I’m new to this Irish Blogger Gathering thing, but I was asked to host this week’s party. My job -- DJ the evening, select the questions, and make sure everybody behaves.
(All while people probably crack jokes behind my back and make fun of the corporate blogger, an oxymoron if there ever was one...)
As the Irish prepare to take on Michigan State, I had an incredibly difficult time putting together questions that stayed on point for this week’s game, and also took stock of where the Irish are after the honeymoon officially ended last Saturday.
I’ll be updating this link as the answers from around the blogosphere come rolling in, but feel free to use the comments to chime in as well, what with this being the internet and all.
I’ll update and repost this on Friday with my answers, as well, and pick out some of the best points from the comments section.
THE QUESTIONS: (UPDATED WITH MY ANSWERS)
1. Status check: How deflating was the loss to Michigan I could argue that Crist’s injury makes this loss both easier to swallow and even more maddening for Irish fans?
It’s the hypotheticals that kill me. In a transition year, you’re going to expect a few bumps in the road, but I’d have really liked to see the Irish play a complete game against the Wolverines -- with Dayne Crist -- and then let the chips fall where they fall. It’s also got to be old for Notre Dame fans to watch another Michigan quarterback coronation after a last second victory.
2. How critical is this Saturday’s game? Walk away 2-1 and the Irish can feel good about taking on a very able Stanford squad at home next weekend.Walk out of East Lansing with a loss..?
I’m in the uber-critical camp. I’ve seen the way the tide shifts with ND Nation, and all the goodwill in the world will be gone and negativity will invade the masses if the Irish lose this one and start struggling against three pretty solid teams in Stanford, Boston College and Pitt. A loss here could get an ugly boulder rolling, so the Irish need to play a clean football game and seize back the momentum.
3. Why does the rivalry with Michigan State seem to get so little respect?
Probably a mix between its place in the schedule and the lack of national following for the Spartans. This is one of those games that Notre Dame doesn’t seem to get much out of -- a win against Michigan State is met with apathy, but a loss is usually season-crushing. Unfortunately for the Irish, it seems there have been more than a few seasons getting crushed lately at the hands of MSU, though some of the Irish victories had to have felt just as painful for the Sparty faithful.
4. It’s hard to draw too many conclusions from victories over Western Michigan and Florida Atlantic, but what do you expect this Saturday night in Spartan Stadium?
One of those classic boring Michigan State football teams that have guys most people haven’t heard of that just so happen to be bigger, stronger, and faster than the guys wearing Notre Dame uniforms. The potential three-headed monster at running back could cause the Irish problems, but it’s the potential for playaction passing that has me worried after the secondary showed some cracks last weekend. One of the benefits of scheduling cupcakes in your first two weeks is that you’re able to get your team ready to play, and Kirk Cousins has had his chance to work out a few kinks against Western and FAU before taking on a team that stole a victory from him.
5. Best case, worst case, most likely: The Irish’s record after the first six games.
Best case: 5-1
Worst Case: 1-5
Most likely: 4-2 (though a dark part of me is saying 3-3)
6. Let’s leave Michael Floyd out of this for a second. What Irish player needs to step up and play better football?
I’m looking at Darius Fleming. He’s a guy that impressed during spring practice and fall camp, fits the mold of a guy that can play that swing linebacker perfectly in Bob Diaco’s defense, and should be in a position to make a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage. Well, we’re two games into the season and he’s made zero plays behind the line, missed most of the opener with cramping, and has only made three solo tackles so far. There’s plenty of time for him to become the guy many of us thought he’d be this year, but tonight’s the night for Darius.
THE ANSWERS:
(With my favorite highlighted...)
Her Loyal Sons: What Irish player needs to step up and play better football?
Anyone assigned to a position typically referred to as “Outside Linebacker.” There have already been far too many moments where an Irish OLB looks like they just might get some pressure on the QB, and yet none of the OLB have registered a sack. Brian Smith played an entire game last weekend without registering a single tackle.
Subway Domer: How deflating was the loss to Michigan?
Deflating? It was soul-crushing. Nothing- NOTHING made this loss any easier on me. Maddening... maddening, you say? After a lifelong pledge of loyalty to Notre Dame, I have grown used to the maddening nature of Fighting Irish football. But, I guess that is the nature of college football in general. Expect the unexpected and bask in the glory when you are lucky enough to have that sun shine upon your wrinkly old [redacted].
We Never Graduate: How critical is this Saturday’s game?If the Irish can go to East Lansing and win it’ll be an enormous confidence boost and set the stage for what should be a slugfest with Stanford. If Notre Dame sweeps the next two games it will most likely re-enter the Top 25 and set the stage for serious progress and maybe a BCS run. If they lose then doubt will creep into the minds of both fans and the team. Remember, this is a group that has collapsed each of the last two seasons so you can’t help but think that their confidence is at least somewhat fragile. While you have to think Kelly can handle the psyche of the players better than Weis did, you’d much rather maintain the positive momentum and mojo that’s surrounded the program since BK’s hiring.
Irish Round Table: Why does the Michigan State rivalry get so little respect?
Pre-Davie the Irish held a .657 winning percentage against Michigan State
Post-Davie the Irish own a .307 winning percentage.
Maybe it is time for Notre Dame fans to show this rivalry a little more respect. Problem is respect is a two way street.*
*Bonus points to the Round Table for an excellent reminder.
One Foot Down: What do you expect this Saturday night in Spartan Stadium?
I’m constantly expecting Michigan State to be good every year. I don’t know if it’s because I like the color green or that I kind of feel bad for them because of their lack of success in the past and wanting them to do well, but I’m always talking up their talent...
The Irish offense has been very conservative and vanilla and I think this is the game where Brian Kelly starts calling more bubble screens, reverses and misdirection plays to keep the Spartan linebackers on their toes. Notre Dame 35, MSU 24.