Week 2: Better Late Than Never

I know it's Thursday which means Week 3 is already upon us but I'm going to rewind and recap Week 2 anyway because there's just too much to ignore.

Once again we committed to a full 8-10 hours of college football last Saturday.  The other waking hours were used solely for wiping booger noses as a cold virus swept through our home.  Doesn't matter though.  It just made me feel that much less guilty about staying indoors with the television blasting while a perfectly pleasant fall day was happening outside.

We started our day with a little comedy: The Gopher game.  What?!  Even though I've always been a Minnesota resident I've never actually been a die-hard Gopher fan.  I leave that to my brother-in-law (not a Nash).  He has season tickets to that brand spankin' new stadium but that's pretty much the only thing that shines on Saturdays when it comes to the U of M.

I try to cheer for the Gophs but it's really only out of sympathy.  It's like their annual rivalry game with Wisconsin.  Sometimes I want the Gophs to bring home the famous Ax only because I feel bad for them.  It's been seven years!  But deep down I don't want Wisconsin to tarnish their record with a loss against a team that should be competing in Division II.  Sorry, someone had to say it.

When the maroon and gold defense allowed the eighteenth South Dakota touchdown I wanted to text my BIL: "Whoops."  But I felt that might throw too much salt in the wound.  It was also premature because for a second there it looked like the Gophs might actually save a bit of face and pull out a win.  But I didn't get to find out the result live.  Brian told me I had to change the channel because it was burning his eyeballs.

We watched a bit of the Wisconsin game which was fun but not as fun as being there.  Ahem.  Sara?

Sara can let you know about the live experience but here's my quick summary from my perch on the couch:

1. I thought it was cute how San Jose St. celebrated little victories like a sack or a stop on 3rd down.  I also loved that they participated in "Jump Around" after the third quarter.  (You see, Minnesota?  These are supposed to be practice games.  They're supposed to be fun to watch.  Not agonizing.)

2.  David Gilreath got hurt during the game and did not return.  Brian said this is a big deal.  We fast-forwarded much of the game so we never got to hear what happened or how long he might be out.  Anyone?  Anyone?

3. William was handed down a number 9 Wisconsin jersey from a cousin.  Number 9 is Blake Sorensen who just happens to be from the Twin Cities.  Well, him and like half of the Badger team.  I hate to throw another one at the Gophs but c'mon.  Recruiting.  Heard of it?  Anyway, Sorensen had a bunch of tackles plus an interception and 16 or so yards on Saturday.  Pretty sure it's all because of William.  Just sayin'.

And now on to Notre Dame.  But first a few words on my love/hate relationship with this team.

Notre Dame is like the Yankees.  You either are the biggest fan that ever lived or your hate for them rivals that of things like the Natzis or Kate Gosselin's haircut.  Or just Kate Gosselin.  Whatever.  Well, I'm here to say that if you are of the latter group you'll still be able to read this blog without seething disgust.

It's true that when push comes to shove I will root for the Irish.  I'm Catholic.  I can't help it.  But because my husband is obsessed with this team (Obsessed doesn't even do it justice.  What's bigger than obsessed?) I find it part of my wifely responsibility to torture him with all sorts of tantalizing and crushing comments.

But now that Charlie Weis is out, my stock supply of comments (mostly fat jokes) have been reduced by half.  Damnit.

Here are four things you should know about new ND Coach Brian Kelly in a little segment I like to call "Brian Says."  I made him give me two points that excited him and two points that made him nervous.

1.  Wherever he's been, he's always held a winning record.

2.  He's eerily similar to Lou Holtz.  (Brian says this is a positive.  I'm not so sure.)

3.  He doesn't have a lot of experience against high-ranked teams.

4.  He's never had to recruit on a national level like ND needs to do.

What excites me is looking at the new QB.  Goodbye, Jimmy Clausen.  Hello, Dayne Crist.  Am I right or am I right?  Reminds me of the Brady Quinn days and not just because he's wearing the same jersey.

Right off the bat ND was tested in Week 2 against their rival, Michigan.  Unfortunately Crist got poked in the eye or something, I wasn't really listening, and the team started to unravel.  Nate Montana came in and backed up for a quarter and a half and I'm pretty sure he went home that night and thought about slitting his wrists.  Not only is he being compared to his superstar father his whole life but now, when he finally gets his Rudy chance, he totally blows it.

When the third quarter started I was pretty sure I was watching the same game from last year.  I was also pretty sure our neighbors were going to call the cops on us for domestic violence or disturbing the peace.  The second half started out hopeless, then wait, just kidding, the Irish are rocking the mullet.  We're gonna win this thing!  Then...hold on, just kidding. Michigan just scored with 20 second left.  No, wait!  Two catches and the Irish are within reach.  Yes!  They're gonna do it!  A throw into the endzone AND...Nope, hopes crushed again.

Same old fricken story.

My overall prediction for ND is that they'll go 7-5.  Their other four losses will be Michigan State, Stanford, Utah and USC.

Now excuse me while my husband beats me for even writing such obscenities.

Tune in next week for more Gopher bashing as they take on USC.  This is gonna be good!