Sep 8 | Purdue

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

I don't know about a tune up, but Purdue will certainly give us a more accurate picture of what this team is going to look like.

I agree.

Purdue will play us differently than they did last year. Last year, we had MFloyd and a clear tendency to pass the ball. Purdue played us soft; and more times than not, they played the pass which opened the running game. I doubt Purdue will play as soft as we have no credible deep threat or outside threat like MFloyd...and in fact they will stack the box to force us to throw the ball. I think Purdue will blitz a lot to rattle Golson. It will be interesting to see how Golson reacts. Does he tuck and run? Does he keep his eyes down field? If he keeps his eyes down field, will our wideouts free themselves? Which wideout will standout? How does Kelly/Martin gameplan against an aggressive defense? If Purdue is able to initially stuff the run, will Kelly/Martin stick with the run or will they abandon it?

Defensively, I am curious to see how the LBs play in space...and of course how our secondary holds up.

The deciding matchup is whether our secondary can hold up against their passing attack versus if our passing attack is effective enough to loosen up the Purdue D. If our passing attack is effective, Purdue cannot stack the box and we should be able to score consistently against them. If our passing attack is ineffective, we will not be able to run and we will struggle.

The game will reveal a lot about this year's team.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

No surprise but Golson will start this week. Golson earns another start; Rees, Hendrix to battle for backup spot

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Opened as a 14 pt favorite.

 

[Grahambo]

Opened as a 14 pt favorite.

Sounds about right. I think ND covers.

 

[gkIrish]

We scored 50 points with what seemed like a very limited play book. We didn't show much creativity. I expect that trend to continue unless Purdue shows the can stop they run. I think we barely cover

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

I'm thinking ND 34-17.
Golson is gonna be a good one I'm thinking this year they will use him like the Steelers used big ben his first 2 years in the league. Make a couple plays but just manage the game.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Purdue struggling with turnovers in the first half against Eastern KY today. Seems they may have a little work to do before next week too.

FBS high 5 TOs yesterday. I think we can relate.

 

[irishfanjho15]

FBS high 5 TOs yesterday. I think we can relate.

True that.

 

[peoriairish]

Haha, the time for the game on the home page says 3:30 am. That's quite the early game.

 

[obi wan mahoney]

We scored 50 points with what seemed like a very limited play book. We didn't show much creativity. I expect that trend to continue unless Purdue shows the can stop they run. I think we barely cover

Our O-line looks good, so why tinker with something that works. Establish the run to open up some easy passing plays to keep them honest

 

[irishfanjho15]

Haha, the time for the game on the home page says 3:30 am. That's quite the early game.

I am going to this game and I really hope it's not that early, LOL.

 

[arrowryan]

I'm not worried about Purdue's front 7. Our o-line is very good so we should be able to run all day. If they want to stack the box then go ahead, Golson will find the receivers all day long

 

[irishff1014]

I want to see the first offensive play be a play action pass for about 40 yards. Show EG that we have confidence in him and his ability. Now to mention Purdue is probably expecting a run on the first play.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I just want to dominate them on the line even if it isn't a blowout. Control the clock, force turnovers.

 

[cody1smith]

I want to see EG air the ball out a couple of times. Even if it means a couple of turnovers. We are gonna need some big plays to stay in the games against the more talented teams.

 

[SBjandy7]

Purdue is starting Caleb TerBush who was suspended for the game last week. I've seen this guy play in person, and there is nothing from him we should be nervous about. Never takes a shot downfield, mostly throws quick routes and check downs. Marve gives them an explosive offense identity but Hope(less) is going with the safe pick. And I hope we crush them. Absolutely demolish them and send them back to that awful smelling hell hole that they came from (West Lafayette).

Go Irish! Beat Boilers!

 

[UmphreakDomer]

so, by my count going into the game we are +3 and they are -5, in TO dept.
where does it stand at games end?
it'd be great to take 2 or 3 from them and hopefully dont give one back.

 

[Fbolt]

I've told a few friends that I think Notre Dame starts the season 1-1. I favor them getting beat more by Navy than Purdue but I'd bet $$$ that my beloved Irish lose one of these first 2 games. Bigger question is how is the fan base going to react. This is not a strong program anymore. Call me negative Nacy or whatever but a realistic view of this football program is much needed. Then maybe the administration will have to decide what they want to do. Its not the coach its what they make the coach play with and right now Notre Dame is second tier. They need players.

Wow - as you pointed out - extremely negative. Who crapped in your cornflakes? To each their own, but when objectively looking at recruiting over the past four years-ND has done well. Just looking at Scout, ND had the #19, 8, 16, and 5 ranked classes. That puts them in the top 20 with talent. Further, one could state that Weiss recruited good players but was not able to pull in the stud D-players. Kelly has been fixing that over the last few years. So, to your statement about players and them (essentially) being 2nd tier-you would be wrong. See Teo, Ishaq, Nix, Tuitt, Eifert, Wood, GAIII, Cave, Kiel, Carlisle, Watt, and Niklas.

Last year that wasn't the case. We actually blew out the teams were supposed to

I'd like to know what team you were watching last year?

 

[IrishMoore1]

It doesn't matter who Purdue starts at qb. They are going to get destroyed on both sides of the ball.

 

[Buster Bluth]

It doesn't matter who Purdue starts at qb. They are going to get destroyed on both sides of the ball.

It'll be interesting to see. I hope the players don't take the team lightly, Purdue is a threat to upset Notre Dame or the Big Ten powers if they are up for this game. Purdue has a faster team than you'd think and they have two studs on defense. They beat a #21 Illinois and knocked off Ohio State last year; that's not worth a whole bunch considering it was Zook and a coachless Ohio State....but they did win.

Golson can easily make some errors and their first-team All-Big Ten CB can make him pay dearly. And the Irish will have a much tougher time running the ball against Purdue's large four-man front led by a 2013 first-round draft pick in Kawann Short. Short is outstanding against the run.

Although I do expect Brian Kelly to completely outcoach Danny Hope for the third season in a row, Purdue did win a bowl game and at the very least has a pulse. This is no gimme game.

I'll be there and am currently 3-0 in viewing Irish games (Purdue '10, Purdue '11, Boston College '11) and am PRAYING that streak continues. Poor college kids who blow $200 on a trip to South Bend deserve to watch a victory.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

And Buster, what is Purdue's record versus Toledo?

$200, you cheap shiit, you!

Have fun at the game and let me know if you are coming up to see Leurs.

 

[ryno 24]

We should be able to run over Purdue again. I know they will not be Navy but we are more talented. Our secondary will be more ready to play against their multiple offense. I am a little nervous still but we should be able to beat them still.

 

[RDU Irish]

38 - 17 - Irish.

I don't see how ND looks past anyone seeing how everyone on the roster has seen us lose to some crappy teams.

Seeing OK and Stanford struggle gives me more hope for a ten win season. Michigan getting stomped was nice but I don't see how losing to Alabama translates to anything more.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Two key injuries and a loss of confidence with our team on the rise; I will take it.

 

[aubeirish]

Is there a PC today?

Nevermind, they just posted it on UND.com

 

[caligold]

No doubt Purdue will challenge our secondary. However, I am not so sure our secondary is as bad as it may seem. Navy's Triple Option makes you do some things, coverage wise, that you normally wouldn't do. I think against a more standard offense, Diaco will be able to protect the corners better.

I also believe a passing offense plays into one of our D's strengths: PASS RUSH. Yes, can you believe it? I would love to see Tuitt, Shembo, Ishaq, Day, and maybe Okwara out there terrorizing Purdue's QBs. It may be a bend but don't break effort but I don't think Purdue beats chucking the rock around.

I also have a feeling that Bennett's swagger will rub off on the corners and cause them to play with confidence. Totally unsubstantiated, I know, but I just get a feeling from this kid.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Where is the press conference link and why can I never find it?

Never mind. I got it. Players change from season to season, week to week. I don't understand why web sites do.

 

[GoldenDomer15]

I truly believe our secondary will be fine against Purdue. There are no down field threats, our d front will harass Terbush all day, and a young secondary prepping for a multiple offense compared to a triple option team is a lot easier for younger players. This game will be out of hand by the 2nd quarter. It seemed to me that the Irish had a different demeanor about them in the Navy game and I look forward to seeing it again.

Irish: 52-17 (garbage points in final Q)

Sidenote...AP Poll just released for week 2. Irish #22

 

[beryirish]

BK press conference for those who can't watch:

Purdue is a good football team to prepare for...

 

[beryirish]

Team had good energy yesterday and the team feels great after trip back from Ireland.

Kelly says no excuses relative to travel hangovers from Ireland