ND/UCONN
When The Game has ended Saturday for better or worse another of particular interest will be underway - Connecticut at Notre Dame. Looking ahead this game features our first two 2010 opponents and has many story lines. Start with Charlie Weis' job status. If that is not already decided this game will have an obvious impact. When scheduled this was not a game ND ever envisioned as a potential loss but it could well be and that would be devastating.
Another annoying thing to many in Connecticut (I live there) is Notre Dame's arrogant refusal to play the return game at UCONN's home stadium. They would only schedule it at the new Giants/Jets stadium in the Meadowlands, which ND considers to be more or less home turf. Michigan is playing their return game in 2013 at UCONN's Rentschler Field.
This is a chance for many at this site to see UCONN for the first time. As aptly described here - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/sports/ncaafootball/16colleges.html?_… - they are "plucky" to say the least. UCONN is 4-5 with several tough, close losses, notably to North Carolina and Cincinnati. While UCONN has not had top 20 recruiting classes they are a well coached team with some talent and will show up for this game. They had 4 players drafted relatively early in last year's NFL draft. UCONN does not have ND's blue chip stars but Randy Edsall will be the best coach on the field and that is worth something.
Enjoy the day and GO BLUE!!!
November 20th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^
by a touchdown. Hung 50 something on Cinci who's defense was impressive for the most part against WV. Notre Dame is in bigger trouble than Michigan, right now. They have "their guyz" and experience and they are not good. The free fall is on, and Stanford will be the cherry on top of Weis' goodbuy banana split(s).
November 20th, 2009 at 8:55 AM ^
We need to look at their plight as a possibile scenario for us if we make the wrong moves! I've seen UCONN play, they are a scrappy bunch, good luck to them.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^
I took the Irish this week. I think UConn is just plain spent; after tragically losing a star DB and several close losses, I can't foresee them having much left in the tank. I also think ND showed some fight in the Pitt game. For Weis, this may be his last chance at a victory at ND, so he'll un-belt his girth of offensive plays.
That being written, I'd gladly give up the nickle to see the Huskies curb-stomp the Irish.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:53 AM ^
very good stuff.
November 20th, 2009 at 10:21 AM ^
In just 4 posts, this thread has managed to conjure up two VERY disturbing mental images:
Charlie Weis and splits...ewwwwww
Charlie Weis unbelting his girth....ewwwww
November 20th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
This was posted a week or so back on this blog. ND just hasn't made it official.
Also, how many seats does UCONN have in their stadium? This may be a reason ND decided not to play them there.
RR is good friends with the coach at UCONN, so I think he was more willing to do a home and home series.
I definately see UCONN as one of those teams that is able to play above there takent level and be successful. Many flamers on here have criticized me when I point to the coaching(at least partially responsible) for the poor season. UCONN does not use the talent excuse...they simply find ways to win
November 20th, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^
It's easier to coach a cohesive unit of under-talented players when you have stability (10+ years under the same head coach), experienced players, and a full 85 member team. Please stop pretending that the two situations have much of anything in common. Oh, and "they simply find ways to win"? They're 4-5. Their four victories are over Ohio, Baylor, Rhode Island, and Louisville. So even though you used a poor comparison to critique the coaching job at Michigan, it doesn't even demonstrate your point. They have more stability, more experience, and fewer wins.
Also, I like the way you're treating the Weis speculation as fact, and referencing the mention of it on this blog as confirmation that it's fact.
Great post.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:48 PM ^
UCONN's stadium is fairly small - I believe 43,000. That is certainly a factor in ND's insistence on playing the game in the Meadowlands, though not the only one. At least as important is to have the game in the NY metro area where they get more attention and have more pro-ND fans. That part of the equation naturally would irritate UCONN but they had to agree to it to get the home and "home" series.
I was making the contrast to Michigan which could have flexed the same muscle but agreed to play the game in UCONN's stadium. I live in the NY area and believe me a Michigan game with UCONN in the Meadowlands would be a big event.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
Alright, I admit I did not know UCONN was 4-5, since it seems like every year they are a decent team.
About the ND thing....well, what do you think? Are they going to keep him? Either way, does it matter? They are not doing to well with him.
You are obviously a man of logic, and yes, if you logically look at MIch, they have young players and the coaching staff is new, etc., etc.
Look, I watch the game with emotion, I will admit. I play the game with emotion. I don;t spend hours researching statisitcs to try and justify when a team is underacheiving. I just watch and pretty much figure it out.
Mich beat ND earlier in the season, and they are not the same team that is currently playing. You can analyze and disect, etc., etc., but they have the same players they did at the start of the season. The are bad. period. It doesn;t take research to see that. If the coaching staff was able to get them ready for ND, then I would think they can get them ready now.
This is coaching my friend!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
Even if only for calling me a "man of logic."
I thought Charlie Weis should have been gone last year, but I keep hoping they keep him around.
A couple of responses to "they are not the same team..." First, Michigan's defense was awful against ND, and continues to be so. Defensively, they are the same team, minus one of their DBs. Also, ND's defense is one of the poorer ones we've played against. Add to that the fact that other teams had more game film to prepare for Michigan after the ND team; Michigan's inexperience at QB means that they don't have all of the playbook installed to counter how defenses play them; Michigan lost their best offensive lineman; Tate Forcier injured his shoulder; and Brown and Minor have each been injured much of the year, and I might concede that they aren't quite the same team at this point. I do not concede, however, that "This is coaching..." The team has many flaws. Blaming it on the job Rodriguez is doing to prepare the players is, at best, premature.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:34 PM ^
My OP did say UCONN was 4-5.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:45 PM ^
One last question:
Will the defense be improved enough, to get them to 6-6 next year?
November 21st, 2009 at 12:44 AM ^
If they win tomorrow (I know, big "if"), they're already at 6-6! The offense should be improved next year, and I can't imagine the defense being any worse. 6-6 next year would be disappointing.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
fellas, i know its fun to hate on charlie...but pray he wins...pray they dont fire him...nothing is better for us than an idiot like him there.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
You are absolutely right. I did not read your post carefully enough. I think I need to take a break from the site for a while-
Go Blue!
November 20th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
...to apologize but thanks.
Enjoy the upcoming big win!