Crummy: Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
Certainly one of the most hyped matchups of the opening weekend of the college football season, Notre Dame versus Georgia Tech live from Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium in ATL is sure to be a hard fought battle. The Gameday crew will be in attendance increasing the hype of the game, especially since Mr. Herbstreit is predicting Brady Quinn as the Heisman winner (a little hometown favoritism perhaps?).
Notre Dame goes into the game ranked #2 by the Associated Press and tied for #3 by the Coaches. Tech goes in unranked, but that means practically nothing right now and is a result of a lack of hype coming off of back-to-back losses to end last season.
From last season’s performances, it is clear that Quinn (over 3000 yards passing and 32 TDs), Jeff Samardzija (consensus All-American), and Darius Walker (1000 yard rushing) can put up some big numbers on offense. However, the big question mark is the defense. Notre Dame’s defense returns 9 starters who were a part of the team that gave up over 600 yards to Ohio State’s offense in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. The main weakness appears to be the secondary, but Charlie Weis emphasized strengthening the DBs in the off-season. We will find out if his efforts have paid off as veteran Tech QB Reggie Ball and Heisman hopeful Calvin Johnson look to pick apart the questionable Notre Dame secondary.
The key to the game for the Ramblin’ Wreck will be holding ND to as few points as possible as the offense (returning 8 starters) did not put up big scores last season. While Chan Gailey’s defense will be relatively inexperienced this year, his defenses are generally successful at getting at and sacking drop-back style passers (i.e., Quinn).
The Irish will win this game by more than enough to cover the 7.5 point spread.
posted by Crummy @ 2:23 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
The X-factor will be Calvin Johnson (preseason all-American) does ND have a secondary that can cover a big physical wide out. Reggie Ball has matured of the past 2 season and might be more hesitant to run out of the pocket, like in the past. I think the game will be closer then people think. I am not sure how good GT’s defense is but if they take a page out of Criminal U play book from last years bowl game, they should have a good chance for the upset.
If ND loses this one.. I won't have to mute ESPN anymore.
I muted ESPN long ago. Monday Night Football is going to be terrible with that Corn guy on there.
Kornheiser isn't bad. He will call Joe Theisman out about his numerous idiotic comments (i.e. last week's comment about how in order for a college quarterback to be successful as an NFL wide receiver, he must be short).
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