Welcome to another weekly IBG on Subway Domer. This weeks gracious host is Whiskey at One Foot Down. The Subway Domer is still chasing after my 8 month old daughter who is completely mobile resting from what was a viscous attack by an angry mob of BC fans a heinous injury at work. Although I was unable to write a Hangover post for BC, I’ll be god damned if I’d miss an IBG.
The Fighting Irish head to San Antonio to face off against the Washington State Cougars. Just writing that sentence makes my pain a little sharper. But, there is nothing to do about it, short of not watching… yeah right.
On to the IBG…
1. The 7-4-1 scheduling model has been the subject of much heated debate amongst Irish fans since it was first announced back in 2006. This week the Fighting Irish will play the first neutral site “barnstorming game” in said model so now is as good of a time as any to weigh in on the controversial subject. What do you think about a) 7-4-1 as a whole, b) the neutral site/ barnstorming game in general and c) specifically playing Washington State in San Antonio.
Like most Irish fans- I despise it in its current format. This scheduling philosophy was supposed to garner games of National interest and be played on a neutral field against a power in that region. Instead, it is just another horrible game in a season of horrible games throughout the country. I’d rather play UTEP or Rice in San Antonio. (I better not give Swarbrick any ideas). It is just silly- silly I tell you. So silly and stupid, that I am forced to embed this video for the second time on this site in less than 24 hours.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkAtnBZBmsM&w=430&h=275]
2. I have personally had this game circled on the schedule for quite some time as the one “sure thing.” After the last few games I have really been looking forward to a drama free victory. As luck would have it I started looking at the Cougars more closely this morning and it appears that freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel went 28 of 42 for 354 yards and 2 TD’s in a losing effort against Cal over the weekend. With the Irish secondary still struggling to get it together what are the chances that yet another freshman signal caller makes this one way more interesting than it should be on Saturday night in San Antonio?
Slim to none. Wazzu is still horrible on their offensive line and lack the playmakers at receiver to really do much. On top of that- their defense is even worse. I doubt they will be able to stop ND at any point in the game.
Still, I could see Tuel throw for a lot of yards- everyone else has.
3. Assuming that the Fighting Irish are able to take care of business and put this one away early what non-starters would you most like to see get some reps this week? Why?
Without a doubt; Dayne Crist. There is still a possibility that Jimmy Clausen will leave early for the NFL Draft. Notre Dame must get Crist ready for that situation or if Jimmy goes down with an injury. I can’t stress how important that is.
Outside of Crist, I would like to see what Zeke Motta offers to the defense.
4 .With the game being played on Halloween Night chances are that if you are not traveling to San Antonio you most likely have a scheduling conflict. Whether you are supposed to be at a party dressed as Fat Elvis, taking your kids trick-or-treating or just dealing with your doorbell ringing nonstop how do you plan to watch the game? If you are going what are you most looking forward to?
As chance would have it, I will be watching the game in superb HD- only because of my groin pull (Weis, you owe me one). I really can’t divulge too much of my plan, as I’m not “supposed” to be able to watch it. However, as irony would have it- a friend by the name of Elvis is helping. I love tricks.
5. Trick or Treat? Predictions please.
Trick. I must have said 20 different scores for this game already, but let’s add the 21st… or is it? I think that ND will flat-out steamroll the Cougars in the first half and jump ahead by 4 TD’s. Notre Dame plugs in its reserves and goes a little conservative, and finishes the game 45-13. Holy shit! Did I just pick ND to cover? I think I did… Muhahahahaha!!!!
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