MY USC prediction

[realitycheck]

Plus I dont think either Woods or Evans committed to us based on the idea that we would beat USC this year

Wood committed because USC doesn't see him as a RB and offered him to play safety

Evans committed because he thinks he'll see the field earlier at ND

This game will have 0 bearing on their commitments

 

[mooneytostle]

I think we will know how close it will be the second we see ND come out of the tunnel. I predict they will not look very fired up and scared. USC by 42.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

If we come out no huddle and go for sc's throat, we have a chance. If we pull out the third quarter offense we are going to get killed. I will be there so of course I am hoping for the upset, I doubt it will happen, but you never know.

Earlier this season I felt confident we could hang with sc, they seem beatable this year. But now, I think things look pretty bleak.

If we win it will be 31-28
If we lose it will be 48-7

I'm saying about a 95% chance its the latter score.

 

[Junkhead]

Last year was 38-0. This year will be 45-7.

 

[scoutgod]

If we come out no huddle and go for sc's throat, we have a chance.

Disagree, Have a hurry set in place, but save it. Why have short possessions early? Nothing worse that a 16 second three and out. No matter the score, this game will seem 4 hours long with all the TV timeouts. The longer you appear to be hanging on, the more likely USC will get bored, then.. one lucky break, boredom turns to worry... then momentum is yours. Play close and slow early, and make the hope for a first Q score within 4. and a halftime score within 7. Take the air out of the ball early. Then speed it up in the second half, get lucky and you might catch them dazed. But the first half has to almost not exist.

Buckeyes scored early in both BCS Championship games.... and no one remembers that.

Appy State ran the ball 2:1 to passing, averaged only 3.6 yards a carry, 9.9 yards a completion....... just hung with UM... and got them to choke.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

Disagree, Have a hurry set in place, but save it. Why have short possessions early? Nothing worse that a 16 second three and out. No matter the score, this game will seem 4 hours long with all the TV timeouts. The longer you appear to be hanging on, the more likely USC will get bored, then.. one lucky break, boredom turns to worry... then momentum is yours. Play close and slow early, and make the hope for a first Q score within 4. and a halftime score within 7.

Yeah I definitely know what you mean. But can we really execute that type of a game-plan against a team like usc? Its been obvious that that type of a possession minded offense has just not worked for ND this year. Look at all of the second halves and the loss at Syracuse so far this year. Once we start running the ball trying to burn clock in the third quarter things have fallen apart. And last week we went the whole game, with the exception of the drive before halftime, in that offense.

The problem is really the running game. The running game is better than last year, but not good enough to sustain any serious scoring or clock eating drives. We have to avoid third downs, especially long ones. Our strength has been the fast-paced semi-huddle where we just have to put the weight on JC. It really comes down to him. He hasn't had a defining moment yet. If he doesn't force anything, that moment could be this weekend.

 

[irishandy]

Throughout the whole year I have been optimistic on this game and I am going to remain optimistic. I would like to share 1 important stat. Clausen is 43-0 in the state of CA (42-0 in high school and beat UCLA last year), plus ND did not play Clausen last year and we lost 38-0. If we can have a strong offensive line who can block and make some holes for the running backs we can win. I would finally like to see the 'nasty Tenuta' defense against USC- pressure the QB, corner back sacks. If these things can happen we will win a close game.
If we lose, it will be ugly, and I think it may have an impact on our recruits for 09.

 

[JeremyND07]

Its stupid because recruits read boards like this and your basically saying they were stupid to commit here.

That is why it is stupid

They commited to ND thinking that the future was bright and they would be part of something special. The only thing special at ND right now are the snowball throwers who arrived on the short bus last weekend and ND basketball!

 

[JeremyND07]

Its stupid because recruits read boards like this and your basically saying they were stupid to commit here.

That is why it is stupid

If recruits are reading this board we are TOTALLY screwed in recruiting for the next 10 years lol!

 

[phork]

OregonSt beat USC with a solid running game. We have none. Which means when we go to throw the ball every down our Defense will be on the field all game. This reason alone is enough to call for a blow out.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

They commited to ND thinking that the future was bright and they would be part of something special. The only thing special at ND right now are the snowball throwers who arrived on the short bus last weekend and ND basketball!

Yea, ND basketball!!!! Wooooo!!!!!!! Beat Texas tonight!!!!!