ND to the Music City Bowl

[wizards8507]

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Most Marketable Matchup That’s Actually Kind of Terrible: Music City Bowl (December 30)

LSU and Notre Dame are instantly recognizable, marquee names that, between them, spent 24 weeks ranked in the AP poll. They also combined to go 2-6 in November, with three of those losses coming by at least 17 points. The Tigers will arrive in Nashville ranked next-to-last among SEC offenses in points per game, and they might have a new starting quarterback after reopening the competition between the much-maligned incumbent, sophomore Anthony Jennings, and freshman Brandon Harris. The Irish will come in riding an ugly, four-game losing streak, with a looming quarterback controversy of their own — Everett Golson has fallen on very hard times since his name adorned midseason Heisman lists — and a lengthy casualty list on defense. So far, LSU is roughly an eight-point favorite, give or take a point, and as long as it’s mathematically possible, Les Miles will be perfectly content to win this one with eight points total.

 

[GolsonHeisman14]

If anyone is going, my family is trying to get a big tailgate group for the out of towners make a trip into Music City.

 

[EvilleIrish]

If anyone is going, my family is trying to get a big tailgate group for the out of towners make a trip into Music City.

I'll be there w/ a group.

 

[Redbar]

I have an extra club level ticket Section 233 Row H about 35-40 yd line ND side. PM me if interested.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Where is the link for the IE bowl picks this year?

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm hoping that with some time off and the ability to get a bit healthier we'll see a better team out there than the one that took the field in LA. Whether we win or not I want to see a solid game plan and players playing aggressive and hard. The effort, or lack thereof against USC can't happen again.

 

[GolsonHeisman14]

For those coming to the game is there a specific tailgate spot ya'll have picked out?

 

[gkIrish]

Going to an Odell Beckham Jr. autograph signing tonight. I will be sure to ask him to tell LSU to take it easy on us.

 

[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Safety Eilar Hardy is eligible to play in the Music City Bowl. Will return to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> next semester to graduate in May.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544643742020665344">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Brian Kelly says both Malik Zaire and Everett Golson will play for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/MusicCityBowl">@MusicCityBowl</a>.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544643247365443584">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly describes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a>'s right tackle as a "competitive situation as well." Lombard and McGlinchey competing there.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544643008453705728">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly is "hopeful" Sheldon Day can play in the bowl. Max Redfield & Jay Hayes are practicing. Austin Collinsworth is out due to surgery.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544643906374496257">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>To all those rumors flying around: Brian Kelly says no one is suspended for any reason.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544644206430810113">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly on QBs: "I want to play them both because I think both of them have some different traits. We need to find a way to win the game."</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544644367433347072">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>More Kelly on QBs: "It won't be pull one to put the other one in because they're not moving the team." Adds it will be intentional planning.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544645803823075329">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly says Quenton Nelson is at left guard, Alex Bars tackle, Sam Mustipher center and John Montelus at guard for scout team right now.</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544646891691331585">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Brian Kelly said he has “absolutely” looked at moving Isaac Rochell inside for the bowl game.</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544645014115328000">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BK says of Golson being “fully committed,” he means "the journey of getting better.” If not, there wouldn’t have been a competition.</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544647388112363520">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On Golson's strengths, Kelly cites experience and big plays throwing the ball. For Zaire, Kelly immediately mentions zone-read abilities.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544647548750032896">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When asked whether he would consider a 2-QB system in 2015, Kelly hesitates before saying, “I’m open to anything at this point."</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544647938233090049">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BK says the defense knows it “has to find a way to slow down LSU.” With the offense it’s still about translating strong practices to games.</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544647758557495296">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Big23Head]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> “probably underestimated the effect of Joe Schmidt’s presence on the field.” Also the effect of up-tempo offenses.</p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/status/544648395936526336">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Having said that, if we were able to do some more things on offense, we would have been fine." — Kelly's closing thought on D's struggles.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_FarmerBGI) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_FarmerBGI/status/544648523418206210">December 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Old Man Mike]

"Quenton Nelson at left guard on the scout team".... seems like that might be a screaming hint that Harry and Coach want BOTH Nelson and McGlinchey as part of the Iron Five OLinemen [with Stanley, Elmer, and ... ?"] next season. .... and Mustipher at center, hmmmm.... that is a bunch of really strong and nasty people.

 

[irishtrain]

So unbelievably bad. I'm just going to call you One-Tune-Rudy, cause it's the same old song and dance with you.

* I can't disagree with you enough about not playing the bowl game. Opposing coaches, especially USC, would have an absolute field day with that. If I'm Sark, I'm telling any and every recruit even thinking about ND, that not only did we beat the **** out of ND, we ended their season and exposed them as quitters. I'm telling them, "Look, we were on the 2nd worst sanctions ever handed down by the NCAA, we had our own set of injuries AND we were without 30 scholarship players that the NCAA did not let us have (which is a massively inflated # but whatever, the recruits don't know!), and we still beat them with less players and we are still going to a bowl, less players be damned."

Imagine recruiting against USC with that knowledge, knowing that you told the entire world that you straight quit on the season bc of injuries while USC 'fought on'?? And don't even get me started on what the media would have done. Last night, we were a mere blip on the screen. They talked about our match-up with LSU, our struggles to end the season, and our ridiculous injuries. Fair, and very understated. But if we had said 'no' to a bowl, the discussion would have been vicious and downright embarrassing...it would have been a round-table topic the entire day, and would have been brought up throughout the bowl season, and into NSD when wondering about certain recruits. You know it...ND moves the needle. At least with a blow-out loss, we can point to youth and and injuries, and it won't be AS embarrassing. And it least we won't be called quitters.

I agree with both of you guys if that's possible. Meaning once the offer is made it has to be accepted to save face. You know deep down in your heart of hearts that those southern boys are laughing at the ass kicking this Irish group is going to get. That's why Nashville set it up. I do disagree with the learning for next year concept-I believe its 'yeh they offered we gotta go to protect the image'.

 

[mick2]

Making the trip to this game. Can't wait!! Go Irish!!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD's pburns2010 just published a film breakdown of LSU's power rushing attack. It's well worth the read for any masochists planning the watch the game, but I'm now more certain than ever that we're going to get completely embarrassed by the Swamp Kitties.

 

[mick2]

How we looking health wise for this game. Is day playing? I guess I'm a masochist cuz I'm driving to Nashville to be at the game. Go Irish!!

 

[PANDFAN]

How we looking health wise for this game. Is day playing? I guess I'm a masochist cuz I'm driving to Nashville to be at the game. Go Irish!!

he wants to but BK said it isn't clear yet

jones just got out of a cast today or tomorrow..he tweeted something earlier regarding this

 

[PANDFAN]

CTTCS: On The Road to Nashville - One Foot Down

 

[WestCoast]

OFD's pburns2010 just published a film breakdown of LSU's power rushing attack. It's well worth the read for any masochists planning the watch the game, but I'm now more certain than ever that we're going to get completely embarrassed by the Swamp Kitties.

NDs defense may be vulnerable, but don't worry ND's offense will come to the rescue.
(from: CTTCS: On The Road to Nashville - One Foot Down )

Kelly believes that the offense must protect a vulnerable Irish defense by controlling the flow of the game against LSU. Success will be predicated on the appearance of two things that we have not seen of late: adequate separation generated by Irish receivers and a confident Everett Golson willing to place the ball in tight windows.

Ah crap.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

OFD's pburns2010 just published a film breakdown of LSU's power rushing attack. It's well worth the read for any masochists planning the watch the game, but I'm now more certain than ever that we're going to get completely embarrassed by the Swamp Kitties.

I read it this morning. I really like that site...those guys bring a lot of knowledge to the table. You're right, those four key plays are just old school line up and run downhill (ok maybe not the jet sweep). I doubt we see Sheldon Day so the DL is going to be paper thin. Can the young LBs come up and fill those holes to minimize the rushing gains? If we start seeing Fournette going one-on-one w/ one of our safeties...it's 'game over'.

 

[dmort]

I fully expect that ND will lose and lose big.The defense is poor at best and with Golson a turnover machine they will be in a hole from the first quarter on.First turnover Golson should be benched.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

TOP is going to be so critical in this game it isn't even funny. The defense absolutely, positively, CANNOT be on the field for 20+ minutes in the first half, which could easily happen if the offense is a turnover/3 and out machine.

The key to winning this game is running the ball, and grinding, grinding, grinding the clock.

*Real prophetic I know....

 

[TheChosen1]

@NDatRivals: A source tells Irish Illustrated that Christian Lombard will miss the Music City Bowl with a career-ending back injury (bulging disc).

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly said team has been full-on tackling the past couple practices in advance of jumping full into the LSU game plan.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/status/546351454026735616">December 20, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Kelly: Day's is cleared medically, 100% healthy, just needs to get conditioning level back up (fatigue)</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/546352087869583361">December 20, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>