San Diego St. Gameday Thread [Sat. Sept. 6, '08]

[ACamp1900]

It's time to put last year behind us (Finally). For the first time in at least a good few years ND opens against a team one has to figure we have no shot at losing to. With that said this may be the most telling game about our Irish in some time.


4 keys to look for

1.) Complete Domination of the line of scrimmage while on offense. If we struggle up front on offense even a little bit it may be a pretty good sign that things are still not as they should be with the O line.

2.) If number one occurs what do our backs do in the open field? Something they had few opportunities to display last season was their ability down field and their outright play making ability. Does Allen have that true burst? Is Aldridge a legit five star back?? and so on

3.) Can the youth make POSITIVE contributions throughout the game? A handful of mistakes from the key freshmen does not bode well for their talents to be shown much further early on in the season.

4.) Here's the big one in my opinion.... Can We Keep The Defensive Backfield Healthy!?!? If and when we lose a R. McNeil or a David Bruton we are in deep, deep trouble against teams like Purdue, USC and the like who like to throw downfield. Having a reasonably healthy secondary this year could be the real difference between The Gator Bowl and an early off season.


thoughts?



GO IRISH

 

[SoCalDomer]

Let's go Irish!

 

[Mattmags]

I'll be at the game on Saturday. I read in another thread that no prospects will be in attendance. Is this true. I know where they usually sit, so I'll look for them and get a few pictures if I can.

Of all the things I want to see in this game, I think I am most excited to see a rushing game that is unstoppable against a very weak defense. This would be great for morale and a baby step in the right direction. I'm hoping for a combined rushing total of over 230 yards. Any takers?

 

[Junkhead]

I'll be at the game on Saturday. I read in another thread that no prospects will be in attendance. Is this true. I know where they usually sit, so I'll look for them and get a few pictures if I can.

Of all the things I want to see in this game, I think I am most excited to see a rushing game that is unstoppable against a very weak defense. This would be great for morale and a baby step in the right direction. I'm hoping for a combined rushing total of over 230 yards. Any takers?

I am silently hoping for a good/great OL performance. 400+ yards total offense and a convincing win would go a long way. I still have nightmares of last season though, and I hope this game can put them to rest.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I'll be at the game on Saturday. I read in another thread that no prospects will be in attendance. Is this true. I know where they usually sit, so I'll look for them and get a few pictures if I can.

Of all the things I want to see in this game, I think I am most excited to see a rushing game that is unstoppable against a very weak defense. This would be great for morale and a baby step in the right direction. I'm hoping for a combined rushing total of over 230 yards. Any takers?

Sounds reasonable to me...Time to fire this bitch up!!!

Go Irish!!!

 

[NDinL.A.]

It's time to put last year behind us (Finally). For the first time in at least a good few years ND opens against a team one has to figure we have no shot at losing to. With that said this may be the most telling game about our Irish in some time.


4 keys to look for

1.) Complete Domination of the line of scrimmage while on offense. If we struggle up front on offense even a little bit it may be a pretty good sign that things are still not as they should be with the O line.

2.) If number one occurs what do our backs do in the open field? Something they had few opportunities to display last season was their ability down field and their outright play making ability. Does Allen have that true burst? Is Aldridge a legit five star back?? and so on

3.) Can the youth make POSITIVE contributions throughout the game? A handful of mistakes from the key freshmen does not bode well for their talents to be shown much further early on in the season.

4.) Here's the big one in my opinion.... Can We Keep The Defensive Backfield Healthy!?!? If and when we lose a R. McNeil or a David Bruton we are in deep, deep trouble against teams like Purdue, USC and the like who like to throw downfield. Having a reasonably healthy secondary this year could be the real difference between The Gator Bowl and an early off season.

thoughts?

Nice post. I'd say one thing you left out that I look forward to seeing is the D-Line. Are we gonna get pancake-blocked like last year? Can we get off the field on 3rd and 3? We lost Laws, and now we have to deal w/out him. I know SDSU isn't USC, but I'd still like to see guys in the backfield wreaking havoc for a change.

Also I look forward to seeing the maturation of Clausen. He's a 5 star recruit who has a whole year under his belt. Watching UCLA's Craft last night really pumped me up to see what Clausen can do. You don't have to throw bullets to be a great QB (Montana, Tom Brady, etc). If Clausen has time, will he develop the chemistry w/ his wideouts and TE's needed to have a successful offense?

CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[IrishRamMan10]

camper this game happens on september 8, 2007? im out of the loop i guess

 

[BillyIrish]

Another thing to watch for saturday are the special teams. Along with eliminating penalties and turnovers, special teams is going to be a huge factor on how well this team plays.

 

[safety27]

First post...I am fired up. This is a great site and I just stumbled on to it. I will be on hand Sat. Hopefully, a new year brings us back to the direction we all want to see.

 

[ACamp1900]

camper this game happens on september 8, 2007? im out of the loop i guess

you lost me... it's on the sixth and I posted the sixth.... right??

 

[ACamp1900]

and dead on with the special teams comment... Everyone boo the thread creator for not mentioning them...

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Is there anyway we can make Saturday come faster?

 

[Junkhead]

you lost me... it's on the sixth and I posted the sixth.... right??

It says 2007. I think that's what he meant.

 

[mlcspinner]

we all need to raise a toast (of whatever you will be drinking) when the Irish run onto the field this Saturday to our friend GG

 

[Junkhead]

we all need to raise a toast (of whatever you will be drinking) when the Irish run onto the field this Saturday to our friend GG

I'm down with that. I'm sure he has much better recruiting and insider info that we do now. RIP bro.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Another telling sign in my opinion: Just as the offensive line should dominate the line scrimmage, I will be curious to see if the new Tenuta scheme will have its desired impact. If we can't have constant "meet at the QB" parties all game long against this patchwork offensive line of SDSU, then it also will not bode well for the rest of the season.

I am looking for 400+ yards of offense. Jimmy Clausen throwing for 3 touchdowns. And 4 or more sacks from our defense.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Man, I can't wait! Go Irish!

 

[Golden Domer93]

These next couple of days are really going to drag in anticipation of the game.

 

[JeremyND07]

These next couple of days are really going to drag in anticipation of the game.

I agree 100%! I love ND go Irish!!!

 

[Golden Domer93]

Two unproductive work days for me posting on irish envy.

 

[the-mick]

Two unproductive work days for me posting on irish envy.

haha you ain't kiddin this site kills productivity, but i feel no guilt.

I didn't know goshen gipper but i will be raising a guinness just for him on gameday.

and the thing i will be most looking for is:

1) an offensive touchdown
and
2) a win!

 

[loomis41973]

Win one for GG!!!

 

[NDsuperfan09]

Nice post. I'd say one thing you left out that I look forward to seeing is the D-Line. Are we gonna get pancake-blocked like last year? Can we get off the field on 3rd and 3? We lost Laws, and now we have to deal w/out him. I know SDSU isn't USC, but I'd still like to see guys in the backfield wreaking havoc for a change.

Also I look forward to seeing the maturation of Clausen. He's a 5 star recruit who has a whole year under his belt. Watching UCLA's Craft last night really pumped me up to see what Clausen can do. You don't have to throw bullets to be a great QB (Montana, Tom Brady, etc). If Clausen has time, will he develop the chemistry w/ his wideouts and TE's needed to have a successful offense?

CAN'T WAIT!!!

If Clausen plays as pathetic as Craft did in the first half we may be in trouble. I look for a very balanced offense. Dominant running game, and Clausen hits a couple of deep balls to Tate and Floyd IMO. We win by 4 TD's.

 

[NDsuperfan09]

sorry if this is a downer post but what happened to GG? You can PM if you don't want to leave it out in public. Thanks!

 

[ACamp1900]

It says 2007. I think that's what he meant.

ah lol

completely missed that typo... thanks guys

 

[NDOM]

I will happily spark up my bowl in honor of Notre Dame this year and GG since I dont drink. Go Irish!

 

[Dizzyphil]

Folks,

I'm looking forward to see how the play calling, offensive and defensive, will be since CW has turned over the scepter to the coaches. Of course, CW will have determined with the coaching staff the flow he wants but, this is CW's first year with the Irish he will not be the play caller. I too am looking forward to our special teams play. CW's visit with VT coach (Beamer) will be a tell tale sign of things to come from them. Great stuff here in this forum, I hate it took me so long to get here!!!

GO IRISH!!

 

[Junkhead]

sorry if this is a downer post but what happened to GG? You can PM if you don't want to leave it out in public. Thanks!

He died in a car accident.

 

[Fbolt]

Some great posts here-Me, I'm looking for 200 yrds and 1 TD from Clausen-250+ from the backfield-no sacks.

On D-I'm looking for under 200 yrds total for SDSU-4 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Is this too much to ask...?

 

[Fbolt]

Some great posts here-Me, I'm looking for 200 yrds and 1 TD from Clausen-250+ from the backfield-no sacks.

On D-I'm looking for under 200 yrds total for SDSU-4 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

Is this too much to ask...?