Notre Dame Football Blog

Wanted to get this in early–but all I really had to do was look at a common opponent of both teams–Boston College we barely won 16-14 and FSU beat them 38-7–kinda says it all.

I never bought all in on the ND OL-Think they were “decent” with Cave along with RB Jonas Gray but the way they were manhandled by the Stanford defense does not inspire much confidence against a vastly better FSU defense..

Other teams ND played this year showed real chinks in the ND offense. Basically–you keep Floyd out of the game tie up Eifert at the line of scrimmage, play short field defense and rush front 4 every down. I expect FSU overwhelms the ND OL and Rees throws 2 pics or 2 fumbles or both. Hendrix also gets battered.

With that said, can the ND defense keep them in the game–not if they use that bend/break defense. We have had major problems with mobile QB’s and EJ Manuel is mobile as well as big 6’4″ 235 lbs. I expect he runs all over ND unless they get enough pressure on him consistently. FSU OL very suspect but Diaco has to turn this defense loose.

Hate to predict this but I think FSU defense wins this game.

Final Score:

FSU 27 ND 17

Charlie on a roll– first Crist-1 yr.
2nd -Jake Heaps (sits a yr)
who the big man wanted badly when at ND–now Charlie has to figure a way to protect these guys.

Since he no longer has to play with all those silly rules about going to class–he loads up on jucos–all you have to do is win and Charlie learned that big time at ND–now gloves are off.

I look for big turnaround at KU.

Matt Barkley not going pro. I predict: 1-Heisman, 2-USC plays in Title Game.

If Denard Robinson back at Michigan– that’s 2 automatic losses for 2012.

Recruiting going down to the wire–really nothing left to comment on without jinxing the outcome.

I really hope Kelly has put in a lot of misdirection and counter plays as well as figured out a way to help the center.

Center problem is a direct result of never giving the 2nd’s meaningful playing time. Golic has been there 4 years with very little time actually getting on the field. Regardless of what was going on in a game I would give each backup at least 1 series. Sorta like the defensive rotation.

Speaking of defense–time to unleash Lynch and Tuitt–let them do what we got them for–rush, rush and more rush.

Ronnie Stanley 6’6″ 280 4 Star OL commits to ND–Good news all around. Bishop Gorman HS in Vegas makes 16–need 1 more OL and I’m looking for a big pure center.

Kiel has to make a decision now–got him 3 OL now need to get receivers–he commits no doubt we get someone special this class or at very least keep what we have.

Good News!!!!!!!!

Just like every year recruiting is a kabuki dance with coaches flying all over the place getting commits, poaching and basically pleading with a kid for a free ride to ND–just think what that diploma means– and to be handed one and say I’ll think about it.

Not only are the coaches trying to fill out remaining slots they have to re-recruit guys that are already committed. Think how absurd that whole dance is.

Stupid and a waste of everyone’s time. I’m not the first to rail about this–going on for years.

Rather than have a guy commit–say on June 1st–he signs a National Letter Of Intent and is an official unbreakable member of that class. Coaches can then concentrate on who is left on their boards. On the plus side for the recruit–he is guaranteed a scholarship even if he gets injured his senior year and never plays one down in college.

At one time ND had a pipeline into every Catholic HS in the country. Times have changed–these schools are now like private and very expensive schools and the perennial powerhouses give HS scholarships. I would hazard a guess that at least half the ballplayers are not even Catholic and know very little about ND.

On other matters old Charlie is recruiting like crazy–he’s after Crist big time and chasing Jake Heaps a recent de-commit that he was after when at ND-Crist 1 yr and Heaps 2 yrs elig left(he has to sit a year). To bring this together he already told his Kansas starter to look elsewhere.

So when I look at the whole picture, there is nothing really solid or real until Feb. signing day.

That’s right, the fat man flashing 4 Super Bowl rings, back in college football as Head Coach at the University of Kansas

Right off the bat he offers a scholarship to one of my main recruiting targets Gerhig Dieter 6’3″ 4.5 WR from South Bend. C’mon Kelly–offer this kid–believe he wants or wanted ND.

Weis playing host to Dayne Crist today and I’m sure he has his eyes on Kiel. So he’s after a 2 fer– Crist plays 1 year then Kiel takes over.

Oh and don’t forget Urban.

The rumor about Kiel is that he does not want to go far from home–Columbus Indiana–so that should rule out USC & LSU–maybe.

Just for the hell of it let’s check distances from Columbus Indiana to:

Notre Dame—172 miles
Vanderbilt—215 miles
Ohio State—284 miles
Kansas—500 miles

Actually, all doable by car and let’s not forget we now have airplanes.

Both Charlie and Urban good recruiters–so this could get real interesting not only about Kiel but also expect both to poach ND’s current commits.

Charlie Weis new head coach at Kansas–Crist to UK??

Eifert–1st team Walter Camp All America–Teo 2nd team. Can’t even remember when ND last had 1st team All American OL.

ND recruiting Ty Isaac RB 6’3″ 215 lbs from Joliet Catholic Ill.–I’d make him my #1 priority for 2013 class.

Contributing editor–Shane– reports Kiel cut short ND visit to visit USC– a thousand curses be upon him.