This Date in College Football History

October 29, 1955: Before a record crowd of 59,475 in Notre Dame Stadium, No. 9 Notre Dame, led by future Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung (1985 College Football Hall of Fame inductee), upsets No. 4 Navy on Knute Rockne Memorial Day, 25 years after the legendary coach's last season in South Bend. The 21-7 loss ends the Middies' nine game- winning streak.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

BETWEEN THE HASHES: DOWN FOR THE COUNT

“EVERYBODY’S GOT PLANS…until they get hit.”

No, that’s not Knute Rockne or Bear Bryant. That was one Mike Tyson. The Brooklyn-born boxer probably couldn’t tell you the difference between June Jones’ offense at SMU today and the “Pony Express” attack of the 1980s. But the one-time heavyweight champion of the world does understand what makes a fight…and a fight is something every college football team will find themselves in before the season comes to an end.

IF ANY TEAM came out swinging this season, it was USC, who threw haymaker uppercuts and deadly jabs throughout their knockouts of Virginia and Ohio St. They were the heavyweight champs of college football until…they got hit.

"I'm beside myself," coach Pete Carroll said after the Trojans’ 27-21 loss to Oregon St. "They didn't hide what they were doing, they just did it. We couldn't stop it."

The Beavers didn’t do anything fancy. The went right at USC with 5’7” true freshman Jacquizz Rogers, who rumbled for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. Though he is not tall in stature, Rogers is far from a lightweight. At 195 pounds, the Texas native easily qualifies as a cruiserweight with the power of a heavyweight.

FLORIDA WAS RANKED fourth in both the AP and Coaches Poll entering last week, and had their share of TKOs to start the season. The Gators won their first three games by at least 23 points; last season, in their wins, the average margin of victory was 27 points. Their losses were much closer; those contests were decided by an average of only six points. Florida struggled with the art of winning on the judges’ scorecards last season and dropped their first decision of the 2008 campaign by Ole Miss 31-30 on Saturday.

Something that do-everything quarterback Tim Tebow has yet to do is lead a second half comeback. Unlike the 2006 Gators, which went 5-0 in games decided by a touchdown or less, they are only 1-4 in such bouts since then.

ONE TEAM THAT is used to winning close battles is the Wisconsin Badgers, including a 13-10 win at Fresno St. Wisconsin games are often described as “slugfests” and “hard-fought”.

What they faced on Saturday in the Big House was an old school rope-a-dope that would have made Muhammad Ali proud.

Down 19-0 at the half, the Wolverines were moments from kissing the canvas, clinging to the ropes as the bell rang for intermission. Most of the Maize and Blue faithful were ready to throw in the towel, and the Badgers may have started to look ahead to their upcoming bout with Ohio St.

But Michigan still had a puncher’s chance. The Wolverines came back into the ring in the second half and scored 27 unanswered points to pull off the largest comeback in Michigan Stadium history (27-25).

IN ATHENS, WHILE the Dawgs were leading with their chins, Alabama came out power punching. A seven-yard cross by Mark Ingram gave the Tide a 7-0, and a 22-yard hookup between John Parker Wilson and Julio Jones made it 31-0 before the half. The ultimate bum rushers defeated the Dawgs 41-30.

THAT’S FOUR TOP ten heavyweights going down in one day—nine ranked contenders in all. When Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Penn St. and Texas get ready to touch gloves over the upcoming weeks, they better be ready to join the fight club.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

This Date in College Football History

Sept. 23, 1967: Frank Dickinson, an economics professor at the University of Illinois, passes away at age 67. Dickinson developed a mathematical point system (Dickinson system) to divide football teams into two categories, those who had higher than .500 winning percentage and those below. The system was originally intended to award the top team in the Big Ten, but Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne convinced Dickinson to use the ranking nationally and to predate the ranking. The system was used from 1924-1940 to award the Rissman National Trophy and the Knute K. Rockne Intercollegiate Memorial Trophy.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

CFI: ND REPORT: ONE FOR THE GIPPER

BY SHANNON O'KEEFE
NOTRE DAME INSIDER

Two days prior to the first Irish victory of the season, the remains of George Gipp, the Notre Dame football player who inspired the movie “Knute Rockne All American” and the famous rallying cry, “Win one for the Gipper”, were exhumed for DNA testing.

Did this event somehow inspire the Irish to exhume their own remains? To rediscover their ability and desire to win? Hard to say, but Notre Dame and its fans have always been big on symbolism. Coach Charlie Weiss may have gathered his team in the locker room and told them to win one for the Gipper, or just to win one. Just one! Regardless of the pre-game speech, win one they did.

Coming into last Saturday’s game against UCLA, the Irish were 21 1/2 point underdogs. Understandable, given that Notre Dame had failed to score at least 20 points in their six prior losses, and gave up at least 30 points in their last seven. While the offense still struggled, putting up measly numbers (140 yards total offense) and missing opportunities to score, the defense soared. Linebacker Maurice Crum Jr. was the hero of the game, proving that the team need not rely solely on its teenagers. Crum finished the game with a sack, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and seven tackles. All told, the Irish forced seven turnovers, which led to 17 of their 20 points. Seven of those points came courtesy of Jimmy Clausen on a quarterback sneak, following an interception by safety David Bruton. Crum scored the other touchdown by running back a 34-yard fumble recovery.

It didn’t hurt that Bruins Quarterback Ben Olson went out with a knee injury late in the first quarter, after a sack by Tom Zbikowski. Olson fumbled the ball on the play, setting up Brandon Walker's first field goal, and Notre Dame’s first points in the game. John Carlson also contributed to the Irish offensive effort with six catches for 38 yards. In a year of team worsts, the 140 total offensive yardage accrued by Notre Dame was the least in any Irish victory in 25 years.

While all of this was going on in California, fans of the Boston College Eagles started their own rallying cry, “Matt Ryan for Heisman.” Ryan is putting up serious numbers this season, including four 300-yard games, while leading his team to their highest ranking since Doug Flutie took the Heisman in 1984, and earning his own feel-good piece in a recent issue of “Sports Illustrated”. First-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski has led the Eagles to their best start since 1942. Their offense may rank last in the ACC in pass defense, but the Irish don’t put up enough balls to make that count. Look for safety Jamie Silva to be grabbing at the ones they do.

Boston College will likely be the best team the Irish have faced all season, which doesn’t bode well for the home team. Look for a strong effort by the Eagles in South Bend, one that will make the Irish glad they sang the fight song twice after last week’s victory. It may be a while before they get to belt it again. Look for small gains on the part of the Irish offense, and a few big plays on defense. The team will continue improve, but Saturday’s game belongs to the Eagles. Short of sending Ryan out with an injury, it’s hard to imagine the Irish eking out another win. The Irish will lose this one by at least three touchdowns, probably four, and may only put up 6 points of their own, all by foot.

A CLEAN SLATE FOR THE IRISH

BY SHANNON O’KEEFE
NOTRE DAME INSIDER
Following an embarrassing, debilitating loss to Michigan in the Big House last week, Charlie Weis and his team turned back to training camp. Swiping the slate clean seems like a good idea for a team who, in its three showings after their first stab at training camp, is last in the nation in rushing offense and – wait for it – total offense. The Irish go into this week’s game against the Spartans as 12 1/2 point underdogs at home, and everyone in the nation – from the casual fan to Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and his team, know how to beat the Irish. Seemingly flick a finger at the offensive line and they’ll gladly move aside, letting you trounce their quarterback again and again and again. Jump a hair higher than the vertically challenged Irish receivers and run the ball back for points.

The Irish should go back to training camp. If this is really supposed to be the rebuilding year that it has so obviously turned out to be, then figure out who the best players are and let them play. Tell John Sullivan, who is usually so solid at center, to look where Jimmy Clausen is standing prior to snapping the ball over his head. Tell Travis Thomas to stop amassing penalties and start acting like a captain. Please, please tell that offensive line that they’re supposed to do more than fall over.

This week, as the Irish prepare for the Spartans of Michigan State, their only recourse is to turn back the hands of time. To figure out how to play the game of football, and how to win at said game – at each position, on every play. To remember the glory that is Notre Dame football and how to get back there. To remember the adversity of years past. To leave the locker room with the words of Knute Rockne echoing in their ears as they tap the “PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY” sign and prepare to play like champions, instead of underdogs. From a newsreel in the late 1920’s, Rockne’s pep talk – as relevant today as ever:

And the same backfield, Jimmy, you and Collins, Chevigny, and Niemiec. Now- the success of any team men is based on team-play -- the same as you've shown all year -- Sacrifice; unselfish sacrifice! These are the fellows they say are pretty good; but I think we're better! And I think if we get ourselves keyed up to a point, and when we're confident of that ... why-y-y the results will take care of themselves.

All right, now. On the kickoff -- if we receive, the zone men will drop back to the receiver and block long -- that old Notre Dame style. If we kickoff -- which the rest of the teams want -- let's run down fast -- just as fast as you can run. And then we go on defense. And on defense -- I want the center in and out of that line -- according to the situation. Use your old head! And I want you guards charging through as far as you can go -- on every play. Expect the play right over you every time --.

And the tackles -- I want you to go in a yard and a half -- and then check yourselves. Spread your feet -- squat down low -- and be ready with your hands and elbows, so you won't be sideswiped. But I want the ends in there fast every play. Every play, but under control. And you men in the backfield there, I want you to analyze it before you move. If they throw a forward pass, a zone pass, wait ‘til you see the ball in the air -- and then go and get it! And when we get it, boys, that's when we go on offense. And that's when we go to ‘em -- and, don't forget, we're gonna pick on one last one tackle that is weak.

We're going inside of ‘em, we're going outside of ‘em -- inside of ‘em! outside of ‘em! -- and when we get them on the run once, we're going to keep ‘em on the run. And we're not going to pass unless their secondary comes up too close. But don't forget, men -- we're gonna get ‘em on the run, we're gonna go, go, go, go! -- and we aren't going to stop until we go over that goal line! And don't forget, men -- today is the day we're gonna win. They can't lick us -- and that's how it goes... The first platoon men -- go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men!

Notre Dame at Michigan: Remember the Titans

BY MICK MILLER
BIG TEN INSIDER

Let me tell you about the good old days. Once upon a time, college football powers Michigan and Notre Dame would get together and play a meaningful game. This was a contest on each school’s schedule that would go a long way in determining rank, bowl position, and their status in the chase for a national championship.

Oh … how times have changed.

Let’s fast forward to 2007, shall we? Both team’s seasons appear unreal. Both team’s records currently stand at 0-2. Due to a lower leg injury to senior signal-caller Chad Henne, both teams will be starting freshman quarterbacks this Saturday. Notre Dame is going with Jimmy Clausen, who will be starting the second game of his career at Ann Arbor after an “unhappy” debut versus Penn State and a 31-10 loss. Michigan will be looking to drop the hammer on the Irish with freshman Ryan Mallett, the heir apparent of the Maize and Blue.

Both are highly ranked and coveted recruits that are inexperienced and learning amongst live bullets. Clausen will be starting in his second hostile environment, while Mallett, who relieved Henne in last week’s loss to Oregon, will be in the comforts of the Big House. With another week of preparation for Clausen, head coach Charlie Weis is ready to force-feed his freshman a little more fire to fight with, by opening more of the playbook. Mallett is hoping to benefit from a week’s work with the first team and play much more relaxed than his spontaneous debut in Michigan’s second combustion of the season.

Let us remember as we watch these two shells of former national powers get it on this weekend, what once was. When these schools were factors in the national championship equation. The epic battles that have represented this rivalry will now be littered with losses and expiring expectations of the year 2007. Visions of victories this season have been replaced by lingering losses and retracted respect. The hallowed history that was once one of college footballs greatest has become an afterthought contest between two teams on the verge of an 0-3 hole. The names of the past (a short list), Joe Montana, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Rocket Ismail, Rick Leach, Anthony Carter, Desmond Howard, and Charles Woodson were great, iconic players who have played in these games.

More questions than answers are what remain of this union of two teams who have exited the polls and significance in the college scene this season.

What is left? What will be gained? B ragging rights? A win in the series between the two tradition-rich schools? Will the winner have won anything but a little self-respect? What of the fan whose school goes 0-3 and has to do this all over again next week? Is this the beginning of a rivalry between two freshman quarterbacks that will entertain for the next three years? Is Lloyd Carr on the way out and his successor coming from “miles” away? Will the records of these two teams, who appear to be in full on rebuilding mode, discourage recruits from coming? Does a guarantee from star tailback Mike Hart mean anything to anyone?

You wouldn’t think a game between two 0-2 teams on a weekend in September would mean so much. Fact is, no matter the records, it means EVERYTHING.

TOP PROGRAM IN AMERICA: ND vs. U of M

This week as a special treat we have allowed Notre Dame Insider Shannon O’Keefe to take off her journalists hat and invited Brad Kurtzberg over from Fantasy Football Insiders to go mano-a-mano. Did I mention Shannon is a Notre Dame grad and Brad is a Michigan alum?

OK Maize and Blue fans and Golden Domers let's here it for your schools! I'm assuming neither one of you is up for making a case for your team to win this week's game (how could you?), so lets duke it out for top program in America! Who has the better tradition? The better fight song? Nickname? How about the uniforms? More importantly the helmets...is it that "just sprayed on shine" of ND or the winged helmets of Michigan?

BRAD: Hey Shannon. Let's start with something simple...Michigan is still the #1 NCAA Div 1-A school in total wins and winning percentage. Plus, I do believe it was Michigan who taught Notre Dame how to play football and helped start its program back in the day.

SHANNON: So you got us in the first game. Congratulations, 1887 was a big year for you guys. But really, there's no comparing the history. Notre Dame's program is the stuff of legends. The four horsemen. Knute Rockne. Even Rudy exists in the public sphere in a way that no second rate Michigan defensive lineman ever could.

(We have) 13 National Championships to your 10. And you're only leading us on the all-time winning percentage by two hundredths of a point. Even our rickety offensive line could hold you to two hundredths of a point.

BRAD: Legends, yes but how much substance is there behind the legends? So, Notre Dame has had a better PR Department. Everybody knows Notre Dame is a favorite of the polls and always has been. Their popularity gives them that, but not what's really on the playing field. Rudy is perhaps the ultimate example. The guy was in on one meaningless play at the end of a game and they made a movie out of it. Pure PR but it doesn't make for a better program, just a more well known one.

As for ND offensive line holding Michigan to two hundredths of a point, obviously, they haven't or we wouldn't be ahead of you by them.

U of M and Notre Dame are two of the most distinguished and best run programs in the country. But Michigan is more substance than the "legend" of Notre Dame.

SHANNON: Legends are different from fairy tales. A strong Sports Information office is a huge plus, I agree. But you can't spin good press out of bad programs. People feel inspired by Notre Dame. As a kid, I watched Rocket Ismail run and run and run and it made me want to go to Notre Dame. I watched Forrest Gump run too, but it didn't make me want to go shrimping.

I think what you're saying is that there is an intangible at Notre Dame, and you're right. People who have no connection to the place cheer their whole lives for our team. Because they feel inspired to do so. I like thinking that people feel inspired by Notre Dame. I like feeling inspired by Notre Dame. Talk about inspiration - look at the recruiting class for '08. We already have 19 commitments (to your 15), including one five-star stud and 14 four-stars. Dayne Crist, the third best pro-style quarterback in the country, still wants to come in behind Jimmy Clausen, still wants to learn from Charlie Weis.

I respect your program. I've been to the Big House, and it's impressively large and impressively loud. But I'd take Clausen's young and inexperienced arm in Notre Dame Stadium any day over Mike Hart's legs in the Big House. It might not make sense on paper, but that's inspiration for you.

BRAD: I respect the tradition at Notre Dame...Touchdown Jesus, Knute Rockne etc...But give me Michigan....highest attendance in all of college football...100,000 plus per home game since before most of us were born...the most living alumni of any American University....the most wins and highest winning percentage of any Division I-A school....unique helmets that make a statement and oh yes, the best darn fight song in college football (I'll give u ND as a close 2nd). If "The Victors" doesn't stir up your blood and get you ready for college football, you're either not a college football fan or you're from Ohio....

SHANNON: This is the best part of college football, and the reason why I'll never love the NFL quite as much. I actually think about helmets and fight songs and alumni when considering the quality of the program. I actually feel a little bit gushy about Notre Dame football. I think our helmets are better because they're painted with real gold – from the Golden Dome! - which sounds ridiculous but somehow makes it all feel more legit; ties it all together; makes you believe in God, Country, Notre Dame. I think our fight song is better (though, to be fair, Michigan's is grand). There's nothing like having a couple of pre-game beers and then streaming into the stadium while the band knocks out the fight song. For a second there, I really thought I'd rather be in South Bend than Manhattan. That's how amazing it feels to be there. That's why I love college football.

The real question is what's going to happen to an already struggling Michigan team without Henne. Our freshman quarterback has had a game plus to work out some kinks, plus the kid is preternaturally poised. Seriously, I've never seen anyone so ready to play. Ryan Mallett may have been around for spring practices, but let's see how long he lasts in the fall.

BRAD: I think both QBs have their work cut out for them. Being a freshman QB is very tough in this day and age. I think ND has a slight advantage because Mallett has not been preparing to start until this week.

As for ND's helmets, they are really spray-painted. They are sharp, but silver or gold helmets are just painted while other colored helmets are actually their final color. One thing I do like about ND is their green jerseys, which they only use on special occasions. Think about the great players that have played for both teams, the fight songs, the facilities, the helmets, the traditions...Notre Dame and Michigan....can anything BE more representative of the greatness of college football. Even in an off year for both teams, it gets the juices flowing. Good luck, Shannon, but GO BLUE!

SHANNON: Back at you, Brad. I look forward to the game against Michigan every year - always exciting, and exactly what college football is supposed to be. Best of luck. I think the game is going to get a bit ugly and that both offenses will stutter, but I believe we'll pull this one out in the end. Go Irish!