IRISH RETURN TO BATTLE NAVY

Notre Dame returns to action after a long-overdue bye week to take on the Midshipmen of Navy at the Stadium on Saturday. Evan Sharpley is the probable starter at quarterback for the Irish, as Jimmy Clausen continues to recover from various injuries. The 4-4 Middies are quite capable of finding the end zone with their well-oiled option attack, but their defense has surrendered 50 points per game during October and is gasping for air.

The Irish are depleted at running back, where James Aldridge is still nursing a high ankle sprain and Robert Hughes is on personal leave due to a death in the family. Armando Allen should get plenty of work while Junior Jabbie and Travis Thomas will see action. Defensively, Notre Dame is at full strength as previously injured starters Maurice Crum and David Bruton are ready to play.

The Midshipmen are led by quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who may not be at 100% after getting knocked out of the Wake Forest game two weeks ago and failing to finish last week’s loss to Delaware. Injuries have really taken a toll on the Navy defense, and this fact was highlighted by Coach Paul Johnson during his remarks earlier this week.

“I am surprised we haven't played better on defense, but part of it has been injuries and part of it is the confidence factor hasn't been there”, he said. “We have had way too many guys play. You aren't going to get better if you keep rotating all the time, but that's been hard to do because of injuries.”

Most fans know that Navy has not beaten Notre Dame since 1963, but the 1-7 Irish are only very slight favorites to extend their long winning streak. Coach Charlie Weis may be playing for next year in theory, but he realizes that this game is as much a must-win situation as he has faced in his three year tenure. It is vital that his young team gains confidence and creates momentum for 2008 by performing well in its final four games this season.

Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Navy’s Defense

This should finally be the week that Notre Dame establishes the run and sticks with it. The much maligned Irish offensive line has no excuses against Navy’s relatively small and depleted 3-4 defensive alignment. Allen should get more room to run than he has seen to date, and play-action fakes by Sharpley will actually be taken seriously. Since Navy’s offense is capable of long scoring drives and ball possession, it is incumbent on the Irish to demonstrate a little ball control of their own.

Seven of eight opponents have gained over 400 yards against Navy this season, including 581 by Delaware last week. Senior linebackers Irv Spencer and Matt Wimsatt are the leading tacklers, and defensive end Michael Walsh has a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. Nate Frazier, a 285-pound nose guard, is by far the biggest Navy defender and can hold his own in the middle.

Two key performers in the secondary are not going to play this weekend. Rover Ketris Buffin, who leads the team with four interceptions, is injured. Freshman free safety Wyatt Middleton has 50 tackles to his credit, but the Middies miss the leadership of Jeff Deliz, who is also out.

Navy’s defense has not been very effective since it lost veteran linebacker Clint Sovie and Deliz in September. Depth is a serious problem and there are few seniors who play extensively other than Spenser and Wimsatt. After playing against some of the nation’s best defenses, Notre Dame should find itself in a different world this week.

Despite the offensive ineptitude demonstrated by the Irish in their first eight games, Johnson does not expect them to play poorly against his team. “They have really good players now and they are getting better and better”, he said. “The time to play Notre Dame was early on in the season. Physically it's going to be a challenge for us. We haven't made them punt in two years. I'm sure they can't wait to play us."

Navy’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

The Midshipmen offense is a much more experienced unit than the defense, as evidenced by four senior starters on the line and a mix of seven seniors and four juniors overall. Kaheaku-Enhada leads a ground game that has earned 5.5 yards per carry on the way to a 343 yard per game average. Navy uses the fullback extensively, and the workload is shared by Eric Kettani and Adam Ballard. This pair represents the second and third leading rushers on the team after Kaheaku-Enhada.

Reggie Campbell and Zerbin Singleton are diminutive but dangerous slot men. Each is used as a pitch man in the option, on reverses and on wheel routes in the passing game. Wide receiver O.J. Washington is another speedster well under six feet, but his 27 yards per catch commands the attention of opposing defenses.

Notre Dame must emphasize discipline and sure tackling in order to win. This could be problematic with freshman outside linebackers more suited to defending the pass and cornerbacks who are not very physical. Johnson also has a talent for knowing when to call for a trick play or deep pass in order to keep a defense off balance. The Irish will have to rotate a number of players through the lineup to adequately defend the option, and they may be particularly susceptible to these surprises.

The best way to stop Navy is to put them in long third down situations. Notre Dame may not be able to do this consistently at the outset, but they must assert some measure of control if not dominance before halftime.

Special Teams

The punt has become a lost art in Navy’s games this season. The Middies have punted only nine times in eight games, while opponents have needed to punt only twice per contest. Geoff Price has been a busy man for Notre Dame this season, but he will likely get more rest this week.

Navy employs two place kickers, Joey Bullen and Matt Harmon, on a nearly equal basis. They have combined for 13 of 20 field goals and have suffered three blocks. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has struggled in the field goal department of late with bad misses against Boston College and USC. Bullen and Harmon have faced clutch situations this season with mixed results, while the Irish kickers have not been put to the test.

The Irish return teams continue to disappoint, but there is hope for improvement after an extra week of practice. Campbell handles both kickoff and punt returns for Navy and has managed to break off a few long runs.

Summary

The Middies do not force many turnovers and won’t stop Notre Dame if the Irish execute well and avoid self destructive mistakes. Unfortunately, a single missed block has derailed a number of promising plays throughout this season, while too many others have failed due to penalties, inaccurate throws or poor routes by receivers.

It is vital that Notre Dame gets off to a good start on offense. Running the ball against a smaller opponent is a good way to overcome any sluggishness after the bye week and control the flow. Since the defense may be on its heels early in the game, the Irish must be productive with the ball from the outset.

Fans will be able to tell early in the contest whether Weis has focused on the run or the pass during the extended practice time. It will be interesting to see if he can resist the temptation to call an inordinate number of pass plays against the suspect Navy secondary. Sharpley and his receivers have not demonstrated the proficiency needed to sustain an effective passing game regardless of the opponent. A pass-oriented approach will not be a winning formula on Saturday no matter how vulnerable the Middie defense appears on paper or on film.

As for Navy, Coach Paul Johnson will continue to run his option offense and hope to minimize errors. His goal will be to build an early lead while the Irish defense shakes off the cobwebs and adjusts to the deception and precision of the option game. The Midshipmen will win if they can force Notre Dame to abandon the run and play from behind. Conversely, the Irish could win going away if they lead or are tied at halftime.

A review of the key questions that will determine the winner:

Which team will force the other to pass more than is desirable?
How long will it take the Irish defense to adjust to (and slow down) the option attack?
Will Allen finally be able to display the game-breaking ability Irish fans expect?
Will Navy fool the Notre Dame secondary with well-conceived play action passes?
Which team will be most successful on first down?
How well can Notre Dame’s cornerbacks tackle in the open field?
Can Navy avoid costly turnovers?

Prediction

This game should be one in which the outcome is in doubt until the final play. It matches strength against strength with the Navy offense facing Notre Dame’s defense, and weakness against weakness as the faceless Irish offense encounters the soft Midshipmen defense. Both teams will score points, but Notre Dame will need to be much more consistent to keep pace with the Middies despite its physical advantage and the extra week of preparation.

Both teams want to win this game for different reasons, but the Irish will be hard-pressed to match Navy’s intensity for sixty minutes. Although they should be able to wear down the Midshipmen, it will be a more difficult task if poor tackling and a rash of incomplete passes leads to a large first half deficit. Barring significant improvement during the bye week, the Irish will fall short in their comeback attempt.

Navy 38 Notre Dame 31

TROJANS SHUT DOWN IRISH

USC’s defense smothered Notre Dame’s struggling offense on Saturday and won their sixth straight over the Irish by 38-0. The Trojans’ methodical offense stuck with its plan to wear down the Notre Dame defense until the third quarter, when the demoralized Irish were no longer able to put up a fight. After what has arguably been the worst stretch of football in the history of this storied program, Notre Dame finally has a bye week to lick its wounds and try to salvage some respectability from this dismal season.

The game began as the defensive struggle most predicted. Mark Sanchez started at quarterback for USC, and he was able to throw crisp, short passes to a variety of receivers in stride. Notre Dame held on the first three Trojan possessions, but the game’s first major break predictably occurred on special teams.

A USC punt veered off line and hit Notre Dame’s Munir Prince in the back, thus turning it into a live ball. The Trojans fell on it at the Irish ten yard line. Sanchez hit sure-handed tight end Fred Davis on the next play for the score, and USC had a quick 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Notre Dame bounced back to force a Trojan mistake as the game moved into the second period. David Bruton blocked a punt right off the shoe top of Greg Woidneck at the Trojan 29, and the Irish seemed poised to tie the game. The offense was stymied again, however, and USC blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by Brandon Walker.

The Irish defense tried to hold things together, but a succession of three and outs by the offense kept Corwin Brown’s charges on the field for nearly 11 minutes of the second quarter. The dam broke when the Trojans put together a 79 yard drive to extend their lead to 14-0 with four minutes left in the half. They were able to add a field goal with 11 seconds left after Notre Dame failed to convert a third and one on the prior series.

Any hopes the Irish had to get back in the game ended abruptly on the first series of the second half. Following a sack on Evan Sharpley on the first play, Travis Thomas fumbled after catching a screen pass at his own 13. Keith Rivers recovered for USC, and Sanchez threw a scoring pass to Stanley Havili moments later.

A 24-0 deficit utterly demoralized the Irish, who had now handed two easy touchdowns to the Trojans. Meanwhile, USC’s defense began to tee off on Sharpley since Notre Dame was forced to the air. The Trojans recorded five sacks and an interception while refusing to give Irish receivers room to breathe.

As the game moved toward its inevitable conclusion, USC added two long scoring plays against the exhausted, arm-tackling Irish defense. Vidal Hazleton grabbed another short pass with room to maneuver and wove his way through the Notre Dame secondary for a 48-yard touchdown, and Joe McKnight added a 51-yard scoring run early in the final period.

Once the game mercifully concluded, the embarrassment of another inept performance was replaced by a profound sense of relief that this eight game stretch of horror was over. It is too soon to tell what mindset the Irish will have when they return to action in two weeks, but fans and players alike filed out of the stadium in a zombie-like trance.

For what it’s worth, here are the answers to the questions I asked in my game preview:

- Which team will be able to run the ball effectively? - USC outrushed ND by 227 to 48.

- Which quarterback will put the ball up for grabs? – Sharpley

- Will the Irish refrain from handing the ball to USC in its own territory? – Regrettably not.

- Will any Notre Dame receiver have success against the talented Trojan secondary? - No

- Will the Irish be able to cover USC’s tight end and backs on third down? – Davis, Havili and Allen Bradford each caught scoring passes.

- Which team will create a scoring opportunity with its special teams? – Both teams created a scoring opportunity with turnovers on punts, but USC capitalized on its chance while ND suffered a blocked field goal.

The 1-7 Irish are clearly the worst Notre Dame team I have seen in the 44 years I have followed the program, and there is plenty of blame to distribute. I will refrain from piling on at this point, but each player, coach and administrator must be critically evaluated at the end of this season. Changes will have to be made in the coaching staff and in their overall approach to the job. Notre Dame has a significant investment in Charlie Weis, and the parties must work together to make this regime successful. Failure is simply not an option.

AILING TROJANS INVADE NOTRE DAME

The USC Trojans return to Notre Dame on Saturday to renew the long standing rivalry between these schools. USC has won the last five contests and is heavily favored to add a sixth. The Irish will start Evan Sharpley at quarterback in an attempt to jumpstart their offense, while the Trojans will make a game time decision between starter John David Booty and Mark Sanchez. USC’s attack has sputtered of late due to injuries and inconsistent play, but the Trojan defense remains one of the nation’s best.

After dominating Nebraska in its season opener with a powerful offensive line, USC’s recent performances have been more pedestrian due to the loss of key starters up front. The most significant casualty is All-American left tackle Sam Baker, whose hamstring injury will likely keep him out of Saturday’s game. His backup, Charles Brown, is also hurting and may not be ready. To make matters worse, guards Chilo Rachal and Zach Heberer are at less than full strength. Coach Pete Carroll has resorted to moving players over from the defense in order to create depth.

Sanchez played reasonably well last week while replacing Booty, who has a broken finger on his throwing hand. Booty has practiced this week and could start or provide relief if Sanchez falters. Running back is also an area of concern for Carroll, but the Trojans are blessed with depth at this position. Chauncey Washington, Stafon Johnson and freshman sensation Joe McKnight will see action for USC.

Defensively, the Trojans will likely be missing middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, but strong side backer Brian Cushing will return to action after missing several games. Thomas Williams will replace Maualuga in the middle, and leading tackler Keith Rivers remains on the weak side. The secondary has also been impacted by injuries, with cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Shareece Wright in various stages of disrepair. Wright may be well enough to play on Saturday.

Notre Dame has injury issues of its own and will not be sympathetic toward the Trojans. Although Jimmy Clausen will be available to back up Sharpley despite an ailing hip, tailback James Aldridge will miss the game. Linebacker Maurice Crum, the hero two weeks ago against UCLA, will try to play after sitting out most of last week’s game against Boston College.

Notre Dame’s Offense vs. USC’s Defense

The Trojan defense is similar to UCLA in that it has the speed to cover opposing receivers and the strength to shut down the run. USC has surrendered only 66 rushing yards per game and does not figure to have a problem stopping the Irish. The receiving corps will get a boost with the return of David Grimes, but the Trojans simply do not give up long plays in the passing game. Sharpley will have to demonstrate arm strength and accuracy on short routes to move the chains, but he will also have to contend with tall and fast USC linebackers who excel in coverage.

Surprisingly, the statistics show that USC has not recorded many sacks or interceptions this season. The Trojans are not a blitzing team, but the front four is still very talented. Tackle Sedrick Ellis has four sacks and will require a double team in the middle, while rush end Lawrence Jackson will provide another stern test for Notre Dame’s struggling offensive tackles. End Kyle Moore will occasionally drop into coverage, and he actually leads the team with two interceptions.

Although Sharpley has moved the Irish offense during his relief appearances, the risk of interceptions will be high if he must throw the ball 40-50 times on Saturday. A competent running game seems like a fantasy without Aldridge, and whoever carries the ball for Notre Dame will not be able to run wide against USC’s speedy defenders. If the Irish offense is going to score, it will need field position assistance from the defense or special teams.

Overall, the USC defense has no real weakness. Turnovers by the offense, untimely penalties or great individual plays by opposing receivers have hurt the Trojans this season, but Notre Dame’s attack is neither physical nor fast enough to achieve a sustained level of success against them.

USC’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

The Trojans have put together a solid ground game this season at nearly 200 yards per game, but that success has been undermined of late with the injuries up front. The loss of Baker and Brown negates an advantage on the left side where USC prefers to run the ball and Notre Dame has given up large chunks of yardage. Still, the Irish will need Crum in the lineup at full speed to contain the talented Trojan backs.

Sanchez has greater mobility than Booty and is more likely to make plays outside the pocket. If he starts, his inexperience will create turnover opportunities for Corwin Brown’s defense. Booty is the more accurate passer, but is not immune to mistakes under pressure. Notre Dame will have an opportunity to generate an effective rush against the depleted Trojan front wall, and it must take full advantage.

Surprisingly, no Trojan wide receiver has emerged as an all-world threat this season in the wake of Dwayne Jarrett’s departure, but 6’5” Patrick Turner is capable of a big game. USC’s most dangerous and talented pass catcher is tight end Fred Davis, who leads the team with 29 receptions, 17 yards per catch and four touchdowns. The Trojans will also utilize underrated fullback Stanley Havili when they need a third down conversion.

Carroll will also be able to put two new offensive weapons on display. Freshmen McKnight and Ronald Johnson have been in the system long enough to see extended action at tailback and wide receiver, respectively. Both have outstanding speed and will attract attention from the Irish defenders.

Special Teams

McKnight and Johnson have also become an integral part of USC’s return teams. McKnight’s long punt return in the fourth quarter against Arizona secured a win last week, and Johnson has become the primary kick returner. The other Trojan specialists are punter Gary Woidneck and kicker David Buehler, neither of whom has an exceptionally strong leg. Woidneck averages only 37 yards per punt, and Buehler’s longest field goal is 36 yards. USC’s kickoffs typically do not reach the end zone and are returned, although the coverage has been good.

Notre Dame has experienced problems of its own with punts and kicks, and last week’s performance in this area was particularly bad. A missed field goal and a mental error by punter Geoff Price hurt the Irish, and the return teams have failed to get untracked all season. At minimum, Notre Dame must ensure that it does not make a game-changing mistake on special teams this week, although it would be a good time to create a positive play that leads to points.

Summary

Both teams are struggling on offense for different reasons. USC must generate some consistency with a patchwork line and get quality play from its starting quarterback. Notre Dame hopes that Sharpley can keep the game close throughout rather than fill the air with high risk passes while trying to overcome another 20-point deficit.

The Trojans are more likely to have success running the ball and control time of possession, especially if Crum is not 100%. USC also has more big play potential in the passing game, but both teams will force the other to throw it short and work methodically down the field. The Trojans have a significant advantage in that their linebackers are better pass defenders than their Irish counterparts and will more effectively defend underneath routes and screens.

The questions that represent keys to victory are as follows:

- Which team will be able to run the ball effectively?
- Which quarterback will put the ball up for grabs?
- Will the Irish refrain from handing the ball to USC in its own territory?
- Will any Notre Dame receiver have success against the talented Trojan secondary?
- Will the Irish be able to cover USC’s tight end and backs on third down?
- Which team will create a scoring opportunity with its special teams?

Prediction

Notre Dame will need a performance from its defense not unlike the UCLA game. The offense and special teams must not make any significant mistakes, and the running game must be good enough to maintain a semblance of balance. Sharpley needs to complete more than half of his passes while knowing when to throw the ball away. Defensively, the Irish need to rattle the Trojan quarterback early and realize at least a 2:1 takeaway margin.

This is a tall order, and it’s more likely that USC’s defensive speed will force Irish mistakes. Notre Dame will have trouble containing Davis and McKnight, especially if USC has the ball for 35-40 minutes.

USC 27 NOTRE DAME 10

IRISH COMEBACK PUT ON HOLD

The pattern has become familiar. Notre Dame dug itself a 20-0 hole. Evan Sharpley tried to rally the offense, only to be done in by another series of mistakes and untimely penalties. A fourth quarter holding call negated a touchdown that would have made for an interesting finish, but Boston College's Matt Ryan and Andre Callender made plays when they counted to beat the Irish 27-14 on Saturday.

Once again, Notre Dame’s defense played well enough to win, but the offense and special teams combined to put them in impossible situations after the Eagles scored on their opening drive. L.V. Whitworth broke off a 52-yard run and Callender covered the last seven on the next play, but a missed extra point left the score at 6-0. The Irish defenders kept it there for the next 25 minutes.

Notre Dame had just executed its best offensive play of the half when disaster struck. Jimmy Clausen hit Robbie Parris with a 25-yard pass to give Notre Dame a first down in BC territory with six minutes left in the half. The Eagles turned up the heat on the next series, and Clausen was forced to throw the ball away twice. Punter Geoff Price came onto the field on fourth down, but he could not handle a low snap without touching his knee to the ground.

The ball was blown dead at that spot, which turned out to be the Irish 41 instead of fifty yards downfield after a typical punt. Boston College accepted the invitation of a short field and scored with 1:32 left in the half for a 13-0 lead.

Clausen dug the hole deeper as the third quarter unfolded. The freshman threw a telegraphed interception on Notre Dame’s first offensive play after a strong opening series by the defense. Tyrone Pruitt returned the ball to the Irish 11, and Ryan hit Callender for the score despite an all-out blitz.

Coach Charlie Weis called upon Evan Sharpley on the next possession, and the junior responded by engineering a 79-yard scoring drive that ended on a 19 yard strike to Parris. Notre Dame caught a break on the ensuing series when a holding penalty negated a long gain by Callender on a screen pass. Ryan then made a colossal mistake by throwing into traffic on third down. Brian Smith picked off the errant pass and returned it 25 yards for a score. The Irish were suddenly down by only 20-14 with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Unfortunately, Notre Dame could hardly contain itself after Smith’s score and were penalized 15 yards for an excessive celebration. This was cruel if not unusual punishment for a team that has had little to celebrate during this nightmarish season, and the Irish paid dearly for the rare pleasure.

Notre Dame was forced to kick off from its own 15 yard line, and the luckless Irish defense took the field with the Eagles already inside its territory at the 44. Ryan again took advantage of the opportunity by hitting Kevin Challenger for a touchdown with blitzers in his face. Even though there were still 22 minutes left in the game, this turn of events killed Notre Dame’s momentum.

The Irish defense continued to play valiantly despite the loss of Maurice Crum to injury in the game’s opening moments. They kept hope alive by forcing Ryan into failed third down passes on two consecutive possessions, but a promising drive by Notre Dame late in the period was curtailed by a familiar series of calamities: a holding penalty, a dropped pass, a sack and a missed 41-yard field goal.

Still, Sharpley and the Irish were not quite finished. The offense found itself on the BC 22 after another pass to Parris and a late hit on the Eagles. Sharpley scrambled and somehow found John Carlson on third down to set up a fourth down and one near the 12. Weis then called a play action pass that resulted in a completion to a wide-open Parris in the end zone. The only problem was a holding penalty on guard Mike Turkovich. This negated the score that would have brought Notre Dame to within 27-21 with six minutes remaining.

Instead, the Irish suffered their sixth loss in what was truly a winnable game. Sharpley performed reasonably well in relief for the second time in three weeks, and deserves the starting nod against USC. Parris caught four passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, but the running game was anemic once again with a paltry 27 net yards. James Aldridge did not finish the game after suffering an apparent ankle injury.

Besides Smith’s interception, Darrin Walls and Trevor Laws led the Irish defense in Crum’s absence. Linebacker Joe Brockington played well against the run, but he could not stop Callendar from catching ten passes for 91 yards. Ultimately, the combination of field position gifts from Notre Dame and clutch plays by Eagle seniors Ryan and Callender were just too much for the youthful Irish to overcome. Boston College also maintained possession for 39 minutes.

As this eight game death march nears an end, Notre Dame clearly has a number of problems that must be addressed if November is to provide a positive springboard for 2008. The offensive line is still unable to win the physical battles along the line of scrimmage. The offensive tackles do not exhibit the footwork necessary to pass block quicker defenders and the guards often allow blitzers to come through untouched. Finally, center John Sullivan continues to have problems with the shotgun snap.

Despite the improved play of Parris, wide receivers Golden Tate and Duval Kamara have disappeared since the Purdue game and David Grimes remains sidelined with an injury. Aldridge won the tailback spot, but the position is back in flux if his ankle injury is more than a tweak.

Special teams remain problematic. Price’s miscue was devastating, as was the poor kickoff after the celebration penalty. Whitaker’s missed field goal is a step backward after last week’s successes and the Irish return game remains a disappointment.

Here are the answers to key questions that helped to determine the outcome:

Will Notre Dame be able to hit Ryan in the pocket and pressure him into third down misses? The Irish did pressure Ryan and force incompletions on occasion, but he also made some clutch passes with defenders right on top of him.

Is Boston College really as good against the run as the statistics indicate? Yes, Notre Dame’s longest run was an eight yard scramble by Sharpley.

Will Callender maintain his five yard per carry average against the Irish? Not quite, but Whitworth’s 52 yard burst and Callender’s ten receptions were more important.

Can the Irish defense fire up the crowd and keep them in the game? Smith’s interception accomplished that feat, but the referees were not impressed.

Will Notre Dame be able to contain Jeff Smith? Jeff who? He did not play despite reports that he would be available.

Can Jimmy Clausen throw the ball downfield and avoid interceptions? Not this week, and consequently he won’t be throwing downfield next week, either.

Despite their 7-0 record, the Eagles did not appear to be a top five team by “normal” standards. There is nothing normal about this year’s college football season, however, and Notre Dame’s titanic struggle with basic competencies has given most opponents a free pass. Any hope that the offense will suddenly gel has been supplanted by a realization that the talent and experience level is not yet competitive, and confounding mistakes remain the only constant.

IRISH SEEK TO GROUND EAGLES

Notre Dame returns home from a successful West Coast venture to take on the undefeated and fourth ranked Boston College Eagles on Saturday. The Irish broke into the win column last week and that taste of victory is sure to whet the appetite for more. This game represents a role reversal for the two programs, wherein Boston College has its sights on a first-ever BCS Bowl invitation while Notre Dame can play with abandon.

The schedule has been kind to the Eagles, although they looked strong in a 24-10 win over Georgia Tech last month in their only road contest to date. Three straight home wins against weak opponents followed, but the Irish, Virginia Tech and Florida State are next in line. Meanwhile, Notre Dame will play its seventh straight game against a quality team.

Senior quarterback Matt Ryan is the unquestioned leader for Boston College, who otherwise do not boast any star players. First year coach John Jagodzinski has built a balanced and disciplined offense around Ryan’s precision passing skills and hard running by Andre Callender. The defense is tough against the run, having allowed only 1.9 yards per rush. The secondary does not surrender the big play and has already recorded an incredible 16 interceptions.

The Irish offense was not very productive last week at UCLA after making progress against Purdue and Michigan State. Jimmy Clausen and his fellow freshman backs and receivers have been largely kept under wraps, but Notre Dame will need to score more than 25 points this week to have a chance to win.

Corwin Brown’s defense has been energized by first year linebackers Kerry Neal and Brian Smith, while senior Maurice Crum forced five turnovers last week. Tom Zbikowski continues to play well in the secondary and free safety David Bruton has excelled in deep coverage and on special teams.

Notre Dame’s Offense vs. Boston College’s Defense

The Irish have failed to run the ball this year against everyone except Michigan State. The Eagles have shut down all opponents including Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice, who could manage only 36 yards on 15 carries. Although these facts do not bode well for Notre Dame, the Irish will need a balanced attack to keep the ball away from Ryan and coach Charlie Weis must be willing to stick with the run.

The Eagles are relatively young and undersized along the front four. The lone exception is 325 pound junior tackle Ron Brace, a classic run-stuffer. Rangy and fast ends Nick Larkin and Alex Albright are the type of pass rushers that have caused problems for Notre Dame this season. Albright leads the team with five sacks.

Boston College lost its best defensive player, linebacker Brian Toal, for the season. The Eagles have not missed a beat with Jolonn Dunbar’s solid play in the middle against the run and Matt Herzlich on the outside in pass coverage. Both are underrated and quite effective.

Teams have managed some success by attacking the Eagle secondary, but the team yielded a lot of that yardage late in games and has not been beaten many times with the outcome still in doubt. Free safety Jamie Silva is an accomplished ball hawk and DeJuan Tribble is the team’s best cover man. Both cornerbacks are only 5’9”, and the Irish will go after them with a more aggressive passing attack than they were able to muster against UCLA.

If Notre Dame is unable to run the ball and tries to win the game through the air, Boston College will likely grab a couple of interceptions and come away with a victory. The Irish played a turnover free game at UCLA and finally stopped shooting themselves in the foot with excessive penalties, and they will need to continue this trend in order to have a chance on Saturday.

Boston College’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

The Eagles have juggled their offensive line in recent weeks. The result is they are strong on the left side with good size and experienced players, but the right side is a question mark. Freshman right tackle Anthony Costonzo will have his hands full with Trevor Laws, and the Irish will try to exploit that matchup to put pressure on Ryan.

Wide receivers Kevin Challenger, Rich Gunnell and Brandon Robinson specialize in getting open, but they are not very tall or considered to be deep threats. Tight end Ryan Purvis is becoming a favorite target in this offense. Matt Ryan will pick apart Notre Dame if the Irish are unable to mount a pass rush and try to sit back in zone coverage. The best approach is to apply pressure and push Boston College out of its offensive rhythm.

It should be noted that Georgia Tech was unable to rattle Ryan and the Eagles despite the aggressive nature of its defense. Ryan had a career passing day against the Jackets, so one can conclude that his linemen can protect him. Coach Brown’s rush schemes were very effective against a veteran UCLA offensive line, so it will be interesting to see if the Irish can generate similar results this week.

Callender has been the workhorse tailback, but fellow senior L.V. Whitworth has a bit more size and is used quite frequently. Speedster Jeff Smith has not been available to play very much this season, but he is expected to be ready for Notre Dame. Smith adds another dimension to the Eagle attack and the Irish must know his whereabouts at all times.

Boston College has been able to run the ball well enough to make Ryan’s life in the pocket more productive. Notre Dame cannot surrender large chunks of yardage on the ground if it wants to dictate the play call on third down and apply significant pressure with Neal and Smith.

Special Teams

Smith’s presence immediately increases BC’s kickoff return threat. The sophomore averaged 39 yards per attempt before an injury, and Callender could manage only half that number as his replacement. Place kicker Steve Aponavicius is very much above average in terms of accuracy and leg strength, while Notre Dame may be able to generate punt return yardage against Johnny Ayers.

Brandon Walker continues to improve as a field goal specialist for Notre Dame, and Irish fans no longer hold their breath when he lines up a three pointer. Geoff Price has overcome early season consistency issues to reclaim the punting job. In coverage, David Bruton saved the Irish from potential long returns at UCLA with extraordinary hustle, but Notre Dame’s short kickoffs remain an unsolved problem.

Summary

Intangibles don’t show up in the statistics, but Notre Dame’s defenders were hitting very hard last week and are bound to carry over that enthusiasm against Boston College given the recent history between these programs. That the aggressive Irish were able to force turnovers and dominate the game on defense without incurring penalties is a major step forward, but the offense must also do its part this week.

The Eagles are not a dominant team by any definition, but they are tough against the run on defense, do not suffer breakdowns that result in easy scores and have an accomplished veteran quarterback. This combination will be difficult to overcome for an Irish team that must have a breakout game on offense. This means that both the run and pass are made to work.

Those who compare Boston College to Purdue are shortchanging Ryan, who is a more polished and accurate passer than Curtis Painter despite the fact that Purdue has better receivers. The Irish could not shut down the running game against the Boilermakers, and that fact combined with numerous mistakes doomed any comeback hopes. In this contest, Notre Dame must take the lead or remain tied in order to maintain the energy level in the stadium.

The answers to these questions will help determine the outcome:

Will Notre Dame be able to hit Ryan in the pocket and pressure him into third down misses?
Is Boston College really as good against the run as the statistics indicate?
Will Callender maintain his five yard per carry average against the Irish?
Can the Irish defense fire up the crowd and keep them in the game?
Will Notre Dame be able to contain Jeff Smith?
Can Jimmy Clausen throw the ball downfield and avoid interceptions?

Prediction

The Eagles will not overwhelm Notre Dame with talent, but their defense is underrated and they will score points against anyone. The best hope for the Irish is to get an early lead, put pressure on Ryan and win the turnover battle. This is a tall order, but it does not seem impossible after last week’s heroics.

Unfortunately for Notre Dame, the offense is still not good enough to outscore Boston College in the absence of significant breaks or an injury to Ryan. The return of Jeff Smith will add enough spark to put the Eagles over the top.

BOSTON COLLEGE 27 NOTRE DAME 17

IRISH COME UP ROSES

Maurice Crum led a hard-hitting Notre Dame defense that created seven turnovers in a 20-6 victory over the UCLA Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The Irish offense had a difficult time moving the ball against the fast and talented Bruins, but Crum and his mates knocked out starting quarterback Ben Olson and pressured his replacement into numerous mistakes. The win is the first for Notre Dame this season, but the overall improvement of this team is unmistakable.

After a frustrating offensive performance in the first half for both teams, the Irish defense took matters into its own hands. Of UCLA’s eight second half possessions, four were ended by interception, two by fumble, one with a punt and another on a fourth down sack by Crum. This play occurred in the third quarter with the Bruins ahead by 6-3, and Notre Dame drove into scoring position where Brandon Walker converted a personal best 48-yard field goal.

For the first time this season, the Irish were tied in the second half of a ballgame. Crum then forced a fumble by Kahlil Bell, but the Irish could not immediately capitalize. Punter Geoff Price pinned the Bruins on their own one yard line, however, and moments later David Bruton intercepted a pass by McLeod Bethel-Thompson. A face mask penalty on the return moved the ball to the UCLA two, and Jimmy Clausen scored on a quarterback sneak three plays later for a 13-6 Irish lead.

The score started a feeding frenzy for a Notre Dame team that was nothing short of desperate for a win. Crum continued his heroics on the ensuing series by stripping the ball from Bethel-Thompson during a sack and running it into the end zone from 34 yards out as the third quarter wound down.

Leading 20-6, the Irish continued to terrorize Bethel-Thompson as he turned to the air in hopes of generating a fourth quarter comeback. Crum intercepted a pass to stop one Bruin drive, and UCLA’s best scoring opportunity was repelled moments later when Terrail Lambert picked off a fourth down pass at the goal line. Crum added an exclamation point to his remarkable performance during the final minutes with yet another interception. He appeared to have a clear path to the end zone behind a convoy of blockers, but he tripped over one of them and stumbled to the turf at the Bruin 29.

Notre Dame ran out the clock and elated Irish fans in both end zones celebrated with the players for several minutes before the team retired to the locker room. It was an uplifting moment for the program, and one can not help but believe that this game will be remembered as a turning point for Notre Dame’s promising young players and as a form of validation for its veterans.

The victory overshadowed an ineffective performance by the Irish offense, although the Bruin defense was exceptionally good. Notre Dame could not sustain its blocks on stretch plays in the running game, and UCLA blanketed Golden Tate and the Irish receivers downfield.

Fortunately, Tom Zbikowski took care of UCLA’s offense late in the first quarter by sacking Olson, who injured his knee and fumbled in the process. Kerry Neal picked up the ball and returned it inside the Bruin one yard line. Coach Charlie Weis inexplicably called a pass play, which predictably resulted in a sack. A drop by John Carlson and another incompletion caused Notre Dame to settle for a game-tying field goal.

As much as Notre Dame fans detested the first down call by Weis, I can guarantee you that his players liked it even less. If Weis continues to insist on demonstrating his play-calling brilliance in these situations, he may soon be selling used Winnebagos in Elkhart.

UCLA’s swarming defense may have contributed to the fact that Weis called a few bonehead plays in search of something that might work. He was actually outdone in this area by Bruin coach Karl Dorrell, who continued to call pass plays in short yardage third and fourth down situations despite the fact that his running game was working quite well.

The Irish can build on an outstanding performance by Crum and a defense that has played extremely well since the second half of the Purdue game. The offense and special teams did enough good things to secure the win, and that is what matters most. Fans will not forget that the team has a long road to travel before winning becomes an expectation again rather than a novelty, but the road suddenly does not look quite as distant.

A review of the key questions that determine the outcome:

- Will UCLA be able to strike for long scoring plays? Definitely not. The lone exception was called back by holding and Crum intercepted on the next play.

- Will the Irish be able to mix in the run more effectively than they did at Purdue? It was tough going against the UCLA defense, but the Irish stuck to the ground with the lead in the second half and did enough to win.

- Will Olson be able to rely on the ground game and throw only 25 passes instead of 40? Dorrell was his own worst enemy, and the Bruins threw 38 times as a result of their 20-6 deficit.

- Will Notre Dame’s special teams finally make a positive contribution? Bruton was exceptional in coverage, Armando Allen had one nice kickoff return and Walker’s second field goal provided a boost to his teammates.

- Is Jimmy Clausen healthy enough to throw the ball with authority? Yes, although the Bruins did not give him much to aim at.

- Can the Irish protect the quarterback against Davis and company? Davis beat Irish blockers for three sacks, but there were no fundamental breakdowns in protection by Notre Dame.

- Which Irish team that played against Purdue will show up in Pasadena? Defensively, the team that played Purdue tough in the second half showed up in Pasadena. The offense struggled all evening but did not turn the ball over.

UNDERDOG IRISH BATTLE UCLA

Notre Dame travels to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 83 years on Saturday evening to play the high scoring UCLA Bruins. The game completes the 2006-07 home and home series between these schools that had not previously played each other for over 40 years. The Irish won last season’s thriller by 20-17 on the strength of a last minute Brady Quinn scoring pass to Jeff Samardzija.

The Bruins are a veteran team this season and expectations are high in Westwood. An inexplicably bad performance against Utah in a 44-6 road loss is the only blemish on UCLA’s record. Coach Karl Dorrell’s squad has not forgotten last year’s heartbreaking loss in South Bend, and they will be motivated to return the favor.

One does not usually associate a PAC-10 team with a strong ground game, but the Bruins run the ball nearly 60% of the time and have enjoyed considerable success. Tailbacks Chris Markey and Kahlil Bell share the workload about evenly, although Markey has a turf toe problem and his status is uncertain.

UCLA’s defense is equally tough against the run. They have managed to hold opponents to an average of less than 100 yards per game and only 2.8 yards per rush. This formula has worked well late in ballgames as the Bruins have been able to break open the last two contests in the fourth quarter and win going away.

Meanwhile, the 0-5 Irish have only started to taste success after playing a decent second half of football at Purdue last week. Those baby steps were still a far cry from a winning performance against a quality opponent, but the team enters this contest with at least a glimmer of hope. It will take no less than 60 minutes of solid play to defeat a confident Bruin team that has responded well when challenged.

Notre Dame’s Offense vs. UCLA’s Defense

On paper, it appears the Irish will attack UCLA through the air and utilize a similar game plan as in last week’s effort at Purdue. Notre Dame fans, of course, would like to finally see a greater degree of balance in the offense and consistency in the running game. Early problems on the ground last week and a 23-0 halftime deficit caused Coach Charlie Weis to call for more than 50 passes on the day. The Irish may again compile some nice statistics this week with a similar performance, but they won’t win.

End Bruce Davis will terrorize the Irish offensive line and lead the assault on Jimmy Clausen. Tackle Sam Young will need help to block Davis, and he will get it from the tight ends and backs. Davis is joined by Kevin Brown at defensive tackle and Nikola Dragovic at the other end position. The Bruin linebackers are fast but on the small side. Christian Taylor is the veteran in the middle while Reggie Carter is an emerging star on the weak side.

Notre Dame should run right at this group and try to establish a physical presence with James Aldridge and Robert Hughes. Junior Jabbie’s presence in the lineup usually means the Irish will throw the ball, but the senior has also run well when called upon. The emergence of Golden Tate and Duval Kamara has given credibility to the passing game and should cause UCLA to think twice before moving its safeties close to the line of scrimmage.

The Bruin secondary is manned by a group of seniors who really solidify the defense. Cornerback Trey Brown and free safety Dennis Keyes are the playmakers to watch. Both have scored on interception returns this season.

Jimmy Clausen is expected to start at quarterback for Notre Dame, and observers should be able to tell if his injured hip has an impact on his velocity or the ability to throw the deep ball. Evan Sharpley remains a capable reserve, but Clausen is the more accurate passer and has a stronger arm when healthy.

UCLA’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

The Bruins will continue to run the ball as long as the game is close. They have good reason to believe they will eventually break off long gains behind an outstanding offensive line. Center Chris Joseph leads this forward wall for UCLA, and he is flanked by a pair of fifth year senior guards in P.J. Irvin and Noah Sutherland. Regular starting guard Shannon Tevaga is slowed by an injury and may not be available.

Ben Olson, who did not play last year against Notre Dame, will start at quarterback. Olson returned from a concussion to lead the Bruins over Oregon State last week in a relatively sloppy contest. Backup Pat Cowan is injured and unavailable, and there is not much else behind Olson. The key for Notre Dame is to slow down the ground game and force Olson to throw it more often than he and Dorrell would like. Olson is little more than a 50% passer and he suffered three interceptions when UCLA fell behind Utah.

The diminutive Brandon Breazell is the leading Bruin receiver and deep threat. He is joined by Marcus Everett and Joe Cowan, who enjoyed a productive afternoon in South Bend last year. Meanwhile, Everett is hobbled and may not be 100% at game time. His replacement could be 6’3” sophomore Dominique Johnson, who has caught two touchdown passes in a reserve role.

UCLA thrives on the big play and has developed a habit of pulling them off in the fourth quarter. The Irish defense must turn the Bruins into plodders, as they have been susceptible to penalties and other miscues which have prevented them from putting away opponents early. Notre Dame can keep the game close by performing well against the run and avoiding turnovers, but another twenty point loss is within the realm of possibility. Penalties and unforced errors are no strangers to the Irish, who need to clean up this area once and for all.

Special Teams

Former Notre Dame recruit Kai Forbath has become an excellent place kicker for UCLA after a shaky start in the opener against Stanford. He is capable of hitting field goals in excess of 50 yards and is unlikely to miss at close range. Punter Aaron Perez is above average while the return men are very good athletes. Matt Slater has an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to his credit, and Notre Dame has managed to enable opponents in this area.

The Irish offense cannot afford to be backed up in its own territory all night if it wants to execute the game plan. Kickoff returns have been a disappointment and punt returns have been derailed by penalties. Conversely, Notre Dame has been unable to put the ball near the goal line on kickoffs and punter Geoff Price has lost his job to Eric Maust.

Summary

UCLA’s record and game scores are somewhat deceiving. The talent is in place for dominant performances, but the Bruins have looked downright ugly at times against less than stellar opposition. There are many veterans on this team, however, and they have usually been able to find an answer when they appear to be on the ropes. The revenge motive against the Irish has some sway with this team, but those emotions quickly evaporate after kickoff.

Notre Dame’s freshmen have rekindled hopes for a turnaround this season, even before the current eight game gauntlet is completed. One positive this week is the Bruins have started slowly in games this year, and the Irish may gain confidence if they are not digging out of another first half crater.

A review of the key questions that will determine the winner:

- Will UCLA be able to strike for long scoring plays?
- Will the Irish be able to mix in the run more effectively than they did at Purdue?
- Will Olson be able to rely on the ground game and throw only 25 passes instead of 40?
- Will Notre Dame’s special teams finally make a positive contribution?
- Is Jimmy Clausen healthy enough to throw the ball with authority?
- Can the Irish protect the quarterback against Davis and company?
- Which Irish team that played against Purdue will show up in Pasadena?

Prediction

While the oddsmakers have installed the Bruins as heavy favorites, this game should be close unless Notre Dame completely regresses from the improvements it has made in the last two weeks. Unfortunately, the Irish will not be able to run the ball well enough to win, nor will they hold off the UCLA’s big play capability for a full 60 minutes. In the end, Forbath may prove to be the difference.

UCLA 27 Notre Dame 24

Weis Cracks and Crack Backs

From Kayo and Bacchus and Kayo (yeah, in that order.)

Brock Sprack is happy his team won the game, but he’s still not quite sure what happened.

Something must have come over him for the first 30 minutes, but he was back to his old self in the second half.

The Purdue coaching staff is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness.

Evan Sharpley can be on my team any time.

Wanting him on your team is easy. Deciding whether he should be the starter is the tricky part.

Even if he never starts, there’s always room for a guy who’s prepared, willing to compete for playing time, and ready when needed.

DB with his back to the ball on a touchdown pass… check.

Tradition never graduates.

Apparently Clifford Jefferson doesn’t graduate, either. He just keeps changing numbers.

How, exactly, does one boiler up?

I’m not sure, but I think “to get boilered up” is slang for this:


Next thing you know it’ll be the title of a movie.

Oh good. Now I twitch uncontrollably every time an opponent has third and long.

It’s almost as bad as when the Irish have third and short.

I’m fine before third and short, but I find myself involuntarily cursing like a Tourette’s patient before the inevitable fourth and short.

Sporting gold jerseys with gold pants, Minnesota made a valiant run at Oregon’s worst uniforms title. Bob Davie, who was predictably demoted to providing white noise between plays on ESPN2’s college football broadcasts, opined that the Gophers should have added gold flanks to the jerseys.

Watching Boob on the Deuce calling a Gophers’ rout just so you can get material for Weis Cracks? Talk about taking one for the team.

As the broadcast team is introduced before the ESPN2 game each week, I find myself feeling like Tessio… Bacchus, can you get me off the hook for old times' sake?

The poodle is a vicious animal, okay?

I never thought leg-humping was all that vicious.

A judge says it is, and I have the restraining order to prove it.

Poor tackling… check.

Poor tackling is merely the flourish Irish defenders add to taking poor angles and letting blockers get into their bodies.

It’s the old nature vs. nurture question. Are they born with that kind of versatility or are they coached to it?

Second stupidest comment of the broadcast – Andre Ware questioned the uncatchable ruling against Darrin Walls late in the third quarter on a pass that was ten feet over the receiver’s head and five yards out of bounds. “He’s a big fella,” said Ware. “He can leap. If ya got somebody hanging on your jersey, ya can’t get off the ground.” Ware offered this insight while watching a replay showing a throw Inspector Gadget would have struggled to catch.

Ware’s acute perception of what constitutes a catchable pass explains the longevity of his NFL career.

1990s vintage NFL defensive backs say his passes were easy to catch.

Stupidest comment of the broadcast – Play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch responded to Ware’s nonsense with, “You got a point.”

When you’re 0-4 and playing Purdue, you get the broadcast crew you deserve.

You are what the quality of your broadcast crew says you are.

Florida State defeated Alabama 21-14 on Saturday denying the Crimson Tide its 2nd national championship this year and 74th in its version of history.

And if Bobby Bowden hadn’t already won his MNC, the AP would have awarded him one during his post game presser.

If he gets another lifetime achievement championship, maybe Bowden will take the hint and retire.

Asked what his team had to do to beat #1 USC, Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said, “Don’t believe the hype.” Having experienced Willingham’s coaching for more than two years, Washington’s players easily related to the concept.

I thought he was referring to the motivational value of the Huskies’ nostalgic uniforms, which worked about as well for them as the green jerseys did for Ty’s Notre Dame team.

Jerseys may not be much of a motivational ploy, but what else can a coach who lacks acumen and charisma do?

Can’t get a yard for a first down… check.

Don’t underestimate Charlie’s farsighted genius. He was just setting up the defense for that fourth-and-one bomb to Tate.

It’s a vast right side of the line conspiracy.

Arrelious Benn is worth every penny.

The corrupt game-within-the-game that is college recruiting has actually got me rooting for this kid to fail.

Or be exposed, at least.

This year’s conventional wisdom says that Weis missed opportunities to play youngsters in game situations last year. Last year’s conventional wisdom was that ND was overrated because it played too many close games against lesser opponents which, of course, makes it hard to empty the bench. I feel sorry for conventional wisdom. It’s very conflicted.

Never forget conventional wisdom’s foremost guiding principle: whatever can be said to portray Notre Dame in the worst possible light must be true.

Conventional wisdom’s favor tends to align with broadcast rights.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ron Musselman reported that Joe Paterno “danced around the question” when asked if he would consider changing quarterbacks. His answer was, by all reports, a graveyard smash.

Nothing better demonstrates Joepa’s full recovery from last year’s knee injury than his dancing on his own grave.

He still needs a jolt through the electrodes to do it.

Bad shotgun snap… check.

Yeah, but it was only one this time.

Discernable progress.

This week’s Heisler award nominee for useless stat once again comes from Heisler’s own post-game notes. It seems that Evan Sharpley became the first quarterback other than Brady Quinn to throw more than one TD pass in a game since Carlyle Holiday had four against Rutgers in November of 2002.

Meanwhile Thomas Bemenderfer’s proof of Fermat’s last theorem goes unmentioned.

Heisler knows about it, but he thinks everyone already understands that you can’t split a squared number into round whole.

Oregon State led next week’s opponent, UCLA, through three quarters. Then the Beavers turned into pussies, surrendering 28 fourth quarter points to lose 40-14.

No one gives up Beaver like OSU.


Err… She sure has a pretty smile.

Michigan may have to forfeit last week’s victory over Penn State because it used an ineligible player. Because it's a Big Ten eligibility issue, Michigan is only facing disciplinary action for conference games according to the Ann Arbor News. The Victory over Notre Dame will stand. “See, I told you we should have joined the Big Ten,” said Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White.

Depending on the outcome of the Reggie Bush payola investigation, maybe we could retroactively join the Pac-10, too.

Let’s hope those 25 year old BYU guys are legitimate.

Can’t kick two extra points and a short field goal… Hey! Something new!

In fairness, this is the first game that our offense has given the place kicking unit that opportunity.

It may be the last time Weis gives them that opportunity.

Golden Tate and Duval Kamara as the starting receivers for the next three years would be fine with me.

Me too---provided they earn their positions on the depth chart by winning heated competition against a host of highly touted younger recruits.

We’ll know the program is on the right track when there’s heated competition for all starting positions.

Notre Dame is 0-5, and the Cubs are playing in the postseason. In a related story, heating repairmen have been dispatched to hell.

With USF and Kentucky in the top ten, and Cincinnati and Rutgers in the top 25, that place ain’t never gonna thaw out.

Luckily, Bo Schembechler packed his winter coat.

Bacchus

Kayo