Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . .

For those that read this blog, you are familiar with my game "predictions". I predict the outcome of the game, and a few significant things that happened. Then I check my predictions after the game. More than just specific predictions, I try to really discuss what the story of the game will be. If I pick Jimmy to have a good game passing, or the Irish defense to have a field day. So when reading my specific predictions, enjoy them for what they are, which is mostly a "feel" for how the game will go for the Irish. Now onto my "predictions".

Tomorrow night, at 7pm central time on ESPN, America will be opening presents, at church, or watching the Irish play Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii bowl. The Irish have been in Honolulu since Friday, but there hasn't been much "buzz" coming stateside. For one, everyone is in the Christmas mood. Second, the real "bowls" don't start until New Years Eve.

What has been filtering back through the news wires is a sense of how BIG this game is for Hawaii. Numerous papers and persons are saying "this is the biggest game in Hawaii history, including last year's historic BCS Sugar Bowl appearance." Yikes, not good for the Irish. The Warriors are excited by two things about this game; first, the Irish are very beatable. I will not further dissect this. Second, the game is on prime time on ESPN, and more people will be watching this game than the Sugar Bowl last year (ie. Notre Dame is playing).

So when I tell you I am trying to predict how the game will go, the fact that this game has become the Super Bowl for Hawaii football certainly factors in.

• Prediction 1 - The Irish defense will play another solid "bend but not break" game, giving up 250 yards total offense and 24 points. Hawaii is not a great offense like recent years, as stated in my post just below with all of ND and Hawaii's stat rankings for the season (check it out). Hawaii's offensive average this season is 345 yards per game, so holding them to 250 is more than we should need.
  
• Prediction 2 - Maurice Crum goes out in style, with 1 fumble recovery and 1 big interception. Maurice Crum has been a 4 year starter and the heart and soul of this team. A two time captain, he wants to win his last game and end the 15 year bowl win draught.
  
• Prediction 3 - Jimmy Clausen has a solid day, but different than his other solid days. Early this season, Clausen was on fire. People forget how good he was. The problem was that he was reliant upon the deep pass, and had trouble with the intermediate pass. Late in the year, he couldn't hit the deep routes and his performance declined significantly. Look for Clausen to have a good game with checkdown WRs and lots of swing RB passes. A solid 289 yard, 2 TD and 1 INT effort.
  
• Prediction 4 - Special Teams touchdown early calms the Irish. Whether its a punt return or a kickoff return or a block, something will need to happen to settle the Irish down. I predict Golden Tate on a punt return midway through the 1st quarter.
  

Game prediction time -

ND 27 Hawaii 21

The Irish make 3 TDs and 2 field goals, holding off the late charging Warriors barely. Hawaii's kicker has had a worse year than ours, so missed field goals by Hawaii force Hawaii to have to go 80 yards for the game winning touchdown with a minute to go. The Irish hold the Warriors off, but they come very close to scoring. An exciting ending and fun game to watch.

Merry Christmas and GO IRISH!!!