Anyone want to have a little bet going? Any Volunteer fans out there? These two team face-off this afternoon. ND has an opportunity to continue to roll over opponents (MSU and USC not withstanding) and demonstrate that they are a force to be reckoned with. Brady Quinn has moved into Heisman contention and while he most likely will not take the big prize this year, has only a few games left to prove that he can play with the big dogs.

Tenn on the other hand has really struggled this year with one of the worst offenses in the country. They are genrally ranked in the high 90's for total offense out of 118 teams...yuk. BUT, desipte this fact, Tenn could easily have only one loss this year due to some close games. If Tenn can pull down this game it will be a huge statement for this team.

But, perhaps one of the biggest things at stake for this game is not the what you might think, but has to due with recruiting. Now, my facts might be wrong, but I believe Tenn quarter-back Rick Clausen (who's older brother was a star QB for Tenn) has a younger brother who is also a QB. This younger sibling is one of the highest recruited kids in the country and is being chased by both ND and Tenn. He has announced his intentions to play for Charlie Weis and this game could be icing on the cake for him either way.

Like I said, I might be wrong about this. I remember watching a story about it on ESPN, but I may have him mixed-up with another player. Sorry about this if that is the case.

My prediction, is that ND will win by 3 TD's. For Tenn to win, they will have to score over 35 points and they have only averaged 16 points per game this season. Essentially, they are going to have to outscore a team that has receivers with over 11 TDs and scored over 30 points against USC. ND has offense and Tenn does not. You need points to win.

I love collge FB and good luck to both teams.

 

I hate ND but I have to respect them. There is no reason they shouldn't dismantle Tennessee. The only thing TN has left to play for is pride after a dissappointing season so I'd like to see them win - but they won't. ND wins: 34-13.

 

I love ND, but Tennessee did beat LSU who isn't that bad of a team. So it might...might...be closer than I expect. Oh yeah, how 'bout them Horns!!

 

Good point, but I belive that score was 6 to 3 if I recall. TN just not have any offense and you cant win games relying on defense.

ND is up right now 21 to 3 but TN is inside the ND 10.

 

Nope, Tennessee won 31-27 over LSU in OT. Tennessee lost to Alabama 6-3....No. 5 Alabama. Also, Notre Dame lost to a dismal Michy State team......still alittle steaming about that one and USC.

 

ND is only two snaps away from being undefeated, but such is life.

Tenn is playing them tough. The defense certainly showed up to play and they are turning it into a game with the score 21 to 13 now.

 

Now it can possibly be tied.

 

Yep, tie game. 21-21.

 

And it now is!

 

1st in goal from the 2. Notre Dame

 

ND has opened it up a bit with a 31 - 21 lead. Still plenty of tinme left for Tenn. in the 4th.

 

I would love to say ND can hold a lead. But I cant.

 

This is where I take back what I previously said.

 

Game over. ND wins by 20 points. Ehem, I did estimate that they would win by 21 - LOL

 

Will ND ever have the gumption to reschedule U of Miami (FL)????

 

I am not sure when or if Miami is ever back on the schedule.

ND has one of the hardest schedules. Miami has some tough opponents too. They did pulverize a very good Viginia Tech team.

I was at the ND/Miami game in 1989 when ND beat them 31 to 30 for the national champianship. ND was ranked #2 and Miami was ranked #1. The game was in S.B. and it ended when Todd Light blocked a pass in the endzone for a two point conversion. It was an amazing game and I could not talk for a week.

Since 1994, things have been pretty ugly for the Irish. Hopefully they are back in the saddle.

 

That was the famous "Catholics verses Convicts", where the ND coaches were punching and kicking the Miami players (when the Miami players were on the ground by the ND sideline). There were a lot of mysterious calls against Miami that day. NBC, which has a contract with ND quit showing the replays of the penalties after one of the announcers stated they were phantom calls. That was a classic!! You guessed it, it's still bitter.