1994 all over again.
Just got my tickets today. May not be on the field this time, but at least I'll be in the building.
Go Blue!
Nice preview.
I was reading the preview up at BGS (if that name can still be mentioned) and their evaluation of Branch was high comedy. Basically it said "Last year shows you can run at him." Um, sure, if you mean, "You can run in his direction given that the ridiculous stork of a defensive tackle playing next to him will have been blown seven yards off the ball, creating a two-yard wide abyss in the d-line." Hopefully, this game will demonstrate our suckitude against the run was all Pat Massey.
I'm also lighting candles right now to keep both the Mike Hart ankle-and-hamstring-hating-god and Tacopants away.
Could someone please explain to this non-expert what's meant by the 3-3-5, especially where Brian says, "unless the front four gets consistent pass rush." Who are the first "3"? Branch, Taylor, Biggs? Where's Woodley? Is Woodley at linebacker? Or, Woodley, Taylor, Branch? Where's Biggs in this scenario?
3-3-5 thus far has been Woodley-Taylor-Branch with Crable playing standup somewhere near the line, with Harris and Burgess playing "true" LB. This is a somewhat random recollection, but I think you can refer to Crable as a "flexed end", which is what Arizona used to run, except out of the 4-3. I think. Basically, it's Nickel, but with a more interesting and disguisable alignment.
Floyd... for the 3-3-5 stack, one of them would be on the bench, or Woodley/Crable will line up as an OLB.
Andrew - That review of Branch was not our own opinion. We were just posting the opinion of some Michigan person who allegedly was at Michigan practices throught the spring and fall. Every team claims to have "insiders". We don't know how legit this guy is, but he was rather detailed and we thought it might stir up interesting conversation, so we posted it. If anything it will give fans of both sides things to look for in the game.
As for the preview Brian, nice work.
A few things to add from the ND side of things.
The starting fullback, Asaph Schwapp, hurt his knee against Penn State. He should be back, but might not be 100% Will that affect ND's pass blocking? Not sure. Schwapp has been inconsistent blocking so far this year.
As for the UM pass rush, Woodley at least will have to go against 4 year starter Ryan Harris. Biggs on the other hand gets freshman Sam Young, in his 3rd game ever. He did a good job in the first two games, but hasn't face someone of Biggs' caliber yet, despite PSU fans assurance that they reload faster than USC.
As for the ND DL penetration talk, it stems from the fact that they are undersized, quick DTs as opposed to larger beasts like Branch and Taylor. Since ND used the nickel about 95% of the time the first two games, the DL were double teamed a lot due to the lack of the extra linebacker and hence, they were rather ineffective. In one on one they can get by an OL now and again, but in double team situations, their lack of size hurts them.
Gotcha, Pat. Sorry for the misrepresentation.
Is this the weekend that Jamison gets unleashed? In the Freep today (god, I'm not getting any work done) English raves about him again. Any word on his ankle?
None. He did play a bit versus Central but not much.
All I can say is, this game is the season for Michigan (10 out of 10 desperation level is right!). Win and it's a success. Lose and it's failure. We need this game a lot more than they do. My only expectation is a close game. I'm nervously excited, but have no true inclination on who will win. The only thing giving me solace at this point (quite a bit of it) is Mike Hart. He saved us at MSU last year, and we are equally desperate now. OK, so I guess I said a few things...
Please, no more comments concerning "media bukkake." It gives me a mental image of Beano Cook doing things he probably hasn't been able to do since The Great War.
I realize it's a bit boring to talk about, but I'm surprised the field goal kicking and special teams haven't been discussed more. This is especially the case given the impact they've had on prior games. Is Gioia really a 2/4 kicker, or did he just have a bad game against GT? And can Zbikowski lend him a consonant?
Who knows, MRG? I sure hope so.
Ummmm, I hate to be a dick (ok, no I don't) but Charlie Weis will NOT be playing tailback. If only because him and Gabe Watson are on the same diet.
Loved the preview. Looking forward to a good game and am only hoping it ends up being more pleasant for the Irish than it does for the "M". And by "M", yes, I do mean Menopause.
Seriously though, I hope that we do get D-Line penetration back. For whatever reason, it HAS been more or less absent. I definitely expect more from Derek Landri whose '05 stats did not do his talents justice. Just go pop in the USC game.
As for rush defense, we did play Calvin Johnson (who couldn't be tackled by the Justice League) and the three-headed WR monster that is PSU. Why worry about RB's that are vastly inferior to WR's (don't mind me, it's just my blind optimism talking. have any more kool-aid)? I do think we tackled better against PSU and players not named CALVIN!
As for punt returns, Zbikowski has found some success there. PSU Game aside. I think, if any thing, punt's would be a wash between the two teams. ...Assuming Breaston brings his pulse to the game.
Go Irish.
oops, forgot to shed light on Goia. The story is that his foot placement was off against GT and that that's why he missed. While that seems reasonable given that he was perfect against PSU, I don't think there's an ND fan that would wager their commemorative-green-jersey on his next kick. But, were talking about green jersey's here. You guys no how awesome those are, right?
Brian,
Great job on the preview. If Michigan wins, please drink away but then take a cab to South Bend for the finger treatment...
Just sayin' (besides, it will give you more time to drink!)
Most ND fans have no idea about Gioia. He missed a few kicks in the spring game and everyone expected the incoming freshman, Burkhart, to easily take the kicking job. Then Gioia came out of fall camp with the starting job. He looked bad against GT. He looked passable against PSU. Who knows what we'll get against Michigan. My gut feeling is that he's going to be somewhat inconsistent all year long and that's why I really hope that game doesn't come down to a field goal kicking contest.
Brian - disagree somewhat about Rivas. He did miss the chipshot against MSU last year but that's about the only pressure kick I can recall him missing. His kicks aren't pretty but they usually sneak through.
Re-Run: Thanks for the input re: Gioia. If he needs further help regarding foot placement, I can give him Philip Brabbs' cell number.
Before I leave work tonight, I just want to say good luck and GO BLUE!
You will pay dearly for using the expression "pin their ears back." What's next, Hart getting "untracked?"
Brian, Great job on the preview, the UFR's, and moderating the fun that is "Game Thread: Notre Dame"...
Again, I'm with you on Rivas from 35 for the win; 27-24. I would be happy, of course, with a less stressful finish (especially given my level of stress/anticipation at 5:25 on friday afternoon), but agree that many match-ups tilt to either side, making this a great game to watch, and win.
Friends and I will be drinking scotch to voice our displeasure with all things irish for one day (nope, no guiness either). I'm sure people here have their favorites, but if not, a glass of the Macallan's 10 or 12 won't disappoint...
hopefully we have no reasons to throw them at the tv tomorrow!
GO BLUE!
You will pay dearly for using the expression "pin their ears back." What's next, Hart getting "untracked?"
Guilty as charged. I will take my whipping like a man.
Brian: very nice job on the preview (and that's coming from a Domer). Personally, I'm hoping that the Weis-guy has been much more vanilla regarding the ND 'O' than we believe; GT's long rushing gains and PSU's success on the ground point to the seeming 'Hart' of Notre Dame's problems in this contest. So, will the outcome prove to be the usual: pregame certainty is reversed, UM scores 1 rushing TD, and Henne lights up Mickland? I'll say that, by mid-2nd qtr, we'll all have the feeling for this game. Either UM has the Irish needing to respond to each drive, or BQ and the Awe-fense cornerstone a decade of dominance (and....decline under the trees in...AA?).
Again, fine writing and composition in the preview.
Go 1rish!
ps
BTW - what type tree is most notable in Ann Arbor?
Between the phrases "on the sidelines, asking for oxygen and pie" and "Weis Media Bukkake", there's no question that you win at the internets today.
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