Holy shit, and welcome back to the IBG. It’s a horrible name for a great bunch of bloggers who have come together to share thoughts and answer obscure and not-so-obscure questions about The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Let’s get started…
This weeks Gathering is hosted by Domer Law. He was the first to answer the call that I put out to the other members, for some help to kick the season off. So, let’s get rolling…
1. My season preview included music video footage for each position group. What song or video do you feel typifies this year’s Notre Dame team heading into the season? Embed a youtube or other similar video if possible.
I’m not sure if I can express this enough. I truly believe that 2009 will be very much like the 2005 season. I usually don’t compare season from the past to what they are now- but I started the comparison with the 2004 and 2008 team last year, and it’s spilling into this year. I fully expect the 2009 team to be as explosive offensively as the 2005 squad, but what excites me even more, is the possibilities that the Irish have on defense. If the 2005 squad had the 2009 version (or even the 2008 version), they may have been undefeated in the regular season.
You get the point… right? So, I’ll kind of cheat here and give you this old, glorious clip.
2. Post a picture that to you portrays the attitude of this year’s team and discuss.
OK. So that’s 2 pictures, and it’s a little sappy- but this answers the question. I am jacked up, and you can see from the determination on the eyes of my daughter- she is too. Yesterday was “Flag Day” in the Subway Domer household. My wife baked me a football cake, and my daughter and I put out the ND flag. It flies from the first week of the season, until after the Blue & Gold game.
But what this picture really shows is family. That is what, by all accounts, this team has really turned itself into- a real family. They are all there for eachother- and for their coach. A lot of the key players were on the disastrous 2007 team, and a few more were on last years team that unraveled in the last half of the regular season. In a year that has lofty expectations for everyone involved in the program, they will need eachother to keep their edge and their focus as the season progresses. This is what family does for you.
3. What do you perceive as the team’s biggest weakness heading into the season?
The uncertainty of both the offensive and defensive lines. I’m not sure if you could call that a weakness, but it is what I see as a possible weakness, and that could kill us if things don’t work out the way we want them to.
The offensive line is getting moved around, and have a new starter at LT that was our original starter at LT in 2007 (not much praise for that year). How will this line play as a unit? This is the key to the entire offense.
The defensive line will depend upon a lot of unproven youth in their 2 deep rotation. If the youngsters can really contribute, than the entire defense will benefit. If the defensive line is limited to just 3 or 4 players, than we may see a lot of issues rushing the passer and stuffing the run.
Hogs. Gotta give it.
4. With the exception of the 1990s, Notre Dame has won a National Championship in every decade since the 1920s. What are the chances (a) that Notre Dame wins a championship this year, and (b) if not this year, when do you predict the next championship for the Irish?
This is a loaded question. But, I will answer it as honestly as I possibly can.
A. The chances are very good that ND GETS to the Title game- but if they have to play Florida (most likely opponent), Texas, or Oklahoma… I just see them getting crushed. I don’t see a title in 2009.
B. 2010. Mark it down. Every one comes back- and they finally take the title. (Isn’t life great?!)
5. Nevada runs the Pistol offense, Navy the Triple Option, and Michigan the Spread Option. Which offensive scheme do you think is the most difficult to prepare for, and why?
I have to go with the pistol. The “spread option” is so widely used anymore, that most teams see it at least 6 times a year. In Notre Dame’s case (and the only case that should matter), they see the triple option every year, so there is some familiarity to defending it, albeit for one game. The pistol is unique and is very effective in both the run and pass game. Tricky, tricky.
6. Is Colin Capaernick the best quarterback we’ll see this year? If not, who is?
He certainly has the stats to back that claim up, but… no. Who? I’m not really sure of the who, but it ain’t him. My money will be on either Barkley or Corps- whichever one is starting when we play them.
7. Prediction time. We have to get on the record before the season kicks off. Give me:
(1) Overall prediction for wins/losses. 11-1. We will beat U$C, but that one loss is going to sting, and I’m not sure who it is just yet. Probably MSU or PITT- but we BEAT $C THIS YEAR.
(2) Projected bowl game and result. I’m not sure which one- but a BCS bowl. What the hell… we beat Georgia Tech.
(3) Predicted final ranking. #5
(4) Best player on the team. Jimmy shows why he was the #1 recruit in 2007.
(5) Heisman trophy winner. Colt McCoy. Not because he will deserve it, but because everyone wants to give it to him right now.
(6) National Champion. Florida. We all know this to be true.
(7) Prediction for Nevada game, including score. IRISH 49-17.
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