Let's Go IrishTHE Notre Dame Football Blog

The Irish hung a half a hundred last week vs. the Midshipmen. So what does that mean? I am not sure really cause Navy isn’t very good. The best news to come out of that game is that our defensive coaches schemed very well against Navy’s option attack and the players did a nice job of executing that game plan – so kudos to the defense.

Saturday’s match-up is against Wake Forest who apparently has a football program – who knew? Gameday 40s hosted the Irish Blog Gathering this week which means the beer was flowing. They are also Hawkeye fans which means that at least half of all of their decisions are made under the extreme influence of alcohol. But enough about the gathering…let’s get to the gathering!! I brought back 1960s leprechaun who does a nice job with these questions. He is long of tooth and short on time which is a win-win. So on to the questions shall we? LEGHOOOOOOOOOO!!

1. I don’t know anything about Wake Forest except that Tim Duncan went there.  Who is the Tim Duncan of the Wake Forest footballers, i.e., one guy that the Irish must game plan for on Saturday and why?

LGI

Brian Piccolo from Brian’s song went to school there.

Wake Forest president Nathan Hatch is a former Notre Dame provost and history professor. All three of his kids are ND grads.

Jack Swarbrick’s son, Connor, is a senior at Wake Forest

Wake Forest has the smallest seating capacity of any Notre Dame opponent since WWII and even if they match their record attendance it will be the least attended Notre Dame football game since a game at Air Force in 1981

1960s Leprechaun

All you need to know about Wake Forest are the lines from Steely Dan’s "Deacon Blues," written in 1977.  True then, true now:

They’ve got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues

2. Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray have been a solid running back tandem this year with Gray coming on strong in the last couple of games. With a finite amount of opportunities for each back, how do you think BK should split the carries in the coming weeks? Explain.

LGI

In the coming weeks, I think Brian Kelly can almost do what he wants against the teams that we are playing. But in the spirit of answering the question:
*sung to the tune of Pat-a-cake*
Run twice, throw once, Kelly’s the man
To put in Wood, he runs as fast as he can
Put in Jonas, and pound it with a P
Once out of thrice, throw the ball with Tommy

If you actually sung it to tune blame yourself, not me

1960s Leprechaun

Evenly.  They’re both first rate RB’s.  Give them plenty of touches.  Keep them hungry and happy.

 

 

3. Andrew Hendrix did not play against Navy.  Without speculating as to the reasons why he didn’t play against the Midshipmen, do you think he’s being underutilized?  Why or why not?

LGI

What I know about the Notre Dame QB situation is that I don’t think like Brian Kelly. So I will keep it brief, I think it is safe to say that this year every QB in the roster is currently being underutilized with the exception of Tommy Rees and Matthew Mulvey if Tommy Rees doesn’t end being the QB next year.

 

1960s Leprechaun

Conventional wisdom, such as it exists among a team’s fan base, suggests that Hendrix should be used more, that he represents the team’s future, as long as he can beat out Everett Golson, etc. Also, the presence of a legitimate dual threat QB puts more pressure on opposing team’s defensive strategists. Well that threat is there whether he plays another down this year or not, and as far as the future, I’m guessing Brian Kelly will deal with that in the spring. Right now, he has to win games and he has enough on his plate trying to develop one young quarterback. Sure, I’d love to see more Hendrix, but unless he becomes the #1 guy, the main priority is the development of the guy who is the #1 guy.

4. What do the following series of statements mean—if anything— for Notre Dame versus Wake Forest this weekend?  Wake Forest beat NC State.  NC State beat Virginia. Virginia beat The U. The U beat Ohio State. Ohio State beat Illinois. Illinois beat Arizona State. Arizona State beat USC. USC beat Notre Dame.Â

LGI

Does this mean that my aunt is my uncle?

It is why they play the game.

Football is a game of two halves

There are no easy games.

We have to take it one game at a time.

The other team just wanted it more.

We have to play a full 60 minutes.

And you can lead a horse to water but you can’t run him up the flag pole and salute.

1960s Leprechaun

It means don’t bet college football.

 

 

5. What’s your prediction for Saturday’s game against the Demon Deacons and why?  Bonus points if your answer is a Haiku.

LGI

I am really more of a limerick kind of guy but I can show my artistic range:

Notre Dame destroys
Demon Deacons play basketball.
Fans watch Bama instead.

1960s Leprechaun

ND gets forty.
The Deacons get seventeen.
Michigan is poo.

 

Alright, now it is your turn. Sound off on these questions or our responses in the comments section below.

Also spend some time and check out some Irish gear via our Amazon links. Christmas is right around the corner and it helps us pay the bills.

Go Irish!