t think USC is salivating to take Jimmy out if he lines up at receiver - penalties be damned - then you think much more highly of the Poodle and company than I do.
3. USC's offense is #22 in yards (430.6 per game) and #53 in scoring (28.8 points per game). Notre Dame's defense is #100 in total defense (403.2 yards per game) and #59 in scoring defense (allowing 23.8 points per game). Will the Notre Dame defense be able to slow down the USC offense? If so, how?
Answer two weeks ago: Yes. With magic.
Answer today: Bring some of that energy and skill brought to the Washington goal line stands to the game. Get the crowd fired up while USC is still in the huddle so they can’t hear themselves think, let alone what others are saying. Figure out how to fully execute the blitz. Force turnovers.
And a little magic wouldn’t hurt, either.
4. In 2008, with Michael Floyd unable to play due to injury, Golden Tate had 2 catches against USC for a team-high 15 receiving yards. How do you expect Golden Tate to play against USC this year?
I have many, many hopes for this game. Among these is the hope that Golden Tate plays out of his mind on Saturday. And, it being USC week, I have managed to convince myself that he WILL play out of his mind on Saturday. Do I have any good reason? Not really.
Also, please, Golden? No random dropped passes.
5. Jimmy Clausen has started to get some Heisman buzz. In your opinion, which Notre Dame player is the most deserving of Heisman attention, Jimmy or Golden Tate? Why?
No question in my mind. Jimmy. While I appreciate Golden stepping up big time in the absence of Michael Floyd, he’s still not the person I want to trust when the game is on the line. At the Purdue game, as Jimmy began the last ND drive of the game, I texted a friend, “Brady would do this.” Turns out, Jimmy did it. Repeat at Washington (including the text). On Saturday, if it comes down to that last drive, the person I want to get the ball is not Golden Tate, but whoever Jimmy Clausen decides is the right person to have the ball. (And, even though the person who I was texting will be sitting with me on Saturday, I WILL be texting him the same thing if it comes down to one last drive. Don’t mess with success, even on the level of superstition).
6. Overrated or Underrated. Notre Dame cracked into the AP Poll at #25 this week. Are they overrated or underrated at #25? Where would you put them in your poll?
Underrated. I would have them in the mid- to high-teens, mostly for playing all D-I teams of generally decent abilities.
7. USC Song Girls: Ambassadors of Collegiate Goodwill or Anachronism from a bygone era of oppressive sexist stereotypes?
If you’re looking for the female participant to call the Song Girls an Anachronism from a bygone era of oppressive sexist stereotypes, you’re dealing with the wrong woman. I wish I had the ND version of the song girl outfit. Speaking of, that might not be a bad thing to look into...
8. Green Jerseys? There's a lot of "green" talk coming from campus this week, and it raises the question of whether the team will be wearing green on Saturday. Do you want to see the green jerseys or not? Why?
I love the green jerseys, and if I see them at the beginning of the game, I will not be upset. However, the way I really want them employed is like this: All week long, the coaches drill it into the heads of the players that they have the skills to win this game, they don’t need any help from higher powers, they don’t need to resort to any gimmick-y jerseys. Then, the team comes out, and, if the game is close or the Irish are winning at half, break them out. Even with it drilled into their heads that they don’t need them, a little boost can’t hurt.
Plus, I can imagine that the stadium - especially the students - would go nuts if they came out at half. And keeping the crowd into the game for the second half on a cold day can only boost the Irish.
9. Name the next number in this sequence: -3, -20, -38, -35, _______. Explain.
+5. I’m not sure my heart can handle another close game - especially against USC - but I don’t see the Irish beating the Trojans by a large number. I fear that my heart will have to deal with the Cardiac Catholics for at least another week.
1. The weather forecast for Saturday's game (as of this writing) has the high temperature in the mid 40's with some chance of rain (or snow?). What weather would give Notre Dame the best chance to beat USC? Why?
I was originally tempted to ask for rain, but thanks to my crack detective skills (read: watching Conan O’Brien), I have discovered that it has been raining in Los Angeles. So, even with rain this week in South Bend, a rainy day on Saturday would be a wash in terms of preparation for the weather (haha, get it? A wash? Wow, I really need to stop working so much).
The other obvious answer is snow. But no one is prepared for snow this early in the year (except for maybe North Dakota), so any advantage ND might have on that front at the end of November is not there right now.
So, what I really want is what the weather forecast for Saturday actually is: sunny and very cold (well, very cold for mid-October). Anyone who has lived in a cold climate knows how deceiving a sunny - but cold - day can be if you are not prepared for it. One aspect of this is under-dressing. Sure, it seems like a good idea not to wear something with sleeves under the uniform when you are in the locker room, or even while you make the quick trips between hotel and bus, and bus and locker room, but once you get on the sidelines, waiting while Jimmy makes a long drive down the field, it could be a regretted decision.
2. Irresistable Force or Immovable Object? Notre Dame's offense is ranked #10 in yards (470 per game) and #27 in points (32.6 per game). USC's defense is ranked #6 in yards allowed (238.6 per game) and #4 in scoring allowed (just 8.6 points per game). In 2008 Notre Dame had just 91 total yards against USC. Will the Notre Dame offense be able to move the ball on Saturday? If so, how?
The one thing I don’t worry about with ND is moving the ball. Rudolph and Tate provide two constant and legitimate threats, and I have been steadily gaining confidence in the run game to provide at least some alternative to the passing game. Of course, I would feel about ten times more confident in these statements if Michael Floyd were involved. As was posted by “Brad” in the comments over at Blue-Gray Sky:
I say Floyd miraculously heals overnight, takes the field against Southern Cal, scores on passing plays of 72,65,83,42, and 24, and after the game we find out the whole 'broken collarbone' thing was really just a separated shoulder and was done in anticipation of screwing Southern Cal over! Parties erupt, craziness ensues, insanity reigns, dogs and cats living together.
That’s kind of my inner hope.
Back to reality, though, my one big worry is that the turf toe will be bothering Jimmy, and he won’t be able to make the passes he needs to make, or scramble when USC comes after him. Hopefully, the bye week and the adrenaline of USC week will erase most of the problems here, but it’s still my number one worry.
I still hate the wildcat, though. If you don’t think USC is salivating to take Jimmy out if he lines up at receiver - penalties be damned - then you think much more highly of the Poodle and company than I do.
3. USC's offense is #22 in yards (430.6 per game) and #53 in scoring (28.8 points per game). Notre Dame's defense is #100 in total defense (403.2 yards per game) and #59 in scoring defense (allowing 23.8 points per game). Will the Notre Dame defense be able to slow down the USC offense? If so, how?
Answer two weeks ago: Yes. With magic.
Answer today: Bring some of that energy and skill brought to the Washington goal line stands to the game. Get the crowd fired up while USC is still in the huddle so they can’t hear themselves think, let alone what others are saying. Figure out how to fully execute the blitz. Force turnovers.
And a little magic wouldn’t hurt, either.
4. In 2008, with Michael Floyd unable to play due to injury, Golden Tate had 2 catches against USC for a team-high 15 receiving yards. How do you expect Golden Tate to play against USC this year?
I have many, many hopes for this game. Among these is the hope that Golden Tate plays out of his mind on Saturday. And, it being USC week, I have managed to convince myself that he WILL play out of his mind on Saturday. Do I have any good reason? Not really.
Also, please, Golden? No random dropped passes.
5. Jimmy Clausen has started to get some Heisman buzz. In your opinion, which Notre Dame player is the most deserving of Heisman attention, Jimmy or Golden Tate? Why?
No question in my mind. Jimmy. While I appreciate Golden stepping up big time in the absence of Michael Floyd, he’s still not the person I want to trust when the game is on the line. At the Purdue game, as Jimmy began the last ND drive of the game, I texted a friend, “Brady would do this.” Turns out, Jimmy did it. Repeat at Washington (including the text). On Saturday, if it comes down to that last drive, the person I want to get the ball is not Golden Tate, but whoever Jimmy Clausen decides is the right person to have the ball. (And, even though the person who I was texting will be sitting with me on Saturday, I WILL be texting him the same thing if it comes down to one last drive. Don’t mess with success, even on the level of superstition).
6. Overrated or Underrated. Notre Dame cracked into the AP Poll at #25 this week. Are they overrated or underrated at #25? Where would you put them in your poll?
Underrated. I would have them in the mid- to high-teens, mostly for playing all D-I teams of generally decent abilities.
7. USC Song Girls: Ambassadors of Collegiate Goodwill or Anachronism from a bygone era of oppressive sexist stereotypes?
If you’re looking for the female participant to call the Song Girls an Anachronism from a bygone era of oppressive sexist stereotypes, you’re dealing with the wrong woman. I wish I had the ND version of the song girl outfit. Speaking of, that might not be a bad thing to look into...
8. Green Jerseys? There's a lot of "green" talk coming from campus this week, and it raises the question of whether the team will be wearing green on Saturday. Do you want to see the green jerseys or not? Why?
I love the green jerseys, and if I see them at the beginning of the game, I will not be upset. However, the way I really want them employed is like this: All week long, the coaches drill it into the heads of the players that they have the skills to win this game, they don’t need any help from higher powers, they don’t need to resort to any gimmick-y jerseys. Then, the team comes out, and, if the game is close or the Irish are winning at half, break them out. Even with it drilled into their heads that they don’t need them, a little boost can’t hurt.
Plus, I can imagine that the stadium - especially the students - would go nuts if they came out at half. And keeping the crowd into the game for the second half on a cold day can only boost the Irish.
9. Name the next number in this sequence: -3, -20, -38, -35, _______. Explain.
+5. I’m not sure my heart can handle another close game - especially against USC - but I don’t see the Irish beating the Trojans by a large number. I fear that my heart will have to deal with the Cardiac Catholics for at least another week.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Irish Blogger Gathering: Sparty Edition - The Posts
Gents and Ladies, the posts that are up for this week's IBG:
Over at Subway Domer, the founder of this gathering discusses drinking. And other things that are less prominent in my life in a post-meltdown weekend.
Her Loyal Sons relive the Ty days (but not in a bad way).
At Charlie's Nasties, our childhood friend Grimace encourages bad behavior. I approve.
Another individual making a living practicing this whole law thing over at Domer Law Blog remembers that, win or lose, no one goes wrong with an excellent tailgate.
One Foot Down spices our pre-game prep up this week, and breaks out the John L. Smith rant. You know I approve.
Brawling Hibernian reminds me of something I forgot - the on-air radio meltdown after the 2006 come-from-behind win.
Let me know if you have posted and are not up - I'm doing this on a Thursday night post-tailgate prep/mid-liver warm-up, so perfection is not exactly something I am going to even hope to claim at this point.
Over at Subway Domer, the founder of this gathering discusses drinking. And other things that are less prominent in my life in a post-meltdown weekend.
Her Loyal Sons relive the Ty days (but not in a bad way).
At Charlie's Nasties, our childhood friend Grimace encourages bad behavior. I approve.
Another individual making a living practicing this whole law thing over at Domer Law Blog remembers that, win or lose, no one goes wrong with an excellent tailgate.
One Foot Down spices our pre-game prep up this week, and breaks out the John L. Smith rant. You know I approve.
Brawling Hibernian reminds me of something I forgot - the on-air radio meltdown after the 2006 come-from-behind win.
Let me know if you have posted and are not up - I'm doing this on a Thursday night post-tailgate prep/mid-liver warm-up, so perfection is not exactly something I am going to even hope to claim at this point.
Irish Blogger Gathering: Sparty Love
It's late, I am waiting for food to be ready for tailgating this weekend...in other words, time to answer my own questions for this week's IBG. Before I even start, I need to admit to two things.
First, my high school didn't even bother to hide its ripping off of MSU - we were the green and white Spartans, right down to the team logo of MSU. I still have to train my mind to root against the first amateur team that I had an active role in loving.
Second, the part of me that traces its roots to Greece traces those roots to what, in this day and age, we would consider suburban Sparta.
In other words, it can sometimes be hard for me to root against Sparty. Yet, I overcome this hardship, and strenuously root for the utter destruction year after year. And so, without further ado, I get to some discussion of that sentiment.
1. Still trying to get the taste of last weekend's game out of my mouth, so let's start with something fun. With Sparty on its way into South Bend, give me your favorite memory of the ND-MSU series. I don't care what it is: John L. Smith losing it, the image of MSU guarding against nothing, an actual game memory, whatever.
Not so much a game memory as a pre-game memory that has previously been brought up on this blog. My sister, her friend, and I, in a parking garage in East Lansing because we couldn't find a normal parking spot, grilling, drinking, and otherwise enjoying ourselves to the utmost. We *may* have missed the entire first half, but, as ND had pulled out to the early lead, was not really missing anything important.
2. Since 1997, Michigan State has won 9 of 12 games against the Irish. I view this as a classic case of Sparty having ND's number. What worries you most about Michigan State this weekend?
Personally, I am worried that the hangover from losing a game that should have been won will carry over to this game. MSU is not a bad team, any hangover from last week's debacle will spell absolute disaster for the Irish.
3. Between my lingering bad feelings from last weekend and the history of this series in the last decade plus, give me a good reason or two or three to feel optimistic about a change in fortune for the Irish, because right now, I could use some optimism.
I wouldn't have asked the question if I had an answer.
4. As it is my week, I get to address my current ND obsession. Have the last two games changed your opinion/reinforced your opinion re: Charlie in the box versus Charlie on the field?
I have been extremely in favor of Charlie in the box since the Hawaii game. I remarked to those unfortunate enough to have to deal with me during last week's game that I was convinced that the numerous issues with getting plays off had to deal with the communications problems that result from having someone who is not calling the plays down to someone who is on the field. We have Charlie on the sidelines, and in a matter of seconds, he needs to communicate with those individuals who can see the field from above, interpret their communications, deal with players, decide on the play, relay that play in to the game, and deal with whatever other issues are currently being presented to him from those coaches and players who are not in his immediate circle of responsibility as the effective OC (among other things that I, never having played football don't immediately recognize). I don't the Charlie is effective enough as a motivator or influencer of on-field situations to warrant his presence on the field. I view him as a distraction at this point, and think he should be in the box.
5. If nothing else, I can count on one thing to look forward to on Saturday - tailgating. Anyone have a good recipe for me to try? I make no limitations on what it can be - a drink recipe, dessert, appetizer. So long as it can be made on a grill, camp stove, or ahead of time, I am happy to listen. The better the suggestion, the more likely you are to get invited to my own tailgate.
My easiest, most fail-proof recipe:
Make-Ahead Post-Game Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
1 can beef broth
3-4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
1 package BBQ sauce
1 package hamburger buns
Combine the beef broth and pork in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 10 hours and drain. Add BBQ sauce. Transfer pork to a disposable aluminum pan. Store in fridge/cooler until ready to eat. Re-heat on the grill, add more BBQ sauce to taste, and enjoy. So, so easy, yet so, so tasty.
6. Finally, any predictions for the game? I encourage your predictions to involve something other than a final score, but otherwise, I make no suggestions.
A beautiful day in north central Indiana. MSU arrives at the storied stadium of the Fighting Irish, over-confident in their own abilities and their perception of a lack of abilities in their opponent. After staking out an early lead on several questionable calls by the refs (really? MSU only needs to be within two feet of in-bounds for their catches to be considered? Good to know!), ND overcomes the obvious refereeing bias and destroys the Spartans to the tune of 30 points. [ed. - I originally had something about a goat up here. I have no idea what the point of that was, other than it probably seemed to make sense at 3:00 in the morning after several glasses of wine.]
Monday, September 14, 2009
Irish Blogger Gathering: Sparty Edition
Welcome to this week's edition of the Irish Blogger Gathering. Here are the questions for Michigan State week; I should have answers up in a bit (as well as listing the posts as they come in). Now, without further ado, the questions:
1. Still trying to get the taste of last weekend's game out of my mouth, so let's start with something fun. With Sparty on its way into South Bend, give me your favorite memory of the ND-MSU series. I don't care what it is: John L. Smith losing it, the image of MSU guarding against nothing, an actual game memory, whatever.
2. Since 1997, Michigan State has won 9 of 12 games against the Irish. I view this as a classic case of Sparty having ND's number. What worries you most about Michigan State this weekend?
3. Between my lingering bad feelings from last weekend and the history of this series in the last decade plus, give me a good reason or two or three to feel optimistic about a change in fortune for the Irish, because right now, I could use some optimism.
4. As it is my week, I get to address my current ND obsession. Have the last two games changed your opinion/reinforced your opinion re: Charlie in the box versus Charlie on the field?
5. If nothing else, I can count on one thing to look forward to on Saturday - tailgating. Anyone have a good recipe for me to try? I make no limitations on what it can be - a drink recipe, dessert, appetizer. So long as it can be made on a grill, camp stove, or ahead of time, I am happy to listen. The better the suggestion, the more likely you are to get invited to my own tailgate.
6. Finally, any predictions for the game? I encourage your predictions to involve something other than a final score, but otherwise, I make no suggestions.
1. Still trying to get the taste of last weekend's game out of my mouth, so let's start with something fun. With Sparty on its way into South Bend, give me your favorite memory of the ND-MSU series. I don't care what it is: John L. Smith losing it, the image of MSU guarding against nothing, an actual game memory, whatever.
2. Since 1997, Michigan State has won 9 of 12 games against the Irish. I view this as a classic case of Sparty having ND's number. What worries you most about Michigan State this weekend?
3. Between my lingering bad feelings from last weekend and the history of this series in the last decade plus, give me a good reason or two or three to feel optimistic about a change in fortune for the Irish, because right now, I could use some optimism.
4. As it is my week, I get to address my current ND obsession. Have the last two games changed your opinion/reinforced your opinion re: Charlie in the box versus Charlie on the field?
5. If nothing else, I can count on one thing to look forward to on Saturday - tailgating. Anyone have a good recipe for me to try? I make no limitations on what it can be - a drink recipe, dessert, appetizer. So long as it can be made on a grill, camp stove, or ahead of time, I am happy to listen. The better the suggestion, the more likely you are to get invited to my own tailgate.
6. Finally, any predictions for the game? I encourage your predictions to involve something other than a final score, but otherwise, I make no suggestions.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
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