Wolfpack are one of the best WAC teams. The best WAC team is Boise State. So these guys are no opening game patsy. Only a few of the top 25 have tougher opening games. Oregon has Boise State ...both in the top 25 OU has BYU...both in the top 25 Ok.State has Georgia...both in the top 25 FSU has Miami ...only FSU in top 25 Cal has Maryland....only CAL in top 25 Ohio State has Navy...a solid football team. everybody else pretty much has a complete patsy. In the last 10 years with the exception of 2005 against Pitt, when the Irish came out guns a blazing we have not really had any big wins, wins yes but mostly tough harder fought wins than we'd like. I'm hopeful that this years Irish will come out like the Brady Quinn lead 2005 Irish and demolish Nevada. Nevada not only runs an odd offense that nobody really see's much but they have that great athletic QB and they have a couple of RB who have both had 1000 yd seasons. So naturally I'm concerned about our defense, which has a lot of young guys on the DL. I'm hopeful that this being Tenuta's 2nd year that the schemes are more familar and that those blitzes that didn't seem to ever get to the QB against SDSU last year will get to the Nevada QB and force turnovers. Go Irish.
This should be a replay of the Hawaii game...if we are as good as we think we are. The Nevada pass defense was last in the nation, I think, last year. We have as good a stable of receivers as anyone in the country and a veteran QB. If our O-line blocks and we can run the ball we should win this one.... 38-10.
I think the athleticism of the Nevada QB should be a concern as well as their 2 RB's. Our strength is our CB's and Safety's, our LB crew is very young still and our DL is also very young.
Nev <r>The key is controlling their QB. Maryland did a good job of that in their bowl game. If you don't shut him down he'll make some really big plays with his feet. keep him under control and ND should be able to score more than enough points to win this game. <E></E></r>
Nevada's QB was very injured in that game.. what hurt them was their defense. Just win baby, just win.
While the NV rushing offense is Navy-like potent plus an excellent passing attack, they don't play offense 100% of the time. They also must play defense, which is why we have a chance to put enough points on the board to counter theirs. I am hopeful.
Depth Chart is out. Some suprises. Apparently Dan Wenger is not going down without a fight and is in the mix at Guard with Stewart. ND Depth Chart Also Barry Gallup Jr is on the depth chart for KO returns as is James Aldrige. How many teams have their starting FB as a KO returner? Of course they also have Theo Riddick and Shaq Evans two freshman speed burners on the list.
George, I agree with you that the Irish will score at least 38 points but I can't see us holding Nevada to just 10 points. I've seen Kaepernick a few times and he's good. He had over 4000 yards of total offense last year. Plus they have a running back, Vai Tua who rushed for over 1500 yards. I hope I'm wrong but I see this being no more than a ten point victory. PJ in Jersey
And yet, they ended up playing in a bowl. It takes a pretty good offense to overcome that kind of deficit on the D side of the ball. This is a good test for Tenuta and co. We're 14 pt. favorites. I take ND and the points but would take Nev. with 18. Both teams have a large number of returning starters and I expect this to be a less "sloppy" game that a normal opening game.
I'll adjust my points. ND-48- Nevada-20 If we struggle with this team we are looking at a disappointing season. Period.
I'm sure by now you guys have all heard about former ND Linebacker Tom Reynolds billboard by the Linebacker Bar. Best Wishes to Charlie Weis in his 5th year of his College Coaching Internship.... Linebacker Alumni. Turns out to be one of Gips classmates (I think) Tom Reynolds. I see that on one Irish board a member posted the Billboard companies phone number and email. Email server has supposedly gone down and the President of the company's voice mailbox (he's not taking calls) is full. Certainly stirred up a hornets nest. I think it's a low blow esp for an alumni/letterman. Billboard
He was class of '67, one year after I graduated and 2 years before Gip graduated. He was a linebacker, but I don't remember him. Can you imagine the treatment he will receive from the fans if he or any of his cronies show up in the t-shirt he described? They will be jeered and booed, rightfully so. One glaring and sad aspect of the sign is that it is directly next to a sign supporting Hannah & Friends, Weis' charity named for his daughter. My feelings are well expressed by comments made by ND's AD, Jack Swarbrick, in an article in the SB Tribune: Here is the link to the SBT article for those who care to read it: Controversial Sign Near ND Campus
"Just win baby!" Al Davis was correct... speaking about pro football. In college football its a ticket to anonymity. If we beat this team by 3 TDs or more we will move up in the rankings. If we win by 10-20 we will probably stay where we are. If we win by 10 or less we will be heading in the wrong direction. In College football, well, it's like this guy said.... "crush your enemies, see them driven before you... and to hear the lamentation of their women!"