Todays Blog and Remember Ann Arbor is a WHORE!

Initially I was writing about how the team would respond to the South Florida loss and the character and the type of players and coaches the Irish have.  You can see those thoughts below in the paragraphs in italics.  However, I have been hearing a lot of chatter about Brian Kelly’s behavior and language on the sidelines during last Saturday’s game and I do not agree with much of what is being said.

Lou Holtz was the head coach of my youth and the one I was raised watching during my formative years.  Lou looked out of place being surrounded by men that looked like mountains towering around and above him.   Later on in life I would read of Holtz’s life and how he grew up scrappy and playing football and being as tough as the next guy.  What I did see while he was coaching was fire in the belly, emotion and passion.  Holtz spoke his mind and he spoke it loudly. He didn’t say please and he was not worried about hurting any player’s feelings.  Along with all that came winning and I liked it.  After Holtz came Bob Davie, who was a nice guy and a good coach, but he didn’t possess much excitement and we didn’t see a lot of winning. 

Then came Ty Willingham.  Defnitely more personality and some more winning, but unfortunately, not enough winning.  I like the way Ty carried himself on the sidelines and I think most of us would agree he may have been escorted out to early.  Either way, we then got Charlie Weiss.  I mistook his cockiness for confidence, his arrogance for personality and as for passion, I really never saw any.   He came across calm and collected, but I am not sure he really cared. He may have, but the fans didn’t see it.  When Charlie was booted, I was rooting for guys like Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher - guys who got fired up. 

So when Brain Kelly showed up I just wanted to know that he cared.  Last year, we saw emotion and passion motivating his players and in turn, we saw his players responding.  Yes, Kelly is not used to losing and I can also tell he does not like it.  When he is in front of a microphone or giving an interview, Brain Kelly is a class act all the way and represents the University proudly.  On the sidelines Saturday, he was doing what he was hired to do - coach and try to win games.  He has acknowledged that he knows the camera (microscope) is on him and maybe he should be more aware of that.  I say thank you for letting Irish fans know you care and your players have responded.  I also say those who don’t like it, don’t watch, change the channel to another game.  And for those easily offended, remember, “Ann Arbor is a WHORE!”

Character - that is what Saturday’s game is about.  How will this team respond to last Saturday’s loss?  Players and coaches alike have said they have closed the book on South Florida and have spent this week focusing on Michigan.  I have not seen finger pointing or excuses being made.   Watching player interviews I feel confident they can move forward with a positive attitude.  Cierre Wood had a look of needed redemption in his eyes and I liked it.  I’ll go to sleep tonight knowing Rees is ready, Wood is focused and the defense is fired up.

Many of these players have faced adversity in the past (all the players from last year’s team).   What is important now is how the players handle the thoughts of the past week in combination with the hype of this week’s match up.  Kelly may recruit athletes who can play football, but Notre Dame enrolls young men that have character.

Heading to the Big House

Time to move on; time to move forward.  No better opportunity to forget about last week than taking on one of the biggest football traditions on one of the biggest stages (stadium capacity is 109,901).  Michigan has been playing football since 1879, eight years before Notre Dame fielded a team.  During that time the Wolverines have amassed 885 wins, 11 National Titles and 77 Consensus All Americans.  One of those wins came against the Irish on November 23, 1887, the first game Notre Dame ever played.  That is why beating Michigan in front of their home crowd at their first night home game in the school’s history would be so meaningful.  Michigan leads the all time series 22-15-1, including last year’s heartbreak loss, 28-24.

Both schools are shadows of their former greatness, both are in rebuilding (reloading if that term makes us feel better) modes.  The Irish are probably a year ahead of the Wolverines if for no other reason than Coach Kelly is in his second year in South Bend, while Brady Hoke is in his first year in Ann Arbor.  We know what happened last Saturday with Notre Dame,  Michigan on the other hand fared a little better beating Western Michigan 34-10.  Although I am disappointed and concerned after last week’s performance by the Irish and this is a big game for Michigan, I think the Wolverines might be ripe for the picking.

Michigan returns ten starters on offense and eight on defense.  The offense a little more well-rounded than last year, and is still centered on lethal offensive weapon Denard Robinson.  Robinson has worked on becoming a better passer to adjust to the pro-style offense his new head coach is putting into place.  After rushing for over 1,700 yards during his sophomore season, I am sure running the ball will still be an option, just not always the first one.  Last week, Robinson averaged 5.8 yards on eight carries totaling 46 yards (Robinson also went 9 for 13 passing for 98 yards).  Michigan used two running backs to carry the rushing load in Michael Shaw (averaging 13.5 yards a carry with a touchdown) and Fitzgerald Toussaint (rushing for 81 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown); this allowed Robinson to run the offense as opposed to being the offense.

Predictions for an Irish win. 

For Notre Dame to win on Saturday there are a few things that need to happen.   First and the most obvious is we need to stop the mental mistakes.  The offense can afford an offside call or two, but poor decisions that lead to turn overs and personal fouls will be a problem.  The offensive line should dominate the three-man Michigan front (especially in the middle) and take on the decent linebackers.   When Michigan does blitz to support their down linemen (and they will), Tommy Rees will own them with 5 to 15 yard passes.  Kelly will use his deep corps of fast receivers to throw multiple receiver sets at the slower less, experienced Wolverine defensive backs.  

On the defensive side of the ball, the defense needs to force Denard Robinson to throw more than run (although is short passing game has improved). Robinson did a good job sharing the ball connecting with six different receivers against Western Michigan.   If the defensive line holds their own in the trenches against a decent Michigan offensive line, the Irish linebackers and defensive backs should be able to use their advanced athleticism to handle their running backs and receivers.   The Notre Dame defense will also create some of their own luck and maybe even score.

Predictions for or a Michigan win.

Notre Dame will continue mental mistakes resulting in good field positioning for Michigan, and in addition, turnovers and penalties will continue, all of which result in points.   The Michigan defense will blitz and cover the pass to contain the Irish offense.

The Irish defense will not contain Denard Robinson from running wild and breaking the big plays.  The Notre Dame linebackers will not be able to cover the short passes. 

Notre Dame special teams don’t show up again.  Turk averages 30 yards a punt (and punts a lot).  Davis Ruffer misses field goals (especially easy ones).  Kickoff return does not get the offense into a good starting position and kickoff coverage allows big returns.

The Michigan players ride the hype of their first home night game with 110,000 of their closest friends cheering them on in a crazed frenzy.

Heading to the Big House

Time to move on; time to move forward.  No better opportunity to forget about last week than taking on one of the biggest football traditions on one of the biggest stages (stadium capacity is 109,901).  Michigan has been playing football since 1879, eight years before Notre Dame fielded a team.  During that time the Wolverines have amassed 885 wins, 11 National Titles and 77 Consensus All Americans.  One of those wins came against the Irish on November 23, 1887, the first game Notre Dame ever played.  That is why beating Michigan in front of their home crowd at their first night home game in the school’s history would be so meaningful.  Michigan leads the all time series 22-15-1, including last year’s heartbreak loss, 28-24.

Both schools are shadows of their former greatness, both are in rebuilding (reloading if that term makes us feel better) modes.  The Irish are probably a year ahead of the Wolverines if for no other reason than Coach Kelly is in his second year in South Bend, while Brady Hoke is in his first year in Ann Arbor.  We know what happened last Saturday with Notre Dame,  Michigan on the other hand fared a little better beating Western Michigan 34-10.  Although I am disappointed and concerned after last week’s performance by the Irish and this is a big game for Michigan, I think the Wolverines might be ripe for the picking.

Michigan returns ten starters on offense and eight on defense.  The offense a little more well-rounded than last year, and is still centered on lethal offensive weapon Denard Robinson.  Robinson has worked on becoming a better passer to adjust to the pro-style offense his new head coach is putting into place.  After rushing for over 1,700 yards during his sophomore season, I am sure running the ball will still be an option, just not always the first one.  Last week, Robinson averaged 5.8 yards on eight carries totaling 46 yards (Robinson also went 9 for 13 passing for 98 yards).  Michigan used two running backs to carry the rushing load in Michael Shaw (averaging 13.5 yards a carry with a touchdown) and Fitzgerald Toussaint (rushing for 81 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown); this allowed Robinson to run the offense as opposed to being the offense.

Predictions for an Irish win. 

For Notre Dame to win on Saturday there are a few things that need to happen.   First and the most obvious is we need to stop the mental mistakes.  The offense can afford an offside call or two, but poor decisions that lead to turn overs and personal fouls will be a problem.  The offensive line should dominate the three-man Michigan front (especially in the middle) and take on the decent linebackers.   When Michigan does blitz to support their down linemen (and they will), Tommy Rees will own them with 5 to 15 yard passes.  Kelly will use his deep corps of fast receivers to throw multiple receiver sets at the slower less, experienced Wolverine defensive backs.  

On the defensive side of the ball, the defense needs to force Denard Robinson to throw more than run (although is short passing game has improved). Robinson did a good job sharing the ball connecting with six different receivers against Western Michigan.   If the defensive line holds their own in the trenches against a decent Michigan offensive line, the Irish linebackers and defensive backs should be able to use their advanced athleticism to handle their running backs and receivers.   The Notre Dame defense will also create some of their own luck and maybe even score.

Predictions for or a Michigan win.

Notre Dame will continue mental mistakes resulting in good field positioning for Michigan, and in addition, turnovers and penalties will continue, all of which result in points.   The Michigan defense will blitz and cover the pass to contain the Irish offense.

The Irish defense will not contain Denard Robinson from running wild and breaking the big plays.  The Notre Dame linebackers will not be able to cover the short passes. 

Notre Dame special teams don’t show up again.  Turk averages 30 yards a punt (and punts a lot).  Davis Ruffer misses field goals (especially easy ones).  Kickoff return does not get the offense into a good starting position and kickoff coverage allows big returns.

The Michigan players ride the hype of their first home night game with 110,000 of their closest friends cheering them on in a crazed frenzy.

Finding the Silver Lining

We have met the enemy and he is us.  With five turnovers, several in the red zone, and one in the end zone, it matters very little what you do well.  With mistakes like that, winning won’t be in the cards.  Add in penalties and poor execution, and it’s going to be tough to beat anyone let alone a good South Florida team.  Last Wednesday, I wrote, “If the Irish underestimate the Bulls, don’t execute and make mistakes, it could be a long afternoon in South Bend.”  They did all of these things, and not only was it a long afternoon, but it turned into a long night with weather delays.  Watching highlights Sunday morning, many traditional powerhouses played weak teams (LSU and Oregon being the exception) for warm ups, which is a good idea with no pre-season games in college but let’s not dwell on that or use it as an excuse. Let’s move on to dissecting the game.

The most frustrating thing is that these issues were connected to veterans and upper classmen.  Senior Dayne Christ threw off target passes and untimely interceptions.  Last year’s nearly perfect Davis Ruffer missed a relatively easy 30 yard field goal.  Senior Jonas Gray had a goal line fumble.  Personal fouls and offside penalties are mental mistakes that weren’t supposed to happen with a Kelly coached team. 

Notre Dame’s first drive made it looked like everything was going to be perfect for the afternoon.  Of course, Jonas Gray’s fumble, and subsequent return for a touchdown by South Florida’s Webster would be a prelude of things to come.  Passing and Cierre Wood got you to the goal line yet we decide to let Gray run it in?  This is my first of many second guesses of Brian Kelly’s coaching.

If Tommy Rees had started the game would have things turned out differently?  The answer to that is maybe, and maybe is good enough to second guess Kelly’s choice to start Crist.  Although I did feel bad watching Dayne standing on the sideline, I was disappointed when Rees threw a touchdown pass to Floyd and Crist did not rush out to congratulate him. Again, poor leadership by the veteran players.

There were some highlights for the Irish to be sure.  Although Rees was not perfect and does not have the physical attributes (size and strong arm) as Crist, he is calm, cool and collected and is a much more accurate passer.  In the second half, Tommy was 24 for 34 for 296 yards with two touchdowns, not bad numbers coming off the bench for just the second half.

I was also impressed with Cierre Wood, who ran for 104 yards on 21 carries for an average of 5 yards per carry.  I thought he had good field vision and great cuts.  I do have confidence in Kelly’s decision to make Cierre the premier back, not that he had much of a choice.  I am looking forward to the running game as long as Wood stays healthy.

The receiving game had some highlights, and if Rees plays behind center there could be more to come.  Michael Floyd had 12 receptions for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns - not a bad day.  We know Floyd will get his touches, continue to break records and go on to be a first round draft pick.  What we need is for him to do it in a way that works in others at the appropriate times. 

We do have the receiving corps to pull it off.  Tyler Eifert had 6 catches for 93 yards including one for 37 yards.  Eifert needs to be a key player this season and needs to be used as an option for the Irish offense to be successful.  The Irish did spread the ball around for the passing game with six players receiving passes throughout the game.  Theo Riddick needs more touches; to me he is the X factor for this team.  Three receptions for 32 yards (one of them was for 27 yards) and no rushes are not enough offensive plays for an athlete of his caliber.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Irish looked capable but capable is not nearly good enough for this team’s expectations.  Two sacks is respectable, but again, respectable is not going to be good enough for this season’s potential.  With no forced fumbles, no interceptions and only one pass break up the defense needs to get more aggressive and make things happen. 

The Luck of the Irish was with South Florida.  The Bulls recovered two fumbles and intercepted three passes and capitalized on two of those turnovers with a touchdown and a field goal.  The Irish need to create their own luck in the future if they want to win games.  I will say this, this game looked a lot like the Tulsa game last year where Rees came in to rally the troops and turned around the season and if it is to copy last year it’s great to be at game one instead of game nine.

We now need to move on to Michigan.  There is nothing we can do about South Florida, it’s in the books.  Kelly’s leadership will again be questioned and tested and again we will play the games on the schedule one at a time learning and growing as we go.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried, upset and frustrated with what I saw on Saturday.  I am not going to call for Kelly’s resignation; I am calling for Rees to start, to get Riddick more involved and to have the defense create opportunities.