Conference 7.286::sports_90

    I don't expect a defensive battle here.  CU's big offensive line should
    be able to open up big holes for their backs, and we know that teams
    can pass on ND.  The only problem Hagan could have passing is if his
    line doesn't give him good protection.  I think this would be a good
    time for McCartney to use the fullback more to help open up the
    perimeter game more and take some of the attention away from Bieniemy.
    If CU can avoid alot of turnovers, scoring over 30 points is definitely
    a reality. 
    
    If CU's defense can shut down ND, CU would win this one easily.  But I
    honestly don't expect this, because ND has all those weapons and a good
    passing attack.  It could very well come down to something that no team
    has been able to do, and that is stop ND when the game is on the line
    in the 4th quarter.  And of course avoid the big play by the rocket.
    
    If ND wins their last and this game is for the title outright, CU will
    have most of the crowd on their side.  But if ND loses 1 of their next
    2 then the crowd will be pro-ND to help Miami in the title picture,
    much the same as last year.
    
    Joe

    I believe that CU still has one more game left with KState.  I
    hope that they do not overlook this team.  KState is not real
    good but they have won at least 4 games this year.  I like CU
    but I do hope they prepare for KState as if it was for the
    outright big 8 championship.  BTW it is for big 8 championship
    and the right to play for the national championship.
    
    Frank Mendez
    

  While CU has had a tough schedule all year, they finish will 2 easy games.
  Then they have a month and a half without playing anybody. Tough competition
  breeds champions. Meanwhile ND has 2 tough games remaining and not as long
  between their last game and the orange bowl. This will work to ND's 
  advantage.

  I don't think ND will be able to stop CU's offense. Bieniemy is one of
  the best if not the best running back in college football. Pritchard
  may be the best receiver in college football. Hagan has passed well the
  last few games but was inconsistent earlier in the year. The key for
  CU's offense is to avoid turnover's. ND is the best I've seen at taking 
  advantage of other teams mistakes. If Hagan scrambles when the receiver's
  are covered, he could turn in some big plays. He hasn't run out of the
  pocket much this year and could surprise ND if he does. Hagan has been
  injured most of the year. If he's healthy, CU will be even tougher to
  defense. 

  The question is: Will CU be able to stop ND ?
  CU has defensed the run fairly well this year but has had some trouble
  stopping the pass. ND is mostly a power running team and it worked well
  for them in last year's orange bowl.

  Special teams could be a deciding factor. Both CU and ND have excellent
  special teams.

  I expect ND to be favored by 7 points but I think CU will win if they don't
  turn the ball over.

					Keith 

    Should be a good game, but will turn out like last year!!!
    
                                         M.J.

    Here's hoping that Notre Dame beats Penn State and SoCal and it 
    IS a Nat'l Championship game.  UND going into Big Orange Ga-Ga
    Insanity Stadium in Knoxville and winning shows me that they have
    a lotta heart.  Ditto for Colorado for having prevailed over a
    number of tough teams, to include their visit to dread Lincoln
    to visit the Big Red.
    
    Only two weeks ago we were faced with the spectre of powerpuff
    football (schedule) teams like Virgina and Aurburn benefitting
    from avoidance behavior.  Now at least it looks like that won't
    be the case (even if play-nobody Ga. Tech represents the overrated
    crowd as we speak) and that two battle-hardened teams will go to 
    the mat to struggle for a Title in a contest both will have earned
    by putting it all on the line several times this year and having
    come out as the creme de la creme.
    
    MrT

    CU learned a lot from last year's Orange Bowl.  It was the first time
    that they had been in such an important game.  They made mistakes;
    i.e., Eric Bieniemy's fumble, kicker Culbertson's inability to put
    points on the board, our missed opportunities for scoring.
    
    The team this year is seasoned; they played a tough schedule and have
    learned to never give up (i.e., Fourth Quarter of the Nebraska game).
    They have also developed a passing attack and have a much more
    diversified offense than last year.   They certainly have the composure
    and confidence to play for the National Championship.
    
    I predict a Colorado victory.  Watch for Mike Pritchard to have an
    outstanding game.
    
    Jan
    
    

    Boy oh Boy jump on that CU bandwagon while its still rooling.  Just
    like last year right?  Number one Holtz is perhaps the best coach in
    college ball when its time to get your team ready for one big game.
    Remember West Virginia, Major Harris this Major Harris that.  ND kicked
    the shit out of them and came up big last year vs Sal and CU.  ND's
    offense line is too big, and too strong.  Colorado hung in tough vs
    Nebraska, put you must remember one thing, comparing a stiff like 
    Osborne to Holtz is like comparing a Pinto to a Rolls Royce.  Between
    Tom "run it up on Kansas St" Osborne and Pat "Go for the tie" Dye I
    just dont have faith in the college game.  In my book there is no one
    in college ball better than Mr. Holtz.  Unlike most people, I will back
    my words with a large wager on the Irish. 
                                                               
    Greg
       
      

    � Number one Holtz is perhaps the best coach in college ball when its
    � time to get your team ready for one big game. Remember West Virginia,
    � Major Harris this Major Harris that.  ND kicked the shit out of them
    � and came up big last year vs Sal and CU.  
    
    I seem to recall a pretty convincing Miami victory over Notre Dame in
    between these two games, don't you ???   Too bad the Little Weasel
    couldn't get them up for *that* big game, no ???
    
    � In my book there is no one in college ball better than Mr. Holtz.  
    
    This is true.  There is no one in college ball better than Lou Holtz at
    
    1) poor mouthing his own team while at the same time whining about
    their lower-than-expected ranking, 
    
    2) skipping town to head to the next job leaving behind all kinds of
    sordid affairs, and
    
    3) manipulating the media hype machine for his own purposes.
    
    He is very good at these things.
    
    Bob Hunt

    Southern Cal will clean 'Nother Shame's (tm) clock. 
    
    
    Bob was right. Holes (tm) is very good at data press manipulation
    stuff. 

    Once again fella's my defense is my wager on ND to defeat CU in the
    Orange Bowl.  Yes indeed the Caines did kick the shit out of the Irish
    two times.  One year Jimmy "Run it up" Johnson showed no mercy.  Say
    what you want when the money is on the line, all wager on Holtz and 
    the Irish every time.
    
    
    Greg  

    
    
    	I don't like to get into this stuff, but I couldn't resist in
    mentioning Joe Paterno.  Paterno has been pretty good at taking
    teams with average talent and making them play far above what most
    would of expected.  He coached some pretty good games when the game
    counted most.  
    
    	I think Paterno is pretty good at getting a team prepared and
    it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see them beat ND this weekend.
    ND has come off a couple of big/close wins which could create a
    small letdown, while Penn St. has been getting a little better each
    week.  
    
    	Holtz is a good coach, but I'll give Joe a slight advantage
    because Joe doesn't have the same pull in getting talent that ND
    does.  Now, before anyone jumps all over me on that one, I didn't
    say that Joe doesn't get talent, but he doesn't get anywhere the
    same number of "bluechippers" that ND has gotten since Holtz has
    been there.  
    
    
    							bill..g.
    

    
    I agree.  I don't think any college coach has ever taught defense like
    Joe Paterno.  And whether you agree with him or not (such as in the 
    Syracuse controversy), Paterno is a straight shooter-- you won't get 
    that BS coming out of him like you do with Holtz.
    
    glenn

There was an article on Joe Paterno is Reader's Digest earlier this
year.  

From what I gathered from the article, he seems like an upstanding
person with a lot of integrity.


'Saw

    In my life as a sort-of Penn State fan, I have only heard Paterno utter
    one negative thing in all that time.  Someone once asked him why he
    never took his winning ways to the pros.
    
    His reply was that he didn't want to leave the college game to the
    Jackie Sherrills and Barry Switzers of the world.  He took some heat
    from both these guys but look who got the last laugh.
    
    	--dan'l

Paterno is great, I agree.  When I reference Holtz or any coach I always 
reference a big game where the coach made the difference.  Holtz's comments
    last year to his team before the orange bowl was a classic example. 
    His pep talk to his club about how Colorado would lose there composure
    hit home.  Paterno several years back defeated a cocky Miami squad with
    complicating defensive sets to confuse Vinnie Testaverdi.  Not only did
    Vinnie throw about 5 interceptions the passes that where not picked off
    often resulted in bone jarring hits by the Penn St. defense backs. 
    Many years ago Holtz while at Arkansas went into the Orange Bowl as
    a 16 point underdog vs Nebraska.  Holtz's team not only covered the
    spread but won outright by about 20 to 25 points.  As noted Holtz or
    Paterno may not win all the big games, but you know that there teams
    are prepared alot better than there foes.  With the Irish laying
    7 points at South Bend, I say Penn St. looks like a solid bet.
    
    Greg
    
    

    That big Penn St. win over Miami several years ago still sends chills
    down my spine!
    
    Hawk

    > That big Penn St. win over Miami several years ago still sends chills
    > down my spine!
    
    Mine, too.  That was the all-time classic heist.  Penn State had
    possibly the worst starting quarterback (at least this side of
    Georgia's Buck Belue)-- John Schaeffer-- to ever lead a national
    championship team.  The guy ended up only starting in a losing effort
    once all the way through high school and his two years at the helm at 
    Penn State (1985 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma).  There wasn't even a 
    hint of interest from the professionals in this guy, but he seemed to 
    be able to wiggle his way to victory time after time (mainly to the 
    credit of his defense).
    
    The best part of that victory was the sheer intimidation a couple of
    5'9", 5'10" cornerbacks put on Miami's cocky wideouts, especially
    Michael Irvin.  Duffy Cobbs was one of the guys; I don't remember the
    other.  These little guys delivered so many hard hits that late in the
    game when Testaverde did find the right shirts Irvin and company were 
    dropping the ball all over the place out of fear.  Shane Conlan came up 
    with a couple of big INT's and just when I thought it was all over Greg 
    Giftopolous snagged the big one on the goal line to clinch it. 
    Probably the best single-game defensive coaching effort I've ever seen.
    
    Remember the Notre Dame game that year?  Penn State almost blew that
    one to spoil their undefeated season, but a late interception or fumble
    by Buerlein saved that one, too. 
    
    glenn
      

    Joe Paterno is my favorite college football coach, and the Nittany
    Lions are #1 teams, with ND 1A.  That win over Miami is etched in
    my brain also.
    
    Glenn, your title hits the nail on the head.
    
    JD

Small Nit Greg but I'm pretty sure when Lou was Arkansas it was Oaklahoma
that they beat up in the Orange bowl as 16 point underdogs. Yes Lou did
suspend three players also but I believe 2 of them were offensive players
and the strength of that team was defense. They led the nation in defense
that year yielding an average of 6 points per game. How do I remember this?
Simple it was the reson why I took the 16 and laughed all the way to the bank..

;^)

    Glenn, I'm wicked impressed by your players names recollection of that
    Penn St.-Miami game.  The *only* name I could honestly remember was
    Shane Conlan's, and only because of his media exposure and his big
    INT's in that game.  I even forgot who that Miami QB was!
    
    Boy, would I love to watch that whole game again.  Would it possibly be
    available on video somewhere?
    
    Hawk

    I knew it was Nebraska or Oklahoma.  Boy I brought so memories for you
    Nitty Lion's fans.  That was a great game, boy those Miami receivers
    should have been wearing dresses at the end of game.  Like you said 
    when Vinny wasnt throwing an interception or one of his recievers wasnt
    getting his bell rang, they were droping passes out of pure
    anticaption.  I once heard an annoucer say that with those white socks
    and black shoes it made the Penn St. defensive backs look slow.  I can
    still the Caines getting off the bus in their battle fatigues.  What
    a mistake, Paterno must have used the battle fatigues as a motivational
    factor against the Canes.  The Canes had said that there were wearing
    the battle fatigues to make a statement about that they were ready for
    a war.  The Lions roared that night, and the Canes were not able.
    
    Greg
    
    

    And remember Miami walking out of the team dinner because "they didn't
    sit and eat with the enemy."  
    
    That was a great night for me all around.  Penn State put a licking on
    Miami and Vinnie has yet to recover.  Then an ex-highschool-girlfriend
    was home for the holidays and allowed me to examine how she "had
    developed." 
    
    	--dan'l

    >Then an ex-highschool-girlfriend
    >was home for the holidays and allowed me to examine how she "had
    >developed."                           
    
    It's Friday, and that's been sitting here since 9:00 this morning and
    neither Hawk nor Frank has commented?!?  I suspect foul play...
    
    Dan

Dan, 

I want to know how you have time to address issues like bowl games, but
no time to tell us the thinking man's view of the Lakers' dismal start or
James Worthy's menage a trois faux pas.   Do we have to ask JD what you think?

Well, Dan, I'll be honest with you.  I remember a similar experience
in my own life, and since this note appeared I've been reminiscing...

My experience was kind of the other way around, in that I was the
one that was coming home, and she was still in HS.  She was two
years behind me, and we'd broken up just before I went to school.

Oh, what a Christmas break that was.....(sigh)

Ain't misseltoe a GREAT thing?

'Saw

>    It's Friday, and that's been sitting here since 9:00 this morning and
>    neither Hawk nor Frank has commented?!?  I suspect foul play...
    
    You mean foreplay, don't you?
    
    I can give you the details if you want, but it would probably get
    this conference shut down.  She was better than Rozanna Arquette,
    however.
    
    	--dan'l

    
    >Ain't misseltoe a GREAT thing?
    
    Consider yourself lucky.  You could've caught a lot worse things from
    her.
    
    Dickster
    

>no time to tell us the thinking man's view of the Lakers' dismal start or
>James Worthy's menage a trois faux pas.   Do we have to ask JD what you think?
    
    James Worthy: no big deal.  My honest opinion.  So he wanted some sex
    on the road.  I'm not a real harsh judge on the morals of others.
    
    The Lakers are feeling some oats, and are moving slowly into a new
    system, which for a veteran team can be difficult.  I think they'll
    right themselves and be scorned again by the jealous throngs before
    long.
    
    And, Doug, I've been reading your prognostications of doom and gloom
    and following the Celtics down Geritol Lane for the last 5 years.  And
    I predict you'll be singing the same song next year.
    
    Dan

    Well Im Man enough to admit it, Penn St. beat the Irish fair and square
    Saturday.  I dont make no excuses, the Rocket didnt play the second
    half and injuries are a part of the game.  Good defensive effort by the
    Lions.  I heard that Penn St. had accepted a invation to the
    Blockbuster bowl but for the hell of me I cant remember who they are
    playing???  Help!!  It looks like its Colorado's championship to win
    or lose.  They do deserve #1! The Caines are back in the picture also.
    It looks just like last year, if ND upsets Colo in the Orange Bowl
    and Miami beats Texas in the Cotton, Miami is #1 again.  If Colo beats
    the Irish in the Orange Bowl they are #1.  I will say one thing about
    the Canes, Mr. Erickson better have his team ready for the Longhorns.
    I have seen the Horns twice this year on ESPN and they have impressed
    me tremendously.  Looking forward to some very good bowl games.  So sit
    back and get the recall button ready on the cable clicker!
    
    
    Greg
                    

    Penn State vs Florida State in the Blockbuster Bowl.
    
    HTH, etc.
    
    NAZZ

    
    re: Nazz
    
    	Paterno has said that if Penn St. beats Pitt and Florida State,
    you will have a hard time convincing him that his team is not No.
    1.  
    
    	I'd go along with this is ND beats CU.
    
    							bill..g.
    

    Say it ain't so, Joe... don't demean yourself along with all the other
    two-loss coaches and athletic directors.
    
    Paterno would have a hard time convincing me of that if Texas beats
    Miami, especially since Texas beat the Nittanies back in September.
    
    glenn
     

    But Glenn, I thought that early season losses don't count as much as
    late season losses. ~/~

    Paterno is way off base here.  His losses to Texas and USC speak for 
    themselves.  As far as FSU, just WHO have they beaten?  They beat a
    bunch of cupcakes and loose to Auburn and Miami.
    
    Bob V.
    

    
    re: last few
    
    	Paterno was quoted as saying that in the _National_ on Tuesday.
    Most of the reasoning behind that says that St's two losses were
    very early and were by a combined total of 5 points (I belive they
    were combined, but I'm not sure).  Seeing that they will have won
    10 in a row, beat No. 1 at their house and won against Florida St.
    would give them good reason to say they are No. 1.  Of course, a
    couple of teams would have to lose, but I can't see his claim of
    being No. 1 that far off.  
    
    	I guess it all comes around to the point of when do losses count
    more, in the early season or late in the season.  We've all seen
    that losses in the early part of the season are pretty much over
    looked late in the year and that a late season loss carries much
    more weight towards bowls and the "mythical" National Championship.
    In the past couple of years, Florida St. has lost early and have
    come on late in the year, played a great bowl game and laid claim
    to being No. 1.  They didn't get it, but many people believed that
    they were the best team at season's end.  So, if Penn St. wins its
    next two, they should/could be considered.
    
    	Like Joe said, you'll have a hard time convincing HIM that they
    are not No. 1.
    
    							bill..g.
    

    In my mind, the winner of the Miami-Texas game (assuming Texas gets
    by A&M, which is a large assumption!) will be the #1 team in the
    country.
    
    NAZZ

>    In my mind, the winner of the Miami-Texas game (assuming Texas gets
>    by A&M, which is a large assumption!) will be the #1 team in the
>    country.
    
  Even though CU beat Texas in Texas and ND beat Miami in Miami. Also,
  both CU and ND played much tougher schedules than Miami and Texas.

  					Keith

    I dont know who should be number one after all these bowl games but one
    thing is for damm sure.  After seeing all the teams mentioned I think
    Texas could be anybody right now.  I mean anybody!!  Miami is going to
    run into a buzz saw in the Cotton Bowl.  Good luck Caines!  You are
    going to need it.
    
    Greg
    
    

    re .40:
    
    Wasn't this year's ND-Miami game played in South Bend?
    
    
    py

    As much as I hate to admit it, ND's win over USC could end up helping
    CU win the national title after they beat ND.  If ND would've lost,
    (they would've gotten killed had USC's offense showed up, but that's not
    my point here) CU would be playing a team not ranked in the top 10,
    while Miami would be going against a Texas team ranked in the top 5,
    assuming the Horns can knock off A&M.  Now, the Buffs will be going
    against an ND team ranked at least 7th, and it might end up being
    higher if Florida, BYU, Texas, or Georgia Tech gets beat in their final
    game.  I haven't seen this week's AP Poll yet, but ND may have moved up
    a notch or 2 already with their win over USC.
    
    
    Joe

    
    I guess that Irish-setter-in-the-USC-bar joke lives at least one more
    year...
    
    glenn

    If I on CU I would seriously think about putting out a contract on the
    Rocket, so he won't play. :*)  How Hagan's passing game come along. I
    remember watching him early in the season he just wasn't very well, and
    then I watched him against Nebraska, no one could have thrown a good
    pass that day. Thats CU's only chance of winning if they can pass
    early. That will be one of those sitiuations where you set up the run
    by passing. Can you imagine how Virginia felt accepting the Sugar bowl
    invitation, according to the National it was dead silence and the coach
    was almost apologizing. Pretty bad when Virginia is playing on the 1st
    and teams like Penn ST and Florida ST. aren't.
    
                                                      Dan

  Hagan's passing was much better later in the season. Also, he has some
  good receiver's with Mike Pritchard, Rico Smith and Sean Brown. CU will 
  throw the ball more in this year's Orange bowl. One other thing that most 
  people have overlooked with CU and that is Hagan. He didn't get nearly
  as much press this year as last year. His rushing yardage is less than half
  of last years. The reason why was that he was hurt most of the year. In CU's
  last game he looked healthy and ran like the Hagan of last year. For most
  of the year, CU has gotten the job done without Hagan or with an injured 
  Hagan. But now that he is healthy, ND will have another big play man to
  worry about.

  					Keith

    Another one who is a good receiver is George Hemingway.  He is a
    fullback and didn't get a whole lot of passes thrown his way, but when
    Hagan does throw to him he's usually wide open and always makes the
    catch.  I would guess he caught 3 or 4 TD passes this season.
    
    Joe

>                          -< Don't forget Hemingway >-

  Yes, you're right. I've never seen Hemingway drop a pass thrown his way and
  once he catches it, he runs very well. Evidently, McCartney used
  Hemingway as a tight end for a while until Kissick graduated.

  More on Hagan. Last year he passed for just over 1000 yards. This year he
  passed for around 1600 yards and he was hurt most of the year and even 
  missed a few games. The CU passing attack has definately improved as the
  season has progressed.

  					Keith

    Actually, I think Darian has fewer rushing yards this year not because
    of his shoulder injury, but because he and the coaching staff were
    focusing on the passing game.
    
    

>    Actually, I think Darian has fewer rushing yards this year not because
>    of his shoulder injury, but because he and the coaching staff were
>    focusing on the passing game.
    
    
    It was a combination of both, plus the fact that many teams were set on
    stopping Hagan this year.
    
    Joe    

    Glenn,Re .44
    	That dawg gonna be toofless or daid before USC wins again!
    Honestly, if any year USC should have had the best shot at ND,it
    should have been this year. With this rivalry though,sometimes you
    just cain't figger.
    
    ML
    

      CU will romp over all your wimpy teams!!;^^

    This is my last day until Jan. 2nd, so I thought I'd get my last .02
    worth in here.
    
    I still say one of the bigger keys will be how well CU can stop ND's
    offense, and I think the CU offense will be able to move the ball
    fairly easily.  IMO the Buffs will keep the ND offense in check for the
    most part.  They can't give Mirer much time to throw, and of course
    avoid the big plays by Rocket.  I also think a critical play could
    occur if Holtz decides to gamble on 4th and short.  He has shown a
    tendency to go for 4th and short situations when the Irish are near
    midfield or just out of field goal range.  The Irish have kept some
    critical drives alive on 4th downs this year, and the Buff defense
    could come up with a turning if this situation arises.
    
    On offense, CU needs to use Hemingway up the middle some to keep the
    Irish defense honest, plus watch for him as a receiver out of the
    backfield.  The Buffs will go the air quite a bit, so Hagan needs to be
    accurate with his passing.  Watch for Pritchard on possible reverse
    plays or when ND just insn't expecting him to get the ball.  But CU's
    main man on offense is Bieniemy, and the biggest key of all may be how
    well he holds onto the ball.  The last thing CU wants to do is lose
    this game because of turnovers. 
    
    CU won't totally dominate, but will be in control for most of the game.
    
    CU  31
    ND  17
    
    GO BUFFS!!!
    
    Joe

    Sorry Joe, your crystal ball is cracked. 
    
    ND 24,CU 17
    
    ML