Sep 18 | Notre Dame at Michigan State

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Barring injury to Crist or something else bad happening, I just dont see us losing this game. I think if we are healthy throughout this game and we play hard like we did last week, I think the outcome will be what we want it to be. A good win and another step in the right direction. I think we will lose another 2-3 games this year..., I just dont see it this weekend.

 

[JughedJones]

I have to agree with NDOM. I don't think anyone predicted a 12-0 season for the Irish. Realistically, the Irish could lose any of their opening six games. I wanted to pick Michigan last week, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. We can easily lose to Michigan St., but I'm not as sold on getting beaten by MSU as I was Michigan, so my ND pick this week will be genuine. If I wasn't an ND fan I would've picked Michigan, but I just can't bring myself to check the box on Yahoo!, or place my vbucks against the Irish on here. ND isn't a great team, and if people can't see that, then there is a bit of delusion. There is nothing wrong with picking or rooting for the Irish, but you at least have to acknowledge the fact that they can be beaten, and it isn't a long shot.

Where did you guys get from my last post that I'm a delusional fan that thinks the Irish can never be beaten? Really?

We have a great record against them in their house, they don't have anything that really stands up and makes me say 'Wow, scared of that guy,' and we are coming off a loss that these guys really want to avenge.

Delusional? No.

(I had us losing 3 games this year, this ain't one of em.)

 

[mgriff]

I get delusional after you called someone a pessimist because they predicted a loss. While I certainly agree with your points arguing an Irish victory, I think we can walk out of there with a loss as well. Do you really not think Michigan St. can beat us? There is no possibility for a Spartan win?

 

[Bubba]

Certainly MSU can beat us, but I'm with Jughead... they don't have a guy that I'm truly scared of. Michigan did and he beat us singlehandedly. (I still believe that if Crist doesn't get injured, we win that game) MSU has a solid defense and a fair run game, but I think we can stop them. Man for man we can easily hang with these guys. If we play turn-over free ball, we walk out with a win.

 

[nd1]

i say we win this game by a touchdown atleast. nd is going to be fired up and looking to make a staement.

 

[IrishinSyria]

My thoughts (and the room goes silent because everybody cares...):

1)Obviously, Crist has to stay healthy. This goes without saying.
2)Armando and co have to run hard. State's going to be solid up front, so we shouldn't expect to see a lot of big-play type runs. But the RBs can set the pace and help the offense get moving if they attack would-be tacklers and consistently get one or two extra yards off of contact.
3)The team has to cut down on mistakes. There were a ton of fumbles in week 1, interceptions in week 2. State's the type of team that wants to force you into turning the ball over.
4)The D has to play their best game of the season so far. They looked good in weeks 1 or 2, but now they've got a battle coming. Michigan St's going to try to stuff the ball down the Irish's throat. The key here is going to be the linebackers; will the extra speed of the 3-4 allow them to frustrate State's run blocking, or will ND's backers get driven off the ball by much bigger O linemen? A lot of it depends on whether our guys read the ball well and are willing to make contact with some bigger dudes over and over again.


All that being said, I like the Irish in this game. Carlo and Manti are going to be given a chance to take over the game on the d side, and I think NDs offense will be able to get on the scoreboard just enough: ND wins 31 to 28 .

 

[JughedJones]

I get delusional after you called someone a pessimist because they predicted a loss. While I certainly agree with your points arguing an Irish victory, I think we can walk out of there with a loss as well. Do you really not think Michigan St. can beat us? There is no possibility for a Spartan win?

No I decried BLIND pessimism. I don't think any of NDOM's points hold water. He said we get owned in Lansing and it's a night game.. so we lose.

Since we are 16-4 in our last 20 in SpartyTown, it just doesn't seem very reasonable to me. It just sounds like someone who's predicting losses because they're pessimistic.

 

[mgriff]

No I decried BLIND pessimism. I don't think any of NDOM's points hold water. He said we get owned in Lansing and it's a night game.. so we lose.

Since we are 16-4 in our last 20 in SpartyTown, it just doesn't seem very reasonable to me. It just sounds like someone who's predicting losses because they're pessimistic.

Okay, fair enough, but do you honestly believe there is no chance of Michigan St. beating us? I like the Irish to win, but I think Sparty can just as easily knock us off. My point is that we can lose to Michigan St. and simply because someone follows that train of thought, they are not incorrect. I think your arguments are better and more favorable, but that still does not take away the fact that we can lose to Michigan St.

 

[JughedJones]

Okay, fair enough, but do you honestly believe there is no chance of Michigan St. beating us? I like the Irish to win, but I think Sparty can just as easily knock us off. My point is that we can lose to Michigan St. and simply because someone follows that train of thought, they are not incorrect. I think your arguments are better and more favorable, but that still does not take away the fact that we can lose to Michigan St.

I never said there was no chance. Not once. I just said I wasn't scared.

 

[ACamp1900]

bottom line... we were supposed to learn about our Defense last week... most the board agreed with that... that means one of two things

1.) We found out... and though they play better, they are not that good of a unit this year... basically, it's more of the same.
2.) Denard Robinson is in fact historic and he bascially defaulted last weeks input into our findings...


so, if you go with option two then this game is the measuring stick... if we can stop a legit power running team and DOMINATE... then we have turned a corner imo.. if we win a shoot out or lose in a game where the D gives up lots of yards (even is they 'look' better doing it) then this defense is just not putting it together and we'd better be ready for anther wild, frustrating year...

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Seriously, is NO ONE looking to throw down some Vbucks on this game? Am I the only degenerate gambler on this board?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Mark May just picked Notre Dame.

 

[ACamp1900]

Mark May just picked Notre Dame.

it's crazy... we were three point favs at home last week yet I did not see ONE 'expert' pick us...though I heard phil steele did...


NOW... we are three point dogs on the road and we seem like the hot pick.

 

[NDOM]

Seriously, is NO ONE looking to throw down some Vbucks on this game? Am I the only degenerate gambler on this board?

Hey man, I'm ready to place my bets. Lets get this on the sportsbook. I feel a little lucky.

 

[BurningRiver]

ND is fired up after that loss. They knew they should've won that game last week.

ND- 31
MSU - 20

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Anybody know if being here in Kansas is going to mean that I have to watch Texas Saturday night instead of the Irish?

Don't know if you got an answer yet, but we're on ABC in Lawrence tomorrow...according to the LJ World.

 

[JughedJones]

I think one game is on ESPN2 and the other is on ABC countrywide. In Portland for example, Texas is on ABC while the Irish are on ESPN2.

That was my understanding anyway.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I think one game is on ESPN2 and the other is on ABC countrywide. In Portland for example, Texas is on ABC while the Irish are on ESPN2.

That was my understanding anyway.

And it's the other way around in Eastern Kansas.

 

[mgriff]

I think one game is on ESPN2 and the other is on ABC countrywide. In Portland for example, Texas is on ABC while the Irish are on ESPN2.

That was my understanding anyway.

This is correct. Scroll back in the thread, I know someone posted a link to the coverage map. You'll prolly get ND on ESPN 2 like myself. I can't complain, for some reason there is no ABC HD here in Alaska on GCI, but I get ESPN 2 HD, so I'm not complaining.

See, here it is. Page 5 Notre Dame at Michigan St.; Texas at Texas Tech Regional Map | HD Sports Guide There is also an announcer breakdown on there for you as well. Look in the thread, there are a bunch of great people who link everything you want to know, just check the thread.

 

[irishtrain]

This is correct. Scroll back in the thread, I know someone posted a link to the coverage map. You'll prolly get ND on ESPN 2 like myself. I can't complain, for some reason there is no ABC HD here in Alaska on GCI, but I get ESPN 2 HD, so I'm not complaining.

See, here it is. Page 5 Notre Dame at Michigan St.; Texas at Texas Tech Regional Map | HD Sports Guide There is also an announcer breakdown on there for you as well. Look in the thread, there are a bunch of great people who link everything you want to know, just check the thread.

Hard to believe Notre Dame vs Mich State is not a national game-but I will listen on the radio. espn(small caps) is really bad news man I wish there were other options. They really are the worst thing that has happened to college football in the last 10 yrs. How did anyone in their right minds let this happen. Things gotta change.

 

[nlroma1o]

Wish me luck Gentleman. I'm doing a double header today. I'm going to the scUM vs. Umass game at 12:00 (because my girlfriend goes to school here). And then after that game we are driving up to East Lansing to watch our beloved NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH play at 8:00. I'm wearing my Zibbe jersey all day.

GO IRISH BEAT SPARTANS!!!

 

[Irish Man3]

Every ganeday analyst just picked the spartans over the irish. They brought up lack of team speed on defense and an unproven qb on the road. They think Notre Dame will start 2-4 or 3-3 at best. While this stings a little bit, it is harsh reality. We COULD lose the next 4 games. On the other side, we COULD win the next four games. We are getting NO love from ESPN or from anyone really. Todays game is a huge game in terms of our teams confidence and getting on a roll before Stanford.
I think the keys to the game are very simple. Dayne Crist needs to be healthy and come out of his shell just a little bit more and attack this weak MSU secondary. MSU has not had a challenge this year and still have not looked great especially on defense. Dayne has a real chance this week to put up some big numbers. I think after last week, seeing what he means to this team's success, and finding that confidence will pay off this weekend and throughout the season.
It's also time for Theo Riddick to show the nation what his coaches have been raving about in practice because we have not seen anything to this point. Theo needs to be effective underneath the zones, and affective in man to man against a talented group of MSU linebackers.
Now is the time for All-American Michael Floyd to step up and show the national on a prime time game, why he is one of the nations best. He hasn't looked very good so-far and he is to good a player to perform that way. He needs to step-up and establish a solid relationship with Dayne Crist on the field.
Our defensive front seven are huge in this game. This is where we will win or lose this game IMO. MSU has two or three really solid backs that can make this a long day for us if we let them. We have to make Cousins beat us with his arm and decision making. Carlo and Manti really need to step up and shed blocks and finish off solid tackles. The majority of MSU's run game takes place between the tackles.
IMO this will be a very difficult game in a very difficult enviornment. If we can avoid turning the ball over and establish the run game we saw in week one then I think we leave East Lansing as winners.
Notre Dame 31
MSU 20

 

[IrishLax]

I love how the analysts talked about MSU like they've lit up good defenses in back to back weeks and we have no chance to stop them.

While I see this game being very close... and could see them winning... I would be very surprised if MSU went over 30+. It's a weird day when Mark May picks us but no one else thinks we have a chance.

 

[mgriff]

This is the result of underachieving the last few years, that much is apparent. We easily could lose any of our first six games, but the more we win the more our team will have improved. I'm thinking 4-2.

 

[ACamp1900]

This is the result of underachieving the last few years are apparent.

yep, the pitt gametwo years ago was put up or shut up for ND... and we choked it away and haven't won a legit statement game since...

don't expect ND to get any love for a while... at least til the end of this year.

 

[mgriff]

I posted that when I just woke up, and the grammar was horrible. This is the result of underachieving the last few years, that much is apparent.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I posted that when I just woke up, and the grammar was horrible. This is the result of underachieving the last few years, that much is apparent.

I was going to leave it alone, but since you brought it up...

but the more we win the more our team will have improved.

you think?

 

[mgriff]

I was going to leave it alone, but since you brought it up...



you think?

I didn't have my coffee yet! I only read the first line and stopped, realizing how foolish I sounded. I never even bothered to read the whole post. In retrospect I should have, and in the future, I won't be posting before I've had my morning coffee.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm starting to think this game will be the cold shower of the decade for all those in our base who still think we are a BCS team right now...

 

[IrishinSyria]

I'm starting to think this game will be the cold shower of the decade for all those in our base who still think we are a BCS team right now...

It might be a good day to stay away from the boards if you're right (and I hope you're not). But if you are, sifting through the gameday thread tomorrow would be an inspiration for whoever is designing the next Fallout game.