Michigan State

[Shamrock44]

Agree! Go Irish!

 

[NDinL.A.]

That's it - strip away any and all credit from the players on the field? That completely diminishes the hard work these young men put in day in and day out on the practice field, in the weight room, and the classroom. They made the most out of opprotunities presented to them whether it was turnovers or not. That is part of the game. What gives you the right to say the players don't deserve any of the credit for the win?

I thought the Michigan fans were bad for making excuses about losing, but I think its worse to see ND fans making excuses about why we WON.

My question to you Phork is this: Have you every played major college athletics? If the answer is "no", then you have zero right to strip away any credit from the players for a win.

If you have been an athlete at the college level, then I give you a little more latitude. Because unless you intimately understand (and not just think you understand) what it takes on a daily basis in a major college athletic program (not to mention the highest profile college program in the land) you cannot say they did not earn that win or any other win, for that matter.

Our boys deserve a lot more praise than I have seen them receiving here. I don't care how "sloppy" a win is or how many statistical categories we don't excel in, the bottom line is the team paid the price in the Spring, summer, and all week leading up to the game. A victory is credited to the team alone and no one else.

Boom! That's what I'm talking about. I'm more on the side of realism and caution, but still, WE WON THAT GAME, it wasn't given to us. And we can win this game too, with or without a pulled hammy from Ringer. He's going to be a load, and it is a very losable game, esp considering how awful our d-line has played so far. But it is also a very winnable game, and that's the attitude we should have going in...

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Is cautious pessimism the tone of the board this year? We usually do a good job of circling the wagons and keeping our focus on the road. 2 of our 3 wins last year were on the West Coast, which could be a huge distraction because of jet lag alone.

I think our defense shines Saturday. There is no Caulcrick and stud WR's (Thomas?) to complement Ringer this year, thus him running for 3 football fields and Retardy only scoring 17 points. Get pressure on the QB, and we will be fine. I like the ND 28-31, MSU 17-24 range. Spartan Stadium fams are even bigger bandwagon jumpers than ours are. We get off to a fast start and suck the life out of that place, and we WILL control the tempo. We win by 10+.

Go Irish!

 

[03euroSVT]

Because the defense has not shown the ability to stop anyone with regularity. Mo Crum is probably the closest thing to a playmaker that the defense has. If you watch the games, most of his plays are made 5+ yards downfield. That's a HORRIBLE sign!!

I will hope and pray for a strong defensive outing against MSU, but I won't expect it.

Ok so most of you proved that our D needs work. So I'll take back what I said about an improved D.

As far as the 5+ plays down field. That kind of goes hand in hand with Blitzing a spread offense. It's an easy zone read for the QB or RB. We may need to back off a little on blitzing if the we are going to stop MSU's offense.

I am still saying 31 ND - 14 MSU.

WE ARE ND!!!!!!

 

[alleycat9]

i have no predictions. i HOPE for hardnosed tough play, people flying to the ball and gang tackling. i HOPE for the will to man up and be better than the guy in front of you for the offense especially the line and some anger and attitude.

i have not really seen these things yet this year and can do no more than HOPE that they come about this week. especially against an MSU team that has owned us, especially at home in the recent past. just the flag planted on our field is enough to get my skin crawling and my blood boiling.

if this team can do those things, no matter win or lose i will be proud of them and a proud fan. but if they do those things i fully expect a win.

however i have been waiting for this for about 2 years and still have not seen it. so i am left with HOPE.

 

[kmoose]

As far as the 5+ plays down field. That kind of goes hand in hand with Blitzing a spread offense. It's an easy zone read for the QB or RB. We may need to back off a little on blitzing if the we are going to stop MSU's offense.

I am still saying 31 ND - 14 MSU.

WE ARE ND!!!!!!

I'm not basing my observations of Crum off of one or two games. He did the same thing last year. We haven't played, and blitzed the hell out of, spread offenses in every game the last two years. You can make excuses all you want, but the truth of it is that this is not a very good team by ND standards.

As for taking anything away from the players, as was suggested by someone else:

College is supposed to prepare you for life. And college athletics is supposed to teach a lot of life lessons. If you have a job, and you are failing at that job? Neither your boss, nor your customers, give a rat's ass how hard you are working at it. The bottom line is: you are failing at it. Never has there been a greater life lesson.

 

[Steve]

it sucks that the game is gonna be on ABC. i'd rather it be on espn so i could watch it in HD. i get every local channel in HD except for ABC. shit.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

College is supposed to prepare you for life. And college athletics is supposed to teach a lot of life lessons. If you have a job, and you are failing at that job? Neither your boss, nor your customers, give a rat's ass how hard you are working at it. The bottom line is: you are failing at it. Never has there been a greater life lesson.

How can you say they are failing at it? They are 2-0! Leave the life lessons to the professors and coaches. Give these boys the credit they deserve.

GO IRISH!!! KICK SPARTY'S ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dre1919]

I just wanted to add briefly that Michigan State can, unequivocally, and without peer, suck it. Sparty should take their flag and go do what they normally do with it and their Wolverine brothers.

 

[phork]

That's it - strip away any and all credit from the players on the field? That completely diminishes the hard work these young men put in day in and day out on the practice field, in the weight room, and the classroom. They made the most out of opprotunities presented to them whether it was turnovers or not. That is part of the game. What gives you the right to say the players don't deserve any of the credit for the win?

Hold your guns their cowboy, you might shoot yourself in the foot. I never once said anything taking credit away from anyone. The simple fact is that without those turnovers, we lose. I don't have much faith that this team can sustain long drives, and lets face it, not many teams are going to give us a short field to work with whenever we please.

My question to you Phork is this: Have you every played major college athletics? If the answer is "no", then you have zero right to strip away any credit from the players for a win.

Again, don't put words in my mouth and stop trying to start an argument. These are my objective opinions. No excuses and certainly no apologies.

Our boys deserve a lot more praise than I have seen them receiving here. I don't care how "sloppy" a win is or how many statistical categories we don't excel in, the bottom line is the team paid the price in the Spring, summer, and all week leading up to the game. A victory is credited to the team alone and no one else.

You are right, a W is a W. However I am still looking for that next step in the evolution of this team, hopefully it comes this Saturday when our defense shuts down Ringer, and plants Hoyer a couple times. All while Clausen is raining bombs down on them with Tate and Floyd.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Phork.
You are a man.
I agree with you.
That does not make me a man.
I just agree with you, so far.

 

[BeatSC]

We created those turnovers and teams like USC have been living off of turnovers for years. We don't know what kind of offense our team could have generated. When you're ahead 21-0 you tend to get conservative. Charlie never tries to run up the score on anybody. I agree with alot of the posts that our D will do alot better against a more conventional and one dimensional team. Our D-line is definitely the weak link but I think Smith, Sergio and Neal will have big games. We will also get 4 or more sacks. The visitn team has won the last 6 times so lets keep that streak going. We need revenge on MSU, BS and Navy this year and I think we're going to get it. We've won 4 in a row now. We win this week and we get a legit top 25 rank and will build on that. One week at a time but let's keep hope alive! Go Irish...pound the ball and run it on 3rd and 2!

 

[IrishAlum1997]

May I reiterate I hate MSU? Is that 8.5 point spread for real? I hope our team puts together a balanced game and really shuts the pundits up. Or we could just capitalize on 6 turnovers and win by 18. Either one works for me.

 

[pacerules1899]

msu

msu

I am looking forward to watching the offense.last week was looking very explosive,if not for the weather,ND would have let Clausen air it out more.Tate and Floyd are looking very good.I have not followed msu I think if they are going to try the power game on us I think our safeties will bring great run support.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Hold your guns their cowboy, you might shoot yourself in the foot. I never once said anything taking credit away from anyone. The simple fact is that without those turnovers, we lose. I don't have much faith that this team can sustain long drives, and lets face it, not many teams are going to give us a short field to work with whenever we please.

You can have your opinions and I respect that. However, saying you aren't taking credit away from the boys while saying we only won because of turnovers is a bit contradictory. Did we cause those turnovers? Yes, some. Did we capitalize on those turnovers? Abso-frickin-lutely. But without the turnovers we lose? What you should have said is, "without the turnovers and our capitalizing on those turnovers to the fullest extent, we might have had a tougher situation."


Again, don't put words in my mouth and stop trying to start an argument. These are my objective opinions. No excuses and certainly no apologies.

Not putting words in your mouth. Just asking a question. Just curious about your basis of knowledge from which you make your assessments. If you don't want to answer the question, just say so.

You are right, a W is a W. However I am still looking for that next step in the evolution of this team, hopefully it comes this Saturday when our defense shuts down Ringer, and plants Hoyer a couple times. All while Clausen is raining bombs down on them with Tate and Floyd.

Glad we agree here and that we have similar hopes for Saturday. All I ask is that if the team wins, just once, tip your hat and say, "Good job boys. You done well." I am sick of all the bravado about how we shouldn't have won and we aren't satisfied because it wasn't a win the way we wanted it to be. What good does it do to bring up reasons you think we shouldn't have won? Where is the joy? I don't know about you, but I have too much other shit going on in my life to be down about a WIN.

I wasn't starting an argument or attacking you personally, I am just sick of people being down on this team when they are winning. Let's get some good mojo flowing and celebrate these boys for the accomplishments they have done rather than criticize them for what we think they should have done.

GO IRISH!!! BEAT SPARTY!!!

 

[JeremyND07]

(2) things we need to do too win...stop the run and run the ball, period! Hold Ringer to under 4 yards a carry and average +4 yards a carry and we win big!

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I just want to say how proud I am of our boys. From a team that won only 3 games last year to being one victory away from matching that and only being 3 games into the season is huge. Its funny how I read some of the members posts on here who are not satisfied with the style in which we are winning. Last year you would have been more than happy to see some of the play that you have seen this year but now its not good enough.My hat is off to the whole team for the effort I have seen thus far. We are better than we were, and will be better than we are.It doesnt happen overnight but we will be back at the top soon,just give it time and enjoy each win,no matter how we get it.
GO IRISH!!!!

 

[phork]

I think the point is that we or maybe most of us expected something a little better. Now I hate to pull out comparisons, but Saban is already #9 in the country on a program thats been in the toilet since anyone can remember. Yes I know you are going to tell me that he recruits poor student athletes and all that jazz, but facts are facts.. After all, isn't it just about W's?

 

[Bubba]

I think the point is that we or maybe most of us expected something a little better. Now I hate to pull out comparisons, but Saban is already #9 in the country on a program thats been in the toilet since anyone can remember. Yes I know you are going to tell me that he recruits poor student athletes and all that jazz, but facts are facts.. After all, isn't it just about W's?

We were over-rated early in Charlie's career, too. Alabama was 7-6 last year and have done nothing to earn a number 9 ranking. They beat an over-ranked Clemson team and 2 cupcakes. I admit I'm not overly confident with the Irish right now, but this comparison doesn't hold water in my opinion. Just like we are often, Alabama is #9 right now becasue of thier name.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I think the point is that we or maybe most of us expected something a little better. Now I hate to pull out comparisons, but Saban is already #9 in the country on a program thats been in the toilet since anyone can remember. Yes I know you are going to tell me that he recruits poor student athletes and all that jazz, but facts are facts.. After all, isn't it just about W's?

No,actually at ND its not just about W's. I hope that it never is.Thats part of the reason im so proud to be an Irish fan. I think we would all be a little surprised to see where some of the national powerhouses would be if they shared the same view of a STUDENT athlete that we do.

 

[Brown]

It doesn't make sense to use this team's Win Loss record in comparison to last season. Last season the schedule was 500% more difficult.

If we don't win more than 8 games this season, it will be as bad as winning only three games, last.

With that being said, the team looks a lot better than it did last year. But we haven't played anybody respectable yet. And that game vs SD State was a HUGE let down. There's no reason we shouldn't of beat their heads in. Most of their line was completely decimated.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

It doesn't make sense to use this team's Win Loss record in comparison to last season. Last season the schedule was 500% more difficult.

If we don't win more than 8 games this season, it will be as bad as winning only three games, last.

With that being said, the team looks a lot better than it did last year. But we haven't played anybody respectable yet. And that game vs SD State was a HUGE let down. There's no reason we shouldn't of beat their heads in. Most of their line was completely decimated.

I wasnt comparing strength of schedule from last year to this year im simply noting that we have made progress and we should be happy about that. I dont know about you but im not sure if last years team wins either of our first two game this year. So its not about how hard we had it last year its about how much better we are than last year.

 

[NDgettysburg]

My cousin got married in Philadelphia on the day the Flyers were playing the Red Wings in the Cup Finals. During the reception half the crowd wen to the bar and watched the entire game. That was pretty amusing.

And MAJORLY disappointing....that's a Flyers SC series I would like to forget. Suck it, Wings fans

 

[SteveM]

Men are Idiots

Men are Idiots

My cousin got married in Philadelphia on the day the Flyers were playing the Red Wings in the Cup Finals. During the reception half the crowd wen to the bar and watched the entire game. That was pretty amusing.

Hah! The more things change, they more they stay the same.

A H.S. friend of mine got married way back in 1980 when the Phillies were in their winning World Series. A series game was being played during the reception. One guy had an old transistor radio on because the bartender wouldn't turn on the TV. A bunch of guys were huddled around him listening to Harry, Andy and Whitey call play by play.

Finally, my friend's Dad (father of the groom) told the bartender to turn the game on. When he did there was mass exodus from the reception hall to the detached bar area. We all missed dinner. And there was no dancing, because they were no men to dance with. From the bride's PoV, the reception was a fiasco.

But from our PoV, open bar, sports on TV, getting loaded and smoking cigars with the guys. Everything was sublimely copacetic.

We boys masquerading as men were indeed idiots.

SteveM

P.S. In the Philadelphia Archdiocese there is something called the Catholic League. We were Catholic League guys all right.

 

[NDgettysburg]

P.S. In the Philadelphia Archdiocese there is something called the Catholic League. We were Catholic League guys all right.

<------ Bishop Egan Alum

 

[SteveM]

Screaming Eagles

Screaming Eagles

<------ Bishop Egan Alum

Wild!

Best time I ever had on the planet...

SteveM
Queen of the Universe

 

[NDgettysburg]

SteveM
Queen of the Universe

In Levittown? My brother and sister went to St. Mike's (I was already high school age when my grades in public school got so bad that my Dad yanked all 3 of us out and put us in Catlik school). I went from William Penn Middle School right to Egan.