keys to the game

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Irish_Fan85

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what does everyone think the keys to the usc game will be? you figure both offenses will produce...i think basicically it will be who has fewer turnovers and what team scores touchdowns (not field goals) off those turnover's and what offense controls the clock...charlie weis will be tested to the max and win or lose...if it's a close game, charlie deserves a lot of credit for keeping it close with a coach like pete carroll.....good luck and go irish
 
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weisfaninmass

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jiggafini19 said:
Establish the run, stop the run. Take LenDale White out of the equation.
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Agree w Jigg. I don't think you can beat ND anymore by just passing against them like teams did in 03/04. The secondary is good in the RedZone to create turnovers. MSU ran for 161 yards, and the game winner run by Teague.

Need also to put The Ballroom Dancer (Leinart) on his ASS a few times
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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Run.
Stop run.
Pass rush.

How about special teams? SC isn't very good on special teams coverage. Got burned by AZ and ASU. Can Grimes take one deep?

I don't like field goals. To me, a kicker should kick extra points and kickoff after touchdowns. Putting the game in the hands (or on the feet) of those guys is not the best option. However, should ND have to settle for field goals, they'd better make them. There were some issues against UW, but they appeared to have been worked out against Purdue.

NO BIG RETURNS on punts or kickoffs. That offense doesn't need a short field as it is. I'd like to see some touchbacks, but I can't remember the last time ND had a kicker that could do it.
 
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sblxdoc

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If we can put up some points quick and then keep their offense off the field in the second half by establishing the run, we might have a chance. USC has been getting off to some slow starts. A couple quick strikes in the beginning could get SC rattled.

Also, note to grounds crew: DO NOT CUT THE GRASS!
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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Ah, the grass thing. Shades of ND lore with FSU in 1993.

I agree, though. 10-0, 14-0, something of that nature would be a great start. I wouldn't want to see ND have to play from behind on these guys. Some three and outs would be HUGE momentum boosters.
 
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TomFoolery

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Keeping in mind that SC will be "extremely up" for this game as well.....I don't think that they will overlook the Irish- therefore the best effort HAS to be given to beat them.Regarding AZ & ASU, SC didn't give them their "A" game- probably overlooking them as they progress toward the IRISH. Cannot use those games as barometers for this weekends clash. Remember last year when SC snuck by Cal, but when it came time to play OK. in the bowl game, they were completely focused and determined. They will come out guns a-blazing!
 
Domer95

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jiggafini19 said:
Establish the run, stop the run. Take LenDale White out of the equation.
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I agree Jigga.

It seems that our run stopping ability is being overlooked, as the secondary is getting most of the focus/worry (which, granted through the first 5 games this year is warranted).

I think that our run D vs. USC's run O, stacks up better than USC's run D vs. our run O.

The O-Line HAS TO come out and be NASTY and move the USC D line around. Remember, USC isn't used to a physical matchup, as the Pac 10 is more of a finesse conf. If the O Line can get some kind of 'dominance', then BQ should be able to run ball control.

This will be the first time since Palko (arguably Henne) that the D won't face a mobile threat at QB, so if we can get some pressure and get Leinart's uni dirty, that will bode very well.
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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Domer95 said:
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The O-Line HAS TO come out and be NASTY and move the USC D line around. Remember, USC isn't used to a physical matchup, as the Pac 10 is more of a finesse conf. If the O Line can get some kind of 'dominance', then BQ should be able to run ball control.
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Shuan Cody admitted that last year, ND's line was physical and pushed them around.

Much has changed since that game, I think we can all agree.
 
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weisfaninmass

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sblxdoc said:
If we can put up some points quick and then keep their offense off the field in the second half by establishing the run, we might have a chance. USC has been getting off to some slow starts. A couple quick strikes in the beginning could get SC rattled.

Also, note to grounds crew: DO NOT CUT THE GRASS!
Click to expand...

sure didn't stop tony dorsett
 
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leppycole

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My bottom line is this: If the boys have not turned into men by now, we are in trouble. We have the skills and the right people in place - the guys simply need to be aggressive and play to win instead of playing to not lose. I know that sounds generic, but it is that simple. Remember F. Parrish at CB last year? What the hell was TW thinking. Is every one healthy on D? Any insight?
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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leppycole said:
Remember F. Parrish at CB last year?
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Thanks a lot Leppy.

My therapy was just about curing my night terrors.

It hurts just remembering that.
 
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joresendez

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How about the third quarter? I think winning that quarter is vital. You gotta figure Notre Dame will come out pumped...the extra energy and loud as hell fans will lead to a good 1st half....also, weis has dominated in the 2nd quarter so i think the game will be close going into halftime....i gotta figure weis will be a step ahead of oh petey boy at that point...the trojans are a great second half team though, partly because home teams usually lose some of that energy in the 2nd half...trojans will adjust in the third and i know weis will answer, but i just hope our team, specifically our d does not run out of gas....the first three possessions of the third quarter will paint the picture for the second half because it will be close at that point and those possessions will decide if the irish will have a chance in the fourth...My prediction, irish win the first quarter by 3, the second by 7, hold steady in the third and pick up a big turnover in the 4th (opportunistic d must get us at least two turnovers)...irish by 13...What do you all think???
 
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ND Lifer

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When you look at both teams realistically, both offenses are pretty damn close to equal and the defenses are very similar. Thereforre, that leaves "special teams". With all the emphasis that Charlie has put into special teams, that could very well be our edge and be the difference in the game.

One thing for sure has to happen...Abiamiri needs to shoow up with a big pass rush (ala Frank Stams of yesteryear). If we pressure the hell out of USC, it will disrupt their offensive flow and maybe give our defense a couple of turnovers we wouldn't normally get.

ND 35 USC 32!!!!!!!!
 
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WeisGuy05

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Let's keep it simple. We are not going to stop their offense and they are not going to stop yours. With that being said, we need to jump on them early 14-0 or 17-0. Then when USC goes on their usual second half tear we cannot let them have unanswered scores...period.
 
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Guest

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Put it this way, I'd rather face Leinart over Stanton, or Palko(bad example, because Wanny has ruined this kid). Scrambling QB's give us big problems, because no matter how good your pass rush is you can't get to the QB, and we have an inexperienced secondary that will eventually allow wideouts to get open.

I expect to see some blitzes against Leinart, or at least less time to throw then a guy like Stanton had. This is a game that our secondary will get some help from our D Line.....
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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Vince Young said:
Huh? I thought I was up on ND lore, but I seem to have missed this one. Details, anyone?
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Florida State, 1993.

Amid the media circus during the week leading up to the game, one reporter asked Lou Holtz if there was any truth to the rumor that ND was going to keep the grass longer to slow FSU's speed on both sides of the ball. I found it amusing myself, as did Holtz.

The grass was cut and ND smashed the ball down their throats only before making it far more interesting than it should have been.
 
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weisfaninmass

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C-Dub is blowing so much smoke about Reggie Bush and the LenDale Train (read his press conf from yesterday). Can you imagine what he is saying to Darius privately.....he has to be challenging Walker in a classic Bill Parcells manor.....as discussed previously, look for the Irish to run the ball down the throat of Southern Cal.
 
jiggafini19

jiggafini19

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weisfaninmass said:
.....as discussed previously, look for the Irish to run the ball down the throat of Southern Cal.
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To me, it starts and ends right here.

They have the capability to mix it up with these guys and win the trenches. Walker, RPN and Travis Thomas as a three pronged attack would be nice.
 
Vince Young

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jiggafini19 said:
Florida State, 1993.

Amid the media circus during the week leading up to the game, one reporter asked Lou Holtz if there was any truth to the rumor that ND was going to keep the grass longer to slow FSU's speed on both sides of the ball. I found it amusing myself, as did Holtz.

The grass was cut and ND smashed the ball down their throats only before making it far more interesting than it should have been.
Click to expand...

Oh, okay. Now that you spell it all out, it kinda sounds familiar, actually. Thanks!

And yeah, that is funny. :)
 
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