Irish Insights

Our Top 25 -- Week 6

This is shaping up to be a wacky, wacky football season. More top teams fell on Saturday and others -- USC, in particular -- were challenged by opponents. The way this season is going, there could be two one-loss teams playing for the national championship. Either that or -- and we're just throwing this out there -- Boston College, South Florida and Ohio State as your three undefeated squads.

As always, want to rip one of our selections? Praise us? Got a question? Drop it in the box below or e-mail us at mrothstein@jg.net.

Team            Record                Last Week's Rank
1. USC            4-0                              1
2. LSU             5-0                              2
3. California    5-0                             6
4. Ohio State   5-0                            10
5. Wisconsin     5-0                            7
6. Boston College 5-0                       11
7. Florida           4-1                           3
8. South Florida  5-0                         18
9. Kentucky        5-0                          15
10. Oklahoma     4-1                            4
11. Virginia Tech 4-1                         14
12. West Virginia 4-1                           5
13. Georgia          4-1                          16
14. Hawaii            5-0                          17
15. Missouri          5-0                          19
16. Oregon           4-1                          12
17. Rutgers           4-1                          10
18. South Carolina  4-1                        UNR
19. Purdue            5-0                          21
20. Cincinnati       5-0                          25
21. Miami (Fla.)    4-1                          23
22. Arizona State  5-0                          UNR
23. Clemson          4-1                          13
24. Texas               4-1                          8
25. Nebraska          4-1                          UNR

Dropped out: No. 20 Penn State; No. 22 Alabama; No. 24 Michigan State

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

ND-Purdue Post-Game Thoughts

Well, Notre Dame showed it can actually play offense Saturday. The Irish showed up a bit late in that area -- one half too late, actually -- but moving the ball does still exist in South Bend.
How the Irish did it, though, was the curious thing. They essentially went back to the offense they used when Brady Quinn and Friends were still in school. They threw the ball downfield. They took chances. They trusted their quarterbacks to be able to get the ball there and the receivers to adjust on long patterns.
And it worked.
Now we're not saying Jimmy Clausen or Evan Sharpley is the next Quinn but the offense looked better than it has since the first half of the Sugar Bowl.

Of course, this is all right in the post-game aftermath. Don't forget Notre Dame is still 0-5. They have played competitive football for exactly three halves this season and have proven to move the ball offensively in two of them. And the defense still allowed Purdue running back Kory Sheets to tear through them for 141 yards.

But where the Irish could have fallen apart completely, they didn't. And that is a start. With this wildly inconsistent team, though, who knows what is next.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Today's Sign of the Day

We will give Purdue fans this: They have the most creative sign we've seen this year.
Playing off the "Rudy was offsides" and entire Rudy theme, this sits at the bottom of the massive Purdue student section: "RUDY could start this year."

Gotta wonder how true that might be.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Scratches for Purdue

Here's who didn't make it for the Purdue trip and there are a couple surprises in there, too. We will tell you one person who did make the journey -- Fort Wayne walk-on wide receiver Jake Richardville is here and dressed out.
Anyway, here's who isn't here:
DB Gary Gray; DB William David Williams; WR Brandon Erickson; S Harrison Smith; ILB Kevin Smith; FB Dex Cure; ILB Alex Lough; CB Wade Iams; K Ryan Burkhart; HB Nikolas Rodriguez; DB John Leonis; WR Kristopher Patterson; ILB Aaron Nagel; FB Mike Narvaez; ILB Steve Paskorz; OG Dan Wenger; OG Chris Stewart; OT Jeff Tisak; OT Matt Romine; OG Andrew Nuss; WR Richard Jackson; WR Sam Vos; TE Michael Talerico; DE Justin Brown.

The important ones there are Harrison Smith, Dan Wenger, Matt Romine and Justin Brown. The last three are hurt. We're not sure about Smith.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

It's A Mailbag! Your Questions, Letters and Comments, 9/28/07

It's new-and-improved Mailbag time at Insights (now on Fridays), where we take your comments, criticisms and e-mails and answer them or give them props in this space. Questions about anything Notre Dame, football, basketball, field hockey, other college sports, bug repellent and anything else is fair game, welcomed and applicable.  Send your questions to mrothstein@jg.net or leave them in comment boxes below during the week and we'll snatch them up.  If you do ask a question, we ask that you list your name (at least first one) and hometown. And one day, we'll enforce it, too.

On to your questions, which always come from real readers:
In response to your "positive": David Grimes made three spectacular catches -- one jumping, one diving and one in traffic. His hands are great. He needs to be able to find more open seams but he is (Jimmy) Clausen's best option. After his nice catches Saturday, Clausen should buy him lunch or something.
If Jimmy were to take David to lunch...Where do you think they'd go?
-Jamie Warren
Warsaw, IN

Jamie,
Great question. We meant to ask Clausen and Grimes about this this week but other issues -- like that pesky 0-4 start -- got in the way. If it were last year, Brady Quinn would certainly take David Grimes to Chipotle, which has some of the best guacamole we've ever had. This year, we're going to guess Clausen would take Grimes to some fusion upscale restaurant -- Bistro on the Race, maybe? -- or if he waits until they go to California next week, he should take him to the best fast food you can get in the United States, In-N-Out Burger. For those going to UCLA next week, make sure you go to this wonderful establishment...and ask for your burgers animal style.
----

Hey Mike,
Always enjoy your posts. Question -- I seem to remember Charlie Weis opining at press conferences that he will almost exclusively will work with the 4 QBs during the spring and fall leaving his assistants to handle the rest of the team. Therefore, I do not think he was well served by his OC or OL coaches. Looks to me like they did not do their jobs and gave him an overly optimistic view. He went on saying how fierce the battle for OL positions were. Four games in and probably the worst offensive line in the country. Weis basically abdicated head coach for drawing up plays that no one could execute and now paying the price. Other teams have freshmen and sophs starting and, I think outside of Wenger, the rest got playing itme last year. Your thoughts.
Whatever happened to Bartley Webb?
-John Tague
New Jersey

John,
That's a loaded question. But here we go. Yes, Weis said that in the preseason and in the spring. And we agree that somewhere, someone overestimated the talent and depth the Irish have at offensive line and other positions. But we can't be sure who made those assessments, so it is tough to hang out offensive line coach John Latina here. As far as the freshmen and sophomores getting time, most of them didn't receive quality playing time. George West barely saw the field. Same with Michael Turkovich, Matt Carufel and Paul Duncan. Defensively, David Bruton didn't play much safety, Pat Kuntz barely played defensive line and Anthony Vernaglia played mop-up at linebacker. So that part is inaccurate. Of course, that could also be attributed to poor future planning, too.
And Bartley Webb -- the Arkansas native is buried on the depth chart.
----

I understand (Konrad Reuland) was pretty deep on the charts but the third Top 100 recruit gone? What's going on inside the Dome? I'm a little concerned.
-Tom S
Parts Unknown

Tom,
That's a good question. As far as Demetrius Jones and Zach Frazer, it was mostly a playing time issue. Only one quarterback plays and Jimmy Clausen is it for now. With Reuland, like you said, he was pretty backed up on the depth chart but not everyone always enjoys their college experience. We are NOT saying this was the case here, but it is true. No player has given an indication of anything untowardly going on when they leave, but we agree that three players gone in two weeks is a little bit sketchy.
----

Why is Terrail Lambert starting over Raeshon McNeil? Lambert is terrible and from the little I've seen McNeil play he is the real deal. He and Darrin Walls are the future of the ND defensive backfield.
-tkmaloney
Parts Unknown

TK,
We disagree on Lambert. He's had his struggles but we're betting you weren't cursing him after the Michigan State game last year. Lambert is a solid cornerback with good speed. Plus, he gives another level of experience out there. As for McNeil, expect to see him on the field more. They are working him in the penny package now, but we wouldn't be shocked to see him as the nickel back by season's end.

Want to ask a question for next week's Mailbag? Send an e-mail to mrothstein@jg.net or drop comments in the box below.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette 

Notre Dame-Purdue Prediction

Well, this might be the most important game of Notre Dame's season. Having invested so much in Michigan State week, the Irish have one more gasp before traveling to Los Angeles and then facing two likely Top 10 teams at home.
But unfortunately for Notre Dame its schedule knows no rest.
The Irish run into Purdue, which is playing excellent football right now. The Boilermakers' offense will be the toughest Notre Dame has faced this year and the Purdue defense is decent.
What does this mean? We don't expect Notre Dame to win -- far from it, actually. Our guess is that Joe Tiller goes nuts on Notre Dame and doesn't let up on the Irish. It could get ugly in West Lafayette.
Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter will throw for five touchdowns, Kory Sheets will run for one and the Boilermakers will cruise into October undefeated. For Notre Dame, the Irish will score a touchdown or two -- but one of them will come late when the game is more than over.
The one positive from Saturday -- Jimmy Clausen will throw his first touchdown pass...to John Carlson.

Our pick: Purdue 49, Notre Dame 14
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

"As The Demetrius Turns..." To The City of Queens

Former Notre Dame quarterback Demetrius Jones has found a home -- in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Jones will enroll at the University of Cincinnati, one of the schools on a quarter system so Jones would be eligible in 2008.
It has been a wild ride for Jones the past three weeks. First, he didn't board a bus to Michigan, which signaled his desire to leave Notre Dame. Then, he enrolled at Northern Illinois and was listed in the school's on-line student directory for less than a week. The Huskies, though, had no scholarships for Jones, and Notre Dame initially wouldn't release him to the school. The Irish eventually recanted, but by then Jones was no longer in the NIU directory.
Last Saturday, Jones reappeared on Notre Dame's campus to watch the Irish lose to Michigan State, all the while decked out in a white Notre Dame hat and his white Notre Dame No. 3 jersey. He told reporters at the time he had reopened his recruitment.
On Monday, Jones visited Cincinnati. On Thursday, his transfer was official.
Sounds like a made-for-sitcom pilot episode to us.
Jones will have to pay his way for the first quarter, the Enquirer said, because Cincinnati has no scholarships available. The Bearcats will, though, once the season ends.
It isn't a bad deal for Jones, as he'll be going to a school currently 4-0 and No. 24 in the Associated Press media poll.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Practice Observations, 9/27/07

Notre Dame went inside the Loftus Center on Thursday for one more day of preparation for Purdue. Sadly, no music was playing to prep for crowd noise -- at least while the media was there.

• First -- and most importantly -- no Chris Stewart at practice. Multiple media sources have said that Stewart has left school and intends to transfer.
• Freshman left tackle Matt Romine has a very large brace/cast on his left arm, going from well below the elbow to way up his bicep/tricep area. He was requested for freshman media chatting tonight, but was rejected.
• Scouts from the 49ers, Titans, Falcons and Buccaneers were in attendance.
• David Bruton and the rest of the safeties were working on ball breaks, trying to read the quarterback (Bill Lewis) and make the interception. Bruton made a nice catch. Sophomore Jashaad Gaines had the pick of the day, though, bouncing one off of his helmet and then catching it one-handed. His next attempt -- he jumped up and then dropped it.
• Wide receiver Robby Parris does this weird thing with his arms. When everyone else is clapping before stretching, his arms go folding back like a bird. It's odd but entertaining.
• Charlie Weis spent a bunch of time watching the running backs run routes out of the backfield and catch short passes.
• Freshman running back Robert Hughes ran up to the sled and absolutely crushed it as he was lifting it up. It was scary how high he got it.
• Center Thomas Bemenderfer and right guard Matt Carufel were working on double-team blocking right as the media was leaving.

Got questions? Send them to mrothstein@jg.net for Friday's Mailbag. Don't forget about the predictions contest. E-mail us your final score at mrothstein@jg.net. We will only accept final score guesses that are e-mailed to us.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Stewart Leaves Team...But Might Not Be Gone

Multiple media outlets are reporting Chris Stewart has left Notre Dame's football team.
The offensive guard from Texas was not at practice on Thursday and IrishIllustrated.com is reporting he is on his way back to his home state. Once there, though, his father, George, is going to try and convince him to return to South Bend.

Notre Dame's official announcement Thursday was that Stewart missed the practice for personal reasons.

George told IrishIllustrated.com that he is "not allowing him to give up on it just yet."
Should Stewart leave, he would be the fourth member of his class to depart South Bend, joining quarterbacks Zach Frazer (Connecticut) and Demetrius Jones (Cincinnati) and tight end Konrad Reuland (unknown). He would also be the third player to leave the 0-4 Irish in the past two weeks, joining Jones and Reuland.
Stewart's departure would also hurt the Irish at depth on the offensive line, as guard Dan Wenger is already injured and tackle Matt Romine has a sizable brace on his right arm.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Derrell Hand Speaks...

He expressed regret and knew he did a bad thing. And more than anything else, Derrell Hand thanks those who stuck by him as he went through his suspension from the beginning of training camp until last weekend.
And in that time, the junior from Philadelphia went from suspended to starter. Hand had been suspended the day before Notre Dame training camp started in August for soliciting a prostitute in South Bend.
"I think I survived it pretty well," Hand said. "I have a huge supporting cast. What happened was unfortunate. I learned a huge life lesson and I'm just happy I got a second chance to be a part of this Notre Dame family.
"These first four weeks couldn't have happened any better."
An injury to starter Justin Brown placed Hand in the lineup in his first game back. He said it was difficult to hear himself associated as someone with bad character but had a bunch of people helping him out.
And he wasn't surprised with the way Notre Dame chose to handle it, by allowing him to stay in school.
"I feel as though I'm a good kid," "I made a lot of close friends, students and faculty, and I just feel like what happened was bad but I feel Notre Dame handled it the way Notre Dame handles these things."
Other athletes may disagree -- basketball point guard Kyle McAlarney was suspended for a semester after being caught with marijuana -- but Hand is on campus and making an impact at a new position, defensive end.
"I found out about that before camp," Hand said. "We sat down and had that talk going into camp, during summer workouts and he felt as though I brought a little bit more beef to the line and he wanted to find another way to get me on the field."

Wenger Out This Week
Sophomore right guard Dan Wenger will not play against Purdue due to a left leg injury suffered against Michigan.
Wenger missed the Michigan State game and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said the optimistic diagnosis would get him back for UCLA next week.

Brown Unknown
Weis said he didn't know if defensive end Justin Brown would be available this week or not.
He did say, though, that Brown is better than last week.

Position switch
The Irish have their first in-season position move.
Freshman Andrew Nuss has moved from the defensive line -- where the Virginian started the season -- to the offensive line. He is the second player this season, joining sophomore Chris Stewart, to make the move from defensive line to offensive line.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette