From The Cheap Seats
*"That is the worst 600+-yard offensive game I have ever seen." I literally heard that from an Irish fan in the wake of the 49-20 Notre Dame victory over Boston College as we filed out of arguably the worst college football stadium within a Power 5 Conference. Maybe he is right, but have we all become so critical of our sports teams that we simply can't enjoy much of anything short of a 77-0 shutout of Alabama? Sports radio's life's blood is negativity and overreaction, but I fear that we might have gone to a point where we are unhappy almost regardless of the result. Notre Dame did not play a great game all game to be sure, but my goodness, rushing for 515 yards is a great day at the office for a pass-happy program.
*Boston College ran out of water and ice at Alumni Stadium by late in the 3rd quarter. Sweet! Having said that, the people in and around the stadium treated us very well so I have to give credit where it is due. Nice job Eagles' fans!
*Jamie Uyeyama correctly called out those of us overreacting to Mike McGlinchey's poor game against Georgia. I was among the leaders of the nuthouse gang when I suggested that three players switch positions on the offensive line. That is a classic example of what I opined (whined?) about earlier in this piece; I have NO LEG TO STAND ON in suggesting personnel decisions for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. I have no clue. Shame on me for mistaking having a voice for expertise on the topics I discuss. I am a fan and vow to be a better fan. I am, by nature, what many would call a "polly" as a fan. I forgot that for a short time when I decided to become the Offensive Coordinator---keyboard version. Even if I were to be eventually proven correct, it would not change by one iota the fact that I lack the credentials to call for position changes and such. I will stick to my observations only.
*I observed that I have never been hotter and more uncomfortable in temperatures below 80-Degrees than I was on Saturday. I was sweating profusely (okay, grotesquely), and it made the first half of play virtually excruciating.
*I hope that the calculated risk Brian Kelly and the staff are taking by making the clear point that their emphasis on "traits" over talent is not in any way lip service pays off. This team really needs the wide receiver position to get corrected in a hurry. It does not appear to be "playing time by physical, football meritocracy." If there is a serious problem within that room, then I hope the first three games have eradicated it. That would be good for the long term prospects of this program. However, a few more losses and this might be setting up the next head coach with a better wide receiver room.
*Josh Adams is a really good running back. He might find himself in the middle of the Heisman race if he exits a winning effort over USC with over 1,100 yards. He is largely under-appreciated by many because he is not flashy, despite 6 rushes of over 20 yards so far this year, and he does not go out of his way to bring attention upon himself. He is a gifted, tough runner who appears to be getting better as he gains more trust in his own knee.
*I have no idea what expect from this team going forward. I am excited about so many aspects of this team which I thought would be the team's undoing. I am also confident that the perceived strengths in August will in fact become that in the next few months. This Saturday night's contest will likely tell the story of what we can expect thereafter.
*The safeties have done an excellent job in run support so far this year and deserve a ton of credit for overcoming public perception and doing their jobs every day.
*Not enough praise can be heaped upon Mike Elko at this juncture. It is clear that whatever he is teaching is being absorbed by the players and translated to the games. I can't believe how much confidence I have in this defense that was an abject failure just 12 moths ago.
*TeVon Coney seems to be getting better by the day. I had relatively low expectations for him entering the season, but he might be the defensive MVP through three games.
*Brandon Wimbush is going to surprise us all this Saturday by playing exactly how we expect him to play. He has been so out of sorts through the last two games that it is almost comical. He can throw the football. I fully expect him to have a good laugh at himself when he watches some of the BC film then remember that he is playing the same game he has thrived in for years. I expect him to bounce back in the passing game like the offensive line did last week after its poor outing.
*As a rusher, Wimbush is pretty good. Yikes. 200 yards and four TD's? That would be crazy even if in the Blue-Gold game versus a Brian Van Gorder defense.
*Let's scrap the two-point, dipsey-doo fake-a-roo and just kick the extra point.
*Beat Sparty!