The precious metal known as gold has long been one of man’s most valuable items.  It is a sign of wealth and power and has helped men get laid since ancient times.  The more gold you had, the more scantily clad women  (nerds can think Princess Leia in Star Wars-and yes Triumph the Insult Dog would make fun of you getting a boner to that) to serve your needs-no matter how filthy!

The Notre Dame offense had found their own (aptly named) piece of treasure.  His name is Golden Tate, and if you don’t know him, you will by season’s end. He had produced the biggest plays of the Irish season, and he has all the skills needed in a receiver.  He can run past you and around you.  He can go up and get the jump ball.  His hands and concentration are ridiculous-he doesn’t drop passes.  Michigan and San Diego State have already found out.  He will be a threat throughout the season, and I think will be a household name right up with Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin by season’s end.

Another week, another Irish win.  The Irish look to be improving as a team, and they will need to keep getting better.  Michigan aided the Irish effort through their own (unforced) mistakes, and the Irish are nowhere near ready to play the likes of a USC.  Let’s hope the confidence from giving a little payback to Michigan goes another step toward the improvement of this team.  And with Michigan State (a very tough game) on the docket, here’s a look at the Good, Bad and Ugly.

The Good

Golden Tate continues to impress me with his playmaking ability.  He had two of the game’s biggest plays, and is able to stretch the field.  The slant catch and run (after Michigan was gaining momentum) was the second most important play (behind the goal line fumble of course) of the young season and showed a run after the catch ability that I hadn’t seen from Tate before.

2 games and the offensive line hasn’t given up a sack.  I am still in shock about that.  They also looked to open up some holes for the running game, but I don’t think the running backs took full advantage.  The line does need to do a better at sealing off their blocks, and play more physical.

David Bruton and Kyle McCarthy are tackling machines.

Jimmy Clausen has a chance to have a better season than I expected.

Robert Hughes and James Aldridge both ran real hard at times.

The Bad

Still not enough consistency on offense.  ND will need to show that they can actually go on a 10 play, 80 yard type drive.

The Irish defense isn’t a liability, but it still lacks playmakers.  At times it looked fast, but at other moments it looked a step slow.

The Irish were outgained by their opponent once again.

The Ugly

ND is still terrible on 3rd down.  They only converted around 25%.  I am scared to death even when the Irish have to convert only a 3rd and 1.

I’m sure Sam McGuffie will be a fine player for Michigan, but the Irish made him look like an All-America.  Sloppy tackling, and the defense has to be better in space.  With Javon Ringer coming up, I am very nervous for this defense.

Michigan gave a ton to the Irish.  Most of the turnovers were unforced, and I wonder what the outcome would have been without those gifts.  Notre Dame must make more plays themselves instead of being “opportunistic” if they are to become a good team this season.

The Good

He still has a lot of growing, but Jimmy Clausen is showing the skills that made him the recruit that he was.  He throws a lot of balls that are right on the money (I think his accuracy levels trump Brady’s as a senior even), and he made some good decisions.  He threw the ball away, and avoided some of the pressure pretty well (though Michigan will be able to bring much more pressure than the Aztecs).  He also showed some really good velocity on his passes, he can now make every throw now.  There were a couple passes that looked good in real time, but then you saw the replay, and it showed that he was really putting some mustard on those throws.

No sacks.

The young guns started to step up, as Golden Tate, Micheal Floyd (he straight smoked his man on his td reception), and Armando Allen all flashed big play ability.  Tate and Floyd show pretty much everything you look for in a receiver, it will be interesting to see if they continue to develop.  Allen showed toughness, elusiveness, and speed.

The defense showed the ability to run around, the media shouldn’t be able to talk about a lack of defensive speed (as they are wont to do).  They didn’t get enough sacks, or hits on the quarterback, but they held Lindley to under 50% passing (they forced him to throw quick), and batted down some passes.  Kerry Neal made an interception at the line and showed athleticism that the Irish are accused of lacking.

David Bruton and Kyle McCarthy.

The Bad

The Irish showed the weaknesses on the offensive and defensive lines that many were afraid of.  Running the ball should have been easy, but it wasn’t.  Neither of the backs gained 100 yards, are you kidding me?  The guys up front need to blow people off the line.

The d-line will not get pressure this year.  The Irish are gonna have to blitz all day long, and that will lead to getting burned on more than one occasion.

The Irish had trouble getting in rhythm until the 4th quarter, so hopefully Mike Haywood can get a better grasp as a play caller, and the team can execute the plays much better.

I expected more smash mouth, don’t think that Charlie’s statement will be true.  Clausen and the receivers are going to have to play like their 4th quarter selves so defenses don’t gang up on the running game.

The Ugly

4 turnovers.  A fumble each by Allen (after a great run), and Hughes, and 2 picks by Clausen.  I think Clausen made a bad read on the lob in the endzone that got picked.

Botched snaps and missed field goals.

The Irish (conservatively) left 10 points on the field, and probably more.

The D gave up big plays, the 40+yarder on the slant, the corner route touchdown, and 2 big shovel passes that kept San Diego State on the field.

Dumb penalties that helped San Diego State, including a roughing the passer by a 5th year senior (Maurice Crum).

Duval Kamara.  Not sure what his problem was, but he needs to step it up.  Clausen’s first int was a perfect pass that Kamara let get into his pads and bounce off.  Later, he (Kamara) had position on the Aztec defender on the endzone, but didn’t even look for the ball on Clausen’s second int.

I still have hope, but it could be another sad season for me and my couch.