Notre Dame-Michigan

I suppose I should comment on the Notre Dame-Michigan game from last Saturday. A crushing defeat, to say the least.

First off, let me say that Charlie Weis absolutely made the right decision to put the ball in the air with about 2:20 remaining in the game. Some people have criticized him for this, and even I was a bit shocked by it at first. But this is what it boils down to; Notre Dame needed to convert one more first down to really seal the victory, and Weis put the ball in his best player's hands. It didn't work out, but that doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. Weis called two straight runnng plays before this, and the second one was stuffed for no gain. Michigan was not going to allow Notre Dame to run for that first down, and Weis knew that. So he called for a pass play to pick up that ever-important first down. Each of the two passes on that ill-fated drive had a good chance of completion (I will forever believe that if Michael Floyd had been healthy, the 3rd down pass would have been complete and game over; instead it was freshman Shaquelle Evans, and he and Clausen were off), and it just didn't work out.

This is what bothers me about the "to the victor go the spoils" society we live in. When decisions don't work out, we automatically assume it was the wrong decision. And when they do work, we assume it was the correct decision. But this is obviously not true. Last night Tom Cable went for it on 4th and 15 from his own 43, with over 2 minutes remaining and possessing 2 timeouts (3 if you include the 2 minute warning). I mean, this is utter insanity. But since it improbably worked out, Cable looks like a genius. And the same goes for Weis. If Clausen completes either of those two passes and Notre Dame runs out the clock from there, he looks like a genius. Since they went incomplete and Michigan ended up winning, he's an idiot. Whether you agree with the call or not, the fact that it didn't work out is not reason enough to say it was a bad decision.

What's really worrisome thus far for Notre Dame is the lack of productivity they're getting from they're defensive line. It's a young d-line and they are not playing well right now. Ian Williams at nose tackle has been especially bad, which is why both Nevada and Michigan gashed Notre Dame for big gains up the middle. The defensive ends are generating zero pressure, which after the first week I thought was maybe by design (meaning, the d-ends hold up the tackles and allow blitzing linebackers to roam free) but now I'm not so sure. I can't say the secondary has played great either, although they were basically hung out to dry this past week by the lack of a pass rush.

The offense has been a well-oiled machine though. I don't think there's a member of the starting unit who's off to a slow start. The running game was terrific this past week, and Clausen and his receivers are on fire to start the season. Michael Floyd might be the most gifted player I've ever seen at Notre Dame. The offensive line has been about 100X better than last year, with the right side of Eric Olsen, Trever Robinson and Sam Young playing especially well. I have nothing bad to say about this offense; to say they've been terrific is an understatement.

Notre Dame cannot, repeat CANNOT, lose any more game until their meeting with USC in mid-October. They are more talented than every team they'll be playing up until that point. I never expected Notre Dame to go undefeated this season, so a loss at Michigan is not the end of the world, but there can be no more slip-ups until USC. I like Weis and I want him to succeed, but any more slip-ups and it might just be time to find a new coach to captain this talented squad.

One last thing; I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of the year we look back at this loss to Michigan as not being bad at all. Michigan has looked really good on offense to start the season, and they won't face a passing game as good as Notre Dame's probably again this season. In other words, I think there's a good chance Michigan will be competing for the Big Ten title. If you can look at Terrelle Pryor's start to this season and be encouraged, then God bless you.