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!!!!!!!!!!!!