Talking Irish-Cougs with Subway Domer

Good afternoon Cougs. Just a couple of more days from right about now and we’ll almost be at kickoff. Is it me, or has this been a LONG week? Anyway, today, we have another feature, doing that Q&A blog thing again. Yesterday was NBC, today we roll with Bloguin’s own Subway Domer. The Domer runs a good Irish site, constantly updating the Bloguin community on all things Notre Dame. Longball weighed in on the Cougar questions, and you can find them here over at SubwayDomer.com.

Want to know even MORE about Notre Dame on Saturday? Continue on….

1) Notre Dame’s offense has been strong through the air, as Jimmy Clausen is on just about every Heisman list out there. But what’s with the running game at 76th in the country? Is it much of a concern, or is it that the passing game is so strong that it really hasn’t been an issue this year?

Domer: The running game is actually doing what it is supposed to do. While the running game is ranked 76th, as you stated, the total offense is ranked #15. The running game is used to set up the pass and add balance to what is one of the best passing offenses in the country.

Some Irish fans are screaming for more production out of the running game- as if 200 yards a game is really necessary for this team to score points. We pass the ball well, but Armando Allen and Robert Hughes have done pretty much everything that I have expected them to. And besides- we have had too many close games with little time left to rack up “junk” yards on the ground.

2) Kyle Rudolph is off to a great start this year, one of the best young tight-ends in the country. His near-TD catch vs. USC was a sight to behold. I know it’s early, but, where do Irish fans see Rudolph in the grand scheme of Notre Dame football history? Are we looking at one of the best to ever play the position in South Bend?

Domer: I feel that Rudolph is probably going to go down as the best TE in Irish history- but with an asterisk. I doubt he will match the stats of former Irish greats Ken MacAfee and Jim Seymour, but those were players from an era where they were THE number one target. Rudolph has guys like Floyd, Tate, Prater (getting ahead of myself), around him to take a lot of balls.

But, to reiterate- I think he is not only will be one of the greatest ever in South Bend, but there is a league called the NFL, that is drooling to get him there as quickly as possible.

3) Notre Dame ranks pretty low in total defense, now 97th in the country. What’s going on there? And what kind of defensive schemes can WSU expect to see on Saturday? Will they throw the kitchen sink at young Jeff Tuel?

Domer: A lot of things are not going on. There are many, many possible reasons why the defense is playing so poorly- but the fact of the matter is, is that they are giving up way too many big plays. This is largely due to 4 things:

A less than stellar pass rush. The blitz is getting home… a half second late.
Poor safety play- period. One is rolled up against the run (which BTW- the run defense is much improved, since the Michigan game). The other is lost in space, floating 15 yards away from the play.
Bad tackling- which has improved with the addition of Te’o as a full-time starter and better technique emphasised in practice.
The corners are giving more cushion than they probably need- but since there is a small pass rush, no safety help, and worried that the running back may break through the front 7, well you get the point.

You will get blitzed. You will see Harrison Smith jump in the air coming off of the edge 12 times. But, you will also see Manti Te’o go insane, Incredible Hulk style.

4) Linebacker Manti Te’o was a huge recruit “win” for Charlie Weis last year, one of the most heralded linebackers in the country. What is the buzz so far on him? Does he look like the real thing, or is it simply too early to tell?

Domer: Didn’t i just say something about Te’o? Hmm… interesting. I personally feel that he was promoted a little late. He tackles through people. He is an incredible specimen, and if he stays at ND instead of going on a mission, he will be an All-American next year. Seriously.

5) Finally, prediction time. What are the odds the Irish JUST MIGHT overlook little ‘ol WSU?? Does this have any feel whatsoever of a “trap” game for the Irish? What happens on Saturday??

Domer: Notre Dame is a different breed of program. ND gets every teams best shot every week. It is just different. Because of this, they generally don’t “look past teams,” but they do have a tendency to play down to the competition. I’m a betting man, and I would bet that ND does not come close to covering the spread. Well, maybe close- but they won’t win by 30. I’m guessing: IRISH 42-13. OK so maybe it’s a push.

Thanks to the Domer for the info. I think we’ve learned enough about the Irish this week, don’t you? I think we’re ready to get this thing on.

GO COUGS!

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Talking Irish-Cougs with Subway Domer

Alan Draper

Alan Draper

Alan Draper