hang in there, irish. :grin: show a thick skin and some football knowledge and this bunch will tolerate a wide variety of opinions, including yours. 'tis a good bunch, btw. Regarding football, it's a decent point you make. For ND to win, it would likely require a shootout. But I don't think Bo Pelini is going to allow that scenario. In order for ND to impose it's will on LSU and force the type of favorable scenario that would allow a shootout, Weis must establish the run on LSU's defense. Notre Dame's ground game ranks 79th among D-1 programs with an average of 124 yards a game, and only against Michigan did they face a defense of the caliber of LSU's defense .... the Tigers rank fifteenth against the rush with 93 ypg. And I would argue that LSU did that against opponents with a greater commitment to rushing the football. (Ark, Auburn, UT, Alabama) LSU will run the football early, often, and until ND can repeatedly stop them. IMO, the key to this game will be twofold: Can the Notre Dame offensive line become as good at run-blocking as they are at pass-blocking in time for kickoff? .... and, can LSU play turnover-free football? Usually, following a layoff, its been my observation that the team with the better run-defense has an early advantage in the bowl game, until the players and coaches settle into a groove and begin playing productive football. Although Weis is well known for having well-prepared offenses, it is my opinion that Pelini is at least his equal in that regard. But in fairness, turnovers usually increase after a layoff too, and this LSU squad seems to have them at critical junctures within the game ..... real momentum killers. No, I don't believe this will be a shootout at all. This is going to be a physical game, one about manhood. It'll be low scoring ..... mebbe 24-17 or 23-14 .... something like that, in favor of LSU. But this is an area where ND could surprise LSU and possibly pull off the upset ... special teams. BTW, I haven't seen a team this season that would hang 42 on LSU, and there have been many that tried :hihi:
Well said Caddy. Just when I was really enjoying my hatred for the Aubies, you come in here and make some ggod points. Damn you!
while ND has proven through the course of the season to have many flaws, they have been able to pass the ball. what effective passing offensives has lsu gone against this year---Tenn, i guess, and that was with a noob qb. made the bama passing game look pretty good for much of the game. the lsu d well against auburn, florida and arkansas, but two of them have crappy passing games and florida is ok. quinn can make plays. even against so cal when they hit him in the mouth tons of times he went for 3tds and about 300yds. in that game btw a wr not named schmegma got over 100 yds. schmegma sure as hell is a better playmaker than any of our three solid wrs, and dont forget nd has one helluva dynamic returner (not sure if he's a wr too). if lsu cant routinely pressure quinn, then they can score lots. even with routine pressure he may be able to hit several long ones, in which case lsu needs to be efficient on O to make 20-30 nd points meaningless
Rhema McKnight may be our best receiver. He leads the team in receiving Touchdowns, and is behind only Smardzjia in yardage. As far so our returners, which one are you speaking of? Grimes is a WR who only has about 20-30 cathces this year. Zibkowski may be one of the best returners in the country, is a DB.
Terry wasn't run off he and his legal team are busy trying to get the right to use "SabanFan" as his screen name on the bama boards.
