Good Morning Everyone
I know a lot of people had this game circled on the calendar, but it seems the tide has turned with who everyone expects to win. Looking at the score predictions yesterday made me feel like ND doesn't have a chance. I trolled the staff and got a response out of Mike and Patrick, but after that I stopped reading.
This game could turn out a number of different ways. It could be low scoring, or someone could put up 30 points. Someone may get blown out, or it could come down to the last possession. I have no idea what's going to happen, so I'm going to look to Lou and wonder what he'd say. Lou would counter someone's argument that Wisconsin doesn't have the athletes with, they're a system team much like the service academies, and it's plug and play. I'm certain that Lou would point out the huge O line, the enormous front 3, and an exceptional LB corp that will give ND some problems. On the ND side, he'd point out the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, and especially the O line that has been pretty porous. But, as we all know, Lou would think of the intangibles, and he'd use that to make a well thought out prediction. Lou would pick a low scoring game in my opinion with the points scored right around 40. And, what I'm certain of is that he'd pick the Irish to win.
The game day thread, from what I hear, has pretty much been like this. Mr. Singer gave me an order to just enjoy the game, and not worry about that thread. Maybe the best advice he's ever given to me. I wonder, with so many people thinking that ND is going to lose, what's there to complain or wet the bed about? I'm sure there will be something, but I'll just wait for the @DillonDomer2010 summary.
Your Gameday Forecast
Can ND out-athlete someone? I think it can, and today's the day. I think Wisconsin lacks speed on both sides of the ball, and especially on the edge defensively. I would love to see some toss sweeps to Kyree, and to get Lenzy involved in the run game. I would also like to see some quick outs to Austin as an extension of the run game. Will we see some counter action today? I would hope so, because I'm not sure we're going to make our living running up the middle. Defensively, I wouldn't mind seeing us with 5 guys up on the LOS, or a 4 man with an extra guy in the box. I say let Mertz beat you, and if we can create some negative plays, then he'll have to.
If you look at the Wisconsin vs PSU game, Wisconsin should have won that game easily. They had 29 1st downs to PSU's 11. UW held them to 50 yards rushing and held onto the ball for an incredible 43 minutes. They also turned the ball over 3 times and had a short FG blocked. Limit their big plays, and I think Wisconsin will struggle, but what I don't want to see is them hanging onto the ball all afternoon, and only giving our offense 6 or 7 series.
When I look at the upside of both teams, ND has more. The big question is will it take advantage of the big play opportunities? If it does, and UW finds itself behind and out of it's comfort zone, then I think ND rolls. I picked 38-17 Irish, but what do I know.
Good Luck Everyone.
GO IRISH!
