It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Right now the Irish are undefeated and that’s a great feeling.  At the beginning of each season hope springs eternal.  The expectations and possibilities make us feel like a seven year-old on Christmas Eve.  The recruiting, the spring practice, the Blue and Gold game and fall camp all look great, the confidence and the hype give us  all a reason to believe, then kickoff comes.  On Saturday, we’ll come crashing back to earth when the yellow flags hit the ground because of mental mistakes, or when injuries occur because athletes weren’t as well conditioned as we thought.  But for now the sky is the limit.

Could this year be different?  Could we stay in this dream state?  We say to ourselves “this year feels different.”  Of course, the fact that we say that ever year makes it feel the same.  I’ve been thinking how I’ve felt in years past before the first game, and it kind of feels like a first date.  You’ve gone on them before but since it’s with someone different it’s not exactly the same.

Should we be confident?  Yes.  Should we be nervous?  Yes.  None of that matters come Saturday.  The coaches have prepared the players as best they can, the athletes have studied the play book and the gold has been sprayed onto the helmets.  Many of us will sit in our luck chair or wear our favorite hat. I will be at Shamrock Jacks, but no matter how much we wish for it, the team has to get it done on the field.

If we win?  Of and running with continued momentum from the end of last season.  We continue to build confidence.  Critics will say one win does not make a season, and they would be right.  Skeptics would say South Florida is not as good as advertised.  Fans will get to rave and dream for another week about how great we can be.

If we lose?  Fans can point to last year’s 1 – 3 start and look to the following week.  Fans can blame players, referees, coaches, the weather and on and on.  The Irish faithful can call it a day, pack it in and say “wait until next year.”

3:30 Saturday will be here soon enough, just as Christmas morning will be here eventually.  Let’s wake up, run down the stairs and see what’s under the tree.

The Running of the Bulls

From a distance the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the South Florida Bulls are two totally different football programs.   South Florida has only had a football program since 1997 and at the Division 1-A since 2001 compared to the Irish’s long football heritage going back to 1887.  They don’t have the National Championships (11), the Heisman Trophy winners (7), the Golden Dome or Touchdown Jesus.  They play in a smaller stadium (65,857) compared to Notre Dame’s 80,795.  But none of that will come into play this Saturday anyway.   In recent years, however, the two programs are pretty close, at least on paper. 

It is recent history I am sure the Bulls would like to focus on for this match up.  In the past five seasons, the Bulls are averaging 8.4 wins per season while the Irish are averaging just 6.8 wins per season.   Looking at last year, the schools look very similar, both 8-5, both had bowl wins, and both had a new head coach.  Like the Irish last year, the Bulls outscored their opponents in the first three quarters but lost the scoring battle in the fourth.  Note: the only common opponent that South Florida and Notre Dame have this season is Pittsburgh, which the Bulls play one week after the Irish do.

This will be the first meeting between the schools and there is a lot at stake.  The Irish need to start the season on a high note and not stumble early, especially with tough games against Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue following.  The Bulls could really establish themselves as a legitimate football power out of the state of Florida with a win in South Bend.   The Bulls will also be representing the pride of college football for the state of Florida against Notre Dame, a school that currently has nine players recruited out of Florida.  Not to mention, the second-year coach is none other than former Notre Dame student, Wide Receiver Coach then Offensive Coordinator Skip Holtz, son of Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz.

The South Florida football program is not unlike the other programs in the state (Miami, Florida & Florida State), with talented and athletic players on both side of the ball.  The offense starts with quarterback B.J. Daniels, a mobile and experienced player with 22 starts under his belt.  Like Notre Dame’s Dayne Christ, Daniels went down with an injury and was replaced with a true freshman who did a fine job, including a big win over Miami.  Daniels returned to earn MVP honors in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

The running back position will be between two transfers (Dontae Aycock from Auburn and Darrell Scott from Colorado) and returning junior Demetris Murray, who will probably get most of the touches.  All of these backs will run behind a line with new starters at center and tackle positions.  6’ 300 lb. senior center Kevin McCaskill did start the Miami game last year.   Although there will be new starters at the tackles, the 6’7” 315 lb. senior tackle did start nine games over the past two seasons.  At the other tackle position the Bulls have their Louis Nix project, 6’6” redshirt freshman Quinterrius Eatmon who reported in last year weighing 362 lbs. and is now down to 299 and ready to go.  The guards are cemented with two good sized returning starting seniors.   6’4” 327 lb. Jeremiah Warren and 6’4” 296 lb. Chaz Hine both have two years of starting experience.  I look forward to the battle being pinched between the tackles by defensive ends Lewis-Moore and Johnson with big Louis Nix being backed up by Te’o.

On the defensive side of the ball the Bulls have lost a lot of talent and starters heading into this season.  Although their interior line (they run a 4-3) appears to be fortified with 6’ 286 lb. senior Keith McCaskill and 6’2” 317 lb. junior Cory Grissom who started all 13 games last year, the ends seem to be a little undersized and inexperienced (relative to the two big senior Irish bookends).  South Florida will most likely be starting highly recruited 6”3” 259 lb. redshirt sophomore Ryan Giddins (backed up by a 6’2” 233 lb. senior) and 6’2” 262 lb. sophomore Julius Forte (backed up by a 6’ 240 lb. senior).  There is more depth and options at linebacker but this is a good defense to rev-up against.  Cierre Wood could do some damage and start building his confidence along with the offensive line.

The Irish defense should be able to contain the Bulls scoring and keep it to a minimum.   If they stop the South Florida Run early and force the pass, there is an opportunity for turnovers.  If the Notre Dame offense or defense can get points on the board early allowing but not forcing the defense to do its job, we may get the opportunity to see how our freshman phenoms do sooner than later. 

Overall, the Bulls had a balanced attack last year on the offensive side of the ball and won with solid game play and not a lot of flash or tricks.  This is not a team to take lightly, but the Irish should be able to control the lines of scrimmage and let their backs (running and linebackers) put on a show.  Notre Dame needs to pay special attention to kickoffs because the Bulls have a return specialist in 5’8’ junior Lindsey Lamar who averaged 26.6 yards a return last year with two touchdowns.  Experience, size and team chemistry should be the deciding factors in a Notre Dame win.  If the Irish underestimate the Bulls, don’t execute and make mistakes, it could be a long afternoon in South Bend.

Notre Dame Players of Note to Watch:

Dayne Crist.  This will be his first true test for his mobility and field leadership since his injury last season.  All signs this year point to him being back to starting form physically.  Until he takes his first game snap and runs an offensive series there is still some question about his field presence.  Dayne does not have to put this offense on his back to win this game, he needs to limit mistakes (turnovers) and make good decisions.

Tyler Eifert.  Can Tyler carry over the performances from his breakout year from last season?  I would think so but there has been a decent amount of hype and pressure put on him.  Make a few good catches, throw in a touchdown and I’ll be satisfied.

Michael Floyd.  There is little question that Floyd is one of the top receivers in college football.  The question is will sitting out the spring and the controversy of his suspension result in Michael needing a little more time to get into game form?

Louis Nix.  Two years of anticipation (including recruiting) and we are about to see the BIG show.  I have little doubt of his size and strength.  The questions we need answered on the field are his stamina and his ability.  Of all the players and story lines, I am most excited to see what Nix can do and how often can he do it.

Theo Riddick.  Is he a running back playing wide receiver or a wide receiver that can play running back?  It will be interesting how Kelly uses this offensive athletic weapon not only against South Florida but throughout the season.

Kyle Brinzda.  A freshman kicker with a leg that can kick the ball to South Beach will handle kickoffs so David Ruffer can focus on field goals.

All Freshmen.  Whether it is on special teams or as a position player, the first play after coming out of that tunnel can be intimidating.  Let’s get the first hit out of the way and lose the butterflies so we can focus on football.

The Running of the Bulls

From a distance the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the South Florida Bulls are two totally different football programs.   South Florida has only had a football program since 1997 and at the Division 1-A since 2001 compared to the Irish’s long football heritage going back to 1887.  They don’t have the National Championships (11), the Heisman Trophy winners (7), the Golden Dome or Touchdown Jesus.  They play in a smaller stadium (65,857) compared to Notre Dame’s 80,795.  But none of that will come into play this Saturday anyway.   In recent years, however, the two programs are pretty close, at least on paper. 

It is recent history I am sure the Bulls would like to focus on for this match up.  In the past five seasons, the Bulls are averaging 8.4 wins per season while the Irish are averaging just 6.8 wins per season.   Looking at last year, the schools look very similar, both 8-5, both had bowl wins, and both had a new head coach.  Like the Irish last year, the Bulls outscored their opponents in the first three quarters but lost the scoring battle in the fourth.  Note: the only common opponent that South Florida and Notre Dame have this season is Pittsburgh, which the Bulls play one week after the Irish do.

This will be the first meeting between the schools and there is a lot at stake.  The Irish need to start the season on a high note and not stumble early, especially with tough games against Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue following.  The Bulls could really establish themselves as a legitimate football power out of the state of Florida with a win in South Bend.   The Bulls will also be representing the pride of college football for the state of Florida against Notre Dame, a school that currently has nine players recruited out of Florida.  Not to mention, the second-year coach is none other than former Notre Dame student, Wide Receiver Coach then Offensive Coordinator Skip Holtz, son of Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz.

The South Florida football program is not unlike the other programs in the state (Miami, Florida & Florida State), with talented and athletic players on both side of the ball.  The offense starts with quarterback B.J. Daniels, a mobile and experienced player with 22 starts under his belt.  Like Notre Dame’s Dayne Christ, Daniels went down with an injury and was replaced with a true freshman who did a fine job, including a big win over Miami.  Daniels returned to earn MVP honors in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

The running back position will be between two transfers (Dontae Aycock from Auburn and Darrell Scott from Colorado) and returning junior Demetris Murray, who will probably get most of the touches.  All of these backs will run behind a line with new starters at center and tackle positions.  6’ 300 lb. senior center Kevin McCaskill did start the Miami game last year.   Although there will be new starters at the tackles, the 6’7” 315 lb. senior tackle did start nine games over the past two seasons.  At the other tackle position the Bulls have their Louis Nix project, 6’6” redshirt freshman Quinterrius Eatmon who reported in last year weighing 362 lbs. and is now down to 299 and ready to go.  The guards are cemented with two good sized returning starting seniors.   6’4” 327 lb. Jeremiah Warren and 6’4” 296 lb. Chaz Hine both have two years of starting experience.  I look forward to the battle being pinched between the tackles by defensive ends Lewis-Moore and Johnson with big Louis Nix being backed up by Te’o.

On the defensive side of the ball the Bulls have lost a lot of talent and starters heading into this season.  Although their interior line (they run a 4-3) appears to be fortified with 6’ 286 lb. senior Keith McCaskill and 6’2” 317 lb. junior Cory Grissom who started all 13 games last year, the ends seem to be a little undersized and inexperienced (relative to the two big senior Irish bookends).  South Florida will most likely be starting highly recruited 6”3” 259 lb. redshirt sophomore Ryan Giddins (backed up by a 6’2” 233 lb. senior) and 6’2” 262 lb. sophomore Julius Forte (backed up by a 6’ 240 lb. senior).  There is more depth and options at linebacker but this is a good defense to rev-up against.  Cierre Wood could do some damage and start building his confidence along with the offensive line.

The Irish defense should be able to contain the Bulls scoring and keep it to a minimum.   If they stop the South Florida Run early and force the pass, there is an opportunity for turnovers.  If the Notre Dame offense or defense can get points on the board early allowing but not forcing the defense to do its job, we may get the opportunity to see how our freshman phenoms do sooner than later. 

Overall, the Bulls had a balanced attack last year on the offensive side of the ball and won with solid game play and not a lot of flash or tricks.  This is not a team to take lightly, but the Irish should be able to control the lines of scrimmage and let their backs (running and linebackers) put on a show.  Notre Dame needs to pay special attention to kickoffs because the Bulls have a return specialist in 5’8’ junior Lindsey Lamar who averaged 26.6 yards a return last year with two touchdowns.  Experience, size and team chemistry should be the deciding factors in a Notre Dame win.  If the Irish underestimate the Bulls, don’t execute and make mistakes, it could be a long afternoon in South Bend.

Notre Dame Players of Note to Watch:

Dayne Crist.  This will be his first true test for his mobility and field leadership since his injury last season.  All signs this year point to him being back to starting form physically.  Until he takes his first game snap and runs an offensive series there is still some question about his field presence.  Dayne does not have to put this offense on his back to win this game, he needs to limit mistakes (turnovers) and make good decisions.

Tyler Eifert.  Can Tyler carry over the performances from his breakout year from last season?  I would think so but there has been a decent amount of hype and pressure put on him.  Make a few good catches, throw in a touchdown and I’ll be satisfied.

Michael Floyd.  There is little question that Floyd is one of the top receivers in college football.  The question is will sitting out the spring and the controversy of his suspension result in Michael needing a little more time to get into game form?

Louis Nix.  Two years of anticipation (including recruiting) and we are about to see the BIG show.  I have little doubt of his size and strength.  The questions we need answered on the field are his stamina and his ability.  Of all the players and story lines, I am most excited to see what Nix can do and how often can he do it.

Theo Riddick.  Is he a running back playing wide receiver or a wide receiver that can play running back?  It will be interesting how Kelly uses this offensive athletic weapon not only against South Florida but throughout the season.

Kyle Brinzda.  A freshman kicker with a leg that can kick the ball to South Beach will handle kickoffs so David Ruffer can focus on field goals.

All Freshmen.  Whether it is on special teams or as a position player, the first play after coming out of that tunnel can be intimidating.  Let’s get the first hit out of the way and lose the butterflies so we can focus on football.

If it's in stock they have it.

If it can be made it can and probably has a Notre Dame emblem or Fighting Irish logo on it.   Often in stores with NCAA clothing and collectables Notre Dame is absent from the mix.  Not unlike Notre Dame’s exclusive television deal with NBC, the Irish have a unique licensing arrangement.  If you have ever been to the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore you know how impressive the never ending isles of clothing, knick knacks and chotchkies is.  Go online and it will make your head spin with 751 items on the Official Online Store.   The price range goes from $2.95 for a shimmer pom to $2,499 for an ND greats signed helmet.

Hundreds of items in dozens of categories make it easy, or maybe hard, to find the perfect gift for the Irish fan in your life.  Clothing alone offers enough choices to outfit a wardrobe for the most loyal Notre Dame fan.  Hats, gloves, socks, shirts, shorts, sweatpants, coats, flip flops, sweaters, fleeces, scarf’s and of course jerseys come in all colors, sizes for men, women children and infants.   There are 56 styles of hats and 168 types of t-shirts alone on the site.

There are great collector pieces available, things that only can be found through Notre Dame itself.   Autographed helmets, mini-helmets, photographs and footballs signed by the likes of Joe Montana, Brady Quinn, Tony Rice and Lou Holtz to name a few.  You can even buy a Notre Dame Stadium Brick with a Knute Rockne speech on it.

Thirsty?  There are 30 styles of cups, mugs and glasses.  Hitting the links?  There are 17 golf specific items adorned with the Irish logo.  The items are not only for style and fashion; many also have a function - a spatula, can & bottle coolers, napkins, oven mitts, and chairs.  There are even 13 items available for pets.  Even the categories are interesting to me; Jewelry with 35 items, holiday with 12 ornaments, and auto accessories with 30 items.  With all the great items to choose from I believe that “The Shirt” is always the best purchase for the money.