Poor Football, Entertaining Game

I was off Friday afternoon, spending some time in the gym and picking up the kids from school.  I wasn't aware of how I was desperately trying to be contacted.

The director of my department at the hospital had been trying to contact me.  He had something I didn't know I needed.

Tickets to the North Carolina-Notre Dame game on Saturday, parking pass and Hospitality tent passes.  It's probably about a $500 day, if I footed the bill.  Nice gift from the employer.

If you have read this blog before, you know that I am a Purdue alum, and really don't care much for Notre Dame.  I find a lot of their local fan base well meaning, but highly delusional.  They find any loss, sometimes any mistake, unacceptable.  All told, they are still a mile better than any Michigan fan.

I took my son, even though he initially didn't want to go.  We started with a long walk around campus, something I had not done even though I have lived in South Bend Area for over 25 years.  A sense of the history of the campus was in the air.  So was alcohol, cigar smoke, tailgate barbecue and tons of footballs.  The smell of money vaporizing into thin air.

Robby was a grouch until we got into the hospitality tent.  The comfort of the tent, the free game programs, and the feeling that he was rubbing elbows with people with money got his attention.  The spread of tailgate fare improved his outlook on everything, especially the unlimited nature.  Not a single brownie was left alive.

After spending time watching people eat, inhaling more cigar smoke, and watching the football games on three big screen TV's, we headed to Notre Dame Stadium.  Our seats were opposite the press box,  upper deck,  on the north 40 yard line.  They could have been better, but not bad at all.

The game was not particularly good football, but it was entertaining.  Offenses ran wild, lousy tackling, and officiating better suited for PeeWee Football, not Division I.  Notre Dame, and especially Everett Golson, was not impressive.  I've heard a fair amount of talk about how Golson is a top three quarterback.  He didn't look the part Saturday, and with 8 turnovers in the last three games, he isn't qualified.  He held the ball much too long, and made some very poor decisions.  He threw one pick-six, should have thrown a second one, had another interception, and left approximately a half dozen wide open receivers go while throwing into coverage.  Like it or not, the year away has had an effect.  He could regain the form he had two years ago.  He could also be one of the best that never was.

Notre Dame needs to return to running the ball between the tackles.  North Carolina had no response, and really didn't stop the Irish when they ran downhill.  The physical nature of downhill running can settle an offensive line into a game and might be a good early strategy for the upcoming matchup with Florida State.  The line gave Golson time to get throws off, he spent a lot of it looking...and looking...and looking.

Defensively, the Irish didn't fare well facing a quarterback that looked a lot like Everett Golson.  Marquise Williams ran with great success, worked short and intermediate routs well, and mirrored something the Irish should see in practice every day.  They should be familiar with it, but looked like rookies.  Irish tackling was exceptionally poor, and could give great concern against the Seminoles.  They might consider a couple of interesting schemes to try to confuse Jameis Winston.  Tackling will be very important:Notre Dame needs to do it better.

I have one final note on the game: Notre Dame does an incredible job taking care of their fans.  The hospitality tent people were excellent and very tactful.  We were asked to move so politely, I had to let my son know what they asked.  In the stadium, the ushers are tactful and very fan focused.  Since we were around the 50 yard line, a lot of people, primarily wearing Carolina Blue, were asking ushers to take their picture with the field and the press box in the background.  The ushers graciously fulfilled every request.  A nice touch was that the usher closer to the field was aware of each picture, and, unknown to the people getting the picture taken, stopped traffic so no one would interrupt their picture moment.  We have experienced this at other Notre Dame sports events over the years, especially hockey games.  They give a world class experience.

Early point spreads for Saturday's game has installed the Seminoles as a 13 1/2 point favorite.  Right now, they might need to make it bigger.  One big point:Notre Dame has a history of winning a game like this.  If they are truly relevant this season, it has to be done Saturday.  Otherwise, it will be a great disappointment at the end of another hyped week.

So...am I off base?