Michigan St. will beat Notre Dame!

[IRISHMAN]

im not feeling to good about this upcoming game against MSU. they've beat'en ND seven of the last nine years and if ND doesn't fix their problems in a hurry we'll lose this game again. if this game becomes an offensive shootout i feel that MSU would have the advantage on us. even thought ND scored 41 points against MSU last year and was able to move the ball at will that was last season and this year ND has failed to protect BQ, failed to get any sort of running game going and for what ever reason BQ looks to be a little off this year. it's already been three games and ND still hasn't been able to fix their offensive problems, yes i know they scored 41 points against PSU but they still could not run the ball or protect BQ as well. for this to happen in one game is a fluke, two games is a problem and for it to happen three straight games is a concern. right now MSU offense is a force they got their passing and running game going. ND has always struggled against the spreed offense not to mention QBs that can run. if ND wants to win this game they need to fix their offensive line in a hurry other wise ND will fall to 2-2 and probbly out of the top 25.

 

[DanoMingea]

Charlie "gets" this one done

Charlie "gets" this one done

too many leaders and memories on this team to lose 2 straight...I'll take Brady on this one.

 

[solo]

I don't think Sparty gets us this year. The type of team we REALLY struggle with is the team that plays great defense. That is not MSU.

They are gonna get their yards and score some points. But I see ND winning this one.

 

[DeeRock]

this will be a tough test- if Weis is the coach that he is supposed to be, he gets the team MENTALLY PREPARED to win this one

 

[TonyTiger]

You say MSU has won 7 of the last 9 (Which is true) but more importantly, Notre Dame has won 2 of the last 4.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

No, I'm sorry, but we're going to annihilate Michigan State.. really, it's going to be ugly. The outcome of this game was decided when those dumbasses decided to plant their flag on our field...and now that we're all pissed off from the Michigan game------look out.

I'm going to do everything I humanly can to get tickets for that game.

 

[jiggafini19]

I am like the student section on Saturday vs. Michigan.

I'm staying put and I'm not going anywhere.

ND wins this one. I still expect a good game, though. MSU is probably confident they have ND"s number and licking their chops after that scUM debacle.

Could be right where we want them.

 

[scooper]

It'll be a tough game. Sparty has proven their worth against the Irish in the past. All in all, this game will tell us a lot about this team. If they win, they can still go to LA with only one loss. Then anything can happen.

Which direction will they go from here? Saturday will be very telling.

 

[solo]

No, I'm sorry, but we're going to annihilate Michigan State.. really, it's going to be ugly. The outcome of this game was decided when those dumbasses decided to plant their flag on our field...and now that we're all pissed off from the Michigan game------look out.

I'm going to do everything I humanly can to get tickets for that game.

I don't think that ND plays well in "revenge games". The last time I can remember manhandling a team we wanted revenge on was 1994 BC (revenge from ruining our 93 NC run).

Since then, we have had numerous revenge games that didn't pan out well. We lost to MSU 5 times in row from 97-01. Blown out by them in 98 (45-23). The next 3 years were "revenge" games against them that we lost.

Not to mention, we beat them by 4 points in 2002 and 7 points in 2004. This game is almost always close. The last 6 have been decided by a TD or less. I just can't see us destroying them.

I do think we win. But I doubt that it is by more than a TD.

 

[scooper]

I'll be happy with a one point win. But that's every week.

 

[domerfor life]

It'll be a tough game. Sparty has proven their worth against the Irish in the past. All in all, this game will tell us a lot about this team. If they win, they can still go to LA with only one loss. Then anything can happen.

Which direction will they go from here? Saturday will be very telling.

I think ND will win Saturday. At some point in time, your pride has to kick in. Saturday was extremely humbling. Now maybe they actually play decent football for an entire game. I don't want to talk about Saturday, because I'll be here all day. It looks like we have some lingering problems that will continue to linger for the rest of the year. Charlie needs to figure out something to get the run game going. It's obvious our "veteran offensive line" is average at best. There's just no other way around that. We aren't able to run any dives, blast, or offtackle plays. If we face a defense that is Top 15 caliber (GTech, Mich) we struggle mightily. That being said, MSU does not have a Top 15 defense. We should win, but it will be hard because our defense was exposed for still being susceptible to the big play. It is very important for us to get the early lead. When Michigan took the lead, I knew we were in trouble. We do not have the LB's necessary to keep teams from controlling the clock once they get a lead on us. Saturday proved that. Last year, when MSU went up on us they tried to run clock, but Hoyte and Mays wouldn't let that happed. In turn, that gave the offense more chances to come back. Saturday, our LB's were getting swallowed. We can't let MSU get an early lead. One more thing...the Big 10 conspiracy continues. What do I mean?......Am I supposed to think that in 3 games no OL on any team has held any of our guys? Penalties happen...I know this, but it's seeming a little one-sided right now.

 

[revolver]

I hope we destroy them. I hope we do to them what Rome did to Carthadge. Heck, sow salt into their turf afterwards. you get the picture. I still can't believe we let them do that flag crap. Are there no George Teague's on this team? He blasted T.O. helmet to helmet for standing on the star. The officials had to stop a brawl when the Canes started jumping on Louisville's logo. Hopefully, Charlie has something in mind.....

 

[marv81s]

I'll settle for a sound ass whooping over that showboat/thug crap any day.

 

[IRISHMAN]

i just hope NDs defense can slow MSUs offense down enough but i have my doubts. ND hasn't stopped the run all that well this season and against MSU it'll get even tougher because they will spread us out and run the ball in space and force our DBs to cover their WR's one-on-one and we all know how our CBs have played this year not to mention they have a QB who is accurate and can also run for first downs. NDs defense has to slow them down but more importantly the ND offense needs to get things going.

 

[IRISHMAN]

how does a defense stop the spread offense?

 

[lattedatte]

I never underestimate the power of motivation and emotion.

Motivating factors going for ND in this game:
1) Revenge from last years loss
2) The fact they planted their flag on our field and disrespected ND
3) The michigan game last week.
4) Any national championship aspirations
5) Brady's heisman aspirations

Those will be the determining factors. ND 34- MSU 24.

 

[lattedatte]

how does a defense stop the spread offense?

Get a lead, force TO's and make them one dimensional..

 

[irishnd31]

Get a lead, force TO's and make them one dimensional..

That sounds eerily reminiscent of what Michigan did to us.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

look i'm not making a joke here,but this could turn out to be the pac-10 game of the week.
if we are disciplined enough and we will be after last week,then sparty doesn't have the guns to stay in the game.

guys michigan is good,it's a game on emotion,they came out expecting to win as did notre dame.The only problem is michigan was the only one who executed.if you watch any other games besdides notre dame,you know this happens a lot,and even to teams ranked in the top 10.
sometimes the other team lets them back in the game.saturday michigan wasn't budging...game over.The whole time everyone,myself included, was expecting a glorious comeback
Do you think that if we played this game over saturday the end result would be the same?
if notre dame had won that game there would be alot of 3 touchdown revenge scores on here.
I'm not going to question the defense last week nor the running game or the passing game either.It just wasn't something that was meant to be.

notre dame 49
sparty 35

anyone got a reason why this couldn't be the score?
I respect everyone's opinions and concerns.Michiagn state has a good offense,but after last week there is no reason why the team should let up for even a play.
"we won't be fooled again" as that song goes by the who

 

[domerfor life]

I don't know about you guys, but I think some of the players started reading their own press clippings. I don't think we've fully adjusted to being "the hunted". Last year we were the hunter and we brought it every game. ND has to understand that with all the hype they received, teams will not take them lightly. I still don't like losing, but what I hope is that this loss helps bring things back into perspective. I hope our players become focused on becoming a good football team and finishing out the year strong. I hope they are mad. You have to play football with controlled aggression. I hope they feel disrespected, because it seems they play better when they are disrespected. What I've seen so far this year (except for maybe 3 qtrs) has not impressed me in the least bit. Hopefully, this loss will calm everybody down. I hope some egos (if there were any) have been deflated and players realize they have to bring it on every play. If we do this, MSU has no shot.

 

[irishfan]

I don't think that ND plays well in "revenge games". The last time I can remember manhandling a team we wanted revenge on was 1994 BC (revenge from ruining our 93 NC run).

Since then, we have had numerous revenge games that didn't pan out well. We lost to MSU 5 times in row from 97-01. Blown out by them in 98 (45-23). The next 3 years were "revenge" games against them that we lost.

how about last year alone? we beat three teams that beat us from 2004 (Pitt, BYU, Purdue)

ive been saying this since the end of last year. the MSU game will be very similar to the Purdue one from last year

 

[Aerosmith777]

Between the flag incident last year and the loss they're coming off last week, I would not want to be Michigan State on Saturday...something tells me Charlie will have them ready to take out their aggressions this weekend...

 

[jiggafini19]

I've seen their schedule, but MSU's offense has piled a ton of yards and after Saturday, I am not so sure I like what I see with matchups.

They can pass and run in bunches.

 

[southbend62]

We have to trust in ND pride to win this game. After last week's comatose performance against Michigan--the have to show up with a vengeance.

 

[lattedatte]

I've seen their schedule, but MSU's offense has piled a ton of yards and after Saturday, I am not so sure I like what I see with matchups.

They can pass and run in bunches.

Trannon is a horrendous matchup and our d-line is a bad matchup against pretty much everyone. But I expect a last year USC type of performance only playing MSU. I don't think MSU has better matchups than USC had against us? Of course this one is on the road but:

Fun stat of the day:

The road team has won 8 out of the last 10 in this series.

 

[TonyTiger]

how does a defense stop the spread offense?

FYI: We run the option spread.

 

[TonyTiger]

Both teams will be very much ready to play, not just Notre Dame. I see this game coming down to turnovers, and who capitalizes on those turnovers.

As stated by a commentator during the Pitt game...not a defense in the country can stall this MSU Offense for an entire game. We will get our points.

Neither defense will be able to stope the opposing offense. So, like I said...it will come down to turnovers.

 

[rontdtarchala]

Lord, first Maison then victors now a friekin sparty....hahahaha...bottome line if we play like (as carlos mencia says) de de de's like we did last saturday we are screwed. I've given my opinion far too many times so I won't this time...still...my Notre Dame pride said we would be 13-0 now I say 12-1...I would appreciate if my team has the balls to keep me right...

 

[scooper]

Both teams will be very much ready to play, not just Notre Dame. I see this game coming down to turnovers, and who capitalizes on those turnovers.

Which is a fair prediction, seeing as how this is exactly what happened last year.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sorry IRISHMAN...

But I see MSU going down like a Narc getting beat down at a biker rally.