Sep 24 | at Pittsburgh

[jmurphy75]

I like the start time. I'm sick of staying up until midnight when I have to get up for work at 5am the next day.

+1, I like them because I can start drinking at 10am!......wait I do that on Saturdays anyway!

 

[rikkitikki08]

Like most have been saying if we can establish the run early and slow down their running game i think we win big. But after these first 3 weeks anything is possible i suppose

 

[IrishGiant]

+1, I like them because I can start drinking at 10am!......wait I do that on Saturdays anyway!

So your a member of the "Saturday Morning Club" huh?

 

[23145tp]

ND 45..Pitt 20......GO IRISH.......

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I'd like to see Riddick have a game..

 

[Buster Bluth]

I'd like to see Riddick have a game..

As do I, but I want to see Floyd have a monstrous game too. He needs to keep putting up numbers for the Biletnikoff.

 

[cody1smith]

If our d line can get a good push and play in the backfield most of the day we winth is game hands down! Graham is there only clutch player. There o line has plenty of experience (3 seniors 1 junior and a red shirt sophmore) and are pretty big (average 309lbs) There secondary is the week point of there d should be easy pickin for tommy. Floyd will draw a double team almost all game should leave pleny of other options in single coverage. One question, why does wood not get more short passes? he can almost always make the first guy miss. short dumps to him seem like money to me. I am not a coach by any means but i would think kelly would get him a few more balls. Possibly because we seldom run two backs? need wood to pick up LB?

 

[cody1smith]

As do I, but I want to see Floyd have a monstrous game too. He needs to keep putting up numbers for the Biletnikoff.

Floyd has put up big numbers aganist three above average teams this year. Pitt should be the same. If ND played teams like WIU and youngstown state he would already have 4000 yards and 26 TD. But im glad we dont kinda pride them for being one of three teams to never have played "cupecake" (FCS team)

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If our d line can get a good push and play in the backfield most of the day we winth is game hands down! Graham is there only clutch player. There o line has plenty of experience (3 seniors 1 junior and a red shirt sophmore) and are pretty big (average 309lbs) There secondary is the week point of there d should be easy pickin for tommy. Floyd will draw a double team almost all game should leave pleny of other options in single coverage. One question, why does wood not get more short passes? he can almost always make the first guy miss. short dumps to him seem like money to me. I am not a coach by any means but i would think kelly would get him a few more balls. Possibly because we seldom run two backs? need wood to pick up LB?

Cierre had: 3 receptions for 44 yards against USF; 0 or 0 against UM; and 6 receptions for 5 yards against State (he also bobbled away what would have been a crucial catch on 3rd down).

The RB is typically the check down receiver in Kelly's offense, so he's only getting the ball when everyone else is covered. If possible, it's almost always preferable for Rees to get the ball out to Floyd, Riddick, Jones, or Eifert for a larger gain through the air than to dump it off to Cierre behind the LoS and hope he's able to break a few tackles for a decent gain.

He's one helluva a check down option, though.

 

[BurningRiver]

love that this is a noon game. it'll be a nice change of pace from all the prime-time and 3:30 games we play this year

 

[military_irish]

As do I, but I want to see Floyd have a monstrous game too. He needs to keep putting up numbers for the Biletnikoff.

I don't know what kind of numbers you want him to put up but as of now he is 2nd in the nation for yards and 2nd in receptions. He does only have two TD's but is clutch in other aspects.

 

[cody1smith]

Makes sense. Thanks! Wood just reminds me of marshall faulk when he has the ball. It worked out well for the rams.

 

[cody1smith]

Gotta have this one. This game is huge

ND 41
PITT 13

 

[cody1smith]

Also I will be around canton IL during the game. anyone know the radio statio i can catch this on.

 

[IrishGiant]

Also I will be around canton IL during the game. anyone know the radio statio i can catch this on.

Heading to the Hall? I was there (finally!) in January. Really awesome place.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Heading to the Hall? I was there (finally!) in January. Really awesome place.

He said Canton, Illinois.......Not Canton, Ohio.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This needs to be a blowout. Pitt only beat Maine by 6 and absolutely blew that game against Iowa.

 

[BurningRiver]

I know we're 1-2, and I know beggars can't be choosers, but I will really be disappointed with anything less than a blowout.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I'll take a W by any means necessary.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I'll take a W by any means necessary.

^This!!!!!!!!!

 

[Roc the Panther]

My prediction: Pitt 27 ND 24

Pitt needs to come back strong after the depressing loss to Iowa and show Notre Dame we aren't a pushover team. I think it all depends on what Tino Sunseri does. If he has decent game we could pull out a win, if not, we could get pounded. Either way, I'm looking forward to going to this game on Saturday.

LETS GO PITT!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Welcome to the board!

Pitt needs to come back strong after the depressing loss to Iowa and show Notre Dame we aren't a pushover team. I think it all depends on what Tino Sunseri does. If he has decent game we could pull out a win, if not, we could get pounded. Either way, I'm looking forward to going to this game on Saturday.

ND's front seven held MSU to 1.3 YPC. Graham is legit, but without an OL opening holes for him, he's not going anywhere.

Our pass rush forced Kirk Cousins into two TOs, and he's one of the best QBs in the B1G. What makes you think Sunseri won't be turning the ball over left and right?

 

[BeauBenken]

My prediction: Pitt 27 ND 24

Pitt needs to come back strong after the depressing loss to Iowa and show Notre Dame we aren't a pushover team. I think it all depends on what Tino Sunseri does. If he has decent game we could pull out a win, if not, we could get pounded. Either way, I'm looking forward to going to this game on Saturday.

LETS GO PITT!

Welcome to the board Mr. Optimistic Panther Fan.

At least you know if you win this one it'll be by no more than 3.

It's not that I don't see Pitt as a legitimate opponent, but rather that you guys are definitely in a rebuilding phase. There's no way around it. Didn't you guys switch to a 3-4 from a 4-3 and your LBs were already your weakest unit, no? You also lost some VERY big time guys from your team.

Also, Kirk Cousins aside from his 4th quarter pick played a very good game and MSU lost. I hope you guys don't hope to run the ball because it ain't happenin' (as long as we don't let Graham get in the open field).

Anyways, I still trust you guys to put in a good fight, but if we lose it will be because we completely implode again.

Feel free to continue posting on the board and good luck!

 

[Buster Bluth]

Our pass rush forced Kirk Cousins into two TOs, and he's one of the best QBs in the B1G. What makes you think Sunseri won't be turning the ball over left and right?

Playing devil's advocate here...but if Denard's horrendous throws are any indication...the worse a quarterback is the better is does against the Irish.

 

[IrishGiant]

He said Canton, Illinois.......Not Canton, Ohio.

Whoops. Read it too fast. I see Canton and I have visions of football in my head.

 

[Riddickulous]

My prediction: Pitt 27 ND 24

Pitt needs to come back strong after the depressing loss to Iowa and show Notre Dame we aren't a pushover team. I think it all depends on what Tino Sunseri does. If he has decent game we could pull out a win, if not, we could get pounded. Either way, I'm looking forward to going to this game on Saturday.

LETS GO PITT!

Right you are.

Turnovers are also a factor.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Week Four F/+ Rankings:

<table class="stats" border="1"><tbody><tr><td align="center">RK</td> <td align="center">TEAM</td> <td align="center">RECORD</td> <td align="center">F/+</td> <td align="center"> LAST
WK</td> <td align="center">CHANGE</td> <td align="center"> S&P+</td> <td align="center">RK</td> <td align="center">FEI</td> <td align="center">RK</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">1</td> <td align="left">Alabama</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+28.0%</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">+0</td> <td align="right">262.7</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">0.281</td> <td align="right">2</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">2</td> <td align="left">Oklahoma</td> <td align="left">2-0</td> <td align="right">+24.8%</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">+0</td> <td align="right">251.5</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">0.272</td> <td align="right">3</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">3</td> <td align="left">LSU</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+23.5%</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">+0</td> <td align="right">240.4</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">0.300</td> <td align="right">1</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">4</td> <td align="left">Boise State</td> <td align="left">2-0</td> <td align="right">+22.0%</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">+1</td> <td align="right">248.7</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">0.230</td> <td align="right">7</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">5</td> <td align="left">Wisconsin</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+20.0%</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">+2</td> <td align="right">237.8</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">0.243</td> <td align="right">5</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">6</td> <td align="left">Florida State</td> <td align="left">2-1</td> <td align="right">+18.8%</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">-2</td> <td align="right">231.4</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">0.250</td> <td align="right">4</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">7</td> <td align="left">Virginia Tech</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+18.4%</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">-1</td> <td align="right">232.8</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">0.234</td> <td align="right">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">8</td> <td align="left">Stanford</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+17.6%</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">+3</td> <td align="right">238.5</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">0.191</td> <td align="right">11</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">9</td> <td align="left">Oregon</td> <td align="left">2-1</td> <td align="right">+16.9%</td> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="right">+4</td> <td align="right">238.6</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">0.177</td> <td align="right">12</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">10</td> <td align="left">Florida</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+15.8%</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">-2</td> <td align="right">225.9</td> <td align="right">21</td> <td align="right">0.216</td> <td align="right">9</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">11</td> <td align="left">Notre Dame</td> <td align="left">1-2</td> <td align="right">+15.8%</td> <td align="right">19</td> <td align="right">+8</td> <td align="right">242.7</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">0.134</td> <td align="right">26</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">12</td> <td align="left">Oklahoma State</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+15.5%</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">+4</td> <td align="right">235.7</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">0.162</td> <td align="right">17</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">13</td> <td align="left">Texas A&M</td> <td align="left">2-0</td> <td align="right">+15.1%</td> <td align="right">23</td> <td align="right">+10</td> <td align="right">243.1</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">0.118</td> <td align="right">30</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">14</td> <td align="left">Arkansas</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+14.9%</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">-5</td> <td align="right">232.2</td> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="right">0.168</td> <td align="right">14</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">15</td> <td align="left">Georgia Tech</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+14.8%</td> <td align="right">22</td> <td align="right">+7</td> <td align="right">231.9</td> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="right">0.166</td> <td align="right">15</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">16</td> <td align="left">Michigan</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+14.3%</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">+2</td> <td align="right">232.5</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">0.155</td> <td align="right">19</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">17</td> <td align="left">West Virginia</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+13.8%</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">-5</td> <td align="right">217.1</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td align="right">0.220</td> <td align="right">8</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">18</td> <td align="left">Clemson</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+13.2%</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">-1</td> <td align="right">215.9</td> <td align="right">35</td> <td align="right">0.213</td> <td align="right">10</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">19</td> <td align="left">Auburn</td> <td align="left">2-1</td> <td align="right">+12.8%</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">-9</td> <td align="right">229.6</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">0.139</td> <td align="right">24</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">20</td> <td align="left">South Carolina</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+12.6%</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="right">-5</td> <td align="right">221.7</td> <td align="right">23</td> <td align="right">0.173</td> <td align="right">13</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">21</td> <td align="left">USC</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+11.6%</td> <td align="right">26</td> <td align="right">+5</td> <td align="right">226.2</td> <td align="right">20</td> <td align="right">0.131</td> <td align="right">27</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">22</td> <td align="left">Georgia</td> <td align="left">1-2</td> <td align="right">+11.2%</td> <td align="right">25</td> <td align="right">+3</td> <td align="right">223.2</td> <td align="right">22</td> <td align="right">0.137</td> <td align="right">25</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">23</td> <td align="left">Miami</td> <td align="left">1-1</td> <td align="right">+10.8%</td> <td align="right">30</td> <td align="right">+7</td> <td align="right">216.5</td> <td align="right">33</td> <td align="right">0.162</td> <td align="right">16</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">24</td> <td align="left">South Florida</td> <td align="left">3-0</td> <td align="right">+10.1%</td> <td align="right">33</td> <td align="right">+9</td> <td align="right">216.0</td> <td align="right">34</td> <td align="right">0.151</td> <td align="right">20</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">25</td> <td align="left">TCU</td> <td align="left">2-1</td> <td align="right">+9.7%</td> <td align="right">21</td> <td align="right">-4</td> <td align="right">231.7</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="right">0.066</td> <td align="right">40</td></tr></tbody></table>
5th in the S&P. 11th overall.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Pittsburgh ball on their thirty yard line. Graham goes into the line instead of dancing outside: big mistake. Cwynar and Johnson hold him up and Manti blasts him. One yard gain. Sunseri drops back. Quick bubble screen to the left. Gary Gray makes a secure tackle for a three yard gain. Third and six.

The Pittsburgh right tackle, who is already not enjoying the game, flinches. Five yard penalty; it will be third and eleven. Diaco says to the field: "Plan B". Ethan, Sean, and Kap have done their jobs and lumber off the field. The new defensive line settles in: Lynch, Nix, Tuitt.

Diaco flips a dart at the full length picture of Tito hanging on the wall. He doesn't have to look at where it sticks --- he is the only human immune from the Law of Unintended Consequences. Instead he hums...

"D-lines comin'; Hide your heart, girl
D-lines comin': Hide your heart, girl
D-lines comin, Tito, they're gonna tear your heart apart...."

Down on the field something awful happens.

 

[BGIF]

... the Law of Unintended Consequences. ...

AKA The ND Game Plan for the First Two Games of the '11 Season.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Mike floyd will have a field day. 12+ catches. 180 yds at least. 2 tds at least