Irish Insights

Award Time for Carlson and More BCS speculation

wwNotre Dame senior tight end John Carlson is a first-team All-American...academically. By season's end he may add athletically to his All-American status but for now, the 6-foot-6 Litchfield, Minn. native is an ESPN Academic All-American after compiling a 3.59 GPA throughout his time at Notre Dame and a 3.8 last semester.

He also became a Mackey Award finalist, given annually to the nation's top tight end. Carlson, who caught 46 passes for 621 yards and four touchdowns, is a finalist along with Minnesota's Matt Spaeth and Arizona State's Zach Miller. Carlson has superior receiving statistics to both.

Carlson -- 46 rec., 621 yds., 4 TDs.

Miller -- 41 rec., 420 yds., 3 TDs.

Spaeth -- 47 rec., 564 yds., 4 TDs.

As for Carlson's actual status, the injured starter is expected back for whichever bowl game Notre Dame heads to. Speaking of bowls, there is, of course, more hoopla surrounding it.

The Los Angeles Times is now also reporting LSU will be Rose Bowl bound, although our conversation with Rose Bowl CEO Mitch Dorger on Thursday gave the impression that nothing is finalized. He did, though, say to look hard at the criteria and see who fits where. When we've done that, we would agree that the Tigers are the likely participant along with either USC or Michigan. Barring a trip to the national title game, Dorger said Michigan is a lock to be in the Rose Bowl.

The most interesting part of this is television. For the first time, the BCS will split between two networks. FOX will carry all of the games except for the Rose Bowl, which will be on ABC/ESPN. ESPN spokesman Mike Humes said Wednesday that the network is not the decision maker in the teams the Rose Bowl selects. Dorger said the final say is with the bowl but the Rose and ESPN have discussed different options.

"My impression in dealing with the networks on a regular basis, both FOX and ABC, I really don't have any sense that they would play into the decision making," said BCS coordinator and SEC commissioner Mike Slive.

Dorger indicated, though, that the dual network system could make it tricky to switch teams between bowls in the future.

For more on the BCS and different ramifications, check out Friday's Journal Gazette.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

No Rose Bowl? Also, some Notre Dame-Winston-Salem State Notes

If reports are true, Notre Dame's chances at a Rose Bowl berth may be gone. A Louisiana television station is reporting that LSU is destined for Pasadena, Calif. So, too, is the Boston Globe, which is saying it'll be LSU-Michigan. One intrepid writer from the San Francisco Chronicle even figured out a way for California to make the Rose Bowl, although even he admits the idea is far-fetched. Then, of course, Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel has heard some of the same things we have -- that Notre Dame could still end up in Pasadena. Either way, it should be a fun few days for those who like to predict BCS pairings.

Oh yeah, don't forget there was a basketball game for Notre Dame tonight as well. Some notes which didn't make the story are below.

Winston-Salem State's players all had "C.E. Gaines" instead of their own names on the back of their jerseys. It is a remembrance of former Rams coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines, the Hall of Fame coach who won 828 games and died on April 18, 2005. ... Senior guard Colin Falls will likely be the last player this season to score 1,000 points for Notre Dame. Senior Russell Carter is next with 530 points, but he would need to average 20.4 points over the next 23 games -- the rest of Notre Dame's regular season -- to reach 1,000. ... The most action of the night came when freshman guard Tory Jackson tried to go up for a one-handed slam -- and was rejected squarely by the rim. The miss, which came with the game well wrapped up, brought howls from the bench, including junior forward Rob Kurz and assistant coach Rod Balanis. ... Every Notre Dame player played and all except walk-ons Kieran Piller and Tim Andree scored.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Back from Cali...and at the Joyce Center

We returned from California late last night -- just in time to be at the Joyce Center for Notre Dame-Winston-Salem State on Wednesday evening.

Due to football -- oh yeah, quick side note, we ran into American Idol reject William Hung and the National American Miss Pageant representative for Indiana in the Los Angeles airport -- we haven't seen much of Mike Brey's squad this year but so far, the Irish seem to be much more fluid and rotating players a lot more than last year's version.

They still shoot 3-pointers like they aren't allowed to take layups (nine of 21 total shots 13 minutes, 30 seconds in), but this year's group has the capability and athleticism to rebound the ball and give Notre Dame the second-chance points it lacked last season.

Then again, though, this is Winston-Salem State, with no starter over 6-foot-6.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Still in LA...The BCS Aftermath

We are kind enough to admit here that yes, we do love Los Angeles, and no, we're not sure we want to leave 70 degrees in November and a world where a beach is only a few miles away. Plus, it took almost a week but we caught our first "non-USC game" celebrity sightings last night while relaxing in friendly Burbank, Calif.
Dennis Haskins, a.k.a. Mr. Belding from "Saved By The Bell," and one of the contestants on "America's Next Top Model," both were in our little corner of the world last night in Burbank. Neither one pulled any 'holier-than-thou' attitude and both were just having a good time. Good to see here in the Los Angeles area.

Anyway, on to the latest BCS analysis:
Big Ten -- Nothing's changed. Ohio State to the national title game. Michigan, likely, to the Rose Bowl and Wisconsin, because the Badgers are the third Big Ten team, to the less attractive Capital One Bowl. This is disappointing because, well, Wisconsin could be one of the 10 best teams in the nation.

SEC -- Arkansas vs. Florida for the SEC title game. If Florida wins, look for the Gators and LSU to head to the BCS. If the Razorbacks win, it'll likely be Florida and Arkansas.

Big 12 --Bye, bye Texas. The winner of the Big 12 title game (we're gonna pick Oklahoma), heads to the BCS. The loser (Nebraska), will not be invited.

ACC -- Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest. It's the same deal...Winner heads to the Orange Bowl, loser to a non-BCS bowl.

Big East -- Rutgers vs. West Virginia. This is probably not how Big East commish Mike Tranghese thought it would play out at the beginning of the year. If Rutgers wins, it goes to the BCS. If West Virginia wins -- a likely scenario in Morgantown -- Louisville will get the automatic bid and Rutgers will have to hope for a shot.

Pacific 10 -- USC is in. Should the Trojans beat UCLA, they will head to the national title game. If not, they'll go to the Rose Bowl against Michigan.

Others -- Boise State is a lock for an at-large berth in the BCS.

So, to go over this...Boise State and Michigan are at-large locks. A second SEC team (Florida, Arkansas or LSU) is also likely, which leaves one slot remaining for...either Louisville, Rutgers or Notre Dame. Our guess here is the Irish will be in, even though they might be the third best team among that group this season.

Bowl projections:
Orange -- Wake Forest vs. Louisville
Fiesta -- Oklahoma vs. Boise State
Sugar -- Florida vs. Notre Dame
Rose -- Michigan vs. LSU
National Championship -- No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 USC.

Our reasoning...there is a buzz that the Rose might select the Irish due to the lack of a Pac 10 team being available.  Notre Dame sells tickets and television and the Rose Bowl is the only game not on FOX in the BCS this year due to its contract with ABC. So to ensure ratings and that it isn't a forgotten game,  the Rose Bowl committee could do that. We're not saying we think it is a lock, but it would no longer shock us. If the Rose doesn't happen, Notre Dame will almost certainly head to the Sugar Bowl.
Either way, it is less dangerous than last year, when Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis was almost pelted with an orange thrown from the stands after Notre Dame's win over Syracuse.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

ND-USC Halftime

USC is running out of the tunnel again and what a weird first half this has been. For a while, it looked like Notre Dame would be blown out as bad, if not worse, than what Michigan did to the Irish in September.

Then Steve Quinn blocked a punt, Notre Dame picked off two passes and all of a sudden 21-10 at half isn't an insurmountable number considering the way Notre Dame played in the first half.

Senior wide receiver Rhema McKnight is back to his old struggles holding on to the ball. Remember back to the beginning of the season, when McKnight had trouble holding on to the ball -- so could it be a big-game pattern?

Should be a fun second half. ... Oh, and the USC band played Fleetwood Mac at halftime. Sweet.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

ND-USC Pregame

We're right about at kickoff here high above the Los Angeles Coliseum as former Trojan players and Song Girls make Heritage Tunnel. They are honoring each senior individually as they run through the tunnel one final time. It is an impressive sight overall and something which could easily be very intimidating.

We know Notre Dame is a stickler for tradition, but doing something like this would be pretty cool. The stands are already packed and there is an electric atmosphere in this place. More schools should try to emulate what USC does. Linebacker Oscar Lua received a rather large ovation, as did wide receiver Steve Smith.

One other thing -- in the virtual season USC defeated Notre Dame 38-0. We ran out of time to write up a full wrapup this week.

We'll catch up more later. It's gametime.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

ND-USC Prediction

This is it -- the big game for Notre Dame and USC. Both teams come in with one loss. Both teams, to varying degrees, have a shot to become national champions. Plus, it's a rivalry game that has affected Heisman Trophy balloting and the way these two programs are viewed. For a good story about how this game got started, read Bill Plaschke's piece in the Los Angeles Times.

So what do we think will happen?

We're calling for a good game. It'll be back and forth a little bit. If Notre Dame can control USC wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, it has a chance to win. It'll also help if the Irish offensive line can give senior quarterback Brady Quinn time and keep him upright.

We're going to say Quinn has a very good game -- 250 yards and three touchdowns -- but it'll be close late and USC, having not lost in November under Pete Carroll, will pull it out on a late pass from John David Booty to Dwayne Jarrett.

Our pick: USC 34, Notre Dame 31 (Yes, for the second straight year)

Don't forget to send in your guesses to [email protected]. Good response thus far. First to guess the right score wins a prize.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Going to Cali

We're halfway on our voyage to Los Angeles in the vast Detroit Wayne County Airport. Actually, sitting in a sports bar watching ESPN on one channel and ESPNews on the other. Good times. By the way, there was a Jeff Samardzija feature on SportsCenter this morning focusing on, what else, his two sport prowess.

The Detroit airport is an odd place. First, most of the signs are in English and Japanese. Second, when you go from Concourse B/C to Concourse A you can pass through this tunnel with bizarre music and flashing lights that could cause seizures. It all reminded me of the beginning and ending scenes of the Albert Brooks-Meryl Streep vehicle "Defending Your Life," which is essentially about death, something you don't want to be thinking about in an airport.

So during our layover, we've decided to answer some of your questions regarding the BCS:

It seems that the media/coaches will never accept ND as legitimate...How do you explain Arkansas passing ND in this weeks polls???  Michigan looses they stay where they are...ND does what was exepcted and they loose ground

-Dean Whitelaw

Dean,

Remember first that the Associated Press poll essentially means nothing for the BCS. That said, I don't think it is a case of the media and coaches not accepting Notre Dame as legitimate. I think it is this: Notre Dame got blown out at home by Michigan so there is no reason for the Irish to be ahead of the Wolverines. You get blown out at home, you don't deserve to be ahead of the team doing the blowing out. If the Irish beat USC, they'll likely jump to No. 3 in both polls. But don't think they'll jump Michigan. As for Arkansas, the Razorbacks might be playing better football than anyone else except for Ohio State right now. Have you watched Arkansas play? Watch them and get back to me. Remember, too, that when USC blew them out early in the year Darren McFadden was less than 100 percent, too. Why Michigan stays? It lost by three to the top team in the nation. ... but if USC wins this week expect the Trojans to jump them.

If UM gets a rematch and wins a squeker, how is it fair to award UM the title?

-Ray Tittman

Ray,

We're not sure. It's going to be an interesting predicament for the AP voters, who aren't obligated to go along with the BCS decision. It could lead to a split national championship, which would probably ignite playoff talk again. That's why, for all the BCS people saying "Hey, look at me, the system works," I'd be worried. If that happens, then what?

Do you really think ND gets the Sugar with a loss at USC?

-Moose Krause

Moose,

Thanks for channeling us from the grave. It's appreciated and glad to know that A) there is an afterlife of some sort and B) we have readers there. Sweet. The beancounters and bosses will be pleased. The answer to your question is yes, I do, unless the Irish get blown out by 30 or so points. If that happens, it is less likely. But remember this: the BCS is about money and no one draws money like Notre Dame fans, some of whom would no doubt wear Notre Dame suits with Notre Dame ties and Notre Dame socks and shoes seven days a week if bosses would allow. And as for your other comment about the late LaMarr Woodley touchdown, I don't buy it. Many of the national media types were in attendance in South Bend that day and saw the same thing we did -- a dominant performance by Michigan with Notre Dame never in it. So I don't know how much difference that touchdown makes.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Looking at the BCS shakedown

Before we break down the BCS -- and sorry, Notre Dame fans, the Irish have a smaller than a pinhole's chance of making the national title game -- we wanted to let you know we'll be in Los Angeles starting tomorrow. The plan is to give practice reports from there, although we don't know how much we'll get because visiting media only gets to watch the first 15 or so minutes. The hope is to get you a different view of coverage this week.

Looking at the latest BCS is...interesting. Michigan, right now, is a paper No. 2. If USC wins out, the Trojans will leapfrog them. If the Trojans lose but Arkansas/Florida wins out, there is a good chance the SEC champ will pass Michigan. If all three lose, Michigan gets a rematch.

The way Notre Dame gets in is simple -- it must annihilate USC, something which is extremely difficult any time and next to impossible at night, on the road, in what will be a rowdy L.A. Coliseum.

Anyway, on to the BCS:

SEC -- It's going to be Arkansas or Florida, although LSU can knock the Razorbacks from the national title picture with an upset Saturday. Florida State can do the same to Florida, but we don't see that happening.

Big Ten -- Season over for the conference. OSU to the national title game. Michigan to either the national title game or the Rose Bowl as an at-large. Wisconsin, due to the BCS rule not allowing more than two teams from any conference, must settle for a less prestigious Jan. 1 bowl.

Big East -- Interestingly enough, the way everything has shaken out could leave two Big East teams in the BCS between West Virginia, Rutgers and Louisville. Our guess is going to be WVU beats Rutgers on Dec. 2 -- playing in Morgantown is very, very tough -- and both the Mountaineers and the Cardinals head to big-time bowls.

Pac 10 -- USC wins the conference and could go to the national title game. Worst case for the Trojans is the Rose Bowl. Best case for the Trojans is Glendale.

Big 12 -- No one in the national title and only one team will receive a bid. It'll likely be Texas, but the Horns could be vulnerable again in the Big XII title game.

ACC -- Georgia Tech is sending e-mails about the ACC title game. They should probably send some e-mails about a BCS game, too. In what has been a bizarre conference this year, the Yellow Jackets are the most likely team.

Bowl projections:

Rose: Michigan (at-large) vs. West Virginia (Big East champ)

Sugar: Notre Dame (at-large) vs. Florida (SEC champ)

Orange: Georgia Tech (ACC champ) vs. Louisville (at-large)

Fiesta: Texas (Big 12 champ) vs. Boise State (at-large)

National Championship: Ohio State (Big Ten champ) vs. USC (Pac 10 champ)

Oh yeah, don't forget about our predictions contest. No one won with Army, so we're on to USC -- send your guesses to [email protected]. First one to get the right score wins the growing collection of prizes. And...if you're going to be out at SC, let us know where you're tailgating.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

McCarthy Pun -- Army

For the final time this season, the pun from Indiana State Police officer Tim McCarthy, who gives drinking-and-driving puns between the third and fourth quarters of every Notre Dame home game:

"Remember, when your driving ability sparkles, you are a real gem."

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette