Rockne's Roundtable

Lou,great summation of the 1st half of the season,we are now seeing the team that we thought we had from the beginning ,BCS talant on offense and defense,it should come down to the Stanford game for a BCS BID!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the kind words, wjasonp.

Greg Zeppieri,

Absolutely do not overlook USC. Their defense is much more capable in the red zone than Air Force's, and the Achilles heel for ND on defense is handling a strong vertical passing game. Barkley and Woods are future first-rounders, and there is plenty of other talent on that offense. That's a very dangerous confrontation awaiting.

We beat a very good team!!! This team took Oklahoma to the closing bell last year losing by a FG. Bring on the low lifes (USC)!!!

Lou - thanks for the Texas vs ND insights - Phillips,on that day, had more yds than Campbell did - Golic had his # that day and that was by design Campbell(awesome RB) being the greater threat than Phillips. Thanks for pointing out that Barkley - Woods are a true threat - Barkley was NOT in last years game - should we believe that SC wouldn't have converted any one of our TOs into TDs rather than FGs with Barkley in that game?? SCs timing was way off w/o Barkley but this years D is vastly better than last years D - much more confident and a truely very deep! And our Off is off the charts compared to this time last year!! SC has only some much time to prepare - Kelly using Hendrix, in this game, was a great strategic move preparing for the SC game. ND showed everyone, in this game, that we ARE an Offensive powerhouse and it's only in the beginning stages - I'm getting soooo excited for this next game!! BEAT SC - GO IRISH!! Again thanks Lou:)

When you play an option team your first priority is the option and playing your lanes, not rushing the QB. If ND goes all out on a pass rush, you just might see a player run right by you.

wjason:

Take your point, but even in a set drop back, of which there were plenty? There was no option action a lot of the times the guy dropped back, and the ND guys appeared to be pushing hard, but going nowhere.

I kept asking my son, "how come they're not busting through to the QB? He's completing too many passes from a straignt drop back.

Also, Kelly said that the two late touchdowns given up by the Irish were third team players who did not practice against the option all week.

I think that's an important fact to take into account

Very informative read Lou. Do you think we'll be able to play this well against USC?

Dr. Lou, A few observations re your irish Huddle program. 1) Tony Roberts interupts too often and doesn't have a real grasp of the facts. 2) Roger is terribly conservative and makes many of his hunches based on events/trends that are very dated. 3) the name of our school is "Notre Dame", not "no'er dame". Your otherwise precise diction falters. Tell Prister the same. BTW, this is a remarkably talented team that should always smash mid level opposition. We should not be overl\y concerned with chop blocks and option schemes. Our opponents should be doubly worried about our linemen crushing their windpipes with speed and power.. I no longer wish to hear about the special problems a team brings to us. The time for timidity is over. Welcome to the age of muderous revenge for two decades of shame. Let none remain alive!! Seutonious speaks on behalf of the Senate and the People of Rome. Senatus Popolusquem Romanorum. "They too shall feel the heel of Rome" Cassius---Spartucus.

I just got back to PA from the game. great article Lou, as always. A good Win and now lets beat USC! I will be back at ND for that one also!

Theo was the X-factor against AF and should again be for SC. His presence and play-making completely opened up the Irish offense. SC does not match up to ND's weaponry. Ball control and wear-em-down play calling will put the stakes thru the Trojan hearts.

I anticipate Barkley to Woods completions, maybe a score, but there will be sacks. The sacks will diffuse the immobile Barkley who does not throw well on the run. Over his career Barkley has plenty of interceptions and missed receivers. Turn loose the pass rush, get in his face - win ball game.