Oct 9 | Pittsburgh at Notre Dame

[mick2]

lose to Pitt and Navy no longer matters in that regard...

lose to Pitt and every other game is officially building for the future... if we aren't there already. Basically, this game is the crossroads... which way we gonna go?

Win this one... and we can still turn it around THIS YEAR...

get it?

Got it!! i was just glad to see that they didnt let bc back in the game, i am so used to that as well, but we pretty much crushed there hopes, it wasn't pretty by any means but, i'll take 12 of those every year!

also it was extra sweet cuz it was bc, good to give them a little reality check!

 

[ACamp1900]

yeah I totally expected them to plaster BC... not that BC is horrible but, yeah... they aren't that good either...

Pitt hasn't looked great but the timing of this game and what lies ahead just makes this one huge... ND has been rueful in these kind of games lately, and in just about every one they have control at some point early on...

 

[irishfan]

Saw that ND will open as a 8 point favorite. Figured it would be more like 4 or 5 but I'll take it.

 

[ACamp1900]

wow... 8!? sucka bet. ND fan or not.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

who's tailgating on saturday?

 

[IrishLax]

who's tailgating on saturday?

ME!

 

[IrishLax]

8 points is way to large of a line. It will move to something like 6 before all is said and done.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Making the annual trek for the game! My sister-in-law is having her baby shower in SB on Sunday, so instead of going to the Stanford game like we originally planned, we are coming for this game (thank God!!!). Can't wait! I said last week that we were going to beat BC and head into this game at a crossroads, win, and head into the Utah game at 6-3. Still believe it.

I'm just glad that this game means something after the BC win. Instead of a bummer of a weekend sitting with a 1-4 record, we're 2-3 with a really legit shot at salvaging our season...

 

[jason_h537]

Making the annual trek for the game! My sister-in-law is having her baby shower in SB on Sunday, so instead of going to the Stanford game like we originally planned, we are coming for this game (thank God!!!). Can't wait! I said last week that we were going to beat BC and head into this game at a crossroads, win, and head into the Utah game at 6-3. Still believe it.

I'm just glad that this game means something after the BC win. Instead of a bummer of a weekend sitting with a 1-4 record, we're 2-3 with a really legit shot at salvaging our season...

I really think we are gonna lay iot on Pitt this week so it should be a great game, let us know how it went

*if we lose i am holding you responsible for jinxing them

 

[calvegas04]

8 points is way to large of a line. It will move to something like 6 before all is said and done.

It is -5.5 in Vegas

 

[irishfan]

It is -5.5 in Vegas

Ya. I saw that a couple hours posting I saw it was 8 somewhere else. Weird. 5.5 makes way more sense.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

This is a HUGE, must win game for Notre Dame this weekend. An 8 point line is silly in my opinion, as I see this being a close football game that could go either way. I am happy with the win at BC but I am also weary of Pitt this weekend..., it is by no means a gimme, and if we can win this game, we will definently be headed in the right direction.

 

[nd1]

i don't think this game will be close at all. I see nd running away with this one.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

i don't think this game will be close at all. I see nd running away with this one.

I hope you are right, because I really don't want this to be close at all, but this game has huge implications on how the rest of the season plays out. I would love to see us blow them out of the water, that would be great.., I just don't think it will happen.

 

[nd1]

i think this whole week will be about kelly teaching finishing a team off when you got the chance. they let bc stay in that game alot longer than they should have and i think coach will be preaching that this week. I look for nd to come out and put the game away early on.

 

[IrishLax]

I actually see it being very competitive for at least 3 quarters. Pittsburgh is one dimensional... but that isn't to be confused with 'bad' I think they score something like 17 when all is said and done but I don't see us scoring less than 21 in any scenario.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

My hopeful prediction is ND wins 28-17

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I noticed that Pitt played Florida International this past weekend (not a tough opponent) and Pitt's running back had 277 yards rushing. He had 100 versus Miami the week before. We will need to stuff that line of scrimmage this weekend.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

Much of that 100 was in the fourth quarter of a decided game. Miami absolutely abused Pittsburgh's offense. They didn't get into Miami's 30-yard line until the last play of the 3rd quarter--off a pass interference call.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The most interesting thing about this game is if our defense will continue to improve. Another running team; can we continue to lay the wood on 'em? Did you see some of the hits last week? Ouch! And I only saw two plays with grossly missed assignments. This is a great team for our defense to establish themselves against.

 

[BornNDfan81]

I have a feeling that ball protection for RB's will be a point of emphasis this week at practice along with adding more running options for Dayne. Coach should be more confortable letting Dayne loose enough to add more running plays. Anyone else have a feeling that Dayne's problem is when teams make adjustments after our first couple drives?
The defensive preparation should be the same for Pitt as it was for BC. Stop the run and pressure the QB. I was very impressed with the speed that Shemo came off the edge with. Holy ****. He kinda looked like a young Dwight Freeney. Carlo and Manti have got to be one of the best ILB duo's in the country. Very rock solid players.

What I'd like to see this week: Take some deep chances for Floyd when they can get him one on one. A better balance on offense. Better effiency from Dayne as Pitt makes adjustments. Consistent punting for our punters sake. Bennet Jackson shining on special teams. Carlo and Manti controlling the game.

 

[ACamp1900]

Is Dion Lewis gonna play in this game, or is he out again???

will it matter?

 

[lookingdeadred]

Forget the green jerseys

Forget the green jerseys

To win they just need to continue to improve. Hopefully BK will never resort to the lame green jersey gimmick.

As I posted on the UM thread, this is one of the two games where we could see the green jerseys. Dion Louis will do damage up the middle if Teo doesnt buckle down. The offense will need to really put up numbers to counter Dion, if the irish roll into this 5-0 (god willing) a win over another 5-0 would start the BCS conversation for the irish. A win against a favored Pitt team would be an excellent way to finish the first half of the season

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Is Dion Lewis gonna play in this game, or is he out again???

will it matter?

The mustache said he could have played last Saturday, but they kept him out. Said he will start against ND.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Is Dion Lewis gonna play in this game, or is he out again???

will it matter?

I dont think it will matter. I haven't heard anything about that shoulder he injured yet, will be interesting. Graham seems to be running really well, so again it's all about stopping the run no matter who is running it. I think we can stuff the run and keep them in check. I sure hope anyways.

 

[IrishLax]

Is Dion Lewis gonna play in this game, or is he out again???

will it matter?

Yes, he will play. No, it will not matter.

He is not Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram or even a CJ Spiller caliber player. He is a very solid RB who is no more dangerous to us than Graham... like I have said since day 0 of this season. Load the box like we did against BC, put Gray on Baldwin with a safety over the top and leave Blanton/Walls on island as necessary. Game over.

 

[ACamp1900]

Yes, he will play. No, it will not matter.

He is not Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram or even a CJ Spiller caliber player. He is a very solid RB who is no more dangerous to us than Graham... like I have said since day 0 of this season. Load the box like we did against BC, put Gray on Baldwin with a safety over the top and leave Blanton/Walls on island as necessary. Game over.

I would add hold on to the f'in ball on offense to that plan before stating game over... but yeah...

 

[jmurphy75]

I think we see a more complete ND team, with much more confidence. Hopefully the offense keeps it on all game long.

 

[nd1]

not really worried about pitts. offence. I worried about nd's offence. can they hang on to the footbal and get crist and his receivers on the same page. in the bc game there was plenty of footballs thrown by crist where the receiver had no idea that the ball was coming. they will have to be on the same page and get a little bit of a running game going to keep pitts offence off field and give our defence a rest because if they don't then pitt going to bust some big runs. nd can't afford to have the d on the field all day long.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

This game can be huge for our defense. If we can shut them down, it will really do alot to boost this defense in terms of confidence and seeing tangible improvements. Our offense also concerns me at times.., I really hope we show some consistency this weekend and make a few big plays. Really hate the turnovers we've had this year. Crist has to be able to make some solid throws as well.