What to Look For This Weekend

Quarterback play.  Both teams have talented but inexperienced signal callers behind center.  It is important for each team that their quarterback stay composed and focused.  Neither one has to win the game for their team, but they need them not to lose it for them.

The rushing game.  At 6’ 2” 244 lbs.,jJunior running back LeVeon Bell is the Spartans’ bread and butter out of the backfield; a battering ram with decent speed (especially for his size).  In two games, Bell has rushed for 280 yards on 62 carries (that’s just over 4.5 yards a carry for those of you looking for a calculator) and four touchdowns.  The simple question is, can the Irish defense contain Bell?  The Irish, on the other hand, will most likely run the ball by committee - Riddick, Atkinson and newly reinstated Wood.  Questions to be answered for the Notre Dame running game include: Will Wood show rust after missing the first two games?  Will Atkinson get and make the most of more touches than last week?  Will Riddick solidify himself as the number one running back?

Tight Ends.  While all eyes may be focused on All-World tight end Tyler Eifert, Michigan State has a less well-known yet potentially dangerous target at tight end as well.  Dion Sims is an up and coming weapon for the Spartans’ offense.  The 6’5’’ 285 lb. junior has 10 receptions this season for 135 yards and one touchdown, and has the potential for a whole lot more.  Sims could make it a long night for the Irish linebackers. 

Line Play.  Here is where it becomes as simple as it can possibly get.  Each offensive line will be going up against impressive D-lines which are big and good, especially against the run.   For Michigan State, watch defensive end William Gholston because you’ll be seeing him playing on Sundays soon.  The Irish need Stephon Tuiit to continue his breakout season.  The defensive lines need to stop the run and pressure the opposing team’s inexperienced quarterback.  See?  It’s simple.

Michigan State Q & A

 

Here are some questions posed on ND Nation that I though we here at Talking Irish would respond to.  ND Nation Questions are in bold and Talking Irish responses are in italics.

Which team will need reinforcements to stop the run and leave itself vulnerable to the pass?

Both probably will and both will be burned at least once because of it.

Can the Irish offensive line rebound from a poor performance against Purdue?                    

They have to and will.

Which young quarterback will best avoid mistakes and execute in the passing game?         

Not by much but Golson should play a bit better under pressure.

Will MSU’s changing defensive alignments force Notre Dame to burn its timeouts?

Yes, it will also continue to throw Golson off at the line of scrimmage but not as much as last week as he grows and learns in game situations.

Can Cierre Wood reenergize the Irish ground game?

No, that is up to the coaching staff and the offensive line.  Wood will however bring a positive for to the Irish ground attack.

Which kicker will perform best under pressure?

Kyle Bindza.  I have the feeling he is better in pressure situations then common ones (which is not always a good thing).

Will Eifert and his fellow receivers get open against the MSU secondary for big plays?

Yes.  Will they get passed to and catch those passes?  That is a different question.

 

What a win will take

Football is a relatively simple ground acquisition game - move the football and prevent your opponent from doing so.   Obviously coaches schemes, coordinator stunts, and even player injuries lead to twists and turns that can very quickly make the game much more complex week to week.  There is an awful lot that can be dissected in this match-up but the key to victory remains simple.

Whichever team has a better game from their offensive line will win the game.  Drawing from that, the team that wins the rushing game will win on Saturday.  Although the Michigan State defense may have only one sack in their first two games, they have also surrendered zero offensive touchdowns.   For the Irish, they must do better than giving up five sacks as they did last week against a good (not as good as Michigan State) Purdue defense.  If you thought Short was good, wait until you get a load (and at 6’7” 280 lbs. he is a good sized load) of defensive end William Gholston.  They must ensure the running game gets back on track with Wood coming back in the fold, and Atkinson needs more touches than he got against Purdue.

As for the Spartans, they have a Heisman candidate caliber running back in Le’Veon Bell who will need to be contained, as their quarterback has potential and is as talented as he is inexperienced (sound familiar?).  If the Irish can push around the Michigan State offensive line enough to pressure Spartan quarterback Andrew Maxwell, they can rattle him into mistakes.  However, if Michigan State’s O-line can give Bell room to work and protect Maxwell, it could be a long day for the Irish.

As for predictions, the winner will not need to score a ton of points (21 could easily win the game), it will be very physical, and the team that has a better game from their offensive line will win the game. 

Purdue Review: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

PREFACE:  At least once a year I am upset with a Notre Dame win for one reason or another.  However, the win over Purdue left me upset for several reasons. 

Good

The Irish Won.  After the 0-2 start last season, fans should be pretty happy starting this season 2-0.  I caution the ND Nation and be aware that the Spartans and the Wolverines  are coming up fast.

Everett Golson passed for 289 yards, completing 21 passes on 31 attempts with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions.

The Notre Dame offense completed 24 passes to 9 different receivers for 324 yards.

George Atkinson had a kickoff return for 32 yards.

2 interceptions returned for a total of 47 yards.

Golson’s confidence (which will be under scrutiny after Kelly inserted Tommy Reese) and touchdown dive.

Notre Dame’s defensive front three combining for 4 sacks (Tuitt-2, Nix-1.5, Lewis-Moore-.5)

Bad

The rushing game:  52 net rushing yards, 1.4 yards per rush, 55 yards lost rushing.

3 fumbles (luckily, only 1 lost)

Penalties: 8 for 52 yards, 2 personal fouls on two stupid late hits by two team captains.

The Irish defense allowed Purdue to go 3 for 3 on fourth down.

The number of players that came out at one point or another for “injuries.”

Ugly

The Notre Dame offensive line allowed 5 sacks losing a total of 40 yards.

The way Golson carries the ball (this may be more scary than ugly)

Notre Dame’s final interception as time expired.  Take a knee, end the game, don’t risk a fumble.

Yanking Golson*.  I know it worked out and there are reports of an “injured” hand, but I don’t care.

Irish fans booing Tommy Reese coming into the game.  Although I did not like it and was dazed and confused, don’t boo.

The lack of accessibility of players to the media after the game.  Only Zack Martin and Manti Te’o were made available.

*I am not anti-Reese