THINKING OUT LOUD

Just a few thoughts from the Notre Dame-Michigan State game from Satuday evening in East Lansing.

First, since I didn't watch the first half of the game because of a prior engagement that I had to attend to the first score of the game I heard was MSU 24, ND 7. I wasn't really shocked at that score and then I remember thinking that this town may just burn for a few days if the Irish lose.

The second half started the best way it possibly could have for ND because for most of the third and fourth quarter it looked like Michigan State was just playing about as conservative as they could. (i.e. playing not to lose). Kirk Herbstreit said something to the effect that it looked like Michigan State was waiting for something bad to happen. That's why they are Michigan State and not, say, a Michigan or Ohio State because the Spartans have talent but not confidence.

Notre Dame still isn't a tough team offensively. The defense, give them a lot of credit, never gave up even when you thought they might. However, that can't be said for the offense. For example they were 1 for 11 on third down!?! One for 11!! The offensive line is getting beat up and thus the running game isn't there. They seem much more timid than they did last year. Samardzija looks like he is using "gator arms" for some of the balls thrown his way.

Was this a great game? No, but it was a fun game to watch that's for sure. I almost turned it off and I probably would have if ND didn't score with abough eight minutes left in the game. Goes to show you that you can never "walk away" from a sporting event.

Finally, John L. Smith might have just lost his job along the Michigan State sidelines.