Linked article on South Bend Tribune, heavy on talking to former Irish kicker Nick Setta about kicking, but also a stat comparision between the 2007 and 2008 teams, it's mind boggling how bad we were after 5 games last year compared to this year. Also in the aritcle is a comment Weis made in his press conference about while he hopes he never has to start a true freshman at QB ever again, but that if Clausen hadn't played last year we wouldn't be where we are this year. And it was noted that Will Yeatman has his Res Life hearing this week and is still practicing with the team, but no word as yet on what his punishment will be. ND Article
<pre> Here's a statistical snapshot of the Notre Dame football team's 2008 season through five games compared to 2007 through five games: Category 2007 2008 Overall record 0-5 4-1 Points per game 9.2 25.8 First downs 62 95 Rushing yards 152 518 Avg. per rush 0.9 3.3 Avg. per game 30.4 103.6 Passing yards 822 1,248 C.-Att.-Int. 90-140-5 104-171-6 Comp. Pct. 60.8 60.8 Avg. per catch 5.6 7.3 Avg. per game 164.4 249.6 TD passes 3 12 Total offense 974 1,766 Avg. per play 3.2 5.4 Avg. per game 194.8 353.2 Fumbles-Lost 15-7 8-3 Pen.-Yards 39-318 29-239 3rd-down conv. 20-76 22-65 Sacks allowed 29 5 </pre>
Wow! I had no idea our 2007-to-date stats were so unbelievably anemic. I guess I was in such a state of shock at this time last year that I could not comprehend how truly bad we were. Thanks, Terry.
ND <r>I think we should take the whole damn 2007 season and forget it ever happened! The season we are having now is what should have been last year. <br/> <br/> All we need to do this year is get back a little respect. <E>8)</E></r>
ND/UNC <r>Just listening to the talking heads on most of the College Football Preview shows and it appears they are pretty much in agreement that ND is going down in this one. No one seems to be giving the Irish much if any chance. <br/> <br/> To hear them talk, you would think NC is on the same level with USC! Also they all seem to have man crushes on Butch Davis!!! <br/> <br/> I'm hearing things like NC is much more "athletic across the board", they have more "speed", there defense is more "physical" and the have "12 interception" this far. <br/> <br/> Hell, I guess the Irish are just a bunch of Div ! wannabes with no talent, speed, athleticism etc. <br/> <br/> I have taken much more interest in this game now than I had before. For the reasons mentioned above, I hope ND totally destroys these guys. I'm sorry, I just don't see on paper where they are that much better. <br/> <br/> I know that ND hasn't given anyone much reason to have confidence in them after last season but these idiots are clueless as far as I'm concerned. <br/> <br/> Unless they are counting on a repeat of the UCONN debacle by the ND offense and special teams, this should be a close game that will probably be won by the team that commits the least turnovers. <br/> <br/> I'm not predicting an Irish win but I don't think this will be an easy game for UNC either. Who knows, the Irish just might be able to beat this team of far superior athletes if they have some luck. <E>8)</E><br/> <br/> "THE HELL WITH NORTH CAROLINA"</r>
I'm with ya Tim. We'll show up with the shiny gold helmets to give it the ole college try. We'll start with the coin flip and go from there.
I keep saying to myself that younger teams improve the most from game to game. I think that there was marked improvement from SDSU to Purdue. One game's experience doesn't do much for a senior but it's important to a freshman or a soph. I hope that they learned a lot from MSU. They need to keep their poise on the road and protect the football. Turnovers kept us from being in a position to win against the Spartans. (that and miserable FG attempts.) Let's hope that the second road game is different.
Given that UNC is also a young team I'm sure they are counting on the game by game improvement as well. I see that Mike Frank has predicted a 24-21 UNC victory on Sat. I don't know what to think. Everybody is scared to death of their ballhawking defense and their WR's/Punt returners. I'm not really so afraid of their defense, I'm sure it's a good defense but Zach Frazer put up some pretty decent numbers against them and it was his first start ever so I think Jimmy can handle thier defense. I think it basically gets down to turnovers, we were in the game at MSU except for the turnovers, in fact if we don't turn the ball over I think we win that game. Also in a close game we are clearly in a bad situation with regards to our FG kicker, who will be Brandon Walker again. I predict if we don't turn the ball over we'll maul them!! I'm going for ND 42 UNC 14. To Hell with North Carolina!!
As much... <t>As I hate to pick against my guys its 27-13 Carolina. I think they control the football all day. Could be an ugly Saturday. Love to be wrong.<br/> Now I'm pickup the phone and ordering a new Glass End Table that just came out from the Danbury Mint. The thing is beautiful and they found a willing buyer in me.</t>
I'm jumping on Terry's wagon.........but I'm holding on loosely so I can jump off if he's wrong. :lol: P.S. I'm in Indy this weekend and have learned that our game will be pre-empted by the local ABC affiliate in favor of Purdue-Ohio State. Ugh!
Jif my man that very good UConn team was guided by Notre Dame reject Zach Frazer!! UNC has to beat the real deal this week in Jimmy Clausen!!
Sid, You should be able to see it on ESPN then I believe. They flip the games that way. Larry, UNC, while good, has not been strong in the TOP all year. I hope that continues and we dominate.
Thanks, Corey. I hope you are right. Worst case, we'll listen on my son's Sirius radio. We'll miss the first quarter anyway because of my twin 5 yr. old granddaughters' soccer game, which as you can appreciate is a slightly higher priority than the FB game.
Sid here's the coverage map on the game. It appears to me that Indy is in the same area for these games as the Detroit area. We should have it on ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=coveragemaps2008