Jan 7 | BCS National Championship | Alabama

[GO IRISH!!!]

I respectfully disagree. We should take the ball, run no huddle down the field, and show Bama we're playing to win.

Saban HATES the no-huddle...and if we sustain a drive, will not only wear out that first string, but punch them in the mouth to start the game.

I want Bama playing from BEHIND the entire game. Even if it's 3 points.

I see your point. However, I think putting our defense out there and getting a definitive stop on Bama's first possession (maybe even a 3 and out or a turnover) would accomplish that as well. It is just my opinion of what I would do. Let Golson settle down a bit before sending him out there, but I could be wrong.

 

[chicago51]

It has been and it is going to be a very long day. 8:30 ET, 7:30 Chicago time can't come fast enough.

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[ACamp1900]

My approach to this game wil be the same as all others... I have fully convinced myself there is no real chance of victory, during the game I will have a total defeatist attitude, curl up in a ball bt!ch arse style and until the game is over... and go from there


so far that has worked pretty well so......

 

[Irish#1]

All the talk is how their line will wear us down by the fourth quarter. I hope we run and run and run and wear down their defense. What would the talking heads say then?

 

[arrowryan]

All the talk is how their line will wear us down by the fourth quarter. I hope we run and run and run and wear down their defense. What would the talking heads say then?

"Ahh Alabama is overrated. Just wait until they play their Spring game. Notre Dame will for sure be tested then!"- David Pollack

 

[ACamp1900]

My honest guess would be many of the Pollack's out there will echo that "This was just their year... they will most likely fall back to their place next year, but you know, funny things happen sometimes and the best team doesn't always win..."

something to that effect

 

[irishpat183]

My honest guess would be many of the Pollack's out there will echo that "This was just their year... they will most likely fall back to their place next year, but you know, funny things happen sometimes and the best team doesn't always win..."

something to that effect

They're like weathermen.

 

[Irishman77]

After studying the Lsu, tam and ga game here are my keys to the game.
-80%+ of their offense is running between the tackles.
-their secondary is not bad, but very beatable
- the oc has exceptional instincts when to call the play action for a big play
-they are in the title game because they impose their will and are disciplined.


To win we must

-our 11 on d must do their job. (Gap responsibility, don't bite on the pa pass)

- more than anything we must tackle. They run up the middle where there is a crowd and simply run over or run through. We must plug the holes and tackle exceptionally well.

-Tyler Eiffert could/should have his greatest game. Alabama rarely will double team or even roll coverage. I feel Tyler could get 8+ catches with 5 being over 20 yards.

- we got to get outside when we run.

-golson needs to be moving at all times. Golson outside the pocket not only to avoid the sack, but to see the open man. Get him OUTSIDE.

-daniels and brown need to get deep. Ga killed them deep and we are better.

If we tackle great and win the turnover battle we win!

I can barely breathe today. I am a wreck!

 

[irishpat183]

My honest guess would be many of the Pollack's out there will echo that "This was just their year... they will most likely fall back to their place next year, but you know, funny things happen sometimes and the best team doesn't always win..."
something to that effect

To that I reply....We were the best team on monday night. that's all that matters.

 

[chicago51]

My honest guess would be many of the Pollack's out there will echo that "This was just their year... they will most likely fall back to their place next year, but you know, funny things happen sometimes and the best team doesn't always win..."

something to that effect

I'm not sure anyone will say that on TV but there will be a lot of people thinking that.

 

[ACamp1900]

To that I reply....We were the best team on monday night. that's all that matters.

absolutely...

 

[Irish Houstonian]

An A&M fan just emailed me, pissed off that Brent Musberger had called the Irish "Destiny's Darlings".

Hadn't heard that, but it has a nice ring to it.

 

[chicago51]

absolutely...

"To win the national championship you don't have to be the best in the country you just have to be the team in the stadium on January 7th" Lou Holtz to Brian Kelly on the ND coaches round table.

 

[Emcee77]

Football Outsiders' Bill Connelly offers a final breakdown of ND v. 'Bama here. I particularly enjoyed his description of our "13-man defense":

Wow, great article. Love that "13-man defense" breakdown. Here is another part that got me excited (SIAP):

Over the course of the season, Alabama faced five teams that finished the regular season with a winning record. Against those five opponents, the Crimson Tide defense gave up 19.0 points per game, almost nine points higher than their season average. Shutouts against offensive juggernauts like Western Kentucky, Arkansas (without Tyler Wilson), Western Carolina, and Auburn tend to drive the season average down. This isn’t to say the Alabama defense isn’t elite, but it might suggest that this year’s defense is not on the same level as last season’s, one that did not allow more than 14 points in a game versus an FBS opponent.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, has seen less variation between good and bad opponents. Against six opponents who finished the regular season with a winning record, Notre Dame gave up just 10.3 points per game, exactly the same as its season average. This year, Alabama and Notre Dame had one common opponent: Michigan. Alabama held the Wolverines to 14 points in their season opener, while Notre Dame held them to six points just three weeks later. Meanwhile, Notre Dame held Oklahoma to just 13 points, 25.2 points below the Sooners' season average, in Norman as well.

 

[irishpat183]

An A&M fan just emailed me, pissed off that Brent Musberger had called the Irish "Destiny's Darlings".

Hadn't heard that, but it has a nice ring to it.

A pissed off aggie? I got one of those in the office next to me! LOL

He's claiming the Ags could beat anyone right now...(and you know what? I wouldn't want to play them) and would beat ND.


I told him they're more than welcome to try....but it'll have to be at another time, as they didn't handle their business. We graciously declined the Cotton bowl invite.

 

[ohara831]

Quiet confidence. I want our players to have a quiet confidence. I feel it.

 

[BobD]

Just put your butt in front of the TV at 7:00PM like the rest of us. lol

Psshhh! I'll be stuck to the couch starting at noon PST. when the ESPN BCS show comes on.

 

[chicago51]

Yes have been arguing with my cousin who is an ND fan but more cautious and pesimistic than I am.

He and I disagree on 2 points concerning the defenses.

1 - Notre Dame is better defense this year hands down.

2 - Alabama is not even the best defense ND will face this year. I say Standford was better.

My cousin said he wasn't sure about point 1 and disagreed with point 2.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Quiet confidence. I want our players to have a quiet confidence. I feel it.

Amen to that.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I would say Stanford has better LB's and pass-rush, but aren't quite as good a defense as a whole. Alabama's front 7 (a D in general) plays better as a unit.

 

[chicago51]

A pissed off aggie? I got one of those in the office next to me! LOL

He's claiming the Ags could beat anyone right now...(and you know what? I wouldn't want to play them) and would beat ND.


I told him they're more than welcome to try....but it'll have to be at another time, as they didn't handle their business. We graciously declined the Cotton bowl invite.

For what its worth ND has actually done historically well in the Cotton Bowl.

A&M does have a bright future. The Bama @ Texas A&M game will decide the SEC west next year. Neither of them have any SEC east heavy weights (UF, UGA, USC) while LSU's schedule is loaded with them.

Bottom line though is A&M got shut down by a team that got torched by Louisville and couldn't beat a team that had 8 three and outs versus a bad Clemson defense.

 

[GreenSox04]

breaking news here. jesse palmer is a straight douche. is anyone watching ESPNU?

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Psshhh! I'll be stuck to the coach starting at noon PST. when the ESPN BCS show comes on.

I think Kelly will find it a little difficult to move on the sidelines with you. It will be like some weird 3 legged race.

 

[Canton_Irish]

Danny Kanel (former fsu qb) just stated on ESPN that our biggest advantage is luck. He then pointed out that the dropped pass on 4th down against SC was lucky and that if it had been caught we wouldn't be here now.


Game was a 9 point lead at that point you ignoramus.

 

[chicago51]

Danny Kanel (former fsu qb) just stated on ESPN that our biggest advantage is luck. He then pointed out that the dropped pass on 4th down against SC was lucky and that if it had been caught we wouldn't be here now.


Game was a 9 point lead at that point you ignoramus.

Dany Kanul is on ESPN now? Is ESPN just bringing/calling in everyone who has ever picked up a football to give their opinion.

Seriously Danny Kanul?

 

[BobD]

I think Kelly will find it a little difficult to move on the sidelines with you. It will be like some weird 3 legged race.

Doh! Stupid auto- correct!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Danny Kanel (former fsu qb) just stated on ESPN that our biggest advantage is luck. He then pointed out that the dropped pass on 4th down against SC was lucky and that if it had been caught we wouldn't be here now.


Game was a 9 point lead at that point you ignoramus.

I am sick of people bringing up the SC dropped pass, the Stanford goal line stand, and the missed field goal in the Pitt game as reasons why we shouldn't be in the NC game. I heard a guy on ESPN keep referring the to touchdown Stanford scored in OT saying we didn't really win that game and we should be at least 11-1 and not 12-0. Ummm...

 

[chicago51]

Doh! Stupid auto- correct!

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I'm pretty sure Kanell has us winning the game though.

 

[arrowryan]

I have a feeling Notre Dame will be in the 4-3 tonight