my take on unc

[notredomer23]

ND's offense is superior to UNC's defense... ND's defense is superior to UNC's offense. Special teams will determine this game. Keep the ball away from Brandon Tate, dont allow them to block punts, and make a damn field goal and we win this game.

35-21

 

[irishandy]

The Tenuta defense needs to get nastier each week and it has to start this wek against UNC. Our o-line needs to open up holes for our tailbacks.

 

[domerfor life]

This will be a tough outing for ND. They must stack the box and force Sexton to beat them with his arm. They have to get pressure on Sexton to throw off the timing. Carolina's running game only became existent in the last couple of games. They did seem to open up more holes than in previous games. The most important factor is cashing in on redzone opportunities. We cannot, let me repeat that (lol), we cannot come away with no points in the redzone. I hate to say it, but I think the lack of a kicking game will bite us in the a$$ Saturday. I don't want to think that way, but it's there. We will need him to make at least a couple of kicks. This one can go either way. It's winnable, but there's a good chance ND will lose Saturday. Of course, I hope they don't.

 

[CurtisCandy]

It's difficult for me to make a prediction when it comes to our boys, simply because I truly believe they are capable of breaking out and blooming into a REALLY good team at any given week.

I know this makes me an optimist, but I see marked improvement from The Irish every week, and with how young this team is, I believe they are on the brink of really coming together. Even on defense, I've seen some true flashes of real talent... Plus Pat Kuntz is tearing things up.

So, as they stand leaving the field against Stanford, it would be possible to take out UNC, but of course, a tough game. If this is the week that the magic I see in the offing comes to fruition (Better "O" line run blocking, more consistency on defense), I say we could beat them handily.

 

[notredomer23]

why do some of u think NC's running game is good? They have had 400 yards by their running backs rushing through 5 games

 

[NDinL.A.]

Dude, I always love your takes. I am always the eternal optimist, as you know, but your comments are always on point.

Great point about the types of players at both schools. Especially about the JC transfer issue. When you are building a program, being able to go out and bring in juco guys with two years of experience and college level weight training is an invaluable resource. One ND has never been able to enjoy. Bringing in juco kids and redshirting your youngsters gives a program a ton of flexibility. I don't even want to touch the admission standards issues and the comparison on the graduation rates and GPA's.

Here is my reasoning for why we win this game. I thought we did not play very well on Saturday. With the exception of Clausen, Floyd, and Kuntz, the team looked a little flat top to bottom and we really went to sleep and let Stanford back into it in the fourth. But here is why we carry that over into a win: I did not see any of the "here we go again" mentality and let down that was so apparent last year. This team is learning how to win. They are learning that if something does not go as planned, you can pull out of it and turn it around. Last year's team would not have held on to win after the opponent scores 14 fourth quarter points.

As you pointed out, we are definitely not there yet. But we are making progress. Every game, I see things get a little better. We have yet to put together a complete game, let alone a complete game from all three facets. But the time is coming where that complete game will happen. Might be Saturday in Chapel Hill, might be some other time this season, or it might not happen until next season. But when it does, it is going to be a sight to see. When all three parts of the team come together at the same time, we are going to roll some people.

Either way, I think we win this weekend. Haven't decided what my score prediction will be, but we will get the "W".

GO IRISH!!!

Yup, we are getting better. I hope you're right my brother, that this week we play a complete game and get the W. It would be so sweet for the program. I'm already pumped for the game!

Gooooooooo Irish (go Irish!!!!); beeeeeeeeaaat Tar Heels (Beat Tar Heels!)....

 

[NDOM]

Here's whats going to happen. We lose 31-29. Charlie Weis sends out Ryan Burkhart to try a 34 yard field goal with 9 seconds left and it misses wide right. Oh the kicking woes continue!!!!!

 

[Steve]

i think we should send out burkhart to try to dropkick it in there

 

[phork]

Straying a little off topic here in regards to Alabama.. Offense has 7 returning starters, Defense has 5. I'm not going to get into the arguement about Jucos and the whole bit, but a quick perusal of the depth chart shows a lot of FR and SO.
Not to mention that the cupboard was probably bare of the MikePrice/Shula eras. The point being that Davis and Saban have gotten it done in 2 years.

 

[ojo_223]

If you live on the west coast, espn is currently re-airing the UNC-UCONN game if you want a look at the upcoming competition.

Is that former ND quarterback Zach Frasier for the Huskies? Poor kid.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Yup, we are getting better. I hope you're right my brother, that this week we play a complete game and get the W. It would be so sweet for the program. I'm already pumped for the game!

Gooooooooo Irish (go Irish!!!!); beeeeeeeeaaat Tar Heels (Beat Tar Heels!)....

I have watched 3 Notre Dame du Lac games this year (minus the MSU game) so far.

(Why don't the announcers vocalize the entire name of the University?)

This ND team has "brought it" for 4 quarters of each game. I have watched them win all of those games.

This team may have looked down a play or two, but this is a team that can rebound. This is the groundwork for the NC.

Not this year, maybe not next, but ND is back.

The Phoenix is arising.

It is still in the nest.

Keep the discipine ND.

Even the haters want you guys to dominate. YOU ARE FOOTBALL. YOU ARE EDUCATION. YOU ARE DECENT MEN. YOU ARE SONS OF OUR LADY. YOU ARE THE RIGHT THING. FIGHT FOR IT.

I am a bit tipsy. Time to pass out.

Freegin ND.

Freegin Phoenix

 

[Dizzyphil]

I'm going to give the Irish a huge advantage for this weekend. We match up against NC a lot better than some may think. We should handle their running game easily. Their top 2 backs are only averaging 40 yards of rushing per game. They are only averaging about 130 yards rushing a game as a team. Their defense and special teams have won their games for them and I believe ND will be favored in that department. I don't make score predictions but I do think we will win by 17 regardless of the final.

Dizzy

 

[JeremyND07]

why do some of u think NC's running game is good? They have had 400 yards by their running backs rushing through 5 games

I agree!!! North Carolina is ranked 90th in rushing yards @ 120.8 a game! However, both of the backs have big play potential Little (50 yd TD) and Draughn (39 yd TD).

The thing that scares me is they average 32.4 points a game!!!!

 

[mick2]

Straying a little off topic here in regards to Alabama.. Offense has 7 returning starters, Defense has 5. I'm not going to get into the arguement about Jucos and the whole bit, but a quick perusal of the depth chart shows a lot of FR and SO.
Not to mention that the cupboard was probably bare of the MikePrice/Shula eras. The point being that Davis and Saban have gotten it done in 2 years.

shula did not leave the cupboard bare thats for sure. and john parker wilson was a junior when saban rolled in and now he's a senior, kinda familiar o charlies first years, i would like to see what saban does next year if his qb decides to go because i think he has one more yr of eligibility

 

[KAPLAN]

They beat McNeese St by 8, beat a terrible Rutgers team, lost to a bad V-Tech Team, beat a VERY young Miami team, and beat a UCONN team that had not played a soul.
I think we have a good chance and it is a great matchup with two up and coming teams. I also think we have better players than them. I do expect us to win.
Did I read that Yates was out and their backup is in? I also think some of our D will remember that Greg Little decomitted from us on signing day 2 years ago and will use that as modivation.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Well, this is a tough game. We did not play well at MSU. We had many chances and fell apart at the end. Hopefully we can play better on the road. Pressure is the name of the game. I think we lose in a close one.

 

[bernbabybern820]

UNC has their own Tate (Brandon) that is very very very scary and explosive. Amazing speed as a receiver as well as a returner. We need to contain him. His stats haven't been good lately but he can break long TDs at any time.

 

[alleycat9]

ND's offense is superior to UNC's defense... ND's defense is superior to UNC's offense. Special teams will determine this game. Keep the ball away from Brandon Tate, dont allow them to block punts, and make a damn field goal and we win this game.

35-21

how exactly does a field goal figure into 35-21

 

[coachjohnson]

NC played a really good game against UConn, I honestly don't see them playing that good two weeks in a row. They blocked two punts and they were able to score on both of those opportunities. They also had a int. for a TD gift wrapped for them. They are a pretty good team but if we don't help them in the same manner that UConn did we will win this game. I do think it will be close but I feel like we are better than them and our D is better than UConn's. We are very fortunate that this isn't a night game, my thoughts would be different as NC is crazy at their night games. Bottom line is I just think we're better. It will be a very tough game that could go either way but the Irish are ready to go baby.

 

[sportallyr]

What scares me the most about this NC team is their Defensive Line. They have some very good players on the outside and inside. I've watched two of their games this year and both times their D-Line impressed me. Hope our offensive line comes ready to play because, if they don't, Jimmy is gonna be running for his life. This game will be won or lost in the trenches...in my opinion. Also, I think this is the week that Charlie starts going for it on 4th and whatever instead of attempting any field goals more than 30 yards.

 

[NDgettysburg]

What worries me about NC is their ability to get to the kicker quick and block the ball.....especially since it seems like it takes forever for us to get a punt, fg or xp off. Things like blocked kicks tend to really turn a game around.

 

[phork]

UNC Is favored by 7.5 points, interesting spread there.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

NC played a really good game against UConn, I honestly don't see them playing that good two weeks in a row. They blocked two punts and they were able to score on both of those opportunities. They also had a int. for a TD gift wrapped for them. They are a pretty good team but if we don't help them in the same manner that UConn did we will win this game. I do think it will be close but I feel like we are better than them and our D is better than UConn's. We are very fortunate that this isn't a night game, my thoughts would be different as NC is crazy at their night games. Bottom line is I just think we're better. It will be a very tough game that could go either way but the Irish are ready to go baby.

Not to mention our QB is much better than UConn's. Sorry Zach, I was pulling for you at your new school kid, but Jimmy is much better and at least you are getting some PT now.

I think the improvement of our passing game continues against NC. I know I should be worried about this game more than I am, but I really have a good feeling about this one. I am not predicting a blowout because I know it will be close and I am sure it will be a game that will cause my ulcer to flare a bit, but I think we will do enough to win. Jimmy will have another huge day and our defense will come to play.

 

[KAPLAN]

What worries me about NC is their ability to get to the kicker quick and block the ball.....especially since it seems like it takes forever for us to get a punt, fg or xp off. Things like blocked kicks tend to really turn a game around.

Punts that might be a problem but kicks is not since we have no business kicking a FG.