b) How much do you think LVS is getting paid to write about MSU football? I’ll give you a clue: it’s very close to the amount you get paid to post inane comments here.

I, for one, am hoping the line shifts slightly toward ND (it usually does, as kjattoc alluded it, ND does get a good amount of action generally), and then I’ll bet a large sum on Michigan State just to hedge the unhapiness I will feel if ND loses.

ND has a solid defense … and lets not forget they get back cierre wood who is a true playmaker in the screen game and finding space off the edges.

big road test …. ND last 10 years would tell you they will blow this game, this is not the last 10 years.

I find it pretty funny (no actually I find it small) that what’s his name who wrote the MSU responses above, in a giddy and silly sort of ignorance, thought enough to come and troll our board.

Isn’t there some other sparty hack we could have quizzed?

Golson had to burn timeouts to get the correct play called last week despite being at hoe. Can u imagine how rattled he’ll get in Sparty Stadium?

ND just needs to play hard and patient and they will win.

Looking forward to the our first big test. We certainly have the weapons to win the battle, how well we will execute on Saturday is what worries me.

GO Irish!!!

Either way I think anyone would admit that Purdue is a good team, right now that close win doesn’t look impressive but I think it will later in the season when Purdue mounts a good year.

Go Irish.

Go Irish

Like others have said, I think this really comes down to 2 related things:
1) which defense gets to the inexperienced quarterback on the opposing team, creating …
2) turnovers

On Golson – In the 2nd half of the Purdue game, I had concern with him holding onto the ball for too long (on the fumble I was screaming “throw it away!” at the top of my lungs … my wife had to come check on me). The kid wants to make a play, which is awesome but we all know what can happen. Second, as many have commented, he needs to get better at what Kelly called his “housekeeping” – getting the plays in, the offense lined up, etc. I hope he watches his game tape over and over and is able to make that mental leap. Both of these issues are fixable (talent is not … but I think we’re fine on that) and the last game could be the learning experience he needed to take the next step against a great Spartan defense.

How ND plays as a team in this game will really let us know what their identity is this season. I feel like I don’t know exactly what we have yet. Last year we did not do so well in big games; they seemed too big. I was in the stands for USC and felt like the hype was just too much and that both the fans and the players became way too demoralized after a couple of bum plays. This year, I think Purdue showed us that we can bend but not break and win with quiet confidence, that we can overcome adversity. If we execute, the Irish can and will win.

I’m breaking out the popcorn for this one. I hope its great battle and both teams play their hearts out, culminating in an Irish win.

GO IRISH!

“If there’s one weak point on the defense, it’s probably on the interior of the line.”

It’s hard to do — MSU is good — but if we limit the turnovers and we get our guy Golson some time to throw the ball (Golic you better play a lot better this week), I think we’ll do all right because our defense is so strong. That assumes a lot, though – including a prolific offensive line that protects the quarterback. Let’s get it done!

Go Irish!