IrishAZ

YES!!!!! And that's all I'm gonna say... IRISH!

Point taken, newearth, the UM and UT games were happy times. However, ND lost their last 4 games, including a dogpile 17 point loss to Oregon State at the Insight Bowl and a 31-point blowout against USC. Those were not-so-happy times. As far as the Willingham good start, that's been a hot topic of discussion among the ND Nation. Here's the difference - Willingham started off 8-0, but the Offense didn't score a touchdown until the 3rd game. We lived off of turnovers, special teams and defense that year. Granted, all important parts of the game, but based too much on luck and the other team making mistakes. Once that ran out and the opponents were more organized (against BC at home that year) the rest of that season went down hill. Saturday was diferent, though...very different. I dunno...the Irish just looked...better. More poised and focused. The offense clicked. The defense adjusted. They played real ball for the first time in ages and were in great condition. By way of comparison, Pitt players were walking off the field with their hands on their hips, cramping up and looking exhausted by the 2nd quarter. They were truly prepared to play for the first time since Lou Holtz coached them. I won't go crazy and say ND is a NC contender this year, but they'll be a much improved team and surprise some folks before the year's out. IRISH!

Damn...lots of good games this weekend. I'm glad ND and NU are finally playing at times where I can catch both games! Is that just an accident of scheduling, or do the TV networks have that much pull in deciding start times? IRISH! GBR!

At least he's not playing in Norman and won't have to worry about oranges flying at him I wonder how he would feel after being called a f*cking hillbilly. I'm starting to almost like Spurrier....almost. IRISH! -ps Nameless...love the TZilla sig.

Most of the ND fans I know like his approach. He has many times talked about the season being 11 distinct games and that the season has to be played at an even keel - getting too high or too low is counterproductive. He gave the team 24 hours to feel good about a solid win this week (Lord knows, it's been a long time since those kids could do that) but then he brought down the curtain. According to one report, at Tuesday's practice after the player presser he informed the team he didn't want to hear a single word about the Pitt game anymore...or else. In days gone by, the team has been high as kites with emotion and pumped up like crazy for the opener.... then the toe meets leather and something goes wrong and they look like a herd of deer in the lights of an onrushing mammoth truck. Last week, in sharp contrast, they played sharp, focused football and even when the D was torched early, the team recovered and kept their composure and played a good game. THe O responded with a quick score and the D made adjustments and shut down a pretty potent Pitt offense. Personally, I really like Charlie's approach. He's very business like and seems to be quite the disciplinarian. From what I've heard from students and players there, he really pushes the kids. I've been plesantly surprised, though, with what seems to be the players' reactions - some of them seemed to crave the structure and discipline (Tomy Z was saying last week he *needed* to be coached this way, even). Yet, he's achieved a balance. He doesn't treat the players like NFL players (he's said many times he has to remind himself these are 19-22 year olds and holds back a lot) and uses different approached to motivate the players depending on their personalities (he said something to the effect that screaming at a kid who doesn't respond to screaming just gives you a sore throat and doesn't help the kid). He also stresses that the players need to have some fun while they're out there playing and that sits nicely with me. I can definitely see improvement in the Irish just based on the mental game. THe Michigan comment might very well be just a tactic to keep the kids focused and control the emotions, but that's ok with me. Even though a few of my bretheren are hyping already, we're all just looking for improvement in play and if the Pitt game was an indication I don't think we'll be disappointed, even in a loss, as long as the kids are prepared and have a chance on the field every week. Whatever emotion he lacks for the UM game I'm sure the ND fans will supply in surplus. IRISH!

"And what's really cool is I can completely stop, but the waves of fat just keep goin'..."

I think what's overlooked is that the QB from Free Shoes, being brand-spanking new to the position, wasn't trusted to pass in that situation. As much as I hate them, Miami is a pretty well coached team (hate scUM, but I kinda like Coker and what he's done for the program and his general attitude...seems like a good guy). I suspect FSU's failure to score had more to do with Miami recognizing formation and personnel than anything. Miami could load the line of scrimmage because there was little threat he would throw and Bowden's tendancies go that way (Riverboat Gambler persona nonwithstanding...he plays safe-ball when games are close or he's not sure of his players). One throw to the corner, even if it was incomplete, would have made a lot of difference, I think. What formation was NU running at the goal line? Power I? Offset I? Split Backs? Single Back? Were the huskers passing to the wide sides of the field? TE underneath? Back in the flat? If Maine stacked the box for run, that also takes the middle of the field away on the goal line. If they played a normal front or a spread 7, then their DL must have gotten good penetration against the run. Also, I don't recall, but was this before or after Cory fumbled? Confidence in the players might have come into play here. First rule of the WCO - spread the field horizontally. For whatever reason, 2 passes didn't do that or else (and I hope this is true) BC would have pounded in a run play. I can only hope Cally and Co. saw something positive in another pass attempt, so that's what they called. I plan on watching the entire Wake game this week, so I'll give myself the liberty of second-guessing then. As far as the 3 passes against Maine at the goal line, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to BC and assume he saw something we didn't....this time, at least. IRISH! GBR!

I hear Brian Bosworth and Dennis Miller are looking for work...

As I recall, there weren't that many coaching changes that year compared to other years. Seems to me most coaching changes are done based on the need to change the coach, not the availability of another coach. Consequently, it's a bit hard to bash Solich for not getting another HC job when there weren't openings. Anyone remember the other schools that replaced coaches that year?

For the last time people, USC DOES NOT run the West Coast Offense. But dont take my word for it, take Carson Palmers word..... From: http://eaglesfootball.com/college/palmer/qa2.php USC's Palmer thinks new offense is a perfect fit June 4, 2001 Jeff D'Alessio The Sporting News New coach. New offense. New Carson Palmer? USC fans hope so. Palmer, who was picked off 18 times last year in Paul Hackett's West Coast offense, is hoping for a breakthrough junior season under Pete Carroll and new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. The 6-5 Palmer has had his moments in two years as the Trojans' starter, racking up 5,159 passing yards, the most for a USC quarterback at the end of his sophomore year. In the latest installment of One-on-One, Palmer talks about expectations, country music and Dr. Seuss. TSN: Compare your new offense to the one you ran last year. CP: They're completely different. The West Coast offense is an NFL-style offense. It's very complex and takes a while to learn. Coach Chow's offense is very different. It's very basic. He pretty much taught it to me in two weeks. The West Coast offense takes three years to learn. We've already put in everything we have in Coach Chow's offense. In this new offense, there's no seven-step drops. Everything is about getting rid of the ball quick. If you hitch twice, you're wrong in this offense. In the West Coast offense, you're taking a lot of five-step drops and hitching a couple times and trying to find the third guy. This offense, all you're doing is dropping back and getting rid of the ball as fast as you can. TSN: Sounds like you prefer the new offense. CP: It's better for this team. The West Coast offense is tough to run in college football. To do it, you've got to have every guy at every position. You've got to have the tight end that can run down the field, receivers for this down and for this pattern and a certain type of running back. This offense is suited to what you have. If you have a good receiver, you're going to run this play. If you have a back that can't do this, you're not going to run this play. FF, Would you rather quote Carson Palmer on what they run... ...or Bill Walsh who oddly describes the same thing Palmer did as the WCO..."[the West Coast Offense]... is an umbrella term for precision-timed passing, variable formations, and the exploitation of each player's skills." The important thing to consider, really, isn't that they run a WCO (or not ) but that Chow/Carroll installed it in 1 year. Just because a playbook is thick doesn't make it impossible to learn, obviously. IRISH! GBR!

It's in the Big House this time. If Ty can beat them at SB, Weis will have a good chance at Ann Arbor. The big question is if the Irish secondary stays firmed up. Palko lit them up in the 1st quarter, but they showed good bounce-back for the rest of the game. They keep that up and force the run, I think we will have a great chance of winning, absolutely! IRISH! GBR!

I don't recall since I registered last year, but is there an option to signup for the Woodshed during registration? Maybe it could be added? I just wanna pound on the likes of Tailboner and Ralph. IRISH! GBR!

I think I missed that game...what was the score again? IRISH! GBR! -ps they did look pretty good. UM will be the real test though. I hope Minter plans for Henne and Co. as well as he adjusted for Palko/Lee in the second quarter.

So, is this a running argument for the validity of I-AA football or a comparison of Maine to NU? Sure, granted, there are lots of good athletes in I-AA that perhaps don't make the NFL that should just by virtue of being in lower profile programs. And there are plenty of NFL standouts that have come from I-AA. And absolutely, I believe that smaller programs can compete with larger programs, regardless of Division, and win (vis the "Giant Killer" role ND used to have back in the leather helmet days or the recent success of teams like UConn and UAB). However, you can't deny the .800+ winning pct of IA over IAA. And it's hard to argue with 25-7 as well. IRISH! GBR!

I think it's a reference to the Jonestown mass suicide in Guyana. Interestingly enough, Kool Aid was invented in Nebraska by Ed Perkins of Hastings. Wonder if there's a connection? IRISH! GBR!

I think it just proves a point that, hopefully, the coaches will instill in the team every week - take *no one* for granted. The Huskers will be up for the important games, of that I'm exceptionally confident. It's the smaller games (E.g., Wake and Baylor) that I have a tinge of nervousness about. IRISH! GBR!

How far behind Taylor is Beck, anyway? I mean, is he capable of running the entire package Taylor has, or is he limited in the plays available? Seems that if he's far behind, he'll need to compensate somehow in the event Zack goes down and some reps would do him, and the team as a whole, good. If he's close, then the reps would probably be more disruptive of Taylor's progress than beneficial to the team as a whole. I suspect if Taylor has a good game to the point the coaches are confident he's "got it", the second teamers will get game reps. Until then, let him get more experience, even if in garbage time, so he can be playing at a higher level during the more strenuous part of the schedule. IRISH! GBR!

I agree with Hunter here - playcalling is the order of the day at this point, I think. I'm certain that by now, there's an available package of plays the team can go to and execute. If they can't execute a particular play, then I have to question its place in the playbook. And, to strengthen what Hunter said - if an available and reasonable play can't be called at the correct down and distance, who's ultimately responsible for that? Passing from the 1? Strings of Run/Run/Pass/Punt? I just have to groan and think "Oh Lord...not again". I've never been a fan of bringing the WCO to college because of it's ostensible complexity and over-reliance on a comparably immature QB to make reads and checkoff at the line. However, after seeing the Pats offense executed pretty well by ND last week, I'm starting to think that this "3 years to install an offense" bit is false and perhaps a college QB *can* manage a complex playbook. Remeber that Carroll and Chow took over a 5-6 team and in 1 year installed the WCO (going 6-6) and then 11-2 the following year and haven't looked back. What we want to happen (that the Huskers will become an Offensive juggernaut) can happen and has happened. I'm just hoping that it *will* happen. I really hope Calahan and Co. step it up this week for the Wake game and that Saturday's game was just jitters and cobwebs getting worked out. They might be playing their capabilities close to their vest at the moment during non-conf play, which is fine. But eventually, given the hunger Huskers fans have had for signs of progress, he and the team are just going to have to impress us a bit before Oct. 1st and Iowa St. Next week will be a better game, I suspect. Don't overlook Wake - Vanderbilt might not be a powerhouse, but the Vandy/Wake rivalry is pretty strong so don't underestimate the level of play Vandy brought into that game. It was a loss for the Deacons, but that doesn't mean a patsy will be rolling into town. Given a more "respectible" opponent (no offense Bear people - but a IAA school doesn't usually inspire players to go all out in IA) I think the emotional level will be much higher than last week. If the Blackshirts stay aggressive, Ross protects the ball, the play calling improves and Taylor calms down a bit (all very easily addressed things) the Big Red ought to be in a place to get past this non-conf part of the schedule at 3-0 and be ready for the Big-12. Keeping the faith here, guys. GBR! IRISH!

No kidding. I thought the kid did pretty good. I can't recall, but is he a true frosh or did he redshirt last year? Regardless, 1 missed PAT, then getting to sit on the next PAT, should be enough penance when you account for 1/2 the scoring. Besides, kickers are a strange lot anyway...wear their jocks inside-out, put coins in their shoes, eat raw eggs and soak their kicking foot in chicken livers before games, etc...whatever mojo they have that allows them to kick a football 120+ feet through a couple of bars barely 18 feet wide is beyond me. I'm just glad they can. Love thy kicker...or he might do some voodoo and you suddenly find you don't need your cup anymore. IRISH!

When did they put in flashing purple and red lights with little stars? IRISH!

At least during the season, maybe? I like that the Woodshed is a closed forum (since we can then really let loose if we want) but perhaps there could be come compromise to let opponent's posters get easier access so we can pound them into pulp wthout the same reservation we'd normally have on the Football board. Thanks! IRISH!

Hey, thanks Jeff! And you enjoy...well...err....whatever the hell Maine fans enjoy...lobster fishing or something, I suppose. And, for the love of all that's holy, stay away from Cabot Cove...it must have the highest murder rate per capita of any place in the nation. Ah-yup IRISH!

Can't be too hard on the kid for that...he's a Freshman, fer cryin' out loud...and all of 160lbs soaking wet... ...gotta give love to Kickers... IRISH!

Oh Happy Day! Yes, I, too, was hoping to see more from Taylor he did today...but damn...never thought I would be a fan of Congdon (Time for a nickname? King Congdon, maybe?). And are the Blackshirts back or what? 11 sacks? 1 pick for a TD? They do that against Wake and Pitt, I'm a believer again. Also, is it illegal to give a RB those rubber high-friction sticky gloves? If not, what's Cory Ross's size and where do I send them? I'll take the win, but man...the offense sounded ugly, the play by play looked ugly...hell, even the box score looked ugly. I just gotta keep reminding myself...it's JUST the first game...just the first game...JUCO or not, Zack's still new...we won...be happy. The BIG Gloat: They don't call it Death Valley for nothin'...See ya TAMU!....HAHAHA Even BIGGER Gloat... So, who's NOT a Horned Frog fan for this week? Good Bye OU!...HAHAHAHAHA! The BIGGEST Gloat... Eat my shorts, Corso...42-21...Palko spent most of the game on his back...X's and O's seem to mean something in College. Good thing ND didn't have any athletes or the talent to compete with a BCS (HAHAHA) team or they would have hung 60 on the Panthers. And, sadly enough, the Willingham apologists are already out...20-17 AF over Washington...but poor Ty had a bare cupboard, they say. Guess that whole get off your ass and recruit thing is still a mystery to the guy. Next week: Wake and Michicken...I can't wait! GO BIG RED! GO IRISH!

Congratz guys! IRISH!