GoWings1905

I can't believe how much the defense has improved from last season. They couldn't stop anyone a year ago and the defense has looked pretty stingy outside of the Arizona game and that's a hell of a football team. Wouldn't it be great if UT could end Boise's dreams? Not likely at all, but that game had 70-17 written all over it about a month ago.

Come on, having Dan Carcillo on the team isn't the reason they went further than the Red Wings. The Flyers rack up PIM's every single season and where's their Stanley Cup to show for it? The Flyers play in the Eastern Conference and Boston gift-wrapped a series for them. To the Flyers credit, however, they have some incredible depth at forward and a solid defense. Hey, Anaheim is bigger and tougher than the Red Wings and they sure made a splash last season.

Sorry about your tide taking 49 years to turn. (Not really)

Glad Downey was there to prevent that.

Oh my, I thought last December with the injuries was a bad roster. I know, I know - it's preseason.

Every fan base is going to have their fair share of obnoxious fans. Notre Dame is no different, although I have to wonder what fans you are coming across that are hyping up ND or if your hatred maybe just escalates that perception. There's nothing to brag about in the past 10 years. You need something to back up bragging and there's nothing to do so. While the fans obviously weren't responsible, I started really disliking MSU after they planted their flag at Notre Dame Stadium. Say what you want about ND, but they would never do that. Holding true to what I said, while I hate Michigan more than Michigan State, I actually find UM's fans to be far more tolerable and classier than MSU fans on the whole. Again, there are moron fans for every team, but MSU fans are honestly some of the worst to me although nowhere near Ohio State level. Also, I don't think the fake field goal was outcoaching. Gutsy call, yes. Executed well, yes. However, Notre Dame was prepared for that play and the defender just fell down. I don't know what Kelly is supposed to do about his guy falling down. Props to Dantonio for the call and it working, but I'm not blaming Kelly for losing that game.

One shift of Jonathan Ericsson will fix that.

No worries. I didn't really feel like you were trying to be a dick, but I felt the scheduling comment was off-base. It was a good win for Michigan State - I'm not denying that, nor am I saying any MSU fans including yourself shouldn't enjoy it. I think you are also confusing media exposure with Notre Dame to the media overhyping them. ND is going to get attention, like it or not, whether they are strong or bad. I can't stand anyone on ESPN besides Herbstreit, so I can't comment on what they have said/are saying about ND. Overall though, who are you referring to that loves ND so much in the media because what is there to like lately? I love this team to death and the only thing I have right now is another head coach that might possibly right the ship. As for the schedule, I don't think Notre Dame beats Stanford. I'm hoping for 3-3 in the first six, but Boston College and Pitt are no cupcakes either. Notre Dame will NEVER join the Big East either unless they have to. As long as NBC tells Notre Dame they are going to show up for home games, then any conference is out. There's nothing beneficial honestly for the football program to join the Big East. As for the service academies on the schedule, again, you can't schedule 12-quality opponents in today's world of college football. Nobody does that and ND has a long history with the service academies as well. It's a great tradition and it sure as hell beats playing a MAC school or D-2 team. Everybody has beaten Notre Dame recently, not just Michigan State. My comment was simply in regards to people that hate Notre Dame and go out of their way to make it known. Uhh... people complain about Notre Dame's exposure yet how many casual fans still watch their games or talk about them? I want them to be in the media because they are winning national championships.

Very mature. I'm glad they considered those "tenths of a second" at zero the two times Notre Dame got called for delay of game. At least the Michigan fans here win with some class.

I agreed with everything up until the scheduling portion, then I started laughing. I love people that ***** about ND's schedule without actually looking at it. I challenge you to find another team in college football with a tougher six games to start the season. The only one remotely close might be Miami. But yes, they only play four legitimate teams. Seriously, do you really think the frickin Big East is going to provide a tougher schedule than the one ND plays as an independent? I'd listen to arguments that the Big Ten would provide a "tougher" schedule, but right now I don't see how anyone can say the Big Ten has been anywhere near strong the past few years. I know a couple schools you mentioned that scheduled some major powerhouses such as UMass, Bowling Green, Western Michigan, Florida Atlantic and Northern Colorado. Are those legitimate teams or are you saving Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, etc. for your argument? Ohio State's first six games are laughable, yet I'm supposed to sit here and believe they have it tougher than Notre Dame because they play in a conference? If you need further evidence, I wouldn't even consider Michigan and Michigan State two of the more "legitimate teams" on Notre Dame's schedule. The combined record of the first four opponents is 11-1. Stanford isn't just a little "tricky". They could very easily win the Pac-10 and they just hung 69 points on another D-1 school. You completely underestimated Stanford - they are better than USC, UM, and MSU. The week after Notre Dame goes to Boston College, a team that won eight games last season and contends for the ACC title almost yearly. Then Pitt comes to South Bend - apparently they aren't legitimate winning ten games last season and coming a couple plays away from winning the Big East in Cincinnati. Then there's Utah, USC and Navy still to come in the second half. That's nine legitimate teams by my count with a couple "easier opponents" scattered in from Tulsa, Western Michigan and Army. They probably should replace those three with Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida to get really legitimate. Again, find me a Big East team with a tougher schedule. Do you think Michigan or Michgan State has a tougher schedule than that in the Big Ten? I'm not saying they play "weak schedules" relative to other schools, but don't tell me ND doesn't play anyone when Michigan just scheduled UMass and MSU is hosting Northern Colorado this weekend. Notre Dame isn't joining a conference unless their hand gets completely forced by realignment. I like it that way and so do most other ND fans that I know. I would probably recommend actually looking at Notre Dame's schedule, before suggesting it's filled with "non-legitimate" teams.

^ Enjoy it while you can. Notre Dame is really close to breaking through and it's only Kelly's third game.

DELAY OF GAME! Seriously, how the hell does that get missed? That wasn't even close.

Michigan's defense is in major trouble when the Big 10 teams roll around.

The issue isn't need, it's that lovely contract saddled to Huet.

I hope Lilja gets to camp in time to partake in the diving lessons.

Agreed. Although, I'm not sure he would even be 13th because of Draper. Whether that's right is debatable, but the Red Wings won't dress Downey over Draper. It would take a couple injuries like you said because I think the Red Wings are really intent on keeping Miller too.

Exactly. Lilja should be able to make that team. Good luck to him.

It's a nice story, but I'm not taking Helm, Abdelkader, or Eaves out to make room for Aaron Downey.

I like Lilja, but I'm glad he rejected the initial offer and the Red Wings ended up with Salei instead. Salei is an upgrade over Lilja. That being said, I feel bad for the guy. That's a tough position to be in and I hope he finds a situation that works well for him and his family.

Dude, welcome back. The college football thread isn't the same without you. Glad we don't have to relive last Saturday with comments however. I'd rather not think about it for the second straight year. Congrats though to the UM fans on the win.

Some of those quotes from Babcock gave me chills. Babcock is the man. "We're back." This team is going to rock.

Osgood started Game 5 against Nashville. The Red Wings won 2-1 on Mule's goal in OT and never looked back.

I love how a Penguins fan comes to a Red Wings board and then somehow acts suprised when Red Wings fans defend/hype their team. Brilliant. Counting the days until Crosby can't escape Hank's shadow (again).

Yeah, "running through the league" is real tough in that brutal Eastern Conference.

Except on defense. He needs to pull the trigger quicker on his defense pairing sometimes. On topic though, definitely our big line. I want to see Pavel and Z getting back to their offensive form of a few years ago.