Treat as a rivalry game or regular game?

[condoms SUCk]

So I watched the BK press conference on Tuesday and he is treating the Michigan game as just another game (but he did mention that this game has some historical significance) OR how Dick Rod wants to treat the game as a rivalry game (get pumped up boyz).
So my question is this… if you were a coach how would you treat this game (or other rivalry games i.e. BC, U$C) would you use the BK approach and treat the game as just another game with some historical implications or as a freak’n rivalry game and put your game faces on boys b/c were f’n going to war whoooo whoooo!!!!

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm treating this game the same way I did in 06, 07, last year.... hell, most years.... the Michigan game is the game of the year... at least for the first half... "must win" gets thrown out so much in cfb but last year and this year... the circle game certainly seems to be this one.

rival or not...

 

[condoms SUCk]

I'm treating this game the same way I did in 06, 07, last year.... hell, most years.... the Michigan game is the game of the year... at least for the first half... "must win" gets thrown out so much in cfb but last year and this year... the circle game certainly seems to be this one.

rival or not...

I agree, now I can see BK's logic, but CW had the same approach and our boyz came out flat. I know that emotion can only get you so far but we are talking about 18-21 year olds, they live off this stuff. BK mentioned that at Cincinnati their "rival" was Miami of Ohio. I’m sorry but Michigan, BC, U$C games are on a whole different level and if we treat these games as "just another game" were gona come out flat and play like we did under CW. I may be off on this, and if I am I will corrected by the masses , but I think that rivalry games are that make ND.. ND and we have to embrace that.
P.S. there may have been other issues that led to ND coming out flat under CW, I will concede that.

 

[BGIF]

So I watched the BK press conference on Tuesday and he is treating the Michigan game as just another game (but he did mention that this game has some historical significance) OR how Dick Rod wants to treat the game as a rivalry game (get pumped up boyz).
So my question is this… if you were a coach how would you treat this game (or other rivalry games i.e. BC, U$C) would you use the BK approach and treat the game as just another game with some historical implications or as a freak’n rivalry game and put your game faces on boys b/c were f’n going to war whoooo whoooo!!!!

Here's that Q&A from the transcript:

Q. Your philosophy on rivalry games, do you try to make it just another game or do you say hey, it's Michigan, get the adrenalin going?
COACH KELLY: I've never prepared football teams in a manner that we focus on a particular rivalry. But this is all eggs in one basket. I try to keep a steady enthusiastic to approach to every game.
You know, in Cincinnati we had this rivalry with Miami of Ohio that had been going on for a long time, and it was nice, but it was nice when Cincinnati and Miami were non-BCS. So I didn't think it was as much of a rivalry as people thought. I respect the history and tradition of it. But what I really used was our guys, letting them know that this team's going to be ready for you. Same thing with Michigan, same thing with Purdue, and every team that we're going to play with that rivalry so they have historical respect that and we're going to focus on ourselves.

 

[dshans]

Each and every game is a rivalry – competition for the same objective or superiority in the same field. Team A versus Team B. Attitude should be the same game to game.

You relegate a game to "non-rivalry" status and you stand to have your ass handed to you on a platter. Anticipation should be that each and every opponent is worthy and able. In light of recent years it would be folly to think otherwise.

Think Navy, BC and Syracuse. One of Kelly's oft repeated phases is "he comes/came to work everyday" when assessing or commenting on any given player. Preparation and expectation and should be consistent week in and week out.

That should be the mantra for the coaches, staff and team members.

The fans, however, are free to ramp things up as the feel fit. Wear Kelly green, drink Guinness and Jameson, scream until they can only squeak and squawk. Break flat screen TV's, toss remotes onto the nearest freeway or risk the wrath of the neighborhood association for being too loud by shouting obscenities. Positive or negative (team/play dependent), the howling is all the same.

At least the Big Then < 20 Refs can't call a bullshit penalty to alter the game flow and results..

 

[BGIF]

Each and every game is a rivalry – competition for the same objective or superiority in the same field. Team A versus Team B. Attitude should be the same game to game.

You relegate a game to "non-rivalry" status and you stand to have your ass handed to you on a platter. Anticipation should be that each and every opponent is worthy and able. In light of recent years it would be folly to think otherwise.

Think Navy, BC and Syracuse. One of Kelly's oft repeated phases is "he comes/came to work everyday" when assessing or commenting on any given player. Preparation and expectation and should be consistent week in and week out.

That should be the mantra for the coaches, staff and team members.

The fans, however, are free to ramp things up as the feel fit. Wear Kelly green, drink Guinness and Jameson, scream until they can only squeak and squawk. Break flat screen TV's, toss remotes onto the nearest freeway or risk the wrath of the neighborhood association for being too loud by shouting obscenities. Positive or negative (team/play dependent), the howling is all the same.

At least the Big Then < 20 Refs can't call a bullshit penalty to alter the game flow and results..

I couldn't find the quote but in the last week or so Kelly had commented that every opponent treats ND like a rivalry game. Navy, BC, and Syracuse go to the point. A graphic example was Purdue putting the score of the ND '07 game on their rings.

 

[JughedJones]

"A graphic example was Purdue putting the score of the ND '07 game on their rings."


Wow, I had no idea. Sad really.

 

[NDinL.A.]

My hope is that Kelly is just saying that to the media, but he knows that Michigan and USC are games on a different level.

At the same time, every single time I saw Cinci play, they came out with fire (I didn't see them a ton though). So hopefully BK just knows how to get them excited for every game. They better come out ready vs. Michigan or they'll jump on us...

 

[LeapinLeprechaun]

I know it is early and maybe a little too soon to judge Kelly, but I do know that he is no dummy. The man is articulate and he gives good press conferences and has a little flare and comedic aspect to him. I'm sure he is able to give decent pep talks in the locker room. I bet you Weis put his boys to sleep.

 

[IrishinSyria]

My feeling has always been that a coach should coach and the cheerleaders can lead cheers and focus on rivalries. I played sports in college and at least in hockey it never was a question of: is your coach yelling loud enough/ being motivational enough. It comes down to the players in the locker room.* Kelly should stick to game-planning how he's going to attack Michigan's defense and contain their offense. The players will be well aware of what's on the line in this game, no need to try to drill it into their heads.


05 06 Weis teams had good talent and excellent leadership
07 Weis teams had below average talent, average leadership
08 09 Weis teams had good then excellent talent, little leadership
10 Kelly team has very good to excellent talent....???? leadership

We'll find out about the ?s in two days.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

SC is the Rivarly....but every team wants to beat ND because they know significance

 

[Old Man Mike]

I doubt that Coach cares one little bit about the fan concept of "rivalry". If he can USE that energy somehow to motivate the team more than usual in a perceived tough game, then I believe that he'll do so, but behind closed doors with the players. If he can "suggest" that fans load the stadium with noise, or travel to the opponents' house and be as loud as possible, then I believe that he'll use that. "Rivalry" is an emotional concept, and as such is just another tool in a clever coach's toolbox. He can never let his team know that he's thinking that one team is more important than the others [unless like Michigan he has the luxury of having a "rival" on the last game of the schedule]. "Rivalry" is for us, not Kelly.

 

[dales5050]

I think BK knows how important Michigan is to the fan base.

However, no matter how much people are talking about Michigan or how good that new QB is....they are a team that ND should beat. There is no other way around it in my book.

By putting the players focus on it being just another game, it prevents the players from getting to worked up before the game and falling flat after the first half. Something the team already did in week 1.

Also to note, the first 6 games of the season are against teams that view ND as a rival. 6 teams that are going to play up a level for the ND game. The team needs to find the 5th gear simply because it needs to drive that fast not because of who they play.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Also to note, the first 6 games of the season are against teams that view ND as a rival. 6 teams that are going to play up a level for the ND game. The team needs to find the 5th gear simply because it needs to drive that fast not because of who they play.

Honestly, I'm pretty sure every team in college football views ND as a rival. Or at least as a huge game. We've talked about it before, but one of the huge challenges (and glories) of playing at ND is that the golden helmet is a guarantee that your opponent is going to be fired up to play you.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I think BK knows how important Michigan is to the fan base.

However, no matter how much people are talking about Michigan or how good that new QB is....they are a team that ND should beat. There is no other way around it in my book.

By putting the players focus on it being just another game, it prevents the players from getting to worked up before the game and falling flat after the first half. Something the team already did in week 1.

Also to note, the first 6 games of the season are against teams that view ND as a rival. 6 teams that are going to play up a level for the ND game. The team needs to find the 5th gear simply because it needs to drive that fast not because of who they play.

This. Tried to type something similar last night but my computer froze up. scUM, MSU, BC, USC, and currently, Navy are all big deals in terms of rivalry. Let the talent and coaching take care of the job on the field and respect the opponent, not be consumed by D-Bag Desmond and 4th and 1, for example.

 

[Maddog77]

Almost every game on the schedule is a Rivalry game of some kind. it's funny when you play NCAA 11, you end up with like 7 or 8 rivalry trophies in one season because almost all the games are a traditional rivalry that we play every year.

IMHO though, I like to beat UM and USC more than any of the others, but I like losing to any of them about the same (as in it disgusts me).

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I think you approach it both ways: Monday through Thursday or Friday, you treat is just like every other game. Another day at the office. Stay focused on the details, do the work, and know your assignments.

Then on Friday night or Saturday morning, you can pull out the rivalry motivation and refer to the significance and history of the game.

Using the "rivalry" angle too soon will lose some of it's significance as the game approaches. Keep it simple early on in the week and then on Saturday unleash the fury.

 

[ACamp1900]

I've said for years now... beat the state of Michigan and USC...

then talk about BC, Stanford, Navy and whoever and or whatever bowl game...

few Irish seasons can be a success without first beating the stae of Michigan and USC...

 

[tankjeep]

I've said for years now... beat the state of Michigan and USC...

then talk about BC, Stanford, Navy and whoever and or whatever bowl game...

few Irish seasons can be a success without first beating the stae of Michigan and USC...

exactly. well put, sir.

 

[TDHeysus]

.... the Michigan game is the game of the year...

I have always thought this to myself as well, then someone usually reminds me of the USC game. But ND/Michigan is my favorite** cfb game to watch all year. I've always considered it a rivalry game, if for no other reason then for recruiting.

I think this has been said on this site before, but Michigan is like fighting your older brother. USC is fighting the neighbor kid from 2 streets down. Both have their own unique qualities.


**this may get me brought out to the back barn and 'trimmed up' but I have always, in general, liked michigan's football team. just not when they are playing ND. its strange how I can go from generally liking a team, to genuine contempt when they play Notre Dame. I've always like michigan, as long as they dont in the way of ND. This was true except for last year, that michigan game last year made me dislike michigan, their players, and their coaches....even the damn refs of that game I had problems with.

 

[theclassickiller]

only one team in the nation can present an argument as to having a storied history rivaling that of notre dame and that team is michigan. they lead in winning percentage right now but it isnt by much, which is why we need these victories badly.

usc has a great history as do navy and purdue, but michigan is a game of more significance to our future than any other.

with that said, i think winning against usc in the near future will reflect a return to elite football more than beating michigan will.

but i digress... actually i dont have any idea where im going with this.

yes its a freaking rivalry and it should be treated as such!

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Treat like its life or death make no mistake this is biggest game of year . Look Utah,Pitt,Stanford anc U.S.C are probaly gonna beat us guys so dropping this game to this guys is honestly the very last thing we want to do. That being said I know Kelly held his offense back last week for this game I don't expect anything but a victory !!!!!!! go Irish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TexasNDFan]

I think this all depends on the players, everyone knows that this isn't just any game and sometimes players can get all ramped up and need to pulled back a little and sometimes you need to light a fire under them. Weis always did the it's just another game approach and the players were flat to start the game, seems like the only time he changed his philosophy was during the BCS bowl games, but all it did was petrify the players.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Every game that you're about to play is the most important game in the world. Each win gets you closer to a BCS game, that is what our goal is but we can't get caught looking ahead b/c thats when you get chop blocked.

Go Irish.