Sep 22 | Michigan

[Patulski]

Here's a few things I remember that made me go hmmmm:

In 2006, the Big 10 crew threw a flag on virtually every kickoff in the first half. When does that happen? So, we started every drive from around the 10 yard line. In 2009 they called Allen out of bounds when he clearly wasn't on his TD, and then called a 15 yard penalty on him for his "shh" gesture to the crowd.

They work the field position. Watch for it on Saturday.

I expect them to try to hose us. We have to overcome this.

It's definitely Big Ten refs. And sorry to the Wolverine fans here who will without a doubt scream bloody murder about this "conspiracy theory" but there is tons upon tons of anecdotal evidence to support Big Ten refs coming just short of straight up fixing games in favor of teams from the Integer. There was a phantom hold called against Cal just last week on a 70 yard TD that even the TV announcers went off on. There was the utter ridiculousness of '09 with respect to ND. There is a poster on ISD who plays golf with some Big Ten officials and they have openly told him how much they hate ND. Think they have impartial judgement? Yeah.....

Bottom line is that the NFL wouldn't let a Saints fan ref a Saints game and far too often you have Michigan/Ohio State closets fans in the stripes reffing their contests both in and out of conference. Not sure how much of a factor it will be on Saturday.... maybe none at all... but I'm pessimistic. This will be our first game against Michigan since '09 that will have Big Ten refs... so don't be fooled by the fair shake the past two years.

 

[Patulski]

I think it's useless trying to compare us to Alabama, who is the best college football program in America..

We are playing a team that has consistently beaten us, and we've been a second tier team for quite awhile.. So, all I care about is a win and a step forward towards becoming a first tier team..

So thinking more about this matchup and comparing to Bama...I know Bama is thought of as a different level, but let's look at it for a second:

3 of the 4 starting LBs for 'bama were making their first start against Michigan. Playing only sparingly their freshman years as backups and special teams players. Nico Johnson is the only one of the 4 to have experience, but let's face it we all know Manti is a much better linebacker. Looking at the DLine...Tuitt hands down starts for Bama over Stinson. KLM is rated higher (#19 DE) by CBS sports draft rankings than Square (#28 DE). Jesse Williams is a force at DT, but would you really take him over Irish Chocolate?

So now let's compare ND's front 7 in week 4 versus 'Bama in week 1...what do you all think? Even if you're still caught up on "But, it's ALABAMA" you can't deny that ND is not far off (if not better). This front 7 held UM to 69 rushing yard and 1 sack.

Just food for thought...

 

[phork]

In an interview today Hoke admitted to telling stupid Borges at half to wipe the gameplan and let Denard loose...hence the fact we actually outscored Bama in the second half(read into that what you want). I will promise you the long ball will not be in play this weekend much, unless again stupid borges shows up. They will execute near the same gameplan they did last season for the most part, except maybe the will get it going before the 2nd half this year.

That and Bama took their foot off that gas. They could have dropped 70 on you.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

I think ND should try to outscore Michigan.

 

[phork]

Here's a few things I remember that made me go hmmmm:

In 2006, the Big 10 crew threw a flag on virtually every kickoff in the first half. When does that happen? So, we started every drive from around the 10 yard line. In 2009 they called Allen out of bounds when he clearly wasn't on his TD, and then called a 15 yard penalty on him for his "shh" gesture to the crowd.

They work the field position. Watch for it on Saturday.

I expect them to try to hose us. We have to overcome this.

Clearly wasn't? Come on bro.

 

[ACamp1900]

My roomatte is a die-hard UM fan. He told me on Friday, if we beat MSU he's not watching the UM game with me, because he admits MSU is better than UM. I think we stomp them pretty hard, but who knows with D-Rob. He's so-so QB but great college football player.

I think MSU is a better team also... but Robinson is that real of a playmaker... the guy is basically a real life version of Mike Vick in Madden '08... He's a freakin video game.

I will say this, Michigan, because of DR, is a totally different matchup from Purdue and MSU... just like the last two seasons, contain him and you win... force him to make mistakes and you win big... ND has not done much of either for our Qs the last two years.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

I think you're right to a certain extent. A front 7 also has to play well together. I'm not saying ours doesn't, but Bama's seemed to do that.

Also they had the entire summer to prepare for UM. We have 1 week. I believe that's why we straight embarrassed Navy 50-10 instead of beating them 35-13 or something similar.

I agree, but I also don't see how ND's defensive front seven can't be considered to be playing well together. They demolished Le'Veon and that MSU offense, leading us to a win over a top 10 team. Our front seven has accounted for 11 sacks...3 more than Bama thus far.

Now, obviously I'm not comparing our secondaries...just the front 7. No comparison in the secondary lol

 

[ACamp1900]

I think our secondary has been gifted a number of bad drops and plays by all three of our opponents... with that said though, they have played miles above what most (myself definately included) expected to this point...

I fear the loss of Slaughter may really hurt... but thus far the secondary has been much less of a glaring weakness than was expected...

Real test this weekend though... after this week we will begin to know what kind of a team we really have... for all we know MSU isn't as good as people thought...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Here is a text I got from an Irish friend:

Hope all is cool with you. Hoke is gonna have Denard under center for most of the game, and try to test that secondary.Some of the big ten, anti 9:56 PM N D pundits got thier panties in a bunch and are down-playing the win over Sparty. But Sparty has a better defense than Michigan.Tuit and Nix could walk 9:56 PM onto a prison yard with light blue, feetie pajamas and not one prisoner would say a goddam word.

 

[irishff1014]

Here is a text I got from an Irish friend:

HAHA Love it

 

[ACamp1900]

I would expect them to test downfield a ton anyway... while DR buys time and runs when needed of course...

btw, I must have missed something about the 'irish friend'.... oh well

 

[NDinL.A.]

I think our secondary has been gifted a number of bad drops and plays by all three of our opponents... with that said though, they have played miles above what most (myself definately included) expected to this point...

I fear the loss of Slaughter may really hurt... but thus far the secondary has been much less of a glaring weakness than was expected...

Real test this weekend though... after this week we will begin to know what kind of a team we really have... for all we know MSU isn't as good as people thought...

I think as fans (and I am guilty of this as well) that when we lose a very good player, we just assume that the next guy in will do fine because, well, that's what fans do. When Cave went down and Golic did great his first game, we all thought there wouldn't be that big of a drop-off. Big mistake. Many IE members thought the right side of the line would be fine b/c Lombard was a stud recruit and had great reviews in camp and Golic was a veteran much more suited for guard, plus we dominated Michigan, Reality is they have struggled mightily, as many first-year starters do.

USC thought they'd be able to handle the loss of 1st round OT Kalil, and even though AA center Holmes was hurt, surely their super-stud redshirt freshman Cyrus Hobbi would be fine. Now they are calling Hobbi's performance vs Stanford the worst they've ever seen, and that their line as a whole sucks balls. Hmmmm....in training camp all I heard was how great their line was.

Point is, yeah, losing Slaughter SUCKS, and could really hurt. Sure, Farley has looked serviceable, but has he really done anything? Not bagging in him, just saying, what has he done besides in the Navy game? Nothing really sticks (although I could be wrong). If he can keep the ball in front of him and be a sure tackler, that would be fine by me. But Slaughter was a playmaker, and he will be missed. I'm hoping like hell that Farley and even JerseyBoy#22 can maintain our secondary play in his absence.

We're gonna need everyone to step up to win this game vs. the Michigan Robinsons this weekend...

 

[NDdomer2]

As a DB, not hearing about my play is always a good day. Maybe the fact we haven't heard much about Matthias is good because he is doing his job. Hopefully if we do hear about his play it isn't because of getting beat.

I think our young safeties have a coming out party. They have no previous coaching other than Kelly. Imo, that is significant. Kelly knows how to beat this team but hasn't always had the guys stay disciplined to the plan for four quarters.

This will be the year.

 

[irishff1014]

I do believe coach Diaco is tired of being abused by Mich. So far his game planning has been very good. I look for that to continue.

 

[ACamp1900]

Honestly we had a great gameplan last year also... they just seemed gased by the fourth Q.

 

[irishff1014]

Honestly we had a great gameplan last year also... they just seemed gased by the fourth Q.

Very true but it will probably exacuted better.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Step 1: Knock UM on their a$$.

Step 2: Place foot on throat.

Step 3: Step on throat.

 

[ACamp1900]

Step 1: Knock UM on their a$$.

Step 2: Place foot on throat.

Step 3: Step on throat.

We have done the first two of these three years running... only the full process has gone like this...

Step 1: Knock UM on their a$$.

Step 2: Place foot on throat.

Step 3: Wet pants and give the game away.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

We have done the first two of these three years running... only the full process has gone like this...

Step 1: Knock UM on their a$$.

Step 2: Place foot on throat.

Step 3: Wet pants and give the game away.

Seriously, step 3 needs to be asserted.

Put em in a body bag Kelly!

 

[arrowryan]

I think our secondary has been gifted a number of bad drops and plays by all three of our opponents... with that said though, they have played miles above what most (myself definately included) expected to this point...

I fear the loss of Slaughter may really hurt... but thus far the secondary has been much less of a glaring weakness than was expected...

Real test this weekend though... after this week we will begin to know what kind of a team we really have... for all we know MSU isn't as good as people thought...

Woah, hold up now. Last week, didn't we all say we will know what kind of team we have when we play MSU?

Our front 7 is amazing, you can't even debate that. They have helped the secondary by getting pressure on the quarterback and forcing bad throws.

I'm not all that worried about losing Slaughter, he is a good player but I am REALLY excited about Farley

 

[ACamp1900]

I would say Slaughter is a huge loss... and we will find out what kid of team this is saturday... respectfully

 

[95NDAlumNM]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-dEEN2lDLEg

 

[arrowryan]

I'm not sure I understand what some of you are trying to say about our secondary for this game

 

[ACamp1900]

Not sure if you are looking at me... I think our secondary has been GREAT considering circumstances... but the leader is down and that's a big hit.

I think this game is a totally different matchup it terms of the potential pressure the secondary will be under... they have to step up.

that's my basic thoughts.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Woah, hold up now. Last week, didn't we all say we will know what kind of team we have when we play MSU?

Our front 7 is amazing, you can't even debate that. They have helped the secondary by getting pressure on the quarterback and forcing bad throws.

I'm not all that worried about losing Slaughter, he is a good player but I am REALLY excited about Farley

The front seven is not "amazing." They are very good. Let's not get crazy.

MSU had a lot of drops. A lot. That covered up a lot of errors. Purdue made a living on the easy passes MSU dropped.

Denard Robinson will extend plays and give this defense everything it can handle. To think otherwise is wishful, in my opinion. Kelly will need Nix to come 100000% this game and get an immediate push in the middle.

 

[irishff1014]

The front seven is not "amazing." They are very good. Let's not get crazy.

MSU had a lot of drops. A lot. That covered up a lot of errors. Purdue made a living on the easy passes MSU dropped.

Denard Robinson will extend plays and give this defense everything it can handle. To think otherwise is wishful, in my opinion. Kelly will need Nix to come 100000% this game and get an immediate push in the middle.

I think we will probably see alot of 3 man rushes. That way we cover the recivers well and make D-rob beat us with his are again.

 

[chubler]

Agreed. This game is only different because unlike any of the QB's we've played so far, Denard can burn us even if we toss their o-line aside like the rag dolls they are.

We play disciplined, assignment football, bend-dont-break defense, and Michigan will sputter on offense. We give Denard seams to run through and it could be a long night.

I also think that if we can establish the run game on O, its over. The ideal situation to play from this week is almost identical to last week- get ahead and force the pass, wait for the opposing QB to make mistakes or force things.

We need to play a good, solid, few-mistake game to win here.
Michigan needs to play a great, surprising, mistake-free game to win. I think we pull this one out by at least 10 in front of a jacked-up crowd including yours truly.

 

[NDhoosier]

The front seven is not "amazing." They are very good. Let's not get crazy.

No, our front 7 is Elite... Other than LSU and Alabama, there are not many teams that can say they have a better front 7 than ND.

 

[Fbolt]

We play disciplined, assignment football, bend-dont-break defense, and Michigan will sputter on offense. We give Denard seams to run through and it could be a long night.

I also think that if we can establish the run game on O, its over. The ideal situation to play from this week is almost identical to last week- get ahead and force the pass, wait for the opposing QB to make mistakes or force things.

Excellent points.

I worry about Denard improvising in the backfield, stopping at the line when the DBs break coverage, and having DR lob a softball over their heads for a score.

Assignment correct football will win this game.

 

[choo choo]

The Skunkbears can go directly to hell.... and they can take their Fred Flinstone looking coach with them.

yaba ****ing daba dooooooooo