Sep 10 | at Michigan

[gspjeb]

not only do I think we beat UM....I think pretty handily. I think most folks are not seeing how very close we were to completely crushing USF. Yes we lost, however, all the pressure that followed this team on the field etc etc is gone now. They will settle down and get into the rhythm that this team is capable of. Have faith. We have the talent to run the rest of the season...just need the execution to follow.

 

[ryno 24]

I think we have a chance to beat Michigan there is less pressure for me now. I say we win 28-13. yea lets go 28-13

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

This game could be the season for us. The biggest question is how the players react to adversity after a huge let down.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

So glad I splurged on the "Under the Lights" authentic jersey right now.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Less than 7 days til the season starts, I'm so excited!!!!

The season starts next week, right? 11-0 here we come!!!!

 

[Riddickulous]

My friend who is a Michigan fan says that their secondary is "****ed".

 

[Fan of the Irish]

Less than 7 days til the season starts, I'm so excited!!!!

The season starts next week, right? 11-0 here we come!!!!

I hope the team can look at it this way. We can still make it to the BCS.

 

[BurningRiver]

My friend who is a Michigan fan says that their secondary is "****ed".

nothing is more reassuring than hearing opposing team's fans' worries

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

i think we should have more worries than they should

 

[BeauBenken]

I'm confident that this team can play ALOT...

better.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I saw Woffolk carted off the field on an equipment truck during the game. Anyone have an update on his injury/status? That's a big advantage for us if he can't go.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

I saw Woffolk carted off the field on an equipment truck during the game. Anyone have an update on his injury/status? That's a big advantage for us if he can't go.

According to Michigan boards Hoke said it was an ankle injury and he could have returned if he needed to.

 

[orobs]

Woolfolk is fine, just sprained his ankle. Would have played if needed, but since Mich was pulling ahead, he stayed on the sideline.

As a Michigan fan, I thought our team's performance the complete opposite of ND's yesterday. The final score was more indicative of lucky plays on our part than on sheer dominance, just like the ND game was decided by lucky breaks despite completely outplaying USF.

Western couldn't run for crap on our D, but they had wide open receivers pretty consistently. They were about to go up 14-7, when we got that 94 yard INT return and turned the game around. Definitely saw a ton more pressure than I saw at any point since the past 3 years. Granted, it's western, but I didn't see pressure like that against the likes of the Toledo and UMass teams that embarrassed us in years prior. The D is most certainly better, but I envision Rees throwing all over us next week (although I would not be surprised if he throws a couple INTs).

Sorry about the tough loss yesterday, I would have much rather played an undefeated (And less pissed off) Irish team.

 

[Irish Man3]

There is no way in hell we win. We cant, we arent good enough, peroid. We will make the same mistakes next week in the hostile atmosphere. But yea no we arent winning this one, notta chance none.

Lol so you create threads asking people to forgive you for being so negative and such a downer...... and then this? Cmon guy. My hope for next saturday is that you are banned from the board for the day. Not a shot at you personally but, well it might be a little bit.

Anyone with a level head that watched ND play on saturday realizes that we have a very talented team. Cierre Wood is the real deal and the offensive line looked great. I wouldnt put anything on bad "luck" because that's not the case. This team will be ready for Michigan. Go Irish!

 

[BurningRiver]

Woolfolk is fine, just sprained his ankle. Would have played if needed, but since Mich was pulling ahead, he stayed on the sideline.

As a Michigan fan, I thought our team's performance the complete opposite of ND's yesterday. The final score was more indicative of lucky plays on our part than on sheer dominance, just like the ND game was decided by lucky breaks despite completely outplaying USF.

Western couldn't run for crap on our D, but they had wide open receivers pretty consistently. They were about to go up 14-7, when we got that 94 yard INT return and turned the game around. Definitely saw a ton more pressure than I saw at any point since the past 3 years. Granted, it's western, but I didn't see pressure like that against the likes of the Toledo and UMass teams that embarrassed us in years prior. The D is most certainly better, but I envision Rees throwing all over us next week (although I would not be surprised if he throws a couple INTs).

Sorry about the tough loss yesterday, I would have much rather played an undefeated (And less pissed off) Irish team.

I like this guy.

Still though, F*ck Michigan

 

[koonja]

Now I didn't watch any of the Michigan game, but let's move on here. I checked their box score (I know you can't dwell on the box score, but let's face it, if it weren't for the total yardage difference between ND and USF, none of us would have ANY hope for this year. Thank you box score).

Things that stand out to me....

WM was right there with UM in total yardage...279 to 288, advantage UM.

WM QB went 22-31 for 183 yards, no TDs, one pick.

Denard went 9/13 for only 98 yards, no TDs or picks.

WM had a hard time running the ball against UM, which is evident in the 96 rushing yards and 3.8 average.

UM did well, 190 yards on the ground.

UM had three main runners: Shaw (4 carries, 13.5 yard average)

Denard: 8 carries, 5.8 yard average.

Their main back was Toussaint, who had 11 rushes for a 7.7 yard average.

HOWEVER, Shaw had one carry for 44 yards and Toussaint one for 43.

If you take those two runs away (I know this isn't exactly fair, but let's concentrate on the body of work not the big plays),

Toussaint only averaged 3.7 yards on his carries and Shaw a dreaded .4 yards per carry.

No UM receiver had more than 2 catches or 40 yards.

One player (J. White) seemed to carry the load receiving for WM. 12 catches for 119 yards.

Denard hit 6 different targets.

Thoughts?

 

[koonja]

Also, I was half in the bag but I remember seeing Filer on goaline offense but did I also see Ethan Johnson? It was on the first drive.

ND only allowed 3 yards per carry and a long of 17 so I think they will be able to contain Michigan's RBs. If they do that, and make Denard throw, we have a great chance of winning.

 

[pkt77242]

My worry is that they went very vanilla vs WM so it can be difficult to use their performane in that game as a measuring stick.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

This game is even bigger now. Gotta come out guns a blazing and punch them in the stinking mouth right away.

 

[koonja]

My worry is that they went very vanilla vs WM so it can be difficult to use their performane in that game as a measuring stick.

I don't think Hoke would do that in his first game as the HC. Can you imagine what people would be saying in Michigan if the guy who was 3rd on their list lost his first game? He'd be crucified. I could be wrong, but I'm guess his gameplan was to do whatever was needed to start out 1-0.

 

[irishff1014]

I am going With Mich this game. Our guys showed me yesrterday that they aren't ready to be a Great team. We had 0 leadership from any one on the offense. If we do win this Game it will be because of te defense is shuting them down. but i am going to say 2413 mich

 

[koonja]

I think the fact that we've obviously been tested (and failed) and Michigan hasn't bodes well for us. I really don't think they'll be able to run on us (see above stats) and you have to think our offense will produce. I mean, BK is our coach. He's going to get it together.

 

[BurningRiver]

this game is the night of my homecoming. I've already got the DVR set so I won't be constantly checking my phone for updates during the dance. I'll just ignore anyone who might know anything about the game and not check facebook, IE, ESPN, or even my phone until I get home around midnight and watch the game in its entirety with no interuptions. (This is risky because if even one person says "hey, tough loss!" or "big win, huh?" to me the entire plan will have failed.) Then I will go to bed, hopefully with a big victory having been achieved.

This will be better than last year, when my girlfriend was upset that I was more interested in going to the restaurant bar to get score updates from the TV than pay attention at dinner. I probably could've handled that better, but nobody's perfect grin:.

 

[koonja]

this game is the night of my homecoming. I've already got the DVR set so I won't be constantly checking my phone for updates during the dance. I'll just ignore anyone who might know anything about the game and not check facebook, IE, ESPN, or even my phone until I get home around midnight and watch the game in its entirety with no interuptions. (This is risky because if even one person says "hey, tough loss!" or "big win, huh?" to me the entire plan will have failed.) Then I will go to bed, hopefully with a big victory having been achieved.

This will be better than last year, when my girlfriend was upset that I was more interested in going to the restaurant bar to get score updates from the TV than pay attention at dinner. I probably could've handled that better, but nobody's perfect grin:.

I feel like your plan has about a 2% chance of succeeding, lol. You're going to want to know, people are going to know you want to know, and someone's going to spoil it for you if you don't give in yourself. Good luck though and have fun!

 

[Riddickulous]

I am going With Mich this game. Our guys showed me yesrterday that they aren't ready to be a Great team. We had 0 leadership from any one on the offense. If we do win this Game it will be because of te defense is shuting them down. but i am going to say 2413 mich

South Florida's defense is far superior to Michigan's and we scored 20 on them while leaving another 24 on the board. I'm not sure of a Notre Dame win, but we're going to score a hell of a lot more than 13 points.

 

[ErieIrish13]

I am going With Mich this game. Our guys showed me yesrterday that they aren't ready to be a Great team. We had 0 leadership from any one on the offense. If we do win this Game it will be because of te defense is shuting them down. but i am going to say 2413 mich

I would say we did have leadership on the offense. Michael Floyd?

And we are a better team than Michigan. The only way we lose is:

1. We make the same mistakes as last week

2. Denard has a heisman caliber performance and wills Michigan to the W

 

[Riddickulous]

I would say we did have leadership on the offense. Michael Floyd?

And we are a better team than Michigan. The only way we lose is:

1. We make the same mistakes as last week

2. Denard has a heisman caliber performance and wills Michigan to the W

Considering how slow we looked on the edge, this seems like a distinct possibility.

 

[koonja]

Considering how slow we looked on the edge, this seems like a distinct possibility.

I'm not saying Denard's not a better runner but I was very impressed with Daniels's escapability. That guy can move. It's a huge advantage that the coaches get to see that a week before Michigan.

 

[tadman95]

On the NBC post game show last night, they said Michigan's DLine is very good, will be hard to run on and can pressure the QB.

Our D played a good game but we didn't seem to create much pressure in the backfield.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Considering how slow we looked on the edge, this seems like a distinct possibility.

I just hope Fleming learns to keep containment. And Im praying Denard doesn't break a long one for a TD like last year.