Really... Really...

You have got to watch the last play of this clip. Ambrose Wooden running quarterback, and Brandon Hoyte at running back. OPTION, TOSS, FIRST DOWN. If you would have told me five years ago that this could ever really have happened, I might have died from laughing. Turns out, they are actually pretty damn good at it. Hotye can move!

State of Mind

If you think you are beaten, your are
If you think you dare not, you won't,
If you like to win, but don't think you can
It's almost a cinch you won't

If you think you'll lose, you're lost
For out in the world you find,
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in a state of mind

For many a game is lost
Ere even a play is run,
And many a coward fails
Ere even his work is begun

Think big and your deeds will grow
Think small and you'll fall behind
Think that you can and you will
It's all a state of mind

If you think you are out-classed, your are
You've got to think high to rise
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize

Life battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the fella who thinks he can

That's all there is to this season. Printed in every last word of that poem. 2 years ago there was a team that lost every bit of offensive production. A team that just wanted to go out and not get killed (although about a dozen freshman did come close). We all remember that season. Or if you're like me, don't want to remember that season.

Then we had last season. A team that oozed with confidence. A team that knew they had a fighters chance of winning every game the played in, but they didn't have the mindset to actually make it happen (i.e. Syracuse, North Carolina, Pittsburgh).

And what do we have this year. Hopefully, a team that knows that once they step foot on the field, they are going to dominate. Not put up a fight, not out guess the other team, not make the proper adjustments at half time, but simply out play and out class the opponent. This is the team that I need to take the field this year. It's all in a State of Mind!

Bottoms Up!

Fate..

Second and goal from the seven. Notre Dame decides to pass. The play is broken, and the quarterback is sacked for a loss of nine. Now they are looking at third and goal from the sixteen. Most teams would look to set up the field goal, the great ones already have three or four plays that they are confident will work and will put six on the board. Fate benefits those that are willing, those that know they will not lose.

Florida knows they can win every game they play in.

USC knows they are the best.

Ohio State knows they are the best in the Big Ten (lol, damn the SEC is fast).

Notre Dame needs to come to this conclusion. They need to believe that they can score on every drive. We have the fire power to score with everytone. They need to know that there is no difference between third and one, and third and eight. It should make no difference to them. They can score from anywhere on the field at anytime. Anytime....

Fate, as it has it, comes to the other side of the ball. The defense has to be able to take over games this year. Can we stop USC, can the D walk out on the field and KNOW they can hold the other team to a three and out with time running out. I think that the defensive backs are up to the challenge. I think that the ends can get after the quaterback. The linebackers are actually skilled this year, and they have some speed this year as well. Don't believe me? Ha ha ha, run a toss strong side.

The FATE of this years team could be on the defense...what say you...CHEERS!

50 Days and Counting

Down to fifty days... So close yet so far away. 4 and 0 in September? Can we compete with USC this year? Are we capable of a runing game? Can we stop the run? Will we give up double digit leads again this year (we did three times last year)? These are some of the questions I hope to have answered during our "4-0" September.
There are just so many questions I need answered. I do not even know where to begin.

Can Clausen live up to his Hawaii performance (22/26 401 yards 5 TD's)? Only missed four passes that game, and those were drops. He hit his hot routes, and threw strikes when he had to. He deep throws were on the money. It sure was fun to watch.

Will Brian Smith be an animal at linebacker (54 tackles last year), and change opposing teams game plans. I am a firm believer that in order to have a great defense you have to have an incredible linebacker. Manti's time will come, but this is Smith's D.

How good is our secondary (14 INT's last year, McCarthy 110 tackles)? Are they as good as I think they are? They could be one of the best.

Where you been Sam Young. He has started every game since he arrived at Notre Dame. He was the best tackle in his recruiting class. Is this the year he shows up?

Can we make FG's when we need to (Walker was 14 of 24 last season)? I do not want to really even write about this but it has to be said. When called upon, our kickers need to come through.

Like I said, I have alot of questoins. Let the fun begin. For now, all I can do is play NCAA 2010 and speculate. Cheers!

You gotta think....WHAT IF...

I posted a song by Linkin Park before this... I beg you that you listen to it and think about ND while you are listening to it. This could be a great year. We have a two year starter at QB. We have a stable at running back (Armando will be our stud) this year. Our WIDEOUTS may be the best in the country. Our tightend is the BEST in the country. This could be an exciting year. You are either up for it or you are not. I am up for it. You will have to out score us this year! Bring It!
We might be undefeated when we play USC this year!!! There comes a time when enought is enough. I do NOT think that they are as good as they think they are. This could be the year that we bring them down... We are BCS bound, BRING IT!

HOMEGAMEHOTSPOTS.COM.....WHAT WHAT

Give me Reason