Welcome to another season of Anti-Previews right here on Subway Domer. We have been rocking out the AP’s since the 2008 season, and there is nothing that would make us stop now. If you are unfamiliar with the Anti-Previews, here are a few examples from last year 1, 2, 3…
The Irish are riding a large wave of momentum from the 2010 season. After ending the season on a 4 game winning streak that saw wins against U$C and Miami in the Sun Bowl, a recruiting class that saw the return of monsters to the defensive side of the ball, and an offseason that saw the Return of the Floyd- TWICE ; Notre Dame is primed to have a big year in 2011.
The Irish are ranked number 16 in the nation, and have their eyes on a return to the BCS as well as a return to national prominence. You could say that 2011 is the year Notre Dame will get the country to hate us for the right reasons again. Winning. Here we go…
South Florida. The opening test for the Irish could be a stiff one. South Florida is a talented and fast football team that has been known to upset an opponent or two in the month of September over the last 5 years.
Skip Holtz makes his return back to Notre Dame where he of course played and coached under his daddy, Lou. Although it would appear to be a very emotional moment for Skip, his genetics will have him overcome any of the potential downfalls that a game like this would have on someone else.
South Florida was awful on offense last year. In 2010, the Bulls were 101st in passing(165), 71st in rushing(145), and 85th in scoring(24). A lot of that could be tracked back to the erratic play of USF quarterback BJ Daniels, and some of it was just growing pains for a team under a first year head coach.
The USF defense did play a lot better and only gave up around 20 points a game which ranks them inside the top 25 for scoring defenses.
This is a legit test for Notre Dame. South Florida does not lack talent or speed, although depth is what may ultimately hold them back this season.
What you should be drinking: It’s called, “The Force.” There really isn’t much more to be said about its dominance with a name like that. The recipe comes from friend of Subway Domer (and a HUGE closet Notre Dame fan) Michael Felder of In The Bleachers. This is the second year in a row that we will open the season up with “The Force.” Yep- it’s called tradition.
Here’s how it works:
THIS DRINK IS NOT FOR THE WEAK
We like to make ours in a Gatorade cooler, the type with the spout on the bottom so that there’s no dippage, I’m a germaphobe.
- 24 cheap beers (Natural Light is our go to)
- 1 half gallon cheap vodka (Aristocrat will do)
- 1 19 oz Country Time Lemonade POWDER
- *optional is a fifth of everclear (not suitable for freshman)
- *suggested is frozen lemonade or fruit punch concentrate (ice without watering things down)
- Pour the case of beer into the cooler, add the vodka, stir in the lemonade powder.
- We like to put frozen blocks of ice in ziploc bags to keep it cold but strong.
I will warn you that everyone’s first experience ends badly. I passed out for the first half of the UNC-Rutgers game in 2006, woke up, everyone was at the game and I was still at the house.
It is delicious though. I’ve seen it called Moose Juice and Summer Beer as well.
(Editor’s Note: Usually, I would add a video… but I don’t think you need to see the ugly side of this)
What should you be eating? Only one thing should be on the menu this week. Bull- or some form of variation…
Cowboy Steak
- 2 pounds porterhouse steak
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 6 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
- 6 tablespoons kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine garlic, chili powder, salt, oil and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until it forms a thick paste. Rub paste over the entire surface of the steak. Wrap steak in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours. Preheat grill. Grill steak over as high a heat as you can for 2 minutes. Flip and continue grilling for 2 more minutes. Move to a cooler part of the grill or reduce heat to medium. Continue grilling until done. About 4 minutes per side.
It’s your choice if you want to use a fork and a knife, just a knife, or you could always just rip into that fucker with your bare hands. For more pleasure- just use your hands.
Irish Stew. This is the first game of the season. OK, now that I got that ridiculousness out of the way, we need to talk. Are you going to the game? If so, is this the first game you have ever attended. If you answered yes to at least one of those, than you need my help.
At some point during this ass-whooping, you are going to hear the Celtic Chant. You are going to look over to the student section and say, “Man, that shit looks like crazy fun!” You may also ask, “Why are those group of guys just crossing their arms like an X? ” (The later, I’m told is because they are from Zahm, and Zahmbies are dicks. I’m also told that they like being dicks- so that really isn’t a knock on them in my eyes).
At any rate, your old drunk ass may want to jump in on the fun. Below is a short lesson. Try not to stare too much at the guy on the far right. Yes, that is a dominant mustache:
What scares me the most? WE ARE GOING UP AGAINST A GUY WITH THE LAST NAME HOLTZ!!!!!!! I don’t know about you, but that scares the shit out of me. Obviously this is a dominant gene pool we are discussing. Skip is a very, very good head coach that has took the path of “you earned it” when it comes to his coaching career. Skip is moving up the ranks and now coaches at a BCS level school.
On top of that… doesn’t seem like Notre Dame is always getting their asses handed to them by some “feel good story?” We are always hearing about some guy that never got offered by ND, or a guy whose whole family went to ND but him, or some guy got a medal from the pope- and then that guy is wreaking havoc all over our asses. Skip Holtz sounds like that kind of story.
Aww shit.
Offensive MVP: Theo Riddick. A lot of people think that Notre Dame’s offense will revolve around Theo Riddick. It certainly looked like that was the general idea early last season. Early in the year, Kelly was trying to get the ball into Riddicks hands as much as possible. It was probably a bit of a strain on the learning curve for the first couple of games, and then the Michigan State game happened. Theo Riddick was a force. Again, I think Kelly will try to run the offense around Riddick, which keeps defenses honest with Floyd and against the run. Also, Riddick will be the main returner for both punts and kicks. A “breakout year” needs a “breakout game.” It might as well be the first game. Looking for at least two touchdowns- BY ANY MEANS NECCESSARY.
Defensive MVP: Darius Fleming. Darius Fleming, at times last year, played like a man possessed. He has helped turn himself into Notre Dame’s most effective pass rusher, and is now a senior and in the same defensive system for a second year for the first time since his arrival. Coach Kelly thinks that this is the year that Fleming arrives on the national stage. That’s a pretty big stage for a guy who can get lost for multiple game stretches. Still, he has all of the tools and talent to do just that. Going up against an athletic QB is never a recipe for success in sack numbers or tackle for losses. However, Fleming will be the one to apply the pressure to Daniels and force him to make bad decisions. Darius may even get a few licks in as payment.
Something else to watch for on Saturday: Trench warfare. South Florida only returns two starters on their offensive line. One of those starters is moving from guard to center. The entire right side of the Bulll offensive line is new. On the defensive line, South Florida only returns one starter. They say the battle is always won in the trenches- so why is no one really talking about this? Notre Dame returns all but one of its starters on both sides of their lines (hris Stewart is replaced by Chris Watt). This is probably the biggest key to the game. Notre Dame will control the line of scrimmage, and when you control the line of scrimmage- you control the world the game.
At the end of the day: Notre Dame will control the trenches, protect the football, and play loose. All three of those things opens the doors for other good things to happen. Year 2 of the Brian Kelly plan is well underway, and this team will be much, much better than they were last year. Irish win 34-17. Dayne Crist has a solid day, but Theo Riddick steals the show with one TD receiving and another running. The defense plays the role of DOMINATOR, and only gives up 10 points through the first 3 quarters.
