All Things Notre Dame - The Clashmore Mike Memorial Thread

[Clashmore Mike]

From what I've seen of Alabama, I think ND can take them. We'll play them better than Georgia did, I'm almost certain.

I don't know...

...it's going to take an almost perfect game. Few penalties. No turnovers. No dropped passes. Excellent tackling...it seemed like Alabama had most of their yards against that Georgia defense after initial contact.

Six weeks is a long time away from football to come back and play perfect. I thought our special teams coverage looked much better against USC than usual, but that was an exception to the season.

All things considered, I can only think of one advantage ND may have over Alabama going into this, and it's far from a given... Notre Dame still has room to improve. Alabama is who they are.

As a redshirt freshman with experience and 15 practices before the game, Golson could take a big step forward that McCarron has already taken. Certainly there is plenty of time for Martin to put together a game plan for him, and for him to be comfortable with it. But that same potential could also be a detriment. A redshirt freshman in CFBs biggest stage with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Saban is going to have his crew running around like a fire drill to throw the kid off.

We also need to put together a red-zone package. Sustained drives for field goals may keep us in the game against Alabama, but we're going to need touchdowns for a chance to win...and lets face it, we aren't going to be racking up big-play scores on these guys.

[Clashmore Mike]

There maybe one other advantage...injuries. Alabama lost one of their two (probably the lesser of the two) big-play WRs against Auburn. Doesn't sound like he'll be ready for the bowl game. Apparently their WR corps has been hit hard by injury...Saban was considering taking one of his big-time recruits off the shelf and burning the kid's red-shirt, but he didn't do it against UGA.

Also understand that their all-everything C injured his foot against UGA. Most reports seem to indicate that he'll probably be able to play, but I would think that losing that stalwart on the OL would be something of a blow to them.

We are all healthy and actually expect up and coming WR Davaris Daniels to be ready. He's been out since BC with a broken collar bone.

[Clashmore Mike]

I know this is controversial...but I'm happy for these kids...and will be rooting for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vBknAlP7AcI

[Clashmore Mike]

We might get some help from the UGA AD...

http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2012/12/03/suspension-possible-for-quinton-dial-as-sec-reviews-his-hit-on-georgia-qb-aaron-murray/

[Paul L]

I know this is controversial...but I'm happy for these kids...and will be rooting for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=vBknAlP7AcI

What a fucking joke. A loss at home vs. Iowa, a 1-point win over ARMY (yeah, that 2-9 Army) and 7-point home wins against Kansas and Toledo.

Yeah, that's deserving of a BCS invite.

[Clashmore Mike]

What a fucking joke. A loss at home vs. Iowa, a 1-point win over ARMY (yeah, that 2-9 Army) and 7-point home wins against Kansas and Toledo.

Yeah, that's deserving of a BCS invite.

Right...well it's a fucked up system.





Elation @ NDNation: Manti Te'o was awarded both the Butkus & Nagurski awards. He's been invited to NY for the Heisman ceremony, but doesn't sound like he'll get it.

Panic @ NDNation: Bob Diaco is interviewing for a couple HC positions. ND needs to pay him whatever it takes to get him thru the bowl game...may lose some recruits if he finds the right situation and leaves.

[Clashmore Mike]

Under the Lights II

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/espn-network-to-televise-2013-notre-dame-at-michigan-matchup-in-prime-time/

[Clashmore Mike]

Pat Forde visits ND...

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--at-notre-dame--campus-life-differs-little-for-student-and-football-star-151519405.html

[Clashmore Mike]

I miss playing football...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/highschool/news/20121212/ishemping/?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a0

[Dr. Strangelove]

Swarbrick says ACC is stable and secure; no planned B1G raid

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21415170/source-notre-dame-acc-safe-from-another-big-ten-raid-for-foreseeable-future

[WM Wolverine]

What would make the ACC unstable isn't the B10, B10 wants NC/Virginia who won't be available unless the Big XII can attract the southern schools; e.g. FSU, Clemson, Miami, GT, etc... Those schools don't see the Big XII as a big (if any) step-up and obviously would prefer the SEC...

ACC is as stable as its football schools are still together; FSU, Clemson, Miami, VT. Any two of those leave, everyone (NC, Virginia, VT, Duke, etc.) is available for the Big XII, B10, SEC to raid.

[Clashmore Mike]

I think alot of ACC stability is riding on the suit filed against Maryland to ensure collection of the full exit fee $50+ million. For the most part, (in cases of other schools leaving other conferences) these fees have been negotiated down and then agreed to. There is no precedent for a conference to really have the binding authority to collect 100%...if the ACC wins, then cost of leaving becomes a huge factor. Lose...and I don't anything that could considered "stability" for more than a season or two.

[Hannibal]

I don't understand the grounds under which you try and not pay that fee. You agreed to it. You pay it.

[iam416]

Under contract law, you generally can't specify a damage for a breach. The damages, instead, are to be the actual damages that were legally caused by the breach. A rationale is that there are times when breach is actually efficient and, in turn, better for the economy. You don't want to discourage that with penalties that greatly exceed the actual damages. The point of contract damages is to preserve the benefit of the bargain for the parties.

The question is whether the $50M is a penalty or an actual approximation of damages. Also, whether damages could be calculated at the time of breach. In this case, I think it's a clear penalty. The ACC's immediate grab of Louisville mitigated nearly all damages.

As an ancillary issue, the ACC is dealing with a state entity. They may be able to win in NC state court. But I doubt Maryland has any assets there. So they would have to enforce the judgment in Maryland. Well, Maryland almost surely has rules and laws about where, when and how you can sue the State (sovereign). The University could, I think, successfully prevent enforcement.

IMO, the ACC has a bad case.

That said, the B10 isn't in a rush to destroy the ACC. They only need to do that by 2017. And they will. The B10 can afford to let this Maryland thing play out because they have a 18-24 month window. But, if Delaney wanted ACC teams today, he'd get them. The $50M is weak sauce.

The only thing that can save the ACC is if ND comes aboard as a football member. And we all know they won't. They will be total dumbasses and let the ACC die and put themselves in a very tenuous position where B10 membership may be their only salvation.

So, I'm not sure how the dominos will fall, but I feel very certain that the B10 will go to at least 16 and they'll do it with ACC schools. The $50M exit fee issue is a virtual non-issue.

[Hannibal]

Under contract law, you generally can't specify a damage for a breach. The damages, instead, are to be the actual damages that were legally caused by the breach. A rationale is that there are times when breach is actually efficient and, in turn, better for the economy.

In that case, then couldn't the two parties mutually negotiate the end of the contract?

Damages, in this case, have got to be impossible to calculate. Does the fact that Maryland signed on the bottom line at least give the number some credibility? No calculations or questionable assumptions needed. There has to be at least some damage with rebranding, scheduling, etc.

If a coach can breach a contract or a school can breach a contact with no penalty or minimal penalty, I see that as a huge problem. If the buyout is too big, then don't agree to the deal.