Oct 5 | Arizona State

[Irish Insanity]

Why is everyone predicting we score 28 pts or less. Am I missing something, isn't their D pathetic?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Wies just ran a fake punt with his back at his endzone and 4 and 10. Speachless.

 

[BGIF]

Why is everyone predicting we score 28 pts or less. Am I missing something, isn't their D pathetic?

ASU gave up about 38 ppg against WIS, SU, and USC.


ND averages about 26 ppg scored but the scoring has been diminishing as the season progresses.


Based on the above, 28 pts seems based on performance.

 

[BGIF]

...

Didn't BK say Big Lou played like 70 snaps last game. His highest ever.

As tough as the quick tempo will be for him, it's got to be tougher on Tuitt and Day.

 

[NDdomer2]

Anyone see ESPN half time show.

Lou getting himself in trouble.

 

[Irish Insanity]

As tough as the quick tempo will be for him, it's got to be tougher on Tuitt and Day.

Thats a concern for me. Tuitt has looked better as the season goes so this games pace will show how close to 'back' he is, and man I hope Day with that bum ankle feels good today

 

[BGIF]

Anyone see ESPN half time show.

Lou getting himself in trouble.

What did he say?

 

[irishknight35]

Todd Graham will have his team hyped up for this game like he has the past two games he has played the Irish. I expect them to come out blazing and pumped up.

The Irish have to match that intensity instead of just weathering the storm. Would be nice to see them actually play with some emotion for once and punch ASU in the mouth early but the evidence points to them coming out lack luster and getting down early by two or more scores.

28-7 ASU at half

42-28 ASU final

 

[BGIF]

Todd Graham will have his team hyped up for this game like he has the past two games he has played the Irish. ...

The 28-27 Tulsa win, followed by the 12-15 Pitt loss?

Personally, I like that trend line.

 

[NDdomer2]

What did he say?

They were doing a preview of the nd game and he didn't give a prediction he was just highlighting what we needed to do to win. Then jackass goes "you said earlier they were gonna win why not now?" Lou said "well I want people to tune in and watch." Which followed jackass and reece both to make comments about "we want you to keep it right here on espn."

 

[Rudy89]

I just want us to not have any injuries so we can have a shot at batik USC. I just don't think we have the talent to get the W today. We may play ok and not be humiliated but I just can't see us winning we just don't have it in us this year.

 

[NDdomer2]

Final thoughts before kickoff | Inside the Irish

With Notre Dame in need of a rebound against an Arizona State team that looks a lot more dangerous than ever before, let’s run through ten Irish players that need to play well for Notre Dame to win in tonight’s primetime affair.

Tommy Rees. No need to sugarcoat it. (And after reading the comments on recent stories, nobody here has been.) Rees needs to play better to win. Against a Sun Devil defense that might spend 90 percent of its time in man-to-man coverage, the game’s going to be on Rees’s shoulders offensively, even with an emphasis in the running game.

After forgetting about underneath throws against Michigan State, the Irish did have some success on crossing routes against Oklahoma. But Rees will need to be able to connect on some downfield shots to loosen up a Sun Devils defense that isn’t exactly the stingiest group in the country.

Nick Martin. After practicing each week against Louis Nix, Martin will get his chance to face off with an All-American defensive tackle when it actually counts tonight. If Martin can hold up against Will Sutton, the Irish ground game can do some damage both inside and out.

Prince Shembo. Maybe it’s not entirely fair to call Shembo a part of the Witness Protection Program like I did earlier this week, but Shembo has got to start making his presence known in the pass rush department, an area where the Irish are in desperate need of production.

The senior linebacker has been called on to spend more time doing the little things right, like keeping leverage on the edge of the defense. But against a Sun Devil offense that can take big chunks of yardage in a hurry, a few plays made behind the line of scrimmage would do this unit some good.

Shembo is too good of a player to stay off the stat sheet for much longer. On the quick playing surface at Jerry World, I’m expecting the best game of the year for the cat linebacker.

Austin Collinsworth. Brian Kelly and Bob Diaco have a ton of faith in Collinsworth. But it’s time for the senior safety to reward the team with something more than being just consistent. After Harrison Smith and Zeke Motta played outstanding football anchoring the back end of the Irish defense, Collinsworth needs to provide more than just stability in the back end. Making sure the Irish aren’t caught in any broken coverages is mandatory, especially since those looks will surely be exploited by Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly.

The back end of the Irish defense will be under more pressure than they’ve been all season. And while Collinsworth will likely share leadership duties with Matthias Farley, it’s time for the senior to take charge.

George Atkinson. After playing his best game in an Irish uniform, it’s time for Atkinson to do it again, especially against a Sun Devils defense that’s mediocre against the run. After running through arm tackles and making big plays against Oklahoma, the Irish absolutely need Atkinson to do it again, even if there’s a bullseye on his back.

Period.

DaVaris Daniels. If you listened to Brian Kelly this week, you start to get the feeling that this coaching staff desperately wants more out of Daniels. That means more Saturdays like the ones against Temple and Purdue than what’s happened the past two weeks, when Daniels has been shut down in man coverage for a combined four catches for 19 yards.

Kelly and Chuck Martin believe that Daniels can be the big play downfield receiver that the Irish count on. But that means Daniels needs to win the one-on-one battles, something he hasn’t done the past two weeks. Cornerback Osahon Irabor is one of the Sun Devils most experienced players. Starting across from him is Robert Nelson, another fifth-year senior. That’s a lot of experience, but it’s time for Daniels to produce against top shelf opponents. He did so against Alabama in the BCS title game, so the talent is there. Now he’s got to show the consistency.

Jarrett Grace. The junior linebacker has made his move into the starting lineup. Now he needs to play better in the pass game, where he’ll be challenging this evening by a speedy fleet of Sun Devil receivers.

Kelly talked about the slant play that got inside Grace on a critical third down that went for 56-yards and a touchdown. That can’t happen tonight if the Irish want to win.

Stephon Tuitt. With Sheldon Day still likely limited, Tuitt’s going to play a lot of minutes tonight. And he’s going to need to play dominant up front in helping to limit the Sun Devil’s run game. Tuitt has slowly improved since a slow start from his hernia surgery recovery. And while his good snaps have been good, his bad snaps haven’t looked the part of a future first rounder.

With all five starters on the Sun Devil offensive line upperclassmen, it’s going to be a good battle up front. And Tuitt is going to have to carry the load, because the drop off after Day and Schwenke is sizable.

Bennett Jackson. It’s been an up and down season for the Irish captain. And he’ll be challenged again tonight, with Arizona State pushing the football down the field and the tempo between plays.

Someone needs to help this defense recapture the swagger and confidence it had last season. Jackson is the one wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey, and that duty ultimately falls on him. But until he can gets his game in order, it’s tough for that moxie to wear off on his teammates.

TJ Jones. The senior receiver has the opportunity to steal the spotlight from the Sun Devil offense with a breakout performance tonight. Whether it’s a big play in the return game, breaking a screen pass for a big gain, or connecting on a long throw down the field, Jones needs to be the best player on the field for the Irish offense.

After 15 catches in the season’s first two games, Jones has only had ten grabs in the last three for just 114 yards. Those are the type of numbers he should put up tonight, especially if the Irish run game gives Jones a chance to be a weapon in the playaction passing game.

 

[stlnd01]

I just want us to not have any injuries so we can have a shot at batik USC. I just don't think we have the talent to get the W today. We may play ok and not be humiliated but I just can't see us winning we just don't have it in us this year.

Jesus Christ, people. We're not playing the Packers here. It's just Arizona State. They got stomped by Stanford. They barely beat Wisconsin. They don't have more talent than Oklahoma or Michigan and we certainly had a shot to win those games if we hadn't F'd up so much. We've got a pretty good football team when we decide to play like one.
I agree we don't match up particularly well against their passing game, and we may well lose if we don't play well. But the woe-is-us around here is getting a little pathetic. Have some self-respect.

Go F*cking Irish!

 

[BGIF]

Final thoughts before kickoff | Inside the Irish

TJ Jones. The senior receiver has the opportunity to steal the spotlight from the Sun Devil offense with a breakout performance tonight. Whether it’s a big play in the return game, breaking a screen pass for a big gain, or connecting on a long throw down the field, Jones needs to be the best player on the field for the Irish offense.

After 15 catches in the season’s first two games, Jones has only had ten grabs in the last three for just 114 yards. Those are the type of numbers he should put up tonight, especially if the Irish run game gives Jones a chance to be a weapon in the playaction passing game.

Doesn't TJ have a bum ankle?

 

[Irish Insanity]

especially if the Irish run game gives Jones a chance to be a weapon in the playaction passing game.

I wish we actually ran play action. Lol

 

[NDdomer2]

Doesn't TJ have a bum ankle?

Your injury report listed him.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I don't understand all the negativity from Irish fans going in to this game. I believe the Irish can run the ball on the Sun Devil defense and this should allow ND to control the tempo and flow of the game. It should also allow Rees the time necessary to find open receivers down in the field. Plus, with the ILBs and safeties cheating up in run support, he should be able to find his big targets down the seam. The best defense against a high powered offense like ASU is to keep them on the sidelines. Time of possession may very well be the most important stat for the irish tonight.

 

[peoriairish]

I don't understand all the negativity from Irish fans going in to this game. I believe the Irish can run the ball on the Sun Devil defense and this should allow ND to control the tempo and flow of the game. It should also allow Rees the time necessary to find open receivers down in the field. Plus, with the ILBs and safeties cheating up in run support, he should be able to find his big targets down the seam. The best defense against a high powered offense like ASU is to keep them on the sidelines. Time of possession may very well be the most important stat for the irish tonight.

I tend to agree with this.

 

[irish o'phile]

I don't understand all the negativity from Irish fans going in to this game. I believe the Irish can run the ball on the Sun Devil defense and this should allow ND to control the tempo and flow of the game. It should also allow Rees the time necessary to find open receivers down in the field. Plus, with the ILBs and safeties cheating up in run support, he should be able to find his big targets down the seam. The best defense against a high powered offense like ASU is to keep them on the sidelines. Time of possession may very well be the most important stat for the irish tonight.

The overreaction has to do with the past 20 years.

You are correct, though. ND has the athletes to beat these guys. ND obviously out recruits ASU. It's all about the coaches getting clean play from the team and devising a good plan (control the clock via the run). I want to see if the Pac-12 is as good as it is being hyped up to be this year.

 

[Irish Insanity]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A small plane just crashed onto <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23flavetfield&src=hash">#flavetfield</a> at UF <a href="http://t.co/IN4QsyKT0E">pic.twitter.com/IN4QsyKT0E</a></p>— Elena Hilton (@HiltonElena) <a href="https://twitter.com/HiltonElena/statuses/386590191257149440">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No injuries reported in that plane crash per <a href="https://twitter.com/GainesvillePD">@GainesvillePD</a>, btw, but it was a banner. Towing a Geico ad. For insurance.</p>— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/386591643778187264">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[irishfan]

AZ State is the same team that was down 29-0 at half against Stanford. Just in case anyone here needed to be reminded of that. They're a good team, but they're not Top 10 by any means. They might have more speed, but they don't have more talent than OK or Michigan. If we can avoid going down 10-0 or 14-0 like did in those two losses, I like our chances.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Anyone see ESPN half time show.

Lou getting himself in trouble.

He also said this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>ESPN shows Kansas fake punt. Lou Holtz: "That's why ND paid him $18 million to go away."</p>— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) <a href="https://twitter.com/slmandel/statuses/386572466761375744">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BGIF]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A small plane just crashed onto <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23flavetfield&src=hash">#flavetfield</a> at UF <a href="http://t.co/IN4QsyKT0E">pic.twitter.com/IN4QsyKT0E</a></p>— Elena Hilton (@HiltonElena) <a href="https://twitter.com/HiltonElena/statuses/386590191257149440">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No injuries reported in that plane crash per <a href="https://twitter.com/GainesvillePD">@GainesvillePD</a>, btw, but it was a banner. Towing a Geico ad. For insurance.</p>— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/386591643778187264">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Why is this in ASU thread? Was this Tommy's fault, too?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Cuz I copy and pasted the 'embed tweet' in the little box at the bottom of the page in the ASU thread.

Didn't see a CFB week 6 thread. Didn't feel it was thread starter worthy.

 

[stlnd01]

He also said this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>ESPN shows Kansas fake punt. Lou Holtz: "That's why ND paid him $18 million to go away."</p>— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) <a href="https://twitter.com/slmandel/statuses/386572466761375744">October 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lou speaks the truth though.

 

[koonja]

Cuz I copy and pasted the 'embed tweet' in the little box at the bottom of the page in the ASU thread.

Didn't see a CFB week 6 thread. Didn't feel it was thread starter worthy.

My man!

A plane crash with no one injured doesn't deserve it's own thread, so why not lump it in with the most 'live' thread. I'm glad someone sees it my way, lol.

 

[Irish Insanity]

As far as the game. I've come to this thought. Is ASU better than OU or UM? We were down early in both those games and ultimately couldn't overcome those deficits. We were actually in the games late and a few stop/plays away from having a legit shot for the W. So if ASU < OU/UofM, then I like our chances. We have a shot, and on any Saturday in CFB, thats all you can ask for.

 

[koonja]

As far as the game. I've come to this thought. Is ASU better than OU or UM? We were down early in both those games and ultimately couldn't overcome those deficits. We were actually in the games late and a few stop/plays away from having a legit shot for the W. So if ASU < OU/UofM, then I like our chances. We have a shot, and on any Saturday in CFB, thats all you can ask for.

UM is a joke at ~#20 and 5-0. They can't even get it going against Minnesota, who's coach-less today.

It sickens me that we didn't pound the rock against them.

 

[gkIrish]

Don't want to start a new thread either but how can Minnesota keep Jerry Kill considering his medical issues. I feel terrible for the guy but I read that he has had seizures on 5 gamedays since 2011! If your coach isn't on the sideline on gameday, even though it isn't his fault, you gotta go with someone else.

 

[koonja]

Don't want to start a new thread either but how can Minnesota keep Jerry Kill considering his medical issues. I feel terrible for the guy but I read that he has had seizures on 5 gamedays since 2011! If your coach isn't on the sideline on gameday, even though it isn't his fault, you gotta go with someone else.

IDK. That program is so far away from being competitive though, and they're in a pretty awful recruiting area to have a terrible team and no tradition.