Notre Dame Must Respond Against Michigan State

After one of the most heartbreaking losses that Notre Dame has had in a long time, they really have no time to lick their wounds.  Notre Dame played a great game against Michigan, but anytime you lose it is still disappointing.

Part of me does feel they got robbed when there was a no call at the end on a pass interference on Golden Tate.  If that gets called, Notre Dame is likely able to run out the clock and we have a different result.  Having said that, the defense should have held them, so the Irish have no excuse for the loss.

Notre Dame has no time to vent about it.  They have another rival coming to town this week in Michigan State.  The Spartans are also coming off a disappointing loss to Central Michigan.  That could mean one of two things.  They were looking ahead to Notre Dame or they just aren't that good.  Either way, Notre Dame has to bring their A game.

This game, which was already big, became even bigger.  A loss this week to a team that lost to a mid-major will bring all the ones calling for Charlie Weis's head out in full force.  Personally, I would like to keep them quiet.  The only way to do that is for the Irish to not only win but win impressively this week.

Through two games, there are a lot of positives we have seen out of Notre Dame.  The offense looks explosive.  They did commit a few too many bad penalties last week, but other than that, there really isn't much to complain about on offense.

The line looks much improved.  Armando Allen is ready to explode.  The receiving corps of Tate, Michael Floyd, and Kyle Rudolph is just deadly.  Hopefully, Floyd's late injury doesn't keep him out this week.  Then there is Jimmy Clausen, who is leading it all and looks like a Heisman candidate.

On defense, the secondary has looked solid and the linebackers are getting continually getting better on the blitzes.  I am a little concerned with the number of long runs given up.  That is on the defensive line.  Overall, I would like to see a little more consistency on defense.  You can't pitch a shutout one week and give up 31 the next.

On special teams missed field goals and poor kickoff coverage continue to be a problem.  Those things haunted the Irish all last year and it is a little disturbing not to see them fixed.

Overall, there is a lot more positives than negatives after two weeks.  Having said that, a loss this week will paint a much darker picture.  My hope this week is to take Charlie Weis off the hot seat and put Mark Dantonio on it.