Sep 22 | Michigan

[Old Man Mike]

A variety of opinions and facts:
1]. We may have outplayed Michigan for the past two games, but we screwed up so much with almost unforced bonehead plays that we lost both games. This situation means that both fan bases have basis for their opinions. Notre Dame's view of this year's game is that we're not making bonehead plays anymore and therefore Michigan is in trouble. Michigan's view is that Notre Dame has been error-prone and they have just the player to take advantage of that. What I note about this generally undebatable vision is that Michigan must depend upon us continuing to shoot our own selves in the foot. This should make all Michigan fans nervous.

2). Just like the previous MSU game, it is our guys who are going to be more spontaneously motivated. They [UofM] have won the scoreboard and we have lost. When Kelly said in the post-MSU game locker-room that we would take Sunday off and come back focussed on Michigan, the spontaneous loud hooting was animal ferocious. These guys want some blood this time.

3). Michigan must have some doubts in their heads. Alabama was a murderous woodshedding no matter how even the greatest homer might want to try to spin it. Before that game everyone there thought that the game would be competitive. There is NO sense in which any objective observer can claim that it was. So, "no one else is Alabama" [maybe]. Still you can hear the sounds of whistling in the dark. Add to that the questions about offensive play-calling, and injuries like Countess, and the lack of Molk and Martin type leadership, and there are fragilities in this organization right now which can manifest at any time.

4). Actually who cares what happened the last two years?? The past is gone except for nice things one would like to remember. This is the moment. The fact of this moment is that Notre Dame is apparently REAL good, especially talking about the defense. Michigan has yet to show much sign that THEY are real good. They may be, but no one's seen it yet. Those realities make one group very nervous about this game, I'd bet. That too causes a lot of whistling in the dark. Let's watch this thing happen. Notre Dame is really dangerous this season and all of Michigan knows it. They are hoping for several Denard miracles. But Diaco will find the way.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Quick question...can anyone tell me how many players on your defense per unit played against Michigan last year? Names would be sweet to but if not its cool. Just curious!

2011 Defensive stats
5 TE'O, Manti 5 . 5 1.0/3 . . . . . . .
22 SMITH, Harrison 4 1 5 . . . . . . . .
89 LEWIS-MOORE, Kapron 3 1 4 0.5/3 1 . . 1 . . .
48 FOX, Dan 3 1 4 2.0/6 . . . . . 1.0/5 .
12 BLANTON, Robert 2 2 4 . . . 1-0 . . . .
28 COLLINSWORTH, Austin 3 . 3 . . . . . . . .
90 JOHNSON, Ethan 2 . 2 . . . . . . . .
94 WILLIAMS, Hafis 1 1 2 0.5/3 . . . . . . .
55 SHEMBO, Prince 1 . 1 1.0/2 . . . . . . .
45 FLEMING, Darius 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
17 MOTTA, Zeke 1 . 1 . . . 1-0 . . . .
1A WILLIAMS, Ishaq 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
44 CALABRESE, Carlo 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
66 WATT, Chris 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
46 FILER, Steve . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
36 POSLUSZNY, David . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
8 MOORE, Kendall . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
9A NIX III, Louis . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
26 SLAUGHTER, Jamoris . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
58 NIKLAS, Troy . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
4 GRAY, Gary . . . . . . 1-0 . . . .

 

[NYMIKE6]

A variety of opinions and facts:
1]. We may have outplayed Michigan for the past two games, but we screwed up so much with almost unforced bonehead plays that we lost both games. This situation means that both fan bases have basis for their opinions. Notre Dame's view of this year's game is that we're not making bonehead plays anymore and therefore Michigan is in trouble. Michigan's view is that Notre Dame has been error-prone and they have just the player to take advantage of that. What I note about this generally undebatable vision is that Michigan must depend upon us continuing to shoot our own selves in the foot. This should make all Michigan fans nervous.

2). Just like the previous MSU game, it is our guys who are going to be more spontaneously motivated. They [UofM] have won the scoreboard and we have lost. When Kelly said in the post-MSU game locker-room that we would take Sunday off and come back focussed on Michigan, the spontaneous loud hooting was animal ferocious. These guys want some blood this time.

3). Michigan must have some doubts in their heads. Alabama was a murderous woodshedding no matter how even the greatest homer might want to try to spin it. Before that game everyone there thought that the game would be competitive. There is NO sense in which any objective observer can claim that it was. So, "no one else is Alabama" [maybe]. Still you can hear the sounds of whistling in the dark. Add to that the questions about offensive play-calling, and injuries like Countess, and the lack of Molk and Martin type leadership, and there are fragilities in this organization right now which can manifest at any time.

4). Actually who cares what happened the last two years?? The past is gone except for nice things one would like to remember. This is the moment. The fact of this moment is that Notre Dame is apparently REAL good, especially talking about the defense. Michigan has yet to show much sign that THEY are real good. They may be, but no one's seen it yet. Those realities make one group very nervous about this game, I'd bet. That too causes a lot of whistling in the dark. Let's watch this thing happen. Notre Dame is really dangerous this season and all of Michigan knows it. They are hoping for several Denard miracles. But Diaco will find the way.

OMM just awesome.... reps

 

[TheTeam16]

2011 Defensive stats
5 TE'O, Manti 5 . 5 1.0/3 . . . . . . .
22 SMITH, Harrison 4 1 5 . . . . . . . .
89 LEWIS-MOORE, Kapron 3 1 4 0.5/3 1 . . 1 . . .
48 FOX, Dan 3 1 4 2.0/6 . . . . . 1.0/5 .
12 BLANTON, Robert 2 2 4 . . . 1-0 . . . .
28 COLLINSWORTH, Austin 3 . 3 . . . . . . . .
90 JOHNSON, Ethan 2 . 2 . . . . . . . .
94 WILLIAMS, Hafis 1 1 2 0.5/3 . . . . . . .
55 SHEMBO, Prince 1 . 1 1.0/2 . . . . . . .
45 FLEMING, Darius 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
17 MOTTA, Zeke 1 . 1 . . . 1-0 . . . .
1A WILLIAMS, Ishaq 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
44 CALABRESE, Carlo 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
66 WATT, Chris 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
46 FILER, Steve . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
36 POSLUSZNY, David . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
8 MOORE, Kendall . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
9A NIX III, Louis . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
26 SLAUGHTER, Jamoris . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
58 NIKLAS, Troy . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
4 GRAY, Gary . . . . . . 1-0 . . . .

And of these players, who will be playing this year?

 

[clashmore_mike]

Probably not 70 yds haha, bit of an over exaggeration!

I didn't say it was accurate at that distance, but how many other QBs have you ever seen that can throw a ball 50 yds down field while back peddling, off their back foot.

He has a live powerful arm, and inside 25 yards, off the read he can zip it and make defenses pay.

Impressive accuracy on display here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBOSPCA1qm4

 

[TheTeam16]

Impressive accuracy on display here:

Denard - YouTube

HAHA! Believe it or not I am in the 4th row of the maize rage in that Video! Small World.

 

[irishog77]

2011 Defensive stats
5 TE'O, Manti 5 . 5 1.0/3 . . . . . . .
22 SMITH, Harrison 4 1 5 . . . . . . . .
89 LEWIS-MOORE, Kapron 3 1 4 0.5/3 1 . . 1 . . .
48 FOX, Dan 3 1 4 2.0/6 . . . . . 1.0/5 .
12 BLANTON, Robert 2 2 4 . . . 1-0 . . . .
28 COLLINSWORTH, Austin 3 . 3 . . . . . . . .
90 JOHNSON, Ethan 2 . 2 . . . . . . . .
94 WILLIAMS, Hafis 1 1 2 0.5/3 . . . . . . .
55 SHEMBO, Prince 1 . 1 1.0/2 . . . . . . .
45 FLEMING, Darius 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
17 MOTTA, Zeke 1 . 1 . . . 1-0 . . . .
1A WILLIAMS, Ishaq 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
44 CALABRESE, Carlo 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
66 WATT, Chris 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .
46 FILER, Steve . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
36 POSLUSZNY, David . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
8 MOORE, Kendall . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
9A NIX III, Louis . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
26 SLAUGHTER, Jamoris . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
58 NIKLAS, Troy . 1 1 . . . . . . . .
4 GRAY, Gary . . . . . . 1-0 . . . .

And of these players, who will be playing this year?

I doubt Niklas or Watt make many tackles this year though.

 

[clashmore_mike]

4th row is about where his throws landed. How many did you catch?

 

[TheTeam16]

I doubt Niklas or Watt make many tackles this year though.

Awesome! Thank you for this, much appreciated!

 

[clashmore_mike]

I doubt Niklas or Watt make many tackles this year though.

I bet Tuitt makes a couple

 

[RuntheBall]

2011 Defensive stats
5 TE'O, Manti Playing DUh
22 SMITH, Harrison Drafted
89 LEWIS-MOORE, Kapron Starting DE
48 FOX, Dan Starting LB
12 BLANTON, Robert NFL
28 COLLINSWORTH, Austin Injured
90 JOHNSON, Ethan
94 WILLIAMS, Hafis
55 SHEMBO, Prince Starting CAT
45 FLEMING, Darius
17 MOTTA, Zeke Starting SS
1A WILLIAMS, Ishaq Starting* CAT (plays/good enough to be a starter IMO)
44 CALABRESE, Carlo Playing alot with Fox
66 WATT, Chris Starting Guard
46 FILER, Steve
36 POSLUSZNY, David
8 MOORE, Kendall 3rd Mike?
9A NIX III, Louis Starting NG
26 SLAUGHTER, Jamoris Injured
58 NIKLAS, Troy 2nd TE
4 GRAY, Gary NOT PLAYINGG!!!!! (I kid, sort of)

Not 100% sure on this, but overall pretty close

 

[TheTeam16]

Borges today in his press conference was asked if he had ever coached a game in South Bend, he answered no.

Said he grew up in a catholic family of 7 children, his father and grandfather were ND fans and he has been to many ND games.

He said he called his dad last year before the game and asked him, "So Dad, who are you really rooting for?"

Kinda funny I thought.

 

[woolybug25]

Borges today in his press conference was asked if he had ever coached a game in South Bend, he answered no.

Said he grew up in a catholic family of 7 children, his father and grandfather were ND fans and he has been to many ND games.

He said he called his dad last year before the game and asked him, "So Dad, who are you really rooting for?"

Kinda funny I thought.

His dad's response:

"F*** MICHIGAN!"

 

[BurningRiver]

Borges today in his press conference was asked if he had ever coached a game in South Bend, he answered no.

Said he grew up in a catholic family of 7 children, his father and grandfather were ND fans and he has been to many ND games.

He said he called his dad last year before the game and asked him, "So Dad, who are you really rooting for?"

Kinda funny I thought.

Traitor.

 

[IrishLax]

ESPN going on and on about how bad the Big Ten has been out of conference... all of a sudden got a really strong feeling now we're gonna lose on Saturday. Well maybe not a really strong feeling that we necessarily lose but that this game is a complete unpredictable coin flip because of the number of unknown variables. Combination of law of averages, big ten officials, and our inexperienced secondary.... I just see a couple crucial errors by Farley coming on extended plays. And throw in Zeke Motta's one fatal flaw being pure speed.

If I'm in Vegas I'm laying down a ton of money on Michigan +6.5.... I have no idea how we're a TD favorite given recent history and the other factors.

 

[NYMIKE6]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f34Hg2lkq40" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I love you Lax but this is all i have to say about that....

 

[IrishMoore1]

ESPN going on and on about how bad the Big Ten has been out of conference... all of a sudden got a really strong feeling now we're gonna lose on Saturday. Well maybe not a really strong feeling that we necessarily lose but that this game is a complete unpredictable coin flip because of the number of unknown variables. Combination of law of averages, big ten officials, and our inexperienced secondary.... I just see a couple crucial errors by Farley coming on extended plays. And throw in Zeke Motta's one fatal flaw being pure speed.

If I'm in Vegas I'm laying down a ton of money on Michigan +6.5.... I have no idea how we're a TD favorite given recent history and the other factors.

Won't it be Big East officials? I recall that Michigan only allows Big Ten officials in their stadium, so when we play each other, (away team usually brings conference officials, home team brings booth officials), it's actually flipped.

This is a team we should beat, and in fact dominate. But you're right, it's a rivalry game. I don't think it will come down to inexperienced secondary. It will be turnovers that determine the game. As long as we have redzone efficiency and no turnovers, ND should win.

I remember thinking to myself during the Michigan v. Alabama game, that this game wasn't over despite the fact it was 31-7 at halftime. The difference though is that Alabama finished their drives and didn't turn the ball over. They put the game away when the game was still slightly in doubt.

Think back to the last 3 games against Michigan. Every single loss can be attributed to turnovers. Gray fumbling in '09, Tommy throwing an interception in '10, Tommy fumbling in the redzone in '11. Eliminate the turnovers!

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

In an interview today Hoke admitted to telling stupid Borges at half to wipe the gameplan and let Denard loose...hence the fact we actually outscored Bama in the second half(read into that what you want). I will promise you the long ball will not be in play this weekend much, unless again stupid borges shows up. They will execute near the same gameplan they did last season for the most part, except maybe the will get it going before the 2nd half this year.

I decided to "read" into it...Bama outscored UM in the second half 10-7. What are you talking about?

 

[JughedJones]

I decided to "read" into it...Bama outscored UM in the second half 10-7. What are you talking about?

Boom.

 

[KieltoNeal]

I decided to "read" into it...Bama outscored UM in the second half 10-7. What are you talking about?

Owned

 

[IrishLax]

Won't it be Big East officials? I recall that Michigan only allows Big Ten officials in their stadium, so when we play each other, (away team usually brings conference officials, home team brings booth officials), it's actually flipped.

This is a team we should beat, and in fact dominate. But you're right, it's a rivalry game. I don't think it will come down to inexperienced secondary. It will be turnovers that determine the game. As long as we have redzone efficiency and no turnovers, ND should win.

I remember thinking to myself during the Michigan v. Alabama game, that this game wasn't over despite the fact it was 31-7 at halftime. The difference though is that Alabama finished their drives and didn't turn the ball over. They put the game away when the game was still slightly in doubt.

Think back to the last 3 games against Michigan. Every single loss can be attributed to turnovers. Gray fumbling in '09, Tommy throwing an interception in '10, Tommy fumbling in the redzone in '11. Eliminate the turnovers!

It's definitely Big Ten refs. And sorry to the Wolverine fans here who will without a doubt scream bloody murder about this "conspiracy theory" but there is tons upon tons of anecdotal evidence to support Big Ten refs coming just short of straight up fixing games in favor of teams from the Integer. There was a phantom hold called against Cal just last week on a 70 yard TD that even the TV announcers went off on. There was the utter ridiculousness of '09 with respect to ND. There is a poster on ISD who plays golf with some Big Ten officials and they have openly told him how much they hate ND. Think they have impartial judgement? Yeah.....

Bottom line is that the NFL wouldn't let a Saints fan ref a Saints game and far too often you have Michigan/Ohio State closets fans in the stripes reffing their contests both in and out of conference. Not sure how much of a factor it will be on Saturday.... maybe none at all... but I'm pessimistic. This will be our first game against Michigan since '09 that will have Big Ten refs... so don't be fooled by the fair shake the past two years.

 

[TheTeam16]

Oh yeah wow I look like an idiot, I dont know what I was thinking haha. Sorry about that, was pretty drunk that night, typed without checking my facts first!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Oh yeah wow I look like an idiot, I dont know what I was thinking haha. Sorry about that, was pretty drunk that night, typed without checking my facts first!

Friends don't let friends drink and type.

 

[clashmore_mike]

I decided to "read" into it...Bama outscored UM in the second half 10-7. What are you talking about?

Hahaha

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I told everyone that we would beat MSU. I even said that we have a better chance in blowing them out then they did. My prediction for this weekend is this:

We are going to take Michigan to the slaughterhouse. This game won't be close. We will protect the ball and win the game easily.

ND 31
MICHIGAN 17

 

[koonja]

My roomatte is a die-hard UM fan. He told me on Friday, if we beat MSU he's not watching the UM game with me, because he admits MSU is better than UM. I think we stomp them pretty hard, but who knows with D-Rob. He's so-so QB but great college football player.

 

[IrishMoore1]

It's definitely Big Ten refs. And sorry to the Wolverine fans here who will without a doubt scream bloody murder about this "conspiracy theory" but there is tons upon tons of anecdotal evidence to support Big Ten refs coming just short of straight up fixing games in favor of teams from the Integer. There was a phantom hold called against Cal just last week on a 70 yard TD that even the TV announcers went off on. There was the utter ridiculousness of '09 with respect to ND. There is a poster on ISD who plays golf with some Big Ten officials and they have openly told him how much they hate ND. Think they have impartial judgement? Yeah.....

Bottom line is that the NFL wouldn't let a Saints fan ref a Saints game and far too often you have Michigan/Ohio State closets fans in the stripes reffing their contests both in and out of conference. Not sure how much of a factor it will be on Saturday.... maybe none at all... but I'm pessimistic. This will be our first game against Michigan since '09 that will have Big Ten refs... so don't be fooled by the fair shake the past two years.

I just double checked, and I think you are right. It should be Big Ten refs. Last year Swarbrick somehow convinced Michigan to allow Big East refs officiate on the field. So this year, Michigan will be bringing their officials. That sucks. I was so pissed after the '09 game. There was definitely something going on with those refs, particularly at that game. And then the next week when we hosted Michigan State, the Big Ten refs ruled no TD on the play Michael Floyd broke his collarbone, despite the fact that he had not 1, but 2 feet in bounds. Ridiculous. The other other years I didn't notice any biased officiating.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

So thinking more about this matchup and comparing to Bama...I know Bama is thought of as a different level, but let's look at it for a second:

3 of the 4 starting LBs for 'bama were making their first start against Michigan. Playing only sparingly their freshman years as backups and special teams players. Nico Johnson is the only one of the 4 to have experience, but let's face it we all know Manti is a much better linebacker. Looking at the DLine...Tuitt hands down starts for Bama over Stinson. KLM is rated higher (#19 DE) by CBS sports draft rankings than Square (#28 DE). Jesse Williams is a force at DT, but would you really take him over Irish Chocolate?

So now let's compare ND's front 7 in week 4 versus 'Bama in week 1...what do you all think? Even if you're still caught up on "But, it's ALABAMA" you can't deny that ND is not far off (if not better). This front 7 held UM to 69 rushing yard and 1 sack.

Just food for thought...

 

[Rack Em]

So thinking more about this matchup and comparing to Bama...I know Bama is thought of as a different level, but let's look at it for a second:

3 of the 4 starting LBs for 'bama were making their first start against Michigan. Playing only sparingly their freshman years as backups and special teams players. Nico Johnson is the only one of the 4 to have experience, but let's face it we all know Manti is a much better linebacker. Looking at the DLine...Tuitt hands down starts for Bama over Stinson. KLM is rated higher (#19 DE) by CBS sports draft rankings than Square (#28 DE). Jesse Williams is a force at DT, but would you really take him over Irish Chocolate?

So now let's compare ND's front 7 in week 4 versus 'Bama in week 1...what do you all think? Even if you're still caught up on "But, it's ALABAMA" you can't deny that ND is not far off (if not better). This front 7 held UM to 69 rushing yard and 1 sack.

Just food for thought...

I think you're right to a certain extent. A front 7 also has to play well together. I'm not saying ours doesn't, but Bama's seemed to do that.

Also they had the entire summer to prepare for UM. We have 1 week. I believe that's why we straight embarrassed Navy 50-10 instead of beating them 35-13 or something similar.

 

[NDTH91]

So thinking more about this matchup and comparing to Bama...I know Bama is thought of as a different level, but let's look at it for a second:

3 of the 4 starting LBs for 'bama were making their first start against Michigan. Playing only sparingly their freshman years as backups and special teams players. Nico Johnson is the only one of the 4 to have experience, but let's face it we all know Manti is a much better linebacker. Looking at the DLine...Tuitt hands down starts for Bama over Stinson. KLM is rated higher (#19 DE) by CBS sports draft rankings than Square (#28 DE). Jesse Williams is a force at DT, but would you really take him over Irish Chocolate?

So now let's compare ND's front 7 in week 4 versus 'Bama in week 1...what do you all think? Even if you're still caught up on "But, it's ALABAMA" you can't deny that ND is not far off (if not better). This front 7 held UM to 69 rushing yard and 1 sack.

Just food for thought...

Good points... It's just the speed of our other linebackers that concerns me. We always seem to have trouble setting the edge. I have no doubt we can toss michigan around... it's just whether we can hang with them when they stretch the field. We haven't seen anything close to Denard-speed yet.