The Back Corner Fade
NOTE: Mike Kane is a Notre Dame fan writing a weekly column from a fan’s perspective on the Irish, and the lighter side of college football.
Disgusting. That’s the first word that comes to mind looking back on the nightmare that was Saturday night in Louisville. It was as if every worry we had as ND fans came to fruition at once and now the beat up, tired, and punchless Irish face one of the best offenses in the country, once again under the lights, in prime time for everyone to see.
I haven’t liked a coach as much as Marcus Freeman since Lou Holtz was walking the sidelines almost three decades ago. He’s a decent man, devoted to his family, and loves Notre Dame. I think we can all get behind those traits. For you younger ND fans reading this, there was also a man that came from southwestern Ohio back in 1980 to take over the ND program that had those similar traits. He was as likable a guy as you can ever meet. His name was Gerry Faust and he was an unmitigated disaster of a head coach. I’m not saying CMF is the next Gerry Faust, but after Saturday night it’s somewhat hard not to see some serious warning signs as to where the program is at.
Notre Dame should never lose to a middle of the road program like Louisville by double-digits. Ever. They could have Lamar Jackson, Tom Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, whoever, it doesn’t matter. The Ohio State lose hurt, this one frankly pisses me off. Time to get some things fixed, Marcus, or it’s only going to get worse.
What else did we learn this week other than it really hard to run against 10 in the box?
Oklahoma got the first big-time win in the Fire Marshall Venebles era as they knocked off Texas in a highly entertaining game. The Eyes of Texas are going to be squarely on Steve Sarkisian as he played for the go-ahead field goal instead of trying to press the issue and get six. Football is a funny game: OU doesn’t score on that last drive and you’d never hear a word about that decision. All signs point to these two getting together again in December for the Big 12 title game. That would be must see TV.
Speaking of bad decisions in the late moments of games, may I present Mario Cristobal of the previously undefeated (not that anybody, including their own “fans” cared) Miami Hurricanes. All Miami had to do was take a knee and head for the exits to eek out a win against Georgia Tech. Yes, the same Jackets team that demoted their DC earlier in the week after giving up 48 to Bowling Green. Mario decides to run a play, they fumble, and GT goes down and scores. These are the types of decisions that make Uncle Luke, Nevin, Pitbull, and the 7th Floor Crew upset.
A week ago, I mentioned that I thought UGA’s offense was just very pedestrian. Yeah, I might have spoken too soon on that score. Carson Beck is getting the training wheels taken off and he’s coming in to his own (11/3 1800 yards.) This past weekend he lit up Kentucky for almost 400 yards and 4 TD’s. That’s bad news for the SEC East….of course even without Beck lighting it up, none of those teams were going to ever challenge Georgia.
This coming week is pretty “meh” in terms of topflight games with one huge exception out west. There are some tussles worth a watch though….
Texas A&M heads to Knoxville to take on the Vols a week after giving Alabama all they could handle yet again. Their run defense was outstanding, and if it wasn’t Jaden Milroe making some big boy plays, they might have actually pulled that off. UT has just been moving along since getting belted in Gainesville a few weeks back. This should be a wild environment with a chance to get right and make the “The World’s Largest Natural Light Party” against UGA in a few weeks a little more interesting. The D-cell batteries, golf balls, and other objects won’t reign down from the upper tank in this one as the natives head home happy. Vols 28-17.
WVU travels to Houston to see old friend Buffalo Bill, I mean Dana Holgorsen. Does this game mean anything? Other than another stop on the Neal Brown “I Will Survive” Tour, no. I just thought it was funny that seats are going for $2 on Vivid Seats at present.
Nice one in Corvalis as UCLA heads up to take on Oregon State. Over the last few years, I’ve given DJ Ucankissmyassdabo a great deal of grief for being the original poster boy for NIL deals and then being subpar on the field over the last few years. I am truly happy that the kid has found a home with Oregon State and that he’s enjoying one last year in the sun. It helps when you have a dude like Damien Martinez to hand off to and aren’t asked to win games by yourself. Beavs keep on rolling: 24-16.
The big one this takes place in Seattle as Oregon and ESPN’s man-crush, Bo Nix, lock up with Michael Penix and UW. If you haven’t watched Washington, they truly are a lot of fun to watch on offense. They are bombs away and look to push the bean down the field. Oregon’s offense isn’t too shabby, either, and they have an outstanding defense allowing over 10 points just once this season. This is a tough call. Oregon may have the edge simply because of the defense, but this might be the biggest match-up in Husky Stadium since Don James was growling on the sidelines, and it’s going to be wild. Gimme UW in a classic: 28-27.
Then we end the day with Caleb Williams and his armada of 5-star WR’s invading Notre Dame Stadium for the end of what’s truly been a very long and brutal four week stretch for the Irish (hell, 8 weeks for that matter.) I wish I could put the rose-colored glasses on and say that “all is well’ and that this is going to be a “Notre Dame Moment” type game. I can’t.
I don’t fall into the camp of USC being this unstoppable force that can’t be beat and will bring ND to it’s knees. I still think SC is a great offense with a below average defense. They can be beaten. I believe Al Golden will have a plan in place to keep Williams and their offense somewhat under control, but at the end of the day, they’re going to score points, it’s just a matter of how many is manageable for ND to keep pace with them. Sadly, from what we’ve seen the last three weeks from the offense, this is going to be very hard to do. Mike, Jamie, and Greg all have broken down ideas to jump start the offense and frankly what they’re suggesting is plain common sense and Offensive Football 101. Spread them out, create lanes, run to daylight. Tough to do the latter when there’s 10 guys in one area waiting for you.
Is it time to call this a “make or break” game for Freeman? I wouldn’t go to that extreme, but it has quickly become as, if not more important, than the Ohio State game a few weeks ago and sadly, not for the right reasons.
I’ve always been a huge believer in one of Lou’s famous sayings: “Nothing is as good as it seems and nothing is as bad as it seems, but in the middle you have reality.” Right now, I’m not a huge fan of reality.
Offensive Pick to Click: Jeremiah Love. 75 on the ground, 50 receiving and a TD
Defensive Beast of the Week: Jason Onye. Marcus said changes are coming. This kid needs to play.
USC 35-24……Sigh
Beat SC.