| 02 September 2010
WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANT-PREVIEW OF THE 2010 SEASON...BITCHES!!!! Wheewwwww.... Now that I got that out of my system, we can proceed.
Welcome to the 2010 season. There is just so much to look forward to as we enter thr Brian Kelly era. Notre Dame had been in dark ,dark times for the past 3 seasons, but as the first game approaches, I think some of us are starting to see the white light shimmer in the distance. Could Notre Dame finally have a real, honest to goodness head coach? The answer, after checking your 8 ball, is most likely.
Before we skip off and charge right into this Anti-Preview, I have to announce that a few changes have been made this season with the way the AP is done. Rather than list them all off, I will just give you some fair warning. Uh... you've been warned. Here we go...
Purdue. The Boilers are still the whiny bitch of the state of Indiana. How they do feel slighted all year round. I have to tell ya... I miss Joe Tiller. I do. I'm tired of not being able to sneak in some insurance/DIABEETUS/oatmeal when talking about the Boilers. It's not fair. Danny Hope just doesn't have what it takes to be an Internet punching bag for the Irish faithful. He's too, bleh.
The Boilers were one of only two teams that Charlie Weis was able to make his bitch. Weis had a 4-1 record against Purdue. Let me repeat that: CHARLIE WEIS WAS 4-1 AGAINST PURDUE. Purdue's lone win in the past 5 years was against the 2007 Notre Dame team, which was probably the worst Irish team in its history. Or close enough anyways.
Purdue lost its starting QB, Joey Elliot, to graduation. However, they probably got better at QB with the addition of Miami transfer, Robert Marve. Their best running back, Ralph Bolden is gone for the year, and they replace most (if not all) of their secondary.
Let me explain one thing. Purdue has won 2 games (1974 &2004) in South Bend in the last 36 years- or something like that. Yes. This game is played in South Bend, and we still have Kyle Rudolph.
What you should be drinking: It's called, "The Force." There really isn't much more to be said about its dominance with a name like that. The recipe comes from freind of Subway Domer (and a HUGE closet Notre Dame fan) Michael Felder of In The Bleachers.
Here's how it works:
We like to make ours in a Gatorade cooler, the type with the spout on the bottom so that there's no dippage, I'm a germaphobe.
- 24 cheap beers (Natural Light is our go to)
- 1 half gallon cheap vodka (Aristocrat will do)
- 1 19 oz Country Time Lemonade POWDER
- *optional is a fifth of everclear (not suitable for freshman)
- *suggested is frozen lemonade or fruit punch concentrate (ice without watering things down)
- Pour the case of beer into the cooler, add the vodka, stir in the lemonade powder.
- We like to put frozen blocks of ice in ziploc bags to keep it cold but strong.
I will warn you that everyone's first experience ends badly. I passed out for the first half of the UNC-Rutgers game in 2006, woke up, everyone was at the game and I was still at the house.
It is delicious though. I've seen it called Moose Juice and Summer Beer as well.
(Editor's Note: Usually, I would add a video... but I don't think you need to see the ugly side of this)
What you should be eating.You already got enough Natural Light to get a large preschool wasted, so you might as well put that good beer to use. Beer Can Chicken bitches. (Quick note: This was the food for the Purdue game last year too. Must be something about Purdue and poultry).While you're making the chicken, you should grill up some Indiana corn in the husks on the grill as well.
Irish Stew: (This is a new feature for this year. Basically, it is just kind of a "Whatever" thing that you should be doing for the game). Hey! Sing the flippin' song. Seriously. You have waited since NOVEMBER OF 2009 to watch a Notre Dame football game. Quit playing it cool, and get off of your fat ass and sing the Victory March. I don't care where you are. The stadium, the parking lot, your house, work... wherever. At 3:30 on September 4th, 2010; get up and sing loud and proud. Follow that up with an awkward rendition of the "Celtic Chant" as you hum and fuck up the fist pump action. Live it, and love it. This should be done for every game- but the importance of starting a new era demands that all of you follow these orders.
What's In A Name?: (Another new feature for 2010. Here, we pick out a name from the opposing team and either glorify it- or make fun of it. Very, very childish.) Waynelle Gravesande #3 WR Junior. This is one of those names that you can cut both ways. The uniqueness demands respect as I suspect that he is probably the only Waynelle Gravesande in the world. However, Waynelle is very close to: Johnelle. Can we expect something straight out of a loony bin from Gravesande on Saturday like we would from our old friend, Johnelle?
Offensive MVP: Dayne Crist is the only choice for week one. It doesn't matter if we throw the ball just 5 times for the entire game, Crist is the key for the whole season. Now, you know as well as I do, that Notre Dame is going to throw the ball more than 5 times in one drive- let alone the game... but you see my point. I honestly feel like Kelly will run the ball quite a bit, but there is a big reason why I think Crist will be the MVP in my eyes: LEADERSHIP. What Dayne does in the huddle between plays will make or break the offense in this game as they all go full speed ahead with the new spread system. At the end of the day (Brian Kelly is just killing that phrase) the Notre Dame offense will run a balanced attack against Purdue, which puts Crist in a better position to throw the ball. Look for about 230 yards and 2 TD's through the air for Saint Dayne.
Defensive MVP: Like Crist, Manti Te'o is the only real choice here to start the season. As the defense evolves back to the 3-4 front from the 4-3, the entire front seven will have a spotlight shining brightly on their uniforms. Although the key to the 3-4 is how well the three down lineman take on blockers, Te'o has to live up to his billing. Manti is sounding more and more like the leader on the defense, and that is the way it should be. As the Mike linebacker, he is the quarterback of the defense and the one who has the ability to make many different plays around the line of scrimmage. Manti is taking an active role as the leader by helping other players out, such as first-time starter, LB Carlo Calabrese. The defense has the ability to improve itself by leaps and bounds, which would improve this football team by a rocket launch. Te'o will be an animal up front as his size ans speed will be too much for the Boiler offensive line to handle. Look for double-digit tackles that have a few "highlight reel" hits in the mix.
Something Else to watch out for: The return game. To say that Notre Dame has been very mediocre in the past 5 years when it comes to the return game, would be like saying that Lane Kiffin is a douchebag. The answer is: TRUE. Every year coaches talk about the importance of special teams and say that they put an emphasis on them, but only 15% look like they actually do with the given results. Kelly isn't afraid to put his front-line guys out to return kicks and punts. I think Weis was, and that was a big reason why Notre Dame struggled at times. The Irish won't return every kick and punt for a TD, but it would be nice if they got back to the point where you thought they just might, everytime. This is as important as moving to the spread, and changing to a 3-4 defense. The ability to return the ball well. Field position... Google it.
The Brawling Hibernian on an angle: The last name of Purdue’s head coach is ‘Hope.’ For those of you into the whole ‘Law of Magnetic Attraction’ thing, this is wildly appropriate. While other teams (you know, the good ones) spent their off-season working out, learning plays and generally getting better, Purdue spent theirs, in appreciation of the obvious, “Hoping.”
Now, there are circumstances where hope (or Hope) might fit nicely. As a positive, it could keep you alive while awaiting rescue from a shipwreck or freedom from wrongful imprisonment (vengeance works better on that last point if the Count of Monte Cristo is to be believed). On the other hand, it could also result in spending your last thirty bucks on lottery tickets instead of your electric bill. Hope is a serpentine mistress.
The one area where Hope does not bode well is in the absence of ability. All of the Hope in the world will not overcome talent and preparation. While I’ve no doubt Purdue is prepared, they’re not especially talented. Notre Dame, conversely, should score well on both counts and, because of that, win this game.
In the end, Hope springs eternal, but speed and strength will give it a kick in the love spuds every time. A few growing pains in the early going, but the Irish win by a comfortable enough margin, 28-17.
KGG's Slant: This offseason, unlike any other, seems like it has taken forever. With coaching changes, realignment, transfers, USC troubles and the nonsense that is the University of Michigan football program, I'm glad that football is back in town. If I had to pick a team that I liked the Irish to open up against, I'd have said Purdue. Some might say the logical opener would be Tulsa or Western Michigan, but opening up against an "inferior" team can be hard to get motivated for. Does Appalachian State ring a bell to our confused brethren to the north? Purdue provides a tougher opponent that should also get the Irish blood boiling before the Michigan game the following week. Purdue is also conducive to Kelly's spread attack.
Purdue is replacing all 4 starters in the secondary and only Albert Evans returns with valuable playing time under his belt. Kelly has expressed an interest in establishing the run this offseason and that is exactly what he needs to do this game. The stable of backs, Allen and Wood seem to be deeper than the receivers with Floyd, Riddick and Tai-ler Jones at this point. The Irish starting receivers are:
- 1. Possibly the best WR in the country but coming off consecutive injury shortened seasons.
- 2. A converted running back who has never played the position he is now a starter at.
- 3. A freshman who has never played a snap of college football.
If the Irish can establish the run early, they can setup up the vulnerable secondary. The offensive line needs to establish a push early in this game, allowing the backs to run free, setting up the play action. With the success of the offensive line, goes the success of the Irish against Purdue. The run allows Crist to build some confidence in his knee and himself that would provide the necessary early success to be the springboard for this season. Look for the Irish to run the ball early and stretch the lead late in the game when conditioning becomes a factor, 34-17 Irish win.
Is this a trophy game? You bet your sweet ass it is. The Shillelagh Trophy. Here's a little history
from an old Subway Domer post, now archived:
In continuing with the shillelagh theme we next look at the Purdue game. It is simply called The Shillelagh Trophy. It was donated by a merchant seaman and Fighting Irish fan, Joe McLaughlin. He purchased the blackthorn oak club while in Ireland. The winner of the game has received this trophy since the 1957 game. The winner has its initials put on a football medallion, along with the score, and that is placed on the oak stand the Shillelagh sit upon.
At The End Of The Day: (This is the new title of the prediction part. We fucking love you, Brian Kelly!) Notre Dame and Purdue are breaking in new starters at Quarterback, and no matter what propaganda is being spewed by both sides, we just don't really know what to expect- exactly. I look for both teams to try and establish the run early in the game, but Purdue is thin at running back while the Irish are running 4 deep. I think the Irish run the ball well early, and play enough good run defense to force Purdue to become 1 dimensional. Then the chips start falling in our laps. Irish win 31-17.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
