This Saturday will be the last home game for the seniors for what has been a terrible season. With nine total losses and no victories at Notre Dame Stadium this year, this team has indeed made history...the kind you would like to forget. But the beautiful thing about football is that there is always the next game. All will be forgiven if the Irish beat Duke.
As a player, there are two games that stand out. The first one and the last one. The first one is obvious because of the newness of the situation. The crowd is much larger than what you experienced in high school and there is much more fanfare. You fall into this trap that makes you think this thing will last forever. But you ultimately reach the last game.
The final game takes on much more meaning, because for some of these players, it is the last time they will play competitive sports for the last time in their life. The reality of this brings about great emotion. You think about little things like the last walk to the stadium, the last time you will tape your wrists, and the last time you will salute the crowd. So you want that last memory to be a good one, and the best way for that to happen is with a victory.
Duke represents that opportunity to make a good memory. They come into Notre Dame Stadium with an identical record. Even though the Irish are 0-6 at home, this represents the best chance for victory. It doesn't matter what happened in the past, the future is much more important. So for the seniors, make a good future...and create a good memory!
The media and some of you have jumped on the Naval Academy bandwagon thinking they have a realistic chance of beating the Irish this week. I know they have the nation's best rushing offense going up against Notre Dame who is giving up just under 200 yards per game. I also realize that the Notre Dame offense is one of the worst in the nation statistically, but this is Navy!
I hope I don't sound disrespectful. I admire the committment the Middies make for our country and the effort they display on the field is admirable, but Notre Dame should beat them easily. Expect the offensive explosion you have been waiting for all year. If you take the time to look at the match-ups, you will see what I'm talking about.
Finally, since I have been alive, Notre Dame has never lost to the Naval Academy. "I've told people that Navy will not defeat Notre Dame in my lifetime, and since I hope to stay on this earth for a few more years, the Irish better prove me right"
It was announced Tuesday that Evan Sharpley would start at QB this week against USC. I thought he should have been starting from the beginning, based on Coach Weis statement that he ran the operation the best. I know that statement has an 'I told you so' odor, but looking at the production with Sharpley in versus someone else verifies I'm right.
When Demetrius Jones started the Georgia Tech game, Charlie looked uncomfortable calling that game. His body language was such that he was doing something he was not familiar with, deploying the West Virginia spread offense. The problem was he didn't have the West Virginia players running the offense...they are the ones that make that scheme work, not the coach. Great players make you look like a genius, average players make you look stupid.
I felt Clausen gave them the best chance to win because of his location with the football. Its always between the numbers or their eyes when he throws it. But the truth is he's a Freshman, and he has to learn the speed of the game. I know he wasn't given the best protection in the world, but he still needs to get rid of the football. He reminded me of Carlyle Holiday waiting, waiting, waiting...then sack. Its better for him to sit on the sideline and watch right now.
When Sharpley is in the game, He gives Notre Dame the best opportunity to stretch the field. With 8 & 9 people in the box, you're not going to have much success running the football, so passing is what's going to advance the ball. Sharpley does the best job of fitting a pass in tight coverage, and he's not afraid to throw the deep ball. Whether you complete it or not isn't the issue, its the fact that you will go deep that makes the difference.
So Sharpley give them the best chance to win. It's sort of shades of Joe Montana coming off the bench, which is an appropriate comparison given the fact that Notre Dame will be wearing the green '77 throwbacks this week. Watch out, a star may be born. Since he has the whole game instead of a half, he might throw for 300 yards.
I feel like this may be the week that Notre Dame finally breaks through and gets a win versus the Bruins of UCLA. I base this on the second half performance against Purdue in last week's game. And they need a win because looking at the remaining schedule, how many teams do they have a realistic shot of beating?
It takes six wins to become bowl eligible. Still remaining on the schedule are Boston College and USC. It's questionable whether Notre Dame can beat both of these squads, but they could win one. That's what makes the UCLA game so important. If they beat the Bruins, they can take a loss against USC and still be favored in their remaining games and qualify for a bowl game.
Bowl games are very important for a young program like Notre Dame. Forget the nice destination, fine gear and good food you get with a bowl. Coaches love these games because it gives their team more practice time. The reps you get in practice make you execute better. You execute better, you put yourself in a better position to win. A win in a bowl game also gives you momentum for the following season.
It may be wishful thinking to believe Notre Dame can win six out of its last seven games, but I'm an optimist. If they play the way they did in the second half of the Purdue game and eliminate the penalties, they have a legitimate shot. None of the games will be easy, but as a player, you wouldn't want to have it any other way. So why not make as a goal for the remainder of the 2007 season, going to a bowl game? It would represent a fabulous turnaround.
When Notre Dame travels to West Lafayette to face the Purdue Boilermakers, I feel that they are in a must win situation. I say this because when I look at their remaining schedule, its hard to come up with the necessary amount of victories to qualify for a bowl game. I thought they may have some cushion with a couple wins in September, but obviously have had to rethink that one.
A win does three things. First, it will make them feel better about themselves and bring a tiny but of luster back to the dome. These guys work hard all week with one goal in mind. When you lose, you feel like a failure. When you win, you develop confidence. When you have confidence, you execute better.
Secondly, it will help them stop what is arguably the worst season the Irish have ever had. They have already made history by losing four in a row. I don't think there will be any 20 year reunions for this group. It is time to make an about face and start playing like Notre Dame. Forgive the cheerleader in me
Lastly, a win will make the Irish the state champs. Maybe this isn't important across the country, but in the state of Indiana, you don't want Purdue to be kings of the state. The only team I hate losing to more is USC. They boo the ND band! I'm probably a little too sensitive about that one, but being #1 in the state is important to me, and I wouldn't want that representative to be one that boos an opponents band. Maybe one day I'll grow up.
So here's to victory and a return to normalcy. It would be nice to be in the news because you are winning for a change.
I know Irish fans are frustrated about the current state of Notre Dame football. Who would have imagined that at this point, this team would rank 119th out of 119 teams in rushing offense, scoring offense and total offense? Also, can anyone imagine a Notre Dame defense giving up more than 200 yards rushing three games in a row? I knew this wasn't a BCS team coming into the season, but I did not expect such inept play on the field.
You may feel disappointed as a fan, but the players feel much worse. When you wear the uniform you represent the students, the faculty, the alumni, your family and all the other casual fans. Your play embodies the pride the university feels. With good play, all the fans walk around as if they have big shoulders...but when you play bad, it feels as if you have let everybody down.
That's why Charlie's call to return to the basics was key. This is gut check time. Its an opportunity for all the players to take an introspective look at what they are doing and figure out why they are not having success. Each individual has to assess their performance and figure out what they need to do to make the team better. Then collectively, they need to rebuild their confidence. This comes from setting minor goals. One such goal could be four first downs in a row, or a better than 50% success rate on third down. When you achieve these things, your confidence comes back. When you have confidence, you execute better.
Realistically, I don't know if Notre Dame can win this week or not, but I do expect improvement. Each week brings new hope, so you never count yourself out. But a return to the basics means concentrating on what you do individually and as a team. The point is, if Notre Dame takes care of Notre Dame, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. If the Irish play this way, they won't go 0-8 as the many pun dints predict. Sooner or later, a little pride seeps in and you wake up and remember who you are. This Saturday would be a good time to wake up.
Although the Michigan Wolverines and the Irish are 0-2, it still does not take away from the fact that this will a big game. They are both traditional powers, ranking 1-2 in the NCAA in all-time victories, winning percentage, television appearances and all-time final composite AP poll rankings. Also, the game is still being played in 'The Big House' which is one of the most feared venues an opponent can enter. I read in an airline magazine that Michigan Stadium is a top five destination for a gameday experience, so who cares about the record?
What will take place is a passing of the torch to the next great players in these schools storied history. In Notre Dame's case, Jimmy Clausen takes over for Brady Quinn, the Irish's most prolific passer. It is indeed a tall order to fill but the kid comes in with his own share of accolades. Clausen was 42-0 in high school as a starter. Winning is a significant intangible when it comes to the play of a quarterback, just ask Vince Young.
Michigan will strut out their own young behemoth quarterback, Ryan Mallet. He's 6-7, 252 lbs and a freshman. Not only does he look big, he plays that way too. However, his job will be a little easier than Clausens because he has the luxury of Michael Hart in the backfield, who currently ranks 6th in the country in rushing, averaging about 150 per game. Mallet has received much praise from head coach Lloyd Carr and is ready to accept the challenge.
So don't worry about the records. It's still Notre Dame vs. Michigan, which always is a classic. Plus gameday has a way of making you forget what happened the last two weeks. In this game its all about now, and this battle will be one that's talked about for a long time.
Last weeks debacle vs Georgia Tech is not representative of the type of team I think Notre Dame can be. I understand that when you look at an offense that gave up 9 sacks and rushed for -8 yards, and a defense that gave up 265 yards rushing, good may be the overstatement of the year, but it was a fairly tight game in the first half. Also, there was noticeable improvement on the defensive side of the ball, despite the 33 points that were scored, and the Clausen kid did impress, even though it was mop up duty.
But if you're Notre Dame, the road only gets tougher. Going into Beaver Stadium which seats 107,000 plus will be a formidable challenge. The fans will dressed in white, making the stands look like a blizzard, and loud enough to put any heavy metal rock band to shame. Also, Penn State has revenge in mind after being embarrassed last year in South Bend. The Nittany Lions are a much improved team with good playmakers on offense and a stout defense.
Like any Notre Dame fan, I am wishing for a victory, but what I want to see most are The Three E's... effort, emotion & enthusiasm. The effort comes from donning the gold helmet. As a Domer, you represent all that is good in college football. It is a responsibility to give your best effort. Emotion is caring about your teammates and family. If you play for something bigger than yourself, it becomes more important to you. And finally, enthusiasm. This is supposed to be fun! This is not a job. Fly around, hit somebody, make some plays and laugh about it after wards.
The Irish may not win but the overall goal should be improvement. Doubling their effort from last week will not be enough. In fact, Notre Dame needs a Herculean effort to even have a chance at victory, but having been a player, you wouldn't want it any other way. A Notre Dame player welcomes the challenge of having to be the best every week. They look forward to the opportunity to play in front of a national audience and they want the toughest opponent and most insurmountable odds. Looks like the Irish have Penn State right where they want them.
As we approach the start of the 2007 season there are more questions than answers. Who will be the starting quarterback? Will the offensive line be able to protect this year? Will the presence of a new defensive coordinator be an improvement? How will Notre Dame utilize all of the running backs that they have? How many games can this squad win with all the youth and inexperience?
On paper this appears to be Coach Weis's most challenging coaching job since coming to South Bend. There is a lot of youth on this team, but plenty of senior leadership. In fact, there are more fifth-year seniors than regular seniors. Overall, it's a good blend of young guys and old veterans. With only 10 starters returning, it is clear that some freshmen and sophomores will have to step up.
This team is a mystery to me. In fact, I have had to put extra study time into researching this group, but I like what I see. Not since Lou Holtz was the coach has there been a better set of running backs assembled. Corwin Brown, the new defensive coordinator, assured me that his unit would not sit back and react---they plan on being in 'attack mode' all season long. And Notre Dame has one of the best punters in the nation, which means opposing offenses will always have a long field to traverse.
The number of wins and losses still remains questionable, but it will be exciting. There will be lots of new names and faces making plays this year. I hope you all tune in to hear all the in-depth analysis Don Criqui and I will be providing this year. The broadcast will be as challenging as the coaching job Charlie has ahead of him. Go Irish!
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