Sep 15 | at Michigan State

[Bogtrotter07]

Just getting back into it. Some of you have aluded to it. I am glad to have Purdue behind us. I didn't expect them to be so tough, but after two weeks, I think they are the best team in their half of the Big 10. Anybody else feel the same way?

What is the deal about Zeke and Slaughter?

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It's interesting how similar Michigan State and Notre Dame are.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

It's interesting how similar Michigan State and Notre Dame are.

Hope it works like last year, where we match up to them so well.

 

[RDU Irish]

If Golson is ineffective, Tommy will get a chance to move ball. I think Golson gets it done (assuming his hand is OK). "Golson rolling out of the pocket" sounds a lot more comfortable to me than "Rees rolls out of the pocket."

I only saw enough of MSU to know we better come for a battle or else we will get rolled. This could easily be defined by a few over the top pass plays by either team, more likely MSU. How do MSU receivers stack up nationally?

I like Cierre back in action for pass protection. That is the element keeping GAIII from more PT.

 

[RuntheBall]

Just got a ticket for the game! *Bart Scott Quote*

 

[Buster Bluth]

If Golson is ineffective, Tommy will get a chance to move ball. I think Golson gets it done (assuming his hand is OK). "Golson rolling out of the pocket" sounds a lot more comfortable to me than "Rees rolls out of the pocket."

I only saw enough of MSU to know we better come for a battle or else we will get rolled. This could easily be defined by a few over the top pass plays by either team, more likely MSU. How do MSU receivers stack up nationally?

I like Cierre back in action for pass protection. That is the element keeping GAIII from more PT.

Exactly. Why is this so hard to understand for some people? He's a burner, but come on Cierre is a veteran and a fine pass blocker.

I expect to see a lot of rolling away from Gholston. Cut the field in half for Golson to make it easier. Notre Dame needs Daniels to be back for this big game.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

What if we see Wood or Riddick and GAIII on the field at the same time? With a double tight end set??

 

[Spartan96]

If Golson is ineffective, Tommy will get a chance to move ball. I think Golson gets it done (assuming his hand is OK). "Golson rolling out of the pocket" sounds a lot more comfortable to me than "Rees rolls out of the pocket."

I only saw enough of MSU to know we better come for a battle or else we will get rolled. This could easily be defined by a few over the top pass plays by either team, more likely MSU. How do MSU receivers stack up nationally?

I like Cierre back in action for pass protection. That is the element keeping GAIII from more PT.

Gents -

Spartan fan here...I come in peace

I'll be honest....didn't get a chance to watch much ND this year. Missed the Navy game and only caught glimpses of your Purdue scuffle as it seemed like every B1G team played at 3:30 on saturday.

I posted here last year as well - you guys kicked *** giving the wife and I pointers for our first time to South Bend so thanks for that.

I'm really looking forward to the game to say the least. I know MSU defense gets the publicity right now and they've yet to allow a TD....but will be interesting to see how they do against a tough physical team. I'm especially interested to see if our front 4 can get a push on the line and also how our OL can get a push....basically trench play.

Maxwell is a slinger and I'm hoping he's settled down in the 1st quarter - if we need to ride Bell like we did against Boise I'm sure Dantonio is not afraid to do that.

Sorry not much insight other than I'm hoping for a Sparty victory!

 

[rocket66]

I'm going to laugh when after everybody predicted a low scoring game, it ends up another 34-31 or something.

Same here.

Wasn't it last year that ND struggled offensively against Pitt and just eeked out that win and then went on to roll Purdue the following week? I remember several people around here saying the same things back then. I know this isn't last year, but the staff will make the necessary adjustments and have this team ready to go against MSU. I think we see more of the Navy team than we do the Purdue team, offensively speaking. More balanced attack.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Gents -

Spartan fan here...I come in peace

I'll be honest....didn't get a chance to watch much ND this year. Missed the Navy game and only caught glimpses of your Purdue scuffle as it seemed like every B1G team played at 3:30 on saturday.

I posted here last year as well - you guys kicked *** giving the wife and I pointers for our first time to South Bend so thanks for that.

I'm really looking forward to the game to say the least. I know MSU defense gets the publicity right now and they've yet to allow a TD....but will be interesting to see how they do against a tough physical team. I'm especially interested to see if our front 4 can get a push on the line and also how our OL can get a push....basically trench play.

Maxwell is a slinger and I'm hoping he's settled down in the 1st quarter - if we need to ride Bell like we did against Boise I'm sure Dantonio is not afraid to do that.
Sorry not much insight other than I'm hoping for a Sparty victory!

I would be surprised and disappointed if you all can run against our front 7 like you did against Boise.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Same here.

Wasn't it last year that ND struggled offensively against Pitt and just eeked out that win and then went on to roll Purdue the following week? I remember several people around here saying the same things back then. I know this isn't last year, but the staff will make the necessary adjustments and have this team ready to go against MSU. I think we see more of the Navy team than we do the Purdue team, offensively speaking. More balanced attack.

No. It was more pronounced than that:


09/17/11 vs. Michigan State W, 31-13

09/24/11 at Pittsburgh W, 15-12

10/01/11 at Purdue W, 38-10

10/08/11 vs. Air Force W, 59-33

 

[Irishman77]

Sorry if posted already, but we are underdogs at +4. I will take the Irish money line if I was a betting man.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I only saw enough of MSU to know we better come for a battle or else we will get rolled. This could easily be defined by a few over the top pass plays by either team, more likely MSU. How do MSU receivers stack up nationally?

I beleive they lost their top 4 receiving options from 2011. I have no idea how their replacements are regarded.

 

[Spartan96]

I beleive they lost their top 4 receiving options from 2011. I have no idea how their replacements are regarded.

That is correct. We have plenty of talent at receive spot but all unproven. It is definitely a work in progress. Tony Lippet is our deep thread guy. Deanthony Arnett transfer from Tennessee finally has a grasp of the offense so he should see more playing time. All in all a very talented group but certainly untested so far as your secondary will be by the far the toughest we've faced (and maybe toughest all year outside of Ohio State).

 

[Spartan96]

I would be surprised and disappointed if you all can run against our front 7 like you did against Boise.

That's why I'm interested in this matchup. Last year we had a M*A*S*H OL and really no RB that established himself. I'll definitely be zeroing in on the trench play. I really think State needs to string out some plays and not try to test the middle with Teo and Co...we'll see.

 

[KAPLAN]

That is correct. We have plenty of talent at receive spot but all unproven. It is definitely a work in progress. Tony Lippet is our deep thread guy. Deanthony Arnett transfer from Tennessee finally has a grasp of the offense so he should see more playing time. All in all a very talented group but certainly untested so far as your secondary will be by the far the toughest we've faced (and maybe toughest all year outside of Ohio State).

I really hope we are not the 2nd best secondary you play all year. It should be a old fashioned slobber knocker with it being decided on the lines and with turnovers. I think if we hold on to the ball, Wood will be the difference 21-17 Irish.

 

[goldandblue]

Our secondary???? LOL. someone lied to you. Not taking anything from them they are a tough bunch of scrappy kids but we have 1 true fresman cornerback that was moved into that position during camp. The other CB is a converted wide reciever but he did have 2 picks last week.

As for the safety position, we have Jamoris Slaughter who is our most seasoned secondary player and probably our best and then Zeke Motta who should gain about 20 lbs and play and an outside linebacker...

 

[Downinthebend]

Gents -

Spartan fan here...I come in peace

I'll be honest....didn't get a chance to watch much ND this year. Missed the Navy game and only caught glimpses of your Purdue scuffle as it seemed like every B1G team played at 3:30 on saturday.

I posted here last year as well - you guys kicked *** giving the wife and I pointers for our first time to South Bend so thanks for that.

I'm really looking forward to the game to say the least. I know MSU defense gets the publicity right now and they've yet to allow a TD....but will be interesting to see how they do against a tough physical team. I'm especially interested to see if our front 4 can get a push on the line and also how our OL can get a push....basically trench play.

Maxwell is a slinger and I'm hoping he's settled down in the 1st quarter - if we need to ride Bell like we did against Boise I'm sure Dantonio is not afraid to do that.

Sorry not much insight other than I'm hoping for a Sparty victory!

If you want to watch ND versus purdue (I think the first half ended up being 20 minutes, and the second 18 or something like that) check out Notre Dame vs Purdue 2012 First Half Condensed - YouTube Notre Dame vs Purdue 2012 Second Half Condensed - YouTube


This game will end up being decided by if MSU's qb can grow up, or if Golson can keep the rush off of him and make plays by rolling outside the pocket.

 

[IrishLax]

Got a strong feeling this game is decided by special teams. ND's defense matches up best against the type of offense MSU runs. ND's offense is terrifying right now if we can't run the ball or protect up the middle. I envision a lot of 3 & outs.

Ben Turk, Brindza/Tausch, kickoff coverage, punt return (LOL)... these are the guys that will need to step up. Purdue's biggest weapon on Saturday was arguably the ~20 net yards they gained on every punting exchange. How many drives did we start inside the freaking 20 yard line?

 

[IrishDan]

Stadium View

Stadium View

I understand that this thread is more about the x's and o's...but for a first-timer to MSU - how is the visiting section compared to other stadiums? Decent seats? Or do you recommend sitting in the lower bowl?

 

[BGIF]

Got a strong feeling this game is decided by special teams. ...

Purdue's biggest weapon on Saturday was arguably the ~20 net yards they gained on every punting exchange. ...

That might be the perception but it isn't reality. I posted the game stats by quarter in the GameDay thread and I didn't recall an edge for anybody so I rechecked them now.

ND started from their own end quite often but that wasn't Turk's or ST's fault. Neal had one solid return and he lost some yards trying to make something happen. The Game Stats at UND show Turk slightly outpunted PU's kicker per kick but the 5 yd edge PU had on returns (6 yds versus 1) of the 12 punts in the game gave PU the NET edge by 0.7 yds per punt.

PU had an 85 yd edge in total punt yds because they punted two more times than ND.

One nit here might be Neal fielding the ball a couple or three times inside his own 10. I thought it was S.O.P. to avoid fielding punts inside the 10 in traffic, letting them roll hopefully for a touchback and a first and ten on the 20. Had he not fielded those punts ND might have started a couple of times at the 20 instead of inside the 10. That could have given ND perhaps a 5 yd edge in punts but it would not have been significant.


PURDUE - NOTRE DAME
PUNTS-YARDS 7-303 5-218
Average Yards Per Punt 43.3 43.6
Net Yards Per Punt 43.1 42.4
Inside 20 6 1
50+ Yards 3 2
Touchbacks 0 0
Fair catch 2 2

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 1-6-0 4-1-0
Average Per Return 6.0 0.2


BTW, MSU averages 40.0 yds/punt versus ND's 39.71, a 0.29 difference. They have a big edge on returns 15.33 yds/pt ret versus 2.40 for ND but a small sample size. Nick Hill returned one punt against Boise for 15 yds and two against CMU for a total of 31 yds.

 

[chubler]

Hey sparty, can you tell us anything about your DT's?

from my seats it looked like the middle of the line was where we were really getting our a**es handed to us against Purdue, and I know you lost a really good dt to the draft in worthy. Hows his replacement(s)?

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Got a strong feeling this game is decided by special teams. ND's defense matches up best against the type of offense MSU runs. ND's offense is terrifying right now if we can't run the ball or protect up the middle. I envision a lot of 3 & outs.

Ben Turk, Brindza/Tausch, kickoff coverage, punt return (LOL)... these are the guys that will need to step up. Purdue's biggest weapon on Saturday was arguably the ~20 net yards they gained on every punting exchange. How many drives did we start inside the freaking 20 yard line?

It'll be all about field position. Turnovers and special teams will win this game.

 

[MPClinton22]

I just can't imagine our O-Line performs as poorly as they did against Purdue this week. Especially with Cierre back I have to imagine our rushing statistics will be more respectable. I think this unit understands they have the potential to be great and because of all of the praise they had laid on them after Navy they were thinking they could just push over Purdue because of what happened last year and the week prior. They learned quickly that wasn't the case, and I can't see them doing the same against an MSU d-line that is thought to be one of the best in the country.

I have to imagine they are going to be fired up and motivated to again prove that they are who we thought they were, one of the best o-lines in the country. I think they will also realize that their ability to provide decent holes for our talented RBs to run through and protect Everett are the single most important aspects of the game for our team.

Regardless, I'll be there cheering as loudly as I can in the section of ND students who are going and will represent the Irish as best I can, and hopefully avoid getting into any fights with Spartan fans (but I can't promise anything!)

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I think this game is going to be about Wood.

With Wood in the pass blocking is better.

With Wood in Riddick or GAIII can be in at the same time, with two tight ends. The running game will be better too. All three PU down linemen were better than Kerrrigan from last year. On first rounder and probably two second, depending on how the season unfolds.

Also, we won't have the unknown factor on MSU's defensive coordinator, like with Purdue's

Anyone else think maybe Kelly was trying to keep Councell off tape?

 

[BGIF]

Gents -

Spartan fan here...I come in peace

I'll be honest....didn't get a chance to watch much ND this year. Missed the Navy game and only caught glimpses of your Purdue scuffle as it seemed like every B1G team played at 3:30 on saturday.

I posted here last year as well - you guys kicked *** giving the wife and I pointers for our first time to South Bend so thanks for that.

I'm really looking forward to the game to say the least. I know MSU defense gets the publicity right now and they've yet to allow a TD....but will be interesting to see how they do against a tough physical team. I'm especially interested to see if our front 4 can get a push on the line and also how our OL can get a push....basically trench play.

Maxwell is a slinger and I'm hoping he's settled down in the 1st quarter - if we need to ride Bell like we did against Boise I'm sure Dantonio is not afraid to do that.

Sorry not much insight other than I'm hoping for a Sparty victory!

Welcome back, 96!

I enjoyed the discussion last year and the results even more.

Few ND fans are aware MSU holds the second most victories over Notre Dame.

Or that Dantonio has a better record at MSU than Saban had. It's even better than Duffy Daugherty's. You have to go back to Biggie Munn to find a more successful MSU coach than Dantonio.

 

[peoriairish]

I understand that this thread is more about the x's and o's...but for a first-timer to MSU - how is the visiting section compared to other stadiums? Decent seats? Or do you recommend sitting in the lower bowl?

I've sat in the last row in the south end zone with my back to the concrete and it was still a great seat. You get to see the flow of play. The visiting seats are in that corner, ish. Not really a bad seat in the whole place.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I think this game is going to be about Wood.

With Wood in the pass blocking is better.

With Wood in Riddick or GAIII can be in at the same time, with two tight ends. The running game will be better too. All three PU down linemen were better than Kerrrigan from last year. On first rounder and probably two second, depending on how the season unfolds.

Also, we won't have the unknown factor on MSU's defensive coordinator, like with Purdue's

Anyone else think maybe Kelly was trying to keep Councell off tape?

There is no way Coach Kelly was holding Councell out to keep him off tape. This would not be a great coaching decision in my opinion, if in fact Councell is something special. Not to mention, Councell wasn't even considered the frontrunner before the injury to Spond.

I know you are just speculating Bog, but really?

 

[BGIF]

...

Anyone else think maybe Kelly was trying to keep Councell off tape?

Did miss the game?

In a 40 point win you can "not show" things. In a one score game you pull out the stops. Hell, Kelly even pulled Tommy out of the dog house for the win.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am just trying to figure an angle for why Carlo played will, and Foxy played outside. Any ideas?