You’ve got questions…we’ve got answers.

Here are some questions (in bold) in an article posed by ND Nation’s John Vannie along with Talking Irish’s responses (in italics).

Can Golson and the Irish keep their emotions in check and get off to a solid start?

One of the goals Brian Kelly has had for his team is to get off to a fast start, which they have done very well thus far, outscoring their opponents 75 – 9 in the first quarter this season.  The Irish statistically play better on the road leaving all the distractions associated with home games behind, and I think this game will be no exception.

Will Notre Dame’s secondary minimize USC’s yards after catch with proper angles and crisp tackling?

I for one hope that Notre Dame’s secondary will minimize catches.  I believe three things will happen: first, USC’s wide receivers will have some big chunk play receptions (hopefully not too many), second, the Irish secondary will make solid tackles; and finally, Wittek will be intercepted at least once in this game.

Can USC stop the run while keeping its safeties back in a Tampa-2 defense?

Yes, at times, but not enough.  The Irish running backs will break off some big runs (the sooner the better) forcing the USC safeties to step up more often than they want to.

Will Wittek have time to display the poise and accuracy the Trojans will need?

At times, but he will also see the likes of Nix, Shembo, Tuitt, and Lewis-Moore crashing in on him causing him to think twice on throws, question his audibles and running for his life.

Can USC’s offensive line repeat last year’s domination of the Irish front seven?

No.  If you have seen any of Notre Dame’s games you know that is an easy question to answer.

Will this be the game that special teams play finally costs Notre Dame a victory?

I don’t think so.  It will not be the game in which it has to.

Which struggling kicker will come through for his team?

Overall, neither.  Although Kyle Brindza has blown simple kicks, he seems to be better under pressure.

Will the referees dare to call holding on the Trojans?

Contrary to a statement made a ridiculous and irresponsible article ,“All I can say is Max be prepared to go against the most one sided officiating in the history of officiated sports with a BCS championship game for Notre Dame on the line.” the officials should do their jobs as assigned.

USC Preview Podcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3rtxny6lQI&feature=plcp

USC

As we progress toward USC, there should be some comfort in knowing the enemy.  Each year, it seems we know we will have to do battle at the end of the season against mighty Troy.  A team with speed, skill and often a superior record (at least over the last couple of decades), a team with a history and winning tradition of their own who pride themselves on winning, especially against the Irish.  Brian Kelly was asked this week about his team heading to Southern California as the number one team and he explained that they feel that pressure every week, that every team gives Notre Dame their best when the Irish come to town.

At 7-4, USC may not be the force it was at the beginning of the season when they held the number one ranking, but with the exception of Matt Barkley being out, they still have the talent that got them that preseason ranking.  This may not be a great team, but even without their preseason Heisman favorite they are still a very sound team.  The USC running game still has two above-average backs in Junior Silas (740 yards, 5.4 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns) and Senior Curtis McNeal (658 yards, 6.3 yards per carry and 2 touchdowns), both of whom have multiple receptions out of the backfield. 

The Trojans may have lost their quarterback, but their passing game still has powerful weapons in the receiving corps.  Leading the charge are 6’1” sophomore Marqise Lee (107 receptions, 1605 yards, 15 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns) and 6’1” Junior Robert Woods (66 receptions, 721 yards, 10.9 yards per catch and 10 touchdowns). 

With Matt Barkley out, the Trojans will turn to redshirt freshman Max Wittek.  Wittek’s stats may not measure up to Barkley’s, but he has made the most out of what he has done.  Wittek has completed eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, giving him a quarterback rating of 214.2.  Kelly said he can’t be all bad being on scholarship at USC, and Wittek also had offers from most of the big programs including Notre Dame.  Here is the high school scouting report two years ago by Scott Kennedy of Scout.com:

Wittek is a greedy quarterback that is always pressuring the defensive backfield. He has tremendous vision and always wants to make the big play before checking down to his shorter routes. He has a quick release and a strong arm. He struggles with accuracy at times, but shows poise under pressure and a willingness to hang in the pocket and take a hit. A gun-slinger mentality, Wittek likes the high risk, high reward throws.

On the other side of the ball, the Trojans defense has been sub-par this season, especially for a USC team (giving up 24.8 points a game).  Expect the Irish to mix it up between the run and pass.  Notre Dame should try to come out fast and big to break the Trojans’ spirits early.  Going from number one in the beginning of the season to unranked at the end of the season (last happened in 1964), not being in contention for the Pac-12 championship let alone a BCS bowl makes a win over Notre Dame even more important.  Beating Notre Dame would be one of the only bright spots in this season, especially since doing so would likely crush Notre Dame’s chance at of perfection and a shot at the National Championship.  If they see that slipping away early, they may begin to give up all together.

Wake Forest Review Sample Podcast

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36qDwBOn7zM

Number 1 ?!?!

For the younger generation this is foreign soil, but those in their late thirties and up remember when this was a little more common place.  Cautious optimism will be the theme this week for me, as I will install Kelly’s 24 hour rule - celebrate and then get back to work for next Saturday.  I am scared to death that this is a dream, and that the alarm is going to go off in the form of the USC Trojans.

As for right now, the Irish are 11-0, ranked number one, and poised to play in the National Championship Game.  With that being said, the most important game is USC.  Why?  Because as has been the Irish mentality all season - it’s the next one. 

Brian Kelly has the “Process” running on all cylinders.  So sit back and enjoy the ride…but only for 24 hours.

Senior Day

There are several senior players who will still have a year of eligibility left that will be able to be seniors (the 5^th year kind) in 2013.  Some will not play again, some will play and take full advantage of that fifth year, but not in South Bend, much like Dayne Crist and Mike Ragon who took their 5^th year talents to Kansas, and Brandon Newman who went to Ball State.  Some will be asked back and/or will choose to come back to have an opportunity to play one more year for the Fighting Irish.  The following are seniors who have a year of eligibility left:  Carlo Calabrese (linebacker), Tyler Eifert (tight end), Dan Fox (linebacker), Jake Golic (tight end), Zack Martin (offensive line), Tyler Stockton nose guard), Chris Watt (offensive line) and Cierre Wood (running back).

For those who have played their four years and will be moving on for sure we offer our thanks and best wishes:  Braxton Cave^ (center), Mike Golic Jr.^ (offensive line), John Goodman^ (wide receiver), Kapron Lewis-Moore^ (defensive end), Dennis Mahoney^ (offensive line), Dan McCarthy^ (safety), Jamoris Slaughter^* (safety), Blake Breslau (safety), Jordan Cowart (long snapper), Nick Fitzpatrick (wide receiver), Zeke Motta (safety), Grant Patton (defensive end), Theo Riddick (running back), Chris Salvi (safety), Will Salvi (cornerback), Matt Tansey (offensive line), Nick Tausch (kicker), Manti Te’o (linebacker), Robby Toma (receiver), and Ben Turk (punter).

*Applying to the NCAA for a 6^th year.

^Fifth Year Senior

When many of these young men came to South Bend, I am sure they had dreams of playing in the NFL someday, but like any sport the chances of going pro are slim.  However, Notre Dame does have a rich tradition of getting their players to the next level.  According to the NFL, 471 Notre Dame players have been picked by NFL teams since the draft began in 1936, including 63 first round picks and five first picks overall.  Many more found their way onto pro squads through invitations to training camp, free agency, etc.  The Irish also boast ten alumni in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 36 who have won a Super Bowl.

Looking back at the careers of these young men, it is obvious that success has come in different ways and at different levels.  As their final season comes to a close, several are on award watch lists representing their hard work.

Braxton Cave, Sr., C: Lombardi Award Watch List, Outland Trophy Watch List, and Rimington Trophy Watch List

Tyler Eifert, Sr., TE: Mackey Award Semifinalist, Lombardi Award Watch List, Maxwell Award Watch List, Walter Camp Award Watch List, College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (11.11), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (10.22), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (10.14), and College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (9.9)

 

Kapron Lewis-Moore, Sr., DE: Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

 

Zack Martin, Sr., LT: Lombardi Award Watch List and Outland Trophy Watch List

 

Zeke Motta, Sr., S: Thorpe Award Semifinalist

 

Theo Riddick, Sr., RB: Hornung Award Watch List and FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week

(10.22)

 

Manti Te'o, Sr., LB: 2012 National Scholar-Athlete by the National

Football Foundation, Maxwell Award Semifinalist, Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Butkus Award Semifinalist, Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist, Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.29), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (10.28), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (10.22), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (10.22) Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.22), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.15), FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week (9.25), Bednarik Player Of The Week (9.25), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (9.24), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.23), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (9.17), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.17), Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (9.16), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (9.16), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.2), Lott Trophy Watch List, Butkus Award Watch List, Lombardi Award Watch List, Bednarik Award Watch List, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Walter Camp Award Watch List, and Maxwell Award Watch List.

 

Ben Turk, Sr., P: FBS Independent Special Teams Player of the Week (9.17)

 

Cierre Wood, Sr., RB: Maxwell Award Watch List, Doak Walker Award Watch List, Nominated for Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week (10.8)

 

As we say goodbye and reflect on these young men as football players, true fans realize that there are college football players and then there are college football players at Notre Dame.  Below is from the 2012 Notre Dame Football Media Guide and I believe it speaks to what makes the Notre Dame student-athlete unique.

Developing the Complete Student-Athlete

 

Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly and the University of Notre Dame football program are committed to developing each student-athlete in five core areas: intellectual, social, spiritual, skill and physical. These five components combine to give Notre Dame’s football players an enriching education and knowledge base to be successful on the football field and a contributor to their community off the gridiron.

 

Intellectual Development: The University of Notre Dame expects the best out of its student-athletes just as it does of every other student on campus. Notre Dame has had unprecedented academic success among its athletes, including its football players. Since 1962, 98.8 percent of football players who have stayed at Notre Dame at least four years have graduated from Notre Dame.

 

Social Development: With all 50 states and more than 100 nations represented, the University of Notre Dame is one of a handful of universities with a diverse and international student body. Members of the football team are active in groups and clubs on campus and in the South Bend community. Located 90 miles east of Chicago and 45 minutes from Lake Michigan, the University is positioned a short drive from one of the best cities and lakefronts in the country.

Where are we know?

Most teams play their best against Notre Dame and everyone circles the Irish on the calendar when the schedules come out.  As the season wears on, teams see their match up with the Irish as their Super Bowl the game that can make or break their season, especially those teams who are average or are having a below average season, like Pittsburgh, Boston College and Wake Forest.  Notre Dame is different than any opponent a team plays and it shows in their efforts every week.

Many saw the games against Pittsburgh, Boston College and upcoming Wake Forest as tune ups for the Southern Cal and beyond.  After escaping by the skin of their teeth and an underwhelming win over B.C., Wake Forest at 5-5 could be the toughest “tune up “yet.  I’m not saying that the Irish aren’t learning and growing with these games, they’re just not doing it in the manner we had envisioned.  Nobody saw Notre Dame Being 10-0 this deep into the season, but no one thought (either at the beginning of the season or after eight games) that we would be having these issues with the likes of Pitt and Boston College.

After the Oklahoma win, the Fighting Irish looked crisp and clean, with only one penalty in the game on a defensive offside call where Louis Nix knocked their quarterback on his tail.  Since that win, Her Loyal Sons are playing like an entirely different team.  Brian Kelly talked about his team needing to play with the head of a champion.  That head is currently somewhere else.  Don’t get me wrong, there have been good plays to be sure, but they have been offset by penalties, mistakes and sloppy play.   Play like that against better teams, such as USC and even Wake Forest will land a mark in the loss column for sure.

The most important game is always the next one, and if you don’t believe me, ask Alabama or any team that you thought would win out.  Kelly has done a good job keeping this team grounded despite all “the noise,” and at 10-0 we have to believe Kelly has control of the situation.  At the same time, we are talking about 18-22 year olds in a very unique and unfamiliar situation.  Veterans on the team are now at a place they were hoping to be at when they signed with Notre Dame, and the younger players have never been on this kind of stage before (and no, winning a high school state championship is in no way even close).

This program is not run like a traditional undefeated, 10-0, #3 ranked team.  Brian Kelly has his “process” and it’s working.  The players have bought in, the coaches have bought in as have the fans (including this one to a point).  However, many poll voters have not.  Many in the media knock Kelly’s Irish for not being flashy enough or offensively dominant enough, especially against weaker teams.  Over and over, I hear comparisons to Oregon and Kansas State and how they have scored on offense to gain their “style points.”   In contrast, Notre Dame gains their “style points” on defense and has not given up the points like Oregon (22.3 points per game, including a high of 51 against USC) and Kansas State (17.7 per game including a high of 30) compared to Notre Dame’s 11.1 points per game with a high of 26 in three overtimes. 

Notre Dame’s defense outshines the defenses of both Kansas State and Oregon and if pollsters, fans and the media recognized that a little more, the Irish would be more prevalent in the National Championship conversation.  Let’s take a more in depth look at defensive statistics for these teams.

Season Cumulative	Notre Dame	Kansas State	Oregon
Total Yards Allowed	2952	3501	3777
TD’s Allowed	8	18	27
Points Allowed	111	177	223
Sack / Yards	31 / 213	27 / 174	24 / 138

I like the big plays, I want Golson to scramble for big yardage, for Atkinson to return a kickoff 99 yards for a score or Wood to break tackles for a 50+ yard touchdown run.  Make no mistake, the Irish are capable of all of that and more, but this team reminds me of a saying:  It is the steady drip that wears away the rock not the big splash. 

Notre Dame has the steady drip, and we’ve also got a “big splash” player in Manti Te’o, who I would take over any offensive weapon on any team in the country.  If you think otherwise, watch these video clips, and very little of what you will see is about being a great football player, but rather, about being a great person playing football.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdAmbTzt7rE&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao109a38uVY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_P1rcOAwEA&feature=related