Mission Impossible: Part II
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 4, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - Last season when the Irish traveled to Tennessee to battle the Volunteers I wrote an article title "Mission Impossible?"  No one was giving Notre Dame a chance last year in that game just as they are this year against #1 ranked Nebraska.  This situation is very different however.  Notre Dame is a different team.  Its a different year.  The opponent is a different type of team.  Most importantly, there is a different attitude at Notre Dame.

Last year's Fighting Irish team that started down in Knoxville is no where close to the team the Irish will put on the field this Saturday.   The Irish team Tennessee saw was decimated by injuries.  Notre Dame was hurting and it showed.  The Irish hung tough on emotion alone for the first half, but Tennessee took it to Notre Dame in the second half and showed Notre Dame it was not back yet.  The Irish had an excellent opportunity in that game and find themselves with the same opportunity this weekend.  A win puts Notre Dame back on the map and fear begins to enter into opponents minds when they travel to Notre Dame again.  A loss shows once a gain that Notre Dame is not back as one of the elites in college football, yet.

First off, the offensive line the Irish out on the field in Tennessee is much improved.  Not only is it healthy again, it has matured a lot over the summer.  Mike Gandy and Jeff Faine are NFL offensive linemen.  Gandy had a huge game and I am going the record now as saying he WILL get drafted this April.   Faine looked extremely good in his collegiate debut Saturday and will help Notre Dame keep a powerful defensive line in check. 

Notre Dame's team speed is also improved from last year.   At wide receiver David Givens and Javin Hunter opposite to Joey Getherall give the Irish more speed than they had last year.  Notre Dame's team last year was very young and inexperienced outside of Bobby Brown and Jarious Jackson on offense.  This year's team returns four starters along the offensive line as well as three talented tailbacks who were young and still learning the playbook in some instances.

The Irish's defense also showed it is improved from last year.  Clifford Jefferson did not play well against Texas A&M but that have been in part to a sprained ankle he experienced during the game.  Jefferson was in position to make some plays he just didn't make them.  He had a receiver covered well on a third and long but he grabbed the receivers shirt and got flagged.  He was beat on his other pass interference, but he did show signs of improvement.

Notre Dame's run defense was the most surprising to me.   They shut down Texas A&M's ground game and will have to do the same to Nebraska, a team that racked up over 500 yards rushing against San Jose State this past weekend.  Dan Alexander had his way against the Spartans with a 200 yard performance, but let's be realistic it was San Jose State!  The funny thing is all of a sudden Texas A&M is over rated and San Jose State is better than people think according to a lot of Nebraska fans.

No offense to San Jose State, but they aren't a formidable opponent.  To their credit they went out and played hard and showed a lot of heart.  However, no one ever thought they had a chance against Nebraska.   Nebraska has a mighty offense, but its numbers are inflated with opponents like San Jose State, Iowa State, and so on. 

If Notre Dame can hold Nebraska's option in check, they will experience success.  Nebraska can pound it down your throat but their offense is based on the option.  If the Irish linebackers and defensive backs can spot the option and stuff it early they will take a powerful weapon out of Nebraska's hands.   This is much easier said than done however since Nebraska is huge up front and loaded with talent at tailback, just as Notre Dame is.

On offense the key to will be to throw the ball effectively early.  Notre Dame has to use Jabari Holloway and Dan O'Leary this game.   I am hoping that they weren't used much against Texas A&M in an attempt to not show so much of the offense.  Notre Dame will not be able to run the ball right at Nebraska early and if they try and it works Notre Dame will win.  However, Nebraska will crowd the line and force Battle to beat them through the air. 

Notre Dame must also play turnover free ball to beat Nebraska.  They did against A&M and won.  Battle didn't come close to throwing an interception and the running backs held onto the ball very well.  If they can replicate that kind of performance it will be a classic game.

This is a huge opportunity for Notre Dame and they need to capitalize on it.  The eyes of the college football world will be on South Bend next weekend and if the Irish can play with Nebraska or even beat them it will be official, Notre Dame will be back!  However, if they fail to put up a fight and let Nebraska walk over them nothing will have changed from last year.  This year's team is different though, the Irish want to play this game and feel they can play with anyone.   I agree!  Notre Dame 24, Nebraska 21.