Beat SC

Three weeks ago, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to Oklahoma and suddenly had a season record of 3-2. The defense was playing way below the level set by last year’s team. The offense showed flashes of brilliance but often sputtered into three-and-outs. If the Irish had any hopes of a BCS Bowl then they had to defeat Arizona State in the 2013 Shamrock Series game in Dallas. From the get go, the Irish proved that they were not going to go down easily. The Arizona State Sundevils have one of the best offenses in the country and the Irish held them to only 13 points in the first three quarters. The Irish dominated most of the game but had to recover an onside kick to seal the game and earn a 38-34 victory.

The Irish had a bye last weekend and got a chance to watch this week’s opponent and their new coach get a win over Arizona. That opponent is the University of Southern California. The USC Trojans are 4-2, same as the Irish. There are no doubts, by either side, on how huge of a rivalry this is. Notre Dame vs. USC is the most prominent intersectional rivalry in all of college football. On a personal level, I hate USC. I have everything about them. I hate the fight song. I hate the players. I hate their fans. This is the game I look forward to the most every season.

It seems like the Irish are finally coming together and playing at a high level. The defensive line is getting pressure on the quarterback and making stops on running plays. The cornerbacks and linebackers still have room for improvement but they are getting there, slowly but surely. On offense, it comes down to Rees. His passing game has to be considered a legitimate threat to open up the rushing attack.

Keys to the game

Accuracy by Rees- USC’s weakness on defense is their secondary. Plus, they are going to do what every Irish opponent has done this season: force Tommy Rees to pass. So far, this technique has worked. If the Irish cannot have success on the ground then Rees has to his targets. Way too often Rees overthrows his receivers downfield. He has to get the timing down and get the ball into the receivers’ hands.

Energy- Last week was the first time it looked like the Irish were having a fun time on the field. This game is going to be played under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium. It may be nerve-wracking at first but the players have to turn the energy and electricity into something positive. They need to feed off the crowd. Plus, USC has not played in an environment like they will tonight. The Irish need to use the crowd to rattle the Trojans.

Turnover Battle- Notre Dame forced three turnovers while only giving up one against Arizona State. That trend has to continue if the Irish want to win.

My prediction: Notre Dame- 27. USC- 18

Predictions

I did not post my picks here last week but I did post them on Twitter. I went 7-3 last week and now stand at 46-24 on the season.

Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan State Spartans

#15 Georgia Bulldogs at Vanderbilt Commodores

#11 South Carolina Gamecocks at Tennessee Volunteers

#22 Florida Gators at #14 Missouri Tigers

Ball State Cardinals at Western Michigan Broncos

#24 Auburn Tigers at #7 Texas A&M

Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Wolverines

#8 UCLA Bruins at #13 Stanford Cardinal

USC Trojans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

#5 Florida State Seminoles at #3 Clemson Tigers

-probably first time I picked all home teams

Shamrock Series

Oklahoma Review

The unranked Fighting Irish were defeated at home for the first time since 2011 after the Oklahoma Sooners won 35-21 last week. The Sooners capitalized on four Irish turnovers and never trailed in the game. I cannot remember the exact game but a few weeks ago I noted on Twitter that the Irish started a game brutally. Well, the beginning to game last week was even more horrible. On the first drive of the game, Tommy Rees threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. That is a huge momentum killer. The game just started. The players, fans and band are hyped up. Then a play like that occurs and it takes the gusto out of everybody. On the very next Irish possession, Rees throws another interception. Oklahoma pounced on their great field position and scored a touchdown. Just like that it’s 14-0 before anybody could even get settled in.

The Irish were able to close the gap two times and had the ability to tie the game. The first occurrence was in the second half right before halftime. The score was 14-7 and the Irish were in the red zone. A tie game right before halftime would even a game out that was completely mismatched at the beginning. Alas, that was too optimistic. Rees threw his third interception of the game and the Sooners were able to score a touchdown for themselves before halftime. In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame was within a touchdown again, trailing 27-21.  Momentum was building but the defense needed a stop. Well, that’s not going to happen with this team. Oklahoma scored a touchdown on a 54-yard pass. Game over. It also didn’t happen matters the LAST THREE Irish offensive possessions in the game were three-and-outs.

What is so agonizingly painful about this team is they have the talent to beat anybody but they lack in execution and fundamentals, especially the defense. I see it every game! The opposing offense makes a big play and our defensive backs put their hands up and look around trying to figure out what happened. Five games into the season, how can you not know your assignment? This is an experienced defensive backfield that supposedly did its growing up last season. That is not the case. However, the coaches need to shoulder the blame too. I saw at least five wide receiver screens run by Oklahoma’s offense. Why did we consistently play our cornerbacks so far off their receivers?

This is my final point before moving on. 22 teams in the AP Top 25 have had at least one bye week so far this season. The other three (Ohio State, Texas A&M, LSU) have played a FCS team. Notre Dame has not had a bye week or played a FCS team. What the Irish desperately need is a bye week. They need to refocus on the goals and take a week to regain composure. Brian Kelly and athletic director, Jack Swarbick, cannot let another season like this occur. Six tough games to start the season without a break is not acceptable when you expect to play for a national championship.

Keys to beating Arizona State

Run the ball- All I hear is how the Irish struggle to run the ball. I don’t agree for two reasons. First off, opposing defenses know Tommy Rees suck so they bring six, seven, and eight games in the box to stop the run. They want the Irish to pass. Second, the Irish don’t run the ball enough. I see it way too often. 2^nd & short and the Irish line up with five receivers and no running back. That is so asinine. Run the damn ball and get the first down.

More Andrew Hendrix- Hendrix made his 2013 debut last week as a “change of pace” quarterback. It’s time for him to get way more playing time. Everybody knows how to stop Rees. Everybody. Even the blind can stop Rees. The offense has become stagnant and predictable. Something has to change and that something can be the amount of playing time Hendrix gets.

Defense- This is a blanket statement. Everybody in every facet of the game needs to improve. The defensive line gets a partial pass but that’s it. Arizona State is the best offense Notre Dame has faced so far. The only way the Irish win this game is if they force punts and TURNOVERS. For the love of God, please get a turnover!

Predicted score: Arizona State- 34. Notre Dame-24.

Predictions

Last week I went 5-5 which brings my season record to 34-16. I underestimated the underrated Northern Illinois Huskies as well as their MAC brethren, the Ball State Cardinals.  The LSU Tigers fell to the Georgia Bulldogs in another SEC thriller. This week the schedule is just as juicy as last week.

#25 Maryland Terrapins at #8 Florida State Seminoles

Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes

Penn State Nittany Lions at Indiana Hoosiers

Ball State Cardinals at Virginia Cavaliers

Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers

#24 Ole Miss Rebels at Auburn Tigers

#22 Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Arkansas Razorbacks at #18 Florida Gators

#4 Ohio State Buckeyes at #16 Northwestern Wildcats

#15 Washington Huskies at #5 Stanford