With the Blue-Gold game over there is only 18 weeks until the Fighting Irish open their season at home in Notre Dame Stadium against the University of Nevada. Despite the most losses in school history over the last two years there is renewed optimism and growing expectations for the 2009 Notre Dame football team.
There seems to be a consensus that if there is not considerable improvement on the field this year then Charlie Weis will be fired. For most Irish followers, eight wins seems to be the magic number while others claim nothing less than nine wins will be acceptable. I would almost guarantee that Notre Dame will win nine games. Here’s why:
First, if you have to go through hell to get to heaven then the Irish have hopefully tested the fires over the last two seasons. No longer can they claim inexperience as an excuse and the core of this team has been together for quite some time now. And after three very strong recruiting classes the depth chart is as deep and talented as we’ve seen since the early 90’s. It’s time to take the next step.
Second, the schedule for 2009 is very favorable and this will almost certainly be pointed out by every Notre Dame hater in the college football world. But there can be no denying that after years of difficult schedules the 2009 version is shaping up to be fairly easy.
Vs. Nevada
@Michigan
Vs. Michigan State
@Purdue
Vs. Washington
Bye
Vs. USC
Vs. Boston College
Vs. Washington State (at San Antonio)
Vs. Navy
@ Pittsburgh
Vs. Connecticut
@ Stanford
Third, there will be an improvement in the running game which under Weis has been downright abysmal at times. The restructuring of the coaching staff mixed with an improving offensive line and talented corps of running backs leads me to believe 2009 rushing attack will be the best of the Weis era.
With the elite talent becoming upperclassmen, a weak schedule, and an improved running attack there is no reason Notre Dame cannot be a top 15 team.
And what about Charlie Weis? I have to admit I was a Weis apologist until, like many fans, last year’s loss to Syracuse was too much to swallow. Still, time heals all wounds and a strong bowl victory, another very good recruiting class, and a productive spring season have calmed my fears.
Do I think Weis is an elite coach? Probably not, but I don’t think he has to be in order for Notre Dame to be successful. A strong coaching staff coupled with high quality talent and leadership on the field are the keys to success in South Bend; And for the most part that’s what exists at this point.
Sure I question Weis’ play-calling and his inability to light a fire under his players, but something tells me things are going to work out. And let’s be realistic here, Weis was left with very little talent to work with from day one. He took two teams (2005 & 2006) that were good teams and he made them much better. Under Ty Willingham those teams would have averaged 7 or 8 wins a year. By 2007 Willingham’s lack of recruiting left the talent level diminished (see Stanford ’02-’05 & Washington 2008 until 2010) to the point where most astute observers knew things weren’t looking good for the Irish.
But here we are looking at 2009 with a battle tested sophomore and junior class chalk full of talent with senior leadership sprinkled amongst emerging freshman talent ready to compete and make a difference.
These are the 5 goals Notre Dame should look to achieve:
There seems to be a consensus that if there is not considerable improvement on the field this year then Charlie Weis will be fired. For most Irish followers, eight wins seems to be the magic number while others claim nothing less than nine wins will be acceptable. I would almost guarantee that Notre Dame will win nine games. Here’s why:
First, if you have to go through hell to get to heaven then the Irish have hopefully tested the fires over the last two seasons. No longer can they claim inexperience as an excuse and the core of this team has been together for quite some time now. And after three very strong recruiting classes the depth chart is as deep and talented as we’ve seen since the early 90’s. It’s time to take the next step.
Second, the schedule for 2009 is very favorable and this will almost certainly be pointed out by every Notre Dame hater in the college football world. But there can be no denying that after years of difficult schedules the 2009 version is shaping up to be fairly easy.
Vs. Nevada
@Michigan
Vs. Michigan State
@Purdue
Vs. Washington
Bye
Vs. USC
Vs. Boston College
Vs. Washington State (at San Antonio)
Vs. Navy
@ Pittsburgh
Vs. Connecticut
@ Stanford
Third, there will be an improvement in the running game which under Weis has been downright abysmal at times. The restructuring of the coaching staff mixed with an improving offensive line and talented corps of running backs leads me to believe 2009 rushing attack will be the best of the Weis era.
With the elite talent becoming upperclassmen, a weak schedule, and an improved running attack there is no reason Notre Dame cannot be a top 15 team.
And what about Charlie Weis? I have to admit I was a Weis apologist until, like many fans, last year’s loss to Syracuse was too much to swallow. Still, time heals all wounds and a strong bowl victory, another very good recruiting class, and a productive spring season have calmed my fears.
Do I think Weis is an elite coach? Probably not, but I don’t think he has to be in order for Notre Dame to be successful. A strong coaching staff coupled with high quality talent and leadership on the field are the keys to success in South Bend; And for the most part that’s what exists at this point.
Sure I question Weis’ play-calling and his inability to light a fire under his players, but something tells me things are going to work out. And let’s be realistic here, Weis was left with very little talent to work with from day one. He took two teams (2005 & 2006) that were good teams and he made them much better. Under Ty Willingham those teams would have averaged 7 or 8 wins a year. By 2007 Willingham’s lack of recruiting left the talent level diminished (see Stanford ’02-’05 & Washington 2008 until 2010) to the point where most astute observers knew things weren’t looking good for the Irish.
But here we are looking at 2009 with a battle tested sophomore and junior class chalk full of talent with senior leadership sprinkled amongst emerging freshman talent ready to compete and make a difference.
These are the 5 goals Notre Dame should look to achieve:
*Win 10 games
*Win bowl game
*Beat USC
*BCS bid
*National Championship
If any two of the goals are met Charlie Weis will keep his job and the first three are very obtainable. Yes, Notre Dame can beat USC this year! Southern California has lost too many players to remain unbeatable and hopefully the Irish will have momentum and confidence by the time the teams meet in October.
Three keys to the season will be the running game, offensive line, and overall team defense. Much has been said about the lack of experience on the defensive line, but I think the players that are there are going to surprise a lot of people. This is mostly because the D-line will be surrounded by very good defensive teammates and that will only make them better. And we don't know just what impact a guy like Manti'i Teo could make either.
The offensive line has been much maligned but with new running backs/offensive line coach Frank Verducci we will see better run and pass blocking. I know we’ve been saying it for years but the Irish offensive line is just too big, too strong, and too talented to not take their game to the next level.
As far as the running game is concerned, a lot of pressure is being put on Armando Allen and I'm expecting big things from this guy. He is without a doubt in my mind the number one running back and he is poised for a breakout season. Moving James Aldridge to fullback was an obvious decision and I don’t think Robert Hughes is the right guy to improve the running game. If I were Weis I would only use Hughes in goal-line situations and very sparingly throughout the rest of games. Aldridge is a career 3.85 yard per carry runner and while Hughes’ 4.45 YPC is solid, his stats are inflated by his performances in the last two games of the ’07 season where he racked up 246 yards against Duke and Stanford. Otherwise he is a 3.3 YPC runner which is just about where his average was for 2008.
Armando Allen on the other hand, has averaged 4.2 yards per carry for his career and more importantly has shown steady improvement since his freshman campaign. If he can improve on hitting the holes and breaking longer runs (his longest run is only 21 yards!), and find the end zone more often (only 3 career TD’s) then Allen will become a very dangerous running back. Even with Hughes and soon-to-be Jonas Gray bound to get substantial carries Allen will still have a good shot at 1,000 yards.
Finally, with an emerging star at quarterback and one of the best set of receivers in Notre Dame history the offense should have no problem putting points on the board. And let’s not forget the trio of tight ends led by Kyle Rudolph that will be giving opponents fits in the fall as well. In all likelihood we could be ready to see a record breaking Irish offense that has the potential to put up some impressive numbers. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but despite the horrors of 2007 and 2008 Notre Dame has a lot to look forward to in 2009.
*Win bowl game
*Beat USC
*BCS bid
*National Championship
If any two of the goals are met Charlie Weis will keep his job and the first three are very obtainable. Yes, Notre Dame can beat USC this year! Southern California has lost too many players to remain unbeatable and hopefully the Irish will have momentum and confidence by the time the teams meet in October.
Three keys to the season will be the running game, offensive line, and overall team defense. Much has been said about the lack of experience on the defensive line, but I think the players that are there are going to surprise a lot of people. This is mostly because the D-line will be surrounded by very good defensive teammates and that will only make them better. And we don't know just what impact a guy like Manti'i Teo could make either.
The offensive line has been much maligned but with new running backs/offensive line coach Frank Verducci we will see better run and pass blocking. I know we’ve been saying it for years but the Irish offensive line is just too big, too strong, and too talented to not take their game to the next level.
As far as the running game is concerned, a lot of pressure is being put on Armando Allen and I'm expecting big things from this guy. He is without a doubt in my mind the number one running back and he is poised for a breakout season. Moving James Aldridge to fullback was an obvious decision and I don’t think Robert Hughes is the right guy to improve the running game. If I were Weis I would only use Hughes in goal-line situations and very sparingly throughout the rest of games. Aldridge is a career 3.85 yard per carry runner and while Hughes’ 4.45 YPC is solid, his stats are inflated by his performances in the last two games of the ’07 season where he racked up 246 yards against Duke and Stanford. Otherwise he is a 3.3 YPC runner which is just about where his average was for 2008.
Armando Allen on the other hand, has averaged 4.2 yards per carry for his career and more importantly has shown steady improvement since his freshman campaign. If he can improve on hitting the holes and breaking longer runs (his longest run is only 21 yards!), and find the end zone more often (only 3 career TD’s) then Allen will become a very dangerous running back. Even with Hughes and soon-to-be Jonas Gray bound to get substantial carries Allen will still have a good shot at 1,000 yards.
Finally, with an emerging star at quarterback and one of the best set of receivers in Notre Dame history the offense should have no problem putting points on the board. And let’s not forget the trio of tight ends led by Kyle Rudolph that will be giving opponents fits in the fall as well. In all likelihood we could be ready to see a record breaking Irish offense that has the potential to put up some impressive numbers. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but despite the horrors of 2007 and 2008 Notre Dame has a lot to look forward to in 2009.
Go Irish!!
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