Rockne's Roundtable

Lou,
I agree on Atkinson. I would like to see him on the field on offense, I can't believe that he wouldn't help stretch the field. Also would like to see Devarius Daniels. I am at the point where I want to see more of these playmakers on the field now getting some experience. Also, as more and more of the season goes by it appears there is a large gap of play between Blanton (very good) and Gary Gray (not so good). Never more evidenced by the play where our dline batted a ball and it fluttered 15 yards down field to be caught by the SC receiver while Gray was still cushioned 5 yards behind him. Also need better QB play. Barkley so much better than our troika it's not even funny.

USC found a way to get the ball in Robert Woods hands,the same couldn't be said for the Irish coaching finding ways to get Micheal Floyd more touches.

Lou, in addition to Michael Floyd, Trevor Robinson, and Jonas Gray (I think?) on offense, we'll have to replace almost our entire secondary (Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Gary Gray), and parts of our line-backing core and D-line as well.

So you're right--add to that Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert, and we have some BIG shoes to fill. Best to temper our collective expectations now about 2012 unless some sophs and freshmen step up in a very big way.

I agree, the season is lost; we might as well start developing these younger guys and get them ready for next year. This year has been a huge disappointment....I'm sick of losing to UM and USC almost every year...What do you guys think we are missing that elite teams have?? It really feels like we will never make that 'next level' progression that BK was supposed to bring to the table....

That 1st quarter blew me away! One team came in to play(SC) the other did not! ND's D&Oline play just made me sick! I do NOT believe that that the better talent won - ND coming out like that speaks to MENTAL preperation - lack of focus. Well I hope they come out steamming against Navy - disappointing is putting it mildly. Nevertheless - GO IRISH!!

They were exposed by a better team . No comparison between the level of the coaching staffs . If Kelly can't pull this team together the season could get very ugly .

I wonder how many times in the Brian Kelly offense has Crist taken snaps under Center at practice? This was Dyane's first serious game minutes since the home opener. He seemed to be doing doing a pretty good job moving the team down the field. He looked like he was getting into the rhythm
and speed of the game considering his lack of playing time. I found myself pulling really hard for this kid and that his confidence would grow with every play. The guy knows that he does not have the confidence of his head coach but he was responding nicely. Then as many coaches do today, Kelly outsmarts himself and sends in Hendrix for what everyone knew was the run option but Crist showed last year that he was more than capable of running the ball in for a score himself. Maybe it all falls on Crist but sometimes it better to leave well enough alone. Crist was moving the team, getting up to game speed after a long layoff & slowly gaining some confidence, then poof off to the sidelines. There was no reason to make this change other than to get cute & over coach. Man, I would love to know how many snaps under Center Crist took during practice and yes some will say how hard is the Center to Qb exchange but lets not forget that you play like you practice.

Bingo. USC said, "I have no respect for your run defense, and once I take away your bread and butter, you're going to be vulnerable to play action all night." And that's what happened. USC marched down the field, and Barkley went PA all night against us. They got in our defense's heads on that first drive, and we never recovered.

But look at how many things went against ND:

Refs were really unkind to ND. Yes, Calabrese was an absolute moron for his actions, but really? Personal foul there? How about the no PI call for Floyd? There are a bunch more, but those really stood out.

Lateral pass that was just BARELY lateral if at all. Wood bricks it, and the game is essentially over. Seriously? Not only do we not get a solid gain, but it results in a turnover?

Dayne Crist fumbles just as the game looks to be tied. For crying out loud, I don't understand the thought process behind Crist, Hendrix, Crist, but Denard Robinson does the same exact thing and scores a TD against us. To ND, two games are lost as 14 point swings occur.

That is just bad luck. I know preparation is another explanation for it, and a lot of that falls on Kelly's shoulders. But I do agree with about everything Kelly said. This team needs to get its act together and show some focus.

Agree with you on this one Illiest. I thought the bye week hurt. No classes created too much free time. Too many recruits on campus, the night game and the music in the stadium created too much of a carnival atmosphere. Seemed more like a rock concert in a way. USC came in more focused and business like

You coach poise. This loss falls on the coaching staff, plain and simple. Lane Kiffin out coached Kelly. Process that one.

Disagree all you want, but great coaches instill poise by their demeanor and philosophy (Ara, Lou, Knute, Frank). Kelly hasn't shown it at this level, doesn't exhibit it on the sideline, doesn't transfer it to the team, or certainly hasn't at this point.

Expect mediocrity until Kelly leaves, then you won't be disappointed with 8-4 and 7-5, and be surprised if he learns to teach the poise and team spirit needed to rally the program. Next year is a disaster waiting to happen. The only thing that would be worse would be for us to lose to Navy and BC this year, but play the spoiler at Stanford.

I haven't been so disapointed in a performance by the Irish coaching staff since Willingham.

It's who we are losing to, and how.

Their freshman/sophomores made our seniors look like crap.

Why make your best cover corner a nickel back? Blanton should have played Weoods exclusively. SC had Robey on Floyd the whole game. Just another example of how Kiffin outcoached Kelly.