I'll be at this one and so will everyone else around here. Irish Dave will be there; my boss will be there; even some of my students are going and they're making the trip all the way from the High Desert... The Bruins have had problems installing their new, complicated West Coast Offense and HC Karl Dorrell is under fire, but they have seniors everywhere. QB Ben Olsen has a cannon. They're pretty good, but not as good as they thought they were. The Irish can pull an upset here if the kiddies get their act together...
I'll be rooting for Notre Dame to win that game and hope it puts an end to some of the crap around here. Good luck for that and other reasons spelled out in my other post.
This might be <t>the most talented team we've played to date.<br/> <br/> They also have Kaptain Karl has HC so that gives us a chance. This team may not have the best defensive scheme, but I think they have much more defensive talent than any opponent we've faced to date.<br/> <br/> This one has both promise, and the danger of a set back.</t>
I've seen marked improvement in the past two weeks. What concerns me most is our inability to stop the run especially in the first half. It seems like every week, some RB is gaining 6-7 yds. a pop. If our special teams can stop drinking the hemlock, if we can win the turnover battle, and if we can be consistant the whole game, we can win this one. It will be interesting to see who's starting at QB and WR.
Sid <r><E></E><br/> The team has shown areas of great improvement and made strides in the last two games.<br/> <br/> As Gip pointed out, we've had trouble stopping the run early. UCLA runs very well.<br/> <br/> We've had trouble with some 'big play' WRs at times and not one of our opponents to date have had the quality of WRs that UCLA has.<br/> <br/> Did I mention UCLA's incredible return teams?<br/> <br/> Each and every one of their strengths plays directly towards our glaring weaknesses. Add to the mix, this UCLA team is physically more talented than any of our opponents to date.<br/> <br/> Our only hope is Kaptain Karl.</r>
to expand on this <t>UCLA is looking for big revenge in this game.<br/> <br/> Quite often in 'revenge' games, if you don't knock the opponent out early... the team who came in looking to do the knocking out finds themselves in a dog fight they weren't planning on getting into.<br/> <br/> I'm hoping the Irish force the issue here. Some ball control offense would be ideal.<br/> <br/> Olsen has a cannon, but he isn't always the most accurate passer. He is perfect for the Terry O'Keefe, 'you...you go long' Pac10 play. If we can play 2 deep, to keep the passing routes underneath and tackle well, he may make some mistakes.. I'm not the biggest fan of us using 2 deep because I dont like the coverage of TZ in man situations. <br/> <br/> I am still surprised that in TZ's career that we didn't use him more like a roving LB. Pete Carroll has done that for years now with his SS and I think its a role better suited to TZ. He's a head hunter, but not the greatest cover man. I'd like to see Z closer to the LOS with the CBs backed off 7 yards playing inside in mid range downs. I think if we pressure Olson to throw from the 3 step drop downfield, we might be able to catch a few surprises.<br/> <br/> On offense, if we can stretch the field with Tate...I think good things can be done on 3 step drops to skinny posts and underneath routes to Kumara, Parris and Carlson. I'd also like to see some quick hits to the LOS by our RBs. Watching our line, we often create holes but can't sustain them. We need to hit the holes faster...make their LBs commit and play action will be wide open.<br/> <br/> Our defense is thin.. They have big play threats and great RBs. The longer we keep their O on the bench, the better. IMHO, we have to win the time of possession battle (and not by letting them score in 3 plays) in order to have a chance at winning this game.<br/> <br/> Keep away is the flavor of the day.</t>
I hear you loud and clear, Corey. I'm taking UCLA and laying the points. I may go to the home equity line for this one :wink:
The theme around Westwood is anger. They've been furious about what happened in South Bend last year and now they're working themselves into a regular lather...
I think all the nay sayers will soon realize what Charlie is doing.....Call me crazy but I think he is purposely slowly rebuilding from the bottom. (Eventhough he said its not rebuilding) Each game, not sure b/c Clausen is healing or what not but he is letting him pass deeper each game. I believe Weis is taking the O and making them take baby steps each week to build them up slowly, thats his style. As far as the O-Line I am sure he isn't too happy the way they are progressing but they are progressing, just very slowly. Charlie's a smart man and I think he just purposely is taking them along slowly for next year. Maybe this is the week we can see more O. D- lots of guys who really shouldn't be playing, but its all ND has. Next year is where we will see the new and talented D.
:lol: 8) The Optimist Club sez......."an improving 0-6 team"....and...."we'll probably get to 0-8 before we can win one".....and.....Thats Charlie Weis' brillliant plan" I SAY..........YOU ARE ARE DELUSIONALLY ILUCID WITH A TINGE OF CHRONIC INSANE DISCOMBOBULATION FOR GOOD MEASURE Next they'll say......"Weis is so brilliant....look at the way we got that one and only first down in the firs half"....yadayadayada LooneyTunes City 8)
:idea: The Fighting Irish return to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1925. It was Knute Rockne vs. Pop Warner back then, with the Four Horsemen facing off against Ernie Nevers... I live for this and I'll be there.....GO IRISH! ...........JO'Co