Spring is in the air . . .

Spring is here, and I know this for two reasons. First, my black car is now green with pollen. And second, its going to be 70 degrees and sunny in South Bend, IN, this weekend, a temperature rarely reached until May.

Along with springtime comes spring football, and tomorrow will be the annual Blue Gold game at Notre Dame stadium. The game will be Offense vs Defense (as opposed to two different teams), using a modified stableford-type scoring system. Here are the ways the teams can score:

• Offense - 1 pt for first down, 2pts for 10 yard rush/20 yard pass, 3pts for FG, 6 pts for TD, 1pt for extra point, 2pt for 2pt conversion


• Defense - 2 pts for defensive stop or a sack, 3pts for a 3-an-out or a FG, 6pts for a turnover, 10pts turnover for a TD, 1pt missed extra point, 2pts failed 2pt conversion, 3pts missed FG

Scoring system seems pretty fair, and last year a similar system allowed the game to be decided on the last couple of plays.

Things I would like to see tomorrow:

1. Offense winning - Our defense last season was the best ND defense in 10 years. There are young, talented players that can run at numerous positions. The secondary might be the best since Holtz, and the linebacking core is exciting as well. If the offense can score well on these guys, I will be happy. Particularly given the familiarity our offense has with the defense (guess that goes two ways).


2. Tight End seam routes - ND 's best offense last year was to throw go or fade routes to Golden Tate or Michael Floyd. Eventually defenses caught on that these were the only real weapons we had, and forced us into a shorter passing and running game that we never could capitalize on. Fades and go routes to Floyd and Tate will still be our strength - those plays become more effective with multiple receiving tight ends that can command the safeties attention, allowing one on one coverage for Floyd. Kyle Rudolph (pictured), sophomore returning starter and former #1 ranked TE in the country (2007), as well as 4 star 2007 recruit Mike Ragone, should give the Irish a few speedy options to get safeties' attention.


3. Multiple Tight End formations - Weis's hallmark as an offensive mind is the use of multiple formations, as well as being able to run any type of play (long pass, inside run, etc) from any formation. To do this across the full spectrum, one must employ multiple receiving tight ends. To most defenses, multiple tight ends indicates a running play, whereas Weis loves to throw passes out of running formations and vice versa. The lack of depth at Tight End due to injury and attrition left Weis shorthanded in playcalling. Now with 4 solid division 1 tight ends that can block and catch (2 more freshman this fall too), Weis should be able to get more creative with formations and playcalling.


4. Defensive line pressure - The lack of tackles for a loss or sacks as a defense ranks up there with the running game as major concerns/questions. We have some young talent on the defensive line that should be playing (Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Hafis Williams). I don't want the offensive line to perform poorly, but getting some pressure on the QB is the main focus of the defensive line and the measuring stick for the new defensive line coach Randy Hart.


5. Field Goal Kicking - Accurate kicking under pressure. Brandon Walker finished the season very strong last year after an early to mid season collapse. The Irish are not going to be good enough to avoid pressure kicks at numerous points during the fall. We will win or lose at least one game on this kid's leg, so I hope he is ready.

Prediction: Defense wins a close one, 47 to 44, over the Offense.

I think the defense is going to be a good enough unit next year to win 10 games, but I am not sure the offense will be versatile enough to match that total. Offense will likely be good enough to win 8 games, so my prediction (much later this year) will probably be 8 or 9 wins. Remember, while the defense gave up 38 points to USC, no other opponent scored more than 24 points against the Irish in regulation (Pitt scored 36 in 4 overtimes, and North Carolina scored 7 of its 29 points on the ND offense via turnover). If the Irish can hold teams near 20 - meaning a slight defensive improvement over last year - they will have a great chance to win 8 games.

Defensive MVP: Ethan Johnson or Darrin Walls

Offensive MVP: Armando Allen

More to come next week. This time of the year is a bit slow for posting material, but stay tuned, I have a good slate of ideas for some spring and summer posts.