These guys have been a tough out for the Irish for quite awhile, and I don't think that will change this year. Narduzzi is a quality coach and I have no doubt that inspite of UNC chewing up his defense last weekend that he'll have his team ready for the Irish. I expect that they will take the same approach that Clemson and Temple did to the game, load up and sellout to stop the run, take their chances with a RS Freshman at QB in the passing game. On offense they have one of the best WR's in college in Boyd and according to what I read he's all over the place. Heinz Field is not known as a Death Valley like place to play, and I'm sure the Irish fans in Pitt will be well represented at the game. I'll be surprised if we win by more than a td, both of Pitt's losses were pretty close and to teams in the top 25. UNC and Iowa. Hopefully our OL can get CJ going this week, that will make the passing game much easier. Don't know what will happen at Safety, I guess Farley and Redfield will start and play the 1st half. Redfield is such a wild card, he is physically very talented but seems to be a bit of a head case and doesn't really keep that head in the game. Irish win, but closer than we'd like.
ND <t>I have to say I was surprised when ND came out #5 in the first playoff poll this evening. thought they might not even be voted in the top 10 but hey, sounds good to me. all the more reason ND should take EVERY game including this weekend's game with Pitt very seriously. win out and we got a shot at making it to the playoffs. Lose and...well you know.</t>
Brady Quinn Podcast. http://www.ndinsider.com/football/podcast-brady-quinn-evaluates-notre-dame-qb-deshone-kizer/article_7b1a7512-828d-11e5-9ec4-cb118ef1d38b.html
I think across college football since they have been measuring and making a public deal out of grad rates that the trend has been upwards in terms of grad rates. I think a few schools have been punished for falling below min standards, loss of scholarships I think. Can't remember though who they were. I do remember that UConn Basketball was punished by not being able to play in the Big East Tournament or the NCAA tournament in 2013 when there grad rate was unbelievably awful, single digit. Also I think that rules requiring measured progress towards a degree have also been helpful. It really shouldn't be that hard for most of these kids, every school has academic support programs these days and almost all of these kids go to summer school and can pickup 6-12 hours. So those who stay 4 years should either graduate or be very close. 5th year players should have no problem. One of the latest trends is the lifetime scholarship for these kids, that assumes they are in good standing of course. Leave early for the pro's and don't make it..you can come back and finish your degree for free. I am not sure if that covers tuition/books only or does it include room/board like when they were playing.
ND <t>I watched a lot of the Pitt/NC game last week and wasn't very impressed by what I saw from Pitt. Also, I saw that the stadium was maybe at best 2/3 full and this was supposedly a big game as far as their hopes of winning their division in the ACC. having said that, we see what happens all the time when ND rolls into town. I'm sure it will be a near sellout crowd and Pitt will give ND their best game of the season.</t>
Tim, I watched some the game and noticed the same thing you did. I was surprised at the size of the crowd. Of course, it's a big stadium, but most D-1 schools fill at least 75-80% of the seats. That wasn't the case last Saturday.
Nice article on Kizer on SI. http://www.campusrush.com/deshone-kizer-notre-dame-fighting-irish-1439974450.html
Unrelated, but I see where ND freshman basketball player Ali Patberg tore her ACL in practice and will be lost for the year. She's from Sid's area, really great HS career would likely have been a big contributor to the womens team this year. Has to be so discouraging to kids like that, have worked so hard to get into position to live a dream and have the rug pulled out from under you. I have no doubt she'll be back and back very strong.
ND <t>Change in travel for the Irish. Seems they flew out to Pittsburgh this eve instead of Friday. Makes sense consider they game starts so early on Saturday..</t>
That's very smart. A trap a lot of Pac12 teams have fallen into over the years is to schedule a midwest or east coast team that has a noon kickoff, then they don't fly out until the night before. I can't count how many times I've seen teams against so so opposition look doggish in the first half or wind up blowing the game.
Yeah it's not the flight length, it's the early start. Kelly wants the team in Pittsburgh so they could get up early today do a full game day walk through and a practice at 11 to mimic Saturday. If we win he's a genius, if not an even bigger boob. 8)
Hockey beat the Golden Gophers last nght 4-3, we play again tonight. That's 4 games this year with Minn teams, we had 2 ties with Minn-Duluth and now a win vs Minn.