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:

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.

Cheeseburgers Have Been Eaten...

Bring on USC!



(Because lolcats are definitely the way to start out USC week).

Go Irish!

Go Irish!



And yes, I have enlisted the dog to help me drink.

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.

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.]

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.

One Down...

Starting off the week right. With a baby:



Go Irish! Beat Wolverines!

Irish Blogger Gathering: Let the Kool-Aid Flow

I know you've all been waiting anxiously for my answers to this week's first IBG of the season, hosted over at Domer Law Blog. Well, wait no longer. Another lawyer, checking in.

1. My season preview included music video footage for each position group. What song or video do you feel typifies this year's Notre Dame team heading into the season? Embed a youtube or other similar video if possible.

I had real trouble with this. Then, I thought, something fun, something upbeat. A little something that opens with a line like, "On your mark, ready set, let's go":



2. Post a picture that to you portrays the attitude of this year's team and discuss.



Awww, a little deer. Here's the deal. Look at this dude. He's feeling OK. You know, figured out the whole standing up thing at this point. But, there's a lot left to prove. It only takes one mountain lion (or car) to derail this whole growing up thing. But, if you can avoid the mountain lions (and cars), you're pretty well set. Like ND - things have been going OK. They're looking like they're going to get better, but it won't take much to screw that up. So, you know, avoid the lions. And the cars. And the people with guns.

3. What do you perceive as the team's biggest weakness heading into the season?

I was going to go with swagger/confidence/similar term, but that seems to be popular. Instead, I am wondering if I can get away with saying having Charlie on the field. I saw the Hawaii game. Put him back up there until ND loses again.

4. With the exception of the 1990s, Notre Dame has won a National Championship in every decade since the 1920s. What are the chances (a) that Notre Dame wins a championship this year, and (b) if not this year, when do you predict the next championship for the Irish?

(a)I'm going with a 25% chance ND wins a National Championship this year. The talent is there to win every game on the schedule, or drop one and still make it there. I'm optimistic, what can I say?

(b) Next year.

5. Nevada runs the Pistol offense, Navy the Triple Option, and Michigan the Spread Option. Which offensive scheme do you think is the most difficult to prepare for, and why?

Pistol. Was going to go with the others, but we see those on occasion. The pistol? Not so much. Anything that you don't see regularly is going to give you fits. I don't like fits. Plus, you know, at this point in the week, I am pretty convinced that Nevada is the best team ND will face all season (don't worry, I'll feel the same about Michigan this time next week).

6. Is Colin Capaernick the best quarterback we'll see this year? If not, who is?

I'll go with yes. And yes, most of this is the fact that I have spent the last month scaring the crap out of myself thinking about this game, rather than actual reasons. Colin Capaernick is, in my mind, with less than 48 hours until game time, perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time.

7. Prediction time. We have to get on the record before the season kicks off. Give me:

A video to go with my predictions:



(1) Overall prediction for wins/losses: 12-1
(2) Projected bowl game and result: National Championship and WIN.
(3) Predicted final ranking: #1
(4) Best player on the team: Michael Floyd
(5) Heisman trophy winner: Jimmy Clausen
(6) National Champion: Notre Dame
(7) Prediction for Nevada game, including score: ND wins, 37-24

You Know How I Know It's Almost Football Season? - Part II -

Ran home at lunch today, and actually squealed with delight to see that TiVo had recorded this morning's showing of the Hawaii Bowl. Then, of course, felt obligated to post it to Facebook.

So much for any evening plans...

Lou Holtz, Fellow Kool-Aid Drinker

Lou has most definitely been hitting the Kool-Aid pretty hard:

You Know How I Know It's Almost Football Season?

Conversation at the doctor's office this morning:

Receptionist: We have an appointment for 8:30 on November 10th. Would that work for you?

Sarah: That's the week between the Navy game and the Pitt game...yeah, that would work.

Receptionist: [Looks at me like I'm crazy]

26 Days...

Devil's Advocate on TCU and Tulsa

Popular complaint of the week around the ND world? The rumored scheduling of Tulsa and TCU to fill out the 2010 schedule. There are plenty of comments to be found on this topic, and I am going to say right out front that I would rather see the schedule filled with opponents typically considered to be of a higher caliber, for reasons that don’t need to be explained to someone who is checking out a random ND blog (so long as ND beats them. If not, I am on the record as pro-cupcake. I like wins, what can I say?). The idea of putting Alabama or Miami on the schedule - and then beating them - sends happy tingles up my spine that the scheduling of two rather unremarkable teams does not.

However, let me play devil’s advocate and give some reasons why putting Tulsa and TCU on the 2010 schedule could work out in Notre Dame’s favor. Come 2010, ND is going to be in one of two situations. Either:

(A) ND will have had a record ensuring a BCS bowl game (or close to) in 2009, and Charlie Weis will be coaching a team that will be considered a top team - if not the top team - going into the 2010 season*; or

(B) ND will have had a less-than-stellar 2009 season, meaning that we have a new coach in place, and all the attendant problems that come with this.

In that first situation, so long as ND is not playing a schedule consisting entirely of cupcakes (which, with USC and Michigan three years into the Rich Rod regime, is not going to be the case), ND will be better off playing a schedule that will put the team in the mix to play in the National Championship game. Even with some of the other weak teams on the 2010 schedule, putting Tulsa and TCU on the schedule gives ND a legitimate chance to win out, and thus put ND in the National Championship.** Frankly, I don’t care who ND beats if it means a National Championship.

Moreover, if it’s late in the season and ND has a chance to win out, getting a ticket to those game would be darn near impossible - and I, for one, would be attempting to get one of those tickets no matter what the cost, nor who the opponent.

As to the second situation, having a few easier games on the schedule for a new head coach is not necessarily a bad thing. It would make the adjustment for both coach and the team easier, and provide a chance for a couple wins for a team that might desperately need them for morale (but hopefully not). Do you run the risk of failing to sell out those games? Maybe. But you will also have the residual excitement of the new coach, which could very well make up for this. And if those games have a bunch of empty seats, it will be a very clear message that ND needs to get teams like Alabama and Miami back on the schedule.

Of course, these could all be rumors, and we could all be working ourselves up over nothing. And I sure hope so. Because I would really like to get back to posting crap about tailgating prep for Nevada. Being serious is just not much fun.

* Assuming Jimmy Clausen comes back for his senior season - which even someone playing devil’s advocate would probably have to say screws ND over royally.

** I’m not going to argue the point of whether ND makes it if there are 3 undefeated or one-loss teams. If ND can legitimately be put in the National Championship game, ND will be in that game. Higher ratings + More money = ND in the game, no matter who else those other two teams are.

Back, Boys & Girls!

Well, it has been a long time, but I am back!

Important item of note: fewer than 50 days until Notre Dame takes the field again - and, rest assured, I am already considering the tailgating menu for Nevada (because, really, what else can you do for a game like that?).

Anyway, here's an article completely unrelated to college football, but interesting nonetheless - how sports keep you going in Antarctica. For anyone who appreciates the smell of fresh cut grass from a few rows up and a cool beer in hand on a summer evening, it's a great read.

More to come soon, and Go Irish!!!

Tailgate Report

As usual, I saw very little of the Blue Gold game. If by "very little" you mean "none."

Seriously, people, it was 70 and sunny, and there were beers. I was not leaving that parking lot. Other people can be responsible and do recaps. I will take brats and beer.

Blue Gold Game, Here I Come!

The car is packed, the beers are in the cooler and ready to be iced down, and I will be off to South Bend sometime in the next hour or so for the Blue Gold game, as soon as I feel that my presence at work will no longer be missed (I know it's getting close because I'm already getting mad about the portion of the trip where I have to drive through Kokomo).

Don't expect much recap, because I can't remember the last time I made it to an entire Blue Gold game (and I believe there has only been one time that this has happened). I think the best that can be expected is a tailgate report - which I can guarantee I will see all of.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a good time this weekend, and Go Irish!

Welcome to Baseball Season

Well, major league baseball, at least. The Irish baseball team has been playing now for awhile (racking up a 19-10 record on the season so far, 5-4 in the Big East).

I bring this up for two reasons. One, if you're in Chicago next week, Notre Dame and Northwestern will be playing at Sox Park a week from tomorrow (April 15). Ten bucks and free parking? If I lived less than three and a half hours away, I would be there.

Two, for anyone heading to the Blue Gold game, the Irish baseball team plays West Virginia the evening before. Grab your stuff and do a Friday, warm-up, pre-Blue Gold tailgate (though you have to hide your alcoholic beverages, just a warning - yes, that's experience talking on that one), then head to the baseball game. If I could possibly get off of work next Friday afternoon, I would be right there with you and/or hosting my own tailgate. Sadly, I'll be waiting until Saturday for food and good times.

Mmm...Kool-Aid

I love the taste of Kool-Aid in the morning (even if the Kool-Aid is a day old)...

Non-Football ND Update

So, thanks to a quick trip home this weekend, I have not been able to fully digest the vast amount of material from the start of spring football. Once I have, I'll be answering the IBG questions, but until then, a quick update on some non-football ND sports.

Hockey - The hockey team won the CCHA tournament, and they are going into the Grand Rapids regional as the Number 1 seed. The game will be on ESPNU, and if you haven't watched any ND Hockey this year, I highly recommend it.

Men's Basketball - ND beats New Mexico, in a game that was, if not good, at least thrilling. Next up for ND is the winner of the Kentucky-Creighton game this evening.

Women's Basketball - A first round exit, with a loss to Minnesota.

Elsewhere in ND Sports...

With one day until spring football, this gives me a good chance to see what else is going on in the world of ND sports (as, really, after tomorrow, I get to start my true obsession). It turns out, there is a lost of post-season play going on for ND right now!

Men's Basketball - Yes, it's the NIT. Yes, it was a disappointing season. But there are a lot of teams that are already at home, or are going home soon, and ND still plays on. Tonight's game is against New Mexico, better known in my Bears fan world as Brian Urlacher's alma mater.

Women's Basketball - The ladies start NCAA tournament play on Sunday against Minnesota. This is the 14th straight trip to the tournament for the ND women, but only the second time in history that the ND women's team has played Minnesota (a game ND lost, in case you are wondering).

Men's Hockey - The hockey team is up in Detroit for the CCHA championship, where the Irish Irish take on Northern Michigan. Last weekend, Coach Jackson got his 100th victory as ND's coach.

Fencing - How much do I know about fencing? Not much beyond ND has been pretty darn good at it recently. And it involves things I would classify as swords, but which probably have another name of which I am not aware. The men's and women's fencing teams are at the NCAA championship this weekend.

Women's Swimming & Diving - ND has also sent three members of the women's swimming and diving team to the NCAA championships this weekend.

Go Irish!

Renewing Old Rivalries - Convicts Edition

[Edit - Haha, I just went over to Subway Domer and realized he had already posted almost exactly the same thing, right down to linking to UHND (but seriously, those videos are awesome)! Smooth move on my part - anyway, I'm keeping it up, but I do realize what happened. And I fully admit that I appear to be a plagiarizer.]

Oh, please, please let this happen:

After a nearly two-decade break, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said the Fighting Irish is ''very interested'' in playing Miami again in football, and the interest is mutual.

If you are like me, and weren't a fan of the Irish yet, here's something to get you fired up about this.