Whodeysb09's Blog

Notre Dame Offensive Preview

By Whodeysb09 | View all Posts
Posted Sunday, July 12, 2009 10:40 AM   17 comments
I'm extremely excited about my Irish this season.  Probably the most excited I've been about an Irish team in a long time.  Is this the year all the great recruiting classes finally pay off?  I think so.  The Irish have one of the more favorable schedules on paper that I have seen in a long time.  As I've sat here and gone over and over countless statistics, read countless previews and broke down the schedule 40 times and I keep coming to this conclusion.  For all who have yet to figure this out yet, the Irish are going 12-0 this season.

I'm nuts I know, but like it or not I could see this happening.  Notre Dame's offense is going to be great this season.  When I say great I could see them easily averaging 32 points a game.  At times last year Notre Dame looked really good, like a contender but at times again they looked extremely bad losing to Syra****. The biggest thing everyone needs to remember is how young the team was last year, and still even this year.  Now though most of these players have had a chance to gain a lot of college experience against great players.  If Clausen doesn't get invited to the Heisman ceremony this season I'll be extremely surprised.  The wide recievers are great, Phil Steele recently ranked them as the #1 WO group in the nation.  Golden Tate and Mike Floyd are both great in my opinion.  Mike Floyd will be a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft if he can stay healthy and of course improve.

Projected Offensive Starters

QB - Jimmy Clausen JR. 
RB - Armando Allen JR
FB - James Aldridge SR
WR - Golden Tate JR
WR - Mike Floyd SO
TE - Kyle Rudolph SO
C - Dan Wenger JR
RG - Chris Stewart JR
LG - Eric Olsen SR
RT - Sam Young SR
LT - Paul Duncan SR

I have Aldridge as the FB although I believe they will run mostly 3 reciever sets.  3rd reciever as of now is probably Duval Kumara who has shown signs of being a decent receiver but has yet to step up.  There are a lot of young receivers I'm sure eager to jump in and take over the number 3 spot.  I don't know if losing David Grimes hurts or helps us yet, that is yet to be determined.  I guess if one of the young receivers can step up then we will see.  I'm really excited about the offense this season.  I think they will be an exciting offense to watch.  I think they will put up a lot of points this season.  The running game is going to be the biggest key to the success of the offense though.  Our running game has been very bad the past couple of seasons.  I think that the running game will improve greatly this season though.  Couple of reasons, hired a new offensive line coach.  I think the playcalling will be a lot better with Weis back calling plays.  So I think that will also contribute to the success. The Irish also have a very experienced offensive line and a bruiser in Hughes and a speed guy in Allen in the backfield.  Allen will most likely get most of the carries is he is a dual threat as a receiver as well.  I'd like to see the Irish get the screen game going this season.  The past couple of seasons watching this team try to set up screens was almost embarrassing as a fan to watch.  That is one thing I want to see them improve on.  Jimmy Clausen also needs to improve his accuracy this season as he was off at times.  When he is on he is on though.  The Hawaii game   I know its Hawaii but still he looked great in that game.  It still was a win, and maybe a confidence booster for him coming into this season.  Like I said previously I really think that Clausen will receive enough votes to get invited to the Heisman ceremony.  I know everyone thinks I'm a crazy stupid fan, but we will just have to wait and see.  Thats probably why I'm not getting paid to do this, its because I have the Irish going 12-0 this season.  Well at least I can say I'm optimistic.  Speaking realisticly now I really believe that they can go 12-0, but its the Irish and they might slip up, plus they haven't beaten USC in 100 years it seems.  If they don't win 9 or more games I'll be very surprised.  I have them winning 10, with 2 maybes.  Only time will tell.  Bash away or whatever you guys want to do. 

BCS Game for the Irish or Bust in my opinion


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bracks says:
07/12/09 10:48AM

yes, he def will be the #3, but I think it will help him. No one will be paying attention to him and he should be open. I am just hoping Jimmy hits him and doesn't try to force it to the covered tate & Floyd.

You can't hae the Yanks as much as I do. And at least you don't have to read about them in the aper EVERY DAY!!!! ALL YR!!!
bandit1010 says:
07/12/09 11:40AM
Astute write-up whodey.  Will be looking forward to more of your analysis.  I love to root against ND, but I admire an ardent fan and respect someone who explains why they believe their team will be successful.  Here's my humble take:  With Charlie at the helm, this team will never win a NC--flat out he sucks.  Schedule is favorable, O-line is strength, but the coach, erratic QB play that Clausen has a record of, and lack of defense will cost them at least 2 games, more likely 3/4.  Clausen would still only be the 5th of 6th best QB in the Big 12, maybe.  Even in the weak Big 10, Claussen would still be behind the QB's at Penn State, Illinois, Ohio State, Northwestern, and Iowa's.  BOL to you this season! 
The-Legend says:
07/12/09 05:26PM
Jimmy Clausen taking Notre Dame to a BCS bowl game is a long shot, but they should have a decent season.
GL this year
Trooper64 says:
07/12/09 07:53PM
Reason to be excited if you are an Irish Fan. Clausen needs to reduce his mistakes. However, he throws one of the best deep balls in the game! 12-0 would be a reach, especially with the Trojans coming in for a visit. However, ND will be solid and potent.
nc1capper says:
07/12/09 07:55PM
you are well known around here as the irish guru so I will keep a extra close eye on your musings this season - no fear that high hopes may have the Irish even more over priced than normal??
cockyvolfan says:
07/12/09 11:57PM
Better hope they avg 38 cuz their gonna give up 35!
Parkingmeter says:
07/13/09 12:50AM
I think you need to slow down just a tad.

 

Until the Irish can come up with a decient running game (#100 last year) they aren't going to match up very well with the better teams in the country.  During the spring practices, I kept reading about Clausen being improved as a passer and that is all fine and good, but I have yet to read just one review that boast about the ND rushing attack.

 

The better teams in the country such as USC, will eat them up, as it will be an easy task to take away their running game and force them to throw the ball. Oh, and btw, the Trojans could very well have the best DB unit in the country this year, matching ND's strength against their own. 

 

ND's schedule will allow them to win a lot of games this year, but when it comes to playing the better teams, they will be to one deminsional to stay on the field with them.

 

Tough games for the Irish will be vs. USC, @ Pitt, @ Stanford  and a loss in what ever bowl game they play in.

-5innings says:
07/13/09 09:45AM
Notre Dame? Hahahahahahahahah.....
DoubleUp4Life says:
07/13/09 09:50AM

96% chance of this being a SAF

Whodeysb09 says:
07/31/09 11:31AM
Alright first of all at the end of the post, I thought I clearly stated I think the Irish will lose 2 games this season. I really think that they have a chance to go 12-0 with a few good bounces. Someone referenced the running game as a problem, which I agree with. I think the Irish should use Hughes more and spell with Armando rather than the other way around. I really think they will improve, offensive line is really experienced. Doesn't mean they have a good offensive line, but with a new O-Line coach I could see them being 10x better than last season. Everyone has question marks about the defense, as do I. I think our pass defense will be average possibly above average. Run defense? Brian Smith should have a big season. Te'o should come in and make an impact. Ethan Johnson, and Kapron Lewis Moore are my two players to watch for their defense this season. I think they have enough weapons on the offensive side with an improved defense to beat USC. Thanks for all comments. Notre Dame haha don't appreciate that one but hey everyone has an opinion. Lets go Irish. Prove the haters wrong, BCS welcome us back, hopefully we aren't placed in a game where will be completely over matched.
Whodeysb09 says:
07/31/09 04:10PM
Alright first of all at the end of the post, I thought I clearly stated

I think the Irish will lose 2 games this season. I really think that

they have a chance to go 12-0 with a few good bounces. Someone

referenced the running game as a problem, which I agree with. I think

the Irish should use Hughes more and spell with Armando rather than the

other way around. I really think they will improve, offensive line is

really experienced. Doesn't mean they have a good offensive line, but

with a new O-Line coach I could see them being 10x better than last

season. Everyone has question marks about the defense, as do I. I think

our pass defense will be average possibly above average. Run defense?

Brian Smith should have a big season. Te'o should come in and make an

impact. Ethan Johnson, and Kapron Lewis Moore are my two players to

watch for on their defense this season.  Another player that I really like is Sophomore LB Steve Filer.  He is a very quick linebacker. Who I think has a shot to be really good on that defense.  I think they have enough weapons

on the offensive side with an improved defense to beat USC. Thanks for

all comments. Lets go Irish. Prove the haters wrong, BCS

welcome us back, hopefully we aren't placed in a game where will be

completely over matched.

Boom_Boom says:
07/31/09 04:37PM
Whodysb09-   Notre Dame will be better. BUT, will they be better against "REAL" teams?

Hey man, I m a Clemson Fan.. So I know about let downs...

All I m saying is.... Don't Hold your breath bro... I still think this team is far away from playing REAL competition.

BOL 
Whodeysb09 says:
07/31/09 05:02PM


You could very well be right.  I think they are very close to being able to compete with as you would say Real Teams.  I guess we will just have to find out.  I'm really anxious to see how they come out in the Nevada game.  If they let them hang around or play a tight game, then I think we are probably in for a few more losses than I think.  I know it sounds stupid and its really hard to gauge a team based on one game.  I'd really like to see a blowout a nice 21-28 point win would be a great start.  Nevada is not a push over by any means though.  Notre Dame might really struggle with their running game.  I know I won't bet on that game

I'm pretty sure the Irish will win, but I won't be messing with the spread.

Thanks for stopping by boom, can't wait for this season to get going.  I do like your Clemson squad this season, from what I've seen so far.  I'm planning on putting out a general college football preview here in the next few days.  I do need to do a little more research on the Tigers.  If you have any info on the team that might help send it my way.  Good luck with your boys
bookieassassin says:
07/31/09 06:01PM

this is from Steele's blog .....one reason why he thinks highly of irish this year.....(tenuta + weak opposing qb play)

year and will end up doing between 300 and 400 by the end of the

season. Since I do a lot of local shows the questions asked sometimes

give me a little more insight to the local teams and I’ve learned some

new things. A few weeks back I started jotting down some interesting

things that I have learned from my radio show interviews and here they

are.

question was about Notre Dame and why I thought they would finish so

high in the rankings at the end of the year. One of the reasons that I

threw out was that Jon Tenuta was taking over the defensive play

calling. I think Tenuta is one of the best defensive coordinators in

the game. The host of the show let me know that in Atlanta the knock on

Tenuta was that his gambling blitzing defenses could be picked apart by

sophisticated pass attacks with experienced QB’s. I had not heard that

before and did not go back and research his lack of success vs such

attacks but lets look at the QB’s and attacks that ND will face this

year.

  • Nevada - QB Colin Kaeprnick - He is one of the top QB’s in

    the country but while he rushed for over 1000 yards last year, the

    Wolfpack are a run based attack out of the Pistol formation.

  • Michigan - True frosh QB Starter
  • Michigan St - Inexperienced QB
  • Purdue - Inexperienced QB
  • Washington - Jake Locker is a running QB with under 50% career completions
  • USC - Inexperienced QB
  • Boston College - Inexperienced QB
  • Washington St - Cougar QB’s hit 52.9% in ‘08 with 6 TD’s and 21 int’s
  • Navy - Option offense
  • Pitt - Pitt QB’s hit 55.9% last year with 10 TD’s and 14 int’s
  • Connecticut - Inexperienced QB but interestingly Frazier orig signed at ND
  • Stanford - Last year’s QB’s combined for 56% and a 11-15 ratio

ONE in the Top 68 of the 2008 leaders that is back to face ND this year

is Kaeprnick who was #44.



Whodeysb09 says:
07/31/09 06:23PM


Great work, I really like what they have done with Tenuta and Corwin Brown.  They are co defensive coordinators.  So basically Tenuta does not get to call all the shots.  He will be a signal caller and they should be a great blitzing team especially with probably a top 10 secondary in the country.  Thanks for the information good shit.  I'm really starting to like the coaching staff that Charlie has put together. 
87WCB97 says:
07/31/09 10:17PM
Whodeysb..... ND schedule is very favorable, Tenuta will continue to improve the D, finally getting a bowl win was nice (even if it was against Hawaii) but truth be told they'd better be much more MEANINGFUL this year or that fraudulent slob Weis isn't going to be patrolling the sidelines much longer......

 

I'm not a ND fan but I actually hope they do have a decent season, watching that dog & pony show last year and listening to Weis's idiocy is pure comedy. Would be nice to have that enjoyment for a little longer.

 

Some of CW greatest hits....

(1)Going back and forth on who will call plays after his famous comments about how many more points the Irish would score and the 'schematic advantage' just with him at the helm (hmmmm.....)

(2)Watching him gimp up and down the sideline all season after his knee was taken out by one of his own players

(3)Staring at all the frozen snot and spit on his face during the nationally televised game against Pitt(?)

(4)Losses to Navy and Cuse the last 2 years - ouch!

 

All of that being said,.... All of their games are winnable IMO (except USC) so there isn't much room for MORE lame excuses. Should be interesting. I look forward to your ND insight this year (that is if you can temper some of the fanaticism?.....)

Best of luck to you and your boys this year

Whodeysb09 says:
08/01/09 12:02AM


Yeah man I can handle it.  I have decided I probably won't be betting the Irish much this season.  Well unless of course I can find a good game to bet that is.  I mean I probably will give an opinion on every Irish game this season so I guess you can look forward to the insight.  I think they have a shot to knock your boys off, I think this might be the year they do it.   Thats just my opinion though.  Good Luck on your season.  I wish I really meant that
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User: Whodeysb09
Joined: September 2007
Location: Ohio
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
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