Holy IBG Batman! Ryan Ritter of NDTex.com, a newcomer to the IBG roster, has the hosting duties for this weeks Irish Blogger Gathering; Sparty Style.
Oooohhhhh I’m craving so much god damn applesauce right now!
1. Let’s go ahead and talk about the big pink elephant in the room. After two absolutely horrid, heart-breaking, and downright mind-boggling performances, how do you feel about this team moving forward? Are we simply a bad team or a team that just hasn’t put it together yet? This is your chance to talk Irish fans of the ledge…or push them over.
I really don’t want to talk any fan off of any ledge, nor do I want to push him off of one either. I would like to repeatedly punch most of our fanbase in the mouth, but that’s another topic.
I haven’t made up my mind about this team. On one hand, you have an extremely talented team on both sides of the ball. On the other hand, this is a team that has its collective head shoved firmly up its own ass. What good is potential if it isn’t used?
However, there is still plenty of football left in this season and the Irish could theoretically go 10-2 or 9-3 and prove to the nation that they are for reals.
2. It’s time to put on the headset and step into the shoes of Brian Kelly. In the first quarter, it seemed like your message and plan to recover from the USF disaster worked, and then the rest of the game happened. How do approach this week? What message do you give your players?
Business-Casual. A lot of what Notre Dame is doing is working. The offense can move the ball at will and the defense is probably more like the one we saw for the first 7 quarters of the season as opposed to the last quarter they played. So, you really do have to stick with the message and make it business as usual.
If there was to be any kind of throat-cutting it was probably done last week. Now is probably the time where, as a head coach, you lay off a bit. No need to make your guys anymore tight for what amounts to be the biggest game of the season. Cas-u-al man…
3. Keep that headset on, you are still playing Kelly. Based upon what you’ve seen these last two games, do you see players that need to start riding the pine or are you still confident in your depth chart?
I have no confidence in any chart- especially one that involves depth. Remember, I am Brian Kelly. If there was a player that could play, he would have by now. The secondary and receivers are the obvious places where depth is an issue.
Stay the course.
4. Overall, how do you feel about Rees’ performance against Michigan?
It was what was expected, except for the whole “win” thing. Nothing spectacular, save the last TD drive. However, Tommy is prone to making mistakes. Mainly, his mistakes look mental, but it is more from his physical limitations- which I guess would also make them mental.
Overall, he did a good job and looks comfortable within the offense. He’ll be fine.
5. Let’s talk about something happy: the Irish running game. After a 198 yard performance by the Irish do you feel that this rushing attack led by Cierre Wood (134 yards) is for real or have we not run into a tough enough defensive test yet?
It’s for reals yo! Cierre Wood is a much better back than he was in 2010. He makes quicker, better, and more decisive cuts, and that has made him a deadlier running back.
Jonas made a huge statement against Michigan. It would have been easy for the Senior running back to just lie down and coast this last season, but he looks like he is more determined than ever.
The offensive line is very physical and get the point of attack quickly- however they need to sack up a little more on short yardage.
We can run the ball son!
6. Looking ahead to Michigan State, how do you gauge them? Is this the best team that we’ve faced off against yet or is this just an untested team that beat up on two cupcakes in Youngstown State and Florida Atlantic?
You gauge Sparty as the same team that ND has played for the last 15 years. I don’t care what their record is or who they have played. This is going to be a physical game. A close ruff-n-tuff ballgame.
This is the best team we have faced yet- and may be the best team we play all year.
7. Is the key to winning simply not turning the ball over or do you see other crucial keys to beating Sparty?
Yes. Wait, what was the question? Seriously, the only real answer is yes. Yes, if we don’t turn the ball over I think we win. Of course, that’s easier said than it shall be done.
8. Obviously every week should be a must win, but I think there is definitely more of an urgency this week. How crucial is this game for the rest of our season?
This has gladitorial undertones of an epic proportion. Is that urgent enough? If Notre Dame wins, they have a great shot of turning the season around. If not, this is a 0-3 team that could go deep into the tank and disappear. This is, for all intents and purposes, THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME FOR NOTRE DAME’S 2011 SEASON.
BRING THAT MEGAPHONE HOME, YO!!!!!
