Tech

By Ewrecked

August 27, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

I agree.

No way does Weis throw the freshman to the wolves right out of the gate. An athletic QB provides the play making ability in case of breakdowns in picking up the blitz. I’m sure Clausen will get the reigns for several drives, but the bulk of the snaps go to Jones.

An athletic QB is one of the two re-occurring weaknesses of our defense. I’m sure Charlie watches enough film to see that.

By JD

August 27, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Matt, Appreciate the coverage of the Jackets. You covered the Falcons for a long time and presumably had some interaction with Vick. Any thoughts on him. I thought he looked sincere today and was wondering if that was how he was without the cameras on him. Thanks!

By Maceo

August 27, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

It will be interesting. I am not as confident as some others are. Keep in mind, ND still has players. they lost some guys, but they continually recruit at a higher level than the Jackets. And I think they will run the ball well. Should be interesting, thats all I am saying. A little nervous, actually.

By dcw

August 27, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

CLAUSEN WILL BE REDSHIRTED AND WILL NOT SEE THE FIELD ALL SEASON. JONES APPEARS TO BE THE APPARENT QB BUT I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU NO ONE IN SOUTH BEND BESIDES THE TEAM AND COACHES KNOW. I EXPECT THIS TO BE A GOOD GAME AND CAN’T WAIT UNTIL 2009 I WOULD NOT WANT TO PLAY THE IRISH THEN. GOOD LUCK I CAN’T WAIT TIL KICKOFF.

By David

August 27, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

This Blair kid has a cannon of a leg. Hope he does get the nod. Saw him play for Calhoun in the dome.

By Thomas Byrd

August 27, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame is not a good football team this year. We win easily.Please come to the Tickle Pile that will be held in celebration. Starts 30 minutes after the end of the Game just north of BDS. Be there!!

By jamie williamson

August 27, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Even our bad teams were good enough to beat your best teams…overall series notre dame 27 wins -5 losses 1 tie..dont worry about the qb … worry about which rb you need to stop…

By wes

August 27, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Jones will start and run the same plays ND ran last year…with a little bit of option mixed in.

The first quarter should be VERY interesting. I can’t wait!

By Bob Rocklin

August 27, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

ND will surprise on defense, play at least 2 QB and beat the RR 31-18 - just a hunch. No one expects Weiss or his team to be that good - makes them that more dangerous. I also think they will dump USC 27-23. I pick USC to be the disappointment of the season.

By Bob Rocklin

August 27, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

ND will surprise on defense, play at least 2 QB and beat the RR 31-18 - just a hunch. No one expects Weiss or his team to be that good - makes them that more dangerous. I also think they will dump USC 27-23. I pick USC to be the disappointment of the season.

By Bob Rocklin

August 27, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

ND will surprise on defense, play at least 2 QB and beat the RR 31-18 - just a hunch. No one expects Weiss or his team to be that good - makes them that more dangerous. I also think they will dump USC 27-23. I pick USC to be the disappointment of the season.

By Bob Rocklin

August 27, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

ND will surprise on defense, play at least 2 QB and beat the RR 31-18 - just a hunch. No one expects Weiss or his team to be that good - makes them that more dangerous. I also think they will dump USC 27-23. I pick USC to be the disappointment of the season.

By wes

August 27, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Bob Rocklin, what makes u think the irish put up 31 against GT? The Mighty Brady Quinn could only muster 14 against the same defense last year.

I guess that’s why your prediction is “just a hunch”.

By David

August 27, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Wow…a Tech blog that is dominated by ND fans. No wonder we can’t fill our own stadium. This is embarrassing.

By Taylor

August 27, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame is definately in a rebuilding year, making them underdogs in a lot of cases. I think ND handles GT by 7+. Watch out for the Irish in ‘09 for sure.

By Taylor

August 27, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame is definately in a rebuilding year, making them underdogs in a lot of cases. Although, I think ND handles GT by 7+. Watch out for the Irish in ‘09 for sure.

By Taylor

August 27, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Notre Dame is definately in a rebuilding year, making them underdogs in a lot of cases. Although, I think ND handles GT by 7+. Watch out for the Irish in ‘09 for sure.

By the ACC is OURZ

August 28, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

David, It is obvious you are a UGA fan. You are so intellegiently stupid. Your purpose was to rag on Tech about the lack of sell out crowds and our participation on blogs. Please don’t pose as a Tech fan and go ahead and admit that you are scum. Also, just because Bob Rocklin’s dumb azz hit the post button 4 times doesn’t mean this blog is dominated by ND fans. Why are you even here? I heard Kmart has red UGA sweaters 4 for $5. All they have is size small thru large left though, since the majority of UGA fans are fat overweight slobs.

By sligo

August 28, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

Well this story could be valid except that it spells the name of one of the most important players TO that story wrong. Twice.

His name is James Clausen, not Claussen. Popularly known as Jimmy.

By Paul

August 28, 2007 2:58 AM | Link to this

I don’t buy the “even WITH Quinn and Samardzija, the Irish only scored 14 on GT, so they won’t win this year” argument. The REASON for that was twofold- the o-line sucked, and it was a hostile environment (night game, Ga Tech super excited, national tv audience, opening game). Well, the o-line should be vastly improved. The running game should also be vastly improved. ND has FIVE legit running backs, all different styles. Whomever starts at QB will be good. If it’s Jones, that’s one more running threat. They also have the best tight end in the country, and competent (albeit inexperienced) wideouts. I see Ga Tech having a lot of trouble slowing the Irish down. I also see the new Irish D having similar trouble, and it’s a similar situation- with Calvin Johnson, ND’s awful D held Tech to 10 last year- but this year with an improved D and Johnson gone, I think ND will give up some points- why? Because the new Tech QB is better than Ball, and because Choice is a fine RB. Both teams lost stars but fixed glaring problems on offense.

I see the Irish winning in a high scoring affair (not a shootout because I don’t think ND does much through the air).

By GMcRae

August 28, 2007 4:32 AM | Link to this

Thats reins..not reigns !!

By ATL-Irish

August 28, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

LOL @ this blog. It is dominated by ND people. When, a Tech fan does comment….it is to correct someone’s spelling. What a joke!! I can’t wait to see what is posted after the beatdown on Saturday. Probably how the announcers incorrectly pronounce a Tech players name.

By GTGreg

August 28, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

I would like to see Bennett not attempt a pass all game… choice simply runs through everything ND’s got for the first half, and then Evans and Dwyer duplicate the feat in the second half…

While I don’t think this will happen, I do see ND stacking the box against the run and still not being effective at slowing down Choice… he will get his yards. You have five running backs, all with different styles, that will be completely unable to solve the Tech defense. Tech wins 24-7 in a laughter that they control from the opening drive.

You get seven from returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

By Play that Funky Music Whiteboy

August 28, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

I’m here Davey and others - breaking character for a moment, I’ve been rather busy taking care of my 2.5 year old son who broke his left femur a couple of weeks ago in a freak accident. The little big man is doing fine and the prognosis is very positive… so with that, back into character.

Let me set all of you straight here. ND is LOADED at Running Back with quite possibly the #1 and #2 fullbacks in the country (Asaph Schwapp is a scary beast). If Chan Gailey wants to know what to expect, he should watch a tape of Alabama in the Bryant era. The ND spring game was no fluke - run heavy. As long as ND doesn’t get down by a lot and have to mount a comeback, my guess is they won’t throw the ball more than 15 times in the entire game and that lends itself to a Demetrius Jones QB. The OLine for ND is stacked and will be much better than last season.

Last year’s game, Charlie Weis beat Chan Gailey in an NFL style, ball control game. Tech fans, I’m sorry but if it’s a close NFL style ball control game again, your coach will once again be on the losing end.

Now I must go to a meeting with the cabal to decide who the next Attorney General will be.

By Irish Lose Bowl Games

August 28, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

I don’t care that there are a lot of Irish DoucheNozzles posting on this blog.

I find it hilarious to read their overblown expectations of themselves. Hard to believe that Irish fans could be worse than UGA fans when it comes to preseason bs hype.

My favorite quote: “ND is LOADED”. lol. You guys are certainly some delusional idiots. lol.

Enjoy the beatdown this weekend, girls. Don’t be a stranger to the blog next week when you are 0-1 and your world has come to an end. I’d like to hear your take on the game.

And if you don’t come back after the game, let me go ahead and wish you good luck in your bowl game this season. I’m sure it will be a gift from the selection committee based on decades old history, and like your last 8 bowl games, you’ll be matched up against a much better team and continue to look like a second class team.

By GTGreg

August 28, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Eh, the Irish are alright… a far cry from “loaded” I am afraid. A certain Mike Cox would probably have something to say about your “ND has the best fullbacks in the nation” comment. Wheeler will spend all afternoon in Notre Dame’s backfield and Schwapp is going to look like a beetle that got flipped over on his back.

Now I have to go to a meeting with the viceroys to decide who the mythical preseason national football champion is going to be. Talk about self-important…

By gtfan55

August 28, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

I am pumped that there are so many ND fans on here trying to pull this we are going to be better than you, and oh yeah we lost everybody from last year that was worth anything. Wake up ND, the Boy’s from the South are coming to wreck ya!!!

By shivas

August 28, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Whiteboy, hope your son is OK. I think ND will stack the box and make TB throw early. Therefore, we must have some success through the air, and attempt some deep balls. If ND plays man to man to stack the box, we may be able to break this game wide-open. Once we complete a couple of passes, the running game will pick up steam, and TC will dominate. I really think we’ll see TB get Peek involved early, and hit a couple of screen passes to Grant, and possibly Thumper. I have 2 concerns, 1) the ND offense because I don’t expect much from them. However, my gut tells me they are going to be better than expected. We cannot let them eat up the clock with long drives, 2) Special teams- we have been weak in kick-off coverage, and this really hurt us last year. We cannot afford to give ND the ball at mid-field after every kick-off. Otherwise, I expect our offensive line to dominate, and by the 4th quarter be ready to pull away for a 10 point victory. GT 27 ND 17.

By $wheremouthis

August 28, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Anybody want to bet that GT doesn’t come back from South Bend with their stingers between their legs and another season already headed downhill?

By Au Contrair

August 28, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

GTgreg, the NFL guys are saying the best Fullback in college football and the 1st Fullback that will go in this years NFL draft plays for that school over in Athens.

By GTGreg

August 28, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Thankfully, I don’t have to take the “NFL guys’” (whoever they are) word as bond. Cox had an injured shoulder last year, so he is flying under the radar. Good luck to UGA and your spooning QB against Okie State… they are going to need every last bit of it.

By shivas

August 28, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Hey moneymouth, I’ll be in Vegas Friday night to do just that. Current spread has ND a 2.5 point favorite. I have to agree with this line because GT must prove it can get over the hump, and win in South Bend. Also, it’s a sucker bet for all the Irish fans across the country. They do look at GT as an easy win , and are so blinded by their loyalty that they will bet ND. Remember Vegas sets the line based upon how they believe people will bet, not who they believe will win. Personally, I would stay away from this game, but will put $100.00 on it just because I’ll bet with my heart.

By Play that Funky Music Whiteboy

August 28, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

shivas,thanks for the kind words. And you are really on to something with the betting lines. I mean, Tech is ranked several spots higher than ND (from the polls I’ve seen), has a QB that looked pretty good in the bowl game, a returning running back who is a stud in the true Tech tradition (there have been some great ones there over the past 15 years), this game is just begging for bets from the Tech side of the house.

Au Contrair - not going to punish you because to use a French phrase and in the right context you have to be at least a post elementary school attendee unlike many of your unwashed bretheren - but Schwapp is only a Sophomore, watch him Saturday with an open mind.

GTGreg - you and I both know you are joking, the viceroys don’t decide the preseason national champion, they are too busy manipulating the climate for corn futures.

All Tech fans - I believe this to be hitting below the belt, but it’s close enough to Saturday to begin taking these discussions to a new low… You all realize after Saturday you will be 0-2 vs. a team with Bill Lewis on the coaching staff?

By jon

August 28, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

ND will always be better than GT Wasteland of football(what happened with the team last year could not win with Calvin johnson to bad not this year either). Besides GT is south of the mason dixon line!!!!

By shivas

August 28, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Actually whiteboy, the 2.5 spread is a teaser for the ND faithful. ND has a national following and will put a significant amount of money on this game. Not only that, the casual gambler is itching to place that first college football wager on the board and looks for teams with high name recognition- Notre Dame! Making GT the betting favorite will scare some of those casual guys away because they start to think MD lost Quinn and several other player, don’t really know much about GT, but if they’re favored over ND, must be good. Therefore find something else to bet. However, make ND a 2.5 favorite, and everybody feels good. Oh yeah, ND can win by at least a field goal and probably more. The 2.5 is a teaser to draw in the most bets, which is the ND crowd. In reality, Vegas is saying GT will probably win this game, but we better make ND a slight favorite to get the money flowing. Next blog you will get my lock of the week. It’s never lost- 100% over 25 years.

By Chris

August 28, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

whistle

Time out. Where do you two (jon and Whiteboy) get off insinuating that Tech fans are country bumpkins? We don’t have many fans that aren’t grads (uga takes care of the sidewalk fan demographic) and I certainly wouldn’t call my fellow grads “unwashed brethren”. Just because the school happens to be in Georgia doesn’t mean we’re a bunch of inbred degenerates all named Bubba or Ellie Mae (again, uga has a monopoly on this market segment). A huge portion of Tech students and grads don’t even come from Georgia, which contributes to lower fan support in the Atlanta area, but that’s not the point.

Based solely on the geographic location of ND, I’m going to assume that all ND fans are blue-collar yokels from Bumscrew, Indiana with straw hanging out of their mouths. Baseless stereotyping is fun!

By Spike

August 28, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I’m no Tech fan, but in a wierd sick way I hope Tech wins. I am so sick of all the BS hype the Irish always get, especially this year. The TV talking heads can’t stop talking about ND. They will suck this year against a tough schedule without Brady et al. Enough already !!!!!

By Mike

August 28, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

There’s only 1 “S” in Clausen you dolt!

If you’re goping to pretend to be a writer, at least learn to spell the players names right.

moron.

By StraightJacket

August 28, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Irish logic is great: “Yep. We’re awesome. Quinn, Samalphabetja, Rhema McKnight, D. Walker, 3 senior OL’s were all a bunch of bums last year…. they’d ride the end of the bench this year because our NEW starters are SO MUCH BETTER! Even the freshman!”

Reading that kind of logic gives me great confidence in a Tech win.

BTW, Matt,… I think Charlie went to Morgantown for a reason: Jones will start, Sharpley will play, Claussen will model Speedos and clipboards, and Jones will finish. Jones will do the “Pat White” drill, read our DL’s and LB’s all day, and HOPE that his OL is as good as WVU’s last year.

I don’t think ND’ OL will have the experience to play as well as WVU’s OL did against us.

We win, 20-10.

-SJ

By Spike

August 28, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Mike.. How is your glass house today? It is “going”, not “goping”. If you are going to be a writer AND insult others at least learn to spell correctly. Moron.

By PB

August 28, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

I’ll be at the game and I am stoked.

By shivas

August 28, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Mike, slow down on the coffee, it’s getting you a little uptight. Good call straightjacket. Irish also are implementing that new 3-4 defense. As I recall, the 3-4 is a lot of read and react, and less on the attcking style. Our OL should get a big push on the line of scrimmage, and TC should be hammerring away in the secondary all evening. I think we’ll see a little of that West Virginia style as well, but I don’t think Pat White and Steve Slaton will be there. It’s also good to see some inexperinced ND skill players come out running a new offense against our D. Gary Guyton and Phillip Wheeler will be called all game long, and I believe we’ll be able to put a little pressure on whoever is QB. Irish will probably need to play all 3. Just want to get a look at ClauSSen, to see those eyes go wide when the jackets are buzzing him all night long. Irish, you’re gonna need some of that luck.

By Chris

August 28, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Fact: Inexperienced qbs do not perform well against Tech’s defensive scheme (see: Kyle Wright, Brandon Cox, Sean Glennon, etc.) due to the confusing nature of the scheme and the large amounts of pressure from the near constant blitzing.

Fact: Whoever starts for ND will be inexperienced. I don’t care if Knute, Ara, Lou, and Charlie are all on the sidelines. You can’t coach experience in live game situations.

I’m not saying blowout, but I am saying Tech will win without it being a nail-biter. Call it 27-17.

By Davey

August 28, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Sorry about your son Whitey…hope he gets back to running like all younguns should.

Now back to the game…….What is going on with this FB battle. If anyone here plays video games they would know that Cox is rated higher. In all honesty the game should be close HIGH SCORING game. Very far from last years game. I expect a 35 to 31 victory for the Wreck from Georgia Tech. My reasoning is simple last year the game was REALLY close. ND lost more players last year then tech. Experience are important factors when it gets down to crunch time. Now you can say that you players have more stars but that don’t mean jack when they get on the field.

I hope the game is injury free and everyone has a good time. I will be watching from my couch at home due to High school football the night before.

And to answer everyone’s question on why their are so many Irish fans on here is that Tech fans have jobs or go to school during the day. We don’t watch rudy all day.

PS Whitey I got kicked off Irish Eyes the ND scout message board. Something about how Rudy swallows.

By I'm better than you

August 28, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

LMAO at you nerds. My favorite posts are the ones where you try to analyze defensive formations (“If I remember correctly the 3-4 is a more read and react…”). Please. Don’t make me laugh. The only time any of you geeks set foot on the football field was at halftime with a tuba around your scrawny shoulders. And save the whole “we’re your boss” bs for another day. I’ll gladly compare my tax returns with any of you cubicle-sitting dorks anyday. Losers.

By rib@yaoo.com

August 28, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

Chris: There’s a young (insert a nerd’s “spooning” joke here) qb from that school in Athens who managed to figure out Tenuta’s “constant blitzing.” I love it! The streak continues for AT LEAST three more years. Oh, you woeful nerds.

Chris: Are you the nerd who used to work for the Governor (a UGA grad I might add)?

By shivas

August 28, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

“cubicle sitting dorks,” yes that is the language of a made man with a big tax return.

By rib@yaoo.com

August 28, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Shivas: You ignorant peasant, those cube sitting dorks work for me. Engineers are always the employee, never the employer. And I’d bet dollars to donuts that I make more money than you.

By not disappointed

August 28, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

It’s time for Football; “Go Jackets!”

By Superchill

August 28, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

OK - none of you have agreed to this and it is very telling. GT has SEVENTEEN starters back on an ACC runner-up (although it was Wake) and ND has SEVEN on a very disappointing 9-3 team (although GT would go ape over that) so the game is clearly GT’s to lose.

So - that being understood - PRETTY PLEASE, WITH SUGAR ON TOP, DON’T CRY, WHINE AND MOAN should you leave South Bend with an “L” in the books.

Can you just do that? How much is that to ask?

By Spike

August 28, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Chris, Fact: “Inexperienced” QB Matthew Stafford performed pretty well last year against your defensive scheme. Fact: You are a knucklehead.

By Jerod

August 29, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

You’re right… It looks as though Jones will be out there to start. I don’t think Jimmy is going to play this week at all. If things go south, Sharpley will most likely come in. I am not an expert, but word here on campus is that is the deal. Jimmy’s elbow is still day to day. I don’t think they are going to throw him out there. I think his first game may be the 22nd vs Michigan State. If the Irish are 0-3 at that point, Claussen will get his first start that week. I can’t see ND throwing his first start at Penn St or at Michigan, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

By GTarmchairQB

August 29, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

**Could Notre Dame be OVER-RATED??”

hmmmm….

0-9…0-9..0-9….0-9…0-9…0-9…0-9…0-9….0-9…0-9…0-9…0-9…0-9…0-9

Yawn…

Fact: ND has a modern day football program that is on par with Ole Miss..maybe as good as NC State…and if you listen to the fans and networks you would think ND was a season away from being USC, Auburn or LSU..which obviously regarding the latter, ND is OBVIOUSLY nowhere close!

ND fans…Just remember, this Saturday is 1 game. Don’t give up. and don’t get discouraged after Tech drops the hammer and thumps you 34-3.

And most of all, try to play the rest of your games close so it doesn’t look like we played U.Conn.