College Football GDT - 10/15/05

[ironman]

My prediction ... Notre Dame wins.

[F the Cubs]

QUOTE(pgrote @ Oct 14 2005, 06:55 PM) Quoted post

My prediction ... Notre Dame wins.
[/b][/quote]
Man, I hope you are right. I can't wait for the game. 2:30 kickoff right? GO IRISH!!!!!

Mark May laughed at the idea that ND could even "hang" with USC. I don't like him. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[ironman]

QUOTE("F @ Oct 14 2005, 07:00 PM) Quoted post

QUOTE(pgrote @ Oct 14 2005, 06:55 PM) Quoted post

My prediction ... Notre Dame wins.
[/b][/quote]
Man, I hope you are right. I can't wait for the game. 2:30 kickoff right? GO IRISH!!!!!

Mark May laughed at the idea that ND could even "hang" with USC. I don't like him. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] [/b][/quote]

There are two keys to the game I think ... 1) Notre Dame has to score a touchdown time they have the ball in the first half. USC starts off slow. 2) Limit the big plays. No 30 yard gains, etc.

• Understanding the World Cup stretcher flop and miraculous recovery dance
• LCD Flat Screen Envy

[steveInebriated]

You could take the Jamal Lewis/Rocket Scientist approach:
"Turnovers have hurt us a lot. We have to stop turning the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities that we have when we do have the ball."

WOW! WHAT INSIGHT!

[easy ed]

QUOTE(steveInebriated @ Oct 14 2005, 08:34 PM) Quoted post

You could take the Jamal Lewis/Rocket Scientist approach:
"Turnovers have hurt us a lot. We have to stop turning the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities that we have when we do have the ball."

WOW! WHAT INSIGHT!
[/b][/quote]


LMFAO!...Oh geeezzz...Jamal is using the template again.

[steveInebriated]

QUOTE(Easy Ed @ Oct 14 2005, 07:49 PM) Quoted post

QUOTE(steveInebriated @ Oct 14 2005, 08:34 PM) Quoted post

You could take the Jamal Lewis/Rocket Scientist approach:
"Turnovers have hurt us a lot. We have to stop turning the ball over and take advantage of the opportunities that we have when we do have the ball."

WOW! WHAT INSIGHT!
[/b][/quote]


LMFAO!...Oh geeezzz...Jamal is using the template again.
[/b][/quote]
He should stick to what he's good at -- you know, like arranging drug deals.

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[007]

45k showed up @ the ND pep rally.....

[F the Cubs]

QUOTE(*007* @ Oct 14 2005, 11:03 PM) Quoted post

45k showed up @ the ND pep rally.....
[/b][/quote]
It's gonna be f'n crazy in South Bend tomorrow.

Lee Corso picked ND to win. So ND is fucked. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] If ND can get an early lead, they have a shot. If ND falls behind early, it's gonna be hard for them to recover and fight back. That's some in-depth analysis right there. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

[Jaws]

QUOTE(pgrote @ Oct 14 2005, 06:55 PM) Quoted post

My prediction ... Notre Dame wins.
[/b][/quote]

Why?

[Blues Fan in TX]

ND will be up narrowly at the half, and lose by 20...

[Glovey]

USC wins by 10.

[Jaws]

QUOTE("F @ Oct 14 2005, 11:18 PM) Quoted post

QUOTE(*007* @ Oct 14 2005, 11:03 PM) Quoted post

45k showed up @ the ND pep rally.....
[/b][/quote]
It's gonna be f'n crazy in South Bend tomorrow.

Lee Corso picked ND to win. So ND is fucked. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] If ND can get an early lead, they have a shot. If ND falls behind early, it's gonna be hard for them to recover and fight back. That's some in-depth analysis right there. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]
[/b][/quote]

Here's how USC could lose:

1) Special teams. USC has given up a big play every game. Carroll has moved some starters to special teams to help out. The injuries to the USC secondary has had an impact on special teams as those players have been moved to defense to fill for the depleted backfield. Notre Dame has to get the bonus TD that USC has given to others. Weiss might try a fake punt or an onside along the way as well.

2) ND's defense comes up big. I would focus on stripping the ball even if it meant giving up extra yardage. There is only one way ND's defense can hang with USC straight up...

3)...and that is if USC falls back into its habit of stopping itself with penalties and dropped passes.

4) Weiss has had two weeks to get ready. This may or may not be as important as many think. For ND to win, it has to make a big difference. USA had a good article with comments from all the defensive coaches that have played USC this year. As Glanville put it, "'I had 150 days to prepare for them. What worked? Not much." Teams target USC, especially conference teams that are the most familar with USC.

Why USC will win:

1) Better talent. At the end of the day, gimmick schemes can only carry a defense so far. USC has the talent edge on both sides of the ball. There is a reason USC does so well in the second half. That's when the depth and talent become more important than the game plan. ND is better than in the past but the talent level hasn't all that changed much from the ND teams that USC has smoked the last few years.

2) USC defense. ND will move the ball and put some points up. They have to do that the whole game. USC's defense has played well against some pretty good offenses. Where does ND's offense rank? In yards per game, ND's offense is sandwiched between Hawaii(#7) and Oregon (#9). Nationally, only Texas Tech better passing numbers than Arizona State. USC ranks 4th. ND's passing game, while good, isn't more than USC has already seen-- and handled. Weiss may spring some special running plays to keep USC from teeing off on Quinn. A short passing game has a better chance of keeping the yardsticks moving than trying to consistenly run the ball. Still, expect a wrinkle or two from the running game. Quinn has to have a great day for the Irish. ND has to turn the game into a shootout to have a shot at the upset. Anything less will give the Trojans too many chances. If that happens the game will get away from the Irish early.

3) ND's defense. A strong defensive team like Florida State or Texas can look to their defense to keep them in the game. It is hard to see how ND can hold back USC. They have looked vulnerable to the pass against almost everybody they have played. Michigan State (#12 in passing) is the only team ND has played with a potent passing offense. That didn't go well for the Irish. ND does better against the run (#31) but they will have to shut down the #1 rushing game. Oregon is ranked #24 against the run -- and we saw how they fared trying to stop USC in the second half -- at home.

4) Second half dominance. So ND goes into the locker at half time up by 10 points. Upset special? Uh, no. USC has come back against better defenses and, truth be told, maybe better teams than ND. And come back decisively. USC has not staggered into this game escaping with some last minute heroics. Can ND do better than Oregon or ASU in the second half? Maybe. They are certainly overdue. USC has shut them out in the second half the last two years.

So is 12 points too much for a big game?

In the words of that famous oddsmaker, Damon Runyon, "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet." USC 48 ND 21

"I am for truth no matter who says it. I am for justice no matter who it is for or against."...Malcom X

[JimmyG37]

In a weekend with so much sports that I want to watch, I am really excited for the ND-USC game. couple friends of mine are in South Bend right now and are going to the game and I am really jealous. If only the prices weren't hugely high, then my ass might be there right now as well.

Anyway,

Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send the volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky,
What tho the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching Onward to Victory.

[Jaws]

QUOTE(JimmyG37 @ Oct 15 2005, 03:02 AM) Quoted post

In a weekend with so much sports that I want to watch, I am really excited for the ND-USC game. couple friends of mine are in South Bend right now and are going to the game and I am really jealous. If only the prices weren't hugely high, then my ass might be there right now as well.

Anyway,

Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send the volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky,
What tho the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching Onward to Victory.
[/b][/quote]

This is one of those games that a makes college football so special...a great rivalry...the top ranked team in the country vs. a dangerous underdog...the winning streak...and ND's tradition of ending winning streaks.

Can't wait.

[kah]

Notre Dame could win if a giant fissure opens up in the earth and swallows every member of Southern Cal's first- and second-string offense and defense, perhaps.