From The Cheap Seats
*Ian Book did a solid job this weekend, but he can do better and likely will if he is given the opportunity again this year. I like so many aspects of his game, including his arm strength and willingness to compete. In terms of leading the Notre Dame offense, I genuinely believe that his ceiling is Brandon Wimbush's floor. I take nothing away from Book, but I think that highly of Wimbush, who is struggling mightily throwing the ball but still led the most efficient red zone offense for five games. The second half schedule is much more difficult, but it might not appear so if he adds the passing aspect of his game at a competent level.
*The Heisman Trophy is supposed to go to the finest college football player in the land. I vote Quenton Nelson again this week. Who is better at his position in America today than Nelson is at his? I can't prove that it is he, but I am very comfortable at least making the argument that he just might be.
*Mike McGlinchey is playing at an extremely high level again right now, perhaps even better than he played at right tackle two years ago. This line can battle with anybody and I am sure it would love to have another crack at Georgia.
*Notre Dame has taken a major step forward in the strength and conditioning department this year in every way that can be measured and any that can't be measured. I have to admit that I am also very impressed with the conditioning that Michigan State displayed in the 4th quarter of a physical game versus rival Michigan after the Spartans had played Iowa and Notre Dame in the previous two games. MSU started with two cupcakes and a bye week, but the gauntlet of three straight physical games is likely unmatched to this point in the season. Kudos to the MSU staff for winning the final two games of that stretch.
*I was completely wrong in my prediction last week that Michael Young would score a TD against North Carolina, so I should certainly make another prediction. Weird things happen in the Carrier Dome. Clemson will get all it can handle versus Syracuse on Friday night before ultimately staying unbeaten.
*I did predict that the Irish would be 5-1 heading into the bye week, but in no way did I expect the dominance on the road. The story of this season is just different than any other under Brian Kelly. He seems like he is okay with blowing teams out rather than trying to get the game into the 4th quarter and finding a way to win. Teams who do that lose half of the games they play like that. I am of course not suggesting that Kelly was against blowing teams out, but he did run a team that was always in close games when they did not need to be. They got burnt too often. This team expects to win and win convincingly.
*I like that USC is hosting Utah at 8pm EST which will allow for almost the least amount of rest possible. I need this to be a USC win in no fewer than 13 OT's. Is that too much to ask?
*In all seriousness, USC does not scare me nearly as much as they did prior to the season, which in and of itself scares me. I was hoping that USC would come into the game largely untested but still unbeaten and fairly heavy favorites. As it is, I have to think that ND will be favored at home even if USC dismantles Utah. This is by far the biggest test for Mike Elko's defense, and I have a sneaky suspicion that years from now, we will all be shaking our heads muttering, "Ya know, you give Mike Elko two weeks to prepare for you and you are in trouble."
*This is putting the horse way before the cart, but I actually love the way that Notre Dame matches up against NC State. The defensive line for the 'Pack is immense, but I think if you run right at them, they will be neutralized and the secondary can be had. The QB they have is vastly underrated, bit if you give Mike Elko six days to prepare...
*Another week, another game filled with effort and disruption from Jerry Tillery. That young man is growing up quickly before our eyes. I did know that he had such a high ceiling as a defensive tackle. I thought that he would be a top offensive tackle in the NFL, but now he has a clear path to the next level on the defensive line.
*Coach Alexander is taking heat for the performance of the wide receivers, but I think it is at best too soon to question him as a hire. The biggest issue in the passing game has been Brandon Wimbush. The running game has been stellar and the receivers have been excellent in most cases in their blocking assignments. That is as much of a reflection of coaching as is the number of receptions and yards.
*At one point during Deon McIntosh's performance on Saturday, I turned to my wife and suggested that Autry Denson could coach me into a very solid running back. She seemed to doubt Denson. Perhaps it was my athleticism which gave her pause. In an event, Macintosh deserves a ton of credit, but it is becoming clear that Denson might be one of the best running back coaches in America. They are sound, unselfish and productive. That unit is almost absurdly reliable.
*Julian Okwara is going to be a special player for Notre Dame. He is developing into a player the other team absolutely must account for every time he is on the field. He is doing more than adequately against the run, too.
*This is completely random, but as a Boston Red Sox fan, I do not like to see the Astros beating the boys of Fenway, but wow are they a fun team to watch. The team chemistry looks amazing, and I can't help but think that the Fighting Irish Football Team has a little bit of that mojo this year.
*Justin Yoon appears to be fully healed from whatever ailed his leg over the past several months. His kickoffs have been excellent. Especially the ones staying in bounds!
*Underrated play from the special teams last week was the punt just before the half that ultimately resulted in a safety and my feeling better about life in general during halftime. Tyler Newsome is extremely gifted if not the most consistent kicker around.
*Go Irish!