Sep 11 | Michigan at Notre Dame

[Old Man Mike]

Both Millen and Dierdorf were TREMENDOUS football players and deserve some respect. Despite his failure with Lions management, Millen is widely regarded as an excellent football mind. As to Dierdorf, I saw him interviewing Leroy Selmon upon Selmon's induction to the Hall of Fame, and Selmon looked directly at the camera and said the guy standing beside me was one of the best I ever played against and deserves to be in the Hall, too. Maybe we could honor these sorts of giants of our favorite game a bit more and restrict ourselves to disagreeing with their views rather than themselves. Criticism of ideas is the commerce of discussion and advancing knowledge; calling people names never advances anything. Hell, I can think of few more interesting experiences [football-wise] than sitting down with Millen and Dierdorf and discussing football and their old war stories. And now someone can call me out for being an ass---well, you have to stand up for what you believe in if you're an ND man, so fire away.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Both Millen and Dierdorf were TREMENDOUS football players and deserve some respect. Despite his failure with Lions management, Millen is widely regarded as an excellent football mind. As to Dierdorf, I saw him interviewing Leroy Selmon upon Selmon's induction to the Hall of Fame, and Selmon looked directly at the camera and said the guy standing beside me was one of the best I ever played against and deserves to be in the Hall, too. Maybe we could honor these sorts of giants of our favorite game a bit more and restrict ourselves to disagreeing with their views rather than themselves. Criticism of ideas is the commerce of discussion and advancing knowledge; calling people names never advances anything. Hell, I can think of few more interesting experiences [football-wise] than sitting down with Millen and Dierdorf and discussing football and their old war stories. And now someone can call me out for being an ass---well, you have to stand up for what you believe in if you're an ND man, so fire away.

Don't care how they played football, OMM. As I recall, some great philosopher once waxed, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

Dierdork can take it. I prefer to canonize teachers, police officers, firefighters, soldiers. Football is a game. I will continue to take my pot-shots at the competition.

Just my 2 cents. Much respect.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

IF we pull off the win Saturday, I'd say 50/50 that College Gameday is in East Lansing on the 18th. It's either us or Florida/Tennessee.

 

[KPENN]

I found this little gem on youtube and posted it in the video thread, but thought i'd share it here to.

YouTube - Introducing, Your 2008 Michigan Wolverines!

 

[Old Man Mike]

I just got through reading my Blue& Gold report for the upcoming game, and the "analyst" has done it again. he has rated our running game as a wash with Michigan's run defense. This, and other debatable ratings, leads him to consider the whole game a wash. Reading that terrific play-by-play analysis/position breakdown that was posted on the Purdue game, our offensive line got very good marks and seemed on the edge of great grades. But for the B&G analyst, the only thing we can hang our hat on is passing and coaching. It almost seems as if he's trying to cover himself against an upset. Perhaps he wasn't watching Wood and Allen very closely. Nor the interior of the line.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Is there going to be some Vbookie action available on this game?

 

[IrishandColts]

YouTube - Pure Michigan: U of M Football

 

[Jerry]

YouTube - Pure Michigan: U of M Football

That was pretty good.

 

[ACamp1900]

goodness, listening to the talking heads on Fox Sports Radio on the way home today you'd think our next game was against the 85 bears and we just lost to Purdue... zero respect and way too much love for Michigan... basically we have zero shot to even stay with UM in this game... unreal how badly people have overreacted to beating UCONN at home.

 

[TerryTate]

goodness, listening to the talking heads on Fox Sports Radio on the way home today you'd think our next game was against the 85 bears and we just lost to Purdue... zero respect and way too much love for Michigan... basically we have zero shot to even stay with UM in this game... unreal how badly people have overreacted to beating UCONN at home.

It's rampant. In one game, Robinson has become a future Heisman winner.

Am I the only one that doesn't think this game will be that close? Don Carlo + Helmet to Robinson's gut = ND by 14. Take it to the bank.

 

[Irish_Angst]

Denard is sooo awesome, I hear DickRod is considering a 2 man offense: Robinson & a center to snap the ball. Heck, even having a center is superfluous... just have DR on offense.

Odds are Robinson will be enjoying a stretcher ride by the end of the 3rd quarter.

 

[tko]

stuff the box, no way denard can pass his way to victory. also, Kelly didn't show much against Purdue, so look out scUM.

 

[JughedJones]

It's rampant. In one game, Robinson has become a future Heisman winner.

Am I the only one that doesn't think this game will be that close? Don Carlo + Helmet to Robinson's gut = ND by 14. Take it to the bank.

I've been thinking all day how I love that he got his 'coming out party' out of the way.

Nowhere to go but down...


Knock the frigging shoes off his feat Manti.

 

[LeapinLeprechaun]

Watching the UConn game Denard looks fast, but he runs pretty high. He is one hard tackle from sitting on the sidelines. Plus, I think UConn was watching ND's team last year, on how to tackle a runner. Stuff the box and see if he can beat you passing. If he does he does, that's the best game plan. Physical, Physical, Physical, I hope that is all our boys are hearing at their practices this week.

 

[TerryTate]

Love BK's quote on ISD:

The point I’m making is he’s a running back and the only way I know to take a running back out of play is to hit him and make sure you tackle him.

Dual Perspective

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Watching the UConn game Denard looks fast, but he runs pretty high. He is one hard tackle from sitting on the sidelines. Plus, I think UConn was watching ND's team last year, on how to tackle a runner. Stuff the box and see if he can beat you passing. If he does he does, that's the best game plan. Physical, Physical, Physical, I hope that is all our boys are hearing at their practices this week.

I think stuffing the box, and forcing him to beat you passing is more like putting "all your eggs in one basket". ND has the athletes to contain him without putting 8 in the box, Darrin Walls said it best "He's just another runningback out there".

Everyone is freaking out because "Rich Rodriquez finally found his Michigan Pat White". The problem with that is, Pat White had Stevey "Cool" Slaton. Individually, they were good, together they were the perfect storm. Drob is good, but he doesn't have the complement to be great, and win games.

ND's nose tackle has to play well to stuff those QB reads, and the LB's are going to have to be patient.

Manti Teo is a shark in the water.

ND 34-24

 

[Irishcop]

I really dont understand why people dont think we have a chance at beating Michigan this weekend. Obviously I have a bias because im a huge Notre Dame fan, however all of my friends, the people i work with, and most sports writers dont think we can win. Michigan has a fast quaterback and thats it. Is Notre Dame that bad, or is it just hate for ND.

 

[Irish Man3]

I really dont understand why people dont think we have a chance at beating Michigan this weekend. Obviously I have a bias because im a huge Notre Dame fan, however all of my friends, the people i work with, and most sports writers dont think we can win. Michigan has a fast quaterback and thats it. Is Notre Dame that bad, or is it just hate for ND.

It's the unknown. Neither Notre Dame or Michigan have been relevant in the past few years. Most opinions are going off what was seen in week one. Michigan had a great showing against a team that is picked near the top in the Big East. We had a solid win against a team that is irrelevant in the Big10. Sportscenter was filled with highlights of Denard Robinson, not Dayne Crist. For people that dont follow Notre Dame closely (ppl you work with, your friends) Michigan is the more attractive choice based on week ones showing.
I think people are sick of hearing hype about Notre Dame only to see 6-6 at the end of the season. Win and people will come around, but until then this is to be expected. IMO I appreciate the "underdog" role in the eyes of the nation. Its nearly impossible for Notre Dame to stay below the radar so enjoy it while it lasts. A commanding win over Michigan will open the eyes of a lot of people but more importantly, it will open the eyes of some of the great recruits making the trip to South Bend.
*Notre Dame is favored by 4*

 

[IrishLax]

Jeez the line moved to -4 from -3.5? I was expecting it to go the other direction.

Anyways... Pat White and Slaton were dominant because the Big East simply did not have the speed to touch them nor the size to get penetration on the WV OL. On top of that... Pat White was just a flat out winner. Denard Robinson wins one game and every UM fan is ready to crown him as the savior.

To draw a parallel... I watched the replay of the UM game from last year and the announcers/everyone else was ready to crown him too. One guy even said "a star is born" and "put him in the stud bowl!" Now the kid is a 3rd stringer and contemplating transfer.

Anyone who thinks Michigan is going to blow us out isn't being objective. I expect them to score some points on us... I also expect us to score ~30 ourselves. The Michigan defense hasn't proved anything yet.

 

[phork]

The line was -6.5 before last week.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Anyone who thinks Michigan is going to blow us out isn't being objective. I expect them to score some points on us... I also expect us to score ~30 ourselves. The Michigan defense hasn't proved anything yet.

If we're being objective, neither has our offense. 2 TDs against Purdue isn't exactly dynamic.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Best quote and leading predictor for the outcome of the game –

Bob Diaco on all the drama and controversy about Denard ruling the gridiron and preparing for him must top the priority list: "I wouldn't say that," Diaco said. "For us right now, the priorities are the players making the corrections from the game on Saturday. Each player has things they are supposed to work on to get corrected today. Priority two is to continue to grow the things that we believe make great defense. And that's our fundamentals, our ideology. All those things for me come before the opponent."

 

[ACamp1900]

If we're being objective, neither has our offense. 2 TDs against Purdue isn't exactly dynamic.

true, but was it trying to be??? I would say the idea that BK held it close to the vest is not just possible it's pretty much undeniable

 

[Kak7304]

YouTube - WW ND

A very appropriate scene for this week from "The West Wing."

Another good video:

YouTube - baby cries when she hears the Michigan Fight Song!

 

[mgriff]

true, but was it trying to be??? I would say the idea that BK held it close to the vest is not just possible it's pretty much undeniable

This, right here. He has Michael Floyd. There was one pass that maybe could have been considered a shot downfield. He was keeping ti simple for the first game, realizing Michigan will be a much greater challenge.

 

[WabashFalcon]

I won't be worried unless we are down 2 scores with less than 6 minutes left to go.

 

[Rudy89]

Im very worried just because Michigan looked great their first game and we looked good not great. I can see us getting destoryed or winning by just a few i dunno I have a a bad bad feeling about this game hopefully its all for nothing tho.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

We are NOT getting destroyed. SO don't see this scenario being possible. Dogfight or ND blowout.

HATE that the heart of the rain is supposed to be at game time. Not worried about how it affects the team, worried about how it affects my ass in the stands. I will overcome.

 

[mgriff]

I can see any scenario unfolding, because it's ND/Michigan. The most likely scenario is a great game, in my opinion. It's getting close!

Speaking of which, what is the contingency for rain? Would they possible push it later in the day, or even to a night game? Would they just push it back on the schedule? I'm not too sure as to what the procedure would be in the event of continuous thunderstorms. Enlighten me!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

The game goes on as planned. The only thing that can stop or pause it is lightning in the area. Someone correct me if I am wrong.