So my first thought was where do they find the time to get enough reps for 3 frosh QBs to be ready to play this week. Then I remembered....
Uh...Go Blue! Hadda laugh at Bobda's decription of a one-game turnaround in fan's expectations... I told Crazy John I'm not sure which way I can't stand him the most...disconsolate after losses or insufferable after a UM win... I mean...they did well...and W. Mich has beat some B10 teams...but it's still W. Mich.
nd/mICH <t>Bobda,<br/> <br/> Smug....wooooh now. With all due respect I don't think I said anything that would make anyone think I was overly confident about a win for the Irish sat. I simply stated that I felt ND SHOULD win the game. That doesn't mean they WILL.<br/> <br/> Lord knows after the past two seasons I'm not confident of victories over any team on our schedule. <br/> <br/> <br/> I just thought I saw more of a BAD W. Michigan team than a GOOD UM last sat when I watched the game. Hell, UM may beat ND and win the big 10 for all I know. <br/> <br/> I wish I was confident of ND chances but until a see a complete season that ends with about 10 wins I'm skeptical about a victory in any game.</t>
My worst fears go back to watching WVA vs Georgia in the Sugar Bowl that was played in the Georgia Dome after Katrina. They came out with a freshman qB in Pat White, and a freshman RB in Steve Slaton and just ran over a good Georgia team. I fear that the UM QB's will gash us like Pat White gashed Georgia. Of course that was at the end of their freshman season and this is at the begining of the UM QB's seasons. But I still have that as my big nightmare.
We ND fans have been so snakebitten in recent years that it's hard to feel confident. In our college pick'em game, I picked ND to win but gave it only 2 confidence points because I'm so nervous that the sky may fall on us. I learned many years ago to cheer for ND with all my heart but to bet (and play fantasy pick'em) with my head.
Sid, I wish you had not revealed your confidence points in that game. Terry is going to accuse me of copying off you. :wink:
Hopefully confidence points and the ND/UM game won't make any difference for those who picked ND. :!: :!:
The average of everyone in the contest (not just our group) that picked Notre Dame is 4 confidence points. Those picking Michigan averaged 3.2 confidence points.
Ha ha! I thought about it before I revealed my pick. It's only one of - what? - 21 picks? Heck, on paper it's a close matchup. At least I know I'll do better than some who made the mistake of choosing Michigan. :twisted:
Bobda, I couldn't agree with this more. One thing is certain, in 48 hrs, one side's confidence will have taken a major blow if not come crashing down entirely. You make a good point about defending M's offense, but I just don't think that is in Tenuta's blood. He's going to blitz coming off the bus. He is the Baskin-Robbins of blitz. If I had to guess, he's going to try to throw a little bit of everything at it to see what sticks. If he can get you in long down and distance passing situations on 3rd down, expect the kitchen sink. M's defensive line, to me, will be the real indicator of how far our OL has come. If we can protect Clausen and produce a 100 yard rusher, I will feel good about the work Verducci has put in. If ND can establish even a solid running game in this contest, then we can try to establish some advantageous matchups in the passing game. I want so badly to feel confident about this game but I know the history of this rivalry too well to give into that.
Manti Te'o is going to start, they are moving Brian Smith to MLB. Supposedly Toryan is injured, but I don't remember hearing that during the week. Maybe Weis is figuring that we need Manti's speed on the outside. GO IRISH
I feel the same way. The Irish are ahead of the Wolverines in their rebuilding effort, and starting a true Frosh against Tenuda does not bode well for Michigan. This shouldn't be close.
Terry, so far 4possessions by the Irish and we have not shown any ability to stop the run which makes Clausen even more dangerous.
I'm happier now. As you said we are running the ball some and it appears (at least for now) that ND WR vs UM CB's favors ND. 17-14