Last week's game was a tough loss to take and Irish fans had to wonder if the results would have been different in the final part of the game if Wide Receiver Michael Floyd was healthy and on the field.
The Irish must put the USC game behind them and remain confident in what they can do offensively. If Notre Dame can put up 27 points against one of the top defenses in the country, there is no reason why they can't do the same or better against Boston College. Even if the weather conditions include rain , Quarterback Jimmy Claussen should still be able to maintain his high level of play and lead Notre Dame to multiple scoring drives. Claussen will need to realize that Boston College is a team that likes to blitz as a way of creating turnovers (which is why they have had success against Notre Dame in recent years) and if he does, passes both long and short to Golden Tate and the other Irish Wide Receivers should be there for the taking.
The Irish defense is still a work in progress but is getting better at pressuring the Quarterback so hopefully Notre Dame will win the turnover battle this time around. Freshman Linebacker Manti Teo is showing signs of improvement and if this continues along with the rest of the defense the Irish can win this game and have a strong second half of the season.
Irish fans would love this to see Notre Dame wins this game going away but are expecting yet another close game. If Notre Dame's offense keeps playing like it has this season and the defense improves, the Irish will come out on top Saturday.
Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Irish vs the Men of Troy
Notre Dame's long awaited game against USC is almost here and a victory over the Men of Troy can go a long away in helping the Irish have a successful season.
For Notre Dame to win, they have to be at their best in all phases of the game. Jimmy Claussen has been excellent so far but he is facing a huge test with USC's defense which is both athletic and fast. This is the best defense Claussen will face this year and safety Taylor Mayes covers ground better than any other safety playing college football. Claussen must recognize this to avoid any turnovers because Notre Dame must have no turnovers to have any chance of winning. Hopefully a healthy Armando Allen can establish a solid running game and make it easier for Claussen to establish a rhythm in his passing game.
The defense won't have it any easier trying to contain USC's offense. As always USC is loaded with high caliber running backs and Joe McKnight looks to be the most dangerous of the bunch. The pass rush has been improving though and there is the possibility they can create turnovers by pressuring freshman quarterback Matt Barkley into throwing interceptions.
On special teams Notre Dame will need to take a few more chances. While Golden Tate has been outstanding this year as a wide receiver, he has been taking too many fair catches on punt returns. This is the game for Tate to take some shots and returning a punt for a touchdown because those types of big plays determine the outcome of the game.
There's no doubt this is easily the toughest game the Irish will have this season but if their defense can create turnovers and the offense plays aggressive and smart, the Irish can prevail.
Look for another close game which all Irish fans are getting use to by now with the Irish coming out on top.
Go Irish!!!
For Notre Dame to win, they have to be at their best in all phases of the game. Jimmy Claussen has been excellent so far but he is facing a huge test with USC's defense which is both athletic and fast. This is the best defense Claussen will face this year and safety Taylor Mayes covers ground better than any other safety playing college football. Claussen must recognize this to avoid any turnovers because Notre Dame must have no turnovers to have any chance of winning. Hopefully a healthy Armando Allen can establish a solid running game and make it easier for Claussen to establish a rhythm in his passing game.
The defense won't have it any easier trying to contain USC's offense. As always USC is loaded with high caliber running backs and Joe McKnight looks to be the most dangerous of the bunch. The pass rush has been improving though and there is the possibility they can create turnovers by pressuring freshman quarterback Matt Barkley into throwing interceptions.
On special teams Notre Dame will need to take a few more chances. While Golden Tate has been outstanding this year as a wide receiver, he has been taking too many fair catches on punt returns. This is the game for Tate to take some shots and returning a punt for a touchdown because those types of big plays determine the outcome of the game.
There's no doubt this is easily the toughest game the Irish will have this season but if their defense can create turnovers and the offense plays aggressive and smart, the Irish can prevail.
Look for another close game which all Irish fans are getting use to by now with the Irish coming out on top.
Go Irish!!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
nd vs washington
Whether you like Notre Dame or hate them, you can't say their games are boring. Saturday's game against Washington should be no exception.
It's starting to get redundant, but if the Irish cannot consistently get pressure on the quarterback, there will not be a game where any Irish fans can take it easy during the second half. Washington quarterback Jake Locker is an excellent scrambling quarterback who can create big plays and Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta will need to devise some schemes to take him out of his rhythm.
The Irish will need to see quarterback Jimmy Claussen continue what he has done so far this season and to have running back Armando Allen establish an effective running game for the Irish to win this weekend. The concern of course is how effective Claussen can be with his turf toe injury. Turf toe is an injury that rarely heals quick and it was obvious last week that backup quarterback Dane Crist is not yet ready to take over running the Irish offense. Claussen so far has proven to be a solid leader with the ablity to take pain and if he can play at the level he has so far this season, the Irish will prevail again.
The only other concern I have (like all Irish fans I suspect have) is the play calling of Charlie Weis. For reasons that are near impossible to understand, Weis decides to go for it on 4th down at times when it is completely counterproductive. Weis's decision to go for it on 4th and 10 with a backup quarterback in the second half gave the momentum to Purdue and almost cost the Irish a victory. Weis needs to find that line between courage and stupdity and realize that keeping your opponent deep in your own territory is how you can win games as well.
It looks like another close one but when it is all done, Notre Dame will come out with another victory. Let's just hope we don't need another last second touchdown or interception to get it. There's only so much the heart can take.
Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's starting to get redundant, but if the Irish cannot consistently get pressure on the quarterback, there will not be a game where any Irish fans can take it easy during the second half. Washington quarterback Jake Locker is an excellent scrambling quarterback who can create big plays and Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta will need to devise some schemes to take him out of his rhythm.
The Irish will need to see quarterback Jimmy Claussen continue what he has done so far this season and to have running back Armando Allen establish an effective running game for the Irish to win this weekend. The concern of course is how effective Claussen can be with his turf toe injury. Turf toe is an injury that rarely heals quick and it was obvious last week that backup quarterback Dane Crist is not yet ready to take over running the Irish offense. Claussen so far has proven to be a solid leader with the ablity to take pain and if he can play at the level he has so far this season, the Irish will prevail again.
The only other concern I have (like all Irish fans I suspect have) is the play calling of Charlie Weis. For reasons that are near impossible to understand, Weis decides to go for it on 4th down at times when it is completely counterproductive. Weis's decision to go for it on 4th and 10 with a backup quarterback in the second half gave the momentum to Purdue and almost cost the Irish a victory. Weis needs to find that line between courage and stupdity and realize that keeping your opponent deep in your own territory is how you can win games as well.
It looks like another close one but when it is all done, Notre Dame will come out with another victory. Let's just hope we don't need another last second touchdown or interception to get it. There's only so much the heart can take.
Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!
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