tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11603752659987954222024-03-03T18:26:00.441-06:00Musings from 'A' LotUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-58938882581811823992023-12-08T09:56:00.003-06:002023-12-08T11:36:07.121-06:00Pre-Bowl: "Not So Fast, My Friends..."<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>Into the great wide open</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>Under the skies of blue...</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>Out in the great wide open</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>A rebel without a clue.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqmFxgEGKH0" width="320" youtube-src-id="xqmFxgEGKH0"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOHRyhOaYisQvxojATEwM8dtf-Y8LbY5ksWRofXuwMc97wvfEn173hPjQ2n-AMuKx9M6i0wXrjnioXDUfZAT0OenkM4XRM7EQYNVNy5FsYXi3flxc_kcLzlquKSpqVIqJyx6zQBGPar-aE4ZrftLA9uRPBElcUZnkeJoHW9fiAQl8YSTuTLhoODj3Cahc/s2201/IMG_4660.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2174" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOHRyhOaYisQvxojATEwM8dtf-Y8LbY5ksWRofXuwMc97wvfEn173hPjQ2n-AMuKx9M6i0wXrjnioXDUfZAT0OenkM4XRM7EQYNVNy5FsYXi3flxc_kcLzlquKSpqVIqJyx6zQBGPar-aE4ZrftLA9uRPBElcUZnkeJoHW9fiAQl8YSTuTLhoODj3Cahc/w250-h252/IMG_4660.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>One of the less endearing character traits of many Notre Dame fans is their self-perception that we - and that of the athletic programs - are special. Not Jerry Lewis Kids 'special' - though one suspects there are more than a few in the fan base that would comfortably qualify for that fraternity - but "we're really better than y'all" special. Some are less discrete than others in putting that vibe out into the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So when the transfer portal phenomenon hits, along with the insidious undercurrent of NIL inducements, and one starts seeing more than a few ND athletes jump in... there's a near immediate reaction of disbelief, disappointment and outrage by ND Nation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Hey, Notre Dame is a special <u>destination</u>, not a thru-way. <i>We're the summit of Everest, motherf*cker, not base camp..." </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonlgS2umBw5mEZHBEpB5ZM29TMhsq_YeUzDg1ff2us2oQO-sFwnXAbd9M3ZqSBhqj9jZS_HurYGIbnmHC0yD0PK3vIpKnY50u7uXkr_ZFESzvrpDjex7OnvVWtkQZoBLOeMKV0Pgw8dl4UW42GEGgjIfuGCP3qhgJ63X9rmeAF0LIHyD3_eTPBjlhd10s/s1100/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%2012.07.26%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1100" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonlgS2umBw5mEZHBEpB5ZM29TMhsq_YeUzDg1ff2us2oQO-sFwnXAbd9M3ZqSBhqj9jZS_HurYGIbnmHC0yD0PK3vIpKnY50u7uXkr_ZFESzvrpDjex7OnvVWtkQZoBLOeMKV0Pgw8dl4UW42GEGgjIfuGCP3qhgJ63X9rmeAF0LIHyD3_eTPBjlhd10s/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%2012.07.26%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>And yet, considerable, increasing empirical evidence is suggesting that Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs never accounted for "early playing time" somewhere high up on the pyramid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This observation is not meant to be a diss on <i>du Lac</i> - in many, many ways the institution is undeniably rare -- but rather to set up a factual basis as it relates to player movement in the 2023 college football world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On December 4th, 2023 the first day of college football transfer portal declaration: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Over 1100 athletes put their name on the list</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a word, what's happening at ND is neither unusual, surprising or extreme. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's simply the way of the world, circa 2023.</div></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-DHjXA-K3n9fmiy6mVMcsm7R8YMGdAv1RVFzN0haiFSWnnKexNyWvJmzzTRlQpTjc7btSioBwmH1HCRJWueBNu5ozwvOYqzR3CijuyA3c4OAn3Q3EhumJgIymTIB3wRqiHFBKXmPtYnvsZ5fsreKEDOg9oMeTbn6F0CjxFDLdht0JC3ymqD-lJQ1r9CC/s1136/charlie.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-DHjXA-K3n9fmiy6mVMcsm7R8YMGdAv1RVFzN0haiFSWnnKexNyWvJmzzTRlQpTjc7btSioBwmH1HCRJWueBNu5ozwvOYqzR3CijuyA3c4OAn3Q3EhumJgIymTIB3wRqiHFBKXmPtYnvsZ5fsreKEDOg9oMeTbn6F0CjxFDLdht0JC3ymqD-lJQ1r9CC/w231-h173/charlie.webp" width="231" /></a></div>"Show me the incentive and I'll show you the outcome..."</div><div><div style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="text-align: right;"><i> </i>Charlie Munger</b></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"> </b></div></div></div></span></h1><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All you need to know in order to understand the transfer portal / NIL dynamic.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><span><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f9G7sQfYYuMwLx2KNLhws9m06bFc1utkEqdnRiS01_gXiCOxIg5Uo6eIb5anEolSU5AbEZjODEmrmVZQeeEVsJ7SOA8Hpbbe1d2lSWUt93tq74MPE3UBZzJopJNVXok_RSeXp5PzPeh1BE6SMKMJCapJKGLgLMsApOb5QuLDkWnH7gkE6WqUjkUZ1y6O/s970/Cupidity.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="970" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f9G7sQfYYuMwLx2KNLhws9m06bFc1utkEqdnRiS01_gXiCOxIg5Uo6eIb5anEolSU5AbEZjODEmrmVZQeeEVsJ7SOA8Hpbbe1d2lSWUt93tq74MPE3UBZzJopJNVXok_RSeXp5PzPeh1BE6SMKMJCapJKGLgLMsApOb5QuLDkWnH7gkE6WqUjkUZ1y6O/s320/Cupidity.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u></span></span><span>: Young Jerrence found himself unable to let go of trying to work out the mindset of a thousand athletes deciding they were going to walk away from their chosen schools.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Some after only one year at their institutions. Some as proven starters with seemingly very bright futures ahead of them. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>This confused Jerrence. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>NIL money does have its limits... so all the movement can't be attributed to a kid's (or their family's) <span style="color: #fcff01;">cupidity</span>. So what is it? Just about increased playing time? More understandable for the graduate transfers but the undergrads' decision seemed more complicated: poor fit with school / program culture? Movement of the coaching staff? </span>Or just a 'cut and run at the first sign of adversity' immaturity. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u>One thing felt a certainty</u>: the NCAA competitive model was broken, self-interest (and TV money) ruled the day. And there was no one seemingly interested in fixing it.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">December Thoughts </span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I know who I want to take me home... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6n3n5wQ3JYY" width="320" youtube-src-id="6n3n5wQ3JYY"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a big fan of immediate gratification, if there's a (perhaps singular) silver lining to the transfer portal -- at least as a fan / observer -- it's that the players do NOT f*ck around with making a decision. It reminds me of b-school where, compared to undergrad (at least for your English major, maybe not the case for the pre-professional psychos), everyone was immediately, completely outcome-oriented. And extremely serious about it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For these portal travelers, none of this dicking around for 12-18 months like when their</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> self-absorbed 18 year old selves (and their parents) played the field... each wrestling with their own unique interpretation of what a 'commitment' does or doesn't mean... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nope, it's now a </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Wham Bam Thank You Maam </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">process where a few schools</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> make their best pitch and said athlete moves immediately to Go Time. </span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Other thoughts</u>:</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG3p2_v_hVKHUMvfDhqZZ3odsTrjAhLHLNB7fzXCK-8J_tG_WCNBGzqDW91prUUMrULTZP3vhYMd2BR3js4m4n8NDDkUkrUvjec-IRw4d6vTlg4Faein6wiVLEiz1R6I9JAliMrvpDrs4McjMw22AGT79jv04VHQ8ah_5O8mhClZmugoIfYGnCMVPYgb9/s225/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG3p2_v_hVKHUMvfDhqZZ3odsTrjAhLHLNB7fzXCK-8J_tG_WCNBGzqDW91prUUMrULTZP3vhYMd2BR3js4m4n8NDDkUkrUvjec-IRw4d6vTlg4Faein6wiVLEiz1R6I9JAliMrvpDrs4McjMw22AGT79jv04VHQ8ah_5O8mhClZmugoIfYGnCMVPYgb9/w200-h200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl?!</span></b> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When your football season's final game is determined via a hat draw, like you just won the big fruit basket at your church's annual fundraiser in the elementary school's cafeteria, one realizes -- as the philosopher Jerry Garcia would've put it -- just what a long strange trip the 2023 season has been. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And candidly, it's a game that's tough to get terribly excited about. With all of the transfer portal / opt out's, non-playoff bowl games have essentially become more lucrative Spring game scrimmages. Make sure to print out your roster because there's going to be a lot of "who the hell is<i> that?!</i>"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not that there's anything wrong with that. (I'll still watch!). FWIW, ND is currently a 10 pt. favorite. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g7fiekb9xs4G7Y3BRGZDKd8HMLB8iJR1XDaRcKh-5GD3wuxdI_c6nnhY8-NLXC1cQ40op7CPYUYdVdkVd7EeiYhu8pO-nBapBhSUZDV29kWdOKoyC-Ok_iAtTNf1F5StAdhh9k9zinNEffoT2fN7Kql-uwAXixO81pY8BKFaeez5KBtEa0qaWJdmjq1D/s297/download.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7g7fiekb9xs4G7Y3BRGZDKd8HMLB8iJR1XDaRcKh-5GD3wuxdI_c6nnhY8-NLXC1cQ40op7CPYUYdVdkVd7EeiYhu8pO-nBapBhSUZDV29kWdOKoyC-Ok_iAtTNf1F5StAdhh9k9zinNEffoT2fN7Kql-uwAXixO81pY8BKFaeez5KBtEa0qaWJdmjq1D/w200-h114/download.png" width="200" /></a></div>Oregon State?</span></b> Under normal circumstances, which this decidely is not, this would've been a pretty interesting game. A rematch with a top 20 team whose QB lit up ND when he was a freshman at Clemson a few years back. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But this ain't that team. Not only has virtually the ENTIRE coaching staff defected to Michigan State but several of their best players have already opted out, including their top two QB's, an All Pac-12 LB and their 1st round draftable OT.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it will allow one to be able to say "Beaver" repeatedly without feeling naughty. So there is that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQbnziQtitCMRqt7FUuJUvJIfVUDcdeKyzawVUoqP0PC07PMvX45fsDLIm7T9LBOrFp_IeIVQAmYMNT6gt_00meaJGA_BxCRDDjaeEQT72YKOEZBWQ4BDUqiXlgCqG8VSW62dn4KHaP_ppr8Ct-Jw8-bD4tGvljqnAKDxY_BO19abgoH5BT77JkMiYAHI/s482/Mike%20Brown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQbnziQtitCMRqt7FUuJUvJIfVUDcdeKyzawVUoqP0PC07PMvX45fsDLIm7T9LBOrFp_IeIVQAmYMNT6gt_00meaJGA_BxCRDDjaeEQT72YKOEZBWQ4BDUqiXlgCqG8VSW62dn4KHaP_ppr8Ct-Jw8-bD4tGvljqnAKDxY_BO19abgoH5BT77JkMiYAHI/w299-h320/Mike%20Brown.jpeg" width="299" /></a></div>Mike Brown?</span></b> Channeling the late, great Chandler Bing -- <i>could you have any more of a generic name </i>-- by all accounts, this seems to be a really solid WR hire at a time when filling that void with some urgency appears critical. Maybe not the flashy home run hire but definitely an extra base hit. And so far, every ex-Cincinnati coaching staff that Freeman's brought on board has worked out pretty well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the more compelling attractions of Mr. Brown seems to be his ability to develop the WR talent. He's had four players from his Cinci days make the NFL - and it wasn't like those guys came in as 5 stars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Independent podcast, with Messrs. Sampson and Fortuna, made a trenchant point as it relates to both player development and the allure of the portal: even beyond the pressures of acclimating to the exponentially higher quality of football at ND, <u>freshman year is really hard</u>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for almost everyone, the initial adjustment ain't easy. (As someone who was genetically encoded to go to ND, I still hated ND first semester freshman year. For every Bob Spittler who helped me survive Calculus, there was 2-3 tools who made sure you knew they aced their SAT's or made All State in some sport.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The point is, if you're a black kid probably picking ND largely for the football opportunity, it puts a lot on the coaching staff to be that support, on and off the field, even after the recruiting is done. Let's hope that'll be coach Brown's super power.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">Portal movement?</span><b> </b>Here's a counter-intuitive idea: not every portal move is driven by NIL money. Beyond the obvious motivation - I want to play more - there's also the draw of being in an environment that's maybe more familiar with a known support system. Case in point:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Chris Tyree</span>. Heading back, literally, to home (UVA). Honestly, good for him. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tyler Buchner</span>. Heading back to... ND? In LAX?! Did NOT see that coming. </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">While not entirely confirmed, that would be pretty sweet. And yet another driver for Jerrence to create a Springtime LAX blog - <i>and maybe a tailgate opportunity?!</i></span></li></ul></ul></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I'm going home... </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L1Xn-DWHuuM" width="320" youtube-src-id="L1Xn-DWHuuM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">We Agreed To... <i>What?</i></span> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh boy... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz_MlI62EDfqyYcomdjgtgHC1TM1pvu6uyIP2H6eUdF-ItZ_oAdZvPSj3XmWjF6IY0tQXFv_VURQofQFzrSvmu8dGyrx5S9myQZbMzllnIlmI5AfoteSChE9XBmT7XpRd7VmVEHnu2vPULCv5RSldhZsNrW2gCzeYKM2q0KImUO0UUXh9FbXg_wHNxwpi/s1382/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-07%20at%2011.47.22%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="1382" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz_MlI62EDfqyYcomdjgtgHC1TM1pvu6uyIP2H6eUdF-ItZ_oAdZvPSj3XmWjF6IY0tQXFv_VURQofQFzrSvmu8dGyrx5S9myQZbMzllnIlmI5AfoteSChE9XBmT7XpRd7VmVEHnu2vPULCv5RSldhZsNrW2gCzeYKM2q0KImUO0UUXh9FbXg_wHNxwpi/w400-h68/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-07%20at%2011.47.22%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Notre Dame and NBC’s Peacock streaming service are planning to produce a season-long documentary on the Irish football program, athletic director Jack Swarbrick confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The series is going to be in a similar vein to HBO’s popular NFL program Hard Knocks and will debut in 2024.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The announcement about the upcoming docu-series for Notre Dame football on Peacock comes on the heels of NBC’s new deal to retain the broadcast rights for Fighting Irish home games through the 2029 season. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; text-align: center;"><h3 style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></b></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As perhaps more than a few of you have heard me whinge... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The thing that I find most distressing about the out-of-control fluidity in college athlete movement is this kneeling at the altar of Id-driven adversity avoidance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is to say, seemingly if I'm not playing immediately, or if I'm not seeing the ball enough, or I don't like the philosophy of the Coordinator, I'm moving on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Broadly speaking. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whatever happened to working through the tough times, including home sickness? (And tangential to this decision making, where are the parents in all of this?)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is why the 2023 Bronko Nagurski winner, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Xavier Watts</span>, is this week's Buddy. For a kid who had more justifiable reasons than many to bail, he didn't. Here's a quote from the young man:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"The journey I've been through, it's been difficult, and then to just get to that point where I'd be able to be recognized as the best defender in the nation is unreal."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bravo, Xavier. And to his family / support group. Talk about being The Exception to the Rule.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ScNmzWdJrU" width="320" youtube-src-id="3ScNmzWdJrU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And someone will have to explain to me how a safety can win the Bronko Nagurski award - recognizing the best defensive player in the country -- but not even be a <i>finalist</i> for the Jim Thorpe award, given to the nation's top DB. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What's on everyone's mind these days?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Portal, portal and, oh yeah, <i>portal</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So with sincere apologies to Mr. Sampson (and his legal counsel), find below my most egregious exercise in plagiarism -- <i>theft is such an ugly word</i> -- but his article this week on ND's portal recruiting aspirations sums it up better than I ever could.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as I am but a mere insect, more like protozoa, in the media cosmos, I'll risk his wrath (and legal salvo)....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome to day one of Transfer Portal Season.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">ND appears to be ready for it, at least as much as any program can be.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’re always aware of the portal,” said coach Marcus Freeman last month. “We’re unique in terms of the guys we can truly get from the portal to Notre Dame, and so you’re always aware of those guys that could be graduates or the guys that are first-year guys.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame had early evaluations down on defensive back <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vNLpdvUnbt4mpflI" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-clark-vNLpdvUnbt4mpflI/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jordan Clark</a> and wide receiver <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="FAw2y0JJodXpTOyu" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/kris-mitchell-FAw2y0JJodXpTOyu/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Kris Mitchell</a>, which helped the Irish land both. But the Irish won’t (and can’t) stop there. But by week’s end, Notre Dame could be halfway home to its portal needs. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here’s what the Irish need to get done to fortify their roster heading into 2024</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">Land </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="srWRSeTbXar50Vly" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/riley-leonard-srWRSeTbXar50Vly/" style="font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Riley Leonard</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"> this week</span></b></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://theathletic.com/5100265/2023/11/29/riley-leonard-transfer-duke-notre-dame/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard </a>will be on campus this week, and there’s an expectation he could announce a commitment to Notre Dame by Friday. The Irish pursuit of Leonard is closer to its conclusion than its beginning, which would stabilize the QB depth chart for next season, even if it might further complicate how the Irish approach the Sun Bowl.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>A week ago, Freeman said he expected Hartman to play in the bowl game. But after the bowl announcement, he softened that stance, deferring to the QB himself to announce his plans. Considering the likelihood of OT </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="IaQDGafPY1MXNPwJ" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/joe-alt-IaQDGafPY1MXNPwJ/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Joe Alt</a><span> and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vu06y6WmyiJeRkdg" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/blake-fisher-vu06y6WmyiJeRkdg/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Blake Fisher</a><span> opting out, along with running back </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vB4aG2FbDQnE0mVM" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/audric-estime-vB4aG2FbDQnE0mVM/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Audric Estime</a><span>, never mind the departures at WR, the idea of Hartman putting himself at risk one more time for ND feels like a reach.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, if Notre Dame lands Leonard and Hartman opts out, what does <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="I6WeHlD2jqOubRd9" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/steve-angeli-I6WeHlD2jqOubRd9/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Steve Angeli</a> do? The sophomore could get his first start at Notre Dame or he could feel the need to look around for his next destination. Regardless of any potential fallout, taking Leonard will be the priority.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Alabama native should be an easy fit in Notre Dame’s locker room, although his skill set is different from Hartman, both as a passer and runner. Leonard has thrown just 24 TD's over the past three seasons. Hartman threw 101. But Leonard is the more dynamic runner, with his 19 rushing TD's one short of Hartman’s career total despite the former <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="169" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/wake-forest-demon-deacons-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Wake Forest</a> QB playing in twice the number of games.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ramifications of these differences in skill set is for offensive coordinator Gerad Parker to resolve during spring practice. </span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep momentum at WR</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Kris Mitchell</span><span style="color: #333333;"> was a good start, but only if he’s a start.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="205" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/fiu-golden-panthers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Florida International</a> grad transfer put up 64 catches for 1,118 yards and seven TD's last year, meaning he’d have led Irish receivers in all three of those categories each of the past four seasons. He’ll be able to help the Irish outside the numbers, where ND returns little production from this season following injuries and transfers</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Notre Dame’s original plan was to sign two WR from the portal this winter, but Freeman also hoped to have Rico Flores on the roster. While it’s not clear if the Irish will take three WR instead, it is clear who they’re targeting in </span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Beaux Collins</span></span><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> (</span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="165" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clemson</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;">) and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="7WZDWEdJIlpnbzEX" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/josh-kelly-7WZDWEdJIlpnbzEX/" style="text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Josh Kelly</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> (</span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="247" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/washington-state-cougars-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Washington State</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;">). Kelly visited this week and will see </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="184" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/texas-tech-red-raiders-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-align: justify; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Texas Tech</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> next. Collins is expected in later this week, likely with Leonard.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kelly led Washington State with 61 catches for 923 yards and eight TD's in 2023. Collins was 3rd in the Clemson passing game with 38 for 510 yards and three TD's.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If Notre Dame lands two portal WR it would likely mean 10 scholarship receivers on next year’s roster, although six of them would be freshmen or sophomores. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;">Other notable receivers in the portal to track are </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="SoXzO2535uFIUYWY" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/will-sheppard-SoXzO2535uFIUYWY/" style="text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Will Sheppard</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> (Vanderbilt) and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="iiC8bOfMm16INnvL" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/chimere-dike-iiC8bOfMm16INnvL/" style="text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Chimere Dike</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> (Wisconsin). Dike worked under </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="8CLcQDSRxDKiJgX2" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/mike-brown-8CLcQDSRxDKiJgX2/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Mike Brown</a><span style="color: #333333;">, expected to be Notre Dame’s new WR's coach. Dike finished his </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="197" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/wisconsin-badgers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Badgers</a><span style="color: #333333;"> career with 97 receptions for 1,478 yards and nine TD's. Sheppard, who’s already picked up offers from around the SEC, finished his Vanderbilt career with 152 catches for 2067 yards and 21 TD's.</span></span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Enhance both lines of scrimmage</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame <b>wants to sign at least two linemen from the portal</b>, one OT and one pass rusher.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Irish plan to be without Alt and Fisher next season, likely returning <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="wNPzNXJY2oRKdEVZ" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tosh-baker-wNPzNXJY2oRKdEVZ/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tosh Baker</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="yhDDVgDnrwsYTx9q" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/aamil-wagner-yhDDVgDnrwsYTx9q/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Aamil Wagner</a> as potential starting OT's. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="IEvQcDnXLqghwSlb" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/charles-jagusah-IEvQcDnXLqghwSlb/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Charles Jagusah</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="nTPN8Jufd0NGnOjE" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sullivan-absher-nTPN8Jufd0NGnOjE/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Sullivan Absher</a> will be coming off redshirt seasons. A graduate transfer at tackle could create more competition. The same could be true on the interior.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;">The DL has at least one clear candidate in </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">RJ Oben</span><span style="color: #333333;"> from </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="177" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/duke-blue-devils-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Duke</a><span style="color: #333333;">. The product of St. Peter’s Prep (NJ) — alma mater of the Ademilolas and Brandon Wimbush — had modest production last season (17 tackles, 6 TFLs, 5 sacks), but at a lean 6'4", 260 lbs., perhaps can offer some of the production as </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/javontae-jean-baptiste-zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Javontae Jean-Baptiste</a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">It’s not clear if ND needs another interior DL considering the roster in-house, but 6'4", 300-lb </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Joey Slackman</span><span style="color: #333333;"> from Penn might be worth a look as an Ivy League player. He’s already picked up offers from Michigan, Florida, Washington, Miami and USC.</span></span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Round out the secondary</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame got a jump-start by landing Clark, the nickelback from <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="249" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/arizona-state-sun-devils-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Arizona State</a>. The son of 13-year <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="2" href="https://theathletic.com/nfl/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">NFL</a> veteran and former <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="267" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/lsu-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">LSU</a> defensive back Ryan Clark visited Notre Dame last weekend with his father and needed barely 24 hours to decide.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On paper, he’s a like-for-like replacement for <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="osjennMllVuBwL5V" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a>, a graduate transfer from <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="186" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/oklahoma-state-cowboys-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Oklahoma State</a> last winter. He wasn’t as sure a tackler as Harper, but he was more active in the pass game with eight pass breakups compared to Harper’s one.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame will return a wealth of talent at CB in <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Eub3jMXnV1GjLvqN" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/benjamin-morrison-Eub3jMXnV1GjLvqN/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Benjamin Morrison</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="OMax98TXhnfEfvQN" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/christian-gray-OMax98TXhnfEfvQN/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Christian Gray</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-mickey-egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Mickey</a> as potential starters. If Clark fits in the slot, it leaves S as the spot Notre Dame needs to hit next. Xavier Watts said he’ll play in the Sun Bowl and was already talking about how he’d manage his academics if he did return for a 5th year, which is promising. But the Irish are desperate for help after losing <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="5ylyuuxJcw0vHmlF" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/dj-brown-5ylyuuxJcw0vHmlF/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">DJ Brown</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="820DA8WAP5VVfCct" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/ramon-henderson-820DA8WAP5VVfCct/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ramon Henderson</a> and Antonio Carter II.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That leaves a pair of sophomores, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vO0iIKDIMFQ5oEab" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/ben-minich-vO0iIKDIMFQ5oEab/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ben Minich</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Qli58uOfn9Yw1Ndk" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/adon-shuler-Qli58uOfn9Yw1Ndk/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Adon Shuler</a>, and an incoming 3-man S class to round out the roster. That’s not a comfortable place to be.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s worth remembering that nickel is a starting position in ND’s defense. The Irish had at least five DB's on the field on 85.7% of snaps against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="191" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ohio State</a> and 60.1% of snaps at Clemson.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Find a new kicker</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333;">Following who Riley Leonard follows on social media has become a parlor game for fans (and media) in the past week, as he’s clicked on several key Irish players, a few transfer targets and even the football program’s communications director. Among those social media connections? Former </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="255" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/south-carolina-gamecocks-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">South Carolina</a><span style="color: #333333;"> kicker </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="3qVYuR4a1n9XmrYd" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/mitch-jeter-3qVYuR4a1n9XmrYd/" style="text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Mitch Jeter</a>,</span><span style="color: #333333;"> who entered the portal this week as a graduate transfer. And that may be exactly what special teams coordinator Marty Biagi is looking for in his next specialist</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: start;">Jeter went 23-of-25 on FG's the past two seasons, hitting multiple kicks from 50+ yards. Jeter, an academic honor roll student, would seem to fit that bill.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> Source: The Athletic</span></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>December</i></span><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> 6, 2023</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Literarily speaking, nothing screams, "It's Christmas time!" quite like a Dickensian tale of squalor, debtor's prisons, orphanage work houses and tragic deaths amidst a Victorian Era back drop that looks super romantic when portrayed on TV or film - but you know, if only from a personal hygiene standpoint, inreality had to absolutely<i> suck</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But the tales, while oft times irritatingly circuitous, do inevitably end in a happy ending. So there's that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Merry Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>David Copper Mug</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>David Copperfield</i> (1849)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>by Charles Dickens</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TGVkcZwmkv2yxs1NGQoT3Hyg3l63RBHgWNw2oQRLES0JMEOraI3sQpdKVxRJaFWP6YKlUeV1OBTN9uxlYjqwcfk_HVRCuQFVyvq-JEPZWHOCv_id33ObleYTjXTno9G0w4sYSF9Cig-u9hvbx_P7UMfx-OJSt_tN2rRvogmGwTYortoXgKtUqiv48Uh/s600/dickens-christmas.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="452" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TGVkcZwmkv2yxs1NGQoT3Hyg3l63RBHgWNw2oQRLES0JMEOraI3sQpdKVxRJaFWP6YKlUeV1OBTN9uxlYjqwcfk_HVRCuQFVyvq-JEPZWHOCv_id33ObleYTjXTno9G0w4sYSF9Cig-u9hvbx_P7UMfx-OJSt_tN2rRvogmGwTYortoXgKtUqiv48Uh/w151-h200/dickens-christmas.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>No, not the magician who made the Statue of Liberty disappear back in the '80s. <i>David Copperfield </i>the novel began its life as a serialized story in a British newspaper (aka author Charles Dickens' favorite way to roll out a story).</div><div><br /></div><div>In it, our poor title charatcer grows up fatherless (and eventually motherless and brotherless) but ends up happily wedded -- after suffering enough Dickensian troubles to make anyone reach for a drink.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our British-inspired mule should help the depressing parts go down fast.</div></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6wAkvcCJ0AZrBcNfGKlnE2VdvXgc_FMavPi1HbwYBtlXrn1JN7StMsA2uQLaioz023PY1OvcGtR2BMHk8LNp9zRX7ZhmRODOyuXZ8F3_1L6gXRjSO57aw-xwPrwpdjifpS98Vf0gXqIoqdqiIka8iVNS1pt8XNl7IBoOnjLVsSN6ClBL724EyERYOoQp/s1200/Ginger%20beer.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6wAkvcCJ0AZrBcNfGKlnE2VdvXgc_FMavPi1HbwYBtlXrn1JN7StMsA2uQLaioz023PY1OvcGtR2BMHk8LNp9zRX7ZhmRODOyuXZ8F3_1L6gXRjSO57aw-xwPrwpdjifpS98Vf0gXqIoqdqiIka8iVNS1pt8XNl7IBoOnjLVsSN6ClBL724EyERYOoQp/w200-h200/Ginger%20beer.webp" width="200" /></a></div>* 2 oz. vodka </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 1/2 oz. lime juice </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* Ginger beer, to fill</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 1/2 oz. red wine, to float </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* Lime wheel, for garnish</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the vodka and lime juice into a copper mug. Fill with ice, add the ginger beer and float the red wine on top. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy the dickens out of it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird </i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twists</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>W</b></span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i><strike>STRONG?</strike></i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I just robbed a grocery store.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I'm going to Disneyland... </i></span></div><div><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m_FeSIeYIiY" width="320" youtube-src-id="m_FeSIeYIiY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, don't go booking your tickets to Disneyland just yet - there's a tie-breaker yet to be played. The scoring system is 'same as it ever was'...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pick the bowl games with the spreads - 1 pt. for each correct answer (10 pts total)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pick the over / under for each game - 1 pt. for each correct answer (10 pts. total)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Answer the three multiple choice question - 1 pt. for each correct answer (3 pts. total)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Guess ND's false start total and when the first will occur - 1 pt. for each correct answer (2 pts. total)</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Get your guess in any time before kickoff on the 29th. By my rough estimate, should everyone pony up, the pool (after subtracting for the winning group getting <i>next year's</i> (2024) fee covered) should be about <span style="color: #fcff01;">$725</span>. But remember, English major here, so my math will need to be checked. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <u>Bowl</u> <u>Line</u><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span> </span>(<u>Over / Under</u>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gator<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kentucky vs. Clemson (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-7.0</span>) <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(47)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sun <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Oregon St. vs. Notre Dame (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-8.5</span>) <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(44) <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cotton <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Missouri vs. Ohio State (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-0.5</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(49)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peach<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mississippi vs. Penn St. (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-3.5</span>) <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(49)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Orange <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Florida St. vs. Georgia (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-14.0</span>) <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(45)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reliaquest <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wisconsin vs. LSU (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-10.5</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span></span></span>(56)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Citrus <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Iowa (+2.5) vs. Tennessee (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-7.5</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(36)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fiesta. <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Liberty vs. Oregon (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-16.5</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span></span></span>(65)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rose. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Alabama vs. Michigan (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-1.5</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(45)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sugar. <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Washington vs. Texas (<span style="color: #fcff01;">-4.0</span>)<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>(64)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br />Q1</span>. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">How many Ken’s</span> appear in Greta Gerwig’s multi-billion dollar global hit, “Barbie?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAOqMWAkS99IzVGKEuvzAFb8VptE186Bv5cz28QCeCuVDb5AIW7H1ISdPJwYk23Ia8FY7pYd8m1vyAoT-KbzwW22ciICpV5D2yrI2GPCsknyyZIt12j5zxyW0rbagCC1TTk7J0EysKSHII8qhwExGTn6TbQyMsr71jX3JSiK6FBNURDNS6tWVwm37jlkY/s1024/GettyImages-1241583523.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAOqMWAkS99IzVGKEuvzAFb8VptE186Bv5cz28QCeCuVDb5AIW7H1ISdPJwYk23Ia8FY7pYd8m1vyAoT-KbzwW22ciICpV5D2yrI2GPCsknyyZIt12j5zxyW0rbagCC1TTk7J0EysKSHII8qhwExGTn6TbQyMsr71jX3JSiK6FBNURDNS6tWVwm37jlkY/w320-h213/GettyImages-1241583523.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">2)</span><span style="text-align: justify; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">7</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">3)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>10</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>23</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Q2</span>.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>According to the book, “American Prometheus,” <span style="color: #fcff01;">what does the “J” in J. Robert Oppenheimer stand for</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuJLWR0gorhgNdgCMOMmHXolNUk-9ZUMgvjJm-KN-3_uP8NSl_7OSLfsGxeB0EEXgLXf80GTFaNI1ErW9dctqt3BO6A9l1ZskZbluxAuwHFV5ErCjhuqP1EXuBYlu_KlDXrKPVr9gK3LqbDORbk5pkJ9SrfP0NIvJfQRQoJO0kTp652AhiZ9azrm6mMhI/s459/ND_lini.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="459" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuJLWR0gorhgNdgCMOMmHXolNUk-9ZUMgvjJm-KN-3_uP8NSl_7OSLfsGxeB0EEXgLXf80GTFaNI1ErW9dctqt3BO6A9l1ZskZbluxAuwHFV5ErCjhuqP1EXuBYlu_KlDXrKPVr9gK3LqbDORbk5pkJ9SrfP0NIvJfQRQoJO0kTp652AhiZ9azrm6mMhI/w320-h216/ND_lini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jerrence</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Julius</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jerome</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jay-Z</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Q3.</span></b> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One of Jerrence’s favorite books of 2023 was “The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime and a Dangerous Obsession” by Michael Finkel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It chronicled the world’s most prolific art thief, 20-something year old Stéphane Breitwieser who with only his girlfriend, a backpack and a Swiss army knife, stole over 300 objects from European museums, castles and cathedrals. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And never sold any of it. <span style="color: #fcff01;">How much, ultimately, were the stolen art roughly estimated at</span>?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQRnUXvEZQoczsHhhZsFO_N3pWwSUznUe5-hXQzVno7PJIdG0oWD8geFO5ZF3fYMRiChYJCRP51AaCMDhPSf621Vnm6iY91jG-xCXRz8Wtc0VXO8g57M596pmkFP1A0fKt-oTEFdgVM3ijHyExE9tJf-xLHy-bn2U-PG2eyEzsCU9yzc2cbQXK7de418Z/s498/one-milliondollars-dr-evil.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="498" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQRnUXvEZQoczsHhhZsFO_N3pWwSUznUe5-hXQzVno7PJIdG0oWD8geFO5ZF3fYMRiChYJCRP51AaCMDhPSf621Vnm6iY91jG-xCXRz8Wtc0VXO8g57M596pmkFP1A0fKt-oTEFdgVM3ijHyExE9tJf-xLHy-bn2U-PG2eyEzsCU9yzc2cbQXK7de418Z/w320-h181/one-milliondollars-dr-evil.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$25 million</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$50 million</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$100 million </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$2 billion </div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Q4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How many false starts will be called on Notre Dame in their bowl game?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Q5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>On which offensive series will they be called for their first false start?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">------------------</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Finally, <u><span style="color: #fcff01;">for those below whose name is not highlighted, I'd appreciate it if you could send me your $25 entry fee</span></u>. (And if you gave me the money and I forgot, of course let me know.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Lini</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B.</span>, Bryan</strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, George, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Feif</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Blair</span></strike></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Truth be told, with so much transfer portal angst enveloping every program (except maybe Michigan which seems to be living in some kind of Ann Arbor / Brigadoon fantasyland - at least until they play Alabama), schadenfreude is <u>not</u> in short supply. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But because this is the Christmas season, it'd be wrong to pick on everyone. (I'll save that for January.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So let me be singularly focused:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) Florida State</span></b>. Passed over for the BCS Playoff despite going 13-0... Winner of the Bobby Bowden Lifetime Achievement award as well as the <i>"Hey Seminole Nation, We Didn't Hear You Bitching Back in '93 When Notre Dame Received A Similar Shafting" </i>designation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxris_-2PxSfRqOF4ogB7kdr6wWO96pIvVjiTK9fTnjJJU0XerDNJtkr1TwRoCpW2jLmyCNifLGGv9MRTvjIAygWK3CcJwpkzugqfFSPu5eNI8AKADIaUmC0YfqNGzCVelalA2SG1Rn7KJnYLkOKYQ6n-qDjvWYfrULsvm9NMm498-mZGaZeFrKYx3Fd9L/s1092/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%202.18.51%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1092" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxris_-2PxSfRqOF4ogB7kdr6wWO96pIvVjiTK9fTnjJJU0XerDNJtkr1TwRoCpW2jLmyCNifLGGv9MRTvjIAygWK3CcJwpkzugqfFSPu5eNI8AKADIaUmC0YfqNGzCVelalA2SG1Rn7KJnYLkOKYQ6n-qDjvWYfrULsvm9NMm498-mZGaZeFrKYx3Fd9L/w400-h272/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-06%20at%202.18.51%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Here's the most delicious irony</u>: If your ACC Commissioner hadn't helped shoot down the 12 team playoff concept a year (maybe two?) ago, the expanded playoff would've been instituted this year and you'd be in. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrgB-SIcuzSQHiSVij2E51QsxnmR7xT_hZopLER-3dukXQiuyPqRJpevUPUOyx1eF92LLD1nP437vTH2Zq0b65YT5BgsDKm8pBCUZWuHxjKnd1ngDakgfzIuFVVdqTWSY8KX3FNPsRO3TGjfhhcXNSbZ5FF707HVzAiTzTQL9XG-Gylt9iod0tVfTB5WY/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrgB-SIcuzSQHiSVij2E51QsxnmR7xT_hZopLER-3dukXQiuyPqRJpevUPUOyx1eF92LLD1nP437vTH2Zq0b65YT5BgsDKm8pBCUZWuHxjKnd1ngDakgfzIuFVVdqTWSY8KX3FNPsRO3TGjfhhcXNSbZ5FF707HVzAiTzTQL9XG-Gylt9iod0tVfTB5WY/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">One would think that, Christmastime, the world is going to be on its best behavior, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward Men!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah, fat chance of that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So one won't be surprised that there isn't exactly a dearth of cretins as we roll into this year's holiday season. And it's only Jerrence exhibiting uncharacteristic restraint that he's limited the list to three.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Albeit three super-qualified dopes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MSquxp0UAY9t2if_sRfNbYc8mM5m91Z2HlGyTEbjQrruq7MmGIsQJHHo9RIFHBCddQhf6yyOrLclxXHHkXXvZLaaZB2eahdG7LZa5IYBUnh1ozXhd0yVX2hl75RQZoKKyEDospbZg4fYKkofd09k8G044nSh-kOhPipWfPQvV9n5Q44wrFoqTPK3X4SX/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MSquxp0UAY9t2if_sRfNbYc8mM5m91Z2HlGyTEbjQrruq7MmGIsQJHHo9RIFHBCddQhf6yyOrLclxXHHkXXvZLaaZB2eahdG7LZa5IYBUnh1ozXhd0yVX2hl75RQZoKKyEDospbZg4fYKkofd09k8G044nSh-kOhPipWfPQvV9n5Q44wrFoqTPK3X4SX/w114-h171/IMG_0485.JPG" width="114" /></a></div>1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Big Dom</span></b>. When one hears a moniker like that, what's your immediate reaction? Soprano's character, right? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What'd be the second? <i>He's gotta be from Philadelphia</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bingo! From the city that gave us fans that throw snow balls at Santa Claus, a new vintage "yep, that sounds like Philly" moment... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifggWUUQohA-5MmNpAzd8oV3ONpgMxwcgm6Qxqd2VcH210qGj40kQwF3DvGVfTZAq62O-pe2lYefPKsP_tkgvcyHPK7mVufv5icrcZMWiyq0BR49uICNRbb2RUt49pynjqjqCHNli4sqYkliwMmTI6A_m7e5i7jLHGv3W5Dqd9q7umUy1gCgWh0RgCG1HF/s1200/Big%20Dom.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifggWUUQohA-5MmNpAzd8oV3ONpgMxwcgm6Qxqd2VcH210qGj40kQwF3DvGVfTZAq62O-pe2lYefPKsP_tkgvcyHPK7mVufv5icrcZMWiyq0BR49uICNRbb2RUt49pynjqjqCHNli4sqYkliwMmTI6A_m7e5i7jLHGv3W5Dqd9q7umUy1gCgWh0RgCG1HF/w378-h210/Big%20Dom.webp" width="378" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>To wit</u>: the Philadelphia Eagle's head of security, the aforementioned Dom DiSantro, thinking himself to be some kind of Lincoln Financial Field bouncer, inserts himself into a player fracas during a hotly contested game between the NFC's two best teams. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while it'd be a huge stretch to think Dom to be that strategic -- <i>hello, one doesn't get called 'Big Dom' for being a Mensa candidate</i> -- one has to give him credit for taking one for the team -- being ejected -- while getting a key 49'er LB'er kicked out as well.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9P1ZDJXrKywi4zAtc5oCRRu2rGj-WPv-Tt_QQtvrnPBTcLXwpvH0ZsEl8Al-4Pt3CMEwkKPoXl9jDwl2id2Rp5AbyKMRuoBjFluMbGB34_FPk2ScN3fQRic8v3vFxkskA5hi1FgC0gYYGqvehMQt5ok_8YjOPPOh8j8CHzzuhe_2T7cSBOr3Hxq7ZpBm/s400/dx39uc197ik31.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9P1ZDJXrKywi4zAtc5oCRRu2rGj-WPv-Tt_QQtvrnPBTcLXwpvH0ZsEl8Al-4Pt3CMEwkKPoXl9jDwl2id2Rp5AbyKMRuoBjFluMbGB34_FPk2ScN3fQRic8v3vFxkskA5hi1FgC0gYYGqvehMQt5ok_8YjOPPOh8j8CHzzuhe_2T7cSBOr3Hxq7ZpBm/s320/dx39uc197ik31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">BCS Playoff Committee</span></b>. One would have to imagine that if there's a group of people for which the 12-team college football playoff format CANNOT come quickly enough, it's got to be these guys. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now it's irrelevant whether one thinks the committee made the correct call (which this blogger actually does), the fact is some team was going to get BOHICA'd with more than a fair amount of justification for feeling wronged. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bummer! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone hates you, Committee, even those who made the playoffs (<i>see Michigan</i>).</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Deion Sanders</span></b>. The runaway recipient of the "I'm Due Back on Earth Now" award for most clueless, least self-aware comment of the year. From the man who's been an "It's All About Me" publicity machine since his days at FSU, this is just... wow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNhBI9vJBwPZAfDv0ONYu3feDOvGx7nDyMy1yRDj_AsGKZxJwl0LQGCXf-Z12YhVr1_3-kB8jkJp_BCQZXmPr7W1L-ir0iyWoFHc43kNBWgsNDywhS-qoqUtU6fE3ytXtsSn8hfMzoEZL3tu0B7ev3P_OZABG_Og1u_J0YqpyyWWLtFKLIwYmMSh22aFb/s1326/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-07%20at%201.27.37%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="1326" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNhBI9vJBwPZAfDv0ONYu3feDOvGx7nDyMy1yRDj_AsGKZxJwl0LQGCXf-Z12YhVr1_3-kB8jkJp_BCQZXmPr7W1L-ir0iyWoFHc43kNBWgsNDywhS-qoqUtU6fE3ytXtsSn8hfMzoEZL3tu0B7ev3P_OZABG_Og1u_J0YqpyyWWLtFKLIwYmMSh22aFb/w400-h96/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-07%20at%201.27.37%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sayeth coach Prime, "You always wish that you had a little more privacy. The same thing that makes you shine will show your blemishes."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How magnanimous of the Sports Illustated Man of the Year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Final Thought</span></h3></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw_SD_qYQ26eapsO9N0H4DJcAYgqc5EJJdHWOA2HmP51wCxvgi6hmQiCN9ZzGBGl5sFe21awJX5IhY6Q9oEBi7KlxpiIlk9WxvuHPZfULQ00bhwwzaToChQ4_H9Z4Vqb3B9c2mqYEEZBrDuB93IjTwGzL4EFhBDWMHmZXkdSc49NfmimfyiwFllM_D4x6/s1024/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-06%20at%2012.55.15%20PM.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw_SD_qYQ26eapsO9N0H4DJcAYgqc5EJJdHWOA2HmP51wCxvgi6hmQiCN9ZzGBGl5sFe21awJX5IhY6Q9oEBi7KlxpiIlk9WxvuHPZfULQ00bhwwzaToChQ4_H9Z4Vqb3B9c2mqYEEZBrDuB93IjTwGzL4EFhBDWMHmZXkdSc49NfmimfyiwFllM_D4x6/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-06%20at%2012.55.15%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's how Jerrence's future is looking - with any luck, the next blog will be fueled by flaky croissants and French wine (of which I'll try to make Mark U. identify the provenance).</div><div><br /></div><div><u><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">December</span></u> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01;">18</span><span> </span><span>Jerrence enters the portal (well, American Air) </span></div><div><span><span> </span><span> </span><i>Hello, Marbella!</i></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">29</span><span> <i>Bonjour </i></span><span><i>Paris! </i></span></span></div><div><span><span> Hanging with Shea and Jack</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><u>January</u></span></span></div><div><span><span><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">8</span><span> </span><span>Home - last year it took until March to write a final season blog. </span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span>So if one receives a wine-fueled blog that spends more time on the new additions at the Musee D'Orsay than Angeli's performance, consider it a win. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><i> <span style="color: #fcff01;">"</span></i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I want to miss you a Merry Christmas..."</span></i></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PvwbBkGasQg" width="320" youtube-src-id="PvwbBkGasQg"></iframe></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-13699083110536521162023-12-01T15:30:00.002-06:002023-12-03T10:30:02.361-06:00WF / Stanford: Jerrence In The Bardo<div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BhRh4ZULAsada9b7417tkP2FGfB3hr87SvkZ2RxgT9oGge8PXJUZHCjRWOy5GT2eDBsr20xvSGE2_HsFJq7dSaHlBwwf2VjE8nydvhMeUz5spzRqG0xmlnnWutB8gFL5Sqi1NJJSO5sSko1utDgPdJ-PCt7M-g0pULUtwLcKuC1GGFQrS6cVQygMxZEf/s1392/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-28%20at%202.53.07%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1392" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BhRh4ZULAsada9b7417tkP2FGfB3hr87SvkZ2RxgT9oGge8PXJUZHCjRWOy5GT2eDBsr20xvSGE2_HsFJq7dSaHlBwwf2VjE8nydvhMeUz5spzRqG0xmlnnWutB8gFL5Sqi1NJJSO5sSko1utDgPdJ-PCt7M-g0pULUtwLcKuC1GGFQrS6cVQygMxZEf/w640-h160/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-28%20at%202.53.07%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">When the sickness takes you...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">When the fever holds you...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">When your reason leaves you...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Tell me, how can you know?</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YfCYuhLebX4" width="320" youtube-src-id="YfCYuhLebX4"></iframe></div><br /> </div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZKekHUi4THJmM6lOwDds-vlQ8qJ1k2Hg2JTtfoMQ1svzFKANaYYJAxdZlDQlZ932dJJAmnI4i29JKQzFfXZaRpSHOS34et9z1y219BdEqT2PJoBL2ydAJ3xglySi56Y49GejudhW6ixpi6optb4tZyOxr3aeLVoS63XaTaX4_0v5KUdCKP6Zal0iMzvx/s1037/5cefd84a6ef6a_chernobyl_result-e1575379141470%202.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1037" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZKekHUi4THJmM6lOwDds-vlQ8qJ1k2Hg2JTtfoMQ1svzFKANaYYJAxdZlDQlZ932dJJAmnI4i29JKQzFfXZaRpSHOS34et9z1y219BdEqT2PJoBL2ydAJ3xglySi56Y49GejudhW6ixpi6optb4tZyOxr3aeLVoS63XaTaX4_0v5KUdCKP6Zal0iMzvx/s320/5cefd84a6ef6a_chernobyl_result-e1575379141470%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Would you like honey in your tea, dear?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Jerrence had no idea where Defarge got the Soviet Era hazmat suit. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But he knew she was a woman of uncommon resourcefulness - not to be trifled with. Between her Girl Scout contacts on the Dark Web and her prowess with FaceBook Marketplace, Jerrence wouldn't have been surprised to see an M1 Abrams tank (<i>"we needed one..."</i>) show up in the driveway some day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So he wasn't going to be asking questions that had no practical relevance anyway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And besides he had more pressing issues on his mind. Like, <i>literally</i> pressing: a splitting headache, sore throat and increasing fever and aches... all of which were rapidly making any fitful sleep impossible.</div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ever since he had tested positive for Covid -- the little purple bars on the self-test virtually screaming "Leper!" -- his wife had treated the sick room as basically Chernobyl Reactor #4, periodically monitoring Jerrence in an almost palliative fashion -- left unspoken was a "bummer for you but <i>I'm</i> not going down..." mercenary attitude. Although to be fair, it was tough to gauge her bedside manner under all the kit she was wearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />It wasn't until much later when he saw her laptop's search history, "controlled burn" being at the top of the list, that Jerrence understood just how aggressive Defarge was considering the required "remedial action." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Defarge's frugal spending habits suggested she thought herself a child of the Depression Era, now Jerrence was sure he had it wrong: she's more of a Black Plague Survivor kind of girl. And some virus-stricken spouse wasn't gonna ruin her holiday plans - she had the Costa del Sol and Paris in her sights. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUJ2-o4fi7Sw5oOC-qgRKvtfZisVoODQ-t1x6M_cY12kkOWKJmhQzkoU7_M78G7nn8Ty2Tteear0bbJE9O1udHgHOY-uhLkwzEQyWjvPN7cBAbD00vgDaYCl1kk5MsZ2GfDgVtBht5D011khSXljGZXtcMDlaIfDjhEQY5CmVikmPCAnIPvMZ4t81AqQC/s2970/IMG_4631.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUJ2-o4fi7Sw5oOC-qgRKvtfZisVoODQ-t1x6M_cY12kkOWKJmhQzkoU7_M78G7nn8Ty2Tteear0bbJE9O1udHgHOY-uhLkwzEQyWjvPN7cBAbD00vgDaYCl1kk5MsZ2GfDgVtBht5D011khSXljGZXtcMDlaIfDjhEQY5CmVikmPCAnIPvMZ4t81AqQC/s320/IMG_4631.jpeg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Notre Dame metaphor alert...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>J: Hey, hon... torching the bedroom seems a bit of an overreaction, yes? Can't we just launder the sheets? </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i>D: Don't worry, I think we can salvage the rest of the 2nd floor. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>J: Or we could just buy new ones...</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>The concept of a 'controlled burn' stayed with Jerrence through his convalescence, and as coherence became more normalized he returned to thoughts of blogging: it began to feel like a very apt metaphor for the tough decisions that ND football management was going to have to confront, post-2023 season. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were definitely areas that required cauterizing without setting the whole program aflame.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, the off-season was going to be very interesting. </div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></span></p><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzc36A2vjbt-MY-C6QVs1D5PQ_rnqIE6DA0HFlTamxbx9qHK0LwVFIKfDlJ5J-TcCdL-in4LNQjCBCmMXhRsI5qj9FrpmS2U49_MTf8oZ7abIYZyldbF0dW0ZEvbJauhrGr12VNPp2kEkrY7urnw7eRS48n7Q8PTvTqvFyhIFy07wKKHVGfWzxGux_3P3/s250/keith-moon-the-who.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="244" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzc36A2vjbt-MY-C6QVs1D5PQ_rnqIE6DA0HFlTamxbx9qHK0LwVFIKfDlJ5J-TcCdL-in4LNQjCBCmMXhRsI5qj9FrpmS2U49_MTf8oZ7abIYZyldbF0dW0ZEvbJauhrGr12VNPp2kEkrY7urnw7eRS48n7Q8PTvTqvFyhIFy07wKKHVGfWzxGux_3P3/s1600/keith-moon-the-who.gif" width="244" /></a></div>"If you could just bear with us for about three weeks -- we're just going to go and revive our drummer by punching him in the stomach. He's out cold..."</div><div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: right;"><i> </i>Peter Townshend</b></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"> </b></div></div></div></span></h1><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a 2023 Notre Dame offense analogy in there somewhere, I think.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelcBFjZookArwsGQjAlJu0UMMMphThqkomNU-QD_HZjxH1eauMmqsjhCpzAwwex2-VSEIoi0qopEo77NzmOW3dvBpco_EiPWGOaKZJ-8PkSSnxsqj9q3W4PYn_VgWrr7-0xQMl_mDwPqCriw4MGVSRhwxsWW2MsMWY_ghEvks_3hPq06cDNGw6L6KkA1u/s964/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-01%20at%201.53.41%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="964" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelcBFjZookArwsGQjAlJu0UMMMphThqkomNU-QD_HZjxH1eauMmqsjhCpzAwwex2-VSEIoi0qopEo77NzmOW3dvBpco_EiPWGOaKZJ-8PkSSnxsqj9q3W4PYn_VgWrr7-0xQMl_mDwPqCriw4MGVSRhwxsWW2MsMWY_ghEvks_3hPq06cDNGw6L6KkA1u/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-01%20at%201.53.41%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><span><u>Used in a sentence paragraph</u></span></span><span>: Young Jerrence, possibly still feeling the effects of his recent illness, couldn't quite believe what he was now reading: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">An insider reporting about a WR who's opted out,</span><span style="text-align: justify;">"He (the player) knows there is going to be change either way now. He'd rather just have more of a say in what that change will be."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">"More of a say?" WTF?! The odds are, the player is a freshman! Jerrence's mind reeled - he knew WR's were divas but this... while his synapses still weren't firing completely, a few words immediately sprung to mind about the unnamed athlete: rash, immature, <span style="color: #fcff01;">pusillanimous</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">He wondered, what ever happened to the notion of fighting through adversity?</span></div></span></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 11-12 Thoughts </span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>The battle outside ragin'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Will soon shake your windows</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And rattle your walls</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>For the times they are a-changin'</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/90WD_ats6eE" width="320" youtube-src-id="90WD_ats6eE"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So much information already flying around the internet - you don't need me to rehash all of it. Plus, dear reader, you already assuredly have your own summary thoughts about the season that was. Far be it from me to interfere with those. Here's a few of mine:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkKwvASjmK2SZDzLjnRGRawR0RG0fkfQxTDin7qr4GKnp2z2lNWZKpzndo_GMoURld51IB8IaF3vAslWnwgHnmdIebmn2LB7lL7mchgQOvDHw37mc5DgbYjBlKKEnIUAKNY62ZVp-Gsw22Rd99wHPUarsSPThi8zbvaup9FKjqoHsxSmuKI8LiduT00Hx/s731/IMG_3303.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="731" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkKwvASjmK2SZDzLjnRGRawR0RG0fkfQxTDin7qr4GKnp2z2lNWZKpzndo_GMoURld51IB8IaF3vAslWnwgHnmdIebmn2LB7lL7mchgQOvDHw37mc5DgbYjBlKKEnIUAKNY62ZVp-Gsw22Rd99wHPUarsSPThi8zbvaup9FKjqoHsxSmuKI8LiduT00Hx/w640-h458/IMG_3303.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Last home game tailgate: the mainstays. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Stayer</span></b>. A month shy of turning 67, the ND football season remains, for me, ultimately about friends. (Why do you think I write this drivel?) And to that end, <u>this year was outstanding</u>. Loved seeing everyone. Wish I saw you all more often. Love seeing everyone's</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> children, the grandchildren, the friends of friends, the people we met in Nashville bars... </span></div><div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jrm7Oad0vdVmabiJ0WE-ZjlLHeEUQCXisYbV-C964z4Tfg6-w2FFYPtDZLDJd2L9-fZM9gJXZPR71yco0918uQOSCimBAHoqXMgRWhPFcm5O7kRIestjCAWEH7MOGIVXfGXieQIzybrkt5pJb_f7V5v1UN66-Hd00lIB0_xKhdIYFDG1-Ajo_rJX93uh/s2048/IMG_4589.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jrm7Oad0vdVmabiJ0WE-ZjlLHeEUQCXisYbV-C964z4Tfg6-w2FFYPtDZLDJd2L9-fZM9gJXZPR71yco0918uQOSCimBAHoqXMgRWhPFcm5O7kRIestjCAWEH7MOGIVXfGXieQIzybrkt5pJb_f7V5v1UN66-Hd00lIB0_xKhdIYFDG1-Ajo_rJX93uh/s320/IMG_4589.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>We gotta talk about Sam</b></span>. The central character in this year's story, his final chapter yet to be written, let's call it what it was: not as good as we'd hoped on the field, could not have been better off of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We all kind of live (and die) by the wins and losses but it still is a kick to me to see our athletes be articulate, demonstrate good sportsmanship, show class... </div><div><br /></div><div>Hartman's waiting outside the Duke medical tent to offer some consolation to opposing (and future ND?) QB Leonard might actually be my favorite moment of the year. </div><div><br /></div><div>And Hartman's enthusiasm for being at ND never seemed faked. He was here only one year but that he still gets Notre Dame Man to me. Sorry, coach Clawson.</div><div><br /></div><div>Consider him a big plus for this year.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGDqkSIa-XBgYbrZ36DS1tOGIne4v0dxuJIMjC7cB67QgIk6TEpblMBsn5Gbg8_WseSYcEqDCb5Lf78yKH2HRxzCFuCwGcmbaGINuWLKvgw61RkNMciMbJvpPizozHPCWb_ajL2v-I9vgi_hqbJb1uv2cQZQZbKV6-se1X88Bwuaht8367DakUiX4WNoh/s2047/IMG_4621.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1778" data-original-width="2047" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGDqkSIa-XBgYbrZ36DS1tOGIne4v0dxuJIMjC7cB67QgIk6TEpblMBsn5Gbg8_WseSYcEqDCb5Lf78yKH2HRxzCFuCwGcmbaGINuWLKvgw61RkNMciMbJvpPizozHPCWb_ajL2v-I9vgi_hqbJb1uv2cQZQZbKV6-se1X88Bwuaht8367DakUiX4WNoh/s320/IMG_4621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We gotta talk about the coaches</span></b>. <i>"Chansi, we hardly knew ye." </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's fair to say this season had already become something of a referendum of Freeman's leadership abilities, in-game decision making notwithstanding. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The off season has amplified that spotlight on him, his staff and the chemistry within.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Personally, I'd be cautious about drawing too many dystopian conclusions to all of the portal activity - and its implication re the coaches. Not that it's going to stop any of the message board knuckleheads from playing Chicken Little.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Freeman doesn't strike one as a rash decision maker, maybe new to some of the decisions but not one that doesn't do the critical thinking. So maybe we let this play out at least through January? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then panic.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">We gotta talk about recruiting</span></b>. Lost in all of this week's turmoil is how strong - and seemingly (!) solid - this year's recruiting class appears to be. As is the Class of '25, witness today's commitment by stud safety Ivan Taylor.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbyFp1D5RvVCdMRVdBOiB_7qCU6mdegv4SL64YjO805HrmW5Uvg1FHt3WNeokQhl6g_-dkvLlgJGSx9kBQVj2KLxg3VxrRAzXXvQxSvd1S19yqJAhKXbQ5N_em2SlN7s5WWAMqjbj4dAdXB7QcPCA6Em0mnmF702a0-w9rXUjb6mrnu6eacs6Geb0le_/s1370/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-01%20at%202.05.28%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1370" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbyFp1D5RvVCdMRVdBOiB_7qCU6mdegv4SL64YjO805HrmW5Uvg1FHt3WNeokQhl6g_-dkvLlgJGSx9kBQVj2KLxg3VxrRAzXXvQxSvd1S19yqJAhKXbQ5N_em2SlN7s5WWAMqjbj4dAdXB7QcPCA6Em0mnmF702a0-w9rXUjb6mrnu6eacs6Geb0le_/w467-h289/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-01%20at%202.05.28%20PM.png" width="467" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Net</u>: The Lord, or NIL, giveth. And the Lord, or NIL, taketh away. College football has gotten very confusing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TfJFo2kV75k7f3E40qJbpGlpvXPraQWUCBL3kxI7wthwjkTiWtvbR4ka3Fj_-glihSLo34yLMMMh7gv4maSSLuTxDNv7FNMWHNq-VWN9hIUTcDyVjo-K4byXZH2rgInPuIbyXwsu572XwSsoZsZR1GWizlDKBxBhBZnpCBFKOCERxgekS-okpt9fG4tO/s800/Portal.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TfJFo2kV75k7f3E40qJbpGlpvXPraQWUCBL3kxI7wthwjkTiWtvbR4ka3Fj_-glihSLo34yLMMMh7gv4maSSLuTxDNv7FNMWHNq-VWN9hIUTcDyVjo-K4byXZH2rgInPuIbyXwsu572XwSsoZsZR1GWizlDKBxBhBZnpCBFKOCERxgekS-okpt9fG4tO/s320/Portal.webp" width="320" /></a></div>We gotta talk about the portal</span></b>. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There is absolutely no value in bitching about it. It's here and it's not going anywhere. We're already seeing kids bail - some possibly surprising (Staes?) and many not so much (Merriweather).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hey, it's a new ballgame - much like when free agency came to the pro's - and it's going to stress football programs / athletic departments / Admissions in ways they maybe never saw coming - though they should now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And to be relatively objective, ND has not played the portal game badly<i> to-date</i> (being the opperative word) - likely more beneficiary (Hartman, Jean-Baptiste, Harper, Shrader) than penalized (even losing Logan Diggs in the RB room didn't seem so bad).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who are the winners? The sports writers, for one! Talk about a content-rich environment... on the particular ND site I subscribe to, as one not inclined to over reaction, I find it amusing to see the posters (many of which I'm convinced still live in their mother's basements) whinge about a possible ND portal recruit not being good enough - and then if / when they don't sign, complain that the administration TOTALLY dropped the ball. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Welcome, indeed, to the Silly Season. Buckle up.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Eye of a hurricane</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Listen to yourself churn...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z0GFRcFm-aY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Z0GFRcFm-aY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><h3 style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></b></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Given that this post is something of a 2-fer, I see no reason why Buddy can't have a few pals this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for the nominating committee, the awards should be pretty unequivocal, since both stood out in both games.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love it when that happens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So without further adieu... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Javontae Jean-Baptiste.</span> Frankly, he should get this recognition just on his name alone. But otherwise has been arguably the best DL for the Irish all year long. And his blocked kick return - featuring the Stiff Arm of the Year (2:50'ish mark <span style="color: #fcff01;">below</span>) - was icing on the cake.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Audric Estime</span>. Remember back when we were all bumming over focusing almost solely on getting Will Shipley's commitment and ultimately, having to settle for Estime? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yeah, about that... what a player, what a representative of the university.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCVfo11PsX0" width="320" youtube-src-id="XCVfo11PsX0"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh and one last shout out: we rarely, if ever, recognize the coaches but it seems apropos to hail the job <span style="color: #fcff01;">Al Golden</span> did this year, Defensive Coordinaire extraordinaire and living embodiment if Louis Tully segued into a football career instead of becoming the Ghostbusters' accountant. Snubbed for the Broyles award - ridiculous - he nonetheless had ND ranked 8th in total defense despite having zero high draft choices (Ben Morrison notwithstanding) playing. <i>Bravo, Al / Louis</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQP9aHTVUSxrH4ECsjrDiT3QkRUJdr18Y4U_oGcgdKHrSayl2G61Jk_yWEsYB3jy-1xOWU7MKVTNxbwbOSnzxYY7KEDM6J9CWs3fJOZ6vuYv01wouO6LOTLuWVNNGirJ_nfeTkQDRzqOecuqmqkpWaruCKV8-4SrVs0-OWhDvLF_tqZNZR7SvfJyMhkm_/s1356/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-29%20at%2012.12.19%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1356" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQP9aHTVUSxrH4ECsjrDiT3QkRUJdr18Y4U_oGcgdKHrSayl2G61Jk_yWEsYB3jy-1xOWU7MKVTNxbwbOSnzxYY7KEDM6J9CWs3fJOZ6vuYv01wouO6LOTLuWVNNGirJ_nfeTkQDRzqOecuqmqkpWaruCKV8-4SrVs0-OWhDvLF_tqZNZR7SvfJyMhkm_/w400-h204/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-29%20at%2012.12.19%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And since we're on the subject of Life Imitating Art...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-5utOqYM0im0wPYcuUTDaj2YK1g7qqGCasnIssIuHzt9uqfkKrMjioGIaktdFcRkT3qBTC-CiF3NKNL0VyFFp0l6Giy9CnYgi0zBhOuw91kP4u3AUJc4yOnbDfS3x7nynwByeJNxAxk_tVI7L0v16UyeqFtCF5vpYJWgyjXTWvfukHWJWDAc2vfkC4wK/s962/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-28%20at%204.49.15%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="962" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-5utOqYM0im0wPYcuUTDaj2YK1g7qqGCasnIssIuHzt9uqfkKrMjioGIaktdFcRkT3qBTC-CiF3NKNL0VyFFp0l6Giy9CnYgi0zBhOuw91kP4u3AUJc4yOnbDfS3x7nynwByeJNxAxk_tVI7L0v16UyeqFtCF5vpYJWgyjXTWvfukHWJWDAc2vfkC4wK/w400-h290/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-28%20at%204.49.15%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I would imagine that Mr. Sampson's mailbag overfloweth these days.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unless you're a BCS playoff-bound (or under consideration) program, there is <i>a lot</i> of chaos in college football.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And within the ND program</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where to start?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How about with what everyone is probably asking themselves WTF</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Why the about-face from Marcus Freeman stressing the importance of offensive continuity, then letting go of Chansi Stuckey shortly after? Also, how much of the wide receiver roster issue this season falls on Stuckey? The cupboard was quite bare following Del Alexander, and while I would have liked to have seen more growth from <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tobias-merriweather-lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tobias Merriweather</a> I would say the wide receiver recruiting the last two cycles has been strong. — Quinn O.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From a process point of view, it’s difficult to understand why Freeman handled the situation like he did. Either he wasn’t honest on Monday when he pushed the idea of consistency or he didn’t know the receivers weren’t developing. The former wouldn’t be the first time a head coach wasn’t completely truthful in the media (a professional hazard, I get it). The latter would be a red flag of program management. Neither are good outcomes, but the first option is palatable. The second would give me concerns that go well beyond whether Merriweather is developing or not.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You’re right that the roster situation Stuckey inherited was a disaster, which the coaching staff knew. The receivers didn’t take the full step forward Notre Dame needed with <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sam-hartman-ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Sam Hartman</a>, which feels wasteful considering the investment in the graduate transfer quarterback. How much of that is on Stuckey? Some, for sure. But didn’t <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="jhIQQoy60Ce5gCXS" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/chris-tyree-jhIQQoy60Ce5gCXS/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Chris Tyree</a> go from a bit part to a lead role this season? Much of that credit goes to Tyree, but Stuckey helped. Stuckey had <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="52XJootIlN2fgSTi" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-greathouse-52XJootIlN2fgSTi/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Greathouse</a> and Rico Flores ready to go against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="163" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/navy-midshipmen-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Navy</a>. Yes, they came from sophisticated offenses in high school, but that’s not enough to get a freshman wide receiver prepped for college. When injuries devastated the position — <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="O7Vonm7Lf4FN1sB0" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jayden-thomas-O7Vonm7Lf4FN1sB0/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jayden Thomas</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="ya3zEWbQOByMCzam" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/deion-colzie-ya3zEWbQOByMCzam/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Deion Colzie</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="fmWW8ODBafLiwCpF" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/matt-salerno-fmWW8ODBafLiwCpF/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Matt Salerno</a>, Greathouse — it made a bad situation almost unworkable. Merriweather clearly did not develop, but it’s not like Stuckey didn’t keep giving him chances despite very little return on that investment of reps.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So yes, the cupboard was quite picked over the past couple of years. For a freshman to lead the receivers in snaps is not healthy. Oddly, the biggest mistake Stuckey made was with a player who didn’t see a snap. Notre Dame needed <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="rm1Pf7Uzb34IUqK9" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/kaleb-smith-rm1Pf7Uzb34IUqK9/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Kaleb Smith</a> from <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="171" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/virginia-tech-hokies-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Virginia Tech</a> to be a reliable boundary receiver for Hartman. Instead, he walked away from football in April.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What makes the decision on Stuckey even more perplexing is that his recruiting was at a level that was getting Notre Dame closer to having a <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="9" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">College Football</a> Playoff-caliber receiver room. And he recruited into the headwinds of a run-first offense where receivers had just one 100-yard game over two years and quarterbacks finished with less than 200 yards passing roughly half the time. And his evaluation of the freshman class appears to have hit on Flores, Greathouse and Faison. That’s a good conversion rate, even if <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="p7wk1oGTjQK1wCus" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/braylon-james-p7wk1oGTjQK1wCus/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Braylon James</a> was a huge miss. Sources indicated during spring practice that James was incredibly raw and wouldn’t factor this fall. He didn’t.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look, there are three sides to every story. I’ve heard some version of all of them this week (and a few others). And it’s still hard to figure out exactly what happened.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom line, Notre Dame shouldn’t have a hard time attracting a quality wide receivers coach. But it’s going to have a hell of a time rebuilding a quality wide receiver room because of this move.</span></p><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> Source: The Athletic</span></i></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>December</i></span><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> 1, 2023</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">If ever a drink needed to have a medicinal benefit, it'd be this week. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And given the state of this blogger's mental acuity (or lack thereof), the piece of literature associated to that drink also needs to have lots and lots of pictures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Simple ones. With primary colors. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much like this blog.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Goodnight Moonshine</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Goodnight Moon (1947)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>by Margaret Wise Brown</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9zgexPRF4dgh6fgZq7IqvSluc2b28sTH7JuX-7bdnSr39jii6TVidIaElo2CclOw1fbhqEeNLYsTT3VHoblc21_ldOwMXzjWiuESfuzVxuqQh92ksr3QGZfO8aTWnZJok8QWTQba_Xz86Gf9Aom-iiLJhgYqdKYTh4h9iGHsGZPOYqdbVtUaTPj5gd1G/s750/goodnight-moon-robin-wiesneth.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9zgexPRF4dgh6fgZq7IqvSluc2b28sTH7JuX-7bdnSr39jii6TVidIaElo2CclOw1fbhqEeNLYsTT3VHoblc21_ldOwMXzjWiuESfuzVxuqQh92ksr3QGZfO8aTWnZJok8QWTQba_Xz86Gf9Aom-iiLJhgYqdKYTh4h9iGHsGZPOYqdbVtUaTPj5gd1G/s320/goodnight-moon-robin-wiesneth.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br />While it's hard to imagine anything as tender as Goodnight Moon being groundbreaking, at the time of its publication nearly all children's books focused on fairy tales or moralistic stories. </div><div><br /></div><div>Margaret Wise Brown, who had studied early childhood development, had a hunch that young children would enjoy a close look at the everyday objects that made up their little lives - though not everyone understood what the author was going for, at first.</div><div><br /></div><div>With millions of books sold and even more bedtimes hastened, Wise Brown gets the last laugh - and yawn. You will, too, with a sleepy-time drink that'll send you jumping (or snoring) over the moon.</div></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z6ZtQG5AQKGTWTndmgp02-eGxBNyvsdQLaiTXcrvMH-2dmWSnq7rVFfJMwI28YR_Rz8r_IHWq7EXauX_3wca3Js4jL8MCvL_CfFDE1C-ioWoPQedxFTreuaAoJS6yieZSR6eap3lVdptqNdYrFeTtNzChp2G_WD42Sp39s33OXwv6AtbEz3cT9heNLST/s248/chivas.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="248" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z6ZtQG5AQKGTWTndmgp02-eGxBNyvsdQLaiTXcrvMH-2dmWSnq7rVFfJMwI28YR_Rz8r_IHWq7EXauX_3wca3Js4jL8MCvL_CfFDE1C-ioWoPQedxFTreuaAoJS6yieZSR6eap3lVdptqNdYrFeTtNzChp2G_WD42Sp39s33OXwv6AtbEz3cT9heNLST/w200-h164/chivas.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>* 2 oz. whiskey </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 4 oz. brewed camomile tea </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 3 oz. warm milk</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 1 oz. honey </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Warm the whiskey for :20 in the microwave. Place all the ingredients in a mug and stir with a spoon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Serve with a Moonpie.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird </i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twists</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>W</b></span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i><strike>STRONG?</strike></i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Do close your eyes to see miracles?</span></i></div><div><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Do you raise your face to kiss angels?</i></div><div><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Do you float on air to hear oracles?</i></div><div><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4ZvvGP0yVY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Y4ZvvGP0yVY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Congratulations to the 10 fellows below who accurately forecasted a 9-win season. I'm sure there's a level of conflicted-ness to your success. Get over it - you shouldn't have picked nine wins in the first place if it was gonna make you feel bad. That's just masochistic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In any event, I'll be sending out the tie-breaker pool as soon as the bowl pairings come out. (It'll be the same contest as we've done historically: pick a bunch of the bowls with the spread + a few English major / pop culture trivia questions that your grandchildren could easily google the answer to. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Otherwise, <u><span style="color: #fcff01;">for those below whose name is not highlighted, I'd appreciate it if you could send me your $25 entry fee</span></u>. (And if you gave me the money and I forgot, of course let me know.)</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B.</span>, Bryan</strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, George, Feif</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Blair</span></strike></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One might've thought that, Jerrence having gone through a relatively significant virus, tippy toeing through The Bardo, where one confronts revenants who reveal to him What's Important In Life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And like Marley's ghost, they'd surely tell Jerrence, "Hey maybe you want to lighten up on taking such a visceral thrill out of other's misfortune. Life's too short. After all, it's just a game, those teams are filled with players who have families too..."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You might think that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You'd be wrong. But it's a nice thought. Good for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsPm316VmsOIKHbqPHjN6hFgOOyW3hwt9ia-mHCehyphenhyphenXDcgE2z0ORIcHpxpPu7fYbgi0qfgoLnxpU5lAq1IUCqwW7sZjzbDLjNTImy8Qg2LzJghm2LkiAP7MQPyUItMhQeOgn-5F8Bf4fkTxPAzSilzITkDnqehtx5oD_fyDOm9qqNgf9uAbP4dmrSGFgi/s168/images.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="168" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsPm316VmsOIKHbqPHjN6hFgOOyW3hwt9ia-mHCehyphenhyphenXDcgE2z0ORIcHpxpPu7fYbgi0qfgoLnxpU5lAq1IUCqwW7sZjzbDLjNTImy8Qg2LzJghm2LkiAP7MQPyUItMhQeOgn-5F8Bf4fkTxPAzSilzITkDnqehtx5oD_fyDOm9qqNgf9uAbP4dmrSGFgi/s1600/images.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">2nd? No fear of <i>that</i>. </span></td></tr></tbody></table>1) USC</span></b>. Going into the ND game, the Trojans were 6-0. Ended the season 7-5 and needed to score 50 points (against Cal) to win the one game they did. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, Lincoln, you have some esplainin' to dooooo...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">BTW, the blog's first annual <span style="color: #fcff01;">Little Miss Schadenfreude </span>award goes to... <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mary Flaherty</span>. I have never seen anyone quite as euphoric as Mary, post-USC loss to UCLA. So proud of you, Mar. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReAPFFCoyQAArOD0JKdRLfGhHSKN8fwghDhwLZZLzNC8TBD98-rVpEEtEgN1eKdak0QJCzd5Wt4S6UGJoe_7J_olTeF2xt3SasRKVGiYcfof-swjHdMqXdjawri50Tne7mflY0RFcPI7Fs-t-xkGSkoFS-GdUXPo0ck_nueNNFVYuBm4dNlJ8lrf0c09F/s225/download.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReAPFFCoyQAArOD0JKdRLfGhHSKN8fwghDhwLZZLzNC8TBD98-rVpEEtEgN1eKdak0QJCzd5Wt4S6UGJoe_7J_olTeF2xt3SasRKVGiYcfof-swjHdMqXdjawri50Tne7mflY0RFcPI7Fs-t-xkGSkoFS-GdUXPo0ck_nueNNFVYuBm4dNlJ8lrf0c09F/w200-h200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">The Ohio State</span>. While it distresses this writer to have anything good to say about Michigan - and one can only hope there's karma coming in the playoffs / off-season... but it's fair to say that just about the only guy having a worse November than coach Riley is Ryan Day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I'm here for it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">UM <i>didn't even throw a pass</i> in the 2nd half against your Buckeyes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Wolverines basically treated your team like they were Nebraska.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2) Auburn.</span> </b></span><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><i style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span> Of course I wanted you to beat Bama. 4th and goal from the 31! Probability of winning at that point? 99.9%. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span>And yet. You had to go with the 2 man rush, give the Tide's QB FOREVER and single cover their lead WR. If ever a team deserved to lose, you're it. Divine intervention wasn't even necessary...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nSRwzJGKiw0" width="320" youtube-src-id="nSRwzJGKiw0"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m58grbHrjHjnGwM0K7O1_eGvRc_tNaYQvuaLCYqd5KhzCdeSh6sU-OjmK47-DtyTc-y8Rttv8O4D3_vzYlWQO5Gv6XSjTKxSM0OlVF7HAmrlTqcm91p_CiXdWicrPR-J5IfJMclSaKofJnTqg4cInRYfLWr2eDerFQaQe6sEM_vbR3hXx_ioy7FLvB6f/s707/Jets.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="707" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m58grbHrjHjnGwM0K7O1_eGvRc_tNaYQvuaLCYqd5KhzCdeSh6sU-OjmK47-DtyTc-y8Rttv8O4D3_vzYlWQO5Gv6XSjTKxSM0OlVF7HAmrlTqcm91p_CiXdWicrPR-J5IfJMclSaKofJnTqg4cInRYfLWr2eDerFQaQe6sEM_vbR3hXx_ioy7FLvB6f/s320/Jets.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>3) J-E-T Jets! </i></span></b><span><span> I haven't forgotten about you! You've become, basically, the professional equivalent of Iowa: a great defense and an offense that couldn't score against a strong wind. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>And the cacophony of New Yorkers weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth - as the actual football being virtually unwatchable - is sweet, sweet music.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>As for Aaron ("no one's paying attention to me!") Rodgers, keep pushing that "I'm coming back" narrative... </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>Behind that Offensive line, it'll be must see TV if you do return. Like a train wreck.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>4) Colorado</span></b>. Much like USC, you started the year so strong... 3-0 and ended it 4-8. The program seems to have recruits de-committing in droves but coach Prime, I'm sure you're not bothered. The year's been a success for <i>you.</i> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t2LIXf2cBuUX6RHhqGns2KfVHNGbog7avKzg8JrfUDA9rlrFvBCEu006DWhh75MslRyWxcSqOlWysfoRvwfBPPnafJ1sHTjJ0V33whUEEs1iJDTE6Zv9-7AnfM9Gy95V8nIsz6p07py-gfLTgVWHFST8aTeQjOaqts5KxqPefrHq2dlB5eqM5cl4ejgx/s1200/deion.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="921" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t2LIXf2cBuUX6RHhqGns2KfVHNGbog7avKzg8JrfUDA9rlrFvBCEu006DWhh75MslRyWxcSqOlWysfoRvwfBPPnafJ1sHTjJ0V33whUEEs1iJDTE6Zv9-7AnfM9Gy95V8nIsz6p07py-gfLTgVWHFST8aTeQjOaqts5KxqPefrHq2dlB5eqM5cl4ejgx/s320/deion.jpeg" width="246" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><b>Terry's Tools.</b></span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember when one used to hear the adage that our country is one big melting pot?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then some smart ass - probably a General Program major - said, "no it's more like a toss salad - where every group is mixed together but retains its individuality..." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ugh. How very Anne Blanford of that person. (I didn't <u>feel</u> the toss salad, I didn't <u>taste</u> the toss salad, I <i>was</i> the toss salad...)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I digress. The truth is, the variety in this week's Tools is the very essence of a Tool toss salad. And not a Dillon Tool toss salad either -- which, come to think about it, would probably be a pretty interesting dish. One envisions an unusual raspberry vinaigrette, some esoteric fruits and cheeses with a Chilean wine that would pair perfectly with it. Yum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where was I?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Senator Blutarsky 7 Years of College Down The Drain award</b></span>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN56uT7NKmvE07rBwpS-rRhdRasjWDAuNR0UnGlD_mkcBQFfscM-E5NxMEnp7AsOZXWLWUDaShyphenhyphen2WmMQI-m46Le8k2RhDsdzLNTjLkAZQ-rMdVrxkiW9HvCWm2KQynmcMDoODPf74J15Pa8O10of-XJSaZNzpaLSfv3YQmREy9TuCAN8xlYJzoZC1-6Oh/s1076/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-14%20at%204.45.11%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1076" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN56uT7NKmvE07rBwpS-rRhdRasjWDAuNR0UnGlD_mkcBQFfscM-E5NxMEnp7AsOZXWLWUDaShyphenhyphen2WmMQI-m46Le8k2RhDsdzLNTjLkAZQ-rMdVrxkiW9HvCWm2KQynmcMDoODPf74J15Pa8O10of-XJSaZNzpaLSfv3YQmREy9TuCAN8xlYJzoZC1-6Oh/w400-h272/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-14%20at%204.45.11%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2) </span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Biggest Douche in Europe award</span>.</b> <i>Dale Houghton, come on down</i>. As if British football supporters didn't already have a well deserved rep for being complete reprobates...</div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX07vgaPYa1PZihyphenhyphen-ferlKyTMn2ZCnk2v2EM8IoS2I66CZRMdS5HeC4vYbT89fgruavfQJpJtbSQDwQeXAmbsdP8RfdguP1STPXdmpY9_fjKqOtFaamBFoW4oJHie1eBusc5HIS-5DawUvVuB0AIva34w69PuJNz0tW6pVhNQX0RFG18TJ3sbQeE7RGgH/s1969/IMG_4594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX07vgaPYa1PZihyphenhyphen-ferlKyTMn2ZCnk2v2EM8IoS2I66CZRMdS5HeC4vYbT89fgruavfQJpJtbSQDwQeXAmbsdP8RfdguP1STPXdmpY9_fjKqOtFaamBFoW4oJHie1eBusc5HIS-5DawUvVuB0AIva34w69PuJNz0tW6pVhNQX0RFG18TJ3sbQeE7RGgH/w230-h400/IMG_4594.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3) </span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Not Dead, Just Restin' award</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span>The headline: <i>"Crematorium Finds 90 Year Old Woman Still Alive in Body Bag After Being Pronounced Dead."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oops.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMDmdFwXRMiZw3ckjjjtCs57KW9ey3TV2LncHWhnpxAqYoBFyqqT6pUhOOEI8j2Tz0LFeg_w3YSby6mghx7LcaIG_T9HIsclbNgAeYtnhQvqBPxis898W9T_GN3eQmkfBIS-rj-7kZJjItn-XboF2bjbymNLCDXRC0_ZvflGDqNMPIDkY5cLiQzFNQ3WL/s380/notdeadyetpython%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="380" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMDmdFwXRMiZw3ckjjjtCs57KW9ey3TV2LncHWhnpxAqYoBFyqqT6pUhOOEI8j2Tz0LFeg_w3YSby6mghx7LcaIG_T9HIsclbNgAeYtnhQvqBPxis898W9T_GN3eQmkfBIS-rj-7kZJjItn-XboF2bjbymNLCDXRC0_ZvflGDqNMPIDkY5cLiQzFNQ3WL/s320/notdeadyetpython%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The details: 90 year old Norma Silveira da Silva had been admitted to a hospital in Brazil in very poor condition (<i>ya think?!</i>). The hospital reportedly issued a death certificate later that evening, having succumbed to a 'urinary tract infection.' </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A crematorium staffer subsequently collected her body a few hours later and noticed that her body was still warm to the touch. When he opened the bag she was breathing very weakly - and as she was no longer conscious, she couldn't ask for help... tried to breathe and couldn't.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, yeah, she did ultimately die. And as one might expect, the family is not happy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Dodged A Bullet award</b></span>. Meet Dante Moore, 5-star recruit and serial NIL grifter. He of the standout 11 TD, 9 INT freshman year (including three Pick 6's)... in the portal. Who could've seen that coming?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj7j494JCx1nW-mww6iBJuV_UjzQ5bnVkfqJC4o3DkdlHD_3054WtIsvD8gTY6XVW1hFKj97D7JaYLJAroXwnZ7jPA-w-YMXXzH0nEXauZKEF02VhdE8ocgkp-CTm3Mw-5Qlv0vglpr-f8eC8s9yYKFk72YaDUUBhBb3EB-GsSFr6lWIeqb8ZCcqdhVKF/s1555/Dante%20Moore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1244" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj7j494JCx1nW-mww6iBJuV_UjzQ5bnVkfqJC4o3DkdlHD_3054WtIsvD8gTY6XVW1hFKj97D7JaYLJAroXwnZ7jPA-w-YMXXzH0nEXauZKEF02VhdE8ocgkp-CTm3Mw-5Qlv0vglpr-f8eC8s9yYKFk72YaDUUBhBb3EB-GsSFr6lWIeqb8ZCcqdhVKF/s320/Dante%20Moore.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Look out JT Daniels, someone's gunning for your transfer track record! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">PS: <u>Grandma Moore's take on Dante's UCLA experience</u>: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<span style="text-align: left;">Chip Kelly was on the way to ruining my grandson. I thank God Dante saw it almost immediately. There was no room for a pocket passer at UCLA. The plays he called for Dante were ridiculous. He honestly didn't know how to coach or call plays where Dante could light up the field. You never got to see the real Dante. I do wish UCLA the best but you'll never succeed until the administration accepts that Chip Kelly is embarrassing the entire program and school."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So what I hear you saying, maam, is you're not a Chip Kelly fan? The mind reels if you would've had the Gerad Parker Experience.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Does That Mean My Offer Is Rescinded award?</span></b> Speaking of UCLA... not a great month for the program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH0H3o1meMPJbo363VN4XnlZtvOGkeLIibYrTVumXo8amjy4CrdNrxUMCox2umzHG5c-6VsOSHX7yX1hTZat0Jy8FIKFFjqvQPnLplKITuvfLIGOBPGxd4dWE68DBMv-hbML6-xpzcJ1jKHbK_RKlvo9mGO4kBGY8McNtX-9_OU5kkL9LxXQ-GPSZRY0r/s1122/IMG_4564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1122" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH0H3o1meMPJbo363VN4XnlZtvOGkeLIibYrTVumXo8amjy4CrdNrxUMCox2umzHG5c-6VsOSHX7yX1hTZat0Jy8FIKFFjqvQPnLplKITuvfLIGOBPGxd4dWE68DBMv-hbML6-xpzcJ1jKHbK_RKlvo9mGO4kBGY8McNtX-9_OU5kkL9LxXQ-GPSZRY0r/s320/IMG_4564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">6) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">You Can't Fix Stupid award.</span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSqWjat0DzwbxcNrlNX5HJkRTMlQbI8i1Z_mM-aLHmxVOLEsg8rFp_pi8UZiDbDK-SmV51jFJPht84NTo1Oo4UPd3NqDUiJfUuRIOSPyS4ldcswQZvp4CaCznHt8LfgS464vhbz_dCSmWwEiiaiw_gjVCf-LJQP7lv2oWw1tH8vX3YnAA5m0U9-37l8OS/s1035/IMG_4563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="1035" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSqWjat0DzwbxcNrlNX5HJkRTMlQbI8i1Z_mM-aLHmxVOLEsg8rFp_pi8UZiDbDK-SmV51jFJPht84NTo1Oo4UPd3NqDUiJfUuRIOSPyS4ldcswQZvp4CaCznHt8LfgS464vhbz_dCSmWwEiiaiw_gjVCf-LJQP7lv2oWw1tH8vX3YnAA5m0U9-37l8OS/s320/IMG_4563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div>December 4: Portal opens.</div><div><br /></div><div>December 20: Early signing day.</div><div><br /></div><div>January 1: Bowl game.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><i>And God knows what happens in between... </i></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-62004596848348845122023-11-09T11:45:00.001-06:002023-11-09T12:08:40.055-06:00Clemson: Back to The Future<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Black hole sun, won't you come</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And wash away the rain...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3mbBbFH9fAg" width="320" youtube-src-id="3mbBbFH9fAg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Cleveland, OH</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV90ULj38fQPfHEhzv10NdS4p0N2LgTXG13xoP8Yhfdk2kLEaBzJiRIR960KVgNPKNEpjOnmEulj7ZH5hDASBty8fjLNZU_8vIQ-s9HTD5TjKF0xF4Fl29jrIzxXb2Yn1URWaOFmKBGXYkjd9FHHsFidmTgqMCEZ9aLjcgJEJTprMfSKGXvEgDycG6LQw/s1567/IMG_20231103_145459611%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1567" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV90ULj38fQPfHEhzv10NdS4p0N2LgTXG13xoP8Yhfdk2kLEaBzJiRIR960KVgNPKNEpjOnmEulj7ZH5hDASBty8fjLNZU_8vIQ-s9HTD5TjKF0xF4Fl29jrIzxXb2Yn1URWaOFmKBGXYkjd9FHHsFidmTgqMCEZ9aLjcgJEJTprMfSKGXvEgDycG6LQw/s320/IMG_20231103_145459611%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You know it wasn't a particularly stellar weekend when a funeral service represents the high point. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And when that same weekend ends with your wife dragging you to the Taylor Swift movie -- ~3 Hours of off-putting "I'm a billionaire and you're not and yet you still love me" affectations, impressive choreography, gratuitous shots of teenage girls LOSING THEIR MINDS and songs that don't seem especially differentiated -- just because she could play the "you owe me" card. Unclear as to when my equity went into a negative balance with Defarge. Best not to inquire, I suppose.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Regardless, the concert's extraordinary level of preparation for a 3 hr. show did suggest Ms. Swift could be an immediate Offensive Coordinator upgrade tomorrow. Then again, one could probably say the same thing about Gruley. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In any event, the flick was the perfect, most fitting, coda to an interesting four days. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not that there weren't legitimate highlights from the Corrigans' urban plunge:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* The mini-<span style="color: #fcff01;">Grace Hall reunion</span>. Did Julie not know anyone from any other men's dorm?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHi5B2KZYcMcUni4KZwpI5mYt887BOYtKVpKJuoEaqHGd5ddaQzrVHh1Zkl3lDRSwK-5a8Ml0V1N5eQrsxc5mtHhyYoILRQwFzdEx0ReUzutffTSrKjLOLo77n5DtFowzG1V1b5S6wMWuOIIma81f9CKvCNVKVSjGm4eIJiAE3TIGMvWCSeGX78IccWhr/s2384/IMG_20231103_141333389%202.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2384" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHi5B2KZYcMcUni4KZwpI5mYt887BOYtKVpKJuoEaqHGd5ddaQzrVHh1Zkl3lDRSwK-5a8Ml0V1N5eQrsxc5mtHhyYoILRQwFzdEx0ReUzutffTSrKjLOLo77n5DtFowzG1V1b5S6wMWuOIIma81f9CKvCNVKVSjGm4eIJiAE3TIGMvWCSeGX78IccWhr/w640-h378/IMG_20231103_141333389%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Anybody seen Lini?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh7TkfW4b4Wsdsu6nJ83bckmG048xpJNyjtmmRwWFFdltTM1V9P4IupVSDDGhhmTrswvcIbQGBDixgccc39uy88dY_PBB0uAxolf8HQYiIT5v7bTFRv5aprIY6bu82yctfnR4Skl7HRMpwE0IeTcSmWU_BAzt183QSt-a_hNWvlRnhfI9sheZyTuZgM9W/s3256/IMG_4553.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3256" data-original-width="2464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh7TkfW4b4Wsdsu6nJ83bckmG048xpJNyjtmmRwWFFdltTM1V9P4IupVSDDGhhmTrswvcIbQGBDixgccc39uy88dY_PBB0uAxolf8HQYiIT5v7bTFRv5aprIY6bu82yctfnR4Skl7HRMpwE0IeTcSmWU_BAzt183QSt-a_hNWvlRnhfI9sheZyTuZgM9W/s320/IMG_4553.jpeg" width="242" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As an aside, if one ever had the occasion to find their way into the welcoming confines of 801 St. Louis back in the day...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">How could you not look at this <i>Far Side </i>and immediately think, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP McGuire!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"I'm a little wastey</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Short and stout.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Here is my water pipe..."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div>The Man, The Myth, The Legend.</div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>* </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The young man who sang <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ave Maria</span>. <i>Spectacular.</i></span></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>* T<span style="font-family: georgia;">he service finishing with the <span style="color: #fcff01;">Notre Dame, Our Mother Alma Mater</span>. <i>Nice. </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFbz05oicIiQ_tfOh2PdJRSBrSLvqb620ZqWzEo3_gaWn_Icw7R_zBY0CWYlHBZGoC8vabNB7SC9KAYpQQf3wNL0J7dxVOvHbnzAeYT45PgsIEF3xY2wwC-dtDqTe0sehOqNhKtUudGJc8uaTUo7B51Eyo4eDbM7QOk-JV3bG8rob68_EeGuc-e2ZSC5A/s317/daeda4263b9c9b635bc51f7e9f8af3df.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="317" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFbz05oicIiQ_tfOh2PdJRSBrSLvqb620ZqWzEo3_gaWn_Icw7R_zBY0CWYlHBZGoC8vabNB7SC9KAYpQQf3wNL0J7dxVOvHbnzAeYT45PgsIEF3xY2wwC-dtDqTe0sehOqNhKtUudGJc8uaTUo7B51Eyo4eDbM7QOk-JV3bG8rob68_EeGuc-e2ZSC5A/w162-h138/daeda4263b9c9b635bc51f7e9f8af3df.jpeg" width="162" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">* The <span style="color: #fcff01;">impressive homily</span> given by the priest who looked like -- depending perhaps on where one was sitting in church -- either Laugh In's Arte Johnson or... Dame Judy Dench. <i> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Very interesting. </i></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEoHDZp6vwrJ1apJCPFmtpPKgstjno2m1IPj5zB6GzExZtBaVSbCuREtJGR6NBU-x5lY7M92MzGWcGdDY37j3ME8BLms2yrdHcesGlaE_lbwOdyMxmyT4ZrKU5b8xAw3SJuTX9mgFqFhDqhY_6D8WN5K_PNtg3_B0UpytdPj2PcQS6SgjG2zq7ruf8Gtg/s1568/MV5BOTI5NjQ4NDc5NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTc5OTczNw@@._V1_%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1365" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEoHDZp6vwrJ1apJCPFmtpPKgstjno2m1IPj5zB6GzExZtBaVSbCuREtJGR6NBU-x5lY7M92MzGWcGdDY37j3ME8BLms2yrdHcesGlaE_lbwOdyMxmyT4ZrKU5b8xAw3SJuTX9mgFqFhDqhY_6D8WN5K_PNtg3_B0UpytdPj2PcQS6SgjG2zq7ruf8Gtg/w132-h152/MV5BOTI5NjQ4NDc5NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTc5OTczNw@@._V1_%202.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">* The weekend's start and finish for the Corrigans (and the Grace Hall gang) hosted by <span style="color: #fcff01;">Barb & Rick Werner and John Lohn</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Hospitality both special, necessary and appreciated.</i> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the football game? </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Meh</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></span></p><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisCnxMfEwqVfzmDcFEVSYjdMgieus8TbhwYTvnyn37Ai4ny8Z4CZyHityOxXzZ-8Ma40pNckVYFbbOyoQ5CX0X6SoUm6-5iMI_9dGkaFn5TPUCJF5LjYjPU-XvJcgheI_tkwlWYUsbg71fyD3nqCXXmO8_5PvwKqBM-YMrQhw2tZ0tyBceJUa20cnQKpH/s857/TS%20Eliot.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisCnxMfEwqVfzmDcFEVSYjdMgieus8TbhwYTvnyn37Ai4ny8Z4CZyHityOxXzZ-8Ma40pNckVYFbbOyoQ5CX0X6SoUm6-5iMI_9dGkaFn5TPUCJF5LjYjPU-XvJcgheI_tkwlWYUsbg71fyD3nqCXXmO8_5PvwKqBM-YMrQhw2tZ0tyBceJUa20cnQKpH/w140-h200/TS%20Eliot.webp" width="140" /></a></div>"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang but a whimper."</div><div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"><i> </i>T.S. Eliot</b></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"> The Hollow Men</b></div></div></div></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And by "world" I mean 2023 Notre Dame football season.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPdR1v3B9CTgc_GhtVHNe24-Aa7G_u_F0zGi5VY0d0XFXygKWUBpDtGy4e3U1oCz_c5ndlJ_kYAuHtaUuFjdLcCqwta4YyQkVZSrSvhCPMi3l2boBikqVYAJKoc-MUgvypk_b8T16rNUDRTdIcdiUPfQcmaJm1OCbwMRwY4NtppNv_5uwBlRIOKENF9p5/s1286/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-05%20at%2012.13.30%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="1286" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPdR1v3B9CTgc_GhtVHNe24-Aa7G_u_F0zGi5VY0d0XFXygKWUBpDtGy4e3U1oCz_c5ndlJ_kYAuHtaUuFjdLcCqwta4YyQkVZSrSvhCPMi3l2boBikqVYAJKoc-MUgvypk_b8T16rNUDRTdIcdiUPfQcmaJm1OCbwMRwY4NtppNv_5uwBlRIOKENF9p5/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-05%20at%2012.13.30%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span><u>:</u> As </span>Jerrence put the car on I-80 West and accelerated toward home -- the halcyon environs of Flint Lake a mere four hours away -- he couldn't help but try to process the weekend's events. </div><div><br /></div><div>The past several hours, alone, had been a bit of a rollercoaster.</div><div><br /></div><div>On one hand, he and Defarge had enjoyed the benefits of Judge John's largesse, including but not limited to, a halftime 'tailgate' replete with such comfort food as to provide a much needed salve for a very disappointing 1st half performance by the Irish. And he'd think of the judge's cherubic countenance every time he sipped the 15 year old Glenlivet that his host gave him as a parting gift. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, the football game sucked. And rather quickly at that. After all that time telling himself he'd matured - that sports was merely an innocuous, bourgeoise First World indulgence - Jerrence's lingering <span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>discomfiture</i> </span>over the outcome clearly indicated otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 10 Thoughts </span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>What did you bring me, my </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>brother</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>To keep me from the gallows pole?</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fln9vDCTNPQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="fln9vDCTNPQ"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">First, coach Parker, what we brought you was a 6th year senior QB with 110 TD passes. And </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">second, nothing is gonna save you from the gallows pole. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beyond that, I'll keep this relatively short:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJwP469GOEhugfkZHK4NlbByk2sFauCy4SjsBrk2co33UYfzs3ODAJjtL8qz_-5Ubr_Jmhqf4x7AdEjcwrhDrTZyeNlNayrCuYpmhXL9bgZWGAc55Y163oyLVRXsu7EKwSnEqj9n02Rf0VFaaNSaYNaxU2kJdnHs6ecQb1qWrPBFCnecJGwLjjpKT4oyN/s854/uni's.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="854" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJwP469GOEhugfkZHK4NlbByk2sFauCy4SjsBrk2co33UYfzs3ODAJjtL8qz_-5Ubr_Jmhqf4x7AdEjcwrhDrTZyeNlNayrCuYpmhXL9bgZWGAc55Y163oyLVRXsu7EKwSnEqj9n02Rf0VFaaNSaYNaxU2kJdnHs6ecQb1qWrPBFCnecJGwLjjpKT4oyN/w320-h180/uni's.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Didn't anyone tell the staff you don't wear all white after Labor Day? Hell, even Cincotta knows that. Plus, those uni's make us look like Navy. (And evidently play like them too.) Could we please get back to at least looking like the Notre Dame uniform? </span></li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turnovers and (wretched) field position is <u>why</u> we lost. <u>How</u> we lost - I'm still trying to figure out.</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy0uAfTFHLufd1yXzHFdJmgnwhnpNY3y8i-dumMBqTcuomGgVY55IfHE0bw6Bhy7Oa3qb51MlR_JBlDnaw17eZXaQzroRxH9CTPfAS-zxtQEx8Xl_Ojd1ZRJ1PR4-iTsLPLIfDT8bHH3hbGSH9P0Xj1gFOplQTQ-wS5SUFXSmLQPCAYi1b60KSoX6xOao/s1538/Audric%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1538" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy0uAfTFHLufd1yXzHFdJmgnwhnpNY3y8i-dumMBqTcuomGgVY55IfHE0bw6Bhy7Oa3qb51MlR_JBlDnaw17eZXaQzroRxH9CTPfAS-zxtQEx8Xl_Ojd1ZRJ1PR4-iTsLPLIfDT8bHH3hbGSH9P0Xj1gFOplQTQ-wS5SUFXSmLQPCAYi1b60KSoX6xOao/s320/Audric%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gee, who had "Estime off tackle" on their Bingo cards for the 1st play of the game? </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Only<i> EVERYBODY</i>. </span></li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When ND loses, what's impressive in an entirely perverse way, is the epic fail across every group involved:</span></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Offense</u>: The word "inept" doesn't quite do justice to the level of incompetence. </span></li></ul></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqNkvpULR8TNym0xMBOqLOWPVekqaVqLj30tIVji6DP0WYhvd4QoyZDYuxtHHpKLRYHVJT6M5kpQIXkLHGia-Ek7s5Drdx8aymEZv9_CYC2tMua6aYzzsBoznuDs_6d-hvPK5u1EONyMOHkfO0UU1ae6JH-UhlaDLOrhaBO0eEnpjCfGTC5JHXsdbFdrE/s1280/billions.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqNkvpULR8TNym0xMBOqLOWPVekqaVqLj30tIVji6DP0WYhvd4QoyZDYuxtHHpKLRYHVJT6M5kpQIXkLHGia-Ek7s5Drdx8aymEZv9_CYC2tMua6aYzzsBoznuDs_6d-hvPK5u1EONyMOHkfO0UU1ae6JH-UhlaDLOrhaBO0eEnpjCfGTC5JHXsdbFdrE/s320/billions.webp" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Allow me an analogy: Jerrence and his TV viewing, which is not insignificant and for which he has but one rule for any show's characters: <u>be interesting</u>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The players can be heroic, villainous or both -- <i>Game of Thrones</i>, <i>Billions</i>, <i>Succession</i> spring to mind - and I can get behind almost any of them. As long as there's something compelling about them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Compelling</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not a word would associate with ND football right now. Certainly not on offense. Comatose being closer to the mark. Or, painful. </span></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCmUnGzhlqlRqgzipICH3waM4kQgYVCNsy48MUS6NPzeGpF6YBUlzlZ9aUczqvvFvOWThWSH_lraWH0xRM2GMwUkgq2T7j_o52gv2yBTNBeKNjSExtvYrCApCyJEWg0Uj_qo98GsUVn2BW689HVGi5Z2VnlOEUnT-dMwekfp_wX_GtGRM2Ku5e8CfIt-U/s1909/Watts%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1909" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCmUnGzhlqlRqgzipICH3waM4kQgYVCNsy48MUS6NPzeGpF6YBUlzlZ9aUczqvvFvOWThWSH_lraWH0xRM2GMwUkgq2T7j_o52gv2yBTNBeKNjSExtvYrCApCyJEWg0Uj_qo98GsUVn2BW689HVGi5Z2VnlOEUnT-dMwekfp_wX_GtGRM2Ku5e8CfIt-U/w277-h208/Watts%202.jpeg" width="277" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Defense</u>: Pretty good. Until it really matters. And the next time they stop a RB dead in his tracks - rather than getting carried for an extra 2-3 yards - will be their first.</span></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Question:</u> What might've the outcome been, had we stopped Clemson early in the 3rd quarter, after we cut the lead to 24-16? </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, sorry, but the blitz package is simply not working, like, <i>ever</i>.</span></li></ul></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Special Teams</u>: Bummer for poor Spencer Shrader, the week where he is actually perfect, the rest of the ST decided to mail it in.</span></li><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Chris Tyree - taking a punt off his face mask (good for 3 Clemson points)</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bryce McFerson - line driving a punt that gets returned, thanks also to 2 or 3 missed tackles, into ND territory (one play later Clemson TD).</span></li></ul></ul></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman is, at present, objectively bad. And I don't understand why. </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I suspect his supporting cast has more culpability than we can see.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is it Angeli Time? Many would say yes. While I doubt it, Sam's leash must surely be short for these last 2-3 games.</span></li></ul></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Offense has zero identity. It's nearly impossible to understand what they're trying to achieve. </span></li></ul></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWwkImev7Ko-b6acAumM8HOo2Z474nvDj9pLjiGPdsLT0JpQ1nuVy3X0DvoLbpY7NMxmUx0nADEsKlJwdTWOrLmQWBBJkKQUKLcrdL9hR0eta9J2qEpl9oYknvKOyPrt-nOT9Ki_FqoyquyTHpjCr9yOI8GGYtvbJprytkzaaAzBWIWDtZbwouY4KP3uP/s1671/Baptiste%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1671" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWwkImev7Ko-b6acAumM8HOo2Z474nvDj9pLjiGPdsLT0JpQ1nuVy3X0DvoLbpY7NMxmUx0nADEsKlJwdTWOrLmQWBBJkKQUKLcrdL9hR0eta9J2qEpl9oYknvKOyPrt-nOT9Ki_FqoyquyTHpjCr9yOI8GGYtvbJprytkzaaAzBWIWDtZbwouY4KP3uP/w400-h345/Baptiste%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><u>Fun Fact</u>: Clemson, ZERO penalties called. <i>Hmmm</i>. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><ul></ul></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><h3 style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></b></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think Buddy needs some 'alone time' this week. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe drop some ayahuasca w his pal A-A-Ron. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hit the sensory deprivation tank. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Contemplate a Utopian state without any painful football affiliations. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Insofar as ND Nation, if only for therapeutic purposes, has already begun to focus on 2024... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Herewith (below) is Mr. Sampson's initial opinion.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Many are not going to like it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it's probably pretty accurate</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What now?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Change for the sake of change probably doesn’t help Notre Dame beat Wake Forest or <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="248" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/stanford-cardinal-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Stanford</a>. Freeman can’t afford a slip-up in either spot, meaning playing for next year is out of the question. Stick with the lineups that blew out <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="252" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">USC</a> and nearly upset Ohio State. And if Freeman has proven one thing in the past two years, it’s an ability to get Notre Dame to respond to adversity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It’s dealing with prosperity that’s the issue</i>. Figuring that out will be an offseason correction.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For now, Notre Dame has to get out of the regular season with nine wins by any means necessary. The Irish will be heavy favorites in their final two games. Win both. Put a salve on the season. The heavy lifting comes in December and January.</span></p><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> Source: The Athletic</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">November 6, 2023</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Figuring out a book / cocktail for this week was always going to be a challenge.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Until one realized that we've now entered the "blame game" time of the year. Human nature dictates that someone needs to be held accountable for the team's repeatedly uneven (and disappointing) performances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfu3pWQxEWeSxPCTOl6W2v8UQKsg9V1P9oTXjW_lzx4MxrndQsK68pvqecnq6V7_0V7QFKXPEJJBla5N1CEjQ-yRbVZs6SFyHC-Vet1SaKV2ogsXkhO4uKO7oz95hBZGb8ilo205a_FxQdpDdkmH1-XosMyKoKmNSzzIFoeosqEqVtjnnpqAocy34X3QL/s1124/Social%20Media.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1124" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfu3pWQxEWeSxPCTOl6W2v8UQKsg9V1P9oTXjW_lzx4MxrndQsK68pvqecnq6V7_0V7QFKXPEJJBla5N1CEjQ-yRbVZs6SFyHC-Vet1SaKV2ogsXkhO4uKO7oz95hBZGb8ilo205a_FxQdpDdkmH1-XosMyKoKmNSzzIFoeosqEqVtjnnpqAocy34X3QL/w200-h160/Social%20Media.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Held accountable -<i> and shamed</i>. Copious amounts of public shame is very important in our social media-driven world.</div><div><br /></div><div>So rather than a big "C" on certain players' jerseys (or whatever, if any, designation might appear on the coaches' quarter zips), maybe we need something scarlet.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>The S(ide)carlet Letter</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>The Scarlet Letter (1850)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>by Nathaniel Hawthorne</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Believe it or not, kiddos, there was a time when having a child out of wedlock wouldn't get <br />you a reality show, but instead, a very public haranguing. In Hawthorne's <i>Scarlet Letter</i> -- named after the "A for adultery" badge of dishonor the leading lady has to wear after birthing a bastard -- Puritan New England serves as the case study of a world at odds with religion, hypocrisy and desire.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUrD4j3ls5RT9kQ-w-OjnKpC87NXW5LsPRP5ZDoas-gCYFUr6FDy9-9LvmXGBQe_cYClsIARhU57PNym1iDhHm-jPxUnoPx14Aml9q1qmDBX8h_nnwLZp2IHSmIVcB_lJ8O8eYEuovkVrU3FRCv0InlCimnizcphMf_IlraLmAN_L_KYAHe1CfVmJvgeP/s3500/thescarletletter1927.2390.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3500" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUrD4j3ls5RT9kQ-w-OjnKpC87NXW5LsPRP5ZDoas-gCYFUr6FDy9-9LvmXGBQe_cYClsIARhU57PNym1iDhHm-jPxUnoPx14Aml9q1qmDBX8h_nnwLZp2IHSmIVcB_lJ8O8eYEuovkVrU3FRCv0InlCimnizcphMf_IlraLmAN_L_KYAHe1CfVmJvgeP/s320/thescarletletter1927.2390.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Why, Hester, only 3 carries for Estime in the 2nd half?!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>We push a drink purist's envelope by popping a few cherries (<i>hey, now</i>) into a sweet and sour standby. </div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This sidecar's so tasty, you might end up parading through town afterward, just like the heroine herself. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have no shame: this baby's all yours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMn46nwy_F5DaAqCCmF9rKgUDO7vqgK4Y-DM41lHXFwjqJvjHnnVcIRyZbFm44GpESzH20oRY924LwMRjpoFbE23l-ZxnUzVzJr8pL5ImhCVADiDRk5QUJTOin9kVo-mS7AyKFO3kthcANFlsq6XgdLbJu90fHy440AnvBgi8xEaOqwHj-SFMLYpbjw6Z/s640/Cointreau-Orange-Liqueur-Triplesec-375ml_459f71bd-07f8-42e1-bbcd-a742b55a80ef.c350d1d0ed27fe53f18cd859ac417123.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMn46nwy_F5DaAqCCmF9rKgUDO7vqgK4Y-DM41lHXFwjqJvjHnnVcIRyZbFm44GpESzH20oRY924LwMRjpoFbE23l-ZxnUzVzJr8pL5ImhCVADiDRk5QUJTOin9kVo-mS7AyKFO3kthcANFlsq6XgdLbJu90fHy440AnvBgi8xEaOqwHj-SFMLYpbjw6Z/w200-h200/Cointreau-Orange-Liqueur-Triplesec-375ml_459f71bd-07f8-42e1-bbcd-a742b55a80ef.c350d1d0ed27fe53f18cd859ac417123.webp" width="200" /></a></div>* Sugar, for cocktail rim</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 1 oz. cherry juice </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 0.5 oz. brandy</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 0.5 oz. triple sec </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rim a chilled cocktail glass in sugar and place aside. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into the glass. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You'll give this one a Grade A.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird </i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twists</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i><strike>STRONG?</strike></i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I could never see tomorrow</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I was never told about the sorrow...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r0qmJoav5rE" width="320" youtube-src-id="r0qmJoav5rE"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How long have I been organizing this little bet? Gotta be pushing a decade. And I can't even win... can't even <i>qualify</i> for the short-list to win... my own pool. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm a Democrat, I've lived and worked in Chicago for many years. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">One would think I'd be better at, shall we say, achieving success.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Oh, Team 9 Wins... your table is ready.</i> </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B.</span>, Bryan</strike></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was so hoping as one hits The Retirement Years (and presumably gains certain insights), a peek behind the curtain as it were, into wisdom about maturity heretofore one could only speculate about... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">...that I'd have moved past the petty <i>"I'm fucking miserable, I want you to be equally, if not more destitute"</i> stage in my college football fandom.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dare to dream.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Q3XvlMHPJIPmk2s2h9yAUOnTGn3bLK1Y4qkEO8xJmvm_q28TWekv7gUb7LNj2CZ2wFL2SiIeApC5gdwP1WoI9ufmEtNJm4-HclDD7PDaaa7r6iGhy9dy6QVvDrSK43mk7LDUZHa3yS3wCKA8xTBcSeEfsm5c0zFzMZoAN_xuj5jijAcXiNz_5We0Z0Z/s261/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="261" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Q3XvlMHPJIPmk2s2h9yAUOnTGn3bLK1Y4qkEO8xJmvm_q28TWekv7gUb7LNj2CZ2wFL2SiIeApC5gdwP1WoI9ufmEtNJm4-HclDD7PDaaa7r6iGhy9dy6QVvDrSK43mk7LDUZHa3yS3wCKA8xTBcSeEfsm5c0zFzMZoAN_xuj5jijAcXiNz_5We0Z0Z/s1600/download.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>1) LSU</span></b>. I am a little bitter about this. Sure, LSU lost and that's always good. But it was to Alabama (so, conflicted!) and the fact that, even in a losing effort, the Tigers score more points than Notre Dame does in two games, could I have... loser envy? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As Defarge is so found of telling me, "you're focusing on the wrong thing." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're right, dear. Take the win. Or in this case, loss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdVKVZ3aa-Pu4xsCWziaDlejHQ-apbhNgIs4zbyWC1Ijz8TDsoG1mWX6SbrOpnBhyphenhyphenOmS4sdP-CMiFV09mNJJxxaohuenRawyd0SwqKsY6HQBPbumG7RJ4s2mM6Z4srFD124-eEvvjAMU-2QpW7DXW5eb3UV8U5aglDYo_Etz-CgJtZs7MHamiLHfKXFEI/s275/caleb.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdVKVZ3aa-Pu4xsCWziaDlejHQ-apbhNgIs4zbyWC1Ijz8TDsoG1mWX6SbrOpnBhyphenhyphenOmS4sdP-CMiFV09mNJJxxaohuenRawyd0SwqKsY6HQBPbumG7RJ4s2mM6Z4srFD124-eEvvjAMU-2QpW7DXW5eb3UV8U5aglDYo_Etz-CgJtZs7MHamiLHfKXFEI/s1600/caleb.jpeg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;">"Stella!" </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>2) USC.</span> </b></span><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><i style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span> Did you see Caleb crying at end of this week's loss to Washington? It was almost as if he was starting his campaign to be the first HEGOT recipient - the individual who wins:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Heisman</li><li>Emmy</li><li>Grammy</li><li>Oscar</li><li>Tony</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Word of advice, Caleb</u>: Don't quit the day job. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I know I'm fakin' it.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I'm not really makin' it... </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XLjHt5tkRFo" width="320" youtube-src-id="XLjHt5tkRFo"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8cfm4OCCENW2SmgTN4iO7bMayN7vcECic-dHP5pkgu66c4ytC-YnfVm6dB1TMeZdgIeKh76bEIDyLhjkqXQ5Aam7Pgf4pfJ8sMJkF9DXEh0YmmT2I-oY-okJpieT2k8H-hsqTk8xzrCTqs_urKNrnNq5ffKOmlYqHwA7mZ3xknSSXsp5DYwBV1um3pNi/s620/12082799.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="620" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8cfm4OCCENW2SmgTN4iO7bMayN7vcECic-dHP5pkgu66c4ytC-YnfVm6dB1TMeZdgIeKh76bEIDyLhjkqXQ5Aam7Pgf4pfJ8sMJkF9DXEh0YmmT2I-oY-okJpieT2k8H-hsqTk8xzrCTqs_urKNrnNq5ffKOmlYqHwA7mZ3xknSSXsp5DYwBV1um3pNi/w320-h165/12082799.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Missed it by... that much.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>3) Oklahoma</i></span></b><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"><i>! </i></b><i>Where the wind comes right behind the rain... </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the loss would've been so great -- enhanced by losing to your bitter in-state rival -- while you were 9th ranked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If only it now mattered. Which, of course, it doesn't.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>4) Colorado</span></b>. Perhaps my favorite sequence in a year where we've all seen multiple inexplicable (read dumbass) play calling:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>End of 2nd Quarter, Oregon State punts to ball to the CU's 4 yard line, :49 left in the half.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>The common man, even a half wit, would think, "60 yards from even a long FG attempt, lets just run out the clock and re-group."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Instead...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A6-tTxAMQQXRabowVX6_K_Q0SvBu0kToi9wPYD7o3xlXyWHLXPtxO1EaC0vHmc0jd5ymQYSC5CSKHPPyLH_yIvjLYdtMCdFFsSV56dtFbd2mjgfDzlRSjy4KMHSZtr94HXJwiwItIYiPsfG0vPfp6uBVHDhyphenhyphenHjmbXpfDpj54QP94g9lAbBWY7WeY6Auz/s1200/usatsi_21824551.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9A6-tTxAMQQXRabowVX6_K_Q0SvBu0kToi9wPYD7o3xlXyWHLXPtxO1EaC0vHmc0jd5ymQYSC5CSKHPPyLH_yIvjLYdtMCdFFsSV56dtFbd2mjgfDzlRSjy4KMHSZtr94HXJwiwItIYiPsfG0vPfp6uBVHDhyphenhyphenHjmbXpfDpj54QP94g9lAbBWY7WeY6Auz/s320/usatsi_21824551.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">""Mrs. Green you wore green so you could hide..." </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><u>Colorado ball</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Play 1: Incomplete pass (:44 left).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Play 2: Incomplete pass (:39 left)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Play 3: Rush for 4 yards (:36 left) - OSU time out.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Play 4: Punt which OSU returns to CU's 20 yard line (:22 left)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><u>Oregon State ball</u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Play 1: 20 yard TD pass (:16 left).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>14-3 lead for the Beavers. So, Prime, you demoted your OC for this type of play calling?</span></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We are also in, truly, "I just want to see the world burn" time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And Jerrence is unapologetic about it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while this concept is usually reserved for the Schadenfreude space, in times like this we can extend that attitude to actions outside of the playing field.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Especially when it invariably involves that team in Ann Arbor...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsy8qJGNuXS-DzFvtErgL1V2yKDJpiIQ02WzdiACYiyH9sGtU3NHjj6w-MhaUBm0OaThdLPmK_ffBT0S9xdcLDSrs6GdbuUtjGp2qyx5QQy-6QT6cMXSARLgtSqOXYopL4sHoddmQyB3k4v4l7xpxMUKm66cui41d-sw9wCo94fPDK_UhpeNDDDcctb4p/s1296/Stalions.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1296" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsy8qJGNuXS-DzFvtErgL1V2yKDJpiIQ02WzdiACYiyH9sGtU3NHjj6w-MhaUBm0OaThdLPmK_ffBT0S9xdcLDSrs6GdbuUtjGp2qyx5QQy-6QT6cMXSARLgtSqOXYopL4sHoddmQyB3k4v4l7xpxMUKm66cui41d-sw9wCo94fPDK_UhpeNDDDcctb4p/s320/Stalions.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Who dat? Connor Stalions or DB Cooper?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Central Michigan</b></span>. The Michigan -- can we call it a scandal or just a savvy "Sharing Is Caring" Operating Model? -- seems to be metastasizing across the state. (And actually much of the Big 10 conference.) Especially now that the scrappy little Stalions character is showing up everywhere like Where's Waldo - this time on CMU's sidelines during their game against Michigan State. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What makes this latest 'data point' so curious (and yet, not) is that the CMU head coach, Jim McElwain, used to be on Harbaugh's staff at Michigan. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coincidence? I think not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH4Td-ezfCzztrPM3BczRGYqqwKGF8HlXvl6Vb7UDnFAOxmv4qn9-RdXq0mL-Lwk-y-m_Y_2XKuuVXqeb_8t-i4qcjDZ2-zPP3Qqkbjlvu5NtflsiHiZqpUWhUqA8axDj8CJuMgbWQLaJLyTEQReUxGftKvsWsXNVleulVsd6D9N-cuBfzleYGi6kHzJR/s1350/santa%20oro.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH4Td-ezfCzztrPM3BczRGYqqwKGF8HlXvl6Vb7UDnFAOxmv4qn9-RdXq0mL-Lwk-y-m_Y_2XKuuVXqeb_8t-i4qcjDZ2-zPP3Qqkbjlvu5NtflsiHiZqpUWhUqA8axDj8CJuMgbWQLaJLyTEQReUxGftKvsWsXNVleulVsd6D9N-cuBfzleYGi6kHzJR/s320/santa%20oro.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br />2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tony Petitti</span>.</b> Jerrence is calling his shot on this one: the Big 10 Commissioner, roughly six months into his job, isn't going to do sh*t to Michigan on this signal stealing investigation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, he's going to try to make it <i>look</i> like he's doing something. (And I don't view a Harbaugh suspension as substantive.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But actually spanking them for something that looks increasingly systemic? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nah. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span>I don't profess to understand how the primary bowl games choose their opponents, outside of the four BCS playoff teams. I believe much of it is conference-driven and contractually mandated. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Still, <u>the latest The Athletic projection baffles me</u>. Looking at a 9-3 regular season record for ND, I'd have thought the Irish would be destined for a disappointing Pop Tarts or Pinstripe Bowl designation, not something with a Jan. 1st date. Such is the Power of the ND Brand, I suppose.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>I guess we'll see.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>That said, that Gator Bowl game on Jerrence's birthday, possibly vs. LSU, would be pretty interesting... </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEzUXnLjeoYBLFYTqDUjaIuN4nb0TDtX4JFkvngnbq3MkKx_vhYpypkDzTpf_dH-sTyhVVETLcULCdzTCpJEE8OYPPVwY1Jdo9LX5T9gshqbfy-46DUST-SeKniQVxK8iLXKVYcEhOx-nkpxfHwi5rE-Sh7mEL1CHEHM6jKi6AcvTMSSh_PzSPPh7GpNd/s1350/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-07%20at%203.42.01%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1350" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEzUXnLjeoYBLFYTqDUjaIuN4nb0TDtX4JFkvngnbq3MkKx_vhYpypkDzTpf_dH-sTyhVVETLcULCdzTCpJEE8OYPPVwY1Jdo9LX5T9gshqbfy-46DUST-SeKniQVxK8iLXKVYcEhOx-nkpxfHwi5rE-Sh7mEL1CHEHM6jKi6AcvTMSSh_PzSPPh7GpNd/w640-h256/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-07%20at%203.42.01%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-17897030035637578592023-10-31T17:58:00.000-05:002023-10-31T17:58:20.155-05:00Pitt: Taming of the Shrew(s)<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />You can waste your time on the other rides</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">But this is the nearest to being alive</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Let me take my chances on The Wall of Death...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GcFhyy2kgdo" width="320" youtube-src-id="GcFhyy2kgdo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let me start by saying <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">the Feifars can stay at the Corrigans any time they want</span></i>, especially when they come with whiskey and 50 point victories. But more on that later.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It would not be the worst metaphor in the world to say that watching ND football this season has been akin to a thrilling, occasionally nauseating circus ride... one where one gets off the contraption mildly disoriented and not entirely sure if one actually liked the experience. Until later when you're asking, can we do that again?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One would imagine that's what living in Dillon is like.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, that sense of confusion was strong (and consistent) for much of Saturday. And yes, I'm not proud to say alcohol was involved. Lots and lots of it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">From ND football => USC vs. Cal (end of game) => The Killer Shrews (1959) with food somewhere intermittently...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #1</span></u>: How'd we end up with so much of the tailgate stuff in the back of our car (and now in front of us)?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz7ctoA0-iPSawpJFFiGbIp7sM0YaT2BVjGEWZzkwP2mvIb7KH8JS1n6hYVrr8s4_wzvhj9UbeMmhX9xEu8490etVm1O1D0t15ZhLhQNhmnzs9BREry62yo4D_G7VwaZA_RDgBZsIDjc8Aj9NUL06bRaaxdR91Zp3KAX2UMjkK-u8DQIma4LE4y4wjeyJ/s600/a-particularly-killer-shrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz7ctoA0-iPSawpJFFiGbIp7sM0YaT2BVjGEWZzkwP2mvIb7KH8JS1n6hYVrr8s4_wzvhj9UbeMmhX9xEu8490etVm1O1D0t15ZhLhQNhmnzs9BREry62yo4D_G7VwaZA_RDgBZsIDjc8Aj9NUL06bRaaxdR91Zp3KAX2UMjkK-u8DQIma4LE4y4wjeyJ/s320/a-particularly-killer-shrew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">We're not taming that, are we?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #2</span></u>: How did we get 58 points? (I swear I was paying attention.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #3</span></u>: How did Cal score 49 points?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #4</span></u>: When you were talking about Shrews, Tom, you weren't referencing Shakespeare, were you?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #5</span></u>: And how do you know so much about Elvira, Mistress of the Dark?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><span style="color: #fcff01;">Confusion #6</span></u>: When did that bottle of rye get so empty?</span></div><h3><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>The moral of the story</u>: at this point in our lives and in particular, this football season, there are a great many unknowables. Best just to accept it and move on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this case, on to Clemson!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notre Dame, do this: get a win by playing great opportunistic defense, protecting Hartman, running well enough to move the chains (i.e. give the D a breather) and <i>for Godssakes stay out of 3rd and short situations! (</i>Hey, it's not like the team is going to emerge with a new identity 10 games in to the season.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></span></span></div></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></span></p><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8wIRsi-cjNEuFSKJ7XYiLtz3ijYIrZhpYVaHCQ4LFgCbJwTi7tud_YMa0Sic1U48YO3hjdsUSh8cuuJ41ZONWRBST6n-EbqNKkY1XQV_JQVAbqHF6rjZuhDBoTmF4lVIp8gJu0q3tO0P297BBrP4WhXIzb4nlWMRd6esaV9kqwYKwvGq_JGLiwIg4N-P/s626/dabo%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="578" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8wIRsi-cjNEuFSKJ7XYiLtz3ijYIrZhpYVaHCQ4LFgCbJwTi7tud_YMa0Sic1U48YO3hjdsUSh8cuuJ41ZONWRBST6n-EbqNKkY1XQV_JQVAbqHF6rjZuhDBoTmF4lVIp8gJu0q3tO0P297BBrP4WhXIzb4nlWMRd6esaV9kqwYKwvGq_JGLiwIg4N-P/w184-h200/dabo%202.jpeg" width="184" /></a></div>"</i>The expectation is greater than the appreciation..." </div><div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"> Dabo Swinney</b></div></i></div></i></div></i></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps you heard... the Clemson coach <i>lost his mind</i> on a talk radio show this week, after "Tyler from Spartanburg (pop. 38,732)" pointed out the apparent incongruity of Swinney's $11.5M salary juxtaposed to the team's current 4-4 record. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The coach had some thoughts about that: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JeLxZsgw3D4" width="320" youtube-src-id="JeLxZsgw3D4"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As the internet is wont to do, scads of <strike>cretins</strike> 1st Amendment zealots lined up on both sides of the argument:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Pro-Dabo</u>: They've won 2 championships in the last seven years, with 11 wins just last year, so lighten up Francis, Dabo's correct - everyone has a down year.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Anti-Dabo</u>: This is exactly the attitude of an entitled, over-paid coach who's lost the plot. </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One could safely argue that there's credence in both points of view. <u>One can also safely assume Clemson will be extremely motivated on Saturday</u>. And that we didn't need - <i>so thanks a whole freaking lot, Tyler from Spartanburg.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLMoIduTWUmyhNW6d5oA918Z0PPl5a0s9EnIfIGq84vwMayOWxUXizzK9L-oVsyF0XrJSDTlnJTbP_EerqKBzZW19T6e7_eB8Kyen7JVzHwdzKpKHJtPPG7D238ngBl_PLCwQgvsx5oKZD3NuJYBxNbNtPgNEcE0JJ_j3wI4Klwe_ZE4yOSiUY_uIY8WG/s984/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%2011.23.38%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="984" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLMoIduTWUmyhNW6d5oA918Z0PPl5a0s9EnIfIGq84vwMayOWxUXizzK9L-oVsyF0XrJSDTlnJTbP_EerqKBzZW19T6e7_eB8Kyen7JVzHwdzKpKHJtPPG7D238ngBl_PLCwQgvsx5oKZD3NuJYBxNbNtPgNEcE0JJ_j3wI4Klwe_ZE4yOSiUY_uIY8WG/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%2011.23.38%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span><u>:</u> </span>When Jerrence saw the gift, a full unopened bottle of premium rye whiskey, he knew he was in trouble. It wasn't like he didn't know what he was getting into having invited Tom, a Dillon Man, for a game-watching sleepover. </div><div><br /></div><div>There'd be no getting behind the wheel of a car for anyone so all bets were off on where this evening was going. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jerrence understood that the most daunting challenge now facing him was going to be ascending the stairs later that evening... and looking at the glint in his friend's eye as he asked, "Are you gonna open that bottle or what?", he was already feeling like Tenzing Norgay to his friend's Sir Edmund Hillary.</div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLhBg7n1qdIFD1ylQTgJX30pccY2GoSBoiHpvXRyACufY3X7Fi33iWA4HDwsgx3fn5ADQEsVld7gBkvOonWtPE4mOK3LMhocn_YbKnbgWN39DXky8UvGFYIdsWTcTqcaWlL8RMXa8rJTGKInbqnN8_dthQIA7yU8Gm4pO4We23Hvq9RNp94j7ZCJrJLHp/s3727/IMG_4533.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2680" data-original-width="3727" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLhBg7n1qdIFD1ylQTgJX30pccY2GoSBoiHpvXRyACufY3X7Fi33iWA4HDwsgx3fn5ADQEsVld7gBkvOonWtPE4mOK3LMhocn_YbKnbgWN39DXky8UvGFYIdsWTcTqcaWlL8RMXa8rJTGKInbqnN8_dthQIA7yU8Gm4pO4We23Hvq9RNp94j7ZCJrJLHp/w400-h288/IMG_4533.heic" width="400" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Where did all this come from?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it had already been an eventful day for Jerrence, having mistakingly accosted - 'assault' is such an ugly, legally-charged word - some poor high school girl attending the tailgater with her parents and relatives. <i>Welcome to Notre Dame, young lady</i>. <u>Note to self</u>: next time you sneak up on a woman whom you're sure you know in order to give 'em a big welcome smooch, perhaps don't.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the time, he thought Defarge took the news rather well - <i>hey, honey, if police show up at our door, they're not trick or treaters and they're not looking for donations</i>.<i> I'm expecting them.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But hey, if one can give Dennis Ryan and Mary Flaherty even a minute of unbridled hilarity, ya gotta do it, right?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nonetheless, Jerrence felt safe and secure in his downstairs TV room hovel. The roller coaster ride of the day wasn't quite over - we still had more football, an exceedingly bad 1959 horror film and Defarge's Screwball ice cream dessert to ingest - but as the 2nd half progressed, the Irish took control and his friend Tom continued to amuse, Jerrence at least felt an unexpected <span style="color: #fcff01;">equanimity </span>to the day's proceedings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But maybe that was just the Elijah Craig rye talking to him. After all, Jerrence began to notice he could no longer feel his feet.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 9 Thoughts </span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Down where the drunkards roll...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G8avrOiI6F4" width="320" youtube-src-id="G8avrOiI6F4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYqGTQZ1DVF9Au-eDifSfdBTV5TlV1gbaiGlsJ1XEI7wOEUpL4h4smeeKNeQAzTFOGk0gUt0NqbUQBc6YXeUmshR94P7KRLGVymKV7aLwhMVkYuFSkMIPq_5h01lN2GRXHFTAA3Mylo_UJaW8ijxLlzSW2nRzxpIFQSkjpENOkb5zCeH4vfJMGTm5HJPg/s1170/IMG_4535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1170" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYqGTQZ1DVF9Au-eDifSfdBTV5TlV1gbaiGlsJ1XEI7wOEUpL4h4smeeKNeQAzTFOGk0gUt0NqbUQBc6YXeUmshR94P7KRLGVymKV7aLwhMVkYuFSkMIPq_5h01lN2GRXHFTAA3Mylo_UJaW8ijxLlzSW2nRzxpIFQSkjpENOkb5zCeH4vfJMGTm5HJPg/s320/IMG_4535.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Sam, about the hat... um, never do that again. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Hartman</span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;">. </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I'm thinking we really need Game 1-4 Sam this coming week.</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>The good news</u>: the beard looks like it's coming back. And possibly the long ball.</span></li></ul></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>The bad news</u>: two more INT's (the 2nd was a pretty terrific play by the Pitt player) and an offense that still seems to take a while to get in gear. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>The best news</u>: judging by the number of women, young and, well, not so young... who brought your name up unprovoked at the tailgater, your future is looking pretty damn bright regardless.</span></li></ul></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbTSiBIgsB8LfgKoZulBXRcxcxCvfacZSZkW7_d8uS_VJQAT3IGsd7_EQ2sH-lKDxhZ-VziGBr4qpQB35SMfnf8c_sys7oyqrxjXwJIA6CiC0UWz4nhaUh3bNKefkfO5TtUjAOMa87i5Zmm7HnV8zL3MRgB1UBn_VprjnzMkVH_aTnSdpTFdHy59BgnFY/s894/Grey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="894" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbTSiBIgsB8LfgKoZulBXRcxcxCvfacZSZkW7_d8uS_VJQAT3IGsd7_EQ2sH-lKDxhZ-VziGBr4qpQB35SMfnf8c_sys7oyqrxjXwJIA6CiC0UWz4nhaUh3bNKefkfO5TtUjAOMa87i5Zmm7HnV8zL3MRgB1UBn_VprjnzMkVH_aTnSdpTFdHy59BgnFY/w243-h163/Grey.jpeg" width="243" /></a></div>Next Man Up</span></b><i>. </i>Not only is our defense really good, it's really deep. Witness losing both of your starting CB's by the start of the 2nd half -- and not even noticing it. </span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In fact, their replacements accounted for a pick-6 (easy) and another INT (spectacular).</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ef9avHkPjeOHhB5disApCtosMPR_21GJwFt0bTLnkSba6CRHu6MM-K26sYZWVyPyhP0iajvbkoSWQiWsUKdCx_3IHZsdGfeGya792uSLMV0QYulxxLJEVclXHao6RYmdKaW9tuw4S_-sS5doMSIKWbFcaaiZeDSGIjOh2LAgnE-liicWzZ1rVIxxRlXo/s1419/0067637-icmc-2560x1440%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1419" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ef9avHkPjeOHhB5disApCtosMPR_21GJwFt0bTLnkSba6CRHu6MM-K26sYZWVyPyhP0iajvbkoSWQiWsUKdCx_3IHZsdGfeGya792uSLMV0QYulxxLJEVclXHao6RYmdKaW9tuw4S_-sS5doMSIKWbFcaaiZeDSGIjOh2LAgnE-liicWzZ1rVIxxRlXo/w200-h196/0067637-icmc-2560x1440%202.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Watts The Frequency, Kenneth?</span></i></b> </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: So far, Xavier Watts turnovers (INT's, fimble recoveries, forced fumbles) has directly led to 34 points which, correct me if I'm wrong, is about, oh...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two games worth of ND Offensive scoring production. </span><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline !important; text-align: center;"><br /><br /><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkT2OlJnBxZigIReFj90Aet9nbqtDfaUqSbBRFoJzdueDNHzgcgj6RA8fbE7HO38dMRXCULuApeS6K2o580tXBFk7DMk8x18UEz8gs-nXv8reDjFKp8xhTXlaAtmAK3WHguDLKsdVwSGstHq-FVxsQO4GdCdzRicq6Go8ssN5fv6dSLbeiea6KsBrMOPJ/s2052/Angeli%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2052" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkT2OlJnBxZigIReFj90Aet9nbqtDfaUqSbBRFoJzdueDNHzgcgj6RA8fbE7HO38dMRXCULuApeS6K2o580tXBFk7DMk8x18UEz8gs-nXv8reDjFKp8xhTXlaAtmAK3WHguDLKsdVwSGstHq-FVxsQO4GdCdzRicq6Go8ssN5fv6dSLbeiea6KsBrMOPJ/w200-h129/Angeli%202.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Angeli Time</span></span><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">. </i><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">Obviously, the data points are scant but lets give him his props - he looked really good. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">Probably not gonna happen this week but if he gets a couple more quarter's worth of play time (incl. the bowl game) over the final three games, it'd be a nice variable to have a better grasp on before hunting the portal for another Sam Hartman (or more likely, Sam Lite). </span></div></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline !important; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">The Tailgate</span></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <i>Only one more</i>. They say, time flies when you're having fun. Has this football season been fun? It's had its moments. Certainly trending well of late. And that one tailgate left in mid-November (traditionally attended only by the few, the proud, the cognitively challenged),<i> </i>it needs to be said: <u><span style="color: #fcff01;">OUTSTANDING performance by the Stayer Six once again this year: Jay, Bob, Tim, Peter, Jerry, Jim</span></u>. </span></li></ul><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span>So thank you.</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">But this last one was a hoot. </span></li></ul></ul></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1EEN_hF-sXvAoWaDkQvgyQLC_1Gkf-lt-z1WRrokbL3iNA89F-M0x0gQrw9hSCetZIpQph9jernchhDvVJUD7TEpSvV3O3BNTaBWbrvtuybOorpbkX42GrWjwdI5D6cA1BNHXnBQZ7kWeYAVG94lt__4GeUB3WqzQbsBbtox0Lyzu4bpp5zmySp-uZOP/s3694/IMG_4531.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3694" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1EEN_hF-sXvAoWaDkQvgyQLC_1Gkf-lt-z1WRrokbL3iNA89F-M0x0gQrw9hSCetZIpQph9jernchhDvVJUD7TEpSvV3O3BNTaBWbrvtuybOorpbkX42GrWjwdI5D6cA1BNHXnBQZ7kWeYAVG94lt__4GeUB3WqzQbsBbtox0Lyzu4bpp5zmySp-uZOP/w640-h442/IMG_4531.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be sure, there's a lot going on in this picture:</div></span></div></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence is with more St. Mary's College seniors, his new besties from Nashville, than he was in his entire four years at Notre Dame.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can count at least two more consumers to the "This is The Greatest Bloody Mary I've Ever Had" Club.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The person these young women actually came to see... can be found when one looks very, <i>very</i> closely at the cell phone being held: the erudite <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raymond Edward Volk</span> - with a picture from his gangster ND Band days. How they found <i>that</i>... hmmm.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's been a few people that have been easy targets for ND Nation criticism as they stumbled through the middle third of this year's schedule. Al Golden, for one, springs to mind. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">On balance - and maybe this is what this year was always going to be about - there's also a number of players who've shown steady, dare I say <i>significant</i>, improvement, arguably over-delivering on whatever one might've called the pre-season 'consensus' expectation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One guy that has come storming up from behind the pack in this regard is <span style="color: #fcff01;">Chris Tyree</span>, this week's Buddy Bud.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3nGNSLVen2UNQvBfFMdZX3zMr2uCBJP9mK8qCuBnqY6hURyXfJLfV7K3AODCfiHU9t0N2QCeypXuqMFB5ciBiEaML_e6We3lFfj2mnopZ76syus3sEXMifaN6R0Yp2NftgNfpUWdZ54Wb94a2Mq6R_ISsBQ_6zyF3P0gqKrVnhCtDU9zBUdf_Xp4Fo5U/s1756/Chris%201%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1756" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3nGNSLVen2UNQvBfFMdZX3zMr2uCBJP9mK8qCuBnqY6hURyXfJLfV7K3AODCfiHU9t0N2QCeypXuqMFB5ciBiEaML_e6We3lFfj2mnopZ76syus3sEXMifaN6R0Yp2NftgNfpUWdZ54Wb94a2Mq6R_ISsBQ_6zyF3P0gqKrVnhCtDU9zBUdf_Xp4Fo5U/w300-h175/Chris%201%202.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>Back-to-back weeks with TD's including receptions over 40 yards in each game. The punt return - 90% of it being his effort over any great blocking scheme - gave a still shaky offense at least a little early breathing room.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interesting anecdote that tells you a lot about the kid's character: when asked to make the switch from RB to WR last Spring, he went to Jaden Greathouse, a freshman, to get insight on playing the position.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp9eWaF4bpEV89zEmQaukxM79kI_kqMdG_FQ2qY3g69CDFO5qHbI0LbPYgCSL7WCbFf8wdpf5Ezrx_75e27AbPTw4T3r_9IkEJIAwvMfBsobj6DL78VQabB4nKROBsB9rg366DFPrgqDk7N_9YX20k8uzGa2i5lLl94wtDgxLog3Nl5wkJ3fMWZFdrCy6/s453/chris%202%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="453" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp9eWaF4bpEV89zEmQaukxM79kI_kqMdG_FQ2qY3g69CDFO5qHbI0LbPYgCSL7WCbFf8wdpf5Ezrx_75e27AbPTw4T3r_9IkEJIAwvMfBsobj6DL78VQabB4nKROBsB9rg366DFPrgqDk7N_9YX20k8uzGa2i5lLl94wtDgxLog3Nl5wkJ3fMWZFdrCy6/s320/chris%202%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The fact is, every week's he's getting better, looking like the singular stretch-the-field threat and with a still inexperienced WR room, becoming more valuable by the day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Keep it up, Chris. <i>Please</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I, for one, hope he comes back next year.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One additional 'honorable mention': Jaden Mickey and his Pick-6. Not the most difficult play to execute - the ball was thrown right to him - but to ultimately hear that his mom has stage 4 colon cancer whose now in hospice care... to have her be able to see that on TV... pretty great.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCHLAkgHyi17Rko6o0jAMSf3e-tBMupp8eK-HuadWHzKFzmP4Zw_JmmTFa2_aZQ5qnzpP-EikpS59X5ghgy_2NE3iVv4ghQlFRv0efu1zRVd9EFDNo7J1oTfMYvhbCDwSjBNkOkRv2WfO4XUdjwRHkCUZaV_q4UAa6WpR1q3zwlnarOk5q-qPdjOC4ug8/s1122/IMG_4537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1122" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCHLAkgHyi17Rko6o0jAMSf3e-tBMupp8eK-HuadWHzKFzmP4Zw_JmmTFa2_aZQ5qnzpP-EikpS59X5ghgy_2NE3iVv4ghQlFRv0efu1zRVd9EFDNo7J1oTfMYvhbCDwSjBNkOkRv2WfO4XUdjwRHkCUZaV_q4UAa6WpR1q3zwlnarOk5q-qPdjOC4ug8/w345-h287/IMG_4537.jpg" width="345" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the risk of repeating myself, this has to be a wacky year for college football pundits. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as the season moves into November, I'm betting they love the unpredictability. Here on out, every weekend is going to have a few really big games - and virtually every game is defacto meaningful<span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One also starts to look ahead to what happens after the season, which, practically speaking, starts in a month: coaches getting let go, coaches getting hired away, early signing period mid-December... a lot of stuff starts happening fast.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In that vein, we're grabbing a nugget from Mr. Sampson about the one assistant coach that no one wants going anywhere. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">*<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Okay</i></span>, <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">maybe not Alabama vs. Chattanooga</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Al Golden should be a Broyles Award contender. Probably a finalist.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He’s also a reminder that public perception of assistant coach hires is completely worthless. When Marcus Freeman targeted Golden, the former head coach at Miami and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="152" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/temple-owls-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Temple</a> was perceived to be a retread, a failed head coach who didn’t sizzle in recruiting. After building a top-10 defense, Golden may be able to call his shot on his next job, whether that’s <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="2" href="https://theathletic.com/nfl/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">NFL</a> defensive coordinator or college head coach. Turns out, message boards were wrong at a level not seen since Brian Kelly hired some offensive line coach from the University of Tennessee.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The dream scenario for Freeman would be obvious — Golden returns to Notre Dame for a third season. And Notre Dame should do everything it can to make that dream a reality.</span></p><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Athletic</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">October 30, 2023</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">If we're going to make confused Shakespearean references - I swear that when Feif suggested watching a killer shrew, he was making an allusion to the Bard, not Elvira.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>And we'd be watching Elizabeth Taylor as Kate, not Ken Curtis as Jerry Farrell, the actor who would become legendary as Gunsmoke's Festus.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's what mainlining Manhattan's for six hours will do to one.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the spirit of that, here's a toast to an author whose shrew was somewhat higher brow than the ones you're gonna find on Svengoolie. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Henry VIII's Whiskey Slash</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheepQpHczIlDh3omfaMl-jfPLz6989hYLlv82jnbbP7OChyJwVmW4JOFvVXYqRu140dpIpr3H6IpzD251Z4U5Y-rQWZVwmQeujOTBkPm6EDoiDVVOF41I2q2BXTJwaJC_5vdJ69JGT7nMYfjy4uooJ8ctcb2VzHOkJqWtngIimArlg1vwHHcoa53Ha2Zfo/s1600/Henry-VIII-and-his-six-wives.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheepQpHczIlDh3omfaMl-jfPLz6989hYLlv82jnbbP7OChyJwVmW4JOFvVXYqRu140dpIpr3H6IpzD251Z4U5Y-rQWZVwmQeujOTBkPm6EDoiDVVOF41I2q2BXTJwaJC_5vdJ69JGT7nMYfjy4uooJ8ctcb2VzHOkJqWtngIimArlg1vwHHcoa53Ha2Zfo/s320/Henry-VIII-and-his-six-wives.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The best leaders aren't afraid to make unpopular decisions. Like King Henry VIII, if you're a Real Man you have to be ready to ditch a pope, behead a wife who can't give you a male heir, or divorce one who's just kind of ugly.</div><div><br /></div><div>In <i>Henry VIII</i>, or <i>All Is Tru</i>e, Shakespeare and his co-writer John Fletcher dramatized the king's smooth Man-euvering from Wife #1 to Wife #2.</div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Breaking up is hard to do, but only if you're a pussy. This whiskey cocktail celebrates the alpha male's right to slash any inconvenient ties that bind. Like a sacrament.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or a neck. </div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrLX_O7OMY6n0zC0UiVe5j9OF4AJaWFmNNLZWlOpPKDEqciEqZBnx-OcuPSlAxwrnAtGIHoUgO4XwVHxsOt59H0tcBww0Y3KzKNh8UCCILS6CvdM6kk4Gz07Z8xpTWfqr_NvTa23h0WfEqqpNJNNYzk3CsvAsMf_Q6wZnmES22J8t8owRt_Iiizea5B0K/s700/HH_DOUBLERYE.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrLX_O7OMY6n0zC0UiVe5j9OF4AJaWFmNNLZWlOpPKDEqciEqZBnx-OcuPSlAxwrnAtGIHoUgO4XwVHxsOt59H0tcBww0Y3KzKNh8UCCILS6CvdM6kk4Gz07Z8xpTWfqr_NvTa23h0WfEqqpNJNNYzk3CsvAsMf_Q6wZnmES22J8t8owRt_Iiizea5B0K/w200-h200/HH_DOUBLERYE.webp" width="200" /></a></div>* 2.5 oz. rye whiskey</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 0.5 oz. simple syrup </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 1/2 cup lemon pieces</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* 10 fresh mint leaves </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* Maraschino cherries</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Slash the mint leaves into little pieces. In a shaker, muddle the lemon pieces with the mint leaves and simple syrup until they cry out for mercy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Add ice and the whiskey. Shake hard and strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice. Stick 3 (or more, if you're feeling the urge) maraschino cherry "heads" on an olive pick, for garnish.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: The original Globe Theatre burned to the ground diring a 1613 performance of Henry VIII when a cannon shot, meant to herald the king's greatness in Act I, blew up in his face. <i>Karma. </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Shakespeare, Not Stirred </i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails For Your Everyday Dramas</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Caroline Bicks, Ph.D</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">and Michelle Ephraim, Ph.D</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QPKNXXi1aIgf4JLWSNnegv4j6v7BiDfkc__5nJXRB5YCU0PSpBWOYxOoa7y6RY5I2JftXdYIe1scBkQmgaLN_xi9fOfl6REp6k6S3_GX5ujLDy77pzqL7Ej5csw6oINzMeavoO3phxJxKv_N-Ofz6AIvvY7C67RQogb_1vIL83C84Cj9YJ2FysYjHjcr/s400/7926211b-4b11-4401-8e73-0433e1e62069_text.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="400" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QPKNXXi1aIgf4JLWSNnegv4j6v7BiDfkc__5nJXRB5YCU0PSpBWOYxOoa7y6RY5I2JftXdYIe1scBkQmgaLN_xi9fOfl6REp6k6S3_GX5ujLDy77pzqL7Ej5csw6oINzMeavoO3phxJxKv_N-Ofz6AIvvY7C67RQogb_1vIL83C84Cj9YJ2FysYjHjcr/s320/7926211b-4b11-4401-8e73-0433e1e62069_text.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B.</span>, Bryan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, Bob J., </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's nominees are proof positive that joy can still be elicited, depending on the circumstances, even when a loss (or in Michigan's case, even playing a game) is not involved.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Accuse me of loosening the rules, yet another signal of the gradual, downward spiral of the very tenets that hold our society together.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps. But tell me you're not loving what's happening in Los Angeles and Ann Arbor even without an "L" next to those two programs. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">1) Michigan</span></b>. <i>But they didn't even play, you say! </i> And I say, when you become the Houston Astros of college football, a stink that's not going away for a VERY long time, that's a loss bigger than any single game.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FKdRDuzpbZUPTF_51EzdrOBRM6hdApH9m7BRy9MW-nZkDbXvTNcMNSaaNzxNRgFU1JtmKwPBKcXc8md6qAgledjqfufvEXSCXVzhOg7eiDS00XISkvzdH_iSR8fSX7wouf9HHN_7Nq8fZjvYVqvl9CNCmFccIPhT0OyrFY5YJQpFvZkyPxdamjuMFQN5/s634/Bingo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="630" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FKdRDuzpbZUPTF_51EzdrOBRM6hdApH9m7BRy9MW-nZkDbXvTNcMNSaaNzxNRgFU1JtmKwPBKcXc8md6qAgledjqfufvEXSCXVzhOg7eiDS00XISkvzdH_iSR8fSX7wouf9HHN_7Nq8fZjvYVqvl9CNCmFccIPhT0OyrFY5YJQpFvZkyPxdamjuMFQN5/w398-h400/Bingo.jpeg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan Excuse bingo<br /><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPDRMEcdtS5cCQ2Nnv_HVz0W8orTH00z1mcKUrI0myf4ZO5tvNakODPFNdq9ID8O_9zh77M2-GOY-kxqfB7XNppOpxDEbHjPgVsqipO3MvKkMRcVFS-yFPTGmlvvjUE0M1G0eHyx_7icTcFJX4xRxO8L1FF-1JQjZ2iSvxQ0wxi4xcDxhL4d-vsxf9p6T/s1178/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%204.31.14%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="1178" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPDRMEcdtS5cCQ2Nnv_HVz0W8orTH00z1mcKUrI0myf4ZO5tvNakODPFNdq9ID8O_9zh77M2-GOY-kxqfB7XNppOpxDEbHjPgVsqipO3MvKkMRcVFS-yFPTGmlvvjUE0M1G0eHyx_7icTcFJX4xRxO8L1FF-1JQjZ2iSvxQ0wxi4xcDxhL4d-vsxf9p6T/w444-h122/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%204.31.14%20PM.png" width="444" /></a></div>2) USC.</span> </b></span><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><i style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span><i>But they didn't even lose, you cry!</i> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span>Didn't they, though?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span>Needing 50 points and a failed, final 2-pt. conversion (and 4 turnovers from Cal) to win isn't exactly winning, is it? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span>I didn't check their blog comments this week but I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess their alums aren't booking tickets to any of the Jan. 1 bowl sites. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>3) Oklahoma</i></span></b><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"><i>! </i></b><i>Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains... </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>To be fair, losing to Kansas this year (apparently) is not considered tantamount to the high humiliation that it used to be. But it is a loss, and probably not their only one this year and as they stand between ND and a top 10 ranking, which is probably what the Irish needs to qualify for a Jan. 1 bowl, I must root for you to go down.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSwHfB2KxZMqE8jItpJYOUOMoV-lpNEEtasR-zUXuP9vOiQpN1yXVZRBhPQux7MjtDdywDkI4cLZiVKNiUtuR5z0mWz-LYwhAJiUoyO3DmstWgRVXWVySeDiqiq6zC1mTx-WbfpsuGq40hwzYXxY9eBeZuE-fkAQyXhKQqCnaQqCGpUqWlR8NeEBCi6E-/s1424/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%209.48.32%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1424" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSwHfB2KxZMqE8jItpJYOUOMoV-lpNEEtasR-zUXuP9vOiQpN1yXVZRBhPQux7MjtDdywDkI4cLZiVKNiUtuR5z0mWz-LYwhAJiUoyO3DmstWgRVXWVySeDiqiq6zC1mTx-WbfpsuGq40hwzYXxY9eBeZuE-fkAQyXhKQqCnaQqCGpUqWlR8NeEBCi6E-/w640-h390/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-31%20at%209.48.32%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Source: <i>The Athletic</i> projection (as of 10.31.23)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFWowxMS0X1P6Qp3zXORr3kcTIohz3u-SKRXH_wZJeslNcs0L7p3AEu-qTZBALAfI6zY3AT9_eDLB5UEuHXN_WFEW8_2anqi7DjGFUd8uUmWmqCc3qTN9utb2eMCqs7wwP3ShAR9rRdHrpBsFpKE7eVJqrT88O5B6XMPJRCJ8dy61_0sBx9sppkj1M6Ww/s525/BUF-L-CUFB-UCLA-15.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="525" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFWowxMS0X1P6Qp3zXORr3kcTIohz3u-SKRXH_wZJeslNcs0L7p3AEu-qTZBALAfI6zY3AT9_eDLB5UEuHXN_WFEW8_2anqi7DjGFUd8uUmWmqCc3qTN9utb2eMCqs7wwP3ShAR9rRdHrpBsFpKE7eVJqrT88O5B6XMPJRCJ8dy61_0sBx9sppkj1M6Ww/s320/BUF-L-CUFB-UCLA-15.webp" width="320" /></a></div>4) Colorado</span></b>. If every loss means the chance to see less of Coach Prime, consider me all in. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>And about your son, coach: maybe a little more form tackling and a little less head shots with the obligatory preening... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>...and maybe he might stay in the game and, um, contribute.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's be honest, this week the Tools section could be devoted entirely to 'that school up north'...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or maybe just to the state of Michigan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or those with Michigan connections.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But occasionally - not often - one tries to show some self-restraint.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Besides, Ann Arbor is going to be in the news for a very long time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4t85zVqPTWcR2r_yZFaKfhoeXaVqmzJIO_TMdej63tG05J3ETNLecDZJ788CN2Nw6tr4WbL1xiDm_Uj_gVkpfvqtnYhnI6qyWv0TIoa4GJI5xGOQ8A4kljdgqKl5dl9uB-IFFipF7oZw4pNNe4rWCmQgdxu9ETmwvfyVuEd0pR4JbD3QrHFSc0MpQS4b/s696/connor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="696" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4t85zVqPTWcR2r_yZFaKfhoeXaVqmzJIO_TMdej63tG05J3ETNLecDZJ788CN2Nw6tr4WbL1xiDm_Uj_gVkpfvqtnYhnI6qyWv0TIoa4GJI5xGOQ8A4kljdgqKl5dl9uB-IFFipF7oZw4pNNe4rWCmQgdxu9ETmwvfyVuEd0pR4JbD3QrHFSc0MpQS4b/s320/connor.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Who's that next to you, coach?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Connor Stalions</b></span>. I don't believe one needs to elaborate on this gentleman's candidacy. Suffice to say, unanimous winner of this week's Niedermeyer Killed-In-Battle-By-His-Own-Troops award... and it seems to get worse every week, for him and the school, with each new revelation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Tool Committee recognizes his 500 page manifesto as a very nice touch, almost like unnecessary extra credit. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But maybe next time, Connor, you don't put it on your school's server.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>All the Federales say</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>They could've had him any day</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>They only let him slip away</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>Out of kindness I suppose...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UoKvUYbGu7A" width="320" youtube-src-id="UoKvUYbGu7A"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tAlz0vlu8PMldnSUyHaYAOVE2kPWI2ydGh0DXjqNFZSmkhhNfJcgu_BxOv3_2SylsXYZtDU0f0c4RoPM7hVrM8feBT1Dy6Dp7sZ2-JdLniNWSd_SnFnDUlFL69QlD6wJi0C6iVfvxdu_B6f0ZpTU9nekGpTx1GLzbWGueZlNOOIgV18FTSFglL1FPYy0/s1906/IMG_4524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="1134" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tAlz0vlu8PMldnSUyHaYAOVE2kPWI2ydGh0DXjqNFZSmkhhNfJcgu_BxOv3_2SylsXYZtDU0f0c4RoPM7hVrM8feBT1Dy6Dp7sZ2-JdLniNWSd_SnFnDUlFL69QlD6wJi0C6iVfvxdu_B6f0ZpTU9nekGpTx1GLzbWGueZlNOOIgV18FTSFglL1FPYy0/w247-h415/IMG_4524.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan State</span></b>. Ambition can often be a dangerous thing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So to the leaders in East Lansing, don't let your reach exceed your grasp. You already own the collegiate Sexual Assault title, going for the Neo-Nazi crown is probably one you want to re-think. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Especially when you're losing 42-0 to your in-state rival. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">PS. And blaming it on the 3rd party vendor is kinda lame.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">PSS. Also, that signage below Hitler ("We Never Drop The Ball"), is just too ironic. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I think I see a ball dropped...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">As the joke goes, "what you mean 'we' kemosabe?"</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE80Lr6TpxvgIeUBCM_y06uJkv3L85-uoeJ98a_omUSV4THT3ItS2DyM0lGgV2NyWDFoyzt8iA3aPDnM3srHIhvZMDWilX6fHnGnDl86vYR9h2LyMpxPHDBAH0XsqElVNSDVT69JllK9cJQGkDOJsqL6bMcbp22PEIVITk0QARBlRsXnh7D22ctsfX6Od/s916/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-30%20at%203.38.13%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE80Lr6TpxvgIeUBCM_y06uJkv3L85-uoeJ98a_omUSV4THT3ItS2DyM0lGgV2NyWDFoyzt8iA3aPDnM3srHIhvZMDWilX6fHnGnDl86vYR9h2LyMpxPHDBAH0XsqElVNSDVT69JllK9cJQGkDOJsqL6bMcbp22PEIVITk0QARBlRsXnh7D22ctsfX6Od/w250-h320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-30%20at%203.38.13%20PM.png" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>3) </b></span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat Narduzzi / Deion Sanders</span></b>. If there requires any greater proof of how college football has seamlessly transitioned to semi-pro ball (and there doesn't), it's the increasingly pervasive attitude of Power 5 coaches who no longer fall on the sword over their team's shortcomings after a loss, rather now adopting a very mercenary "these guys are replaceable - and will be..." attitude.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Extra points awarded to these guys for transparency. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or just not giving a sh*t. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0jxaPYi3eZhMH2s1GZpjfRtBkuIwEhm90qMk02a99Cu68VpvqmLCvEG-g1X_XhZkjmEH_1XHaVNtSVG9F_8c9y5rJLJtdxdJyH4Jl4RlsoQPl3s3_t6uQ3pP0dwP5ooZYKYWxQ-P_d-cV_eUKTUa4gOr2jtUUqzMr5P6iybQ7iWYHOELYknYggiEl1R0/s850/zevon-enjoy-every-sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0jxaPYi3eZhMH2s1GZpjfRtBkuIwEhm90qMk02a99Cu68VpvqmLCvEG-g1X_XhZkjmEH_1XHaVNtSVG9F_8c9y5rJLJtdxdJyH4Jl4RlsoQPl3s3_t6uQ3pP0dwP5ooZYKYWxQ-P_d-cV_eUKTUa4gOr2jtUUqzMr5P6iybQ7iWYHOELYknYggiEl1R0/w444-h210/zevon-enjoy-every-sandwich.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><i>"Enjoy every sandwich."</i></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">The <span style="color: #fcff01;">Julie Rittenhouse</span> service is this weekend. Some of us will be able to make it, most others will be there in spirit. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">It comes at a time when we're all pretty healthy right now, although a few of us are not. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">This weekend feels very important from a football standpoint - beat Clemson and the football program transitions from a potentially disappointing 2023 season to something much more to be pleased with, and proud about. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">But let's recognize that caring about a football team is one of the great indulgences we all have in our lives - and I think about it a lot because I <i>do</i> care and I know how ultimately silly that is. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">So keep Julie in your thoughts on Friday - and your friends / family the rest of the time.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-76777307983702921702023-10-20T16:35:00.005-05:002023-10-22T13:03:55.830-05:00USC: Whiplash<p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">IMPORTANT</span></b><i> (didn't want this to get lost amongst the rest of the dross below).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>The <span style="color: #fcff01;">Julie Rittenhouse funeral service timing</span> as been established:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Uwwiwpm7t-L2aDFs7QX352R7xW0IayEFF6b6K7pchwUEHxBt34E0ONxQ5m3sxmTuVLuTw6Y0aU20j_gigDE66xZk12Rb_6rFLMQ5f42NvB0ZWdL1zlygj2UgZsJdyCQyB7VZWlSASpIKix_6hAnlB1P2hckvqP4ctcd6fY2bJmXpfnLaPMYXYqt7m0qv/s392/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%204.19.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="392" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Uwwiwpm7t-L2aDFs7QX352R7xW0IayEFF6b6K7pchwUEHxBt34E0ONxQ5m3sxmTuVLuTw6Y0aU20j_gigDE66xZk12Rb_6rFLMQ5f42NvB0ZWdL1zlygj2UgZsJdyCQyB7VZWlSASpIKix_6hAnlB1P2hckvqP4ctcd6fY2bJmXpfnLaPMYXYqt7m0qv/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%204.19.22%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Please share</b> -- her obituary can be found <a href="https://www.southbendtribune.com/obituaries/psbn0603448">here</a> -- and hope to see some of you there. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>------------------------------------</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Well there's 1,352 guitar pickers in Nashville</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">And anyone that unpacks a guitar</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Can play twice as better than I will... </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ZqgFyj5uTo" width="320" youtube-src-id="9ZqgFyj5uTo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Nashville, TN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jerrence hadn't planned for it to be like that, it just sorta worked out that way. He found himself Sunday on a plane to Nashville after watching his team step on USC's (and Caleb Williams') neck, metaphorically and, at times, almost literally.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlIw1m6IT_ZbbG3VikMoWI90HTNgsQQy3hj912ZKbV_9veAti4SC7CSV8UOMYyss5Vq4gfYjX1L5AIe4k8kSki8c2D4YmVhIHurK_oTQtIoxNWQHw1Vc2QndvDRrOMtJWOPvMCC34ksS_umMwHXDE0ct_zEvGgl5xk5K9RmPtJw2Qn8XUHkTrJQ9fxqt/s4032/IMG_2617.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlIw1m6IT_ZbbG3VikMoWI90HTNgsQQy3hj912ZKbV_9veAti4SC7CSV8UOMYyss5Vq4gfYjX1L5AIe4k8kSki8c2D4YmVhIHurK_oTQtIoxNWQHw1Vc2QndvDRrOMtJWOPvMCC34ksS_umMwHXDE0ct_zEvGgl5xk5K9RmPtJw2Qn8XUHkTrJQ9fxqt/s320/IMG_2617.jpeg" width="320" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You're St. Mary's seniors on Fall break?! Do tell.</span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And before he knew it, he was in an establishment with his pal Ray Volk, listening to one of probably 50-100 bar bands playing somewhere on Broadway Street at any given time, with a whiskey-based cocktail in his hand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sweet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Indeed, in a post-USC drubbing context, it was not an unpleasant, occasionally surreal, experience. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And in between attending shows we were actually in town to see (Jason Isbell at the Ryman Auditorium / The Time Jumpers at 3rd & Lindsley) - it was an experience that was repeated a few times over the two days in town. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIpD7d7qorek5IcCZGtam57JXbQxlL_haaBgzn9G9_78FVuL-a2_81cFCc71CG4t8Wm6n0ErZPXqs-HGUjBfAZN87PmX9Nj-52mvzJjMRMBlAm54zR8OIoWMb4D-lThpiieZWrCn2CWN8IQJ5USVF1je2JMTFyfKJSAh76lcFIGWozqI7e2fx34r97iXG/s2221/IMG_4481.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2221" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIpD7d7qorek5IcCZGtam57JXbQxlL_haaBgzn9G9_78FVuL-a2_81cFCc71CG4t8Wm6n0ErZPXqs-HGUjBfAZN87PmX9Nj-52mvzJjMRMBlAm54zR8OIoWMb4D-lThpiieZWrCn2CWN8IQJ5USVF1je2JMTFyfKJSAh76lcFIGWozqI7e2fx34r97iXG/w640-h418/IMG_4481.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much like trends he saw during Saturday night's football game (e.g., USC's O-line is <i>awful</i>), he noticed similar consistencies with the bar bands and their members' roles:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><u>Lead singer</u>: Must wear a hat. For female leads, it must be something broad rimmed, preferably a cowboy hat, while men have the flexibility to go cowboy or the baseball hat route. The latter should typically promote an obscure industrial manufacturer and appear fairly weathered. And as long as they had their cell phones for reference, those leads will sing anything you ask for. </li></ul><ul><li><u>Lead guitarist</u>: Can look like whatever they want, big or small, clean cut or unkept. But they must be able to <i>shred</i>, with a guitar that cost them several months wages.</li></ul><ul><li><u>Bass guitarist</u>: Invariably physically large and silent with the presumed mobility of a refrigerator and a vaguely sinister, unstable demeanor. Whether they contributed to the band's performance was none of your concern.</li></ul><ul><li><u>Drummer</u>: The introverts of the group and other than having underrated tempo skills, it was clear they must also wear a hat, specifically of the baseball variety and it must be worn backwards.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Were these hard rules or merely guidelines? Unclear, more research required. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j3XgSrd_6N2VWSCT6Iq4BZISMcue6eZWmZrkuL8BUcJERvlbkj25n23PwalU14gJPz2gwSsX3nh5PteVbFx6Ari7dI7d7G8qwXQrfX1mb3EV-F6Au9gWPouIcwAzd4ahdMxGBY7nfW-mRN-nhsMM7rNut2loYy-jHxWIQQcZIY4g1h_S9g3FZawyjkzY/s2565/IMG_4504.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="2565" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j3XgSrd_6N2VWSCT6Iq4BZISMcue6eZWmZrkuL8BUcJERvlbkj25n23PwalU14gJPz2gwSsX3nh5PteVbFx6Ari7dI7d7G8qwXQrfX1mb3EV-F6Au9gWPouIcwAzd4ahdMxGBY7nfW-mRN-nhsMM7rNut2loYy-jHxWIQQcZIY4g1h_S9g3FZawyjkzY/w407-h151/IMG_4504.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div>Yet Jerrence, an inveterate rule follower, took great solace in the assurance of knowing pretty much what he was in store for at each venue, even if the range of music genre differed greatly from bar to bar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ands well as his Irish had played that weekend, he pined for a similar level of consistency - and high quality - in their play as he was witnessing in Tennessee. This 2023 roller coaster ride of ND viewing experience was getting a little tiresome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></span></div></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><div><i>"</i>Just to see the fans and the support we get continuously and The Walk and just the football culture here, I hope it never changes. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I'm blessed to have kids, I hope I can bring them back and they play<i><div>a highlight. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMhl5qlfkvmoz2EXYT5tV4wLP8tX2w7LweHYfI95W-Q2A72tUXfC4Zhm6obkGWYEZiiwptwVBaqGm_35BnxDDcFYteOARRihIUH5zX0CHDsXzXN06HMXKMBqw0ItfneFmxkydNs8reF2INPg5wG09rt5Ohuv3KHYNATMp_a5GpTnX7ntRbrlgOIh9KfLq/s1065/hartman%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1060" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMhl5qlfkvmoz2EXYT5tV4wLP8tX2w7LweHYfI95W-Q2A72tUXfC4Zhm6obkGWYEZiiwptwVBaqGm_35BnxDDcFYteOARRihIUH5zX0CHDsXzXN06HMXKMBqw0ItfneFmxkydNs8reF2INPg5wG09rt5Ohuv3KHYNATMp_a5GpTnX7ntRbrlgOIh9KfLq/w201-h203/hartman%202.jpeg" width="201" /></a></div>Probably won't be as cool as Joe</div><div>Montana, but - you know, I met Joe Montana today. That was pretty sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Probably add that: USC victory (one), Joe Montana (two). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I think that that is going to be something I can kind of cherish for the rest of mv life."<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: right;"> Sam Hartman</b></div></i></div></i></div></i></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Regardless of how he finishes his Notre Dame career (year), how can you not be a huge fan of this fellow? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shaving the beard might've been a mistake, however. Although the TikTok below - which I heartily encourage you watch - 3 funny freaking minutes - expresses my opinion well. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">"I want his face for Halloween..."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l4VcHKSHbwGfH_q4q9WVPzcL-tme0hHd2-InHy3O288TpIHIW3gxQJYrfdnydHUB-lmgElvskd8kFBcFehse91IIKVSLN5koy8ZFKeUWJn7-HkIt6Z87R9CH-D5eLdTpQqLaHR2y90ziu-9ozhpcvz_tPpD8aOCBdlEPlMLqrQHHEUS9Up3HIUbGYwGD/s1028/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%203.10.50%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4l4VcHKSHbwGfH_q4q9WVPzcL-tme0hHd2-InHy3O288TpIHIW3gxQJYrfdnydHUB-lmgElvskd8kFBcFehse91IIKVSLN5koy8ZFKeUWJn7-HkIt6Z87R9CH-D5eLdTpQqLaHR2y90ziu-9ozhpcvz_tPpD8aOCBdlEPlMLqrQHHEUS9Up3HIUbGYwGD/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%203.10.50%20PM.png" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch <a href=" https://www.tiktok.com/@joshpray239/video/7288781036463426858">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>If that link doesn't work, try it <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@joshpray239/video/7288781036463426858">here</a>. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0K6-rHHM3rsoqIOeYX9VN1ipOzKxMfe1NPImY8e3QXML0tic0es6_kSM-yFTWWFTm0TJyLuOEQzXc8DcdU6rqsWRYQsx19taU06xV3R8UervY35iB8-UQXVu45v13a5LT-Z5ypeekzTPAdxx02eLSUWWWK9RFT22jinGUd76qOwZE8pqRh7KGOd_D0m6/s946/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%201.15.37%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="946" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0K6-rHHM3rsoqIOeYX9VN1ipOzKxMfe1NPImY8e3QXML0tic0es6_kSM-yFTWWFTm0TJyLuOEQzXc8DcdU6rqsWRYQsx19taU06xV3R8UervY35iB8-UQXVu45v13a5LT-Z5ypeekzTPAdxx02eLSUWWWK9RFT22jinGUd76qOwZE8pqRh7KGOd_D0m6/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%201.15.37%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>:</u> Even in his semi-anesthetized state (having the second Behrens bloody mary might've been a tactical error, at least as far as enhancing his already limited cognitive abilities to recognize and analyze anything football-related), Young Jerrence saw that something was just not right... a little off... but likely in a good way for his Irish. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The mood at the tailgater had reflected the weather itself: hardly optimistic and yet not terrible. Overcast but not the dire rainy clime forecasted. Yes, a tad unseasonably poor for mid-October but definitely not Arctic tundra-esque either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzFez-FkkBmib-dTxPQmQKfAOqsxPsrFJ6p6QKxKGgajCdWfZ2eEnpiRYse9AP593hhzhv8TQCR3f5K4sR-MafWAQwniCQT9FSev1Y9qPdYKGDgg5DniZL_-xKMcdW0Q4mGgmZ9psHnqvSEqbgt2us1OIl8FtjiwBpoobgbRcBdTI_-5ENXibHER6p7PY/s2767/Branch.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="2767" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzFez-FkkBmib-dTxPQmQKfAOqsxPsrFJ6p6QKxKGgajCdWfZ2eEnpiRYse9AP593hhzhv8TQCR3f5K4sR-MafWAQwniCQT9FSev1Y9qPdYKGDgg5DniZL_-xKMcdW0Q4mGgmZ9psHnqvSEqbgt2us1OIl8FtjiwBpoobgbRcBdTI_-5ENXibHER6p7PY/w200-h170/Branch.heic" width="200" /></a></div>And yet, he was seeing several of the USC players wearing <span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>balaclava's</i></span> as if they were playing a January game in Green Bay. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Huh? Hell, Jerrence didn't even see the weather as drinking glove appropriate - and he had kicker DNA, the very poster boy for wussies. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If the Trojan Weenie Boys were already that fixated on 50F temp's, this boded well for their lack of fortitude... </span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 8 Thoughts - </span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I'll be back in the high life again</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>All the doors I closed will open once again...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Adw772km7PQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="Adw772km7PQ"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>No one's offered to Op Ed for me this week so it's back to my lame observations. Much like the team - who clearly rallied better than me - eight weeks in, I'm running on fumes. For almost the only time this year, I re-watched the game and here's a few quick hitters:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Drops</span></b><i>. </i>Hartman, Games 5-8 doesn't look nearly as accurate as in Games 1-4... and there's clearly several reasons for it, a few outside his control, including drops. I counted four in the 1st half, all of which would've kept drives going. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Audibles</span></b><i>. </i>Something that's been on my mind for awhile - does Hartman have any autonomy in changing the play at the line? Here's a guy who's taken, what, 4000 snaps in his career? That's a lot of experience. Seems a little misguided, not to be able to have him be able to check out of plays he can see are not going to work.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SG41ZI1wKwKowCl6UncItoJexSfSWUB2ojoDyZuvK0tbNRgD1SMXiisWRRSIryp2PWnkCq7pEmrPuZGVJDt2USIeOjvJ7CYcF5lKnIpD9MRgK3sLaqX7Xduh7x6rAkOSznx47Jvc-60JmSv4n8OT7tD56O3YjvPeTXy77inALmbRd92ZSdv9Hg3K0CY3/s1013/IMG_4477.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1013" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SG41ZI1wKwKowCl6UncItoJexSfSWUB2ojoDyZuvK0tbNRgD1SMXiisWRRSIryp2PWnkCq7pEmrPuZGVJDt2USIeOjvJ7CYcF5lKnIpD9MRgK3sLaqX7Xduh7x6rAkOSznx47Jvc-60JmSv4n8OT7tD56O3YjvPeTXy77inALmbRd92ZSdv9Hg3K0CY3/w270-h199/IMG_4477.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>Bertrand</span></b><i>. </i>Our LB's take a lot of grief. They're old, slow and white - to be blunt. Not a lot of perceived athleticism and with a couple highly regarded recruiting classes at the position, perhaps more than a few people thinking 'give the kids a try.' </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet, arguably, in a game with several big plays for ND, JD made one of the biggest - blowing up a 4th-and-short when the game was, well, still a game. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe it's time to recognize that while he likely won't play on Sundays, he's pretty valuable right now.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1Q4I0BNLJIKQOnFY-Xo7SS7QdAtSp8vT7n0AFc_0o8y1k_-BcuT8q7ig8vPXTGvemoyrZQYSIdigXXdOGt8rpDvCsTzmaewfFj_BL56yX2XxoGAl24fSjZWiCboF_Scjg4uR-KcKZgekZz3ORvaULEp86yKRjgmM_PBTkLbmoBx_1niwzniLtByn1VIp/s1028/IMG_4483.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1028" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1Q4I0BNLJIKQOnFY-Xo7SS7QdAtSp8vT7n0AFc_0o8y1k_-BcuT8q7ig8vPXTGvemoyrZQYSIdigXXdOGt8rpDvCsTzmaewfFj_BL56yX2XxoGAl24fSjZWiCboF_Scjg4uR-KcKZgekZz3ORvaULEp86yKRjgmM_PBTkLbmoBx_1niwzniLtByn1VIp/w233-h175/IMG_4483.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tyree</span></b><i>. </i>Same thing. More than a few of us tend to focus on his shortcomings - punt return decisions being at the top of the list - but he continues to get better at the WR position in a year where there's not a whole lot of better options... and seems to be part of a VERY big play at least every other game. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps we ought to fixate on that a bit more.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7ykLn1jCDwAhZ-aIny1OngKPCuv-k10p5DD8rO5qrgtwrTSzDOHhBrSmuT3dCg8QF3tA0dG27lhftWVvCBuexqLGvxwI2rhqqGscsLmjcguxbdr57VlT5s_-H8b5NdwBpWc2gmcn2-14iG4Tp_GVrmz-er86tNkYpeTB8JzVF31hIFcAFzdxWuiajTkf/s4500/IMG_4476.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3608" data-original-width="4500" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7ykLn1jCDwAhZ-aIny1OngKPCuv-k10p5DD8rO5qrgtwrTSzDOHhBrSmuT3dCg8QF3tA0dG27lhftWVvCBuexqLGvxwI2rhqqGscsLmjcguxbdr57VlT5s_-H8b5NdwBpWc2gmcn2-14iG4Tp_GVrmz-er86tNkYpeTB8JzVF31hIFcAFzdxWuiajTkf/w320-h258/IMG_4476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Storming the field</span></b>. It'd be reasonable to believe that everyone in ND Stadium Saturday night was a bit confused by what they saw - Caleb sucking, ND's defensive pressure actually getting home, short yardage situations getting converted (well, a couple times at least)... </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">So when the final gun sounds with a 28 pt. victory over one's fiercest rival, it looked like 80,000 people were still processing what they had just witnessed, leading to the oddest, most laid back "I guess we should run on the field?" storming. Funny.</span><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Big 10</span></b>. This thought did occur to me: if SC is going to struggle with playing in South Bend in mid-October, wait til they see Iowa City or State College (still the coldest I've ever been at a football game) in November. I gotta believe the conference was loving what they saw Saturday night - and cannot wait to welcome the Los Angeles teams.</span></li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR2IICM_9lmLLS6v2nxCjXtaHzarch3fGDxN8juTQm7W-stJE-NTMYiLfxBjOm2vxU2bzzR3r25xSmFhSodxhNLzpjx-Qf1ny79xu0-M3DVAu6IoA-banZV_Cc9YD1uvpBSjiK-qI3ZfqEsUKOgSDVma9sJbWpsd3ff-pVpGWcoYIsuCnYWsG-V-hnugo/s1170/IMG_4484.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1170" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR2IICM_9lmLLS6v2nxCjXtaHzarch3fGDxN8juTQm7W-stJE-NTMYiLfxBjOm2vxU2bzzR3r25xSmFhSodxhNLzpjx-Qf1ny79xu0-M3DVAu6IoA-banZV_Cc9YD1uvpBSjiK-qI3ZfqEsUKOgSDVma9sJbWpsd3ff-pVpGWcoYIsuCnYWsG-V-hnugo/w241-h158/IMG_4484.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>Finger nails</span></b>. Going into the game, I would've put the over / under at 3 for the # of times we'd be seeing Caleb's nails. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps because they were so frequently smudged by the turf, I don't recall a single visual. Good.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">NBC Announcers</span></b>. I've finally been turned. For a fellow who's never cared much about the ND game announcers to date, last week was a bit of a watershed moment: Jason Garrett is smart but painfully dull and Jac Collinsworth is worse. I'm starting a "Let's draft Gruley for play-by-play" movement! That is, if he can't hang on to his starting WR position (the lacrosse kid has gotta be pushing him). </span></li></ul><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByRN4GQt1XMjLMe0dtvj3ZMgpat8-swceWN4xeX2LqLeqXZTu2DsC4eSU1CZDE5W8a878Kgo_iHJmQLD0j2HEShSse7YFgZSlcQcGUCzVMbeznRilkIH2JM6tRszfO6OFaUjShIe-xTNGyt653cKk3j2ZxnIdtnvXEjPI4qoqoOC54a-IaZJpuJh_imUz/s1085/IMG_4472.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="1085" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByRN4GQt1XMjLMe0dtvj3ZMgpat8-swceWN4xeX2LqLeqXZTu2DsC4eSU1CZDE5W8a878Kgo_iHJmQLD0j2HEShSse7YFgZSlcQcGUCzVMbeznRilkIH2JM6tRszfO6OFaUjShIe-xTNGyt653cKk3j2ZxnIdtnvXEjPI4qoqoOC54a-IaZJpuJh_imUz/w640-h326/IMG_4472.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Run, Forrest, run! </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></b></span></li></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Coach Parker</span></b>. While ND's total yardage number was a bit deceiving - they started with short fields a lot (and converted when they had to), and yes, when you get up by 18 you probably call a more conservative game... but I don't think you're out of the woods yet as far as job security goes.</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Lord knows I like to roll the dice</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And I don't give the best advice</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But this ain't it.... </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZkIpP_mIoA" width="320" youtube-src-id="LZkIpP_mIoA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some weeks are just slam dunk easy to identify Buddy's pal. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Though, truth be told, if the defense keeps this up, Al Golden is gonna have to get his name up on the wall.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember that well known Mark Twain quote, "There's lies, damn lies, and statistics..." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, this isn't the week to cite that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Check out this stat line for <span style="color: #fcff01;">Xavier Watts</span>:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPrHpFzz1yrIKcOtX6ELEKixBR6bn8kcR06iRwl3atYPWc93NfI30f_l0G-aeLLv5_qTZLDj1Ga04mNpddWg75D44TNt4AnuEBZPCZq0A-SfSUsKFEIIqUTiEM8SnxoA-N15DOF52d54Y0D0NlqN21UojAxd1L2gaXWPKhwoK5wa0yrnMRKUAtEQxjeXz/s966/IMG_4474.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="966" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPrHpFzz1yrIKcOtX6ELEKixBR6bn8kcR06iRwl3atYPWc93NfI30f_l0G-aeLLv5_qTZLDj1Ga04mNpddWg75D44TNt4AnuEBZPCZq0A-SfSUsKFEIIqUTiEM8SnxoA-N15DOF52d54Y0D0NlqN21UojAxd1L2gaXWPKhwoK5wa0yrnMRKUAtEQxjeXz/w400-h265/IMG_4474.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 tackles (6 solo)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 INT's</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 pass defense</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 forced fumble</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 scoop and score</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nationally, named the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">(I wonder if they give you a leather helmut for that - that would be cool.)</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Regardless, he's been starting for less than a year and seems to already have become the talent equivalent of our CB's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is nice. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can only imagine professionals like Messers. Sampson, Fortuna et al are driven crazy by a season like the one ND is having.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They're supposed to be experts, with their finger on the pulse of the program better than anyone - and yet, from week to week, the narrative changes radically.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe they like that - gives them tons of the "didn't see that coming" type content to write about. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So in that same vein, rather than steal an observation about a topic that's been well covered (e.g. Hartman, the WR's, Parker), perhaps a few words this week about some guys who aren't necessarily in the public consciousness quite as much...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As much as Notre Dame needs development stories like Xavier Watts, where would the Irish defense be without Javontae Jean-Baptiste and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="osjennMllVuBwL5V" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a>? Jean-Baptiste has turned into the defensive end Notre Dame hoped he could be but Ohio State never truly saw. Harper is every bit the nickel of <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="b1tv4caZIKrmD4AB" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tariq-bracy-b1tv4caZIKrmD4AB/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">TaRiq Bracy</a> last year, if not superior. The Irish missed him at Louisville.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s not that Notre Dame hit on every graduate transfer this cycle. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="rm1Pf7Uzb34IUqK9" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/kaleb-smith-rm1Pf7Uzb34IUqK9/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Kaleb Smith</a> retired during training camp after not making a dent on the receiver depth chart, which is hard to rationalize considering his production at <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="171" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/virginia-tech-hokies-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Virginia Tech</a>. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="meqQWp7HMqFGpYpq" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/antonio-carter-ii-meqQWp7HMqFGpYpq/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Antonio Carter II</a> has been in and out of the lineup after coming over from Rhode Island.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the impact of the hits — Hartman, Jean-Baptiste and Harper — have changed the program’s foundation for the year. And kicker</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="wrbnfbrnZwPtANcO" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/spencer-shrader-wrbnfbrnZwPtANcO/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Spencer Shrader</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">has connected, too.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 18, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing screams 'unhinged, unsupervised youth running amok' more than Nashville's Broadway Street...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And that's just on a random Monday in October.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whereas Tennessee is bourbon whiskey capital, not rum, but when you factor in the role of THE PIG - ham! bacon! BBQ! - there's more overlap with this week's literary cocktail selection than one might otherwise perceive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Lord of the Mai-Tais</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Lord of the Flies (1954)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>By William Golding</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The plot that started a dozen TV franchises: throw a group of disparate souls on an island after an airplane crashes, and, in a Clearasil-ready twist, make sure none of them are old enough to drive, let alone drink.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8T1zqTvE56g4vgBM2uNPOW0ZRg_DHWw6EyhFD3xbBXyopQa2mMBHH3bc43vbBvFq4EqiDqTFXhMfY41AjVD-MfapnbjzRDEs0_IYUcCQvWI1TU0Dzc2EQMIuqKmjvWeQzvhZFn2gql223bqAmr1bE2DMDQFdVwd6HcU_xdgk9QahSl0Nzkyd3PITBS9u/s428/lord_flies.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="428" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8T1zqTvE56g4vgBM2uNPOW0ZRg_DHWw6EyhFD3xbBXyopQa2mMBHH3bc43vbBvFq4EqiDqTFXhMfY41AjVD-MfapnbjzRDEs0_IYUcCQvWI1TU0Dzc2EQMIuqKmjvWeQzvhZFn2gql223bqAmr1bE2DMDQFdVwd6HcU_xdgk9QahSl0Nzkyd3PITBS9u/s320/lord_flies.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>If you went to a high school that favored broadened minds over banned books, you'll remember devouring this fable of order and disorder, schoolboys-turned-savages, and one very trippy pig's head.</div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recommended reading during your next flight to Hawaii, escape to the galley if things get bumpy and throw together this Polynesian nerve-calmer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's fit to be served in a conch shell but don't turn your back on the other passengers.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHcELRbOTvH_BPIFk8IV0nle3mkMblFBDc5w2Yfl7NB5esSZ1U8tAY_Ucbsp3pO0OcLXsXHONdRD4fZoFqk2NqWj-9YZPNS1uGNXkOECN1715xvv1pITRdokngcxmdZQapG4uuS0Rt3Sawhyphenhyphenf51GlcDq-g8bV4uS7MhyYzvVFTsd29hZRV5ptYSLMh2f3/s260/glass-raspberry-collins-cocktail-garnished-260nw-2208483273.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="184" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHcELRbOTvH_BPIFk8IV0nle3mkMblFBDc5w2Yfl7NB5esSZ1U8tAY_Ucbsp3pO0OcLXsXHONdRD4fZoFqk2NqWj-9YZPNS1uGNXkOECN1715xvv1pITRdokngcxmdZQapG4uuS0Rt3Sawhyphenhyphenf51GlcDq-g8bV4uS7MhyYzvVFTsd29hZRV5ptYSLMh2f3/w142-h200/glass-raspberry-collins-cocktail-garnished-260nw-2208483273.jpeg" width="142" /></a></div>2 oz. cranberry juice</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. orange juice </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. coconut cream</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 shot light rum</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 tspn. grenadine syrup</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Orange slice or pineapple wedge, for garnish (optional)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shake the ingredients with ice -- odds are, it'll all turn out bloody red -- and pour everything, including the ice, into a Collins glass. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Get creative with the topical garnishes: pineapples, oranges, eye of piglet...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay Team 8, perhaps we got a little ahead of ourselves in anointing you the blog groups' Nostradamus. But with this team, it's week-to-week, right?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B.</span>, Bryan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, Bob J., </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude can be a lot like portfolio management. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">One might not always have a limitless amount of joy to expend and, from week to week, a variable number of people / teams to spend against.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week is going to be like putting that surprise spot bonus money almost entirely against one really great bottle of wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the Southern California vineyard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYG207nEVhkhA31CGsXCutF_Dn9RrKkW4f2UVfcnxfzc7IvA0681jDlf7d77ec_oll0Qk5LyNGv2PCSQDUELowkPZl1DNHo7F1NWkol_HM2gZsjC9SWrgokKLO4JFI3V_gso80tuHsz19cwXj5J3OMJTYCd4WlkAe0uMqt0KSdzmHf3iNOZ0_aIDnXnqE/s640/sddefault.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYG207nEVhkhA31CGsXCutF_Dn9RrKkW4f2UVfcnxfzc7IvA0681jDlf7d77ec_oll0Qk5LyNGv2PCSQDUELowkPZl1DNHo7F1NWkol_HM2gZsjC9SWrgokKLO4JFI3V_gso80tuHsz19cwXj5J3OMJTYCd4WlkAe0uMqt0KSdzmHf3iNOZ0_aIDnXnqE/w200-h150/sddefault.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />USC.</span> </b></span><span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><i style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </i>With four ranked teams in your final five games (including Washington and Oregon), I would recommend you get used to your position in this section.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Interesting that Riley suggests "we're were right in it" up to the kickoff return... really?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Texas A&M</span></b><span><b style="color: #fcff01;">. </b>Here's some fun facts for all you Jimbo fans: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>The team currently sits at 4-3 with trips to Ole Miss (Lane has beaten you the last two years) and LSU.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Jimbo has <u>never</u> won 10 games since being at A&M</span></span></li><li>Fully half of his top 5 recruiting classes the last few years have left.</li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>He has $78M left on his contract.</span></span></li></ul><div>And we open the '24 season with them in College Station. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iGuPl7AYY2s" width="320" youtube-src-id="iGuPl7AYY2s"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Miami.</span></b> Losing to North Carolina and their highly rated QB isn't anything to be ashamed of. <u>Question</u>: Insofar as you had 2 INT's on top of fumbling 2 other times... do you still get out that insipid turnover chain when you do it?</div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">New week, new events - what is going on in the world these days - and new nominees... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">...but with some very familiar faces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of special note this week, Rep. <strike>Gym</strike> Jim Jordan was nominated for Tool consideration but didn't receive sufficient votes from The Committee. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ba boom ting!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Michigan</b></span>. What is it with Team Harbaugh and their inability to follow the rules or, minimally, figure out how to cheat properly like the SEC? Earlier in the year, Harbaugh gets suspended during team's September MAC schedule for flouting recruiting rules - now it's stealing other teams signals by attending their games (expressly forbidden for, like, 20 years) and sussing out what plays they run.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gee, one would think that's gotta take the shine off their Defensive Coordinator's reputation a bit. I mean, how hard can it be to defend something WHEN YOU KNOW THE PLAY THAT'S COMING?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But fear not, the school has suspended their G. Gordon Liddy-esque staffer, an ex-Marine hired a few years back as an analyst. Can you say, "Fall Guy?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxz364iXbNryhsrsOGwad4YKDNueRo4ZEeeE4JWh0Vc2rtGPYUn_84I4h2pI0Ma5iDTKebI2MW-VbjgS-t5s1JNa80f5l_KQXzun81-0xY0f6C2wQR9NZUNxniXAjY-CQjls0XAOy-ayA49GzT-IYCSxw8uKSmmodl6lum96ymr0wiitzEEA7BZBGYyfe/s1080/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-20%20at%202.47.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxz364iXbNryhsrsOGwad4YKDNueRo4ZEeeE4JWh0Vc2rtGPYUn_84I4h2pI0Ma5iDTKebI2MW-VbjgS-t5s1JNa80f5l_KQXzun81-0xY0f6C2wQR9NZUNxniXAjY-CQjls0XAOy-ayA49GzT-IYCSxw8uKSmmodl6lum96ymr0wiitzEEA7BZBGYyfe/w400-h390/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-20%20at%202.47.13%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0UFdXYL6SIF7KOC0kFM3Q2BKlaWkSGCJW4UyX9pE0it5fsmFXjdUIL0Zz5HezyD1_R24p3QzCrJfCDWi8sg3ce-rU7ZUsCuyn8FcTAfKBOE8VnhcIosfo_1o8ck6c7Mta_w61LXcShycdPBkfzNYRZN2arCP9aEMq_y_GynZkP1UtdFcDZ6Wb_X3I_so/s1170/IMG_4471.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1170" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0UFdXYL6SIF7KOC0kFM3Q2BKlaWkSGCJW4UyX9pE0it5fsmFXjdUIL0Zz5HezyD1_R24p3QzCrJfCDWi8sg3ce-rU7ZUsCuyn8FcTAfKBOE8VnhcIosfo_1o8ck6c7Mta_w61LXcShycdPBkfzNYRZN2arCP9aEMq_y_GynZkP1UtdFcDZ6Wb_X3I_so/w361-h212/IMG_4471.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Perhaps you have more pressing things to worry about.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Caleb Williams</span></b>. There is hubris and there is USC QB-level hubris.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Word came out again this week (it's not new news) that Young Caleb, the presumptive #1 pick in next Spring's NFL draft, wants as part of his compensation package <i>equity </i>(i.e., partial ownership) in the team he goes to.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps he doesn't realize that Aaron Rodgers tried to get that from the Jets - it's illegal in the NFL - and anyway, if he ain't getting it, you sure as hell aren't. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or maybe be does. In any event,</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> you do you, C-Man. And </span><span style="font-size: large;">e</span><span style="font-size: large;">njoy playing for the Toronto Argonauts.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Colorado PA Announcer</b></span>. <span style="font-size: medium;">Occasionally, I like to re-visit some of my darker sports-related fantasies... like establishing a rooftop sniper, ex-Special Ops, with a bean bag rifle that would pop any player for the unnecessary 'look at me' celebrations that occur after <i>every single freaking play</i>. The shot wouldn't harm them but the repeated sting would surely get their attention. And I'd imagine the crowd would get into it. You'd think DB's and WR's would represent a very target-rich environment.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So I was taken by the news that one courageous official tried to get control of another irritating New Age habit: stadiums that play the loudspeaker music virtually right up to the snap.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A0IP4PQIFuc" width="320" youtube-src-id="A0IP4PQIFuc"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I understand that the Colorado Buffs are unaccustomed to having anyone pay attention to them - and their coach is the king of <i>Look At Me!</i> tactics - but I'm saying bravo to cutting that shit out. And interesting that Stanford came back to win that game.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That said, I wonder what song they were playing... </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: left;">What do you do when someone shows up with the 1975 Notre Dame Dog Book and hands it to you? </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">You go through it very slowly. </span><i>And take pictures. </i></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Who can go 12-for-12?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYov8RuuFXr6hnkFMi_jt8ia7ogkXKRBP1EYqhGS2RowFqSB-XLL7kpkloC6Z0cfINILcPb3OFLaurnVWfqd0ScKQPSExL1I83U538YcIOnRsnShiNUK2F462W5fV8sayytpYYgdfjivRb4r7HOb4Fiq2RfAW9fQeH6Tn1ohwm2SlbqLCLNfpOJ2BjE-h/s1296/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%204.02.01%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="730" height="1147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYov8RuuFXr6hnkFMi_jt8ia7ogkXKRBP1EYqhGS2RowFqSB-XLL7kpkloC6Z0cfINILcPb3OFLaurnVWfqd0ScKQPSExL1I83U538YcIOnRsnShiNUK2F462W5fV8sayytpYYgdfjivRb4r7HOb4Fiq2RfAW9fQeH6Tn1ohwm2SlbqLCLNfpOJ2BjE-h/w646-h1147/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-19%20at%204.02.01%20PM.png" width="646" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-78355957887289467522023-10-12T12:19:00.004-05:002023-10-12T12:39:02.306-05:00Louisville: Burnin' Down The House<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>All wet.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Hey you might need a raincoat...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zfr3L0drhS8" width="320" youtube-src-id="Zfr3L0drhS8"></iframe></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: 400;">I thought The Granddaughter, Sloane, was going to be my lucky ND football viewing talisman this season but in the end, not so much. As it turns out, she, like our offensive line, suffers from a lack of consistent focus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;">The first week, Ohio State, was predictable - she was clearly captivated by the houseguests, in particular the dreamy Dr. Spittler, her storybook reading buddy. And, frankly, who among us hasn't been disarmed by Dr. Bob's boyish charms? I get it, Sloane. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;">The Duke and Louisville contests, however, revealed something a little more... <i>chronic</i>. About both the toddler and the ND football team. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvMRd8-06PJ5rsL1c0LEuPnWCBAuSJ8XdqS-OpeNo8BGPV_2fv9qE7woz_MjsUWVlQa4h8vHpZ6Bu3Y6NxlIizr49jPx9jKSXJ8OSJa8aVduDLNKlNnfUSz1UTMLpa5_w2r5sJkK3hVZtB1d0OKicyxvQuSp8AKajvjDzFwhlf2X2MAGPJIaFMrrowQz3/s2000/101a4e0c-d6e0-4396-8af4-fbcb4255d755.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvMRd8-06PJ5rsL1c0LEuPnWCBAuSJ8XdqS-OpeNo8BGPV_2fv9qE7woz_MjsUWVlQa4h8vHpZ6Bu3Y6NxlIizr49jPx9jKSXJ8OSJa8aVduDLNKlNnfUSz1UTMLpa5_w2r5sJkK3hVZtB1d0OKicyxvQuSp8AKajvjDzFwhlf2X2MAGPJIaFMrrowQz3/s320/101a4e0c-d6e0-4396-8af4-fbcb4255d755.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Nice doing business with you, Grandie</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Hers was at least understandable - she had better priorities (or perhaps was better incentivized), like mastering peepee on the potty and getting that Scooby Doo cookie from grandma for each successful occasion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Let me say this about that</u>: If the Corrigan homestead were a casino and Sloane a patron, she'd have been asked to cash out and leave for the way she has clearly gamed the system. No 2 1/2 year old should be able to have that level of bladder control where they can pee, snag that cookie, go back and pee 30 minutes later, hitting grandma up for another cookie. Repeatedly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And when she showed she could successfully 'drop a deuce' and hit <i>that</i> reward lottery? Well, that's "Get Anderson Cooper on the line"-level special, with an appropriate corresponding remuneration. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What, are we over-sharing? You ask, what's t<span style="text-align: left;">he point of all this? You mean other than connecting a poorly coached football team to the training of a toddler with mad potty skills? </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTWC_FJ9VJBBdTdh5GtZ3c99gU4vA6SKjJDkk5wYUszTNwT06mINvHmvTjGSdwl3s8dENTXRMRpl2ovtrkfNi2_LAhdG98aNWjFw2Xo2WkYyZMdn6TwuOpMByRzX5p54yZYqNcXBz3h9XRIL5h9da9wfHWss2Z_XOgumqQ9Vyh7X4fFHX_zz-eyqQX84t/s798/PD_0227%202.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="798" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTWC_FJ9VJBBdTdh5GtZ3c99gU4vA6SKjJDkk5wYUszTNwT06mINvHmvTjGSdwl3s8dENTXRMRpl2ovtrkfNi2_LAhdG98aNWjFw2Xo2WkYyZMdn6TwuOpMByRzX5p54yZYqNcXBz3h9XRIL5h9da9wfHWss2Z_XOgumqQ9Vyh7X4fFHX_zz-eyqQX84t/s320/PD_0227%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Kindness personified. RIP, Julie.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Actually, there is no point. Other than to recognize: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">a) It was really nice to see someone enjoy big success (both coach and student) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">and </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">b) Life goes on, off of the football field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Middle East. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Julie Rittenhouse. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After all, it is only a game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></span></div></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3beELJ2ttzdLv3U3do-NxbEp02leCzmvuegCE5-V_xYOZ0Zus2-g-YrdDERSpzYEhGQZLZJZ5sOa3Jsk10nq35EPKZcq2HPPMd2PkUp0OheA-PC6nhzCJaDtQfQ2JdXTFlKy5KSkBLmvA-S_wQrkig_4k808JtKJmrVmm8aH7AJN0IvdVkQ_GPsT8flwc/s1920/daniel-boone.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3beELJ2ttzdLv3U3do-NxbEp02leCzmvuegCE5-V_xYOZ0Zus2-g-YrdDERSpzYEhGQZLZJZ5sOa3Jsk10nq35EPKZcq2HPPMd2PkUp0OheA-PC6nhzCJaDtQfQ2JdXTFlKy5KSkBLmvA-S_wQrkig_4k808JtKJmrVmm8aH7AJN0IvdVkQ_GPsT8flwc/w223-h126/daniel-boone.jpeg" width="223" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"I have never been lost but I will admit to being confused for several weeks...</i><i>"</i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: right;"> </span><b style="text-align: right;">Daniel Boone</b></div></i></div></i></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Well, there you have it - the archetypal frontier hero of American folklore was similarly lost in Kentucky (albeit not in front of 59,000 people) and that turned out okay for him. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">It's always darkest before dawn, right? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Question, Dan'l, when you say 'confused for several weeks', could you be more specific as to how long we can mistake being lost for merely being confused? And not to make too fine a point of it, even if you were only confused, practically speaking... you were still wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, right?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Asking for a friend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">The vultures fly around me, come and take me home</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Can't tell the bad from the good</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I'm out in the woods, then I'm lost in the woods</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6gRnM9CoBlI" width="320" youtube-src-id="6gRnM9CoBlI"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnAw6nLAnA_iChNRI0DSMODauLr48QKYEny7AAUkONvQ1xorQMdFdzSHakeoM4LEA68FBUUl-jp5mvOH77WLRQP3RfvHAM_M5drHv9Xkvel51lBtcGkOHftwZtBjVZITWNlqeAmM12zlxkwo2thHC470E7c1gFJFTD7OCh7WBss8hFMXQKjTyWrcrtO-b/s962/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-10%20at%2010.05.26%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="962" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnAw6nLAnA_iChNRI0DSMODauLr48QKYEny7AAUkONvQ1xorQMdFdzSHakeoM4LEA68FBUUl-jp5mvOH77WLRQP3RfvHAM_M5drHv9Xkvel51lBtcGkOHftwZtBjVZITWNlqeAmM12zlxkwo2thHC470E7c1gFJFTD7OCh7WBss8hFMXQKjTyWrcrtO-b/w356-h132/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-10%20at%2010.05.26%20AM.png" width="356" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>:</u> Young Jerrence knew he was spiraling - the empty vodka and limoncello pudding shots and half empty box of Girl Scout cookies told the sad tale.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He began to wonder whether there was a methadone-like equivalent for his Peanut Butter Patty dependency. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That line of inquiry, however, would have to wait. He was more interested in trying to understand what drove him to take such dramatic, and it must be said, pathetic action. Over the course of three weeks, he'd just watched his beloved Irish devolve from a seeming BCS playoff caliber team into a middle-of-the-pack ACC outfit.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHz6R9NyWOyfCzprBMOJXPnfOHMrG-BAz5qkOOnGonvyZw8kOwIxV2yih7sZ_Unu17255CGQ89r2XeWXeDsLxkTS8vZTvr7vF7FpkaqxVKPFMletBMWmMkg3At2b3oCEP9yOsN2KQYevnKRdh_HfWSzf5p5B07kp71euriycNGx47kZdsNBLUWhwFnjHm/s274/images.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="184" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHz6R9NyWOyfCzprBMOJXPnfOHMrG-BAz5qkOOnGonvyZw8kOwIxV2yih7sZ_Unu17255CGQ89r2XeWXeDsLxkTS8vZTvr7vF7FpkaqxVKPFMletBMWmMkg3At2b3oCEP9yOsN2KQYevnKRdh_HfWSzf5p5B07kp71euriycNGx47kZdsNBLUWhwFnjHm/s1600/images.jpeg" width="184" /></a></div>Most worrisome was the implications, not about the players, but of the coaches. The O-line coaching looked non-existent while the WR's, even recognizing their youth, appeared to be regressing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jerrence saw all of these roads leading back to an inevitable referendum on the head coach - an impressively earnest, likable coach now appearing to be deeply out of his depth. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jerrence considered whether the coach had struck a <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Faustian</span></i> deal, not with The Devil but with the former Notre Dame / Moeller H.S. coach. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He wondered if Ron Powlus had researched that contract too. </span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 7 Thoughts - GUEST OP ED!</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvcmEjF4s0Ik0qoB-V-e8GHN-eZgEMMsH_KDvXSBwb8H_JqPki7SAeh6zYwRl5jSVrWNSt39r7-aA1GaoSUbZ_5j1LK_QGDUcO9qU8C463CamOhGAwDK2_2GbSMiodKIH0u7TGlPCpd0Zgxkv14-UOgaXApZTsaDbpYlj6OgInw1iP7cUU4cx0fDayj-m/s1296/what_about_bob_still_-_photofest_-_h_2017.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1296" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvcmEjF4s0Ik0qoB-V-e8GHN-eZgEMMsH_KDvXSBwb8H_JqPki7SAeh6zYwRl5jSVrWNSt39r7-aA1GaoSUbZ_5j1LK_QGDUcO9qU8C463CamOhGAwDK2_2GbSMiodKIH0u7TGlPCpd0Zgxkv14-UOgaXApZTsaDbpYlj6OgInw1iP7cUU4cx0fDayj-m/s320/what_about_bob_still_-_photofest_-_h_2017.webp" width="320" /></a></div><i>What about Bob? You may have seen or heard about the movie. Bob Wiley (played by Bill Murray) suffers from multiple phobias which makes leaving his NYC apartment difficult. Despite regular therapy, he makes little progress and he constantly seeks reassurance from his therapists—plural. Why is this movie germane to this blog? </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Perhaps the title of this Op Ed should also be, “What about Bob?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>After the ending of the Ohio State game, I was in desperate need of therapy. Not just gallons of Peter’s Bloody Mary’s or Springbank Scotch, but real therapy. I am not sure I have recovered from that game. Last night’s game against Louisville made me realize that I have the same need as Bob Wiley. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>I, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob Rasmus</span>, need therapists. Plural. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Therefore, I reached out about an Op Ed for this week’s blog. If you are reading these words, you know that I made it past the censors. What it also means, is that <u>you, the readers, are my therapists</u>. Ask yourself this question: for whom is it scarier -- you? Or me?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>As part of my 12 Step Therapy process (five/six steps remaining this year) I thought it necessary to elucidate the things I absolutely know to be true (maybe think or believe) about Notre Dame football this season:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* Like for me, I believe the loss to Ohio State was crushing to the football team. By team, I mean the collective-players and coaches. This game was going to be the springboard to team greatness. It was the focal point of the pre-season and the first three games. We were going to beat OSU. Using that momentum and belief in themselves, we would then go on and steamroll, rip the heart out, curb stomp USC. It wasn’t just the fact we lost, it was the way we lost: </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> - Losing with one second left, having only ten men on the field -for two plays (one of which was after a time out) and still almost succeeding</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> - DJ Brown dropping the sure interception</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> - Hartman failing to give up his body for the two 4th and short attempts (A harbinger of our 3rd and short problems against Louisville?), etc. etc. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we as fans (and supposed adults) were devastated, imagine how the players and coaches must have felt. They had invested so much time, effort and psyche into winning. They had the win in their grasp, until they didn’t.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>As human beings and young men, for all the reasons mentioned above, it must have been devastating and depressing. The coaches appropriately shouldered the blame for the 10-men debacle. However, the coaches wouldn’t be human if they were not second guessing themselves over the failures. Deep down in the inner recesses of the players’ minds, they have to be asking, “How could this happen? Two plays in a row and NO ONE noticed?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* Believing in yourself is an essential component of success. Prior to the OSU game it certainly appeared as if the team had absolute belief in themselves and their coaches. Afterwards (not just immediately, but over the last several weeks) you could see some doubt creeping in. Interviews were not quite as ebullient. Combine the psychological devastation with what has turned out be a brutal stretch of games. Four games in a row against undefeated and ranked teams, two on the road, all at night. The middle two road games against teams whose season, perhaps decade would be made by defeating Notre Dame. For three of the four teams, this would their emotional peak of the season-similar to OSU versus Notre Dame. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ohio State’s peak may have been Notre Dame, or it may be Michigan. If the latter, they still have eight more weeks to rest and recharge their psyches. The football team must feel like Sisyphus. They got the rock one second away from the top of the OSU mountain, only to have it tumble back. Now they had to perform the same task, muster the same strength and inner reserve three more weeks in a row. They succeeded against Duke and only got the stone halfway plus one minute against Duke. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Prior to OSU, I felt good about USC. Now, I am worried. I wonder how the players are feeling. The schedule, tasks and hand they have dealt themselves would be difficult for anyone, in any situation. It is even more difficult for 18-23 (24) year olds. An overseas game followed by seven more games is a tough row to hoe. I do know this: our Bye week cannot come fast enough. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* I believe the mental fatigue (and ACC bias) was a factor in the number of penalties against Duke.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* I do know that one definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. Based on this definition, and last night’s short yardage playing calling, I believe Gerard Parker is criminally insane. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwGom2hoHzzZoJ3KkG5-YC3TTBAaLNAlG0R49a1DyKc-Wul350wz2TSWc038bDyXa4YYYqRcWUZQJeIegTGuqL2bUMj_I2sREqAALysr2xfwxKdNq0AWOFzTsOeahZKkv0lEvIGCdCMy6EBJFq1ctiuQYu6QI7ocpCo_pSAlmfgBfg0EQyfarDk7buzE7/s620/notre-dame-vs-louisville.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwGom2hoHzzZoJ3KkG5-YC3TTBAaLNAlG0R49a1DyKc-Wul350wz2TSWc038bDyXa4YYYqRcWUZQJeIegTGuqL2bUMj_I2sREqAALysr2xfwxKdNq0AWOFzTsOeahZKkv0lEvIGCdCMy6EBJFq1ctiuQYu6QI7ocpCo_pSAlmfgBfg0EQyfarDk7buzE7/s320/notre-dame-vs-louisville.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>At the very least, his short yardage play calling was criminally deficient. If this had occurred in Russia, we would be hearing news report today of how Parker had fallen to his death from a hospital room window.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* I know that Parker’s lucky numbers are not 3 and 1 as in 3rd and one. He must think his lucky numbers are 4 and 3, 4 or 5. Why else would you repeatedly call the same play that had failed every previous time... unless you believed analytics said 4th down and three, four or five yards to go indicated a higher probability of successfully getting a 1st down? </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Or, you had a phobia about the numbers three and one, or felt four, three, four or five were your lucky numbers? Another explanation can be found by re-reading my preceding point. Why didn’t we use our faster running backs with a call to the outside?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBR82qEUhvqqKln6YEuBX90JEuqkjJQpCL0_bRL5e-WMLY9J-IdcBwvICYV-Q51zXN4u-qFlKrm8r6Q-wk4VOTYNQYP1497oXo-ipeGstqMP4KwGNr2cZ7X3qzQLXVql5RS-zhvVy8H4dP9PFXuYp_F8zQf3mWUurLyJ6GMSZdG_fcvBLT99YO6FuYXuf/s787/Prince%20potemkin.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="562" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBR82qEUhvqqKln6YEuBX90JEuqkjJQpCL0_bRL5e-WMLY9J-IdcBwvICYV-Q51zXN4u-qFlKrm8r6Q-wk4VOTYNQYP1497oXo-ipeGstqMP4KwGNr2cZ7X3qzQLXVql5RS-zhvVy8H4dP9PFXuYp_F8zQf3mWUurLyJ6GMSZdG_fcvBLT99YO6FuYXuf/w143-h200/Prince%20potemkin.jpeg" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">...but Vegas was happy.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>* While on the subject of failed rushing play, I believe that something has happened to Estime, our OL, our play calling or all of the above. Estime seems more tentative and slow getting to the handoff and hole. Estime appears to move in geological time when approaching the line of scrimmage. I don’t know whether this is a result of play design, he has some nagging injury or something else. His game winning TD against Duke put a Potemkin veneer on the problem. It definitely manifested itself this weekend. You might be thinking, “But wait, the offensive line was being pushed back by the Louisville DL. Estime had no chance.” </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>My response is two fold: it makes Estime’s sluggish rushing attempts even more problematic: see my two previous points.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* I believe it is beneficial and evidence of an exemplary work ethic to catch 20,000 (over / under on the accuracy of the 20,000 number) from a JUGS machine when attempting to transition from RB to WR.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>With a JUGS machine you know where the ball will be and when. It does not help you adjust your route on a ball which is not perfectly thrown. Chris Tyree has to catch that ball. If he did, I believe the outcome would have been entirely different.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* I believe <u>a circle</u> has the ability to take a better tackling angle than Notre Dame’s safeties. Add some atrocious tackling to the mix (with the exception of Xavier Watts) and the result is combustible.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Speaking of safeties, I am beginning to wonder if one of them has not fallen under the <br />influence of Rocco and Anthony Sperla. The horrendous tackling, the consistently absurd angles (See the second half touchdown run) and two critical dropped interceptions...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zLvRBBtSG5_7tV7ocaavikS1L5Ptma_XhU6r1oZyL4r4bPp7LQo3_8b_DI5zl9PEnrTZ3xQCcePgNdMacgMawY1E838IEovwQEPDnnylJI77BVUQqa5UpSAM29TWwx8pFWTPx2U1XN9XGyDcpleMngwc1a83kmZzYdBly8fqCdL4JAi7IVAGjayizrWC/s2560/0067145-pmoo-2560x1440.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zLvRBBtSG5_7tV7ocaavikS1L5Ptma_XhU6r1oZyL4r4bPp7LQo3_8b_DI5zl9PEnrTZ3xQCcePgNdMacgMawY1E838IEovwQEPDnnylJI77BVUQqa5UpSAM29TWwx8pFWTPx2U1XN9XGyDcpleMngwc1a83kmZzYdBly8fqCdL4JAi7IVAGjayizrWC/s320/0067145-pmoo-2560x1440.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Giving up FG's shouldn't be considered a problem...</span></td></tr></tbody></table>* I think Al Golden (with the exception of the last four plays against OSU) has done and outstanding job with this year’s defense. With the exception of CB's, we have no real defensive studs. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Golden has molded a very effective unit despite the aforementioned safeties. If the NCAA gave an award for Comeback Coach of the Year, Golden would have my vote.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYplN_meX34JU8MQoy5khofZP0SHwyqxt5ODYWDQ6G8oj2p_Nh0KDLdlf04Ia0RXVttThzqT9V9qGDs6yOCzW7VjgaYMBf7nUoXmVZRJulfNhEJfOJRTM8hvqOIOSCPjSjxkzf7gqWsY-Nrct7CKw-a_hIx4U4qRd-dOk5OS0AME46C0kpro3-0boz5Oj/s1280/0067157-vxbc-1280x720.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYplN_meX34JU8MQoy5khofZP0SHwyqxt5ODYWDQ6G8oj2p_Nh0KDLdlf04Ia0RXVttThzqT9V9qGDs6yOCzW7VjgaYMBf7nUoXmVZRJulfNhEJfOJRTM8hvqOIOSCPjSjxkzf7gqWsY-Nrct7CKw-a_hIx4U4qRd-dOk5OS0AME46C0kpro3-0boz5Oj/s320/0067157-vxbc-1280x720.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">St least we've got this play down.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table>* Everyone talks about in game adjustments. We seem to be making them on defense. With the exception of the Navy game, we do not seem to be making any on offense. Where are the misdirections? Where are the sweeps to love, Price, Payne or Ford? Why do why constantly use a tight formation (which encourages our opponents to load the box) when we cannot run? At least spread out the receivers to avoid even more defenders massing near the line.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-llpiJyer394tCokz64Y3ZrHF0Kjm8j14laffEICLnZL6IIRzPGMhHEqTPKhQDHvztF5ew_xom1ylgCKjf24f7e_7M3VJQyu4djyHh3l98d0kisWLj27OULPANJjWc7H4Gyrr-yj3QCa1NbFhjr4C5thYgBnE5EeMDGr7vUovLQfj-7gniYcC7P8S6LuM/s906/IMG_4447.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="906" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-llpiJyer394tCokz64Y3ZrHF0Kjm8j14laffEICLnZL6IIRzPGMhHEqTPKhQDHvztF5ew_xom1ylgCKjf24f7e_7M3VJQyu4djyHh3l98d0kisWLj27OULPANJjWc7H4Gyrr-yj3QCa1NbFhjr4C5thYgBnE5EeMDGr7vUovLQfj-7gniYcC7P8S6LuM/w200-h138/IMG_4447.jpg" width="200" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Gruley, ready to do his part.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>* And now, my biggest fear. While last night’s loss wasn’t good, it's not what bothers me the most. My biggest worry is that I am beginning to wonder if Freeman is in over his head. He seems to be an absolutely outstanding human being. A Notre Dame representative straight our of central casting -- at least value and character wise. However, as one of the message board posters said, “Is he too nice of a guy? “ </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Every successful leader has to have the ability to be prick at times. People need to be held accountable. Can he crack down? Can he be the disciplinarian? We all know how difficult it is to step up to your first real leadership role. It is difficult, it is scary it requires on-the-job learning. Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells and Mike Krzyzewski all took a number of years, or a second stop before they were successful head coaches. This all occurred before the internet, an era of instant evaluation and online therapy sessions. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">We're both headed for trouble</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">And it's so easy to find</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You walkin' so close to the line... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wrJuyzZtFhs" width="320" youtube-src-id="wrJuyzZtFhs"></iframe></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Originally, it had been a bit of a joke - turn the blog into a lacrosse blog.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Suddenly that was not only feeling less funny but also more actionable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the only bright spot on the offense came from - <i>checks note</i>s - a walk on athlete attending Notre Dame on a lacrosse scholarship. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence felt, once again, the cosmos was sending him yet another message.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d_fbo40VIqfGq1QNp4ZCb4_l0UZ2dlWz31hBEvZ2Il7f2JZ2BYylTg2m0NI-NhjlbFzpkv6fN-7STzP4g_N4N3QRMlvcEYdXtAR8oFoLTm2YcAc7Yzxx9QVZElXLKd_NXTXJ_FWkSvXLlE4PKX6j3KU93xr_YRR8WNnr2HmadVcpDvKrPKiplYVqzwqN/s2560/0067061-nukv-2560x1440.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d_fbo40VIqfGq1QNp4ZCb4_l0UZ2dlWz31hBEvZ2Il7f2JZ2BYylTg2m0NI-NhjlbFzpkv6fN-7STzP4g_N4N3QRMlvcEYdXtAR8oFoLTm2YcAc7Yzxx9QVZElXLKd_NXTXJ_FWkSvXLlE4PKX6j3KU93xr_YRR8WNnr2HmadVcpDvKrPKiplYVqzwqN/s320/0067061-nukv-2560x1440.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Jordan Faison</span>, now on a football scholarship, thanks for at least one bright spot from Saturday night.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And one must ask the question, why didn't you play more? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">File this Pete Sampson insight under, "Tell me something I don't already know."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We're well past the point of nuance in critiquing this football program - which is good news for dullards such as myself since subtlety is completely lost on me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But pretty awful for the fanbase when the bare facts are so depressing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In times such as these, we look to someone closer to the program such as Mr. Sampson for, hopefully, some sign that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. And that the light is not, in fact, an oncoming train.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately as the magic eight ball would say, "Ask again later."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This needs to be the nadir of the Marcus Freeman era at Notre Dame.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because if Freeman truly has staying power as a head coach, performances like Saturday’s at Louisville simply cannot happen. Notre Dame can’t take the field without a coherent offensive game plan. The staff can’t hide behind analytics at the cost of ignoring the action happening right in front of it. A good coaching staff must affect what’s happening on the field. Too often it felt like Notre Dame was a bystander to its own game against Louisville.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Simply losing a football game doesn’t call into question the entire operation from the top down. But losing like that with this quarterback? The key to Freeman’s success at Notre Dame was his ability to learn on the job. And the lessons from the meltdown at Louisville must be massive.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The problem is that it’s hard to apply those lessons with <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="252" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">USC</a> coming to town for the Irish’s eighth game in eight weeks and fourth consecutive night game, all on top of midterm exams this week.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 9, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Admit it - by the middle of the 4th quarter, should you have been in the uncomfortable position of actually watching the game... you were probably wishing to be somewhere other than where you were.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And not just somewhere else, geographically, but some <i>time</i> <i>period</i> other than now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So how about a book (and beverage) that celebrates taking us back to those more halcyon times... (Personally, I'm choosing 1978-79 at Senior Bar.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Remembrance</b></span><b> of Things Pabst</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Remembrance of Things Past (1913-27)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>By Marcel Proust</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If at first you don't succeed, try submitting your 1.5 million word manuscript again. Such was the fate of Proust's monumental 7-volume novel (which might as well have been called <i>Remembrance of Literally Everything Past</i>), initially rejected by publishers who are now kicking themselves in the grave. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMvBk_D_WRqhJmxj50zQdwp2g0NKHYIv62GeS2NbZhXr-sCHkF_462HMryNl9QbUDtb-kx9dItexJ4GJDFrrauLEEL7LKi-9DUy46U8IMursfYMHtl2dnn7KtF0seVt3uPyiAJdv5Gqv3B5I8CAivAuubQq1DQa3a6UMBMMxl2BWsGJPoxHct68H36eQH/s2500/madeleines_008cr.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="2500" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMvBk_D_WRqhJmxj50zQdwp2g0NKHYIv62GeS2NbZhXr-sCHkF_462HMryNl9QbUDtb-kx9dItexJ4GJDFrrauLEEL7LKi-9DUy46U8IMursfYMHtl2dnn7KtF0seVt3uPyiAJdv5Gqv3B5I8CAivAuubQq1DQa3a6UMBMMxl2BWsGJPoxHct68H36eQH/s320/madeleines_008cr.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>A thoughtful exploration on the tricky nature of time-telling, one passage has gained particular fame: Proust's narrator describes his sudden transportation back to childhood after tasting a madeleine soaked in tea.</div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Take a journey to simpler times with a delicate summer drink that'll have you recalling your first secret sips of beer. And pair this with as many cookies as your memory demands.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv4yHz-ADXmr3cwAYb5LK_p9kPB807l4IZQvPgDwrnKRDKdfp9UEdiFZyxzpSmsyHHm0D36v7e-97vPazypwhqHL1Hew50F40Lc_-F_PCb2p34Q4mhprZM3aHdIKQCh5NspOtizOE-Kxm0rMsRpKE6FSSZ_5sGhwh6Y1HHAIaY58FBah2dR4pIn5csCDq/s2000/shortage-of-pbr-beer.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv4yHz-ADXmr3cwAYb5LK_p9kPB807l4IZQvPgDwrnKRDKdfp9UEdiFZyxzpSmsyHHm0D36v7e-97vPazypwhqHL1Hew50F40Lc_-F_PCb2p34Q4mhprZM3aHdIKQCh5NspOtizOE-Kxm0rMsRpKE6FSSZ_5sGhwh6Y1HHAIaY58FBah2dR4pIn5csCDq/w200-h133/shortage-of-pbr-beer.webp" width="200" /></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6 oz. iced tea (Earl Grey is best)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 (12 oz.) can beer </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 lemon wedge, for garnish</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the iced tea into a pint glass and fill to the top with the beer, squeezing and dropping the lemon wedge into the glass.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, kick back on a hammock, toss back a few madeleines, and pull out those journals - or start a new one. (Beginner bloggers, just remember: the internet is forever.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT </span><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Team 8, you tried to warn us. I will never doubt you again. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <strike>Peter</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B., Bryan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, Bob J., </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Apparently, seven of the top 25 teams lost last weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One would think that qualifies as something akin to an Amazon Prime Day sales bonanza.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet, its tough to get excited about a bunch of mid-tier teams losing when your own team leads the list of massive Under Achievers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I'll try.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZnFvg5t8Z1BgtGZgNxOJNFg8KSnR97SEz0NgnJ0IXgKO9Z3A9KYyEQtuGEVIFdEqJr0rtzJ5q7MOn_oq9J-GBQcV8BqFqNw0joTJrTTH5PB6JzF0Gyn9Q9Dbxsen2-2deTPImSFM5eMVU8HQK6dDcHCYAXO_V71RPV3df8kEBOZu0PkmXYsaFxqjYfrZ/s259/Miami.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZnFvg5t8Z1BgtGZgNxOJNFg8KSnR97SEz0NgnJ0IXgKO9Z3A9KYyEQtuGEVIFdEqJr0rtzJ5q7MOn_oq9J-GBQcV8BqFqNw0joTJrTTH5PB6JzF0Gyn9Q9Dbxsen2-2deTPImSFM5eMVU8HQK6dDcHCYAXO_V71RPV3df8kEBOZu0PkmXYsaFxqjYfrZ/s1600/Miami.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Miami..</span> </b></span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><span><i>Hello, old friend</i> (spoken with Jim Nance-ian tonality)... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>And the fact that you lost in such a painfully ridiculous way - the Canes had the chance to kneel down, likely run out the clock and win but instead ran the ball, fumbled and Ga. Tech went 74 yards in 4 plays / :24 to win - just proves that misery does love company. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Though when you're not the company we ever want to be seen with. But these days, beggars can't be choosers.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_3lfEv7kVMtXY3p6KIXLswpS27lSpNa71aj-39J3JAivUjuU4vwM5-I4r6KGztNc2bv8cwdQLsavd5cSG4MWwp_iuaXl3hKVqAbm-8b7-MlPZm-Ssk-EfRdzOlMIPY248ieMFNPSpMa5JOw8VPPwkfr4fhhqjFpIzQckW8a-Tgb92R7vVY-Ca-wZt13k/s924/tamu1.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_3lfEv7kVMtXY3p6KIXLswpS27lSpNa71aj-39J3JAivUjuU4vwM5-I4r6KGztNc2bv8cwdQLsavd5cSG4MWwp_iuaXl3hKVqAbm-8b7-MlPZm-Ssk-EfRdzOlMIPY248ieMFNPSpMa5JOw8VPPwkfr4fhhqjFpIzQckW8a-Tgb92R7vVY-Ca-wZt13k/s320/tamu1.webp" width="207" /></a></div>Texas A&M</span></b><span><b style="color: #fcff01;">. </b>As much as this blogger would love to chronicle the story of the inextricable decline of the Alabama dynasty, how does not revel in any Jimbo-Petrino axis defeat? While waiting... hoping... for the inevitable dysfunction to kick on. Sadly, A&M's clearly better than last year's train wreck so one should probbaly enjoy this while it lasts.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Texas</span></b>. I don't dislike the Longhorns. In fact, I'm a big McConaughey fan. I'd love to see 'em be a player on the national stage again - and I think it's a great story if indeed Sark has battled back from a very public drinking problem. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That said, I am in a "I just want to see the world burn" mode. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And you're as good of a start as any, UT. Sorry.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rather than moving to Defcon 1 - complete over-reaction and panic, leading to outright and playing the 'blame game'... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">How about we dabble in it's more benign cousin, "What if"?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Special Notre Dame edition!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And hopefully never having to do so again. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuB42oXjxwa2r8yeLCph7i89Os8fTjAhOM-BuwbLfpPqU0-oSO_f7Tzpxl8Zrwt_eLjTluQdUNpQqB_Y6JhGCGM_cJdE4aN40OCQXLzhTw9VMI5NEKz30XH3rFEqiWYvmX7JIBcsLkUEnkIPLtrQpveqaGKYNcGW-nv1V-PVYjscGSoaZ9zfD_233iu5L/s3800/swarbrick.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3800" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuB42oXjxwa2r8yeLCph7i89Os8fTjAhOM-BuwbLfpPqU0-oSO_f7Tzpxl8Zrwt_eLjTluQdUNpQqB_Y6JhGCGM_cJdE4aN40OCQXLzhTw9VMI5NEKz30XH3rFEqiWYvmX7JIBcsLkUEnkIPLtrQpveqaGKYNcGW-nv1V-PVYjscGSoaZ9zfD_233iu5L/w200-h105/swarbrick.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Scheduling</b></span>. <i>What if</i> we had said 'no thanks' to starting the season traveling overseas, and maybe not playing seven straight games after that? And perhaps recognizing that EVERY FREAKING YEAR mid-terms hit at very specific time, at a school that actually makes their student athletes take them seriously, and scheduling appropriately - as in a Bye week... a patsy... but not YOUR BIGGEST RIVAL?</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIfbVK9jW7PD2ZkYEiqbJ4pt5LghPpxkGKa9q978CaL3-lbXg7RP5rscP-kbEUoSePFPHo5qsVRQfXd5tepXL5mJ3m8gVpEiDxYf563amTCZdDEMatQGZETYtSEcKfAjkfaQz4Yg5WvySnfgQ9T3z0CQfIEmycX34dwdfK-x10URBPUhmVfvfzyDSamWB/s400/-SXLLn31_400x400.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIfbVK9jW7PD2ZkYEiqbJ4pt5LghPpxkGKa9q978CaL3-lbXg7RP5rscP-kbEUoSePFPHo5qsVRQfXd5tepXL5mJ3m8gVpEiDxYf563amTCZdDEMatQGZETYtSEcKfAjkfaQz4Yg5WvySnfgQ9T3z0CQfIEmycX34dwdfK-x10URBPUhmVfvfzyDSamWB/w200-h200/-SXLLn31_400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">OC Search</span></b>. <i>What if </i>we'd perhaps done our due diligence properly on our Offensive Coordinator search, starting with PULLING THE CORRECT CONTRACT so we knew what, specifically, we were negotiating against. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And <i>what if</i> we had a short list for the position that stretched, say, a somewhat LONGER THAN TWO EXTERNAL CANDIDATES?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MwSLHJF0gCQ1Bolr0XWUir8IQBVE-RB7LJbjwONGi5HRYLL5vwoMfphVTsLotaoTkChalq4RWUAqt8dCXu7sB5BW4hndFn7NlfEVbhgAnoYAb0tInhhR0lrWcDV3KBSX3zlsdYSlErhyphenhyphenQ71nGEs2bpLK3elqjn0IKZ-vzMsobE04HKRJpEXZyVLGn9Ui/s300/download.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MwSLHJF0gCQ1Bolr0XWUir8IQBVE-RB7LJbjwONGi5HRYLL5vwoMfphVTsLotaoTkChalq4RWUAqt8dCXu7sB5BW4hndFn7NlfEVbhgAnoYAb0tInhhR0lrWcDV3KBSX3zlsdYSlErhyphenhyphenQ71nGEs2bpLK3elqjn0IKZ-vzMsobE04HKRJpEXZyVLGn9Ui/w200-h112/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Strength & </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Conditioning</b></span>. <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What if</i> we had recognized, confronted and addressed the disconnect </span><span style="font-size: large;">with the prior S&C coach in</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> <i>whatever the issue</i> (philosophy? techniques? nutrition?)... maybe before we were TWO WEEKS AWAY from starting August camp? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Would it change where we're at now? Who knows. And hindsight is always 20-20, right? But it would sure appear all of those factors are reasonable contributors, perhaps in a multiplier effect, to the present state of the program. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which ain't good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqyd1K7oFOopnjgQWqXtkHaei7s5hDUg0YIcNFVsNk0uj-8NWhlbkfDbX8tLHPGFnky9wAGdj3cT66DUiZ9et6bcZl6Q_OqzM7L4WTTm6YQ6uDNF3culZ_2N0B_4x_RVkZgeJUNivfMuvZtCezMq66VTbYtwkHY73hrW-Ho-HEPwQz3lyvT4uPCrD2-am/s1080/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-10%20at%205.15.23%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqyd1K7oFOopnjgQWqXtkHaei7s5hDUg0YIcNFVsNk0uj-8NWhlbkfDbX8tLHPGFnky9wAGdj3cT66DUiZ9et6bcZl6Q_OqzM7L4WTTm6YQ6uDNF3culZ_2N0B_4x_RVkZgeJUNivfMuvZtCezMq66VTbYtwkHY73hrW-Ho-HEPwQz3lyvT4uPCrD2-am/w640-h200/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-10%20at%205.15.23%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>For a school that seemingly relies on grad transfers, this can't be good news.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But no one wants you when you lose.</i></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Don't give up</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Please, don't give up...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrT1QI_Yrd8" width="320" youtube-src-id="xrT1QI_Yrd8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-83337742456486799192023-10-05T12:32:00.003-05:002023-10-05T12:45:40.434-05:00Duke: Making Flippy Floppy<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And don't you dare sit back.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Now don't you don't sit down...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">And don't you dare speak up!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div><h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ocn6jqLHdrA" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ocn6jqLHdrA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Valparasio, IN</span></h3><h3><div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I'm sure there are moments for everyone when one feels like the universe is sending you a message - and that The Cosmos might even have a bit of a sense of humor, yanking one's chain as it were.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;">Last week was one of those times.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It probably went unnoticed by many of you, not having the benefit of living in a cultural mecca such as Valpo... but there was a re-release to the Big Screen of what Jerrence (and Spike Lee) believe to be The. Greatest. Concert. Film. Ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxlGZ6XmzfZ6AhdoRETE_hOIWcbxEEOYtb2rSb8Bmuk1G6XxiIXepMCVjgkbHOWXsZVX6-GaeQ-bpox8gDttVPjR7dxHt3dSDuvxnema-uAT2kp8Im_vsRuPyAV_8uSziE2lzVb6naoPZ0z77qTv6Wq0EmeVPZ0Iyu_AYVKaCAf8WVCL2UlF48P-nvJaN/s498/stopmakingsense-suit.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="498" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxlGZ6XmzfZ6AhdoRETE_hOIWcbxEEOYtb2rSb8Bmuk1G6XxiIXepMCVjgkbHOWXsZVX6-GaeQ-bpox8gDttVPjR7dxHt3dSDuvxnema-uAT2kp8Im_vsRuPyAV_8uSziE2lzVb6naoPZ0z77qTv6Wq0EmeVPZ0Iyu_AYVKaCAf8WVCL2UlF48P-nvJaN/s320/stopmakingsense-suit.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jonathan Demme's<i> "Stop Making Sense." </i>Re-mastered and re-mixed - capturing the 1984 tour of Talking Heads.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course Jerrence had to go, especially insofar as he will never get to see the band play live. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, Valpo does not have an IMAX theatre, which is probably just as well, since seeing David Byrne THAT LARGE would surely send him into therapy-driven insights he isn't yet prepared to confront.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzp90Zd5H4oS5EcyqKOdH2FXA4N91IdY7f0glF0afr3ZCzaL541JAVcTJzfualTh5TUYfE6oYJEp10qcR852zqhoDOwIwHwtJU8tTIUQiTNsyw-tkknNbPAd2l5ZS9msNgTGXUqfdqsTcjubpsyATII2ZtXlNHIr6KahmIzylJQ7BhGWWAmlJpSUV59gl/s540/IMG_8626.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="540" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzp90Zd5H4oS5EcyqKOdH2FXA4N91IdY7f0glF0afr3ZCzaL541JAVcTJzfualTh5TUYfE6oYJEp10qcR852zqhoDOwIwHwtJU8tTIUQiTNsyw-tkknNbPAd2l5ZS9msNgTGXUqfdqsTcjubpsyATII2ZtXlNHIr6KahmIzylJQ7BhGWWAmlJpSUV59gl/s320/IMG_8626.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>But I digress.</div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The point was, Jerrence should've understood the universe was forewarning him that the Saturday night game in Durham was going to make <i>zero</i> sense. And this became abundantly clear by the middle of the 2nd quarter. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was Duke after all, a basketball school... but football-wise, basically the Stanford (pre-Harbaugh / Shaw) of the East coast. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while undeniably better than Duke's historical football output, ND would surely exert its will after the team shook off the inevitable post-Ohio State game malaise, right?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Apparently not.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_HGILnnyPiW6pvVa6VuEK8k-mFH34oy8Ikxj7ZHb3Iy0r5oWpQptaMXX_8GV4Fs_5M6Lxn84_och68KTU1w2ebdDZsH0hpgIxUkfaLcD-1nayPoDChxN5o8pYxivanqYtbe5tUNZUWvWnXRTyJIXVKnHii9XCz8GCwu7lummBSG0yNjc4qGSOgqBjdj5/s1141/IMG_4391.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1141" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_HGILnnyPiW6pvVa6VuEK8k-mFH34oy8Ikxj7ZHb3Iy0r5oWpQptaMXX_8GV4Fs_5M6Lxn84_och68KTU1w2ebdDZsH0hpgIxUkfaLcD-1nayPoDChxN5o8pYxivanqYtbe5tUNZUWvWnXRTyJIXVKnHii9XCz8GCwu7lummBSG0yNjc4qGSOgqBjdj5/w385-h266/IMG_4391.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>"It was one final bright spot for a Notre Dame offense that has the feel of an 18 wheeler driven by a golden retriever - lumbering, erratic and dangerous...</i><i>"</i></div></i></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>ESPN</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Yep. That about sums it up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJm8VUkhj5FsmtkOyHVbO-77D6-Uuw7HCZZUNBomns14L8wX4pH0qR3jaEZPB0jJ5xajuHgL289Vh7cK_j7PKcIv40jp3OhE-sOzBUpJA98mwAv579WQGjak7X3yIgfdhzalGgiCBet0h5ITShb04EXGP5Lh4yn9yzjoVDS1jY89uUSgbmlYsFvd4y7e3/s948/Revenant.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="948" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJm8VUkhj5FsmtkOyHVbO-77D6-Uuw7HCZZUNBomns14L8wX4pH0qR3jaEZPB0jJ5xajuHgL289Vh7cK_j7PKcIv40jp3OhE-sOzBUpJA98mwAv579WQGjak7X3yIgfdhzalGgiCBet0h5ITShb04EXGP5Lh4yn9yzjoVDS1jY89uUSgbmlYsFvd4y7e3/s320/Revenant.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>:</u> As loathe as he was to admit it, Young Jerrence had given up.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This team was the proverbial 'dead in the water'... 95 yards away - wait, check that, <i>98 yards</i> <i>away </i>- with no evidence to suggest any resuscitation was happening anytime soon.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jerrence began to wonder, what does one drink at a wake? It'd been awhile since he'd been to one. This being Irish in nature, the Redbreast / Jameson / Green Spot bottles in his cabinet seemed like worthy candidates to slake one's misery-based thirst. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But before he could pull that trigger, something unexpected happened. With their preternaturally calm QB at the helm, the ND offense began to make... plays? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Escape a safety? <i>That's a start</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Get a gift pass interference call (Jerrence didn't see it as any more catchable than the earlier PI they waved off)? <i>We'll take it</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vYcDXOQHPL4I-lv66Q_geokjYPae1ugUyrzqTpLgjhmH0UHOBWhWmhPBQRMHDl9eIyJCFhyWSNSUu11VfWbjiZqxbZwocOLbBxX8RW7c8FGxPv5-vjvSCu8ZxqLWCQfH60OA4NKqL67zVDbUGb96snqCrb0AXGY_a7jNPr35OAt3w8PX9QyXbqGM71Vn/s1154/IMG_4386.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1154" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vYcDXOQHPL4I-lv66Q_geokjYPae1ugUyrzqTpLgjhmH0UHOBWhWmhPBQRMHDl9eIyJCFhyWSNSUu11VfWbjiZqxbZwocOLbBxX8RW7c8FGxPv5-vjvSCu8ZxqLWCQfH60OA4NKqL67zVDbUGb96snqCrb0AXGY_a7jNPr35OAt3w8PX9QyXbqGM71Vn/s320/IMG_4386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A vital 3rd down completion to none other than the TE. <i>But of course</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And yet another 1st down reception to the freshman WR. <i>Hmmm.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then came 4th and 16. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If last week's 3rd and 19 lives in infamy - both defended in an eerily (and disastrously similar) fashion - the ensuing play from this down and distance will have Mr. Hartman drinking free in many cities for an extremely long time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly, ND was alive again. </span><span style="font-size: large;">So it would appear that </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: large;">revenants,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> those creatures like vampires and zombies of mythic lore, really do exist. Because Jerrence just witnessed one. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 6 Thoughts</span></h3><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span>No time left for you</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>On my way to better things... </i></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VjUx9PO9os0" width="320" youtube-src-id="VjUx9PO9os0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">October 1st and the season is half over. Ponder that. Now consider this: do we have any better of a fix on this team's potential than when the season started? Debatable. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Other stream-of-conscious observations from Saturday night</u>:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You've all seen this by now but who cares, it's still awesome. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pG5uyxp-QM" width="320" youtube-src-id="9pG5uyxp-QM"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">We need to talk about the coaching.</span> Sports Illustrated had an insightful article (check it out <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2023/09/28/notre-dame-blunder-ohio-state-counting-to-11-isnt-easy">here</a>) last week about how the whole counting the # of guys on the field thing isn't as easy as it looks... but beyond that, this was another game where the coaches - not the players - just didn't look... <i>prepared</i>... at really key moments of the game. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfXPFSnYE6HQpjXG-BiPaYzplhXS9GbLu57vccpXR0HuU2sdcc_Bs6sPb24Qq-7X5z-GbVjxfCUUXpWvaG6XhJK-3CyjzyI4gnaoyMQ0llHzNGdqYXt2voy0kNiPeE4z4GSYsha1RpJZiAzmu3fxPiT-H_cSiScWS1QbP7AE2s1T_ktyYIVO771r4mXaf/s1200/duke%20DL.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfXPFSnYE6HQpjXG-BiPaYzplhXS9GbLu57vccpXR0HuU2sdcc_Bs6sPb24Qq-7X5z-GbVjxfCUUXpWvaG6XhJK-3CyjzyI4gnaoyMQ0llHzNGdqYXt2voy0kNiPeE4z4GSYsha1RpJZiAzmu3fxPiT-H_cSiScWS1QbP7AE2s1T_ktyYIVO771r4mXaf/w219-h146/duke%20DL.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>Sam the Man</span>. At the risk of sounding like a Harman apologist - which I totally am - I'd argue his mediocre statistical performance was less about him being "off" and far more about 1) having no time to throw, 2) no space to set up to throw and 3) no one open. But other than that, sure, it wasn't his best game. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Until it maybe was.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that doesn't even account for the character he displayed after the game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0OEzGMvtwcp2kh8x1UysL8MTun-Sp7afbli-9PPneiNBbr2TfnmQQa0KZyPLXnr6189QpR8M5L-TyBc3lybZ2F_B5bfwufXQ5PszawCGrMyHY61L6LuOF4GyY5dIKWxnUDpD3lwyytRk_cFeZgTndu-28x8E2PJhx594CnNFT8XkiIqy2sKfZTQYfxCF/s1170/IMG_4384.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1170" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0OEzGMvtwcp2kh8x1UysL8MTun-Sp7afbli-9PPneiNBbr2TfnmQQa0KZyPLXnr6189QpR8M5L-TyBc3lybZ2F_B5bfwufXQ5PszawCGrMyHY61L6LuOF4GyY5dIKWxnUDpD3lwyytRk_cFeZgTndu-28x8E2PJhx594CnNFT8XkiIqy2sKfZTQYfxCF/w640-h294/IMG_4384.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The O-line got whipped</span>. Plain and simple. Some thought they played their best game of the year against Ohio State. So much for "stacking success." Was it the crowd noise, Duke's scheme, ND's play calling, one side wanting it more? Yes. No. I don't know. But it better get figured out.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z_qFVVyMd5UVnR0M9B7Eo1BLJBZoGKD917iwUfLkWt-Ke_g0TJe9UfwYgrEjhQCc_glP_lb42FwUBa2blaB4RaIFD0NTdRUMirU6PJj1X8bemmGgjmXmvGq5cVE0PdBqu6YLDao1ot_ADdVqhrN0_9Tnr82ijSmvOYUWSL5aqm1w_VGS3rC8rLa4Jv_0/s1280/freeman,%20refs.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z_qFVVyMd5UVnR0M9B7Eo1BLJBZoGKD917iwUfLkWt-Ke_g0TJe9UfwYgrEjhQCc_glP_lb42FwUBa2blaB4RaIFD0NTdRUMirU6PJj1X8bemmGgjmXmvGq5cVE0PdBqu6YLDao1ot_ADdVqhrN0_9Tnr82ijSmvOYUWSL5aqm1w_VGS3rC8rLa4Jv_0/s320/freeman,%20refs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>What to do about the officiating?</span> Because the bad, game altering, calls just seem to keep coming. I'm sure Swarbrick is burning up the phones, not that it's resulting in any material improvement in the officiating. </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">And it's pissing me off.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">This game begged more than a few q</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">uestions:</span><br /><ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Punts?</span> How do you <u>not know the rule</u> about reviews of punts?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Pass Interference?</span> Without a tape measure, show me how uncatchable vs. catchable (the Rico ball looked less catchable than the Tobias one) the two 4th Quarter PI calls involving ND were?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Offensive Pass Interference?</span> WR's and DB's hand check each other well down the field on Every. Single. Play. yet you choose to call Merriweather at game's end? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Targeting? </span> Never has such a well intentioned rule been so absymally enforced. I don't even know what to say about a guy's helmet hitting another player's hip. Technically, the letter of the law but... </span></li></ul></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgq-1y9gjkdbizW5qr0R1Zqs3zv-3AXQWqEiqo4lTPICeRhs1JuDLzo4ewsktFtPXNUfR4B2MPClN4D8R1F3tANLx0srGdTT4Jed_X19FJ89zJze-v4q2aiOhjCZ7OlVdmpTdHYPuFUN1n3uX7ya6p0u443ab-q9aTEXlZ1TywWqTHMyuY_ufRbBSiczv/s1280/leonard.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgq-1y9gjkdbizW5qr0R1Zqs3zv-3AXQWqEiqo4lTPICeRhs1JuDLzo4ewsktFtPXNUfR4B2MPClN4D8R1F3tANLx0srGdTT4Jed_X19FJ89zJze-v4q2aiOhjCZ7OlVdmpTdHYPuFUN1n3uX7ya6p0u443ab-q9aTEXlZ1TywWqTHMyuY_ufRbBSiczv/w375-h211/leonard.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div>Al Golden</span>. I know there are many who are not yet in a forgiving mood about the last few plays in the Ohio State game but <u>I think it's worth giving the DC some credit for how well the defense is playing</u> (which is really well). </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">If one considers their team Top 10 and/or BCS Playoff caliber, you shouldn't lose any game where you only give up 14 (or 17) points. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">So, what to make of the Offense?</span> I found it weirdly ironic that the message board that I'm a part of - full of the most ridiculously self-absorbed, glass-half-filled know it alls - were largely defensive of Gerard Parker's game plan, citing the thin depth / inexperienced WR's and the seeming under-rated Duke DL. Okay. I'd still would've hoped for some positive adjustments in the 2nd half - and it appeared to me we got worse.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYxdgl4EfffNeVBYmdF3SeuWTQINZBcBYajafq6RjdO68WO22mWWNvLPKhu-2YR8oo8C_xNBzOHGsuZtB9JAvEx1VBKqlduvzVbpV_NJ7y3lLaSolTN0LrQvFC4tC1eKK2BtwYaZLloAppGG2xBpjMoug9_YxKI0GuK1KZZaKI8wXmftwEk0EXUjFaKD2/s660/Estime.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="660" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYxdgl4EfffNeVBYmdF3SeuWTQINZBcBYajafq6RjdO68WO22mWWNvLPKhu-2YR8oo8C_xNBzOHGsuZtB9JAvEx1VBKqlduvzVbpV_NJ7y3lLaSolTN0LrQvFC4tC1eKK2BtwYaZLloAppGG2xBpjMoug9_YxKI0GuK1KZZaKI8wXmftwEk0EXUjFaKD2/w400-h225/Estime.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><i>Whew...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Placekicking</span>. I couldn't be the only one who was ecstatic that we didn't have to win the game on a kick. </span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">That said, here's my fearless prediction: we </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">will </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">need Shrader to win a game this year. (And he will.) </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Riley Leonard</span>. I mean no disrespect but... after hearing all week of how he's a sure 1st round draft choice in April, after Caleb and UNC's Maye... I just didn't see it. Maybe it had something to do with Golden's game plan but he missed throws and his long runs seemed to be more the result of broken coverages. Sorry.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike Elko looks like a damn good coach.</span> No one liked the way he left ND, and if it wasn't for Clark Lea's near seamless picking up the Defensive Coordinator torch, many of us might still be bitter... but the guy is looking like the real deal - and his team is playing like they're legit. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsbi3dlyUdQu5jAwae81RlkjsWKwjY2NzZN3dvBiaUXLag0hEDcik9g3xwrnkc-DW1vVhJBGgdlEGSkNkGIGb4vjz3AItSg0WWp6NfJPvtvyLbSNtyOd35wHajJQSHE5TUGQVJmPzPSyh0AC_Fm0gHGV_jHbmhQMQWtjv_XV0qE047b_bnzVZ_7A_tacw/s1116/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-03%20at%201.31.02%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1116" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsbi3dlyUdQu5jAwae81RlkjsWKwjY2NzZN3dvBiaUXLag0hEDcik9g3xwrnkc-DW1vVhJBGgdlEGSkNkGIGb4vjz3AItSg0WWp6NfJPvtvyLbSNtyOd35wHajJQSHE5TUGQVJmPzPSyh0AC_Fm0gHGV_jHbmhQMQWtjv_XV0qE047b_bnzVZ_7A_tacw/w400-h289/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-03%20at%201.31.02%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Something to leave you with - a somewhat more objective opinion.... should one still be conflicted about how to feel about the Duke victory (Personally, I am not.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every week, Hartman proves himself to be the best 'acquisition' ND's made (maybe ever?) and an outstanding representative of the school.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wnYh0g6T_0A" width="320" youtube-src-id="wnYh0g6T_0A"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raise your hand if you saw "Melvin and Howard", the 1980 film by aforementioned Mr. Demme, which told the possibly (!) true story of total loser Melvin Dummar who, one night, helps an old man who has a motorcycle accident in the Las Vegas desert. Turns out the guy was Howard Hughes, who leaves Melvin part of his estate in his will.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hijinx ensue. Fun movie. Check it out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I present to you now, its sequel: "Mitchell and Howard", while sounding like the name of a small, midwestwern actuarial service, or fine names for a faithful dog though if I were to ever get one again - unlikely at this point - I'm committed to the name, "Edward" after the wisened dog in Brian Doyle's brilliant novel, "Chicago." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I digress. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ll9CcioFJq90bp4oaQ9blrGH0vQiKLg0UDyHFxp6bqOdsHHkFBjPXlNnqV7bpyE-F9oqRQiJZWE879HW_GzSp48LSa-ElH4uoDnAL7dQqFhCucHLXWJ06rbjB_l1vKG9FwY8bDxWha4mFCmxVZI26e-dOP6b-zGC5cjxIEdyeUxH3c47RVs8zBU5C8Pi/s540/HCross.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ll9CcioFJq90bp4oaQ9blrGH0vQiKLg0UDyHFxp6bqOdsHHkFBjPXlNnqV7bpyE-F9oqRQiJZWE879HW_GzSp48LSa-ElH4uoDnAL7dQqFhCucHLXWJ06rbjB_l1vKG9FwY8bDxWha4mFCmxVZI26e-dOP6b-zGC5cjxIEdyeUxH3c47RVs8zBU5C8Pi/s320/HCross.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mitchell and Howard. The equally unlikely story of two vastly underrated, presumed role players, who are showing out big time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mitchell Evans</span>, whom you already know about. Turning in back-to-back performances that St. Michael (Mayer) would've been proud of - suggesting not only that he's no flash in the pan but, rather, a critical and necessary offensive weapon as the WR corp (hopefully) matures.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And frankly, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Howard Cross III </span>shouldn't be the revelation that he seems to be - he plays well virtually every week. But because his measurables don't stack up to prototypical DL, he's consistently overlooked.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps not anymore. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So the theme this week - such as it is - is equivocation. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What conclusions, quantifiably halfway through the regular season, can we draw about the team? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">While not necessarily an entirely bad thing, there still seems to be a work-in-progress aspect to the 2023 program - weirdly, perhaps less so about the players and maybe more so about the coaching.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good or bad. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; font-size: 21px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><b>Is Notre Dame any more resilient today than it was last week? Is it any grittier? Any tougher?</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m as guilty as anyone for taking the result and reverse engineering it to fit a narrative. Winners get to write history, though, which is why Ryan Day <a href="https://theathletic.com/4902872/2023/09/26/lou-holtz-ryan-day-ohio-state-notre-dame-michigan/" rel="noopener" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">can scream about Lou Holtz</a> one week and Marcus Freeman can call Notre Dame a “great team” the next (these were not equivalent statements, but bear with me). It’s just hard to know how much greatness the Irish should subtract because <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="5ylyuuxJcw0vHmlF" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/dj-brown-5ylyuuxJcw0vHmlF/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">DJ Brown</a> dropped an interception or add because safety <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="UyOHYdLENIM8q90P" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/terry-moore-UyOHYdLENIM8q90P/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Terry Moore</a> couldn’t get <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sam-hartman-ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Sam Hartman</a>’s third down floater the play before his 17-yard scramble.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notre Dame was good enough to beat</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="191" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ohio State</a><span style="font-size: large;">. Duke was good enough to beat Notre Dame. Both games were incredible theater, but one result shouldn’t be a referendum on an entire program. At least not in September. Notre Dame is plenty resilient, gritty and tough. That could be equally true if the program was 6-0 or 4-2.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 3, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Who better to link the Duke game with than Earnest Hemingway?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A writing style that is often described as unusually bare... simple... to the point... 'less is more', frequently repetitious. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And yet, consistently powerful. Prose that stays with you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While clearly Jerrence isn't a disciple of that writing style, it does fairly describe last Saturday's game. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Vermouth The Bell Tolls</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>For Whom The Bell Tolls (1940)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>By Earnest Hemingway</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47vuHE-Irsl1DVz_vOqzRZa_BAB_1ek9EkHUnmAL9ZHg1Ie3hrbsqMfOZ-LQZHYdjql1KhZeWgj1OlyWJypXqbuIh5lz98FjDqMmRszExscXtyVpKYn6Gncdfij2efJjU94NaE43Ilh5-C49AQaURwGemvPZdzKFoKsXj1Lyc7OdN-VEzs3Bk_uP3QK6/s270/images.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47vuHE-Irsl1DVz_vOqzRZa_BAB_1ek9EkHUnmAL9ZHg1Ie3hrbsqMfOZ-LQZHYdjql1KhZeWgj1OlyWJypXqbuIh5lz98FjDqMmRszExscXtyVpKYn6Gncdfij2efJjU94NaE43Ilh5-C49AQaURwGemvPZdzKFoKsXj1Lyc7OdN-VEzs3Bk_uP3QK6/s1600/images.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You'll <i>need</i> a drink for this one, a clench-jawed war classic that follows one Robert Jordan, an American abroad during the Spanish Civil War, and part of a daring underground mission to destroy an enemy's bridge. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With a reporter's unflinching eye for the miseries of battle, Hemingway tells much of the novel in an English idiom that feels directly translated from Spanish, with a distractingly choppy narrative that's worth the slog (lest you miss the earth-moving sex scene midway through).</div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You'll be a prisoner of more to our cocktail, featuring Spain's own sherry. Serve the result and you'll be building more bridges than you burn.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DzbJf80rSl2-tMsTQtTxadPjOTB4_jD3wZ5PDtuKSv2RAwDe4CmU-t_Ys1fc6g79DoqvP5uCV02P3U2mV8jByqD3eGEfYHNyQJhPgMaeFtbsQFhMkqrGsmB8axaGj3pDDeieTAFZ3CvrOy97c4iGjLXHpfbhFGpc_1OoxGCoFMCB2te7_Zuy5L0iVSAv/s378/xSherry.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DzbJf80rSl2-tMsTQtTxadPjOTB4_jD3wZ5PDtuKSv2RAwDe4CmU-t_Ys1fc6g79DoqvP5uCV02P3U2mV8jByqD3eGEfYHNyQJhPgMaeFtbsQFhMkqrGsmB8axaGj3pDDeieTAFZ3CvrOy97c4iGjLXHpfbhFGpc_1OoxGCoFMCB2te7_Zuy5L0iVSAv/w174-h200/xSherry.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>2 oz. sherry</div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. sweet vermouth</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dash of Peychaud's bitters</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the sherry and sweet vermouth over ice in a rocks glass. Stir well and add the bitters. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Serve to a longtime rival as a peace offering - and offer to take the first "poison control" sip.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">NIGHT</span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Las Vegas doesn't ask 'how', they ask 'how many'... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Team 11, you're still alive.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B., Bryan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim S.</span>, Bob J., </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can tell you one team that won't be on my future Schadenfreude list: Duke. Sure, I despise their pretentious, entitled student body (while respecting their academic reputation) and, at times, I wish awful things to happen to the Cameron Crazies, to which I have much subsequent self-loathing...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But for at least this year, I admire their 2 and 3-star athletes who compete really hard and make every game a hard fought contest. Hopefully, that QB is indeed back on the field before the year's over - he's a gamer.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, no Duke. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">But everyone else is fair game. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />LSU.</span> </b></span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcL3TmC9TcPveYmrXEujvhF_aiHKzwkX3AwnsLtkWbMAKiOaQDjsmhyllfJZnHhnr4ZkXgouXdj8cJM1dGFnFTGjoSgUBKBQ8HNS8643YxZ9CNpr3fWB9w6HpIULTNpqwIX4igqIdTgisdN-b51qQcwsoXr3HeBb55A4fqI4NAAz4Cz7n9JyI_Zk6hvrh/s761/IMG_7121.JPEG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="761" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcL3TmC9TcPveYmrXEujvhF_aiHKzwkX3AwnsLtkWbMAKiOaQDjsmhyllfJZnHhnr4ZkXgouXdj8cJM1dGFnFTGjoSgUBKBQ8HNS8643YxZ9CNpr3fWB9w6HpIULTNpqwIX4igqIdTgisdN-b51qQcwsoXr3HeBb55A4fqI4NAAz4Cz7n9JyI_Zk6hvrh/s320/IMG_7121.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Every LSU fan's wish right now..</i>.</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table>Here's a fun fact: Brian Kelly is 4-4 in his last eight games as the Tigers' head coach</span>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In those 4 losses, LSU's defense has averaged giving up 47 points a game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Not great, Bob."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh Brian. At least you have your <i>fam-uh-lee</i>. (Don't you?)</div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Colorado</span></b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">. </span>When is a loss as good as a win? Sadly, when you're Deion Sanders and you're playing USC - who simply doesn't seem to care about defense when they know they can put up 40 pts without breaking much of a sweat. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still, having Sanders lose makes me happy. Although let's give this only a '5' on the 10 pt. Schadenfreude scale.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Utah</span></b>. File this under, "It's not personal, just business." As ND hangs on to Top 10 relevance, we really this season to remain as chaotic as possible. Having the team lose, which was ranked directly in front of you, is a nice start. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even if one doesn't derive the same emotional benefit associated with textbook schadenfreude.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Bouncing back!</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If Notre Dame can do it, albeit in a more-dramatic-fashion-than-was-really-necessary way, so can Jerrence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's nominees: more eclectic, more multi-cultural... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And in one instance, less human.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ay_f-TjOeSVIXwXSWS_UJmCgdV_EHBabYbFmmmXZYU9ZUo_UAHvOtxkJwpA6tW8Zucws6iK7ibQ-Vyd8Lv8Q1wUvgio-sainxMsWwhjw4BShuY04Y7vkDVBbg6yt8zf_1H0d2SPVvrZL71otnXhw6MERslfo8nKps1s7ht0cSzpMvKJwI8wjo3HkAvds/s500/giphy.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ay_f-TjOeSVIXwXSWS_UJmCgdV_EHBabYbFmmmXZYU9ZUo_UAHvOtxkJwpA6tW8Zucws6iK7ibQ-Vyd8Lv8Q1wUvgio-sainxMsWwhjw4BShuY04Y7vkDVBbg6yt8zf_1H0d2SPVvrZL71otnXhw6MERslfo8nKps1s7ht0cSzpMvKJwI8wjo3HkAvds/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Commander</span></b>. You know that expression, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>How about fool me 11 times? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such is the track record of POTUS's dog, who apparently has not taken a shine to his Secret Service detail and has manifested his angst by having 11 "biting incidents." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Justified bites or not, Commander, I'm sorry, it needs to be "off to Delaware!" for you.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Joe LaCava</span></b>. Back in the halcyon days of the industry, when Chicago was a great advertising town, a Client Service fellow such as I, would occasionally have a blunt conversation with a senior Creative Director about their needing to control their emotions when throwing a tantrum, typically aimed at a junior team member.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The conversation typically amounted to reminding them to be an adult, that they've accomplished nothing other than satisfying their own ego and given their seniority, they should know better. In other words, <i>cut that shit out, you're not David Ogilvy</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74ehD6KMFzNCI5w6rb8srlzUbLlB_-O51VvO13JrG0Id8Jc6ZRp5ezML6GWh3XvUjLbxM19SGpLrcFRktzIT-OK285k18JCy7xQuxQYiGJjq-i2WnRMJGNWIubqCal4c8UBxhrWs5xk9KtLS8Lo_tmMIEXfP1_wkDEJTjInaZxg91znrPuLCxBkN0Zyom/s2134/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-01%20at%203.23.30%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="2134" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74ehD6KMFzNCI5w6rb8srlzUbLlB_-O51VvO13JrG0Id8Jc6ZRp5ezML6GWh3XvUjLbxM19SGpLrcFRktzIT-OK285k18JCy7xQuxQYiGJjq-i2WnRMJGNWIubqCal4c8UBxhrWs5xk9KtLS8Lo_tmMIEXfP1_wkDEJTjInaZxg91znrPuLCxBkN0Zyom/w397-h228/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-01%20at%203.23.30%20PM.png" width="397" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I was reminded of this when I saw Mr. LaCava who, the last I checked, is <i>still just caddie.</i>.. decided to let his emotions get away from him in literal, in-your-face fashion while celebrating a critical win in a Ryder Cup match.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A match that was far more emotionally charged than typical (which is really saying something for this competition). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Um</span><span>, Joe. Remind me but i</span><span>t's my understanding that...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">#1 First Rule of Caddies: <u>you're never, <i>ever</i> supposed to be The Story</u>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">#2 You've got 20+ years of experience, carrying the bag for some of the biggest names in the game (and in the most pressurized tournaments): <u><i>you should know better</i></u>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And BTW, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Patrick Cantley</span>, I don't know if there's any truth to Cap-gate, but I am not buying at all the "cap doesn't fit" story. You don't think the team could get you something customized?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0G9DtWK19r889iIe-AcdXOsibq70emff73vj0H6UWSC1jlvarfCJYLxjPacsMQvpHDG1W9iHDekFSYcaygBjTDr06gPzNJPCn6lG9GU3WihTGOU_KF0_vS0yBpnv12MTomn3KP1lNdJwDpjLlzmTtoHYeasY85wdhJoRRxIHbkihr2Aqq_ScZ_mzRetS/s873/IMG_7122.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="873" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0G9DtWK19r889iIe-AcdXOsibq70emff73vj0H6UWSC1jlvarfCJYLxjPacsMQvpHDG1W9iHDekFSYcaygBjTDr06gPzNJPCn6lG9GU3WihTGOU_KF0_vS0yBpnv12MTomn3KP1lNdJwDpjLlzmTtoHYeasY85wdhJoRRxIHbkihr2Aqq_ScZ_mzRetS/s320/IMG_7122.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Chase Claypool</span></b>. A few words of advice for the former ND Man: get better career counsel. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your lack of maturity - excusable in your college years because a) you were super talented and b) who are we to be making immaturity accusations - but now you're a pro on a struggling team that doesn't need your flaky self-absorption. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You're in the process of blowing your career. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tim McFarland</span></b>. Forgive me if I'm already mentioned this... on WSCR 670, a Chicago sports talk radio program, they used have a weekly bit, called "Florida or Ohio Man?" where the segment hosts would be read an outrageous story whose headline inevitably started "______ Man does such and such."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If one simply bet the straight "Florida Man" ticket week after week, you'd have been a big winner. But not this week. Maybe you saw this:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_7nqIZKbf6A-BqOw8c6JnM5fXc2ztS8OKqN6LoEKR6xYOfK5Y9rkG4nMcFOkSzCzEsM_qpZrbpdWhfYR6WEcEyarIaUCIMqHRF-3GQeJx7pz-wNKKQrWDOPR0QhRA-BvnRrw8LOLxLywRGY4MEQSnqRC823D4lOnj_1zI3e_MS_m-j2-aDQCr8B85Ml0/s1242/download.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1242" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_7nqIZKbf6A-BqOw8c6JnM5fXc2ztS8OKqN6LoEKR6xYOfK5Y9rkG4nMcFOkSzCzEsM_qpZrbpdWhfYR6WEcEyarIaUCIMqHRF-3GQeJx7pz-wNKKQrWDOPR0QhRA-BvnRrw8LOLxLywRGY4MEQSnqRC823D4lOnj_1zI3e_MS_m-j2-aDQCr8B85Ml0/w400-h216/download.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a town south of Cleveland, Mr. McFarland, a high school football coach was dismissed after his team repeatedly used "Nazi" as a game call vs. an opponent from a well known JEWISH suburb. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oops. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr.McFarland indicated that it never occurred to him that the term would be construed as antisemitic. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I bet it didn't. Football coaches are not exactly Renaissance Men when it comes to broader awareness of, or sensitivity to, <i>anything</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Still, in this day and age, unless Nazi is paired with the word 'soup' you gotta know it's a high risk gambit. Bet he knows now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Romana Didulo</span></b>. Arguably, one could accuse this blog of periodically really, <i>really</i> reaching - every piece of content can't be a home run - but how often does one get the chance to combine QAnon conspiracist, Canada (and a challenge to their constitutional monarchy) in one news blurb?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And where are the South Park guys when you need them to create a new episode about it? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In any event, introducing Ms. Didulo, a Phillipino who emigrated to Canada when she was a teenager, now 48, who started a fringe political party as well as... it wouldn't be inaccurate to say, a cult. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hello, Netflix on line 2!</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeGQUCLwiSEeK5rdhwCUkfoVNo7JzGph6-mF3ocPb5wA7iYzzlyKd0c7NWQ4wJYozJ0MRu0qXl9-xd5keSpX-sGO8lS5u5V1VVQ9ZRVGmjiHS4iTlDwu6qWpTMys4F6daylo62DeCCBqWgjiEzep4SVaKS-hfYZCF-yv8mDHu3PMK20fW-l8TXb4GNn-v/s816/_131272110_protesth3.png%20(1).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="816" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeGQUCLwiSEeK5rdhwCUkfoVNo7JzGph6-mF3ocPb5wA7iYzzlyKd0c7NWQ4wJYozJ0MRu0qXl9-xd5keSpX-sGO8lS5u5V1VVQ9ZRVGmjiHS4iTlDwu6qWpTMys4F6daylo62DeCCBqWgjiEzep4SVaKS-hfYZCF-yv8mDHu3PMK20fW-l8TXb4GNn-v/w366-h216/_131272110_protesth3.png%20(1).jpeg" width="366" /></a></div>After traveling around the country for years, she and her merry band of zealots recently settled in a small village in Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, the local townsfolk aren't so keen on their arrival and want them gone - though it seems to have nothing to directly do with Romana's declaring she's overthrown the government ("tell no one!"), installing herself as Queen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You go, girl! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To be fair, it helps that she's issued decrees 'absolving' her followers of all bills and debts. And while the government has taken a dim view of this action, resulting in those same followers losing homes / cars / possessions by heeding her directives, it must be said, "No pain no gain!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Suffice it to say, the local villagers do not see these new immigrants as likely to make a positive influence on the local culture. Yet, how to get 'em to leave? Unclear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But hey - who doesn't love a disrupter? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stay tuned. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Drop of the hat and its already started</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Just like the deed is done.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">What I'd give for that hat to be medicine.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">The time is now to be on the run...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPW0QGqXmp0" width="320" youtube-src-id="dPW0QGqXmp0"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Happy 38th anniversary, Defarge. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You make everything... groovy.</i></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gSWInYFVksg" width="320" youtube-src-id="gSWInYFVksg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-21310894861035962832023-09-27T19:48:00.002-05:002023-09-27T20:00:49.417-05:00Ohio State: This Is Gonna Leave A Mark...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You're breaking my heart</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You're tearing it apart.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">So fuck you.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div><h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GBmXLABEo_k" width="320" youtube-src-id="GBmXLABEo_k"></iframe></div><br /></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Valparasio, IN</span></h3><h3><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><i>Well that sucked.</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;">As I was finishing my usual Monday post-weekend routine of self flagellation... involving stretching, elliptical, lifting a few (light) weights and then seeking refuge in the sauna, where one can make an audit of the poor life decisions... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQouMdmAlbHlvW2kPdfRD0au5q6owe4AahgZE8oLh0bLYr3AyQjo-sTS3MnxYFLNqg8SAkMSFIWMl45OnnjbgZ57rGCsVJ0T1eEgCnTw68vLOJbALahWnomYe5s4AIuFC9WaNrGgoWaVdvuPmUpdW1RCd39ed3aRMH27LjrjNYAoVq6OfNspAxoX878AHH/s220/get-smart.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="220" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQouMdmAlbHlvW2kPdfRD0au5q6owe4AahgZE8oLh0bLYr3AyQjo-sTS3MnxYFLNqg8SAkMSFIWMl45OnnjbgZ57rGCsVJ0T1eEgCnTw68vLOJbALahWnomYe5s4AIuFC9WaNrGgoWaVdvuPmUpdW1RCd39ed3aRMH27LjrjNYAoVq6OfNspAxoX878AHH/w200-h149/get-smart.gif" width="200" /></a></div>I knew last few days were not one of those mistakes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><i>:03 from the perfect weekend. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">And, damn, the trajectory was undeniably set for optimization. With great weather and daughter, granddaughter and three Class of '79 besties under our roof, the entire household was racking up the successes:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thursday Productive golf lesson for Ryan? <span style="color: #fcff01;">Check</span>.<span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Friday afternoon: Amusing golf with the boys? <span style="color: #fcff01;">Check</span>.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Friday evening: Incredible dinner with the Alumni Hall gang? <span style="color: #fcff01;">Check</span>.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Saturday afternoon: Epic tailgate? <span style="color: #fcff01;"> Check</span>.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Saturday evening: Back to the house in time for kickoff? <span style="color: #fcff01;">Check</span>.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Consistently making peepee on the potty? <span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>No one likes a show off, Sloane</i></span>.</span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Q2aOtlzuSycC1JS5fBDUweAvSSi0DL5cL4I995Zq53OWMhHFKrlG26AyT6YrqeSNr8ryVC-i9mqXWM32ZKBSjYOsT5Se1dEayn3XhdQRg3K6r4adSjQ3U-WjS4I-OGw3uOZgvaLzMHRi2GC3rNNJ7_QvCDFQiZNgfTZLF_6dLCiyThWTE9I71GGSwqY/s1872/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-26%20at%207.54.11%20PM.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1872" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Q2aOtlzuSycC1JS5fBDUweAvSSi0DL5cL4I995Zq53OWMhHFKrlG26AyT6YrqeSNr8ryVC-i9mqXWM32ZKBSjYOsT5Se1dEayn3XhdQRg3K6r4adSjQ3U-WjS4I-OGw3uOZgvaLzMHRi2GC3rNNJ7_QvCDFQiZNgfTZLF_6dLCiyThWTE9I71GGSwqY/w640-h384/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-26%20at%207.54.11%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">But alas, the Big Prize was not to be. And half a week later, Jerrence is still in mild shock.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4UpJpzeTIzADo56gmISZdG63K55ardq2sdofHYNp4I3v32VlQoRV8N7JkQjEHHZ0TSEDMw-knf15gryuOuRnRyja1nHZ7FR4NgYzIvp6NW3EDp1mHMJZLJN8Rj_BlFrJwNP7BqKRsuq14cDkvnzFYfSKz_AQBVY9w_ZCosMtAaLpJvQynuAwHUHxWR6i/s1200/dan-lanning.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4UpJpzeTIzADo56gmISZdG63K55ardq2sdofHYNp4I3v32VlQoRV8N7JkQjEHHZ0TSEDMw-knf15gryuOuRnRyja1nHZ7FR4NgYzIvp6NW3EDp1mHMJZLJN8Rj_BlFrJwNP7BqKRsuq14cDkvnzFYfSKz_AQBVY9w_ZCosMtAaLpJvQynuAwHUHxWR6i/w159-h159/dan-lanning.jpeg" width="159" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"They're fighting for clicks. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We're fighting for wins..."</i></div></i></span></h1><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dan Lanning</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Head Coach, Oregon</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This seemed to be the week of outraged coaches. The difference between coach Lanning (and his swipe at Colorado / Coach Prime) and the Man-baby in Columbus is, Lanning's commentary was actually insight-based.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>42-7, Prime</i>. Apparently this week, it was 'personal' for Oregon too.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I don't harbor the fantasy that these beat downs will push Deion into the woodwork as attention is his oxygen (although a girl can dream) but if it encourages other coaches to call out Sanders for his "I'm-Old-School-And-All-About-Me-School" rhetoric, I'm all for it. Presumably, this week Lincoln Riley is telling Lanning, "hold my beer, Dan..."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVfYBmeaG7nw-RK4nvJn9cguC9MRhuE2R-vt0ETplC3ja04c40j7wqu2-mATXRDxsDBITKCva3Ndlktuu6Dn_D-keCU3x4gOb6imorB2rdVLlBmaek2NUmHiDknGO6RI4CBKTUV4Kom9s5Uv69SUtLnPZ889xwf8p6JcFEOuBupms84MIt3DEwaRW657Z/s978/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2011.02.57%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="978" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVfYBmeaG7nw-RK4nvJn9cguC9MRhuE2R-vt0ETplC3ja04c40j7wqu2-mATXRDxsDBITKCva3Ndlktuu6Dn_D-keCU3x4gOb6imorB2rdVLlBmaek2NUmHiDknGO6RI4CBKTUV4Kom9s5Uv69SUtLnPZ889xwf8p6JcFEOuBupms84MIt3DEwaRW657Z/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2011.02.57%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</span></u><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>:</u> Young Jerrence racked his brain, even as he tried to process what he had just read.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ohio State scoring with :01 left in the game was gut-wrenching enough. Learning that the Irish had only 10 men on the field for the final two plays was mind blowing.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There are tactical mistakes, made in real time, in every game. The woulda / coulda / shoulda's and this game was no different: the calls on 4th and 1... not running Estime more... even the ill-fated screen pass that stopped a clock - all, to some degree, defensible. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But this was an entirely different kettle of fish. Calling it a <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">gaffe</span></i> didn't seem to quite capture the magnitude of the error. Politicians and entertainers make gaffes. This was something more... historical. Biblical even.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 5 Thoughts</span></h3><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span>Opportunity... opportunity.</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span>This is your big opportunity.</span></span></span></i></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/liFZaV67Q_A" width="320" youtube-src-id="liFZaV67Q_A"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZa7Wh-JT4LWro6OdiVdX6uZPl-sY3-9l4UxuHt1hfpXk4MSKszSrNurpaSbM-XApLFVOFVa4f3IEVhNBZau5MVQxgaiFC_TjFo_9hS-l5uLnvWG79BoybUPiOdgtnDlKYU9B_qLD_Z9kgFiELHjaiFLrJUBYXIrDDgrOODAS_BeuFJzNAa_tUK788r9H/s3627/IMG_9251.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3627" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZa7Wh-JT4LWro6OdiVdX6uZPl-sY3-9l4UxuHt1hfpXk4MSKszSrNurpaSbM-XApLFVOFVa4f3IEVhNBZau5MVQxgaiFC_TjFo_9hS-l5uLnvWG79BoybUPiOdgtnDlKYU9B_qLD_Z9kgFiELHjaiFLrJUBYXIrDDgrOODAS_BeuFJzNAa_tUK788r9H/s320/IMG_9251.jpeg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sure, Laddie, these folks are odd but mostly harmless</span></i>. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Somewhere Brian Kelly has an 18 year old scotch in hand, a Cheshire grin on his face and he's thinking... maybe even given voice to... "you can't hang THAT brain fart on me!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">True dat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not that he ever earned the moniker, 'Big Game Brian.'</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Somewhere else, Jack Swarbrick ought be thanking his lucky stars he didn't run into Cincotta after the game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If Savvy didn't appreciate last year's Drew Pyne critique (and he clearly didn't), he would've hated Jerry's feedback on Al Golden.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><u>Other super-random-blinding-glimpses-of-the-obvious</u>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Not loving the green uni's</span>. At least that shade of green. But then again, I am color </span><strike style="font-family: georgia;">blind</strike><span style="font-family: georgia;"> deficient. </span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQky7dWH57km-bCpZu4qpyZQuZZP8JHwUfguwZT506nKbWjbhfeSdqmUji_cmnmblQtoDDZjtbhGNjawwykuvlG7HyTjauVkfyALco_9lHcE7QD44gCuXjrjAoHwNHT78iMyEnTGY3zo1ZW-aL_SxqnjhRFkg4E1_CJsxdSB8nHtb043ZbUQ_7jYLsbIFF/s2560/Audric.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQky7dWH57km-bCpZu4qpyZQuZZP8JHwUfguwZT506nKbWjbhfeSdqmUji_cmnmblQtoDDZjtbhGNjawwykuvlG7HyTjauVkfyALco_9lHcE7QD44gCuXjrjAoHwNHT78iMyEnTGY3zo1ZW-aL_SxqnjhRFkg4E1_CJsxdSB8nHtb043ZbUQ_7jYLsbIFF/w375-h211/Audric.jpeg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Audric, We Hardly Knew Ye...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The honeymoon is over</span>. Out-coached. Or maybe just out-experienced. In any event, this "L" is far more on the coaches than the players. And it's gonna take a while to regain the public trust. Soundly beating Duke would be a nice start.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Players makes plays. Or they don't</span>. Jerrence has gotten fairly zen in his attitude, late in life, about these games. We either show up and do it, or we don't. It seems the reality is for this week, for all the times ND made key plays, there are a handful of other times when plays needed to be made and we just... <i>didn't</i>. (Note: I'm sure OSU would say the same.)</span></li></ul><ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The 4 and 1's</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The missed FG</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The dropped INT</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The confusion on the play <i>before</i> the screen pass </span></li></ul></ul><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLMV4uEcU-dtkhMsFx9I5K9C8-aX2-6VeQEhFlHIzjEy3EqubeHzoXjRQEqm8-OxwVGkxFL-rb2NPlsLVKsnfy5NuAYLUAZzp1NxcK31_O_syXZffFQy02vIzbZZ8w2utfIrXVluKrLRcrAyoGpByVTgkZ-kM84w94-rV36_KCkCgA8r00ZJjGfozLuRa/s245/Inconceivable.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="245" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLMV4uEcU-dtkhMsFx9I5K9C8-aX2-6VeQEhFlHIzjEy3EqubeHzoXjRQEqm8-OxwVGkxFL-rb2NPlsLVKsnfy5NuAYLUAZzp1NxcK31_O_syXZffFQy02vIzbZZ8w2utfIrXVluKrLRcrAyoGpByVTgkZ-kM84w94-rV36_KCkCgA8r00ZJjGfozLuRa/w200-h163/Inconceivable.webp" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">What we have here is a failure to communicate</span>. This horse has been beaten to death and may end up being as unknowable as Who Shot JFK, but 10 men on the field... twice?! How does that happen? Who, exactly, was in charge - and forgot to count? And who didn't get the memo?</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Placekicking</span>. Speaking only for myself, maybe it's time to be less enamored with the strength of Shrader's leg and more concerned with his lack of accuracy.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">How good is Ohio State?</span> "Not great, Bob." Call it sour grapes but with a 17-14 final score, I can't say that I walked away all that convinced the Buckeyes are a top tier team. Did we make them look that way? Perhaps. As coach Holtz said, "they're a good team, not a great team." And probably the same can be said about us.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">"Play to win." Until you don't</span>. That was Freeman's mantra - we're gonna go for it. Rightly (but probably wrongly) the screen pass on the last offensive series seemed to support that attitude. 3rd and 19 and rushing 3? Not so much.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">3rd and 19</span>. When the Corrigan - Spittler - Wadden - Cincotta braintrust (using the term extremely loosely) all scream, "NOOOOO" as they see the 3-man rush alignment, you know something is very wrong. <u>One man's opinion</u>: Even more than the subsequent 10-man debacle, that play was the fatal flaw and those three words are going to live in my personal infamy for a very, <i>very</i> long time. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>...I'm howling at the moon.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFh4_Xj5z7o" width="320" youtube-src-id="xFh4_Xj5z7o"></iframe></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Can we ever get a game remotely clean game reffed?</span> As one message board poster put it, the refs didn't cost us the game but some of those calls (or non-calls) were serious contributors.</span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITsmxrnnnVcnFxz90GC9pvJpGJGcDRYpptNKDmTeFOxbmTsD7oDOCGg13lULSStjV7ZT2Sa8UdeAjgC8yr_mBHrdEzAdFges5d1hpOek3MScWUG0EHcLx89diJ1zV5-QgUvtHsfkM4NtvOvX1okiw4iqcKpsfut7x7F27k_HxiyZXYZwXd5hyhWM9gZZj/s856/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2011.42.42%20AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="856" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITsmxrnnnVcnFxz90GC9pvJpGJGcDRYpptNKDmTeFOxbmTsD7oDOCGg13lULSStjV7ZT2Sa8UdeAjgC8yr_mBHrdEzAdFges5d1hpOek3MScWUG0EHcLx89diJ1zV5-QgUvtHsfkM4NtvOvX1okiw4iqcKpsfut7x7F27k_HxiyZXYZwXd5hyhWM9gZZj/w640-h364/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2011.42.42%20AM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Q. Grabbing the shoulder pads (and dragging down the DB) is not considered a hold?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></h3><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tough week to find a Buddy even though it's perhaps when one needs one most.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember last week when this blogger pined for a defensive candidate to challenge the two offensive studs? It turns out there was already one there, hiding in plain sight.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Benjamin Morrison</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79g3Mm4bdRMBadUms55U8OXIMB7oozPeGpAqLMtPHV9b6qHvdwjq1KCg29lLbpAIBg5nrCgTgTCyPpLW91_LdF--VSay0ZO6ExhZBdqf1d-0Na3Tk6W3-Xa9QUx3WAvJD8yBcmyOUihfwvhV1Ayo5TPSgnqibZIesQHDNNhUDQUAozOfD1sXA2G2Yke9j/s840/Morrison%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="840" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79g3Mm4bdRMBadUms55U8OXIMB7oozPeGpAqLMtPHV9b6qHvdwjq1KCg29lLbpAIBg5nrCgTgTCyPpLW91_LdF--VSay0ZO6ExhZBdqf1d-0Na3Tk6W3-Xa9QUx3WAvJD8yBcmyOUihfwvhV1Ayo5TPSgnqibZIesQHDNNhUDQUAozOfD1sXA2G2Yke9j/w279-h271/Morrison%202.jpeg" width="279" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="font-family: georgia;">How about this fun fact:</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Big Ben held Marvin Harrison Jr., a slam dunk Top 5 pick in next year's NFL draft, to this stat line: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 catches, 32 yards, 0 TD's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why this kid isn't getting any more national pub I'll never understand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If he were on Ohio St., Bama or LSU, the media wouldn't be able to stop talking about him.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But this week, Ben will have to share Buddy's affections... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Most of us knew Morrison was very good, that wasn't much of a surprise. The true revelation from Saturday night was at a position where excellence is practically taken for granted... arguably the one position where the ND fanbase can be fairly accused of feeling entitled: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tight End.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBl2IDeD6Ji2B4y1L03qhEnKbsjGmnIkLqhtcKe7R2K9E_1IEm44ejfijUGMnmaxC8tMjeJpeturLVUn_WQu_dpNcQBpGMK1PSFMwUeeCoCqHjwS61ErC97vvS2L5a4grBOc1yA36sMdGlT_-p_OJmrQKZEBS2erMU0p7Oiyy7jpxhdQ9evD9C1IG_PWz/s2560/Evans.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBl2IDeD6Ji2B4y1L03qhEnKbsjGmnIkLqhtcKe7R2K9E_1IEm44ejfijUGMnmaxC8tMjeJpeturLVUn_WQu_dpNcQBpGMK1PSFMwUeeCoCqHjwS61ErC97vvS2L5a4grBOc1yA36sMdGlT_-p_OJmrQKZEBS2erMU0p7Oiyy7jpxhdQ9evD9C1IG_PWz/w366-h206/Evans.jpeg" width="366" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, I give thee </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Mitchell Evans</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, heretofore best known for those 4th and 1 'tush pushes' but after this game, is quickly alleviating any fears of there being much of a pronounced drop off from the Michael Mayer Era.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And with a decidedly young (if high potential) WR group who are also fighting some injuries with their more experienced teammates (Thomas, Colzie), ND is gonna need him to keep channeling his inner Mayer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you haven't been able to tell, I'm a Pete Sampson fan. I think he writes with uncommon objectivity while still being able to be empathetic (sympathetic?) to the home team he reports on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Weirdly, many on my primary ND website / message board, do not feel the same way. Okay. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it kind of makes Pete's reporting this week somewhat different -- unusually harsh in its critique of the ND coaching staff spitting the bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Almost as if this game was somehow personal for Pete, his criticism belying a fan-like angst. Good for you, Pete.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Without further adieu, some thoughts from Pete suggesting the Freeman learning curve is a little steeper than perhaps we thought a couple weeks ago. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it doesn't mean it still can't end, ultimately, in big time success. To that end...</span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Am I the only one who doesn’t feel like the sky is falling? <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="216" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Notre Dame</a> played a game against a perennial powerhouse with no noticeable talent gap. When was the last time that happened? — Jack R. (Notre Dame student)</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s look at it another way.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On Aug. 1, I tell you Notre Dame will start 4-1. It will put together an offense that’s historically productive. The defense will exceed expectations. That brutally difficult game at <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="165" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clemson</a>? Actually just a tough, winnable matchup. Also, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="252" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">USC</a>’s defense is still struggling. Notre Dame will lose to Ohio State, but just by three points, <a href="https://theathletic.com/4897938/2023/09/25/notre-dame-personnel-ohio-state-review/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">and the teams look evenly matched</a>. And there’s <a href="https://theathletic.com/4879712/2023/09/20/notre-dame-ohio-state-tickets-stadium/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">no red invasion of Notre Dame Stadium</a>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first loss is always the most difficult for the Notre Dame fan base to process, but it’s hard to find anyone who didn’t think that loss was coming at some point. <a href="https://theathletic.com/4624228/2023/06/20/notre-dame-football-2023-fan-survey/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">In our fan survey during the summer</a>, just 1 percent of respondents selected 12-0. More than half chose 10-2, which still feels likely considering how well Notre Dame has played during a five-game sample. Yes, the pressure is on Marcus Freeman after last weekend with how it ended. But the season’s overall outlook feels on track.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But, and this is a big but, the Notre Dame fan base has been waiting to beat Ohio State in a moment like Saturday night for 30 years. And Notre Dame was one snap and one defensive lineman from making that happen. The angst hinges on <a href="https://theathletic.com/4899070/2023/09/25/marcus-freeman-notre-dame-ohio-state/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">how Notre Dame lost, not the final score</a>. The Irish haven’t had the home-field and the quarterback advantage in that kind of game in your lifetime, Jack (assuming you’re not a PhD student). That’s a lot of pent-up demand. Splitting with USC and Clemson, then running the rest of the table still feels like a good bet. But getting that shot against that Ohio State team … there’s a reason the night felt like the biggest at Notre Dame Stadium since the Bush Push. This wasn’t just about the game; it was about pushing back on 30 years of hurt.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ironically, last weekend was the most watched Notre Dame game on NBC since <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="166" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/florida-state-seminoles-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Florida State</a> in 1993.</span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 27, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">This week we draw on The Bard, William Shakespeare, for inspiration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A fellow not known for as compelling of a storyteller as he is, not particularly known for happy endings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the fact that the key betrayer in the story is named Marcus, well, draw your own conclusions... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Orange Julius Caesar</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Julius Caesar (circa 1599)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>By William Shakespeare</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Friends, Romans, upperclassmen: with pals like this, who needs enemies? Shakespeare's <i>Julius Caesar</i> reads like a luxuriantly extended definition of the word, "backstabber," as the title character's rise in power inspires those closest to him to plot his assassination. </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDv9uNoBJO1GSRalzlsbsQPRdpRdmgiedfMh0ZW38XbRwkd21pup66WauPHydrCOJLFwRi8SmCW8y1TNnxqNkoEZzPP429ym2yTsFQGlU-TNdIEOUTB8VIuZuh7cQ0h99u1ZV3ujkJe_6z7U95PaRaAiJ1y5kqjTmX5IRz59tqXaSuGtZLIS5p9hs7rgqz/s1000/129747-jesus.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDv9uNoBJO1GSRalzlsbsQPRdpRdmgiedfMh0ZW38XbRwkd21pup66WauPHydrCOJLFwRi8SmCW8y1TNnxqNkoEZzPP429ym2yTsFQGlU-TNdIEOUTB8VIuZuh7cQ0h99u1ZV3ujkJe_6z7U95PaRaAiJ1y5kqjTmX5IRz59tqXaSuGtZLIS5p9hs7rgqz/s320/129747-jesus.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Though Caesar gets top billing, he actually appears in on;y a handful of scenes; the real star here is Marcus Brutus, proving that sometimes a secondary player can walk away with the show. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sneak a little mother's milk into an old-fashioned breakfast recipe - and trust us (<i>no, really you can trust us</i>), the result is pretty killer.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08GZdAtO35MUJgrnet2MI6_dNLVHAn9jNbFyC6OizAMZ5l8XEvjhuNxobTvFjYVEbupczsRyODsya0pCB87SZkW7YRiGqodaSThofzn5GWWBHlmhm3cCPdNDXuhY8Mj8gYrV4suC-kZbH2txvF-K0_exYGfRrUWLxHnCJpbykEd1uo5g0KgEcoa8vOHsa/s1024/Rum-Swizzle-4-1-693x1024.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="693" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08GZdAtO35MUJgrnet2MI6_dNLVHAn9jNbFyC6OizAMZ5l8XEvjhuNxobTvFjYVEbupczsRyODsya0pCB87SZkW7YRiGqodaSThofzn5GWWBHlmhm3cCPdNDXuhY8Mj8gYrV4suC-kZbH2txvF-K0_exYGfRrUWLxHnCJpbykEd1uo5g0KgEcoa8vOHsa/w136-h200/Rum-Swizzle-4-1-693x1024.jpeg" width="136" /></a></div>3 oz. orange juice</div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. milk</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1.5 oz. light rum</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 tspn. granulated sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/4 tspn. vanilla</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have your closest frenemy load all the ingredients, plus a handful of ice, into your blender. Only after he removes his fingers, get to whirring.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Serve in a Collins glass.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We're past the point of arguing whether the Notre Dame football brand is still relevant - the networks say it is and as conference realignment has shown us, theirs is the only opinion that matters.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But four night games is a row? Including the next two away games? Hope the coaching staff has a plan for managing <i>that</i> quirk... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>'Cause boogie nights are always the best in town...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZ2KWllZYTY" width="320" youtube-src-id="eZ2KWllZYTY"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>L</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC <span style="color: #04ff00;"><b>NIGHT</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Team 12 Wins, you deserved better. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian M.</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John P</strike></span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>John L</strike></span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W, Jay, </span><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Cinco</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B., Bryan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week.</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One wonders whether this year - with seemingly precious few truly great teams - could this be The Year of The Upsets That Really Aren't Upsets? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(Sounds like... parity?)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or is just going to be The Year of Celebrating Ill Will On The Historically Entitled?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then there's the case of Colorado, a program no one ever cared about a year ago but now has much of the country reveling whenever it gets payback for a gangsta attitude it hasn't even earned yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pki17ovQZJJWs4OhbdocXfBp1I29QCFHdNrghXybp9KD3KAofnBCXnISMx0jpMpUdFZJ2C3gzUhee4oh1C5xmS5BqJ3w9OVOxakGbRA6fqU_OxSPLLquPYC8HPgrpYfEnYc8mlfQNJ9GucTpdaRmPtbGpVQN-bgR56QqByfs3e6AHJ5nZf5iRntLA8zz/s1680/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2012.43.52%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1680" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pki17ovQZJJWs4OhbdocXfBp1I29QCFHdNrghXybp9KD3KAofnBCXnISMx0jpMpUdFZJ2C3gzUhee4oh1C5xmS5BqJ3w9OVOxakGbRA6fqU_OxSPLLquPYC8HPgrpYfEnYc8mlfQNJ9GucTpdaRmPtbGpVQN-bgR56QqByfs3e6AHJ5nZf5iRntLA8zz/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-27%20at%2012.43.52%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Karma strikes again. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Colorado. </span></b> This is all you need to know about the culture coach Prime is developing: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">On Monday night, the Ducks released a cinematic recap of the game, and made sure to include some closed captions for the trash talking done by some Buffaloes players ahead of the clash. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At one point, Colorado CB Shilo Sanders, son of the head coach, could be overheard threatening Oregon’s team and head coach Dan Lanning, </span><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’ll beat the f--k out of every one of y’all and your coach,”</span></i> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Sanders could be heard saying. <i>“Why y’all so little? We finna run through y’all ass.”</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So that's your definition of Old School, Deion?! </span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh6ttgOGWGbhSs9J_g_tkPATa2yHvSIrA-A874BvAz7IOoYANQ_x_-XjBmkU0feNnfr_JRw3GaZow7jO3OdnBR1RKAJra19hUNHisqf_ER9ac2ECNP74uv5XSEuEWgFhpldSpfKov_Ir8H_TQ0iF2Uf-O4Xq0r2jSdFu8alowkPfQEbcixt2Et9cSql6D/s640/792d9cb95c1acfa34a927055b21a3634.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="640" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh6ttgOGWGbhSs9J_g_tkPATa2yHvSIrA-A874BvAz7IOoYANQ_x_-XjBmkU0feNnfr_JRw3GaZow7jO3OdnBR1RKAJra19hUNHisqf_ER9ac2ECNP74uv5XSEuEWgFhpldSpfKov_Ir8H_TQ0iF2Uf-O4Xq0r2jSdFu8alowkPfQEbcixt2Et9cSql6D/w200-h149/792d9cb95c1acfa34a927055b21a3634.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Clemson.</span> </b></span><b style="color: #fcff01;"> </b><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know this hurts ND's strength of schedule but the heart wants what it wants.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the fact that, if you're going to lose, missing a 29 yard FG in the last 2:00 is definitely the way to go for Full Schadenfreude Effect. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Note to Dabo</u>: missed FG's are a Florida State tradition, not yours. </div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><ul></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AMG2U7WyZTi65DqggXdcecv1bIvDvw4xkFLEQPDA5MjF7kPiVi71olynY_nhvTHuKLnewnpHGZ6iGXV1euiiNFpyJivXfz67Gjk3Jd8xTWkowAYGvVNaPMyGXM1bW1GgXShi_jnlaA_Oekwk31Aq1oiX_5FXaovH0Jit66GFdnWY-O0b3qnCOt7TMIAy/s234/Payton.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="216" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AMG2U7WyZTi65DqggXdcecv1bIvDvw4xkFLEQPDA5MjF7kPiVi71olynY_nhvTHuKLnewnpHGZ6iGXV1euiiNFpyJivXfz67Gjk3Jd8xTWkowAYGvVNaPMyGXM1bW1GgXShi_jnlaA_Oekwk31Aq1oiX_5FXaovH0Jit66GFdnWY-O0b3qnCOt7TMIAy/s1600/Payton.jpeg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Denver Broncos</span></b><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">. </span>Call this a half-hearted call and less directed at its team than its $18M coach, Sean Payton. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After declaring last year's head coach as having done "the worse job in the history of the league," (which might be factually true but you don't say that aloud outside of your own house), what do you call l</span>osing <i>by 50 points</i> and getting 70 hung on you?</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Karma's a mean motor scooter, Sean. But apparently, the football gods do not hold a grudge - they've given you the Bears next week. </div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools.</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One would think with last week's profound disappointment that Jerrence would be overly zealous in his search for the truly moronic - so he could mock and belittle to make himself feel just a little less bad.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You know, typical bully mentality.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But alas, I just don't have the will to be cruel on such a widespread basis.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Although for The Cretin From Columbus, I can make an exception: </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvz6k_ondo_lJk2bllwmgMoKCffWpUD2iCfzRPvY8DY7MZRCsGPeAmToW4F93CTC4WuaK3blZEhnBgrfCtl9l_CKNUZ6GKTVf8XZd-0z3mKTFZKx_RHqu3VR8EDa5rUjbuipq3Er1VlGRvVCqIfVZN6ngOc-r1QUdv_r66pP2CBK4UrSyEGIFwDbiBFq9/s1200/Ohio-State-football-news-Ryan-Day_s-blunt-message-to-Lou-Holtz-critics-ahead-of-Notre-Dame-clash.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1200" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvz6k_ondo_lJk2bllwmgMoKCffWpUD2iCfzRPvY8DY7MZRCsGPeAmToW4F93CTC4WuaK3blZEhnBgrfCtl9l_CKNUZ6GKTVf8XZd-0z3mKTFZKx_RHqu3VR8EDa5rUjbuipq3Er1VlGRvVCqIfVZN6ngOc-r1QUdv_r66pP2CBK4UrSyEGIFwDbiBFq9/s320/Ohio-State-football-news-Ryan-Day_s-blunt-message-to-Lou-Holtz-critics-ahead-of-Notre-Dame-clash.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan Day</span></b>. I can say this, credibly, having spent much of the weekend with a 2 year old and a bunch of 66 year olds whose maturity ceased decades ago - so I have more than a little familiarity with arrested development: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Coach Day, Grow The Fuck Up.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You're trying to play the <i>"Oh we're so aggrieved </i>(um, you'tr one of the most entitled football programs in the country), <i>a geriatric with a lisp said mean, disparaging</i> (accurate) <i>things about my team, everyone hates us</i> (true) <i>and it's us against the world</i>" card - and I'm gonna get super emotional about it on national TV after I came out on top in a game I had zero business winning.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Child, please. You're the proverbial 'born on 3rd base, thinks he hit a triple' coach. Have some class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrX2H4v1FII3mRkmetlp6wb1lNj29ad7z1dd4OyzZEcwcAXkog8AD7GeW0rC4XdKC5czlEbdGIhWNDRgao-l822GQf7v1uA7cUZAwD9AbBzF4Imedm8IbmMR9gmXRrx4xLj4ZvIOnUKmnTqq0TniEUMX_AP_LkL3csSqjpq4eiqzVT7y2_bgUrLXF6yLL/s336/Mcafee_Lou%20Holtz%20response.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="336" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrX2H4v1FII3mRkmetlp6wb1lNj29ad7z1dd4OyzZEcwcAXkog8AD7GeW0rC4XdKC5czlEbdGIhWNDRgao-l822GQf7v1uA7cUZAwD9AbBzF4Imedm8IbmMR9gmXRrx4xLj4ZvIOnUKmnTqq0TniEUMX_AP_LkL3csSqjpq4eiqzVT7y2_bgUrLXF6yLL/s320/Mcafee_Lou%20Holtz%20response.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check out Pseudo Lou's response to being called out <a href="https://youtu.be/D8l1z506A20?si=n51WrXkxd_q5Nsbs">here</a>. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>(Freaking hilarious and completely</span><span> on point.)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><u>Real Lou's actual response</u>: </span><span>“(Day) doesn’t want to talk about Michigan, 0-2. He doesn’t want to talk about the big game coming up against Penn State and against Michigan again. Ohio State’s a good football team. I don’t think they’re a great football team. He can go after me all he wants...”</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amen, witness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYIf8IDhDTQUIFa9plzRj2Z8ulpitbBQAt0y2OK2d3HnxVY9LvJ5Ct3vIq7NKNpaOY7IbAFWH4z77XwjzcwOw8CTf5W-XPOyU5s1Rw0_ilud4jpB7h1hSVfqFhlKrXQYvhlMvEKbm2dA996RdmV0V_woGExgPahrFjUcaHaSGe3VdmEGhCxYqCS0kgFfe/s1170/IMG_4350.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1170" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYIf8IDhDTQUIFa9plzRj2Z8ulpitbBQAt0y2OK2d3HnxVY9LvJ5Ct3vIq7NKNpaOY7IbAFWH4z77XwjzcwOw8CTf5W-XPOyU5s1Rw0_ilud4jpB7h1hSVfqFhlKrXQYvhlMvEKbm2dA996RdmV0V_woGExgPahrFjUcaHaSGe3VdmEGhCxYqCS0kgFfe/w261-h259/IMG_4350.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">JT Daniels</span></b>. Is it fair to pick on a former 5-star / #1 rated QB in his class, whose assured Path to Glory got derailed almost before it started? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe. Maybe not. Call it, at minimum, a sad situation but when it's a fellow who seemed to have everything on a platter and when a little adversity (including injury and competition) came his way, seemed to cut and run... I'm taking the shot. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Five years after starting at USC as a freshman, he's now on his 4th school. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's only one constant variable in all of those situations. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div></div></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You've got to pick up the pieces </i></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Come on, sort your trash better</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Pull yourself back together... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P-L_5HedJbw" width="320" youtube-src-id="P-L_5HedJbw"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But hey, after a week or so of righteous indignation (or whatever stage of the grieving process one wishes to consider oneself), perhaps it's time to...<i> move on</i>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To that point, one thing that occurred to me while observing the teeming masses of the tailgate was</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> this: I've had the benefit of going through almost all the important life stages with a vast number of this blog's readership:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sgtrqmkQaPBHOyIxjKqH3RRrtXpZgptZkKPSXUZwfRXc5LWMb8nx9yfOfUIodzWTTmXGd44ODDhdwr0z9sjdgb5nfzum4VYcQdw6WBnb-ZlXpS65UYM5TT0aBCqnCzhD19UFjQh0QSKosvqs4TixOONEQpp1tfvaq-BOS7oQdTAMRf0yO-BHALwlk8gG/s3169/IMG_9263%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3169" data-original-width="2627" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sgtrqmkQaPBHOyIxjKqH3RRrtXpZgptZkKPSXUZwfRXc5LWMb8nx9yfOfUIodzWTTmXGd44ODDhdwr0z9sjdgb5nfzum4VYcQdw6WBnb-ZlXpS65UYM5TT0aBCqnCzhD19UFjQh0QSKosvqs4TixOONEQpp1tfvaq-BOS7oQdTAMRf0yO-BHALwlk8gG/s320/IMG_9263%202.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;">Senior Bar!</span></div></span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Graduation (we made it!)</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Single Years</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Boston</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chicago</span></li></ul></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Marriage!</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Parenthood - the early years</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Parenthood - the <i>late</i> years</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Grandparenthood</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Can't imagine a better bunch to have navigated all of this with. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-59515377605871837962023-09-21T10:16:00.006-05:002023-09-21T10:34:58.665-05:00CMU: "The Previous Play Is Under Further Review..."<h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Isn't it nice to be home again?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I said 'welcome home'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Didn't we miss your smiling face?...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OBpYFf7PxdI" width="320" youtube-src-id="OBpYFf7PxdI"></iframe></div><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: South Bend, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;">When daughter Shea was 18 years old and applying to colleges, she wrote an essay along the lines of "Home is an Airport." The genesis of the topic being that at that point in her life, quantifiably, she'd lived <i>exactly</i> equally in the U.S., England and Italy. Not only was there a sense of not having solid roots really anywhere - but the periodic nomadic lifestyle associated with ex-pat life involved a whole lot of airport time where she often, weirdly, felt most comfortable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEgid-E3hg-YlEazTLFZBg_QFuUoLxGJ54nYAl2hx6gae8LS35xC2RqwitSSt8XApJNmYZEMd6fEeSleqOLuVM9LfwHXKgPBeOxoGmba8PUCxRFGCe_vOgjq9EeOnd-4VWKY23SUqBMWs3O9sRf_Fk1AEpcR0NGA2sBQM0-rZI9GOAlUT2gOxICP-tX_E/s3098/IMG_4286.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3098" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEgid-E3hg-YlEazTLFZBg_QFuUoLxGJ54nYAl2hx6gae8LS35xC2RqwitSSt8XApJNmYZEMd6fEeSleqOLuVM9LfwHXKgPBeOxoGmba8PUCxRFGCe_vOgjq9EeOnd-4VWKY23SUqBMWs3O9sRf_Fk1AEpcR0NGA2sBQM0-rZI9GOAlUT2gOxICP-tX_E/w390-h400/IMG_4286.heic" width="390" /></a></div>It was an interesting perspective that, at the time, Notre Dame and the University of Michigan loved. The Ivy League's opinion, apparently, wasn't quite as high.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Their loss.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But Jerrence thought about that essay this past week as he traversed Davenport, IA => Valparasio, IN => Stayer Lot, Notre Dame IN with his brothers for the annual Corrigan "The Boys Are Back In Town" weekend.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Each locale representing a unique sense of home: past, present and (seasonally) forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Regarding the latter location, it occurred to him that they call them 'home games' for a reason. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Comfortable, familiar, fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And occasionally dysfunctional. Perhaps more so than was necessary for Central Michigan last weekend. An atmosphere that definitely can't be the case this week<i>. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe43G3wF6OmgRKCeHK-RPBwjU6X6xRgRmBoyh7H6eHprrJLFRuUJuAjL3-lV31CS2JqeRAZ7ypMrL5oUC6SLhEd6QfjoRYPzECaWrsSmY9Vz8B1Jkow0m68blghlygBg5VOAcsUFQZsXCFd78YsIRCKveEVYaKkbgsagPeQuIj-MMx2coiici5cNQ_FDC/s620/Socrates-businessinsider-620x480.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="620" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe43G3wF6OmgRKCeHK-RPBwjU6X6xRgRmBoyh7H6eHprrJLFRuUJuAjL3-lV31CS2JqeRAZ7ypMrL5oUC6SLhEd6QfjoRYPzECaWrsSmY9Vz8B1Jkow0m68blghlygBg5VOAcsUFQZsXCFd78YsIRCKveEVYaKkbgsagPeQuIj-MMx2coiici5cNQ_FDC/w272-h197/Socrates-businessinsider-620x480.jpeg" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">The 'D' better get it together - fast!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>"True knowledge exists in knowing that we know nothing."</i></span></h1><h3 style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Socrates</span> </h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">If that's the case, Jerrence is a freaking 1st ballot Mensa candidate. Especially when it comes to football. And especially when it comes to fathoming what we (I) saw last Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because I have no idea how to interpret ND's Central Michigan performance. </div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cw2q2eCQC79jAhKeAP-nVTFqhbb35_PH2bfmE5d2G3RxHCDKEJeBSIFzqhVWsUBCk4wQgv_R6Ta_ms-P7_gTAuZOQRO-xddqEHfVinYxJXTSV4vIMwkyX2AN-VnhEnFuLsgpQD3Xtqe38n6wp0ZuZSaSYMHYSzNVGLcjBOn2Plu0Eg6OksLLZetqWAYR/s974/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-19%20at%2011.06.13%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="974" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cw2q2eCQC79jAhKeAP-nVTFqhbb35_PH2bfmE5d2G3RxHCDKEJeBSIFzqhVWsUBCk4wQgv_R6Ta_ms-P7_gTAuZOQRO-xddqEHfVinYxJXTSV4vIMwkyX2AN-VnhEnFuLsgpQD3Xtqe38n6wp0ZuZSaSYMHYSzNVGLcjBOn2Plu0Eg6OksLLZetqWAYR/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-19%20at%2011.06.13%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u><span><u>:</u> As Young Jerrence began to rewatch the game, the steady stream of alcohol, driven by five days with his brothers and the inevitable excitement of Tailgate Season Opener, now having safely left his system (thank you, Sunlighten sauna) it was all coming back to him... </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Those refs were B-A-D. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>And not in a good way bad, like "that Sam Hartman is a baaad man, he can really sling it."</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>No, bad as in 'how in the world did they get their accreditation' bad. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJxTscNMnlBsKxznBRzdCj-xCDxN_pmU30sl4aOoAj0HrRKjuV-izD7D4cvoEFs6Tez-UQz-SgCFQJSQxyQW6aGkoPs6r5v9_ApqalT8LCK-R2on-509NEkRowHF_1yACav3Rp3DiuQPvl3_g9r2ZWEiz8aOLYFdyUc0VI6rK9uYgrMzEcbnUYVr613D6/s480/giphy.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJxTscNMnlBsKxznBRzdCj-xCDxN_pmU30sl4aOoAj0HrRKjuV-izD7D4cvoEFs6Tez-UQz-SgCFQJSQxyQW6aGkoPs6r5v9_ApqalT8LCK-R2on-509NEkRowHF_1yACav3Rp3DiuQPvl3_g9r2ZWEiz8aOLYFdyUc0VI6rK9uYgrMzEcbnUYVr613D6/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>The tipping point for this blogger was, with 2:00 left <i>in the 1st Quarter</i>, they marked Estime a full yard short of a first down (which it was), and then proceeded to review the spot, award a 1st down and when the crowd reacted to the obvious mistake on the big screen replay video... they re-reviewed AGAIN and corrected themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Estime scored on the next play, who was more relieved - ND or the refs?</div><div><br /></div><div>What then proceeded to occur was a series of penalties called - where virtually everything went under review, suggesting a certain lack of confidence, a pattern of <span style="color: #fcff01;">irresolute</span> decision making that screamed, "we have no idea what we're doing (or why we're even here)!"</div><div><br /></div><div>And it was only the 1st Quarter - it would prove to be very long day with these clowns. Jerrence thought much about the beer getting cold in the Behrens' car trunk.</div><div><br /></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 4 Thoughts</span></h3><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">You</span></span><span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span> can't </span>always<span> get what you want... </span></span></span></i></span></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krxU5Y9lCS8" width="320" youtube-src-id="krxU5Y9lCS8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;">This was supposed to be a glorified scrimmage, they said. A laugher, they said. Come, have a few pops, invite your family, they said. Enjoy the game with your brothers, they said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;">41-17<span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;">Then why do I feel so dissatisfied? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span><i>Would've been a 41-31 game in the Kelly regime.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>The Good</b></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></h3></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u style="text-align: justify;">Sam remains The Man</u><span style="text-align: justify;">. Not his most consistent game, for sure. In fact, there were whole series where he looked weirdly... off. </span></div></div></span></li></ul><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">T<span style="font-family: georgia;">hat said, let's talk about his touch on deep passes. Perfection. ND hasn't had a QB - </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><i style="text-align: justify;">hyperbole alert</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> - that can throw that accurate of a 30+ yard pass in decades. </span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5yOs4MrguDcfMe62exanaU7DRyyPtmKxotdjoYBdh6JXcJ_xboQ7fLHe4BoOpjT9gqsnhQCGgk7Y5-iyoaybIK-aGa76slcJ5rji4_occGKTF7R6z89fSsNZD3kOaOWF71WNEwoU2ssaZzGFBbvE7aZ8bjjdPD1Smd6Pp2zcFFxDQ7uzJEgyjjV4M8Ee/s2334/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%204.37.10%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="2334" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5yOs4MrguDcfMe62exanaU7DRyyPtmKxotdjoYBdh6JXcJ_xboQ7fLHe4BoOpjT9gqsnhQCGgk7Y5-iyoaybIK-aGa76slcJ5rji4_occGKTF7R6z89fSsNZD3kOaOWF71WNEwoU2ssaZzGFBbvE7aZ8bjjdPD1Smd6Pp2zcFFxDQ7uzJEgyjjV4M8Ee/w640-h274/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%204.37.10%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Tell me I'm wrong. </div></div><div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRgy2-EIWMtbMZT4iSzHeJ8Pp8-P7X10tvTHzh0FNqbqIjlASxNDFyjV5MrlufC5C4wwVORVaq0CuQJ7gV-M8jsOnzC0xKHvkYXybE30ULzGtwVVDNU0_n5ryB0eCuTZPtDqrP411jIRJs_WsYQrmDpBbDUNHw5jnM7QzGLaSOZwrm0grcex3QaMGCbDB/s542/IMG_4299.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="542" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRgy2-EIWMtbMZT4iSzHeJ8Pp8-P7X10tvTHzh0FNqbqIjlASxNDFyjV5MrlufC5C4wwVORVaq0CuQJ7gV-M8jsOnzC0xKHvkYXybE30ULzGtwVVDNU0_n5ryB0eCuTZPtDqrP411jIRJs_WsYQrmDpBbDUNHw5jnM7QzGLaSOZwrm0grcex3QaMGCbDB/s320/IMG_4299.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Audric for... <i>Heisman</i>?</u> For all the justified talk of The Talented Mr. Hartman, Estime has got to be opening some eyes around the country. Man oh man. In any other non-Caleb Williams year maybe...</div></span></div></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who misses Will Shipley now? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while the hurdle thing has got to catch up to him one of these days, it sure is spectacular to watch. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQ4nipRtkQy9Lo1Ef78EVQ8UdVQTENY2-Rv50KD4DLCVDqM1eLNc94kcQcwL_m66PB5QBeyzZhtfAqtRqNy1Nx4ZzZcvRHVqAYGZv3fa_28FePw62b-_mgFAN3LyAmU8KXsLt1yNrZkcMsgy9phrgEGkz7qqU65ucM_otANh3deG1dUpY79qdDhVNuYUo/s4032/IMG_6329.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQ4nipRtkQy9Lo1Ef78EVQ8UdVQTENY2-Rv50KD4DLCVDqM1eLNc94kcQcwL_m66PB5QBeyzZhtfAqtRqNy1Nx4ZzZcvRHVqAYGZv3fa_28FePw62b-_mgFAN3LyAmU8KXsLt1yNrZkcMsgy9phrgEGkz7qqU65ucM_otANh3deG1dUpY79qdDhVNuYUo/w228-h304/IMG_6329.HEIC" width="228" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><br /></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><br /><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Stayer Tailgate</u>. First time out of the blocks for 2023, the boys haven't lost their magic.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">- Ambient temperature? Check.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">- Sublime Bloody Mary's? Check.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">- Tasty Tools beer? Check.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> - Savory peppers and sausages? Check.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> - Lively, provocative banter? Check. </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Recruiting</u>. I don't bring it up much 'cause I assume everyone is probably on top of it but this has been a big week for a couple of the ND teams.</span></li></ul><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfK5kghk0Zs3P5RR0aRGkuQw9bYWKuoboZGamPgZLrzaKhUvbohoEtMLH_lxkck2uKjUn_CEVv3hRhjW6RLJwoFpNUrv-9wcIWfpU9uz_gvgUHh3FbQ61ytjS1aA1517LzfM5J9WaU_AFnCCh1QuzO3N33K5rgvgsKhKzRBK9FdrCIIvPgJh8u4XqYQs_/s1588/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%205.09.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1588" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfK5kghk0Zs3P5RR0aRGkuQw9bYWKuoboZGamPgZLrzaKhUvbohoEtMLH_lxkck2uKjUn_CEVv3hRhjW6RLJwoFpNUrv-9wcIWfpU9uz_gvgUHh3FbQ61ytjS1aA1517LzfM5J9WaU_AFnCCh1QuzO3N33K5rgvgsKhKzRBK9FdrCIIvPgJh8u4XqYQs_/w640-h342/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-20%20at%205.09.52%20PM.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Obi</u>. Who? The clear 2023 ND Stadium fan favorite, that's who. <span style="color: #fcff01;">Obioha Onwuanibe</span>, a junior Computer Science major, was only following what is customary for Dunne Hall residents - taking their shirts off, weather be damned, during every 4th quarter. (Note: It's unclear whether they do this for away games.) </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">The ND Stadium video board production crew found him during a break and he delighted the crowd - EVEN THE PLAYERS (Hartman gave him a shout out after the game) - with some serious shirt twirling and as the crowd began to boo when anyone else was being shown on the video board, a star was born.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66RgKdLhhQNTyse8GK1VhZPiOYM9M24mvuNyysbND2xe-kXCj7nDmuPy_AvnP6_j_mt8jZPSAFC8rSxo40uis9kE9Y9ALzfwKEmQqOjyoBPJZUC72UiZYGK2mob0JfDe00tZe83y6r7TIaTCveT2tn_RT1M1cC9qSIzYYO4Bsl2eJJnu4ngQeEH9gmmtd/s1103/IMG_4314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1103" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66RgKdLhhQNTyse8GK1VhZPiOYM9M24mvuNyysbND2xe-kXCj7nDmuPy_AvnP6_j_mt8jZPSAFC8rSxo40uis9kE9Y9ALzfwKEmQqOjyoBPJZUC72UiZYGK2mob0JfDe00tZe83y6r7TIaTCveT2tn_RT1M1cC9qSIzYYO4Bsl2eJJnu4ngQeEH9gmmtd/w442-h327/IMG_4314.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Bad</span></b> </span></h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Penalties</u>. As noted below, that was a godawful refereeing team... but the fact is, MANY of the penalties were accurate. And many of them of the proverbial 'unforced errors' ilk. Second game in a row. Not good. Given the next 4 game stretch ND has, that's gotta end ASAP.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLZLzNE_ThmeDjYFFtzdZOfiKEiEaX9Lr0OaiqBBQfMsE-CRi6d9DJlcYi-Q_z2wukmfUZkQUqPh6oxTloWaUzWW5UM5IO3VdHq4G5qIK0M1q6Nf8EUjxc-ui5TBZ7trKFmERcEi2JJUxzF8-FvmldiEzUPTm076IBDp8jK1LkDC73wGTV1M7B_5jHGI/s2560/Harper.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLZLzNE_ThmeDjYFFtzdZOfiKEiEaX9Lr0OaiqBBQfMsE-CRi6d9DJlcYi-Q_z2wukmfUZkQUqPh6oxTloWaUzWW5UM5IO3VdHq4G5qIK0M1q6Nf8EUjxc-ui5TBZ7trKFmERcEi2JJUxzF8-FvmldiEzUPTm076IBDp8jK1LkDC73wGTV1M7B_5jHGI/s320/Harper.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>When your strong safety has to provide the pass rush...</i></span> </td></tr></tbody></table><u>OL / DL</u>. Ugh. To get repeatedly bullied - and GASHED - by Central Michigan does not bode well for either our upcoming marquee match ups or realistically thinking we're yet in the same conversation with the Georgia's of the world.</span></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Ugly</span></b></span></h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrprcjglBCirdE8tFkzskeIcj7aewb-NPPXoU24urYoAAsJjJEKKj5GsQlqbjyt1-uxYKaksyXasNaUfHI-TrziQimPdP5CP8JrsJ8wZM3eLig0NRxqdad_cLzJ0ux2CPwYBjlr8AhaOLAT7g1JF1RiFB3NjSXnL9wEGaPmD9oAbVGADmiNTJymw3LGosa/s3133/IMG_4322.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="3133" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrprcjglBCirdE8tFkzskeIcj7aewb-NPPXoU24urYoAAsJjJEKKj5GsQlqbjyt1-uxYKaksyXasNaUfHI-TrziQimPdP5CP8JrsJ8wZM3eLig0NRxqdad_cLzJ0ux2CPwYBjlr8AhaOLAT7g1JF1RiFB3NjSXnL9wEGaPmD9oAbVGADmiNTJymw3LGosa/w345-h242/IMG_4322.heic" width="345" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Ball out, 1 step, a shove. And that's roughing?!</span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table>Referees</u>. There are a surprising number of things in life that I detest - lets start with the clowns who continue to drive 55 mph in the left hand lane (the Germans would chew you up and spit you out) but <u>continually</u> bitching about referees ranks high up there as well - I just don't buy into the vast conference referee conspiracy theory that's every fanbase subscribes to - it would seem the refs have it out, <i>all the time</i>, for well, everybody.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I do believe in is </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">incompetence</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">. And inexperience. And ego (where they feel the need to insert themselves into the outcome.) Which seemed to be on full display Saturday. I have no idea where they found those guys - Martin's Grocery deli section? Or what, if any, input ND has in the selection of the crew beforehand... but let's not shop down that aisle anymore, okay?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week's ago I posed the not-so-rhetorical question of whether anyone would be bothered if Sam Hartman was Buddy's Bud every week?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No one pushed back.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now it appears, with no slight toward Mr. Hartman, we might have a legitimate 2 horse race (and wouldn't we all pine for there being a 3rd candidate, preferably someone from the defensive side of the ball). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOBpIOLzZ7aQlfHATo2oTb_daOITRAYbjt5-7GSSU7VDOPjTAcM4ysh7PRR8yji3KkavGOXKvhRAzBwTlahfAjXUCF0A5fMh52QmdUPhHtrcagdwy-GQZ7raZR6vN9WaXOCi_k5S4n4oyDV82b9RIh2htAEtPf5JVineGoUalwEU_OcTDSW9W2DFjKTFo/s1706/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-21%20at%209.57.19%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1706" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOBpIOLzZ7aQlfHATo2oTb_daOITRAYbjt5-7GSSU7VDOPjTAcM4ysh7PRR8yji3KkavGOXKvhRAzBwTlahfAjXUCF0A5fMh52QmdUPhHtrcagdwy-GQZ7raZR6vN9WaXOCi_k5S4n4oyDV82b9RIh2htAEtPf5JVineGoUalwEU_OcTDSW9W2DFjKTFo/w381-h188/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-21%20at%209.57.19%20AM.png" width="381" /></a></div>In any event, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Audric Estime</span> is CLEARLY that 2nd guy. And no slouch either. 176 yards rushing with another 80 called back. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At times he was the ONLY offense. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The O-line ought to be making sure his life is copacetic because he is making them look good. Well, at least better than their play probably is.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as icing on the cake, he's been so good that there can't possibly be any bitching in the RB room about playing time - that they're not getting the rock enough.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hey, if Marcus Freeman isn't going to spend any time talking about Central Michigan - this week <i>or last...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why should I?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Give the <strike>peasants</strike> readership what they want! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, it would seem, Mr. Sampson has adopted this philosophy as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Without further adieu, so thoughts from Pete about this coming week's matchup...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. If Notre Dame wins, Hartman will be the reason why. Full stop.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s incredible to look around college football and see the quarterbacks Notre Dame took to Columbus last year against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="7mrNtrxhrUowDbsL" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cj-stroud-7mrNtrxhrUowDbsL/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">C.J. Stroud</a>. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tyler Buchner</a> lost a quarterback competition at Alabama, then <a href="https://theathletic.com/4869333/2023/09/16/alabama-usf-score-simpson-buchner-milroe/" rel="noopener" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">got benched in his first start at USF</a>. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Drew Pyne</a> came off the bench Saturday for <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="249" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/arizona-state-sun-devils-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Arizona State</a> against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="241" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/fresno-state-bulldogs-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Fresno State</a>, only to get benched after committing four turnovers in just 23 snaps. Yet, somehow, Notre Dame hung around Ohio State for three quarters with Buchner starting and Pyne backing him up.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now it’s Hartman, who’s third nationally in pass efficiency and can make opponents defend the whole field. His <a href="https://theathletic.com/4869027/2023/09/16/notre-dame-football-central-michigan-score/" rel="noopener" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">deep shots against Central Michigan</a> were picture perfect, the kind of stuff you’d expect to see from Ohio State quarterbacks most weekends. It’s a different style of offense from a year ago when Notre Dame could pass only after hammering the run game. Now the Irish can beat teams in multiple ways.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. ND has to get mike linebacker </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Zh6rcNJDtWwC35Ew" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jd-bertrand-Zh6rcNJDtWwC35Ew/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">JD Bertrand</a><span style="font-size: large;"> back. He missed last week while recovering from a concussion, but he’s expected to play against Ohio State. Defensive coordinator Al Golden likes to send the inside linebackers on blitzes, although the effectiveness of that approach is up for debate. Regardless, look for Bertrand and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="avvGxhEHz30DuIJB" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/marist-liufau-avvGxhEHz30DuIJB/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Marist Liufau</a><span style="font-size: large;"> to be active in the A-gap and B-gap. When the linebacker group is healthy, </span><a href="https://theathletic.com/4744120/2023/08/03/notre-dame-linebackers-bertrand-kiser/" rel="noopener" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">it’s one of the oldest in the country</a><span style="font-size: large;">. Bertrand, Liufau and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="GJfQ9mtwE3z7pLOd" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jack-kiser-GJfQ9mtwE3z7pLOd/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jack Kiser</a><span style="font-size: large;"> have combined for 62 career starts. Considering how complex Golden likes to get, having three linebackers who can handle it is paramount. Notre Dame doesn’t have a great pass rusher on the defensive line, but it is an old group too with all seniors in the starting lineup, including grad transfer </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/javontae-jean-baptiste-zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Javontae Jean-Baptiste</a><span style="font-size: large;"> from Ohio State.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Notre Dame’s secondary held up well last year and returns basically intact. Cornerbacks </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Eub3jMXnV1GjLvqN" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/benjamin-morrison-Eub3jMXnV1GjLvqN/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Benjamin Morrison</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Ai43QydUF5vBxnps" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cam-hart-Ai43QydUF5vBxnps/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Cam Hart</a><span style="font-size: large;"> are Notre Dame’s best combo at that position since at least 2018. Nickelback </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="osjennMllVuBwL5V" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a><span style="font-size: large;"> was a grad transfer from </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="186" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/oklahoma-state-cowboys-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Oklahoma State</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and is basically a starter with how the Irish roll with personnel, much more nickel than base 4-3.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My hunch is Notre Dame will take its chances with Ohio State’s receivers, gambling that it can get to McCord. I have no idea if that will work, but making the QB beat you means something different than last year.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. I’m more concerned about Notre Dame blocking Ohio State’s pass rush than how it defends the passing game. Obviously, Ohio State is loaded with five-stars on the defensive line. Is this pass rush classic Ohio State with Chase Young or the Bosa brothers? Or is this group a step down?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame’s receivers have been productive, but nobody has tried to get physical with them at the line of scrimmage, which is how I’d play it if I were Knowles. If Ohio State gets beat at the line and gives up an explosive pass play, it can live with that. There’s isn’t a No. 1 receiver in this group, which Notre Dame has managed because of Hartman. He’s found the matchups that work. Does that work against Ohio State? I’m not so sure. It wouldn’t shock me if the Irish receiving corps comes crashing back to earth. It’s hard to take deep shots if you can’t get off the line of scrimmage.</span></p><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_4875848" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding: 8px 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. I know</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://athlonsports.com/college-football/urban-meyer-surprised-by-notre-dames-lackluster-quarterback-recruiting" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">Urban Meyer took a dig at Notre Dame</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">for having to go into the transfer portal to get a sixth-year senior from</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="169" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/wake-forest-demon-deacons-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Wake Forest</a><span style="font-size: large;">. And Notre Dame’s current staff also would like to know why the past staff recruited so poorly at quarterback that it came to this! But Hartman is the reason why the Irish have a shot to win on Saturday.</span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame knows it. Ohio State knows it, too. Last year it felt like Notre Dame was trying to run out the clock in the first quarter. This year it doesn’t have to game plan around its quarterback play.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To me, this game feels like it’s an <i>“if you’re ever going to beat Ohio State, this is the year”</i> kind of matchup for Notre Dame. And that doesn’t mean Notre Dame is actually going to do it. It just makes sense that Ohio State comes back to earth this season with a new quarterback and three legit road tests, plus <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="193" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/penn-state-nittany-lions-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Penn State</a>. Losing at Notre Dame would probably be the least punitive setback of the four.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, am I talking myself into a Notre Dame win? I might be.</span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 19, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Continuing the theme of 'things I don't understand' (I'm still baffled why hotdog and bun manufacturers cannot collaborate on making their respective partner products IN THE SAME MULTIPLES)...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I digress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I never was much for motorcycles or Eastern philosophy - at least until I started making business trips to Thailand (a topic for another time).. so it's probably no surprise that the deep insights of this book went waaay over my head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sake, on the other hand... <i>yes please</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Gin And the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>By Robert M. Pirsig</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE13p6GBa1Orikg-pNYeNfW1uKccGudkzp5WplJxLh7ZVjScwwOsxQVXnGwxh4FY3Z_fMAnlnWZHW29DdezsjM8xjVujLphDVC4H2jICM0PA7gISJaTmCStwNMTt9fzyIawNEKnayh3mu4_58itaAt_YP4-jS6WgXEn4SJE_MpLI92kGqZ4Y5dQVVHe71V/s1200/1_6mPSdvNyT6_z6enmPw7roA%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE13p6GBa1Orikg-pNYeNfW1uKccGudkzp5WplJxLh7ZVjScwwOsxQVXnGwxh4FY3Z_fMAnlnWZHW29DdezsjM8xjVujLphDVC4H2jICM0PA7gISJaTmCStwNMTt9fzyIawNEKnayh3mu4_58itaAt_YP4-jS6WgXEn4SJE_MpLI92kGqZ4Y5dQVVHe71V/s320/1_6mPSdvNyT6_z6enmPw7roA%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Author Robert M. Pirsig claims hundreds of publishers rejected his metaphysical autobiography before, of course, it sold millions of copies and helped bridge the gap between the psychedelic '60s and the excessive '80s.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ostensibly a road-trip tale shared by father and son, Pirsig asks deep philosophical questions about maintaining an Eastern mind-set in a Western world. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Become one with your bar cart with this trippy gin-sake drink that'll be sure to rev up some engines.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghP51aPayF9h8QKwxD7chunZjRCBrkFlYkCVE2TWrRXAHOTGu9TDBI1fTeU6QGWnuyMcqMcc9CwI3KQysJ3iIGf2K93s9jJ1MDQAvI6pL1jNQQQMiHHBCJz-PW1lpNNFdcOriqR43o6hRspFLkGhYS-4DH4F0GfwYmQws_ykAIprmuUiTNA7DpdfQHfR6o/s595/japanese-sake-chilled-2809.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="595" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghP51aPayF9h8QKwxD7chunZjRCBrkFlYkCVE2TWrRXAHOTGu9TDBI1fTeU6QGWnuyMcqMcc9CwI3KQysJ3iIGf2K93s9jJ1MDQAvI6pL1jNQQQMiHHBCJz-PW1lpNNFdcOriqR43o6hRspFLkGhYS-4DH4F0GfwYmQws_ykAIprmuUiTNA7DpdfQHfR6o/s320/japanese-sake-chilled-2809.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>1 oz. gin</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. sake</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. hemp milk</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. Japanese yuzu juice (or grapefruit juice)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. simple syrup</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pull that motorcycle over -- I'm gonna need to see some ID. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for :05. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Strain into a coupe glass.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Are You There, God, It's Me, Margarita</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>More Cocktails With a Literary TwistTwist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Clowntime is over - t</i></span><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">ime to take cover</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>While others just talk and talk,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Somebody's watching where the others don't walk...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fu1JNX46zkY" width="320" youtube-src-id="fu1JNX46zkY"></iframe></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE CALM BEFORE...</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> <b><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>THE STORM.</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson <i><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>BEFORE </b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>FINISHING...</i></span></b><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia;"><i>STRONG?</i></span></b></span><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4-0 going into Ohio State. Just like I'm sure everyone expected. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>It's Showtime.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian M., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John L</span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">JP</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, Cinco, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span>, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B., Bryan</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What's funny about this week is that it was hailed as the dullest batch of games of the entire season. On paper, there practically wasn't a single game that looked remotely competitive.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe if one was an experienced gambler, you saw these mega-double digit point spreads and thought, "yum, I'll have me some of that..." </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hopefully you took the points. Because there was a whole lot of underwhelming performances by the big favorites. Just a weird weekend everywhere.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it also showed Jerrence that schadenfreude can be achieved even when the team doesn't lose - like when a disappointing performance infects the fanbase (and possibly the team) like a virus, with a chronic pessimism that (hopefully) portends a more sustained fall from grace.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC! SEC! </span></b> Okay, bravo Missouri, you beat K-State. Lovely. Now let's focus on <span style="color: #fcff01;">Alabama</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Georgia</span> and <span style="color: #fcff01;">Tennessee</span> for their latest no shows. The former two who, while winners, are suddenly wondering what happened to all the stud QB and WR's they thought they were stockpiling each year. As for Tennessee, their performance was somewhat more predictable - after all, this was Florida's 10th straight victory at home in the series - and yet, the Vols were 11th ranked. Kiss that lofty perch goodbye.</span></li></ul><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4mAhg-AyK_Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="4mAhg-AyK_Y"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">J-E-T Jets! J-E-T Jets!</span> </b></span> <span style="font-family: georgia;">As the expression goes, this isn't personal, just business: the more you lose, the better the 2nd round draft choice the Packers get for trading you the services of A-A-Ron for (<i>checks notes</i>) four plays.</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: How many times has Packer Boy ever rooted for the Cowboys in his life? </span></li></ul></ul></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ADtIAGK5oV3Mw1mj1kZGpG7gEK56Kxl0Iw-neSCAWQTlCevueGHmNX-U_DRX-0tJEh0mDM4LLZ9BApYQBwUinhgjnYzixcn4wnTKmX9E-02FbC48kJziZ5bkUGnQ_l9KHHnufw2QPLvupZQQjH7uBS39z2kzwBOP7-c78XTfSYm1NXm3lmz575tKlanX/s740/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="740" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ADtIAGK5oV3Mw1mj1kZGpG7gEK56Kxl0Iw-neSCAWQTlCevueGHmNX-U_DRX-0tJEh0mDM4LLZ9BApYQBwUinhgjnYzixcn4wnTKmX9E-02FbC48kJziZ5bkUGnQ_l9KHHnufw2QPLvupZQQjH7uBS39z2kzwBOP7-c78XTfSYm1NXm3lmz575tKlanX/s320/download.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"What is the empty set, Alex?"</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know if any of you have come across some of the liquor additives that allow you to steep an alcohol for a few days, infusing it with presumably a </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">new and interesting flavor profile.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Consider this week's Hall of Fame something like that...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just when you think, damn, everyone's on their best behavior, you wait a little while and bingo! you're infused with a vast cross-section of actions that make you wonder, "In what universe was <i>THAT</i> ever a good idea?!" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I am the world's forgotten boy,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>The one who searches and destroys... </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N0JaUjpu3Lo" width="320" youtube-src-id="N0JaUjpu3Lo"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Scalper</span></b>. Honestly, I thought we expunged this species of Notre Dame Tool with the last Georgia game where in a weird confluence of Georgia Meets Chicago sports, we had Braves vs. Cubs, Bulldogs vs. Irish and Falcons vs. Bears all on the same weekend -- where seemingly the entire state swarmed the city and brought nothing to wear that wasn't red...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But no. It seemappears they're still lurking in the woodwork. Man, if ND Stadium is another Sea of Red, someone should be searching 'n destroying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbEM-S2cSBa78FtGT-qbsnSTzhI87XsBAswmggfnyrE9WJEsFyYtaQTFl9547aupl-Dyaq_TjSFB1NO58lGAKpRNJ68WdNtMenpNnQr3O9ehB2HFZ2qYVhhhsmckqPvgzuM37zXsOsXbLfcMSBlZ2MVxljd9z8h39a6FiH4e4CY22FRGrLhQ1Ek-AmGwQ/s1118/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-19%20at%208.16.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1118" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbEM-S2cSBa78FtGT-qbsnSTzhI87XsBAswmggfnyrE9WJEsFyYtaQTFl9547aupl-Dyaq_TjSFB1NO58lGAKpRNJ68WdNtMenpNnQr3O9ehB2HFZ2qYVhhhsmckqPvgzuM37zXsOsXbLfcMSBlZ2MVxljd9z8h39a6FiH4e4CY22FRGrLhQ1Ek-AmGwQ/w400-h329/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-19%20at%208.16.01%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>And it needs to be said: these aren't cheap seats to begin with.<br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Henry Blackburn</span></b>. First of all, do I believe that Coach Prime is intent on turning Colorado's football program into University of Miami West? Yes I do. And not liking it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fkbNQUEp6KNsB_NQ2OwGyTUbZg6hPg-xJuHSWbZYsgr_VKCDB5MtlW7zQTyd83DptGJXR04-peZ5rJMTkgIZPlHB703qYv1I9-dY24CgJ2J0L3DiLAAoywlpO7LgcTc3bsSKaYnw3kck4ZIAkuEKS0P8ci7AfB7-fQlCD0jAkAjvQIAvGqcAg2HztQi_/s640/Blackburn.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fkbNQUEp6KNsB_NQ2OwGyTUbZg6hPg-xJuHSWbZYsgr_VKCDB5MtlW7zQTyd83DptGJXR04-peZ5rJMTkgIZPlHB703qYv1I9-dY24CgJ2J0L3DiLAAoywlpO7LgcTc3bsSKaYnw3kck4ZIAkuEKS0P8ci7AfB7-fQlCD0jAkAjvQIAvGqcAg2HztQi_/s320/Blackburn.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Am I also impressed with what's he done so far, coaching-wise? Definitely (although hold that thought for the next two weeks.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But did Travis Hunter, CU's star 2-way player deserve to get cheap-shotted, rendering him hospitalized with an indeterminant timeline for return? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No fucking way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>One man's opinion</u>: Young Mr. Blackburn should be sitting down for as long as Hunter is out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZr_5BfGnXpw4MH3tibmLwruAn9nLD9WaJxEQRQBdtAudVf_Vk_5qaoakF558YT1VfnLJlWrVj-yYSdKTV4Kj9C7uDjf_8rchKvB-COgNw-0sOEPf29OMyx-3DLYcuyZXSptvaYE_cbbtV_WAOc9IzVJL4RYp-AdBKXHdZv7n7pxaAnc3n1TESnuLxPoD/s1170/IMG_4311.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1170" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZr_5BfGnXpw4MH3tibmLwruAn9nLD9WaJxEQRQBdtAudVf_Vk_5qaoakF558YT1VfnLJlWrVj-yYSdKTV4Kj9C7uDjf_8rchKvB-COgNw-0sOEPf29OMyx-3DLYcuyZXSptvaYE_cbbtV_WAOc9IzVJL4RYp-AdBKXHdZv7n7pxaAnc3n1TESnuLxPoD/w200-h194/IMG_4311.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Lauren Boebert</b></span>. To paraphrase former Virginia GOP representative Denver Riggleman: </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lauren seems a bit confused about what Freedom Caucus members meant when they told her to 'reach across the aisle.'</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVdLpI5xwdiL144S8yxIIr39sKZXxA02SuQshtQL0ZHsL_Yva6FwlSlBbSxoMWtoy4ZLusASMvaFrm4ClNSFtE2WeOjEeq2qtASfW08m1PXlq8RNI4oH-A-DOANS8wHRkZ6QEtEkEba0PnR1zUxd2c1NtEuQF7UZehdUWuInxdbQiLP8EBnlfhg2K8ZLv/s1046/IMG_4312.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="1046" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVdLpI5xwdiL144S8yxIIr39sKZXxA02SuQshtQL0ZHsL_Yva6FwlSlBbSxoMWtoy4ZLusASMvaFrm4ClNSFtE2WeOjEeq2qtASfW08m1PXlq8RNI4oH-A-DOANS8wHRkZ6QEtEkEba0PnR1zUxd2c1NtEuQF7UZehdUWuInxdbQiLP8EBnlfhg2K8ZLv/w400-h133/IMG_4312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><i>No one is doubting you, congresswoman. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1khVADjC-VJEud-QlLS8AYNJWExWqCf87dXHEQ5rFElfl6bE0gcnKnIKOkkbUiQMbsBQulySISh-EhroMxgbV4PBw6Op1yklcCCimWjPYyTmD24Th9Bv9QEyYMGbOze2uSF8q2I383-pchtnBu3-DTboTgqIUnlJATXjlZnsVyd1lYRT44p4JUKK8aHg/s876/bill_maher_drew_barrymore_92870880.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="876" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1khVADjC-VJEud-QlLS8AYNJWExWqCf87dXHEQ5rFElfl6bE0gcnKnIKOkkbUiQMbsBQulySISh-EhroMxgbV4PBw6Op1yklcCCimWjPYyTmD24Th9Bv9QEyYMGbOze2uSF8q2I383-pchtnBu3-DTboTgqIUnlJATXjlZnsVyd1lYRT44p4JUKK8aHg/w200-h150/bill_maher_drew_barrymore_92870880.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Drew Barrymore / Bill Maher</span></b>. This week's "I Call Bullsh*t!" award winners. You may be aware that in the Entertainment industry, there is both a writers and an actors strike going on. Blame it on the streaming-service business model, throw in a dollop of AI fear and you've got a whole lot of people saying, "fuck this!" as management makes lots of money while most of these guys are getting bubkis. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So when these two talk show hosts - both union members - decided to say, "we're going back to work but we're really not breaking rules, crossing the union lines..." - dancing on the head of a very small ethical pin ("we're doing this for the <strike>children</strike> writers") - the condemnations came hard, fast and universal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So guess what happened this week, they've reconsidered their positions and will continue to sit things out. Oh Bill, you're such a maverick. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpcX2pAuGSMlwgHT5BK9BYIcgY3zCeWj_K5B2HmjfBMk7tTAIIvBUAEAXGWuzRGXJUda1G3QxESVtFbZfbtTV9szSphApJFuE93nRStHRf0Qb-B-kKRK-Z_FNwHhqpQ9aESvpKVSdL3xFDQb745nxRwg5trPaqvinmtFev6YrtkY7Ymhax5at4Cj53Pu2/s1100/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-15%20at%2011.34.26%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1100" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpcX2pAuGSMlwgHT5BK9BYIcgY3zCeWj_K5B2HmjfBMk7tTAIIvBUAEAXGWuzRGXJUda1G3QxESVtFbZfbtTV9szSphApJFuE93nRStHRf0Qb-B-kKRK-Z_FNwHhqpQ9aESvpKVSdL3xFDQb745nxRwg5trPaqvinmtFev6YrtkY7Ymhax5at4Cj53Pu2/w400-h184/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-15%20at%2011.34.26%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Arik Gilbert</span></b>. Fans of recruiting - and who isn't these days - might remember this name from the 2020 class. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The #1 TE recruit out of Georgia that (I believe) ND recruited for a brief time, wins this week's Marvin Barnes Award for most ill-thought through burglary - going for $1,600 worth of merch at a liquor / vape store, including cigars and vaping pens.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His second time getting arrested since August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compounding Mr. Gilberts's troubles, Nebraska is actually school #3 for him (having washed out of both LSU and Georgia (which I'm guessing can't be easy to accomplish) so he's not going to be able to click his heels 3x and say, 'transfer portal' as he's exhausted all his freebies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But maybe transfer options aren't at the top of his concerns right now anyway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkm68pYRDhgURsc5rajWMlcYs0LdzO0Fecl5TanybwmytuR8vwxPQZoImd8u4JYRflYM5NodBdWpspMpldVjg8az-qRGh4tURYKfJhup6UCvy5HI_djzVlYLtYc4L5_mELfhgluHC2xDya1Rq1yKABdg_kWpvEdHtZ44Yv2HEt7RZ_b825hy3y_0m_koh/s784/michigan-state-coach-mel-tucker-brenda-tracy-2023-ap.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="784" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkm68pYRDhgURsc5rajWMlcYs0LdzO0Fecl5TanybwmytuR8vwxPQZoImd8u4JYRflYM5NodBdWpspMpldVjg8az-qRGh4tURYKfJhup6UCvy5HI_djzVlYLtYc4L5_mELfhgluHC2xDya1Rq1yKABdg_kWpvEdHtZ44Yv2HEt7RZ_b825hy3y_0m_koh/w200-h112/michigan-state-coach-mel-tucker-brenda-tracy-2023-ap.webp" width="200" /></a></div>6) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mel Tucker</span></b>. Is it unfair to continue to rake him over the coals? After all, I did beat this drum last week...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, at least its now official that the school is going to fire his a** for cause... so let's remind everyone what exactly his 'wear your brains below your belt' strategy will cost him (other than his dignity and professional reputation), should MSU be successful:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">$79 Million.</span></b></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hope it was worth it, Mel. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As many of you have no doubt detected over the years, Jerrence has sacrificed some higher concept, off-the-rails creativity for the structure and efficiency of a templated approach to his blog. Each year, one considers, do I add any new sections (recognizing these posts are already approaching the length of some congressional bills.). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SKHzFF3gVvu2ds_6JeYhdGLlLFTReNmOJOyVaeUiuVO548I6QvEOzpgcgqiJzc4GTbFDXtle7qgjUqGhQVTYiVKHJxJa9PiwL4kXfrdpLU9_EEYmqxpAUeFLF8n974om8YSKeqHW8sE-6eC5Zr_sCV4L9h0fx1veVqCBDRLCmerl7GgGzs1XWI3r4rKS/s944/mgid_arc_imageassetref_comedycentral%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="944" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SKHzFF3gVvu2ds_6JeYhdGLlLFTReNmOJOyVaeUiuVO548I6QvEOzpgcgqiJzc4GTbFDXtle7qgjUqGhQVTYiVKHJxJa9PiwL4kXfrdpLU9_EEYmqxpAUeFLF8n974om8YSKeqHW8sE-6eC5Zr_sCV4L9h0fx1veVqCBDRLCmerl7GgGzs1XWI3r4rKS/w200-h134/mgid_arc_imageassetref_comedycentral%202.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One section under consideration was a 'Name of The Week' given how that Key & Peele sketch looks more like a documentary every day. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But God forbid that Jerrence The Woke gets cancelled for something vaguely racist, which it kinda probably would be. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I mean, how many interesting 'Dan Smith, BYU' players are there out there?</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That said, another blog section I'm not particularly keen on establishing, unfortunately, is an <span style="color: #fcff01;">"In Memorium."</span> But it's looking, increasingly, more topical. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I didn't know Tom terriby well - hadn't seen him for years - but what I did know, he was a really great guy. Like so many of his Dillon dorm mates, he overcame, nay flourished beyond, the degenerate influences to which he was surely subjected on a daily basis.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You will be missed, Tom. Rest In Peace. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Whitman Display Condensed Bold", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 42px; margin: 12px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thomas Michael Philbin</span></h3><div class="article-body" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Poynter Serif RE", Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: -0.3px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; min-height: 200px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><figure class="tease-obit-media" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 120px;"><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="tease-obit-photo" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-linkname="Thomas Michael Philbin" data-linktype="photo" data-modulename="Obituary" data-moduletype="zone1-content" data-position="1-1-related" href="https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000468706/?fullname=thomas-michael-philbin" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(46, 115, 184); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Thomas Michael Philbin"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="Thomas Michael Philbin" height="143" src="https://obits.stimg.co/obits-photos/2023/09/0000468706/0000468706-01-1.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 0; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="143" /></span></a></li></ul></figure><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: white;">Tom Philbin, a loving husband, father, son, and brother, passed away on September 12, 2023, in Plymouth, Minnesota, at the age of 65. He touched the lives of many and leaves behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him. Tom was born on July 11, 1958, in Niles, Illinois, where he grew up as one of five children. He was a caddy during his younger years, a job that fueled his passion for golf. It also provided a framework for creating meaningful relationships, something he prioritized throughout his life. Tom attended the University of Notre Dame, where he was a proud alumnus and generous donor. Tom had a successful and fulfilling 30+ year career in the agricultural industry and served as a leader of a global sales organization. He was known as a great manager and an esteemed public speaker. His work allowed him to travel all over the world. He frequently recounted his time residing in Singapore for three years early on in his career. He always returned from his travels eager to share stories of his adventures in remote parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. He was a traveler, not a tourist - a distinction he frequently noted. Tom loved visiting new countries and cities, walking the streets for hours without a map. He traveled to just about every region of the world, totaling 60 countries. Tom LOVED golf and was a true competitor. He was a student of the game and his passion for golf extended beyond the sport itself; it was a means of spending meaningful time with his friends, family, and colleagues. </span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-33017144370912470762023-09-12T20:46:00.000-05:002023-09-12T20:46:51.808-05:00NC State: I'd Keep Playing. I Don't Think The Heavy Stuff Is Coming For Awhile...<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">...Caught up in a summer shower</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Drying while it soaks the flowers.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Maybe we'll be caught for hours</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Waiting out the rain...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EwDh-xea40s" width="320" youtube-src-id="EwDh-xea40s"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrix-nK1A3cdlDrAuvaLRMHOU_cdBtqG8rhf6Ebsflx7JhhMoUK2HG0ZjNPCuNtdcLbjT7-uwJMHZFNLh9sYruWvXgXZ4X6MYKORGLL7mLtc5nu91MyzSn5hfNwmnHnikjPh0j743OCb1HHehuIZn1_nxb1_86gB6gvthgoYMNUiMQjSUgoV0INZhdddZp/s1656/IMG_4251.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1656" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrix-nK1A3cdlDrAuvaLRMHOU_cdBtqG8rhf6Ebsflx7JhhMoUK2HG0ZjNPCuNtdcLbjT7-uwJMHZFNLh9sYruWvXgXZ4X6MYKORGLL7mLtc5nu91MyzSn5hfNwmnHnikjPh0j743OCb1HHehuIZn1_nxb1_86gB6gvthgoYMNUiMQjSUgoV0INZhdddZp/w400-h208/IMG_4251.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>As Jerrence watched the ESPN Game Day telecast, seeing Joe Namath and Lee Corso in the midst of some kind of discourse - if that's what you can call it - he was thinking how it takes a great deal to make Corso appear to be the more cognitively grounded... several other epiphanies came to mind:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Who is cutting Broadway Joe's hair these days, Theodoric of York? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And who's dressing him, a grandchild?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And what ESPN producer thought it was a good idea to book Namath in the first place?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKXGgka8jFO5WJwwQvC3kzHo7bXsb65xQvwSQIeEaPBhJ1gdUaOQ3Z3wHhvCp0ltO-yx9gxVM8jmyoYJLWwjrtTLDMYqPq9dLrjdCJo5ZBr6YzXvvIUaON4rjsb2IgA3DhyBG47guFAl1F29TrpmRAR5v2jEdVoAM2MFaC4NoBUiKk5_wfHDXtZr5flH-/s524/C0IaR4JWIAg15zA.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="524" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKXGgka8jFO5WJwwQvC3kzHo7bXsb65xQvwSQIeEaPBhJ1gdUaOQ3Z3wHhvCp0ltO-yx9gxVM8jmyoYJLWwjrtTLDMYqPq9dLrjdCJo5ZBr6YzXvvIUaON4rjsb2IgA3DhyBG47guFAl1F29TrpmRAR5v2jEdVoAM2MFaC4NoBUiKk5_wfHDXtZr5flH-/s320/C0IaR4JWIAg15zA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>All in all, Jerrence thought it sad to see, although relieved that the Alabama legend didn't appear to be all liquored up, mindful that Joe probably has lived by a "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" credo for much of his adult life. And one can never be sure about these things, even with a morning telecast... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And appreciative that the network was undoubtedly smart to ensure the Game Day broadcast team was all male given #12's history...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...you know, that painful "fool me once, shame on you / fool me twice, shame on me" lesson is one that's surely seared into every TV exec's memory banks when it comes to Mr. Namath.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Which got Jerrence to thinking, do we actually learn from our mistakes? More specifically, <i>how much</i> do we learn from them? For ND Nation, tt would seem we're all watching, in real time, the Marcus Freeman learning curve - after all, last year had more than a few missteps - and right now, that curve is looking pretty steep:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- How to prepare for the decided underdogs.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- How to prepare for the rabid away game environment.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Thinking on the fly when Acts of God intervene.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- How to keep the young, high potential athletes content before it's their time to star.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- How to keep your team from looking ahead - we'll see this week how well that goes.</div></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, so far so good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONfWN2AaPTHclq5SAymEaCGxcgI_afZq2Uokiwm5xKpPeZ3_wS1ghT33PyTHXGVvllwapc5VWDbtBRAN2AM6bYO0SRiw63LzQ65XmZGvwonBXEUDvM2a-oI9vLTFcU5G9Z4sT2-XKyJTRVavl0VIyw2ocjfKddC1nI6Jwbr6vmCwRudwwxgsLwW2O1hzm/s1058/png-transparent-baby-boss.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="920" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONfWN2AaPTHclq5SAymEaCGxcgI_afZq2Uokiwm5xKpPeZ3_wS1ghT33PyTHXGVvllwapc5VWDbtBRAN2AM6bYO0SRiw63LzQ65XmZGvwonBXEUDvM2a-oI9vLTFcU5G9Z4sT2-XKyJTRVavl0VIyw2ocjfKddC1nI6Jwbr6vmCwRudwwxgsLwW2O1hzm/w164-h189/png-transparent-baby-boss.png" width="164" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Cookies are for closers."</i></span></h1><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Baby Boss</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5rDWvdyK0FB8H5OfH7DvAtgLICIuqmkN_yrsjo1fayyAwrt4uZm9DMASrgNJtOwftI9VY23siwRT_Q0O1HZSB4HJFNrqgZX6XwPWKXrWMDocWxVd7jgmBURN6HKe6VCn_grmLd3sOJJuwN2x-AmiFABvQeT8yuti4QvYsVPdaDS3Tyuadgx0IMdcAdZF/s960/Sloane_Reading%20(10.22).jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="960" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5rDWvdyK0FB8H5OfH7DvAtgLICIuqmkN_yrsjo1fayyAwrt4uZm9DMASrgNJtOwftI9VY23siwRT_Q0O1HZSB4HJFNrqgZX6XwPWKXrWMDocWxVd7jgmBURN6HKe6VCn_grmLd3sOJJuwN2x-AmiFABvQeT8yuti4QvYsVPdaDS3Tyuadgx0IMdcAdZF/w262-h241/Sloane_Reading%20(10.22).jpeg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>Grandpa, don't you have anything more... substantive?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">So, the granddaughter and I were discussing the above film - which is to say what would it have looked like in Scorsese's hands or better yet, Cronenberg or del Toro's (Sloane suggesting 'think <i>Pan's Labyrinth</i> Meets <i>Lion King'</i>) - as she mocked me for being SUCH A WEENIE BOY during the 1st half of Saturday's game, wringing my hands over the Irish's slow start. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">"Man up! And put down the cocktail shaker for godsakes - that can't always be your go-to when things get even a little bit dodge-y. </i><i style="text-align: left;">You had to know that NC State was always going to come out fired up..."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">"Plus, Sam Hartman's a gamer... the very textbook definition of a closer, my Grand-Dude. This game was never in doubt. The sooner you recognize that, the happier your football fandom life will be."</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gee, Sloane, when you put it like that...</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> </div></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpYVtJMdwwUi51yxiOz6DWUuhfmNZnmktK93e1lKYzC7n-TflAMDATLB52mqJv2Iqii_ZYND4c9vdZSdef21r9IEZWP72XAEH29rfu1BcsmAnfRsf5NcmHlhCwtq_jLp9ugq8M3DfxFaNQa1vR8NGPcG8U3kmHnLomiVbY7sN3TtbZp3Mv5tW3uTwEhc4/s968/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-12%20at%2012.00.41%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="968" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpYVtJMdwwUi51yxiOz6DWUuhfmNZnmktK93e1lKYzC7n-TflAMDATLB52mqJv2Iqii_ZYND4c9vdZSdef21r9IEZWP72XAEH29rfu1BcsmAnfRsf5NcmHlhCwtq_jLp9ugq8M3DfxFaNQa1vR8NGPcG8U3kmHnLomiVbY7sN3TtbZp3Mv5tW3uTwEhc4/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-12%20at%2012.00.41%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Used in a sentence paragraph</u><span><u>:</u> In post-game reflection, Jerrence was ashamed of the <span style="color: #fcff01;">dysphoria</span> he had allowed to creep into his psyche during the game's 1st half. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Sure, he was used to rando thoughts of a dark (and occasionally perverse) nature to creep into his head - but those were usually invited in, like the guys you see only at Reunions who, unchanged from college, you know you shouldn't be hanging with but oh what the hell, I only see them every five years...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>No, this was something entirely different, something born out of... <i>laziness</i>. He knew better.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He prided himself in maintaining a balanced, if not entirely grounded, sense of perspective regarding his expectations for Notre Dame's prospects this year. They were clearly better than the Wolf Pack - but the Irish were also a fairly young team, 24 year old QB notwithstanding, and this being their first foray into an adversarial environment with Wrath of God weather adding an additional complication... well, some early dysfunction was to be expected.</div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Easy to say (see) that now. And it didn't help to have the toddler telling him, "I told you so."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 3 Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I've heard into every life</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">A little of it must fall </span></span></i></div></i></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">If there's any truth to the saying</span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Lord, let it be a southern rain... </span></i></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BdtdHqwBBhE" width="320" youtube-src-id="BdtdHqwBBhE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Be careful what you wish for, Wolf Pack. That said, whom amongst us didn't have a more than a mild sense of foreboding - oh, great, another monsoon-like weather event to completely level the playing field...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other top-of-mind impressions: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Sam The Man</b></span></span>. If this is what a bad game looks like for Hartman, I'll take it 100 out of 100 times. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And what does one do for an encore after leading last week's two minute drive in :38?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Execute a drive this week in :36. It was the third consecutive game that Hartman led a TD drive to close the 1st half. He's 14-16 for 221 and 3 TD's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That'll work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDTG5ecVm4GcMemfOrjzjNyALyfHI00ZPVglzYZILmhpkCvKtKHEbiYhrW-xBEf_8aXvF3YcMF61CUqgD1A1RsRxXQ2Lg1ACDdNi-0E729171-7tsqc67n2UmIMsejrfVQUJzAElLXcveq2k2PoTx1NBXM9PM7MF3Rm9_VioCPFbhYtRKWP2TvneP2tZC/s2077/Staes%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="2077" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDTG5ecVm4GcMemfOrjzjNyALyfHI00ZPVglzYZILmhpkCvKtKHEbiYhrW-xBEf_8aXvF3YcMF61CUqgD1A1RsRxXQ2Lg1ACDdNi-0E729171-7tsqc67n2UmIMsejrfVQUJzAElLXcveq2k2PoTx1NBXM9PM7MF3Rm9_VioCPFbhYtRKWP2TvneP2tZC/s320/Staes%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />2. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tight End U</span></b>. Quantifiably, the position's output for the game represented 6 receptions, 127 yards and 3 TD's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">None of the TE's may be at Michael Mayer's level but it would seem that coach Parker and Hartman are still making the position a priority.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtvp562TYrv0LEVYB3BY0s2by8qDkHn_D2XZ1eFY4NqhA2EslvQlTFzkK46ctEeY9qQDcHyJrYOsq2Sv5cRM_mSjs3PYM-aoPqN8O36cuwiOwwNl_MHgqZcAkt0wCrI6GpUpuHyz75d7Uvzn93mJwnWls9o68bEmN8SJVWztzZLmX86SgJlv01HzZ1Ffm/s2560/Marist.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtvp562TYrv0LEVYB3BY0s2by8qDkHn_D2XZ1eFY4NqhA2EslvQlTFzkK46ctEeY9qQDcHyJrYOsq2Sv5cRM_mSjs3PYM-aoPqN8O36cuwiOwwNl_MHgqZcAkt0wCrI6GpUpuHyz75d7Uvzn93mJwnWls9o68bEmN8SJVWztzZLmX86SgJlv01HzZ1Ffm/w331-h187/Marist.jpeg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Marist.</span></b> I think he's gonna be really fun to watch this year. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yotNQfug5XF_sP4qo_tPPiId6TYofSYK4NNXAJUdnth-mQPbMn9SfHkGTrhIfvLvFiyMOoU7lxL-AWY1x0ReZ0yMzXyrE7JBHPPFboAWYN_qjgyjHNLCXpHRfWKk0QiH18iH342BCwA27myZuib5AhNZFrDP2XGYqyXlfTYf3lvUd-8DZv51gpMjQiN-/s1518/Watts%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1518" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yotNQfug5XF_sP4qo_tPPiId6TYofSYK4NNXAJUdnth-mQPbMn9SfHkGTrhIfvLvFiyMOoU7lxL-AWY1x0ReZ0yMzXyrE7JBHPPFboAWYN_qjgyjHNLCXpHRfWKk0QiH18iH342BCwA27myZuib5AhNZFrDP2XGYqyXlfTYf3lvUd-8DZv51gpMjQiN-/s320/Watts%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Safety Dance.</span></b> Depending on how much one read prior to the season's start, you'd have likely been left with this consistent narrative: the defense could be pretty good, especially the CB's, but the safety position? Shaky.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, it's only one game, albeit the first one with an opponent with semi-legitimate passing game, and that particular position <i>showed out</i>! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope springs eternal - because ND is going to need them.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">We can dance, we can dance</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Everybody's taking the chance... </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cacc8MwYLbA" width="320" youtube-src-id="cacc8MwYLbA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>5. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Freeman. </b></span> Loved, loved, LOVED seeing Freeman get in the grill of the referee team. And can't help but believe that a couple calls that went ND's way after that (e.g., NC St's offensive interference) perhaps weren't of the make up variety.</div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YceCTWI4HgQ1CRix7JboHaNHrKthPixixe6he4RzFcPnMx8lqkf8RtUNVFqJLX1jgaTgsz6mv5OOiuUdLEuz0zVRBHQdnjxZbC1IFNIYGbV_DSC7lHx8SGZru3Lx2I8IqiyrRs9oRNfQXwRuFRmUF3hSkyXYcMTIBGVbRXPd-GyttrnCSbJpzxZXakx_/s2560/Shrader.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YceCTWI4HgQ1CRix7JboHaNHrKthPixixe6he4RzFcPnMx8lqkf8RtUNVFqJLX1jgaTgsz6mv5OOiuUdLEuz0zVRBHQdnjxZbC1IFNIYGbV_DSC7lHx8SGZru3Lx2I8IqiyrRs9oRNfQXwRuFRmUF3hSkyXYcMTIBGVbRXPd-GyttrnCSbJpzxZXakx_/s320/Shrader.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>6. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Can we talk kickers for a minute?</span></b> <span><b style="color: #fcff01;">. </b>Typically, at least of late, ND's placekickers have been - let's be honest - diminutive little shits, much like this blogger, where one would worry 'can they get it there?' as one approached 50 yds in distance.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Not any more. BTW, Shrader's 54 yd. FG - his first for ND, established a new team record for distance. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Given that the second one he tried - from 56 yds. - would've been good from 60, the guess here is he'll get a few tries to break that record.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>7. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Fansville. </span></b> Apropos on nothing other than one's personal sense of humor - and prior professional sensibilities - but this season's Dr. Pepper commercials rock! They mock everything screwed up about college football - realignment, transfer portals, strength of schedule. You can tell the creative team knows their shit - and loves the sport.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>I'm assuming the ads must be effective if the campaign is still on-going. I sure hope so.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>"Zero. Like the odds of you making the playoffs."</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fdrEH3AOvyw" width="320" youtube-src-id="fdrEH3AOvyw"></iframe></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're probably thinking, how's Jerrence going to award this week's Buddy Award to Sam Hartman? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">He hardly had the most stellar of performances.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet, we got to see a new side of the QB, we'll call it 'Damp Sam' - still looking so good, still so comfortably in the moment that nothing could possibly seem to be bothering him... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquQtJdCd3PuyZsU-2XP1TtWVc5sxBhL4wTIaWUQ1iUB3N-9wS_y9dDrVFj-CGoNSNeP-dxZ5kHgDT3rE9kHrn2FU3cUTDd64esSDnFfRTMoMxinE1WuFK4AYSj0b0OdEnQq6Ry7RNjlIEVh8VdP8ITF1JKb3U9RDlPKFc_DAq5YY1AhQZK318-lT8LgK5/s900/Viggo-Mortensen-once-deflected-a-real-knife-in-The-Lord-of-the-Rings.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="900" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquQtJdCd3PuyZsU-2XP1TtWVc5sxBhL4wTIaWUQ1iUB3N-9wS_y9dDrVFj-CGoNSNeP-dxZ5kHgDT3rE9kHrn2FU3cUTDd64esSDnFfRTMoMxinE1WuFK4AYSj0b0OdEnQq6Ry7RNjlIEVh8VdP8ITF1JKb3U9RDlPKFc_DAq5YY1AhQZK318-lT8LgK5/w200-h133/Viggo-Mortensen-once-deflected-a-real-knife-in-The-Lord-of-the-Rings.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">"Come to mommy..."</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">...reminiscent of Aragorn II, Ranger of the North in <i>Lord of Rings.</i>.. played by Viggo Mortensen (or as he's simply known in the Corrigan family, The Viggo) who was so impossibly attractive despite continually looking like a drowned rat... hair wet, unkept and straggling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I believe Defarge put it best when evaluating his appearance, <i>"Woof!"</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I digress. How Hartman doesn't have a lucrative NIL with P&G's Pantene brand I'll never know. Someone's not doing their job for the guy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QNE6zndymIzGi4t_KKucgYGIfJh-lPMG0CO9okr6IBUuA3-FPMHXAo4AcPSgAVnIcyBFmeulgpKpxrSMZzrsBApBq2jI7SLLum6c143P4cVPmtTyCVMUVWhaQZqqLkX3lZ37GbZhhi5rWNZ4cYu_z8RRobtSO8k4HiSL6KGSkCxqTqlLO854dFqdEpW1/s854/Estime%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="854" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QNE6zndymIzGi4t_KKucgYGIfJh-lPMG0CO9okr6IBUuA3-FPMHXAo4AcPSgAVnIcyBFmeulgpKpxrSMZzrsBApBq2jI7SLLum6c143P4cVPmtTyCVMUVWhaQZqqLkX3lZ37GbZhhi5rWNZ4cYu_z8RRobtSO8k4HiSL6KGSkCxqTqlLO854dFqdEpW1/s320/Estime%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Still, all-weather good looks and poise alone do not (always) a Buddy Award winner make. And this week, big play ability needs to take precedence. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And arguably, no play was bigger than <span style="color: #fcff01;">Audric Estime's</span> 80 yard run immediately after the prolonged weather delay, giving the team a little breathing room and shaking ND out of its 1st quarter torpor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>What also should be called out</u>: there was nothing close to a fumble from Audric on any of his 14 carries. And if one knows his history - not the cleanest in that regard - within the context of a very wet field, that's an achievement not to go unrecognized. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When a game doesn't go perfectly, especially for Notre Dame fans, questions are raised and often, fingers are pointed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Inevitably, it all leads back to the coaching staff: their strategy, team preparedness, in-game adjustments. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And when the head coach / coordinators are relatively new at their respective positions (at least within their Notre Dame tenure), the spotlight gets turned on them pretty quickly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> So Pete, what'd you see?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of Gerard Parker’s subtle adjustments against NC State helped both quarterback and offensive line find their groove: moving the pocket. Hartman’s ability to sell play-action and then roll out of the pocket froze NC State’s linebackers and made it unclear where Notre Dame’s launch point would be. Instead of teeing off on the pocket, the Wolfpack rushers had to think about where they were headed.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It wasn’t all perfect, obviously. But Parker figured out NC State would gamble, then made defensive coordinator Tony Gibson pay for it. The NC State defense couldn’t help itself from crowding the box, turning tight end production into an all-you-can-eat proposition for Hartman.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The quarterback could choose between open tight ends after he didn’t find much open at receiver in the first half. Rewatch <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="b5AM1SnFXkbRtPsY" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/davis-sherwood-b5AM1SnFXkbRtPsY/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Davis Sherwood</a>’s 10-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and you’ll see that <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="RNmd8GCY9jGhPLv6" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/mitchell-evans-RNmd8GCY9jGhPLv6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Mitchell Evans</a> was running wide open, too. Some touchdown passes are the result of the player. Hartman’s touchdown to <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="52XJootIlN2fgSTi" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-greathouse-52XJootIlN2fgSTi/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Greathouse</a> was more a credit to the throw than the play call. But all three touchdown passes to the tight ends were on the play call more than the player.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notre Dame did a textbook job defending Armstrong as a runner. The Wolfpack quarterback finished with 11 carries for 33 yards (removing</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a class="ath_autolink" data-id="8Elqlp0IkRMciLQB" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/donovan-hinish-8Elqlp0IkRMciLQB/" style="color: #386c92; font-size: large; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Donovan Hinish</a><span style="font-size: large;">’s sack on the final drive). These are the distances of those runs: minus-one, two, zero, six, nine, three, eight, one, six, one and four. But the Irish containment of Armstrong’s legs was even better than those single-digit gains suggest. The 9-yard and second 6-yard gains were third-down scrambles when NC State needed at least 15 yards to move the chains. In other words, they were scrambles of last resort, not strategic runs. Take those gains out, and Armstrong finished with nine carries for 18 yards, with just one first down scramble in that mix.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Golden’s defense got the balance right in keeping Armstrong in a cage while also getting upfield to make that confinement feel even more acute. Freeman wondered whether the pass rush got stuck on a “leash” in the game plan, which asked the Irish to be less aggressive. Armstrong never got comfortable with what the Irish were doing and how quickly they got pressure.</span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 11, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">This week's cocktail has less to do with any North Carolina-based theme although if I could've found a Telladega Nights or Bull Durham drink, we'd be having a different story below. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No, this week is a bit of an homage to Paris-based daughter Shea who made her annual U.S. fly by this past week... always a joy (and source of vicarious thrills for her parents) as she regales us with stories of navigating the city's bars, restaurants and patisseries/boulangeries with her faithful wingman, Jack the dog.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuGVkvfea8nBvwLSTQgTPxeoBx-Tuxu_GvdvcW0qtQMYiT7fG8XannD73Ga_sDGumj8ECOH2FCpiHORMp5eemMkkeAlau3MbYt9Q_x5AdF8dncUeuk_CYa2otO7SFH8QEYKijcC9EgozNgbDg9hMODuun7zh3nAruMaTKZsYFPiRX9PTht9m9By3_YY3c/s1469/IMG_4177.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1170" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuGVkvfea8nBvwLSTQgTPxeoBx-Tuxu_GvdvcW0qtQMYiT7fG8XannD73Ga_sDGumj8ECOH2FCpiHORMp5eemMkkeAlau3MbYt9Q_x5AdF8dncUeuk_CYa2otO7SFH8QEYKijcC9EgozNgbDg9hMODuun7zh3nAruMaTKZsYFPiRX9PTht9m9By3_YY3c/w129-h162/IMG_4177.jpg" width="129" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love Shea. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love Jack. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love this drink. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not exactly the French 75 but close enough for this blogger.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The French Concoction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>The French Connection (1971)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Directed by William Friedkin</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Bf9A2FbH4BYWN6R4-fHf-Dx_m_6m50zQRRLMkIMJM4d02d9qylf3HNifGtkevcVOla1n8inTnjv5JC-mPVjTzg3gqwld0gdlrajmwi2zkpK58Eljv6rytIUVh17zMYDi4KCPiXxApCTqe0F8UdSIWVs7Vqu0BPEEHulgZFvSZpOnHFuQkXfaRdvVP16/s600/thefrenchconnection.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Bf9A2FbH4BYWN6R4-fHf-Dx_m_6m50zQRRLMkIMJM4d02d9qylf3HNifGtkevcVOla1n8inTnjv5JC-mPVjTzg3gqwld0gdlrajmwi2zkpK58Eljv6rytIUVh17zMYDi4KCPiXxApCTqe0F8UdSIWVs7Vqu0BPEEHulgZFvSZpOnHFuQkXfaRdvVP16/s320/thefrenchconnection.webp" width="213" /></a></div><br />Based on a real-life, late 1960's case in which two New York City police officers brought down an immense overseas heroin ring, this movie - the first R-rated flick to win Best Picture at the Oscars - was shot so fast, loose and dirty, portions of it practically play out like a documentary.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Famously, <i>French</i> featured a porkpie-wearing Gene Hackman in what many consider to be the craftiest (and subsequently most-imitated) car chase ever caught on pre-Steadicam film. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Calm your jitters with a Marseilles twist on a throwback concoction that was first smuggled into the states from Harry's New York Bar - in France.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB3A_cDexbsQXKEE74wuKx5uF66m8KDJRPUifUryHNB4Ja9NBG2AyeKhZFZ9ZwC5M3w9Enk0PW_dULgEoO_zBmIlsdS2CjHnTmj5U5zKeolZXhznZyHM3UpRRdDoWgk1vmkpAoEGbJ8AHWuyirDafCa_IZ6J-GDcyO0qVFPE1eSsdXf6AQ8mYHKWeOWnN/s438/french-75-cocktail-recipe-upgrade-1666629351%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="351" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB3A_cDexbsQXKEE74wuKx5uF66m8KDJRPUifUryHNB4Ja9NBG2AyeKhZFZ9ZwC5M3w9Enk0PW_dULgEoO_zBmIlsdS2CjHnTmj5U5zKeolZXhznZyHM3UpRRdDoWgk1vmkpAoEGbJ8AHWuyirDafCa_IZ6J-GDcyO0qVFPE1eSsdXf6AQ8mYHKWeOWnN/w159-h199/french-75-cocktail-recipe-upgrade-1666629351%202.jpeg" width="159" /></a></div><br />1.5 oz. gin</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">0.5 oz. lemon juice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">0.5 oz. pastis</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 oz. champagne</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lemon twist, for garnish</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the gin, lemon juice and pastis in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a flute and top with champagne. Garnish with the lemon twist - and find out how to say "delicious" in French.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Gone With The Gin:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with With a Hollywood Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s1089/IMG_4149.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1089" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s320/IMG_4149.jpg" width="320" /></a></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If any of the 8-9 win folks were speculating about where the Irish might stumble against a non OSU-USC-Clemson opponent, NC State might've been one of your nominees (although Duke is now looking like a better surrogate).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, bummer for you! Huzzah for the rest of us! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Wins<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian M., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John L</span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, Cinco, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, Raz, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span>This time of year, when truly meaningful (and competitive) contests are still rare in the college ranks, one hopes to be able to use the initial pro games as appropriate fodder. But sadly, no.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Chiefs</span> and <span style="color: #fcff01;">Giants</span> - <i>you had one job. </i></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: this might be the only weekend in history where one sees Mahomes, Burrow, Herbert and Josh Allen all lose - even if none of them gave Jerrence any joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bears</span>? Even as a lifelong Packer fan who still suffers PTSD from the Super Bowl Shuffle, all I feel is profound sadness for that franchise, their fans less so.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then there's the <span style="color: #fcff01;">J-E-T Jets</span>! <span style="color: #fcff01;">J-E-T Jets</span>! But they didn't lose... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaS8HftNcVFawn7gEBd145QnVcxIeZTVWy9GtcJQJCeVKK5MsTMhf87odm-iUwtB2eTc6zIq4LsCL8WGQloSah359kTqjMS1LL0m5b3AMo3arGh5DGhv-1DrzteaBSSxhl1_mZIX_ofbVGVbZBFFL6yFfcep10tBKdJYqDN4nu-Hfu7EBqCuZv5CFeEHz/s720/Green-Bay-Packers-Introduce-Matt-LaFleur---Press-C-af97614ea103caa45543582c848a92ec.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaS8HftNcVFawn7gEBd145QnVcxIeZTVWy9GtcJQJCeVKK5MsTMhf87odm-iUwtB2eTc6zIq4LsCL8WGQloSah359kTqjMS1LL0m5b3AMo3arGh5DGhv-1DrzteaBSSxhl1_mZIX_ofbVGVbZBFFL6yFfcep10tBKdJYqDN4nu-Hfu7EBqCuZv5CFeEHz/s320/Green-Bay-Packers-Introduce-Matt-LaFleur---Press-C-af97614ea103caa45543582c848a92ec.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">ALL SALES FINAL!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Oh yes they did<i>. </i> (Karma's a bitch, Jets fans.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. This section will try to hang until October (or late September - looking at you, USC v. Colorado) and hope we can celebrate something meaningful until then.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while I'd say last weekend was more of a 'quality over quantity' type output, we're not complaining. </span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And who doesn't love the inevitable panning to the upset victim's fanbase whose dreams have just been crushed?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not a rhetorical question - does that make me a bad person? I think it might.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ44IBPKrE0tlFyE6R876sJGJggvvAqMGCUpc3KPJDe6VZz8n7Gl8pokGvP-nolV81eim-cGijH5xQhFhMMXnPd-53W2xx39lSfLmSljQGsR2-0LeRs6MUkA4nw6q7haifW_3ISa9vgYsMxPgQieZuZVxGT8F925OVRmTZzk0oySemDTwI75GBdsFBJ-uc/s529/JwYal7v.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="529" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ44IBPKrE0tlFyE6R876sJGJggvvAqMGCUpc3KPJDe6VZz8n7Gl8pokGvP-nolV81eim-cGijH5xQhFhMMXnPd-53W2xx39lSfLmSljQGsR2-0LeRs6MUkA4nw6q7haifW_3ISa9vgYsMxPgQieZuZVxGT8F925OVRmTZzk0oySemDTwI75GBdsFBJ-uc/s320/JwYal7v.gif" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC! SEC! </span></b> Misery (in the conference) loves company, so come on down, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Alabama </span>and <span style="color: #fcff01;">Texas A&M</span>. Regarding the former, it sure must've felt like <i>deja vu</i> for Tommy Rees - weeping 'n wailing 'n gnashing his teeth from up high while watching his QB unable to execute his plays. And as for A&M vs. Miami (where's a rogue meteorite to hit a random stadium when you need it?), I wonder what Jimbo's buyout # is at these days...</span></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPp8uXL1af0" width="320" youtube-src-id="mPp8uXL1af0"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You've heard that expression before - "there's one in every bunch," right?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That seems to typify the textbook Tool, daring to be achieve a whole new level of stupid (often succeeding) in an attempt to be that special Rules Don't Apply to Me visionary.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, in point of fact, The Rules - often prosaically referred to by many of us as The Law - do apply. Bummer for them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week we've got a few that cross that line. And a few where a line should've been drawn to begin with. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Deion Sanders</span></b>. Lest I be perceived as having it out for coach P**** (I'm already done with that name), I'll acknowledge that the attribution below may be misplaced... but Sanders strikes one as a coach who allows nothing without his okay - so I'm blaming him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTukXccTT_5FW8bsWhtWISeUp3bn1JoBcykI2Pa-lNv8v5U4CWAERer7gJVfWxjBhN0EQAPicRE4usInZ7Tkj8nVsco6mOECrs9-v9vXftoW4ma11vurtZEaoVK0LZmnCEoyOnP5StSXqX3d45o0z9T_d3sF4X6hUc3gSImBZ-olbHMIFiRMUID_bsYUQ7/s1368/IMG_4252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="961" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTukXccTT_5FW8bsWhtWISeUp3bn1JoBcykI2Pa-lNv8v5U4CWAERer7gJVfWxjBhN0EQAPicRE4usInZ7Tkj8nVsco6mOECrs9-v9vXftoW4ma11vurtZEaoVK0LZmnCEoyOnP5StSXqX3d45o0z9T_d3sF4X6hUc3gSImBZ-olbHMIFiRMUID_bsYUQ7/w254-h361/IMG_4252.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A 'Turnover Throne", really? Could you be any more derivative? And WTF, Deion, you're a Florida State guy and you're copying Miami?! Ugh. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Mel Tucker</b></span>. The 1st rule of "Keep All The $ Associated With Your Long-term Contract" club: Don't get fired for cause.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2nd rule: Don't have the charges involve sexual harassment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 3rd rule: Don't have the sexual harassment charge involve a rape survivor and activist.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0kcKufZZzmFzK_pf35D1Dkbep1s6uzc0YgiXc86zOaI3GcXK6QkJmtWzNC9kZvbqMk5Q3yt2N6ViwgoHQxuPOv_6KZGmJqEIZ_al4E166_KHAe5OyypbiOUr_Gp8gwjtIemp5rv5L2Ih03rmBAsdyXCcWQuOUcwEeoD70LinsrjUlkTRaV8uso-bQPAK/s1171/IMG_4255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1153" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0kcKufZZzmFzK_pf35D1Dkbep1s6uzc0YgiXc86zOaI3GcXK6QkJmtWzNC9kZvbqMk5Q3yt2N6ViwgoHQxuPOv_6KZGmJqEIZ_al4E166_KHAe5OyypbiOUr_Gp8gwjtIemp5rv5L2Ih03rmBAsdyXCcWQuOUcwEeoD70LinsrjUlkTRaV8uso-bQPAK/s320/IMG_4255.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Note</u>: At present, coach Tucker has been suspended without pay, awaiting completion of the full investigation. <i>But it ain't looking good for Mel</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Carl Williams</span></b>. Father of star USC QB, Caleb Williams who, this week, opined that his son just might stay in school next year if he doesn't like the 'environment' of the team he'd likely go to. Looking at you, Arizona Cardinals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH99vD0QPTvtQX5YKZ34IAtgOmiS72-QCCHCxgCaRWnq3yI6JjnU7HoMZQ9deEKHlZtFhfdkcSqCalcNBNnH1ZWIXH79_2xLw5gJNwXXgdjGgZhDwQaAi1hHiDLfOBgr--5ekxeJgkWAXRSJ7tSflPgAblbjXEzl75_6Hx1fp8Kd2AhBqeSe-GLMovOhdn/s1136/Caleb.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH99vD0QPTvtQX5YKZ34IAtgOmiS72-QCCHCxgCaRWnq3yI6JjnU7HoMZQ9deEKHlZtFhfdkcSqCalcNBNnH1ZWIXH79_2xLw5gJNwXXgdjGgZhDwQaAi1hHiDLfOBgr--5ekxeJgkWAXRSJ7tSflPgAblbjXEzl75_6Hx1fp8Kd2AhBqeSe-GLMovOhdn/w347-h260/Caleb.webp" width="347" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">These babies aren't gonna paint themselves...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I call 'bullshit'. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Certainly the kid (family) is making a ton of money with NIL - just check out all the commercials he's doing these days - and his playing the "you not (yet) the boss of me" pre-draft card, so effectively used by La Famiglia Manning, is a valid option. I just don't see that kid defering the pro life for another year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His fingernail bill, alone, can't be cheap.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But that's not my primary criticism of Mr. Williams. No, it was his idiotic follow up critique of the NFL draft as some sort of rationale for keeping Caleb in school:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"The system is completely backward. The system is constructed for you to go to the worst possible situation."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Um, yeah Carl. That's how the draft system works IN EVERY PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Justin Scott</span></b>. Consider young master Scott this week's Gran Torino "Get off my lawn" Award winner. This kid - a recruit that ND is apparently still chasing - surely thinks this is a cool move.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGkuLvjAK5AkmGxelPNxZuMsFYsDZVUJF82pqXFyZuUe1UITAKoOvIGIczl37iOnA8eVYUxVPSkhwIuesj5ESbDxHdP1dMVPgLjNAHh8OfJm9qlhpREH-q8RLNK9Luel4Hj2ap2HAoBohUnghwb1IW1ewFZdE_R6CJ2tnMThXAafZPEBzleXIgL1JHaOa/s1254/IMG_4249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="952" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGkuLvjAK5AkmGxelPNxZuMsFYsDZVUJF82pqXFyZuUe1UITAKoOvIGIczl37iOnA8eVYUxVPSkhwIuesj5ESbDxHdP1dMVPgLjNAHh8OfJm9qlhpREH-q8RLNK9Luel4Hj2ap2HAoBohUnghwb1IW1ewFZdE_R6CJ2tnMThXAafZPEBzleXIgL1JHaOa/w283-h373/IMG_4249.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cool? I think it's incredibly douchey. You've already 'committed' - <i>clearly using the term extremely loosely</i> - to a school (even if it's Ohio St.) but you're gonna wear another team's branded apparel - and make sure everyone in the world sees it? Nice. I'd like to think someone - a coach, a parent - reamed the kid for such a low class gesture... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I'm due back on earth now. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aALYoIijnCDPBqAC1Rj0Qrm98LW6eqpWZHyAgJxLI_iSBcmIIuJDnQtjDgGKv3yrjVH1zpIRHVOjn7IQwA-26cQ6DorZJYPKZFWg2A2gpXze99sopAL-hZFkHTMMuU1IimQ7NQ5AhcqSRxyvNGno7-f8ofX15g2DnkTdeRMpGcZ6py-vpy6Xz5HLn23h/s1084/photo-02-9cd53d56abf5031504f05254fc731c9187e906c3-s1600-c85.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1084" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aALYoIijnCDPBqAC1Rj0Qrm98LW6eqpWZHyAgJxLI_iSBcmIIuJDnQtjDgGKv3yrjVH1zpIRHVOjn7IQwA-26cQ6DorZJYPKZFWg2A2gpXze99sopAL-hZFkHTMMuU1IimQ7NQ5AhcqSRxyvNGno7-f8ofX15g2DnkTdeRMpGcZ6py-vpy6Xz5HLn23h/s320/photo-02-9cd53d56abf5031504f05254fc731c9187e906c3-s1600-c85.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Reza Baluchey</span></b>. Any time a news blurb starts with "Florida man..." and references a Giant Hamster Wheel, it begs calling out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this case, the story of a man, after being granted asylum from Iran, who created a large hamster wheel-like vessel (made of buoys and wire) that he was going to propel to the UK by running inside it.<i> For 4000+ miles.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Run, Forrest, run! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, the US Coast Guard took a dim view of his innovation, evaluating it as "manifestly unsafe... the Hamster Wheel of Doom" (that's a little harsh) and after more than a few entreaties by the authorities for him to call it quits - he initially resisted, threatening suicide - he finally relented. His hamster wheel captain days would seem to be over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or are they? Insofar as this wasn't his first attempt at his hamster-craft, the guess here is this is not the last we'll hear of Mr. Baluchey. (And may I say, boy I hope not.) There's actually a lot more to this story... his history... if one is interested. Check it out <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/07/1198252469/coast-guard-hamster-wheel-reza-baluchi-atlantic-ocean">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">September 16th: 1st Stayer Tailgate of the year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yippee! </span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Forecast at game time</u>: 70F and perfectly clear (if not entirely sunny).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It feels like years since it's been here... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQetemT1sWc" width="320" youtube-src-id="KQetemT1sWc"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-23868812550774076482023-09-07T13:13:00.004-05:002023-09-07T14:36:45.208-05:00Tennessee St.: ...Changes in Attitude<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>First you learn the native custom,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>Soon a word of Spanish or two.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>You know you cannot trust them - </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>'Cause they know they can't trust you...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div><h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJxXu8MdL-A" width="320" youtube-src-id="LJxXu8MdL-A"></iframe></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Cyprus Room, 801 St. Louis Blvd.</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">\</a><br /></div>Take a ride with me in the Time Machine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's circa 1978-79 and if you spent any reasonable time in or around the confines of 801 St. Louis, the gravitational pull of the domicile's Cyprus Room probably drew you in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9nmU2o0B0zmqEAVdsq9c6xWfJFn1cUEtFbAApoZ9BCv2eNBvd-_U2S7r42I8db1C_a0w8za0S6HxrF46798fOda0XtHaDVj-eKr62QAHRqIU3ROPNxN6KUzyh5eAec0rwE47WqnIIHFYqJuWKD_iO-eunTEYp2PBx8X8O6C1iCPac3jcS1GFX1AHRF1s/s771/ND_Coatman%20and%20door.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="771" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9nmU2o0B0zmqEAVdsq9c6xWfJFn1cUEtFbAApoZ9BCv2eNBvd-_U2S7r42I8db1C_a0w8za0S6HxrF46798fOda0XtHaDVj-eKr62QAHRqIU3ROPNxN6KUzyh5eAec0rwE47WqnIIHFYqJuWKD_iO-eunTEYp2PBx8X8O6C1iCPac3jcS1GFX1AHRF1s/s320/ND_Coatman%20and%20door.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>It's okay if you don't remember. Memory loss was invariably an unintended consequence of that experience.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while other places on campus were firing up the Grateful Dead... Pink Floyd... Supertramp... the musical stylings of Jimmy Buffett were, more times than not, the ambient sound one heard on-site.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">To say it was a magical time doesn't quite do it justice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So for this blogger, Mr. Buffett's passing this week is a little more impactful than some of the other cultural touchstones that are buying the farm these days. And for a few reasons:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">First, dying at 76 seems too soon, especially for a guy who seemed like he'd just live forever. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Second, even though I haven't been to one of his concerts in decades, the music still holds up for me. However saccharine one perceives his sound - he's certainly not everyone's cup of tea - he connected with a massive audience and beyond his most recognizable hits involving margaritas, cheeseburgers and boat drinks (not that there's anything wrong with that), there was more substance than he got credit for.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Third, from a sheer marketing standpoint, his passing marks the end of one of the most remarkable business success stories in our lifetime: <u>achieving billionaire status on, essentially, the basis of <i>one</i> song</u> with a quixotic, "screw it, let's run off and become pirates" lifestyle fantasy that has remained genuinely timeless. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLhnWZ5DztKm4ACuZgENNl8WnviuLp2aUzphCoL8ricmQ6wOulUAw6EGOnPBHKy7LrQDOJfyj1cuw-i_lLSB_wwPhsJjSvxDatOssvPHxjpjq-pJF0RmB1aC0n33wG--VIYShMXGR25FjjBpZUoSrqaqN1gG1wP4PwwiWBndI7QFd4QgPYFQqbmvsepus/s2272/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-02%20at%201.01.35%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="2272" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLhnWZ5DztKm4ACuZgENNl8WnviuLp2aUzphCoL8ricmQ6wOulUAw6EGOnPBHKy7LrQDOJfyj1cuw-i_lLSB_wwPhsJjSvxDatOssvPHxjpjq-pJF0RmB1aC0n33wG--VIYShMXGR25FjjBpZUoSrqaqN1gG1wP4PwwiWBndI7QFd4QgPYFQqbmvsepus/w438-h243/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-02%20at%201.01.35%20PM.png" width="438" /></a></div><br />Bravo, Jimmy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Somewhere, Loudon Wainwright is lamenting the tactical error of writing <i>his</i> one big commercial hit about a dead skunk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7HhNKlAUUvw1m-0E8sn4gYVKTtuQZbMbFmNbrQjFc02JsDgS69ffA47yN5y4_j_xBWz84ye9gxGtN3UI8l2iR7oaARcGhCDo1e7xkWCFPxxf_WXkOObv1vpfcKW_btd7c3xF4EpIh0yhaxPoAjysFFQpSrJy3z_xUbSI4md-ZBQVWpoQ791DFv97r_Nh/s1170/IMG_4237.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1170" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7HhNKlAUUvw1m-0E8sn4gYVKTtuQZbMbFmNbrQjFc02JsDgS69ffA47yN5y4_j_xBWz84ye9gxGtN3UI8l2iR7oaARcGhCDo1e7xkWCFPxxf_WXkOObv1vpfcKW_btd7c3xF4EpIh0yhaxPoAjysFFQpSrJy3z_xUbSI4md-ZBQVWpoQ791DFv97r_Nh/w233-h163/IMG_4237.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>"Tell Jimmy to keep me in his will!"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Warren Buffett</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And yes, Jimmy had Berkshire Hathaway in his portfolio. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua9rshIrpPzanSgW2KyhVCE1JbUhEHUVck7X6Qxua1ivJOITsaM_o1kZFtqFs2di0bYgqnaa3YUFo447Ly3yY93EMwYytMDq_JMgMCByC0IEyuIpy8gHsWBHR3-jIX8yFL4dgCNXNV650uZXKDqci_19FTWK8hsgVLUv8q-OLbtwZKxg8d52U0YAaw2h0/s1098/IMG_4230.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1098" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua9rshIrpPzanSgW2KyhVCE1JbUhEHUVck7X6Qxua1ivJOITsaM_o1kZFtqFs2di0bYgqnaa3YUFo447Ly3yY93EMwYytMDq_JMgMCByC0IEyuIpy8gHsWBHR3-jIX8yFL4dgCNXNV650uZXKDqci_19FTWK8hsgVLUv8q-OLbtwZKxg8d52U0YAaw2h0/s320/IMG_4230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: Jerrence recognized that his putting greater stock than was warranted in Notre Dame's two victories was something of high risk proposition.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">True, both Navy and Tennessee St. were not terribly revealing opponents in terms of gaining great insight into ND's ultimate 2023 trajectory.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet, Jerrence subscribed to the adage that one can only control one's performance against the team's that are put on the field against you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Especially when he watched Dabo Swinney's team commit to <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Clemsoning</span></i>, as if it was their homage to 2015. Jerrence was grateful that for all the times that Notre Dame had been convincingly beaten in high profile games, no one had turned the school's name into a similarly pejorative verb. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Week 1 Thoughts</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>This ain't no hotel I'm writing you from... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It's the Tennessee prison up at Brushy Mountain</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Where yours sincerely is doing 5-to-8</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Stampin' out my time makin' Tennessee plates.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1TGnguTaQ8" width="320" youtube-src-id="Z1TGnguTaQ8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Off the cuff observations...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>HBCU</b></span></span>. Like a born again convert - that species of human that is both highly irritating and more than a little scary, I'm here to say this: really proud of Notre Dame for scheduling this game.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAIkq3j4N-aEfDLU_Z-F0NAIGL8aiejxDFc3-0o9fGOOSyLNqXoEQ34YMx6ZmVcb0LIdEu7nobcmKs6NPuuH7QVq6P7JNfoX9ckyH6jJIyEO4iAQVCk_yzCDA6ykKFuBWi39YHFBCXceYhTt7715h2VtUUJlqoqqbRjK4-d92L7v9oeevltaz2hb17f1v/s2560/Eddie.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAIkq3j4N-aEfDLU_Z-F0NAIGL8aiejxDFc3-0o9fGOOSyLNqXoEQ34YMx6ZmVcb0LIdEu7nobcmKs6NPuuH7QVq6P7JNfoX9ckyH6jJIyEO4iAQVCk_yzCDA6ykKFuBWi39YHFBCXceYhTt7715h2VtUUJlqoqqbRjK4-d92L7v9oeevltaz2hb17f1v/w402-h226/Eddie.jpeg" width="402" /></a></div>It was not always so. Like some of the Luddites that are still out there (and apologies if you still consider yourself in this camp), I was initially pretty disappointed that ND scheduled such a low level game - and broke their virginal record of only playing D-1 programs... until I was reminded that sometimes there's things more important than just a football game. (I know - heresy, right?)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But giving Tennessee State a national audience and very likely, a lucrative check, far outweighs the downside. Even if for one week, I cannot get on my moral soapbox about how lame Michigan's</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> schedule is.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Plus, given the ascendent trajectory I perceive coach Freeman's career to be on, what makes Marcus happy makes me happy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3w_RcjaRWawrU-rM03jXVpWDHq-LMTeZ-NjnS17iMg40kPE7--Anf5ujzQ4PAFn-E-SVSER-bfA1jw6LM21cSEQoEE5b9UqALN8Q6WqyMd5d-8lcBLmcvKd-l3D2ExKIrgf3X1xf8LpdtN4Q0hEZDXILf-5LkPhP2csqSVXWPS-o3O-7QGAl218l-iWq/s2560/Ramon.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3w_RcjaRWawrU-rM03jXVpWDHq-LMTeZ-NjnS17iMg40kPE7--Anf5ujzQ4PAFn-E-SVSER-bfA1jw6LM21cSEQoEE5b9UqALN8Q6WqyMd5d-8lcBLmcvKd-l3D2ExKIrgf3X1xf8LpdtN4Q0hEZDXILf-5LkPhP2csqSVXWPS-o3O-7QGAl218l-iWq/w400-h225/Ramon.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>2. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jet Lag</span></b>. Perhaps the only thing that concerned me, pre-game, was hearing that historically ND always planned for a bye week after the trip to Ireland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as someone who's experienced the effects of international jet lag - almost to a tragic consequence (if you've never heard Jerrence's asleep-at-the-wheel tale, ask me sometime), ND's energy level was a priority point of interest. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So this blogger is willing to give them a pass on the early lethargy. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-kklSiSuADB1Q56eXi0IAEF8-pKS4LlPh_q-LY0S99R-8-jdJnTRYaavQYhmRMQX-1sUaTMJRNfmVaP6XUW5imipbj9z-BozPZyKf9Zv23rnWXwk0OFKG4VeBz3lUtCv-93HkIVI7rRIH27JSqHS6ssSp1Gj_NumzRtuKlk9THajG2GmvwWH5OczgU9x/s1276/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-07%20at%2011.07.57%20AM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1276" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-kklSiSuADB1Q56eXi0IAEF8-pKS4LlPh_q-LY0S99R-8-jdJnTRYaavQYhmRMQX-1sUaTMJRNfmVaP6XUW5imipbj9z-BozPZyKf9Zv23rnWXwk0OFKG4VeBz3lUtCv-93HkIVI7rRIH27JSqHS6ssSp1Gj_NumzRtuKlk9THajG2GmvwWH5OczgU9x/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-07%20at%2011.07.57%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">What are you looking at, ref?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Targeting.</span></b> I've given hope that this rule will <i>ever </i>be evaluated consistently but Saturday's game had to represent a low point in blowing not one but two obvious calls. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the home viewer can clearly see the direct launch contact on Devyn Ford (and in Antonio Carter's case, hitting the shoulder pad first), but the refs do not... that's <i>bad</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What conference did the refs come from? Dunno. Tough to speculate a conspiracy theory here, just good old fashioned incompetence. Unfortunate that it's going to cost Carter the 1st half of the NC State game.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ97uIGG9VrNxYtNXEvYqkOacDwXfYv2yVtLsNscaDizkJcRw32dbgjN6wivxcHAFQ0T7XT97lLtHtw9xjxL-sb7Ptvpr12ooEHcaFaoLRMKsYYjz2b66fE6gNfRXhuNSeNMZoXxfy3dn750lWMaGkCPjxeeLb4X5NXWdYSRJhhYVOE0FBQwFWNyKpuynk/s2560/Love.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ97uIGG9VrNxYtNXEvYqkOacDwXfYv2yVtLsNscaDizkJcRw32dbgjN6wivxcHAFQ0T7XT97lLtHtw9xjxL-sb7Ptvpr12ooEHcaFaoLRMKsYYjz2b66fE6gNfRXhuNSeNMZoXxfy3dn750lWMaGkCPjxeeLb4X5NXWdYSRJhhYVOE0FBQwFWNyKpuynk/s320/Love.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">101 Club.</span></b> No, not the shot of beer-a-minute exercise that should've gotten me a DUI were it not for the smooth talking skills of persuasion from that silver-tongued devil, J.A. Castellini, at the end of our Junior year...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No, this refers to the number of points ND's scored in it's first two games. Will it sustain? Assuredly not. Does it speak to the potential of the offense to, minimally, put up 30+ points a game? I'd be disappointed if it doesn't.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>5. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Agnosticism. </b></span> Is Sam Hartman an agnostic? On the field, you better believe it. Check this out: in Navy, 8 different receivers had receptions, vs. Tennessee St., it was 9. The man is playing no favorites. Experienced QB + newbie WR's... makes total sense. Just really nice to see.</div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPcsiVW-QKEqhOdrnoAr0gXV2M8Nrkc2Z8-pXkAGzopVfP-twcQ58dp9NQk8gVWFjfnUEpFtPM20F0kAtJARsdpuDViMTYC5t-OezBliM4WfGYc4fBle4njRXInUNAZSdjF0CIctdZNnmCqNYzJnQRoZBnjvwqG6XuGgU0j80e3DXrW8T56m_GPBbI42N/s2560/Lewis.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPcsiVW-QKEqhOdrnoAr0gXV2M8Nrkc2Z8-pXkAGzopVfP-twcQ58dp9NQk8gVWFjfnUEpFtPM20F0kAtJARsdpuDViMTYC5t-OezBliM4WfGYc4fBle4njRXInUNAZSdjF0CIctdZNnmCqNYzJnQRoZBnjvwqG6XuGgU0j80e3DXrW8T56m_GPBbI42N/s320/Lewis.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>6. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Quick hitters. </span></b> </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is ONE really the loneliest number? <u>ND had only two penalties</u> - one of which, the targeting, was total rubbish. Hence, averaging one per game so far.</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Past ND teams would have more than that on the first drive.</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have a punter! (Good to know, you can go back to the bench now.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have TE's! (And the best one may be the guy who's still rehabbing.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wither Merriweather? Still MIA. But does it even matter? (<i>Not yet.</i>)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Do we have a back up QB? Maybe, albeit not to Hartman's level. Let's hope Angeli gets more opportunities to play (though not likely for the foreseeable future).</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I believe it was the noted philosopher and theologian, Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel, in his breakthrough treatise on discovering God through a properly balanced, if somewhat non-traditional, breakfast offering... where he summarized the secret to a happy, morally fulfilled and actualized lif</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">e:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>I am Sam. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Sam I am. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Was <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sam Hartman</span> the equivalent of the green eggs 'n ham so unappetizing to Seuss's protagonist? Probably not - the other metaphorical breakfast options for ND being even less appealing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBso7RyFobo23taeROkZ2KpozimKqGshWtpF3p3YX7OrajGE_XZcwJ93sCPEfhuyxtRjf3Acmvo2Jo5uRm9MsHQlh4AsMMbmv3QQAWZmo4ZhVOLVu1ofn51uFJlKhRtsFniS1hPb6DhLN3Br_ZJuzQK59HYZJe4pR72QfagzRiSqyPmImvqIgrsSCogxJ/s2560/Sam.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBso7RyFobo23taeROkZ2KpozimKqGshWtpF3p3YX7OrajGE_XZcwJ93sCPEfhuyxtRjf3Acmvo2Jo5uRm9MsHQlh4AsMMbmv3QQAWZmo4ZhVOLVu1ofn51uFJlKhRtsFniS1hPb6DhLN3Br_ZJuzQK59HYZJe4pR72QfagzRiSqyPmImvqIgrsSCogxJ/s320/Sam.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But we've now tried. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And we like! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For ND Nation in 2023, <i>we are all Sam.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Synthesized in a mere :38 sequence of the game. A recap: less than a minute</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> left in the 1st half. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ball on ND's 20 yard line.</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Gi'Bran Payne for 3 yards (:05 elapse)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Mitchell Evans for 18 yards (:09 elapse)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Mitchell Evans for 18 yards (:04 elapse)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Mitchell Evans for 13 yards (:09 elapse)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Jaden Greathouse for 24 yards (:06 elapse)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman to Holden Staes for 4 yards, TD! (:05 elapse)</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Six plays, 80 yards, TD, :38. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I'm a believer. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TiQUnxNEDqk" width="320" youtube-src-id="TiQUnxNEDqk"></iframe></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Insofar as last week's game basically represented 'holding serve' albeit in a 40-love fashion (to keep the tennis analogy going), I'm looking to Mr. Sampson again, for some reality-based insight - how does one interpret what we've seen so far? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is September, after all. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lotta ballgame left.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> So Pete, what say ye?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know Notre Dame is good. I don’t know how good. It’s not clear whether Marcus Freeman knows, either, and it may not be until about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh after facing <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="168" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/nc-state-wolfpack-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">NC State</a>. The Irish looked nearly perfect against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="163" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/navy-midshipmen-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Navy</a>, but there was plenty to pick apart from <a href="https://theathletic.com/4828372/2023/09/02/notre-dame-tennessee-state-score-football/" rel="noopener" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;" target="_blank">their performance in a 56-3 win against Tennessee State</a>. Freeman talked about missed assignments, plural, on the first drive and the Navy “hangover.” There was a snap on which Notre Dame’s defense was missing an interior lineman and played with 10 men. There was a special teams turnover and another miscue on a big return. That kind of stuff turns the matchup with NC State into a migraine. It’s also the kind of stuff that’s within Notre Dame’s control to eliminate. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I beg you, let’s get through this weekend before re-analyzing Notre Dame’s schedule. Going to <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="165" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clemson</a> will still be incredibly difficult. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="177" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/duke-blue-devils-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Duke</a> will still be a trap game after Ohio State. One of the best parts of college football is not knowing what the heck is going to happen week after week. And we definitely still don’t with this schedule. Please refrain from using “College Football Playoff implications” in all stories for another two weeks.</span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 6, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">What would Jimmy Buffett do? Actually, what might he be doing right now, in The Great Beyond?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other than possibly twistin' up a fatty, or dropping a gummie, he'd likely be hitting the 'mix' button on the Cuisinart blender for something boat drink-y.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while the novel below doesn't scream Florida - except for the book banning part - the triple rum cocktail sure does.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's to you, Jimmy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Bluest Mai Tai</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>The Bluest Eye (1970)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>by Toni Morrison</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDEV4JxSyq9CqWTGUE8hBpsV-M9BRN63ikoY_pCjG0Qu1stejIFd4P0mgxxmh4ZhEkGkus_E0NFAti0xVGQN3zFTsxf63Z5JL9btVkp0PHGuLsrS2QWkCSAVYGfJuuhD1uSdCeykREEZz6BVNRgH0LNEdabsiV8S4GphB6TOinPv5QtFkBmb_7EyULREh/s300/The-Bluest-Eye-image-220x300.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="220" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDEV4JxSyq9CqWTGUE8hBpsV-M9BRN63ikoY_pCjG0Qu1stejIFd4P0mgxxmh4ZhEkGkus_E0NFAti0xVGQN3zFTsxf63Z5JL9btVkp0PHGuLsrS2QWkCSAVYGfJuuhD1uSdCeykREEZz6BVNRgH0LNEdabsiV8S4GphB6TOinPv5QtFkBmb_7EyULREh/w164-h225/The-Bluest-Eye-image-220x300.jpeg" width="164" /></a></div><br />In 1970 Toni Morrison was a successful editor of textbooks and a former English teacher when, at nearly 40 years old she published this groundbreaking and unflinching novel, set in her native Ohio.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though she'd eventually go on to win the Pulitzer (with a Presidential Medal thrown in for good measure), Morrison's account of incest and racial identity was so true and unapologetic that it's still banned in some circles to this day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shake your blues away with a drink as sweet and complex as Morrison's history-making prose.</div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ80YyWugrb8wC1xCKzx3OU6ZndCaXzDm1pkmVFi51MihuXESmmLve_X2Nl7HuccN6XMpcS81Iz6Qd_KNkBbnErri9p5T2uMZ4XLoHqb3_9ceyybPutTQTFf6jmmwOsErphLEmXdKXqdoP0ZQQZhyc9Ll_eWCvrxKYBoSSYp_rroFHJxsDjsT-rn9HWJ8/s1280/spiced-rum-brands.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ80YyWugrb8wC1xCKzx3OU6ZndCaXzDm1pkmVFi51MihuXESmmLve_X2Nl7HuccN6XMpcS81Iz6Qd_KNkBbnErri9p5T2uMZ4XLoHqb3_9ceyybPutTQTFf6jmmwOsErphLEmXdKXqdoP0ZQQZhyc9Ll_eWCvrxKYBoSSYp_rroFHJxsDjsT-rn9HWJ8/s320/spiced-rum-brands.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />2 oz. white rum</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. dark rum</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. orange juice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. blue pea flower (sold in the tea section)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. lime juice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. orgeat syrup</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Orange wheel, for garnish</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour all the liquid ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for :05. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange wheel, take a sip and go change the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s1089/IMG_4149.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1089" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s320/IMG_4149.jpg" width="320" /></a></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Did anyone's wager hinge on this game? I think not. See you next week. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Wins<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian M., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John L</span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, Cinco, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, Raz, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrne</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span>For what is considered, officially, Week 1 of the college football season, a pretty damn productive weekend for Team Schadenfreude!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That said, I was so hoping to include Colorado getting pasted in this group - Jerrence's Old School sensibilities cannot quite reconcile with Coach Prime's operating model (more on that later) - and I just don't have the heart to get excited about TCU losing. Certainly not in the first week, anyway. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still much to celebrate!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Strange apparition</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Haunting my brain.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>There's some permissions</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Of a dream that got cremated. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OQOxpwTRrG0" width="320" youtube-src-id="OQOxpwTRrG0"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Better luck next year, Clemson / LSU.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Clemson</span></b>. One could argue that having Clemson win would've been in ND's best interest, for strength of schedule purposes and for when we run them off their own field in early November... but this blog isn't for rationale, strategic thought (and if you haven't figiured that out yet, we should talk). So, getting physically manhandled <i>by Duke..</i>. Oh Dabo, you got some esplainin' to do.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: Clemson had six 2nd half drives <i>and never punted or scored.</i> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's not easy to do. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And somewhere DJ Uiagalelei is saying, "Do NOT even be thinking about hanging that offensive shit show on me!"</span></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY50iNtMkpC9wAaTJX8NhOM25IJpx9GeibtsCoLiX89zdILforDDHEHk5i0OPcfeaStkga1oNmzyg6Wvn-OqFXQJ4IxnzfTnRVMiO-TIsXg9sxM1geo8ajDL1bJ0ymrfVu1VExAmN2AfoK_ZIlrcXH13y_sKfY5i_BIulQiL4PiDPmZtMej8jeARlnElpc/s576/dm_151011_ncf_clemsoning_swinney_presser.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="576" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY50iNtMkpC9wAaTJX8NhOM25IJpx9GeibtsCoLiX89zdILforDDHEHk5i0OPcfeaStkga1oNmzyg6Wvn-OqFXQJ4IxnzfTnRVMiO-TIsXg9sxM1geo8ajDL1bJ0ymrfVu1VExAmN2AfoK_ZIlrcXH13y_sKfY5i_BIulQiL4PiDPmZtMej8jeARlnElpc/w400-h225/dm_151011_ncf_clemsoning_swinney_presser.jpeg" width="400" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Nevermind the football game, I once caught a fish THIS big!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>.<br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY60AcmVQauE59SBMiSpExQ1dzBeD7G4DWwddg-tvWwUZD3pVpytH35lt8q5_n_UrL15DSeD4SoXfx3NK51Jh1dXMur-LW5OakgqmqEIIN785GTOzH3POkSoE8PrIypBuSI_AQx8X5Q5UQQR649VyBcFwoNMXQyuz_bXfWDdNAEADHGzVZaEcz3RmPvzYJ/s984/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-06%20at%2011.51.30%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="984" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY60AcmVQauE59SBMiSpExQ1dzBeD7G4DWwddg-tvWwUZD3pVpytH35lt8q5_n_UrL15DSeD4SoXfx3NK51Jh1dXMur-LW5OakgqmqEIIN785GTOzH3POkSoE8PrIypBuSI_AQx8X5Q5UQQR649VyBcFwoNMXQyuz_bXfWDdNAEADHGzVZaEcz3RmPvzYJ/w200-h133/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-06%20at%2011.51.30%20AM.png" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">LSU</span></b>. Is it a surprise that the Tigers lost to FSU? Not especially, the Seminoles were predicted to be pretty good this year. Does it make it any less enjoyable? Not one freaking bit. And the fact that they got rolled... <i>priceless</i>. </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And somewhere Brian Polian is saying, "Do NOT even be thinking about hanging that special teams shit show on me!"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA3u-YiDbsPABznUe2745Z3DeVl3TVzIdMkUDqrWsIDkCbFVmiughDy3zvHO9g_6708-aO_iUxDFKKnc-PnUO60WTl2tAF9hBAMr3BzMa5OZzByxaK6cYOT41xV_Vm06dXdfZ1OpnjTV7ptHN9VJYD9mAsE6YGk2CjdqMyYDbjE9B_jRGVLq1_swGyARP/s1272/IMG_4218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1157" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA3u-YiDbsPABznUe2745Z3DeVl3TVzIdMkUDqrWsIDkCbFVmiughDy3zvHO9g_6708-aO_iUxDFKKnc-PnUO60WTl2tAF9hBAMr3BzMa5OZzByxaK6cYOT41xV_Vm06dXdfZ1OpnjTV7ptHN9VJYD9mAsE6YGk2CjdqMyYDbjE9B_jRGVLq1_swGyARP/w364-h400/IMG_4218.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC! SEC! </span></b> The three marquee Power 5 matchups (Florida vs. Utah, S. Carolina vs. UNC, and of course, LSU) were all losses for the SEC. <u>And none of them were close</u>.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For The Greatest Conference In The Known Universe, not a great start.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm sure some of you will be happy to see that I'm branching out beyond Mr. Mickelson... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don't hold your breath. Like those boys on Brokeback Mountain, I can't quit you, Phil. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But until he pulls another shameless, "Hey look at me! You're not paying enough attention to me!" stunt, I'm going to have to seek my poor decision makers elsewhere.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fortunately, this week, I've got a few.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnSsvgS0Clk93N4FmzqHbzERCeRwEt0aJ-DtLp3JHvwIsU9hCcyFR58L0SvYaQf6UwS5aDFYmXsFMIgz5SNlQoHjCAn_N4VZoghRwZLSj6mf50GLI4Nqf272Jn6xL38Kd9szyEEYTXMOvwtdepV4LT0ykwwnHKGDelddENA1XhhE4Org1ICTmAI6zlqx4/s2040/WKUPN47VA5CE3IHQU3LZSQZYOY.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="2040" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnSsvgS0Clk93N4FmzqHbzERCeRwEt0aJ-DtLp3JHvwIsU9hCcyFR58L0SvYaQf6UwS5aDFYmXsFMIgz5SNlQoHjCAn_N4VZoghRwZLSj6mf50GLI4Nqf272Jn6xL38Kd9szyEEYTXMOvwtdepV4LT0ykwwnHKGDelddENA1XhhE4Org1ICTmAI6zlqx4/s320/WKUPN47VA5CE3IHQU3LZSQZYOY.webp" width="320" /></a></div>1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Coach Prime</span></b>. That Deion Sanders is a pretty good coach is becoming increasingly tough to argue. Equally difficult to debate is that he's achieving this early success without doing anything terribly underhanded. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cold, yes. Illegal, no. Thank you, NCAA, for turning college football into semi-pro ball (and for some athletes, pretty damn lucrative at that) but the guy does seem to be playing by the rules. Such as they are.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No, the bone I have to pick with Sanders is with his post-game rant, where he went on about how <u>a strong black man leading a room of predominantly black men is threatening</u>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, threatening to whom? Unclear. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Second, why make the narrative - after a super impressive win, after all - about race but more specifically, <i>all about you</i>, Deion, and your strong blackness? Seems a missed opportunity to make the win more about, I don't know just spitballin' here... <i>the team</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, I wonder what Marcus Freeman and Eddie George think about that statement. In a sport that's gotta be 75% African American to begin with... they're not talking about themselves. Period. Much less about being threatening. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If your intent was to make the point that there should be more black coaches running D-1 programs - no argument there - perhaps try making the case without it being so Deion-centric.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>The really unfortunate part</u>: "Coach Prime" ain't going away anytime soon. For the media, like Trump, he is their crack cocaine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZqHXt6tOh2S54AJKsj8nsGOQCl4kjLhZE5uCNPJy98GpDpbewZTCU0HJv_PaWZTyHLT_Uuv8m6JMW2IF3AeVKr_8JSNxqERCKQKiGADGD3y08KZpzP7wWHWJUFYV_-nSPxkDkEv22lspNghTNMRCFOjLyPAraERhk6HMHYdKO606tIdadS2tIg13XhH5/s1280/1684182135019.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1280" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZqHXt6tOh2S54AJKsj8nsGOQCl4kjLhZE5uCNPJy98GpDpbewZTCU0HJv_PaWZTyHLT_Uuv8m6JMW2IF3AeVKr_8JSNxqERCKQKiGADGD3y08KZpzP7wWHWJUFYV_-nSPxkDkEv22lspNghTNMRCFOjLyPAraERhk6HMHYdKO606tIdadS2tIg13XhH5/s320/1684182135019.png" width="320" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>NBC</b></span>. Remember the halcyon days when Saturday's on NBC for an ND home game amounted to a little pregame chatter, halftime commentary about what transpired and ultimately, at game's end, seeing the players sing the alma mater (or at least sway to it) with some final comments and a plug for the Sunday night pro game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, seemingly, kiss that tableau good-bye.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">NBC now thinks itself the Big 10 network (even though they actually aren't) with ND being reduced to the warm up act. Last Saturday seemed especially egregious: West Virginia vs. Penn State wasn't exactly Must See TV - and yet every chance they got, it seemed "lets talk about what happened today in the Big 10 and tonight's matchup..."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's no doubt the network paid a boatload to get their foot in the door of that conference and were always going to market the bejesus out it. Still, disrespectful at best. Breach of contract at worst?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlM7vJ2wrej2uL_bBDgKlhb-dRmyOYPSac3n-IKJcgT8-FvkU4sx0zmyH2-h7iJWoUG0SRwwyg3_YbJLTvK1Z133vYX1Dof7c-QzIJ9jx-i2_UUkjWWGOIqRhjSu9aZsGi7TYuxBupzdMsSnMknCoWFEUf4mwRjVEx3p9JCFumlkkBCCvkKCUW5CKxGWJ/s3103/IMG_4239.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="3103" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlM7vJ2wrej2uL_bBDgKlhb-dRmyOYPSac3n-IKJcgT8-FvkU4sx0zmyH2-h7iJWoUG0SRwwyg3_YbJLTvK1Z133vYX1Dof7c-QzIJ9jx-i2_UUkjWWGOIqRhjSu9aZsGi7TYuxBupzdMsSnMknCoWFEUf4mwRjVEx3p9JCFumlkkBCCvkKCUW5CKxGWJ/w371-h287/IMG_4239.HEIC" width="371" /></a></div>3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">NCAA</span></b>. As if one needed yet other reason to call out the world's most incompetent, worthless organization. Here's this week's contribution nonetheless: meet Devontez Walker.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. Walker enrolled at North Carolina in January as a transfer from Kent State - his 2nd such move. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Due to NCAA policies for players who transfer multiple times, Walker had to submit a waiver asking the NCAA to allow him to play right away, which was a decision made to get closer to his family and his ailing grandmother. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">It was viewed as a largely procedural measure in what many felt certain to be a quick approval.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">But no. Two days <i>after</i> Walker transferred, the NCAA tightened the rules - telling no one - and now, leaving the athlete basically <i>fooked</i> as he awaits an appeal.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Somebody give Mr. Walker JT Daniel's phone number.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-vy8DsdbxbD7_UBp8hKQMAjNgAxIAr5ePp7CfIs4Q6Ho09L9g6OpWMc6AOmn0sSkyrjGrhwdkQsRXmG7esZILnSYnyOmmKJroAUfvPbAQvIQsd1uO8kBb_G1g3V-hflghEMXY9R1iQSMDdsW_helm34To6FRls0vfVkhU9TreeN5_UxrIb-Xjg1c4IWC/s1078/great_wall1_custom-03bc082459bce0dc125dd932537a20bfb5245e63-s1600-c85.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1078" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-vy8DsdbxbD7_UBp8hKQMAjNgAxIAr5ePp7CfIs4Q6Ho09L9g6OpWMc6AOmn0sSkyrjGrhwdkQsRXmG7esZILnSYnyOmmKJroAUfvPbAQvIQsd1uO8kBb_G1g3V-hflghEMXY9R1iQSMDdsW_helm34To6FRls0vfVkhU9TreeN5_UxrIb-Xjg1c4IWC/s320/great_wall1_custom-03bc082459bce0dc125dd932537a20bfb5245e63-s1600-c85.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I don't think anyone's gonna notice, do you?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Zheng & Wang</span></b>. No, not the famous Siamese twins - that would be Chang and Eng (and why would we be calling them out 150 years after their passing -- even by my low standards that'd be a long time to carry a perceived grudge.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No, we're talking about two heretofore obscure Chinese construction workers who, looking for a shortcut last month, DESTROYED PART OF THE GREAT WALL by driving heavy machinery through it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oops. How do you say 'irreparable damage' in Mandarin?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">NC State. Not gonna be a lay up. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hartman's history vs. the Wolfpack is not especially good.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gonna be warm and maybe wet (50% chance of rain). ☔️ </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">50.5 over/under with ND giving 7.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;">Weather notwithstanding, I'm taking the Irish and the giving the points, 35-24.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>No I didn't get rich, you son of a bitch</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I'll be back just wait and see</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>'Cause my whole world lies waiting behind door #3</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EHDIr7hrqOM" width="320" youtube-src-id="EHDIr7hrqOM"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-66469785280942209252023-09-01T14:22:00.011-05:002023-09-02T12:15:48.423-05:00Navy: That Worked Out Nicely<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And it seems like...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Yes, it feels like</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>...a brand new day.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ihWZRWu5OI" width="320" youtube-src-id="_ihWZRWu5OI"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Dublin, Ireland</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/s1080/IMG_4206.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_OtTx-6B0X1l58f9Wjo2weMPJX-il2sFW_Fo7T7QXnE3e95CqdEf4FwetPyeAcIZhLhxgTrRcW11eEGK4UCNyMnKywTOAlhLKqZRR4j07xYROfqflxyftinYFm6SaIiQPaJCjRl5HsM-IZDSnRKGlbkIWGYrKtdSlhOQRbFjBW0t4woTLOcJxq4vAuMa/w231-h231/IMG_4206.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>The operative word above would be <i>'seems.' </i> Watching Saturday's game - and when has an ND opener ever gone almost exactly like you'd hope - one can't help but be a little excited about the prospects for the 2023 edition of the football team.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dublin looked like a super fun time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while this blog doesn't venture into the realm of objective analysis (hey, rationale thought is not 'on brand' for Jerrence and anyway, where's the fun in that?!) one should still probably caution too much of an over-reaction.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the words of Harvey Keitel's character, The Wolf, in Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction"... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj886on9a0SyFxofNsh0y5QcIOLtV7U6XP1C7MGeQlEQjq8_nWwHgZsiFEH9c8eox3KNSx-8-p76CXLuXEhcJrnMeh7u8PAm1S1nwCUFPvs2gr_ZewS0HOEI70InPqAT3H304mW2sKXv9dFdqBFOSKf4_OTjVuIKSmzcANWw04bbS3bbTy20EopsKcM2cc9/s2400/mrwolf-cx2-ring.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="2400" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj886on9a0SyFxofNsh0y5QcIOLtV7U6XP1C7MGeQlEQjq8_nWwHgZsiFEH9c8eox3KNSx-8-p76CXLuXEhcJrnMeh7u8PAm1S1nwCUFPvs2gr_ZewS0HOEI70InPqAT3H304mW2sKXv9dFdqBFOSKf4_OTjVuIKSmzcANWw04bbS3bbTy20EopsKcM2cc9/w640-h270/mrwolf-cx2-ring.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"Let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet..."</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Probably not how I might have worded it if I'd been watching the Navy game with friends and family. Yet, the point is Keitel's character, a gangster's ultimate fixer, knew the job wasn't yet finished for Vincent and Jules. The same holds true for ND football 2023, however optimistic one might feel after Game 1.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lest we forget, Marshall was just a year ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88CGtSvni2ewj4U_gBhpvkWH4wz-xiPpwT7hrnDY2cgcGiQinL8QI-8gYpqkWBMe57pPx19oRmEo4TkgPEieFnnoUbwhDrQx2kG95AKxwtcTPlcj_P3wKRD0EqW528E5URS3qxr8x02c0pbliqWkwNS4W6Gj14nE4AroxM0Uh2oIQjJXYmOzU7jR6WaYU/s1013/Quote%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1007" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88CGtSvni2ewj4U_gBhpvkWH4wz-xiPpwT7hrnDY2cgcGiQinL8QI-8gYpqkWBMe57pPx19oRmEo4TkgPEieFnnoUbwhDrQx2kG95AKxwtcTPlcj_P3wKRD0EqW528E5URS3qxr8x02c0pbliqWkwNS4W6Gj14nE4AroxM0Uh2oIQjJXYmOzU7jR6WaYU/s320/Quote%201.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>ND Nation loves to heap tons of scorn on virtually anyone (everyone) who handles play-by-play / color commentary for any of the games... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Begging the question, who might actually live up the mob's lofty ideals - John Madden? Al Michaels? Lindsay Nelson? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Frankly, I don't get it. More accurately, I just don't care that much. Sure, I pick up on when the announcers don't seem to do their homework (butchering a name or a background 'fun fact') but otherwise, this whole "oooh, they all hate ND vibe" that they seem to incessantly bitch about? Ridiculous. And intellectually lazy. What do they want, the equivalent of Soviet state TV ("Everything excellent, comrade!")</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Present company excluded, my lack of regard for that group simply cannot be underestimated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In any event, the aforementioned quote of Jason Garrett - who, granted, would not be nominated as the life of <i>any</i> party - is objectively funny. And from what I've heard, wholly accurate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div>Well done, Jason.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v9wIIkMLrc32K-81OosrHZuNKUDjcT4QyI6FE3lW5VJj_BrYqEKt1EmZL7tB9qZsaeOjnpDt6C0iUhc476YnBcJo1U2liys_qTROYdWotWJ2fou9VXA9M8beKOjJ_NvQab31ZuGGTTK8gmTtwuih0oajh47SLW_rCFw82yVf3-tWY0wAmWUWIPnL2ILK/s896/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-31%20at%2011.54.29%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="896" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v9wIIkMLrc32K-81OosrHZuNKUDjcT4QyI6FE3lW5VJj_BrYqEKt1EmZL7tB9qZsaeOjnpDt6C0iUhc476YnBcJo1U2liys_qTROYdWotWJ2fou9VXA9M8beKOjJ_NvQab31ZuGGTTK8gmTtwuih0oajh47SLW_rCFw82yVf3-tWY0wAmWUWIPnL2ILK/w140-h123/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-31%20at%2011.54.29%20AM.png" width="140" /></a> Speaking of Mr. Fortuna... friend of the blog and occasional dinner companion for a select few of us thanks to B. Gruley, Esq... he has left The Athletic - their loss - and can now be found with his own subscription service <a href="https://www.insidezonemf.com/">here</a>. (Totally worth it.)</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'd also highly encourage you to check out the weekly podcast he still co-hosts with Pete Sampson, now found <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notre-dame-week-1-preview-plus-joe-montana-from-dublin/id1703506844?i=1000626171187">here</a> (and free via Apple podcasts).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVfSOSvyVd1YhRBbm8FVJOpCqCbfY64lH667uA6lwLcSIcBPP1eNhx1X--ROjzSevDiZR7EhE6fP5SaNriIE6E0If2Y7FB8BVAe7gC9AhrAHjy8Xq1Co7HLmianayK2DYqHtmyMlGMbiyye4YiRNgYWE5PXRgyQzwBoVZBPWBOvvwfaIipAilo_H-yDoL/s626/626x0w.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="626" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVfSOSvyVd1YhRBbm8FVJOpCqCbfY64lH667uA6lwLcSIcBPP1eNhx1X--ROjzSevDiZR7EhE6fP5SaNriIE6E0If2Y7FB8BVAe7gC9AhrAHjy8Xq1Co7HLmianayK2DYqHtmyMlGMbiyye4YiRNgYWE5PXRgyQzwBoVZBPWBOvvwfaIipAilo_H-yDoL/w165-h165/626x0w.webp" width="165" /></a></div>This past week they have a very interesting interview with Joe Montana (where Joe alludes to a (now apparently resolved) estrangement with ND, due to falling out with an unnamed someone at the school who's no longer there). Hmmm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I digress. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, did you know Jerry Rice has a son on USC's team? So expect to hear sightings of him on campus, come October 14th.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oops, another digression. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The point is, if you want some ND /college football insight of an exponentially higher quality than this drivel, check those out. </div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-style: normal;" /></div></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygvRyA0b8uswUjTmyftA6f0TbUIuNk1_ZiJpQY9HluU2FhSdjKEtuMqoyUu_NDfT9vVrYopnrocLy1l6ibgIivrzpoAgbGSn8ngrYa0vWXXxLCo1ZxWAYDII4MO1GSZH53HmoviQ-f8tisJTHrRUNXC9tUINA5urqUx0qrjAGKp8m80AN3OC3pOIYuWx-/s1134/Stendahl%20syndrome.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1134" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygvRyA0b8uswUjTmyftA6f0TbUIuNk1_ZiJpQY9HluU2FhSdjKEtuMqoyUu_NDfT9vVrYopnrocLy1l6ibgIivrzpoAgbGSn8ngrYa0vWXXxLCo1ZxWAYDII4MO1GSZH53HmoviQ-f8tisJTHrRUNXC9tUINA5urqUx0qrjAGKp8m80AN3OC3pOIYuWx-/s320/Stendahl%20syndrome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: </span>Perhaps it was due to Jerrence having just finished an awesome book, "The Art Thief, " about a 20-something Frenchman who, over the course of six years or so, stole <b>$2 BILLION</b> worth of rare art and antiquities - mostly by just sticking it under his coat or in a backpack and walking out...</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">But Jerrence had never heard of the <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Stendahl Syndrome</span></i> before - though he felt sure he was experiencing it now.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The lightheadedness. The confusion. What most assurdely had to be profound (if hugely pleasurable) hallucinations.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It had to be the result of seeing an extraordinary - and undeniably rare - piece of art: Notre Dame's offense and defense operating with consistent efficiency and confidence, even swagger.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then again, it might've just been the cocktails. Once Jerrence realized it was 7pm in Dublin, it was 'go' time and he had to start researching this year's optimal elixir.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Week 1 Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>All aboard for fun time!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NIUZjSIXmyg" width="320" youtube-src-id="NIUZjSIXmyg"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is gonna be an entertaining season.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">As long as Sam Hartman stays healthy. </span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other immediate observations...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ4JzkxZ-5xTib6z0fpiDOdKHznopmqeIuWn03QEer_KTAHP3-ArELIclm51erUVunaMHuF5ti4CCzXW0Mt8zXLYBLNCkrXvK8hIL13ckFXG9e6tVzSUdEx9ZBLgeAhrgLygH1c0HXtptGvwuYVDKw4QbYUpEvebGu6QkJxEsnyp8veEuXe5fZfMoNoCP/s2560/Onye.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ4JzkxZ-5xTib6z0fpiDOdKHznopmqeIuWn03QEer_KTAHP3-ArELIclm51erUVunaMHuF5ti4CCzXW0Mt8zXLYBLNCkrXvK8hIL13ckFXG9e6tVzSUdEx9ZBLgeAhrgLygH1c0HXtptGvwuYVDKw4QbYUpEvebGu6QkJxEsnyp8veEuXe5fZfMoNoCP/s320/Onye.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>1. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Early concerns</b></span></span>. Here's what the consensus 'experts' seem to see as ND's question marks going into this season:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">New QB. <i>Check</i>. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">New Offensive Coordinator. <i>Check</i>. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Minimal WR experience. <i>Check</i>. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">New'ish DL. <i>Check</i>. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Average LB athleticism. <i>Check</i>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Killer instinct? <i>Check</i>.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Looking good, Billy-Ray! </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIUXBGyMDyAjAeG9RvezHESsbGHstmJGZm-jDWwe0EuK2mx76ya0CUfKAPIE3EQpCxzvVdoFnX3N-h9G7w7kOkljdptAGf8dpsPYJirLVTTGP2AlczVpny6ZzrsAN-VzXIjUJw-2RXHje2FzSW6PHFjCBAPr2Qq97t7tMxldveouf1fxV3UpRYa5jRL7/s220/cheers-feel-good.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="220" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIUXBGyMDyAjAeG9RvezHESsbGHstmJGZm-jDWwe0EuK2mx76ya0CUfKAPIE3EQpCxzvVdoFnX3N-h9G7w7kOkljdptAGf8dpsPYJirLVTTGP2AlczVpny6ZzrsAN-VzXIjUJw-2RXHje2FzSW6PHFjCBAPr2Qq97t7tMxldveouf1fxV3UpRYa5jRL7/w320-h180/cheers-feel-good.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDTA6sHdkOGPrqqXuIFPKUUa2gEe7tmaV9Ytf2SyMMtTjpOaVi6uXkPpqlnj4WFhXa8lgBmGzTXjlLIIdD3N0lKiJ3qxBfm2BOKrTazjylmmZi91bcTx_XAsAqoVj30Wk7PRQsuS2GUddDG4bLlIVFMsqLrGn70sYQLLbqStGxiWgkLRUhg8YziXhgk6S/s225/images.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="225" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDTA6sHdkOGPrqqXuIFPKUUa2gEe7tmaV9Ytf2SyMMtTjpOaVi6uXkPpqlnj4WFhXa8lgBmGzTXjlLIIdD3N0lKiJ3qxBfm2BOKrTazjylmmZi91bcTx_XAsAqoVj30Wk7PRQsuS2GUddDG4bLlIVFMsqLrGn70sYQLLbqStGxiWgkLRUhg8YziXhgk6S/w127-h126/images.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>2. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Penalty</span></b>. As in one. Singular. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And zero false starts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Huh? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWNdsl-8wnp2i9ajyDOgTp7YTsXV67vLohBKiA5KyoM9DVtqFznkkuG6cF_8OvfOTyonyI-UumX46mY617Y1kyNoOmB3WQnzUImn6K3XNcTjsZ6IzNfV1MPFtgnDCE1mgCvm7nn9C4AgbHbXYLhQ3TEar3YXYuZl_ZpcIi3jUJy0afgUbHGw7-nTrsuym/s2560/Estime.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWNdsl-8wnp2i9ajyDOgTp7YTsXV67vLohBKiA5KyoM9DVtqFznkkuG6cF_8OvfOTyonyI-UumX46mY617Y1kyNoOmB3WQnzUImn6K3XNcTjsZ6IzNfV1MPFtgnDCE1mgCvm7nn9C4AgbHbXYLhQ3TEar3YXYuZl_ZpcIi3jUJy0afgUbHGw7-nTrsuym/w368-h207/Estime.jpeg" width="368" /></a></div>3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">5 Headed Monster.</span></b> One of the on-going recent mysteries for me has been this: with the ridiculously high profile of ND's program, how can they not attract the elite athletes at those similarly high profile positions (e.g., QB, RB, WR)?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That tide seems to be turning - watch what happens if the Hartman buzz actually turns into Heisman chatter - but never more so obviously than the ridiculous depth at RB. While Estime remains a cut above, the next four (especially Price and Love) look super impressive.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And a word about accountability: no doubt aided by the luxury of depth at the position, did one notice that after Estime fumbled, he sat (I think) for the rest of the half. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That'll make an impression.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Youth served.</span></b> One of the interesting subplots is the growth from Year 1 => Year 2 for both Freeman and the players. Truly Marcus's program now, and seemingly prioritizing <u>talent over experience</u>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFlbN8SB2T6bBIlhvujftg4_k3zMmUl_gFxegw4M2cYETYYfdZ0rxzxqhgqNL2SIsaa0b1IeyeI4DU35plVHlpGgnBWfYdCqSk6c4JQf7BiitsWfg5tzWyJQuct90N9KHfpdJe_pQOwLsWSNu0wltBAu7WJ26mpXwMIDq9QABcKUaMjkx5CJaCAIs3vc-/s1238/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2012.38.45%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1238" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFlbN8SB2T6bBIlhvujftg4_k3zMmUl_gFxegw4M2cYETYYfdZ0rxzxqhgqNL2SIsaa0b1IeyeI4DU35plVHlpGgnBWfYdCqSk6c4JQf7BiitsWfg5tzWyJQuct90N9KHfpdJe_pQOwLsWSNu0wltBAu7WJ26mpXwMIDq9QABcKUaMjkx5CJaCAIs3vc-/w455-h322/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2012.38.45%20PM.png" width="455" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Cynically, I would also add this</u>: if the high potential youth aren't seeing the field, or at least a path to playing time (e.g., part-time this year, starter next), <i>they're not gonna stay</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySSgW9fgW4150QbeUqxAZelK5QNCJlkMB7HDzC4cHVxlFLSttUMQbtf6h3Xm1Je2V-x85eUovUpgWadTtlgX8C9EnU7_3ay6s8D-nNBTNGZoCzaCfQ0pbXLQsvr4eLPLV8_IHmiJrrWS68tsqzm2rddbdNKrV5JqngGxQUhARWHxPOItMUv66XnbdqDHW/s3224/KAC_Rudy's%20(8.24.23).HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3224" data-original-width="2836" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySSgW9fgW4150QbeUqxAZelK5QNCJlkMB7HDzC4cHVxlFLSttUMQbtf6h3Xm1Je2V-x85eUovUpgWadTtlgX8C9EnU7_3ay6s8D-nNBTNGZoCzaCfQ0pbXLQsvr4eLPLV8_IHmiJrrWS68tsqzm2rddbdNKrV5JqngGxQUhARWHxPOItMUv66XnbdqDHW/w176-h200/KAC_Rudy's%20(8.24.23).HEIC" width="176" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Meanwhile, Back In Iowa. </b></span> 98 year old Kay Corrigan is still watching every game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Live. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In real time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">None of this "I'll record the game and if they win..." nonsense.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bravo, mom.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Savvy Jack</b></span> One wonders if, as Mr. Swarbrick moves ever closer to lame duck territory, his "I don't give two f*cks" attitude becomes more pronounced. You go, girl! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWCFlC8l362T25DTaN9GBPHBTtyt_--UEWrei1BE0YpP-vBcmuRII_TIudxofBz2nPf0OOvh_F0hCto0ISgdw4NMCxvG79hs-CigagGPsFonRNfUUw3rVIydMofM7opzQMRg95kCRUkpW8_IXu5uNFugE6WaWMHBh6jJryrQO0ybRMFc4S8OAfhRv0sD8/s1170/Quote%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1170" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWCFlC8l362T25DTaN9GBPHBTtyt_--UEWrei1BE0YpP-vBcmuRII_TIudxofBz2nPf0OOvh_F0hCto0ISgdw4NMCxvG79hs-CigagGPsFonRNfUUw3rVIydMofM7opzQMRg95kCRUkpW8_IXu5uNFugE6WaWMHBh6jJryrQO0ybRMFc4S8OAfhRv0sD8/w400-h356/Quote%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD7BGPyUJg5qQGVoZ5uDg50di-FAVedjyStHzoarUOz9VZG-R5c32NIl2IwMSpFJ40h33efJF9Z87IlETTlNOqdnKCLJgWWoMWyxa3VYcZ7l0PUtF0gcoM_4GcpyzQT9zBXC5ESmi8JPkSqSUX7As7soNN_cqWmi8ab4EYyeuin2LATgapQ97H1RdKmo-/s2560/Greathouse.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD7BGPyUJg5qQGVoZ5uDg50di-FAVedjyStHzoarUOz9VZG-R5c32NIl2IwMSpFJ40h33efJF9Z87IlETTlNOqdnKCLJgWWoMWyxa3VYcZ7l0PUtF0gcoM_4GcpyzQT9zBXC5ESmi8JPkSqSUX7As7soNN_cqWmi8ab4EYyeuin2LATgapQ97H1RdKmo-/s320/Greathouse.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Navy.</span></b> One would be remiss if one didn't point out the respect we all have for the Navy program. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beating them every year continues to trigger my catholic self-loathing: they never match ND in quality of athlete, of course we should beat them - c<i>rush them </i>more times than not. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Where's the satisfaction in that?</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As fans and, I suppose the team, goes on to worry about - checks schedule - Tennessee State... Navy goes back to worry about which war-torn theatre of the world they're training to ultimately be deployed to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This series remains deeply conflicting for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTz1VbLmHE6tlLoOiE47tLgLqfbBrTqo--VEck0vHSagni6GrjDFqaKVrLnbYcvlW0mNMO7eCXk_IJ8AAZmXFH7OwXk-aIBTZ8fDaoK1Z6dOO92aE-s6e-xnpz1IA_ggOE56HZr8AzhwxYUw8ZytLZ0riICPAKpurCckIkUDGPPnZBIFEBMjbXZgwqaZB/s660/kz2m9kchuknkjbtecpmf.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="660" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTz1VbLmHE6tlLoOiE47tLgLqfbBrTqo--VEck0vHSagni6GrjDFqaKVrLnbYcvlW0mNMO7eCXk_IJ8AAZmXFH7OwXk-aIBTZ8fDaoK1Z6dOO92aE-s6e-xnpz1IA_ggOE56HZr8AzhwxYUw8ZytLZ0riICPAKpurCckIkUDGPPnZBIFEBMjbXZgwqaZB/w243-h182/kz2m9kchuknkjbtecpmf.webp" width="243" /></a></div>8. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Hair.</span></b> Recognizing that for most of this readership, hair is something of long forgotten, historical artifact... can we just, for one moment, revel in the majesty that is Sam Hartman's hair?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's glorious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And with a beard of the magnitude we haven't witnessed since Cincotta's COVID-era homage to Che Guevara. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What a combination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Long, beautiful hair...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Shining, gleaming, streaming</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Flaxen, waxen</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x3qhle8Oy9s" width="320" youtube-src-id="x3qhle8Oy9s"></iframe></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">First week out of the gate and already several worthy candidates to be Buddy's bud:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Drs. Spittler & Cincotta</b>, who may have saved Jerrence's back - literally - by showing him several valuable stretching exercises. As Kay Corrigan loves to tell her sons, "Getting old isn't for sissies..." True dat, mom. And thanks guys.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">How about <b>Viktor Hovland</b>, the pride of Norway who just won the PGA's Fedex Championship (and a cool $18M). Looks like he's about 12 years old - none of that revenue having to go towards shaving products - and with a perpetual smile on his face. While not alone on the tour in this regard, just an easy fellow to root for. Bravo, Vik.</span></li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeiGS1fyT2RQVbfXjueQdeAMNyoYAXnJrD2ZuXRZ-kslMSa77_K9uXZLnqDULzSKU9Z-mh2bTmvS0GuuYHkj9kTVX8_jNlG1fXZsxZBPv_NGOO04OY0BwNUCloN52NBd5phdprh0FRhPmPi1Ywl6PGoRCsoX5uuIcD9AjLYWfUw5SK2fvoxVoobS_erQN/s2560/Hartman.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeiGS1fyT2RQVbfXjueQdeAMNyoYAXnJrD2ZuXRZ-kslMSa77_K9uXZLnqDULzSKU9Z-mh2bTmvS0GuuYHkj9kTVX8_jNlG1fXZsxZBPv_NGOO04OY0BwNUCloN52NBd5phdprh0FRhPmPi1Ywl6PGoRCsoX5uuIcD9AjLYWfUw5SK2fvoxVoobS_erQN/s320/Hartman.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But no, this week's winner is the latest example of Occam's Razor - the easiest, most obvious solution is probably the correct one.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So let's give it up for <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Sam Hartman</b></span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If nothing else of legitimate consequence can be taken from last week's game, this conclusion is pretty clear: <u>ND has themselves a stud at QB</u>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I have no issue with him being The Buddy every week of the season. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In keeping with all of the hot takes and / or over-reactions to <u>one game versus a legitimately awful, ovder-matched team</u>, let us mine the depths of someone - Mr. Sampson - who's got a far more solid base of football intellect to answer that most pressing of the fanbase's questions:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Should our estimation of Notre Dame's potential this year be raised?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">A lot has been made about the Hartman debut and what it means for Notre Dame’s outlook this season. Would it be more appropriate, from your perspective, to say that seeing the offensive operation against Navy changed your opinion on: A) ND’s ceiling for the season; B) ND’s floor for the season; C) Both; D) Neither. For me, I don’t know that it necessarily changes the ceiling, as I still think it’s probably 11-1. But I do feel better about ND’s potential in actually reaching that ceiling, and feel the the floor now is probably more 9-3 than it is 8-4. – Ryan S.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s a good way to look at it. The floor got raised. The ceiling? I’m not so sure.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Basically, I left Dublin thinking Notre Dame was more likely to sweep its nine opponents outside of Ohio State, USC and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="165" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clemson</a>. Hartman makes Notre Dame more upset-resistant. Does that make the Irish more likely to get a marquee win? Notre Dame feels positioned to get at least one of its three big games, which means a 10-2 season. Going higher than that? That’s going to take more than Hartman.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s revisit this after NC State to pick apart Notre Dame’s supporting cast. Hartman is good. But carrying the Irish to an 11-1 season takes more than a quarterback.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 1, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>8/26 (<i>Navy game</i>): Jerrence beta tests Brandy Old Fashions on himself - success.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>8/31 (<i>Brandi Carlile concert at Ravinia</i>): Jerrence executes the aforemention cocktail for <i>il nostro patrono</i> Ray Volk - success!</li><ul><ul><ul><ul><li> Defarge makes a Brandy Alexander pie (yum). </li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul>Sensing a theme? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Howards Blend</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Howards End (1910)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>by E.M. Forster</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M_ZhNygU4gJa23um12IMUV5YIb3sJHlIh4SC_fMjg927uod1Z4PAesbQ1qIZgQGPYi-ANecKNstwYvmK4qRaC1kSUSFOOMku_uN-I_Kzu1ZDCV_-TAiw3lsUVCDU1eb2NQJmYziCqra_TmFpaehdCLHw3a5fZTP7TyzwQX9JVMR6gAncqZm6mDxs39D5/s1280/maxresdefault.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4M_ZhNygU4gJa23um12IMUV5YIb3sJHlIh4SC_fMjg927uod1Z4PAesbQ1qIZgQGPYi-ANecKNstwYvmK4qRaC1kSUSFOOMku_uN-I_Kzu1ZDCV_-TAiw3lsUVCDU1eb2NQJmYziCqra_TmFpaehdCLHw3a5fZTP7TyzwQX9JVMR6gAncqZm6mDxs39D5/s320/maxresdefault.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Sad that the writer of "Only connect" - <i>Howards End's</i> epigraph - had such a tortured time doing so himself. Edward Morgan (E.M.) Forster, the long-closeted novelist of the literary masterpiece <i>A Room With A View</i> and <i>A Passage to India</i> (the last book he'd write for 50 years, until his death), imagined three distinct families in <i>Howards End</i>, an English estate at the center of class tensions, inheritance resentments amd the rare death-by-falling-bookcase. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here, we blend the three distinct flavors of the vintage "Janet Howard" cocktail, for a posh but pronto drink,. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This'll have you connecting in no time - with other people, God willing, not toppled furniture.</div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7TfM3yUmS-Y_dmRvXDFP762iMBfVVc1wcul5e3hkutarqFkQFmLSm0Z277J5RDgfGmAZb2fgbOMNt1u7bhKrL2x_N-MwV6hWdpEZOp8ft8NH1EATMs6ckziXVx_bjMOUkiT-FowPtV2bgFUFq1HBkoW4HSj-t1EDsTTcR1y-CfQOGFuQR6-D7fPGBi3x/s1200/Best-Brandy-Brands-1-.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7TfM3yUmS-Y_dmRvXDFP762iMBfVVc1wcul5e3hkutarqFkQFmLSm0Z277J5RDgfGmAZb2fgbOMNt1u7bhKrL2x_N-MwV6hWdpEZOp8ft8NH1EATMs6ckziXVx_bjMOUkiT-FowPtV2bgFUFq1HBkoW4HSj-t1EDsTTcR1y-CfQOGFuQR6-D7fPGBi3x/w256-h193/Best-Brandy-Brands-1-.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div>2 oz. brandy</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1/2 oz. orgest syrup</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 dashes Angostura bitters</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A perfect drink for the day you receive word your wealthiest relative has finally <strike>kicked the bucket</strike> shuffled off this mortal coil. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass - and gather the bravery to ask if you were left anything in the will.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with With a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s1089/IMG_4149.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1089" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s320/IMG_4149.jpg" width="320" /></a></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A weird quirk of the schedule that may only interest me: <u>the season will be half over by October 1st</u>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One week in, everyone's a winner! A couple fast reactions to this year's distribution of predictions:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) PLEASE check to see that I've recorded your prediction accurately. (Or if I missed you entirely.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) I'm always intrigued by the assumptions people make in getting to their number - does it come down, solely, to the three big games and how you think we'll do? 2-1, 1-2? Did one also factor in a shoot-yourself-in-the-foot loss as well? Possibly, did one just crack a bottle of 18 year Speyside single malt and suddenly get <i>reeeaaalllll </i>optimistic (looking at you Team 12 wins).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Wins<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian M., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John L</span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Daryl</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ray</span><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, Cinco, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, Raz, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>, Mike B.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G., George</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrnes</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTAdInvIs0i7xtLY042gYvedWduECrApm-SadzLMFtNq2paqpGNeKTWzt4OLxFKxwwUEuma2ibgcNWT5WPdeZn02ge3Bx-d-Cjb251eKfWg5NERLwq9z54KrelW5k3DLgTActaYsmsMjREP8EpFWtleyNjHh_AgA-jcQRxql7SnGHqmgq5Mdai9jiNjEa/s1067/Sports-Illustrated-Cover.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTAdInvIs0i7xtLY042gYvedWduECrApm-SadzLMFtNq2paqpGNeKTWzt4OLxFKxwwUEuma2ibgcNWT5WPdeZn02ge3Bx-d-Cjb251eKfWg5NERLwq9z54KrelW5k3DLgTActaYsmsMjREP8EpFWtleyNjHh_AgA-jcQRxql7SnGHqmgq5Mdai9jiNjEa/w150-h200/Sports-Illustrated-Cover.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span>This being, technically, Week 0 in the college football season it wasn't as if there was a lot of options to choose from - any team of any significance was playing a decided underdog of such magnitude that it'd have to be a 2007 / pre-transfer portal <span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan - Appalachian St.</span> type upset that one could revel in, basically forever.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Such as I am doing right now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, The Big Upset didn't happen but... challenge accepted nonetheless.<br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Hawaii</span></b>. You might push back, "hasn't that state suffered enough lately?" and that would be a fair criticism. This recognition has more to do with Vanderbilt winning the game, for the sake of their coach, ex-ND defensive coordinator, Clark Lea. As the school that seems to be single-handedly propping up the SEC's academic reputation, Vandy (and coach Lea) need all the wins they can get.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Florida</span></b>. Loses to Utah by 13. With all due respect to the Utes who looks to be a genuinely quality team (just ask USC), isn't the SEC supposed to be above losing to any non-conference opponent?</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rare are the weeks when one can put together such an eclectic group of dopes as this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some familiar candidates, others likely (for their sakes) to be merely one off's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It does bode well for the season that idiocy never seems to go out of vogue. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Huzzah!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Phil Mickelson</b></span>. Surprised to see Mr. Mickelson here again? You shouldn't be. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrmeCrmGao8ZZGAVO4Wszf15Gq-QRnbQuD6YehU-OdTQtOjrZpAq4tXEvDpISEnQ75iq6201XEog1MX1Dw54Q5WpjzQ5tYr5gz8sghinKcfd8kw01qesnuGmTiW_IQxqjQG7MzmaSkpiKYiCSB4URsM75sORYP2gB7Dbqt4rpkHIMdlgG7sTuT48XjoI-/s1118/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-31%20at%2011.04.25%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1076" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrmeCrmGao8ZZGAVO4Wszf15Gq-QRnbQuD6YehU-OdTQtOjrZpAq4tXEvDpISEnQ75iq6201XEog1MX1Dw54Q5WpjzQ5tYr5gz8sghinKcfd8kw01qesnuGmTiW_IQxqjQG7MzmaSkpiKYiCSB4URsM75sORYP2gB7Dbqt4rpkHIMdlgG7sTuT48XjoI-/w265-h275/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-31%20at%2011.04.25%20AM.png" width="265" /></a></div>If ever the phrase, "Just stop talking" rightfully applies to anyone, it's Phil these days. His latest gaffe? Admitting to stealing signage off the practice range at Augusta at the 2005 Masters - just so he could continue to practice a specific drill he liked. And stealing it more than once.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now one may say, 'lighten up, Francis, it was only a sign.' Fair. I would counter with a) I can't imagine the Augusta National leadership is that casual about guests screwing with any of their rules, no matter how trivial and b) there's something pathological about someone thinking the rules don't apply to them - especially at a place like Augusta where, urban legend has it, he's crossed the line with management before.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then, bragging about it 16 years later. Does he think there's a statute of limitations on the act?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I say this in the nicest possible way, Phil: <u>seek professional help</u>. And I mean beyond your gambling addiction. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sgTutYoK1yOq2TuV3odJ_XZfQQBbGSMPeq4q7kDDjI99ox-U4t1tV_x16Igg9blj5Z11d868Y1rzxHGOdAtevex21_N4EMqQWXgKMNOjrvPUhhdMWpQxvRkkp7qxsbBVQvJX-nP_8N5w2IrJtNyePQJ5G1lB7rulmZN3kA91I6fHH70LbAvy6shBc7qW/s1892/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-28%20at%2010.41.02%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1892" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sgTutYoK1yOq2TuV3odJ_XZfQQBbGSMPeq4q7kDDjI99ox-U4t1tV_x16Igg9blj5Z11d868Y1rzxHGOdAtevex21_N4EMqQWXgKMNOjrvPUhhdMWpQxvRkkp7qxsbBVQvJX-nP_8N5w2IrJtNyePQJ5G1lB7rulmZN3kA91I6fHH70LbAvy6shBc7qW/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-28%20at%2010.41.02%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Luis Rubiales</b></span>. Over last weekend, the FIFA suspended Mr. Rubiales, president of Spain's soccer federation for 90 days, after he planted an unwanted kiss on the country's star player post-their World Cup championship victory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apparently that's frowned upon, even in southern European culture. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is no truth to the rumors that his defense of the act amounted to a "Hey, she's hot and I am Spanish, I could not help myself..." and "What's the big deal anyway, there was no tongue."</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>I hope you know that this </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Will</span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> go down on your permanent record...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/frBWvyE_N9I" width="320" youtube-src-id="frBWvyE_N9I"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fEdIRVzrF9o7d33dU52L4qd-eF6Ud8psZJam6ijLkUmgWrbi5u0gtUcecJxvOyckyM1uUuJ6D1jl3vNd3kmPvgwJ6ox6trwkn2eHxuD2jRPa6lDH-bohWZI7d6sl2MeYye3LdKSp4tuJVADeANKjHnYdnBrICqBfJc0LZXLjHzzeg8KS1QT-BAhHdCLO/s760/230824-russia-prigozhin-mb-1020-1ff1d4.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fEdIRVzrF9o7d33dU52L4qd-eF6Ud8psZJam6ijLkUmgWrbi5u0gtUcecJxvOyckyM1uUuJ6D1jl3vNd3kmPvgwJ6ox6trwkn2eHxuD2jRPa6lDH-bohWZI7d6sl2MeYye3LdKSp4tuJVADeANKjHnYdnBrICqBfJc0LZXLjHzzeg8KS1QT-BAhHdCLO/s320/230824-russia-prigozhin-mb-1020-1ff1d4.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Yevgeny Prigozhin</b></span>. Perhaps the first posthumous tool recipient! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yevgeny is only the latest data point of Putin's "Fuck around and find out" business model. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u style="text-align: left;"><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u style="text-align: left;">Note to self</u><span style="text-align: left;">: when planning a revolution against an amoral psychopathic despot, DO NOT, whatever you do, bail halfway through it.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>ND Nation</b></span>. The only thing worse than reading ND message boards after a loss is reading them after a win. Apparently, unless one plays a quantifiably flawless game, even a 42-3 victory is grounds for bitching. Among the perceived crimes:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Did you see that one pass that Hartman threw? An easy throw and he totally blew it...</li><li>That game was a 'false positive' - it proved nothing!</li><li>Our kicking game is going to cost us! (Note: it was one kick and we <i>never</i> punted.)</li><li>Tobias Merriweather - he's a bust!</li><li>Hartman's beard far exceeds team's grooming guidelines (<i>okay, I made that one up</i>.)</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;">Q. Can they not enjoy that performance for even...<i> a day?! </i>What sad, pathetic people they are.</div></span></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How does a near perfect tailgate raise its game? I submit Eggo's brunch in a bottle: </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"In partnership with Appalachian Sippin' Cream, the delicious flavor of toasty Eggo waffles drizzled in syrup, the 40 proof Brunch In A Jar is the perfect addition to any morning..."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who says Innovation is dead?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_tmh32G6t4L96Kas1x_x3AmyJyWHP5OoQaDXQS5gzO-CC7yF7ZCRBSLV1OUkQ29UTq7GMYwoK1t7n0iIx9K9dDD_GLmpwj3cDZwF_69M1INNuFREuTfOD4ZSvqrU1kpttb_oCPHoRM2_SxN4rUVaZGt_hAMX09io_jlRbnGBMeVNTYGknXWnePcjK2rU/s1536/Eggo-BIAJ_Mason-jar-Coupe-1536x864.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1536" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_tmh32G6t4L96Kas1x_x3AmyJyWHP5OoQaDXQS5gzO-CC7yF7ZCRBSLV1OUkQ29UTq7GMYwoK1t7n0iIx9K9dDD_GLmpwj3cDZwF_69M1INNuFREuTfOD4ZSvqrU1kpttb_oCPHoRM2_SxN4rUVaZGt_hAMX09io_jlRbnGBMeVNTYGknXWnePcjK2rU/w400-h225/Eggo-BIAJ_Mason-jar-Coupe-1536x864.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(And yes, Master Behren's bloodies already have so many food groups in it that one could reasonably argue, 'we already have this covered.' But</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> remember variety <i>is</i> the spice of life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-91277285342802189562023-08-14T19:27:00.015-05:002023-08-26T10:26:49.651-05:00August '23: Houston, We Are Go For Launch<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>And I'm searching for a rainbow</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><i>And if the wind ever shows me where to go...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xKvkZnF1MY" width="320" youtube-src-id="-xKvkZnF1MY"></iframe></div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: West Harwich, MA</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the initial stage of retirement, Jerrence found himself concentrating his energies into travel, like some kind of arthritic Frankenstein: part Thelma & Louise, part Jack Kerouac, part Weary Traveler - that insipid little Hummel figurine that our mom so loved and actually I just found out if they're rare can still be worth some serious coin I hope we didn't throw out the collection in any of her moves note to self check next time you're in Iowa we don't want this to be another lost revenue opportunity like Tim and his baseball figurines even the ones with missing limbs I think he lost out on a substantial sale bummer for him...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>But I digress.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDTr-omlIsueqwJ-xB0iyU8MZ1MN0ZWQzDIVPlkiah6WTLEZlE7W1gB8Srj622jGJ3eeQr11FKuRjA4MJ3Erp2VO4e2G9vWATuPzKNXVpC7PmMGSDTlH2BPDZZVcyMNdDpgoueYa_n-60JYI5DdH_muZh8lk4fGmz-OYFmCeYlAnM9CPnMtzKF37dxNrO/s3005/IMG_4104.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3005" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDTr-omlIsueqwJ-xB0iyU8MZ1MN0ZWQzDIVPlkiah6WTLEZlE7W1gB8Srj622jGJ3eeQr11FKuRjA4MJ3Erp2VO4e2G9vWATuPzKNXVpC7PmMGSDTlH2BPDZZVcyMNdDpgoueYa_n-60JYI5DdH_muZh8lk4fGmz-OYFmCeYlAnM9CPnMtzKF37dxNrO/w400-h342/IMG_4104.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">A three hour tour...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The fact is that he'd been traveling, from the Atlantic to the Rockies, communing with the vast spectrum of God's evolutionary test kitchen. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Saw much. Learned much. And yet...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Something was missing:</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <u>his tribe</u>. But where does one go looking for that? Back at the point of origin, of course. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like Founding Fathers-level origin.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Land 'o Pilgrims. And Plymouth Rock.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Cape Cod.</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And hanging with the Grace Hall / St. Louis Blvd. homies. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0euXnFWDa5xWr_IdS4uog91OYBk_wjtMnn94WLH3YUokGcl1hEgxfuENWWxQLGFn8n9YcRhiQMfR1Z5GD5T9U6jj_vzV11k_gftHXmhqiw_20_B-GkSu3i-qnsOqhM0xud7BvDtIhdQZGbtqvGbpIuj6ktbSE_My4n409SQCHDVGt6M3SJqAo7yR2n2t4/s1583/IMG_4095.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1583" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0euXnFWDa5xWr_IdS4uog91OYBk_wjtMnn94WLH3YUokGcl1hEgxfuENWWxQLGFn8n9YcRhiQMfR1Z5GD5T9U6jj_vzV11k_gftHXmhqiw_20_B-GkSu3i-qnsOqhM0xud7BvDtIhdQZGbtqvGbpIuj6ktbSE_My4n409SQCHDVGt6M3SJqAo7yR2n2t4/s320/IMG_4095.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Oh. And Dimmy</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wouldn't be a party without The Dim One, the Pride of Alumni Hall. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it wouldn't have been a thoroughly edifying experience without the rest of the crew. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the single malt. Lots and lots of single malt:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Glenfiddich</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Macallan</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Glen Dronagh</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2TUfOU804sXbxaQrp7EOxzTu38Z9KWs9PYBzu6mtFlwF_P3RZzG7G2FX5XtIE3bEVAOD05uCbGNheeom2hPuo9haAY_Wmbbwcr1HLOBdD4cNXzqR072s3PiM6yvK4ffWBPeal_ip31Y5WU2iziRUWDEHx3q7syIh_qcrU9ewEBmH2UDcYnjDng7iakJg/s3302/IMG_6737.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3302" data-original-width="2696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2TUfOU804sXbxaQrp7EOxzTu38Z9KWs9PYBzu6mtFlwF_P3RZzG7G2FX5XtIE3bEVAOD05uCbGNheeom2hPuo9haAY_Wmbbwcr1HLOBdD4cNXzqR072s3PiM6yvK4ffWBPeal_ip31Y5WU2iziRUWDEHx3q7syIh_qcrU9ewEBmH2UDcYnjDng7iakJg/s320/IMG_6737.jpeg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>Houston, the <strike>Osprey</strike> Eagle has landed.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Did I learn much? How to quantify something like that? Let's just say I left the Cape... enlightened: </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The '69 moon landing was faked (<i>well, duh</i>)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The moon is actually hollow (<i>hello - it's made of Swiss cheese</i>)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jonah and the whale was a real story. Should be a Netflix doc. But it happened on the Cape and he was lobsterman.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Monetary policy may have us rocketing toward recession </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sorry, Gutsch, I may have misinterpreted that. I had a little trouble focusing at that point. I heard something about long-term Treasury bond yields not meeting expectations... just as the second Perez Old Fashion + single malt night cap started really kicking in.</span></li></ul></ul><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3W6mDUmPZ0Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="3W6mDUmPZ0Y"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>To sit with elders of a gentle race</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>This world has seldom seen....</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81G1gMjefbWVZHgfcYczA2AMJkaJvUGyoyEFbwWoy7wquFPqH1IfEg0mo6kWoh8TcIn0wMWFb3E0GJs1pr87Jgx9yAX8IhPuhVSJj4dmtp9xW2g4QXacx3FfO-gMQJZsriuMpG0kzzOgmBNmXLpqlZVX-xcH8g8ERk72cOd2XJdcSws59pl4vRHQ4Acpf/s4032/IMG_4129.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81G1gMjefbWVZHgfcYczA2AMJkaJvUGyoyEFbwWoy7wquFPqH1IfEg0mo6kWoh8TcIn0wMWFb3E0GJs1pr87Jgx9yAX8IhPuhVSJj4dmtp9xW2g4QXacx3FfO-gMQJZsriuMpG0kzzOgmBNmXLpqlZVX-xcH8g8ERk72cOd2XJdcSws59pl4vRHQ4Acpf/w640-h480/IMG_4129.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">"I think it's safe to say nobody here is gonna be splitting the atom..."</span></i><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>(Rust Cohle, True Detective Season 1)</i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One last thought, which came to me in a <strike>dream</strike> haiku. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy1AQUflym7QkO5h8FjTtDPEAZ35Y-Uu2iWVAdj7Iufk7gcYrRjmfAyEK-3rVdt3qkPpb1ZE-jKLmGxhUHAveGunEnElfojoMuMRV26HzEDw7h3u-OCe9jJB2h4ye_51JDPRfuFkAE1x9F04PbX8rzfsW_TIjAozGEHbeFB6-63P1PIhbCQ0n4YPkj1Yy/s689/robin-williams-dead-poets-society-2014-habituallychic%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="654" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCy1AQUflym7QkO5h8FjTtDPEAZ35Y-Uu2iWVAdj7Iufk7gcYrRjmfAyEK-3rVdt3qkPpb1ZE-jKLmGxhUHAveGunEnElfojoMuMRV26HzEDw7h3u-OCe9jJB2h4ye_51JDPRfuFkAE1x9F04PbX8rzfsW_TIjAozGEHbeFB6-63P1PIhbCQ0n4YPkj1Yy/w186-h196/robin-williams-dead-poets-society-2014-habituallychic%202.jpeg" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Oh gummy, My gummy!</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><i>Wondrous confection!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The tribe shaman has giveth.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It'd be rude to refuse, no?</i></span></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span></span><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC71OBG84z5Sr-g0iY5cz80KEI7CzuRzKXwtjeQJipkufvGJ8d_Prsitcf9GI9DOyPR_2ovEfdu1ABEIqGvcxJfGIK8-nG9GAsv3Nz-ldBMIC0BddmfnoL87AHlmSRGYbZpQz-5qehR-y_55TczqsxjLOcMwZXOUMoHIFZ2y0igxWiOjgQRFM-XraSIX_/s728/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-09%20at%2011.19.01%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC71OBG84z5Sr-g0iY5cz80KEI7CzuRzKXwtjeQJipkufvGJ8d_Prsitcf9GI9DOyPR_2ovEfdu1ABEIqGvcxJfGIK8-nG9GAsv3Nz-ldBMIC0BddmfnoL87AHlmSRGYbZpQz-5qehR-y_55TczqsxjLOcMwZXOUMoHIFZ2y0igxWiOjgQRFM-XraSIX_/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-09%20at%2011.19.01%20AM.png" width="202" /></a></div>"...It's important to understand one underlying truth about college football that to the heart of the sport's prevailing sense of chaos. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that is: Nobody's in charge."</div></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">'Bowls, Polls and Tattered Souls' (2007)</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Page 3 </span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>The state of college football in a single expression. <i>From 16 years ago. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHhrFWExUnvebvjDSTomfi79x3-soZ5DEeK6jHqklyntT_FyMd1YQqHtaLmYi3kydVm9YxW_I8n6aY-io9Ff2o8t6vT_PFAfSzGhZwLIITriPEgFJlZ3c9zxAMJ6Leqju6jo9ilmmkuhJrjF6UV0UcTsiiUYPaOYrBOotS-plC1futCkNrEqRGIcdLgt1/s1153/IMG_4152.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1153" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHhrFWExUnvebvjDSTomfi79x3-soZ5DEeK6jHqklyntT_FyMd1YQqHtaLmYi3kydVm9YxW_I8n6aY-io9Ff2o8t6vT_PFAfSzGhZwLIITriPEgFJlZ3c9zxAMJ6Leqju6jo9ilmmkuhJrjF6UV0UcTsiiUYPaOYrBOotS-plC1futCkNrEqRGIcdLgt1/w250-h158/IMG_4152.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: </span>Jerrence stared across the room in disbelief. There had to be a rational explanation for what he was seeing. But was anyone else seeing this? It appeared not.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Sure, he'd heard the tales from childhood. Passed on through generations of Corrigans but he believed them to be merely apocryphal stories - made up by his older brothers to ensure his submission. As if making Jerrence play the frisky calf in their sadistic "Rodeo Round Up" game wasn't enough.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1aA7dskuCNyHnAuoy3J7F98n2rAM0yG1qSzp2vvSakRg7uL0CHiHA55HVuwDuVDJ-79tTVz-Bm6gMaoFmnP5UAiVlQlhgSyueHtvgocC5tdvZZj4lW3TC5_WUgw6ZwTFiuiWWxYyFUssu-Bqk8VH3uPVPxNGEPF9xDbxZ3nWH9z3ykeqZ_Jh4097S3e4/s1844/IMG_4094.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1844" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1aA7dskuCNyHnAuoy3J7F98n2rAM0yG1qSzp2vvSakRg7uL0CHiHA55HVuwDuVDJ-79tTVz-Bm6gMaoFmnP5UAiVlQlhgSyueHtvgocC5tdvZZj4lW3TC5_WUgw6ZwTFiuiWWxYyFUssu-Bqk8VH3uPVPxNGEPF9xDbxZ3nWH9z3ykeqZ_Jh4097S3e4/w342-h291/IMG_4094.HEIC" width="342" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">The one you call Cincotta doesn't inhabit this body any more...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beware <span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>The</i></span> <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Cryptid</span></i>," they'd whisper.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ah, the cryptid - Half Man-Half Idiot... who comes to simple-minded youth in their dreams. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence thought he'd have aged out of this horror by now, if in fact it ever really existed. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yet there it was, right in front of him: making Star War references, talking of playing bridge as if it was a real sport and salivating over impending delivery of new Volkey wedges.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Real scary stuff.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Football season can't come soon enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2-Weeks-To-Go Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkxOwcAuOYkKPzQ_u9Hs9sMl0o0gChDith7pGf6YZH-uTs1j0_hHpq6AcTp0mMwqnf1E_sjxMg-IIL2sg1mMEV9bkd8C5UO4vbYBfH6_bFBuet3LIqEK3eMncR3vr3GGI5SvfUaSgXD_fSiliQb7UEHJp6syBjEYd3DXcXWKUQ14P8XjWmgnfVa7oKcYO/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkxOwcAuOYkKPzQ_u9Hs9sMl0o0gChDith7pGf6YZH-uTs1j0_hHpq6AcTp0mMwqnf1E_sjxMg-IIL2sg1mMEV9bkd8C5UO4vbYBfH6_bFBuet3LIqEK3eMncR3vr3GGI5SvfUaSgXD_fSiliQb7UEHJp6syBjEYd3DXcXWKUQ14P8XjWmgnfVa7oKcYO/w400-h205/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcT_TWFiJ_0qkhaNqDYATtZNJ7pAxUgAig9LZY_WKVDZ4mEz4EbcEF4i0oJprr75ltssJovwg8sPbPvSxDUHp1Q_uipfJgBoIxb5dXI_WbPygjfQulegEHQNY2RX3MAqh53s7NdaiP_mUvtHqgMsJwVsPpRQwdX4u1cA8KPOkhu71RMSjsl1Ta60i9GAa/s351/200.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="351" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcT_TWFiJ_0qkhaNqDYATtZNJ7pAxUgAig9LZY_WKVDZ4mEz4EbcEF4i0oJprr75ltssJovwg8sPbPvSxDUHp1Q_uipfJgBoIxb5dXI_WbPygjfQulegEHQNY2RX3MAqh53s7NdaiP_mUvtHqgMsJwVsPpRQwdX4u1cA8KPOkhu71RMSjsl1Ta60i9GAa/s320/200.gif" width="320" /></a></div>What do we know with less than two weeks to go? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beats the sh*t out of me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I do know this: if you're looking for insights from this blogger, you're worse off than I thought. And my estimation of you was already exceedingly low. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But let's go with this potpourri of useless 'state of the world' information:<br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Pre-season</span></b> </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> Rankings</span>. Here's what the consensus 'experts' seem to see ND's place in the college football world, circa 2023.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSUjHizu5DhWTxqiKdsPSNVn3GOrr_DtmTa4iqDGS1D37yUk57pT6yoKgBq64tHXu0WFvSMsPLR3jMXvmNL2eUlpo60_2669prXF6qWREFUXXld8AYARVpl6VaQTHBYtsb3sikvHaXmYWYFo7Pgtu2qRWadH69yhTDZgvh1EKW0Fgb-mqxA0k1K_0g2vo/s768/Rankings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="768" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSUjHizu5DhWTxqiKdsPSNVn3GOrr_DtmTa4iqDGS1D37yUk57pT6yoKgBq64tHXu0WFvSMsPLR3jMXvmNL2eUlpo60_2669prXF6qWREFUXXld8AYARVpl6VaQTHBYtsb3sikvHaXmYWYFo7Pgtu2qRWadH69yhTDZgvh1EKW0Fgb-mqxA0k1K_0g2vo/s320/Rankings.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seems about right for us. As a starting point. Perosnally, I believe we will over-achieve. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In Sam I Trust.</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Conference Realignment</b></span> Seems to be the topic du jour. Maybe the only topic. Here's the future Big <strike>10</strike> 18:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ULVyQNvVH9srQaC7f3ucqriddNL_RgEWJRD7AziFZptb0YrIFroAnSKb8gToREt_pH5ndMMti0meEM73LMpwM8BwQE-_Ht9-mRqib-X6wiQRA2Gn6HvIAJCBV0qaFxpqTOPPTRA29xawHSDM-C4vkoWWvJRzlMxdanmXa4U-Jst9JmfwcdZeLEV4h1Ca/s1276/IMG_4130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1092" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ULVyQNvVH9srQaC7f3ucqriddNL_RgEWJRD7AziFZptb0YrIFroAnSKb8gToREt_pH5ndMMti0meEM73LMpwM8BwQE-_Ht9-mRqib-X6wiQRA2Gn6HvIAJCBV0qaFxpqTOPPTRA29xawHSDM-C4vkoWWvJRzlMxdanmXa4U-Jst9JmfwcdZeLEV4h1Ca/w316-h369/IMG_4130.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>One man's opinion</u>: Given the considerable data associated w success (or lack thereof) when a team has to travel more than one time zone, the west coast schools - looking at you, USC - may regret this from a wins and losses standpoint (certainly not from a monetary one).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Independence.</span></b> The very definition of irony: for 30 years everyone's hated Notre Dame for being on their moral high horse about staying independent. Now, that same stance is viewed as laudable for <u>both</u> not chasing the big conference money <i>and</i> perhaps being the future model that everyone should adopt. Funny.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25ISgdbAitk6C2WrTUc0sojc2nEzVessJkr1h3iFuBg49FFL-V7cUOyWkTPTXGzc44n961ui-1FUceYmYbNP4ULtoHbnd3VVnE4kCgbFSL9fWq6h3ht4ZrEbBxAJ7U9NvKc4yXQ-REJ6NZp2x41zl8DpTN4SEjJwsZ4r1abJExa-Hgg36fYU5fqiXc8_s/s998/Independence.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="998" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25ISgdbAitk6C2WrTUc0sojc2nEzVessJkr1h3iFuBg49FFL-V7cUOyWkTPTXGzc44n961ui-1FUceYmYbNP4ULtoHbnd3VVnE4kCgbFSL9fWq6h3ht4ZrEbBxAJ7U9NvKc4yXQ-REJ6NZp2x41zl8DpTN4SEjJwsZ4r1abJExa-Hgg36fYU5fqiXc8_s/w423-h258/Independence.png" width="423" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">ND Relevance.</span></b> And should anyone think that ND's lost their leverage by not joining a conference, allow me to disabuse you of that notion:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTbSmsp-lOCL70Mf9ftp05gS17HfJCdimaf0S_fJbDP-KsByhKqkx7hERKCjp_yaWsi9gvntNjkK3aQL8kkacxEeErNWzmgkp4a1i3KqvfypLtGZLzOXm1RXjLNvCDB17ZFY_2s4zK25TeYjbSf67c-x-StP7s8m6UKNUMv2FMFSSt7eMlKJqCTgqNzZv/s720/ND%20Relevance.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="720" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTbSmsp-lOCL70Mf9ftp05gS17HfJCdimaf0S_fJbDP-KsByhKqkx7hERKCjp_yaWsi9gvntNjkK3aQL8kkacxEeErNWzmgkp4a1i3KqvfypLtGZLzOXm1RXjLNvCDB17ZFY_2s4zK25TeYjbSf67c-x-StP7s8m6UKNUMv2FMFSSt7eMlKJqCTgqNzZv/w359-h278/ND%20Relevance.png" width="359" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">For those keeping score, that's SEC (total) 4 games, Notre Dame (solo) 3. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>5. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">NIL. </span></b> Sign of the Apocalypse? More like, "Who couldn't see <i>this </i>coming?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI-L6kdV2Z7SsCz0GWrMXmvpo018HgOiQmcJvG80H7zDFMBkUa8JGk_6_8A0nvmMTuXbix_fE_lA3h3AblsQTO4tchYxwSN9a6qA73-SotiNsgsmUMQndzL7ku3htSKWTPli-cch-RkpGUBYgHr86GKvAxLVAnxjtHgglQb6xxKNtZlk8kCegWzR6PXp7/s1085/NIL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1085" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI-L6kdV2Z7SsCz0GWrMXmvpo018HgOiQmcJvG80H7zDFMBkUa8JGk_6_8A0nvmMTuXbix_fE_lA3h3AblsQTO4tchYxwSN9a6qA73-SotiNsgsmUMQndzL7ku3htSKWTPli-cch-RkpGUBYgHr86GKvAxLVAnxjtHgglQb6xxKNtZlk8kCegWzR6PXp7/w340-h254/NIL.jpg" width="340" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Future</span></b> Could look a lot like this - I call this the JP McGuire Vision. (<i>Chip Kelly may be on to something</i>.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5JabQYT6wDwy9_yTqh3rqIzOHrdyM-6-DDGFBhFXF-ne5tIRW8-1hb-R8xCcQWfP7kD5yMPrttiAwCohBhN07tddCuHAuhoq4kIhw4NzotUIfIAZi_GsyyjI46Dwr8ulVgN8sOvcuLpxnzlyMkid7MCzI2lzsiGCmSF54F_vwgEBVVcE7Ypgr4TxS20H/s1170/Premier%20League.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1170" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5JabQYT6wDwy9_yTqh3rqIzOHrdyM-6-DDGFBhFXF-ne5tIRW8-1hb-R8xCcQWfP7kD5yMPrttiAwCohBhN07tddCuHAuhoq4kIhw4NzotUIfIAZi_GsyyjI46Dwr8ulVgN8sOvcuLpxnzlyMkid7MCzI2lzsiGCmSF54F_vwgEBVVcE7Ypgr4TxS20H/w640-h366/Premier%20League.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Basketball.</span></b> While I'll await both Season 1 (and Messers. Feifar / Marcel's subsequent critique), the ND basketball team may soon be worth paying attention to. Giving six months ago,<i> the team didn't even have enough scholarship athletes to field a 5-man team</i>, I'd say coach Micah is killing it right now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6L6jGjpNNo1hjyI_yBVM60PTjSIUzepGyvbsrqB5EEhB2WbNiLEOLdneoIXEoopwagE457xly0MGssk0ws3E4t2UoG_m-uabE5LmCtIj6GyJP6w7Tgi8vWBra1JgfvsyIbos9c8A9LvrrZ5rMdh4YozSYHN4tnMIkYaXbAeQga3PwfnVJvasCiaDCsgm/s1244/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-14%20at%206.17.37%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1200" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6L6jGjpNNo1hjyI_yBVM60PTjSIUzepGyvbsrqB5EEhB2WbNiLEOLdneoIXEoopwagE457xly0MGssk0ws3E4t2UoG_m-uabE5LmCtIj6GyJP6w7Tgi8vWBra1JgfvsyIbos9c8A9LvrrZ5rMdh4YozSYHN4tnMIkYaXbAeQga3PwfnVJvasCiaDCsgm/w369-h382/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-14%20at%206.17.37%20PM.png" width="369" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On a personal note, maybe we'll actually pull off a hockey / hoops tailgate weekend - something that gets talked about every year but never actioned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or maybe it ought to be a fencing / lacrosse 2-fer so we can be reasonably assured of seeing winners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>AI. </b></span> Recently, someone asked AI to develop a picture of a stereotypical resident of each state in America. A couple examples:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsltp4cMp5usCiDkEmMB7LC-8UBFMwZ3iADhmZwUwFkgIWHmzBaK6gTPPAmENetHoILRv3Qx83abeJzqKoBvzZuvQzMnR8TrGjEHF7s8ow7FEP5ZGJl4ZyBV_zrcQ8IljSXJNNKJ964O-JFQ6d7YTsGaWdU697bglwPJoVxb6rjYzzaw_GAMt78nWG-wFv/s1326/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-14%20at%206.40.16%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1326" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsltp4cMp5usCiDkEmMB7LC-8UBFMwZ3iADhmZwUwFkgIWHmzBaK6gTPPAmENetHoILRv3Qx83abeJzqKoBvzZuvQzMnR8TrGjEHF7s8ow7FEP5ZGJl4ZyBV_zrcQ8IljSXJNNKJ964O-JFQ6d7YTsGaWdU697bglwPJoVxb6rjYzzaw_GAMt78nWG-wFv/w640-h328/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-14%20at%206.40.16%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yes, I'd say AI <i>is </i>something to be feared.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Taking the month off.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm sure there's probably someone worthy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">"But they'll still be there the next day / week / month."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The retiree's mantra.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A dozen'ish days until football. Many of you are only now checking: has my passport expired?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope you have better foresight with your prognostications. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The season should be a fun one. I know the tailgates will!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember to get your winning guesses in by the morning of the 26th - not sure what time kickoff in Dublin is, but guessing it'll mean a morning viewing in the States.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good luck everyone!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><div class="article-headline" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-pack: center; align-items: center; background-color: white; color: black; display: flex; flex-flow: column wrap; flex: 1 1 0%; font-family: Tiempos, serif; justify-content: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 714px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><h1 class="sc-fe0366b-7 dTxUql" style="align-self: stretch; color: #333333; font-weight: 400; line-height: 40px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marcus Freeman settling in as Year 2 begins: Lessons from Notre Dame’s preseason camp</span></h1><div class="sc-3a83e656-0 cvOWeD sc-fe0366b-0 ciOpEP" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; display: flex; flex-basis: 100%; flex-grow: 0; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: Calibre, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; justify-content: flex-start; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 40px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; position: relative; width: 714px;"><hr class="sc-fe0366b-1 kwPrmt" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; width: 674px;" /></div></div><div class="sc-fe0366b-4 daoJJw" id="article-container-grid" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Tiempos, serif; padding-top: 10px; position: relative; text-align: start;"><div class="sc-fe0366b-6 hstAGK article-content-container bodytext1" style="color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; line-height: 1.5;"><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="216" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> put an official end to preseason camp on Saturday with a nearly 100-play scrimmage, an inflection point as the program shifts toward <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="163" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/navy-midshipmen-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Navy</a> in full. With two weeks until Dublin, the Irish are far from a finished project, both by design and by circumstance. But that’s different than saying Notre Dame is behind schedule heading into Marcus Freeman’s second season.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In fact, so much of the past two weeks have been informed by Freeman’s first year, from the recovery plans for playing in Ireland to how much he asked from the roster day-to-day in camp. It’s where Freeman feels more settled than last season’s succession of volatile swings as he learned on the job.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Last year, I had a blueprint based on other individuals’ experiences being a head coach, right? I gathered my own ideas but I’d never done it,” Freeman said. “This year you can make enhancements based off your own personal experience.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What I’ve done, really, is say, ‘OK, what things that I learned from being a head coach last year, what ways can you enhance and give your players a better chance to perform at the level we need them to?’ So, there’s no substitute for experience.”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If those are macro lessons, the Notre Dame head coach has picked up plenty of micro intel during the past 15 practices, too. There have been some surprising position battles and unexpected strengths. There’s a position seemingly stuck in neutral. And perhaps a quarterback situation that’s more than <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sam-hartman-ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Sam Hartman</a>. No, Notre Dame probably won’t have a grasp on what it is for another month as the Irish play their way into an identity.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Freeman already knows some of what’s coming, and not just because the offense won Saturday’s scrimmage by only turning the ball over once.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are the big lessons learned from Notre Dame’s preseason camp based on interviews, observations and sources.</span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Will stars matter at offensive guard?</span></h2><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Preseason camp opened with right guard <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="mMudXBSzVtB9nvWP" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/andrew-kristofic-mMudXBSzVtB9nvWP/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Andrew Kristofic</a> and left guard <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="0CGZOI8luo86hyLh" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/billy-schrauth-0CGZOI8luo86hyLh/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Billy Schrauth</a> looking like solid bets to keep their positions into the season. Kristofic is the most experienced of the guard candidates, having started last year’s opener at <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="191" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ohio State</a> and most of the season prior. What he lacked in explosive mobility, Kristofic made up for with game reps. Schrauth was the opposite, a previous can’t-miss four-star recruit who former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand adored to the point that Schrauth made the travel roster and season’s end.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So much for that.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the past week, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="0FAIKtShFD41D3Z2" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/rocco-spindler-0FAIKtShFD41D3Z2/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Rocco Spindler</a> has grabbed hold of the right guard job while <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="u2VsehJIUJpamOYS" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/pat-coogan-u2VsehJIUJpamOYS/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Pat Coogan</a> is a surprise leader at left guard. Spindler was a national prospect out of high school but languished on the bench last season, never getting a true sniff at time. Coogan felt like a developmental story, perhaps growing into a contributor by his senior year. Now both seem to have won jobs as Notre Dame moves out of camp.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Rocco Spindler has been doing a heck of a job, had a really good camp. And Billy has, too,” Freeman said. “So, you want to have four guards, right? And I think right now we feel really good about three going in there. And I look forward to evaluating today’s scrimmage with coach (Joe) Rudolph and the offensive staff and saying, ‘OK, who’s going to be the third and fourth guard that we say can go into the game at any point?</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“But man, I love the competition that they’re having. Nobody’s comfortable at those guard positions.”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame should have a strong offensive line regardless of its guard play, which is how good <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="IaQDGafPY1MXNPwJ" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/joe-alt-IaQDGafPY1MXNPwJ/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Joe Alt</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vu06y6WmyiJeRkdg" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/blake-fisher-vu06y6WmyiJeRkdg/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Blake Fisher</a> have looked at tackle. Center <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="0vivYp8Vbw4mYoF6" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/zeke-correll-0vivYp8Vbw4mYoF6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Zeke Correll</a>, who may have picked up a minor injury during the Saturday scrimmage, gives the Irish a reliable presence in the pivot, even if he lacks overwhelming size. And while the offense hasn’t always been explosive during camp, the run game has done enough to win over Freeman and the staff.</span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s legitimate defensive line depth</span></h2><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s still not clear if Notre Dame has a College Football Playoff-level pass rush, but the defensive line exceeded outside expectations the past two weeks. That’s especially true on the interior, where <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="W7uKPK6UO39pz1bP" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jason-onye-W7uKPK6UO39pz1bP/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jason Onye</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="0TecdrK7Ii51JJbp" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/gabriel-rubio-0TecdrK7Ii51JJbp/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Gabriel Rubio</a> moved from depth options to legitimate contributors. Rubio got somewhat regular work last season with 184 total snaps, including a season-high 44 against <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="248" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/stanford-cardinal-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Stanford</a>. Onye saw action in just one game, the blizzard blowout of <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="170" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/boston-college-eagles-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Boston College</a>.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This fall they’ll both be asked to be 200-snap players at least. That idea felt like a potential tripwire last winter. Now? Notre Dame’s coaching staff welcomes it.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“They take after their coach (Al Washington). That’s a passionate dude, man,” Freeman said. “To coach with him, he is an energy provider. He’s a great football coach, but an energy provider.”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s fair for Freeman to credit Washington for the player development uptick after a debut season that felt inconclusive. Second-round pick <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="sV1E0HBkF8O7Bbvr" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/isaiah-foskey-sV1E0HBkF8O7Bbvr/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Isaiah Foskey</a> was good, but he didn’t always show in big moments before opting out of the bowl game. <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="aFhGsj9mkpw9BxwG" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/rylie-mills-aFhGsj9mkpw9BxwG/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Rylie Mills</a> appears set for a breakout season but got stuck between two positions, mastering neither. And the Ademilola twins (Jayson and Justin) battled injuries and inconsistencies. The defensive line was fine, it just felt like it could have been more.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe this group can overachieve if Rubio and Onye do more than just back up Mills and Howard Cross. Defensive end remains a question, although <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="35Ls1UOGdoPujC18" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-botelho-35Ls1UOGdoPujC18/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jordan Botelho</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="buoQ3Fiyv3oA5JrT" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/junior-tuihalamaka-buoQ3Fiyv3oA5JrT/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Junior Tuihalamaka</a> and Josh Burnham have at least had moments at vyper end. At the other end, NaNa Osafo-Mensah and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/javontae-jean-baptiste-zBtSoYLKOsdwOeDo/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Javontae Jean-Baptiste</a> should be solid.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps Notre Dame’s best pass rush will come up the middle.</span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Receivers playing catch up</span></h2><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If Chansi Stuckey didn’t know the perception of Notre Dame’s receivers before Friday, he did walking out of the Irish Athletics Center. That was the receiver group’s scheduled pass through the media gauntlet and the questions lobbed at the group were to be deflected more than they were supposed to be caught. Because when reporters start asking about outside expectations, distractions and even if any freshmen might help, well, it’s a sign that things aren’t going exactly to plan.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“If they’re here with not high expectations, we’ve got the wrong guy, first of all, OK?” Stuckey said. “So, we should have the best in the country at each position here and I think we’re getting to that at the receiver position.“But you meet each guy where he is. You don’t want to put more expectations on him than other people do.”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those expectations seem to have dropped the past two weeks as Notre Dame publicly and privately searches for a go-to receiver. One didn’t pop in last week’s open practice. Freeman didn’t stump for one after Saturday’s scrimmage either, where team sources indicated the two most impressive wideouts were freshmen <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="52XJootIlN2fgSTi" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-greathouse-52XJootIlN2fgSTi/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Greathouse</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="VAf2P3lF0vC9ZMam" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-faison-VAf2P3lF0vC9ZMam/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jordan Faison</a>, who’s a walk-on. This isn’t how it was all supposed to look for Sam Hartman, although <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="O7Vonm7Lf4FN1sB0" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jayden-thomas-O7Vonm7Lf4FN1sB0/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jayden Thomas</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tobias-merriweather-lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tobias Merriweather</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="jhIQQoy60Ce5gCXS" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/chris-tyree-jhIQQoy60Ce5gCXS/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Chris Tyree</a> figure to start against Navy.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can those three receivers deliver after a preseason camp that was more down than up? Of course. But that would mark a course change from the past two weeks for a position that lacks a true No. 1 (and perhaps No. 2) option.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Backfield is more than Audric Estime</span></b></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For a scrimmage that was supposed to mean something, the running game chose to play short-handed. With no utility to running <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="vB4aG2FbDQnE0mVM" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/audric-estime-vB4aG2FbDQnE0mVM/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Audric Estime</a> into the group with a minor injury, Notre Dame chose to lean on its backup running backs on Saturday. They were good enough to power a run game that carried the offense to a scrimmage victory. And even that second-choice backfield was limited as <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Wxma507LVQYoNaTh" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jadarian-price-Wxma507LVQYoNaTh/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jadarian Price</a> played only a series or two.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s where <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="JNzoYjdgGEs6CPrg" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/devyn-ford-JNzoYjdgGEs6CPrg/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Devyn Ford</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="PtL9wFHMmkDkekMu" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jeremiyah-love-PtL9wFHMmkDkekMu/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jeremiyah Love</a> took advantage.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You saw them perform in the run game with <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jeremiyah-Love-46117330" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jeremiyah Love</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Devyn-Ford-87066" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Devyn Ford</a>, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jadarian-Price-46059477" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jadarian Price</a>. Guys that haven’t proven it so much here yet,” Freeman said. “And you saw them perform in the run game, protection for the pass game. Today was great. But I hope this ain’t a peak for what we’re going to see in the future.”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love provided one of the bigger flash plays of the scrimmage, taking a swing pass for a huge gain. The freshman from St. Louis looked like a sports car in shoulder pads when camp opened but picked up a minor knock that limited him last week in the open practice. While it’s not clear if he’s back to full speed, whatever speed he’s at was enough to impress on Saturday. The Irish need at least three backs ready to go to have a depth chart durable enough for the season. It seems Notre Dame is there.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s worth noting that despite the interior defensive lineman impressing in camp, the run game can still thrive with various backs and different guard combinations. As much as Notre Dame might be trying to transition to more of a pass-friendly offense, the Irish attack hinges on the backs, line and blocking tight ends.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The question for offensive coordinator Gerad Parker may be more of how he takes advantage of that outlook, even with Hartman at quarterback. That might include running Hartman, who had a rushing touchdown in Saturday’s scrimmage.</span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.1; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cornerback depth peaking</span></h2><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Could this be Notre Dame’s deepest cornerback group since … when exactly?</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Freeman opened camp with a modest lament that the Irish needed to find a fourth corner after <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Ai43QydUF5vBxnps" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cam-hart-Ai43QydUF5vBxnps/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Cam Hart</a>, Ben Morrison and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-mickey-egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Mickey</a>. That slotted <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="SiTdUJioFTWwsT03" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/clarence-lewis-SiTdUJioFTWwsT03/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clarence Lewis</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="osjennMllVuBwL5V" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a> as the nickel/dime backs. Two weeks later, freshman <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="OMax98TXhnfEfvQN" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/christian-gray-OMax98TXhnfEfvQN/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Christian Gray</a> has bubbled up into the two deep, not as a placeholder but as a legitimate contender for time.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“He’s had a really good camp,” Freeman said. “<a class="ath_autolink" data-id="HPkm2Ppp1d2Qsolr" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/chance-tucker-HPkm2Ppp1d2Qsolr/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Chance Tucker</a> has been down with an Achilles a little bit. And so, it’s gave Christian valuable reps versus really good wide outs. And I’ve seen him perform. And so, he’s really developed some trust in coach (Mike) Mickens and myself to say, ‘OK, hey, I can be the fourth corner.’”</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Morrison and Hart are the unquestioned starters and Mickey has practiced more like the Uber-confident freshman of 18 months ago than the young athlete who struggled last training camp. Gray missed the end of spring practice following a knee procedure and started camp modestly before turning it on last week.</span></p><p style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If Notre Dame can keep these four cornerbacks healthy, plus those two nickelbacks, the Irish should be able to mix and match with pass-heavy offenses in a way they couldn’t last season. That reality might not impact many game plans, but Ohio State and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="252" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">USC</a> will be two of them.</span></p></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">August 12, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a confession to make: I've grown rather fond of the Dillonites - with their naīve, 'masters of the universe' self-image, freakish skill in making a legitimately high quality craft beer, surprisingly underrated penchant for interesting book recommendations and Northwestern University-esque football proclivity toward mounting their dorm mates*.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">*I suppose it's not sexual assault if it's consensual.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYlhEDNT2bp9zdsX4zWzo7XVITFCAlzjCdXaUO6iZELPUmrQaGXSzQ94cZfYKLWYEmqlIAIcKeT-Huu9ptc3tQNjTwE089NkK6RorKXeu-O1HHi0LqrsYj5c6bVh4_nkY8hdtHDbyR5sU2yTDijwpWQ4HI5WtHYlvo8pbChkV7X9E6SrrmQXfp3WLSlQy/s641/Dillon_Mount.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="641" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYlhEDNT2bp9zdsX4zWzo7XVITFCAlzjCdXaUO6iZELPUmrQaGXSzQ94cZfYKLWYEmqlIAIcKeT-Huu9ptc3tQNjTwE089NkK6RorKXeu-O1HHi0LqrsYj5c6bVh4_nkY8hdtHDbyR5sU2yTDijwpWQ4HI5WtHYlvo8pbChkV7X9E6SrrmQXfp3WLSlQy/s320/Dillon_Mount.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Thank you, sir, may I have another?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />But one has yet to see them come close to manifesting excellence in mixology. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Opening a bottle of a premium Napa varietal doesn't count.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Which brings me to extolling the virtues of one <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerome Perez</span>, the class of '79s consummate cocktailier. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With all due respect to the Stayer Lot Bloody Mary Maestro, Jerry is The Man when it comes to making spirit-based dreams come true.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following recipe isn't one of Jerry's - although the 'Dangerous Libations' title could fairly describe the Cape Cod weekend - but when he starts embedding recipes in his screenplays, watch this space...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dangerous Libations</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Dangerous Liaisons (1782)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqekp5tCzCj2zWHz0AtfSO1cvCH8hiev7iDcwtlQGslRGKFMKH0Ns5NQfMFoqbwFgP0jeiVezBb1oTLptv8SYoxeUN1ueqp0sVa_KOvFkM6wyaFQn9V9OPSmiec7fxB0nqQ2k4eUUuk97yt2GTnSqD6nUJuvciG7CJjg-ryZXGOrr84eMaule9M_5maIv/s1024/dangerous-liaisons.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1024" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqekp5tCzCj2zWHz0AtfSO1cvCH8hiev7iDcwtlQGslRGKFMKH0Ns5NQfMFoqbwFgP0jeiVezBb1oTLptv8SYoxeUN1ueqp0sVa_KOvFkM6wyaFQn9V9OPSmiec7fxB0nqQ2k4eUUuk97yt2GTnSqD6nUJuvciG7CJjg-ryZXGOrr84eMaule9M_5maIv/s320/dangerous-liaisons.webp" width="320" /></a></div>Before it was a late-80's Oscar-winner starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer, <i>Dangerous Liaisons's</i> danger-doing characters appeared in a stage adaptation inspired by the scandalously sexy 1700's-era novel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you've ever hidden the cover of <i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i> while riding public transportation, you'll relate to this book's most Dangerous readers - including none other than Marie Antoinette, who couldn't get enough of its lusting lovers. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A story told entirely in scorching hot letters, you'll savor this inky-black drink that's dangerous to the last drop.</div></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo84J14zmbUIJT_riWPntnISfVuZmKRZyb5UEAj8WZ0lEGCc-0EPtRyAZYM5XQhgDaqLgw7cAxySlkhX1vEM6qqx_RDvX_7n3renH7DNvmy2OuIA1B_w7wtKas7t1bSuRYoXQqI43CDsqAf3hvzqyKRxh8pHHQRl3Fj1Hmabr7esUMSwi9fDP0e8ZUyay0/s976/Bartalk1_MW1017-720x976.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo84J14zmbUIJT_riWPntnISfVuZmKRZyb5UEAj8WZ0lEGCc-0EPtRyAZYM5XQhgDaqLgw7cAxySlkhX1vEM6qqx_RDvX_7n3renH7DNvmy2OuIA1B_w7wtKas7t1bSuRYoXQqI43CDsqAf3hvzqyKRxh8pHHQRl3Fj1Hmabr7esUMSwi9fDP0e8ZUyay0/w148-h200/Bartalk1_MW1017-720x976.png" width="148" /></a></div>1 oz. creme de cassīs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. lemon juice</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 tspn. activated charcoal (<i>optional, for color</i>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4 oz. champagne</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the crème de cassis, lemon juice and activated charcoal in a shaker with ice and shake for :05. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Strain into a coupe glass, top with champagne, and share with your (nearest) friend!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Are You There God? It's me, Margarita.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>More Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"> Schedule 2023</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s1089/IMG_4149.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1089" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMkcahPquvnToZj8RRFcJEVYhPcRE-qoH15HjpzanFdD7LgSyuv2AxtK5h7GSmQX_8XOmNgeWYkv3KCn-Sdh16-Tj55qQ6duKJjVY4dpPEbxXCIp7a5HHdBRQknAz81JyhLC7sYSsmSy2fjyOt07gAgOmpzmeYXLtzR_cSCLBGHir3OhZQT_v6wVCvvrv/s320/IMG_4149.jpg" width="320" /></a></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span>Wake Forest</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><u>NOTE</u></b>: <span style="color: #fcff01;">There is no Linipalooza this year</span>, for a variety of excellent reasons, including but not limited to, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CAN WE GIVE THESE PEOPLE A BREAK, JUDY IS BARELY THROUGH HER THERAPY SESSIONS OF HAVING TO CONFRONT WARD, LOHN AND THEIR MERRY BAND OF MISFITS AT HER APARTMENT DOOR THE FOLLOWING MORNING LAST YEAR.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if you were otherwise holding out for a better home schedule in '24 to make your 'Prodigal Son Return to Campus', in the hopes of catching a 'good' game, you may wish to re-think that:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEg4tyP-i0wXHN50vL4pdM_TUe6r3aTCW1Tmi1cxda8yOx7Ms4JNI_CiMAASgBM3TgB3ocIv5LUtxew-C-PSLUu0rFXaitBel9nVOHh5HTCUpVq6UUx-DYo1_Lt6XWRx_NF-dsPgrHoyh-9BKAiBm39qCY8_krvDfzu9z-ybUWH9h0tSUpdorBCTZXWA-/s1076/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-10%20at%209.34.49%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="1076" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEg4tyP-i0wXHN50vL4pdM_TUe6r3aTCW1Tmi1cxda8yOx7Ms4JNI_CiMAASgBM3TgB3ocIv5LUtxew-C-PSLUu0rFXaitBel9nVOHh5HTCUpVq6UUx-DYo1_Lt6XWRx_NF-dsPgrHoyh-9BKAiBm39qCY8_krvDfzu9z-ybUWH9h0tSUpdorBCTZXWA-/w640-h141/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-10%20at%209.34.49%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Two weeks to kickoff in Dublin! Get those wagers in! Recall last year that Proposition 801 passed, enabling those that predicted correctly, even if they didn't win the final tie-breaker, have their $25 entry fee waived: Ward, Brunett, Garrett</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For those of you traveling to the game, be safe. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Make us proud (I don't care if 23 and Me says you're 2% Irish, don't be an ugly American).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Wins<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Corrigan as national champ?</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perfection.</span></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian M., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">John L</span>.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter, Ray<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pat Kavanagh</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bill</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryan</span>, Matt, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Garrett</span>, Cinco, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bucks</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sully</span>, Raz, Ted, Lini, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Elder</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Spit the Younger</span>,</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jim S., Bob J., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim T</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P</span>., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ungie</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Coat Man</span>, Alex, Mike G.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert, Jerry W., </span><span face="calibri, sans-serif">Feif, Blair, George</span></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Dare to dream</i>.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrnes</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not fair but so what.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse 'when it was a club sport' territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are the fencers looking this year?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Much like the entire country of Italy (and most of Europe), Schadenfreude has taken a holiday for the month of August.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Heading to the beach.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hitting the links.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thinking positive, other-directed thoughts of empathy toward their fellow man.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yeah, right.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Until next month, losers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Bye-bye, so long, farewell... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7JQS6H2AXdM" width="320" youtube-src-id="7JQS6H2AXdM"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Consider the lack of section 'content' for this week Jerrence being uncharacteristically kind. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or lazy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In any event, just one nomination - a guy who probably deserves a Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring commitment to questionable life choices. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Phil Mickelson</b></span>. This week's<i> "Lucy, you got a lot of esplainin' to dooooooo...." </i>award winner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So perhaps you heard. New book about Phil Mickelson hit the street this week. About his betting history, by apparently his best (and fellow degenerate gambling) buddy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not exactly new news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Except maybe the magnitude of those wagers... yikes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bets totaling $1B+. Yes, that's a 'B.'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Losses totaling $100M+. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TWOuofS9Yx_iSoDwa3pnN4DDp7BD0Cfz78-0Fb3Xfh7UAaCF6BJxr7uqokdZFFpa-zMqRGbMtXPYh1dp0z6-BE7oqaSvZel2COrAeN8XB733Py17m-sUGMA7g0mguvHYMkGl60VhLThbItEbSyL6DtFuDYwZMYKWntrlQRbyKFhrK6IiRqHj5IUCC1Qo/s1802/IMG_4145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TWOuofS9Yx_iSoDwa3pnN4DDp7BD0Cfz78-0Fb3Xfh7UAaCF6BJxr7uqokdZFFpa-zMqRGbMtXPYh1dp0z6-BE7oqaSvZel2COrAeN8XB733Py17m-sUGMA7g0mguvHYMkGl60VhLThbItEbSyL6DtFuDYwZMYKWntrlQRbyKFhrK6IiRqHj5IUCC1Qo/w416-h640/IMG_4145.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutgWgiIhwRa7NiKFTwgk6tsMIcIKHyUf2cx5RKYFIGUMSGVtApJ73d8R6gG_b1NI8z6ceNWDlwGqrgkYtwBnl5uwQkgiQ4SX8MOgHIR9oQGKaL_qTxdAZaoVPzbCp3bpxEfZgWZcpMHIddqCyCgpWeM8d9rzit_likHtnCZxNMibZEVOQiy_iEfmsNMWr/s2272/IMG_3658%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="2154" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutgWgiIhwRa7NiKFTwgk6tsMIcIKHyUf2cx5RKYFIGUMSGVtApJ73d8R6gG_b1NI8z6ceNWDlwGqrgkYtwBnl5uwQkgiQ4SX8MOgHIR9oQGKaL_qTxdAZaoVPzbCp3bpxEfZgWZcpMHIddqCyCgpWeM8d9rzit_likHtnCZxNMibZEVOQiy_iEfmsNMWr/w260-h275/IMG_3658%202.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Got my first 'Save the Date!" communication from ND for <span style="color: #fcff01;">Reunion 2024</span> (if you haven't received anything, check your spam file and/or, perhaps, take the hint.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">May 30 - June 2nd</span>.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And hear me now, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gerard Wills</span> - you WILL be there, even if we have to go full Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad to get you there!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">There's miles between us</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>But boy, you should've seen us i</i><i>n the good old days!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">It was just like Disneyland...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/59QJII1T62k" width="320" youtube-src-id="59QJII1T62k"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-3110500182885716882023-07-28T14:25:00.002-05:002023-07-28T14:25:54.359-05:00Pre-Wager 2023: Sometimes A Great Notion<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Homeward bound!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I wish I was...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R4EnErMCKrI" width="320" youtube-src-id="R4EnErMCKrI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br />Dateline: Hinkley, OH</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdLdOolD7dZOtrxp0oBLWNFPzSEBt-nsd8wHOb_sDeL9bxpngAbX2copn6JUfkpjotL79GwxByWx8tO_-EwQvPfvDuJ4ylbLlgufiydiFKX-4Fp-zcIX9u7PkeP8EOr1X0oHnWLUMbdpHYHQlzBGucVPvbcJBT1TO136Qm_F5V-688Fp03V5RuLvf7uPO/s2528/IMG_20230603_205057052%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="2528" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdLdOolD7dZOtrxp0oBLWNFPzSEBt-nsd8wHOb_sDeL9bxpngAbX2copn6JUfkpjotL79GwxByWx8tO_-EwQvPfvDuJ4ylbLlgufiydiFKX-4Fp-zcIX9u7PkeP8EOr1X0oHnWLUMbdpHYHQlzBGucVPvbcJBT1TO136Qm_F5V-688Fp03V5RuLvf7uPO/w398-h298/IMG_20230603_205057052%202.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">The Serengeti? Really, Jerrence?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Jerrence thought he was in a safe space. One where he could share college-era trauma with other, like-minded, simpatico's. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>He thought wrong</i>. But who amongst us hasn't been tricked, laid low, by that sultry temptress bitch, Madame Alcohol? </span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I digress.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Someone in the group just <i>had</i> to start talking about bad wapatula experiences (as an aside, if one needs to tell their college-bound children, "don't drink anything out of a garbage can" perhaps your parenting skills aren't quite as heightened as you may think).</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But Jerrence, ever the over-sharer, just had to blurt out, "I've got an anecdote to contribute!" (In retrospect, looking at Defarge's face snd seeing her expression suggesting a curious mix between wonder ('why doesn't he just stop talking?') and amusement ('I hope he doesn't stop talking'), it should've been obvious: this was just another in a lifelong series of poor decisions by her husband.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was Halloween weekend of sophomore year, 1976 - a semester that would be something of a train wreck for Jerrence, from start to finish. Costume parties across campus abounded that night. And Jerrence had his: Harpo Marx. The evening was full of potential.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that's all I'll say about that. Suffice to say, if one could marry the plot line of Scorsese's "After Hours" with the tableau of Disney's "The Lion King," for that night, Jerrence lived it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KmZfgauHs5_TPMJ28NGkpPF12jgiFswzx9vylbetuXAvG0XrYTVDzL-LE8v4mCNg2wUDV2PzLLRe3HcmkLs6COXaiNiioI1UN_kgCMMtLwKUnFNMbL77bVTgehTrLUn7gQlFSwgoq4Cb7E_t_58AJxrg58TCBhjzoldDt2EeB4ogyNpJWtkDDVNcgmaT/s2150/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-24%20at%201.52.07%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="2150" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KmZfgauHs5_TPMJ28NGkpPF12jgiFswzx9vylbetuXAvG0XrYTVDzL-LE8v4mCNg2wUDV2PzLLRe3HcmkLs6COXaiNiioI1UN_kgCMMtLwKUnFNMbL77bVTgehTrLUn7gQlFSwgoq4Cb7E_t_58AJxrg58TCBhjzoldDt2EeB4ogyNpJWtkDDVNcgmaT/w640-h360/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-24%20at%201.52.07%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">It seemed like a good idea at the time...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></i></div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The point being - however opaque the aforementioned experience was - is that things don't always turn out quite as you intend. And sometimes what you perceive isn't at all the reality of the situation. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I can't think of a more appropriate disclaimer for looking at ND's 2023 season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's have fun this year and enjoy the unexpected. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9BuEeasa57_0kFVKdFNuwArxFsfCQj4ZpDSeK0t4kuxPiQ2dy0GJJ0AEdsMRgnYhhMwElHOVqsXic-m0AmPhV2w45yLJF3dyHBId08qKDKzP7CeGywX-ckZA2lqWRKBSiSYjDVpVU4Js1Y4Pv8QWMJeOFgdsk1OwXiTkPHp-e3tfiNdidHjBGefk3i3/s1068/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%2012.29.21%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="1068" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9BuEeasa57_0kFVKdFNuwArxFsfCQj4ZpDSeK0t4kuxPiQ2dy0GJJ0AEdsMRgnYhhMwElHOVqsXic-m0AmPhV2w45yLJF3dyHBId08qKDKzP7CeGywX-ckZA2lqWRKBSiSYjDVpVU4Js1Y4Pv8QWMJeOFgdsk1OwXiTkPHp-e3tfiNdidHjBGefk3i3/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%2012.29.21%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span></span><span><div style="font-style: italic;">"Don't bet against the fat boy..."</div></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nikola Jokic</span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>At this time of year, when the masses are suggesting ND can't possibly be legitimate BCS playoff contenders... and before I'll start badgering you for a '24 win prediction, it might wise to consider this. </span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafvj68MEJWlwSQAb3xeW_vwY2hYmdJdmA25B4n7R0hfZM1xyjuj89AKgeTVru3ZMg5qb1fW5Cs0wgiW284wnurj20zCpgNWjeInQR9WBIFHysaDrsL2DcW3nCjxy6Iiyna8XkvgqlnCxByZkrWjRv-AOgrYIltCtZm5Sig-QAkp8E4qWlnf4SJSxDsw/s722/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-06%20at%203.23.50%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="722" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafvj68MEJWlwSQAb3xeW_vwY2hYmdJdmA25B4n7R0hfZM1xyjuj89AKgeTVru3ZMg5qb1fW5Cs0wgiW284wnurj20zCpgNWjeInQR9WBIFHysaDrsL2DcW3nCjxy6Iiyna8XkvgqlnCxByZkrWjRv-AOgrYIltCtZm5Sig-QAkp8E4qWlnf4SJSxDsw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-06%20at%203.23.50%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: Jerrence stared at his laptop. He was doing what Gruley tells him to do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Butt in seat" for one's writing regimen is what he said. And yet, nothing was revealing itself to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">He tried to ignore the inner voice that pressed, "And when did listening to Bryan ever work out for you?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're not helping. And I'm sure there was that one time...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nonetheless, as Jerrence searched for a <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">leitmotif</span></i> for the Notre Dame 2023 season, his mind spiraled in every imaginable direction. Too many thoughts! Too many variables!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But perhaps that was this year's theme: <i>anything is possible</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And if the band you're in </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Starts playing different tunes</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.</span></i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QFdkM40KOhE" width="320" youtube-src-id="QFdkM40KOhE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Summertime Thoughts</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Rock me on the water...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAXl4kYZyoA" width="320" youtube-src-id="yAXl4kYZyoA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Summertime is here and so many thoughts... who can keep them all straight?</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1. </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> Retirement Update</span>. It would appear Jerrence's career path forward may not lie in the field of becoming an Audible reader of action novels.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yA41YNnj3HgaXQwGdKnDw-T0T58jzRmrr71O01SzZyC1SchvACx3AgyWOyLStwgBNzXqYV6_ipvbOomC1TMq7gDMaA35EbVE63tXbOErEQ8t192X8EEWsQT80mQIuD67s4ChwhRL6ckj6tdruvXVL8HL-ve4e4tSVpKnAGgYsLAHBJt-K5K0Esaj_FZV/s1877/IMG_3980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="1145" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yA41YNnj3HgaXQwGdKnDw-T0T58jzRmrr71O01SzZyC1SchvACx3AgyWOyLStwgBNzXqYV6_ipvbOomC1TMq7gDMaA35EbVE63tXbOErEQ8t192X8EEWsQT80mQIuD67s4ChwhRL6ckj6tdruvXVL8HL-ve4e4tSVpKnAGgYsLAHBJt-K5K0Esaj_FZV/w244-h400/IMG_3980.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay, Bob, no one likes a show off. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVQxQEXvACOEUE1zXSgTQrggus1iAbwMJOziQavh6AsZDfF3IuZOtYLtV1-fncOyBJT5G3Ne-VMP5jrbnz7HGAyIb6hqgLfpA_3DBnhcQ6rhsR4Iqgoy4sFdC84u3N5acMQNatQizU2EqnNM7s3EhnZup2bmAi7pHzsbbA87QGeTBfNM1HgGkYp7AxL3J/s3113/IMG_3678.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="2721" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVQxQEXvACOEUE1zXSgTQrggus1iAbwMJOziQavh6AsZDfF3IuZOtYLtV1-fncOyBJT5G3Ne-VMP5jrbnz7HGAyIb6hqgLfpA_3DBnhcQ6rhsR4Iqgoy4sFdC84u3N5acMQNatQizU2EqnNM7s3EhnZup2bmAi7pHzsbbA87QGeTBfNM1HgGkYp7AxL3J/s320/IMG_3678.HEIC" width="280" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jack, We Hardly Knew Ye</span></b>. The 'agree to disagree' relationship between Savvy and Cincotta notwithstanding, I've never understood the widespread level of Message Board vitriol directed at Mr. Swarbrick.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3vpRYAzaEXv0jlcu0ohmPPsYzUI8k6nEvwbCRCZuEPgYqCc8Q-zhH3NnkQZBc-k5YLcILGQH2CMWyccfQwQllk1-725U1HCCCqKbSrrUxDrRbrt-yjydb6B5dbzNB99t1H11F3EoQWzl9-j_8NS_2JYjvKbmW7ZlhypttUOG4hpRxP9nIm0gtqb0GmWJ/s1280/pbj-16x9-1.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3vpRYAzaEXv0jlcu0ohmPPsYzUI8k6nEvwbCRCZuEPgYqCc8Q-zhH3NnkQZBc-k5YLcILGQH2CMWyccfQwQllk1-725U1HCCCqKbSrrUxDrRbrt-yjydb6B5dbzNB99t1H11F3EoQWzl9-j_8NS_2JYjvKbmW7ZlhypttUOG4hpRxP9nIm0gtqb0GmWJ/s320/pbj-16x9-1.webp" width="320" /></a></div>While he probably allowed Brey to hang around a little longer than justified - and perhaps even that wasn't entirely his call - it appears he's done a pretty exemplary job w his coaching hires and professional contracts (though I'm sure the ND message boards would aggressively debate that, cretins).</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the new dude, assuming he passes The Cincotta Test, looks to be a very strategic hire.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thanks for everything, Jack. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">"Recruit, Retain, Replace."</span></b>. The new ND mantra, apparently. And one that reflects the new reality of the college athletics in a transfer portal / NIL world. Meaning what?</span></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Get the best possible high school athletes you can. (Recruit.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Keep 'em motivated, engaged, satisfied. (Retain.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"> And when you can't, have that target list of qualified transfer ready. (Replace.)</span></li></ol></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If that sounds a lot like NFL free agency, requiring a scouting and personnel evaluation dept., you'd be correct.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence, What Are You Watching?</span></b> You didn't ask but I'm offering. TV that Defarge and I can advocate:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoXqfLelmdpkp9VoSWqBZ9UkhCxYI70kyKbJSDcFJEQnUcJ7hxy0f4hqVjNYsLDEdECPJAMmjlVVCTQhpRLKzB6RBoWa04dRhupMdzcBpgdgCMWZAoor-8nHLhjEruIM6PXm_JWgPRn-NwN8EMv02xevqZic5E1GlU17abHLAoXvEOGhgprQdhwm2H0nz/s696/Hijack.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="696" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoXqfLelmdpkp9VoSWqBZ9UkhCxYI70kyKbJSDcFJEQnUcJ7hxy0f4hqVjNYsLDEdECPJAMmjlVVCTQhpRLKzB6RBoWa04dRhupMdzcBpgdgCMWZAoor-8nHLhjEruIM6PXm_JWgPRn-NwN8EMv02xevqZic5E1GlU17abHLAoXvEOGhgprQdhwm2H0nz/w181-h102/Hijack.webp" width="181" /></a></div>Hijack (Apple+). </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Idris Elba as a businessman on a Dubai-to-London plane that gets taken over. Hijinx ensue.</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Drops of God (Apple+). </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you're a wine aficionado (and most you appear to be), fun show about the world's greatest wine expert who creates a winner-take-all contest to inherit his $150M wine collection. </span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dXH5ygJ3dfvfqVb2j1vKbnjAey9KKqHmpPIc_Ve5WvojpyNLbzOUJNP_8mLjqI5dg_mmWONZfDZy94yb8sPITrdDIS1yfo6Un_DUquvLEogYe5CxUbBwaisN-er1mxE4WRzB9PYAGIgtil83DEbM8byHOrsJv91szUrXkd1lyegCMeKCvL0B_F8zWJX_/s1100/drops_of_god_photo_010701_custom-a8964516c892ba9ea36476febd65ab23440cf68e-s1100-c50.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1100" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dXH5ygJ3dfvfqVb2j1vKbnjAey9KKqHmpPIc_Ve5WvojpyNLbzOUJNP_8mLjqI5dg_mmWONZfDZy94yb8sPITrdDIS1yfo6Un_DUquvLEogYe5CxUbBwaisN-er1mxE4WRzB9PYAGIgtil83DEbM8byHOrsJv91szUrXkd1lyegCMeKCvL0B_F8zWJX_/w176-h117/drops_of_god_photo_010701_custom-a8964516c892ba9ea36476febd65ab23440cf68e-s1100-c50.jpeg" width="176" /></a></div>Full Circle (Max).<br /></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soderbergh mini-series centered around a kidnapping that goes awry.</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">What We Do In The Shadows (Hulu). </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Season 3 mockumentary about vampires still adjusting to life in Staten Island. </span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated (Netflix)</span></li><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbMJ1sLBudwRPzVFYZWXT8gStA-hc4MVmZaZ4ITd4YkrQFphjzTVPXcuO6N6fa8jlYdmt0XSeD6vRVOYU7vh30e9kpqUoOyPw-2RVDRHSClJJ7181DyOee5XP3DIknatwppDvOTF4nU8s9eeEudCsG5JHuWCZla-iahucRijfpobwkjuZIJCcYRAEGZgk/s220/Scooby-gang-1969.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="220" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbMJ1sLBudwRPzVFYZWXT8gStA-hc4MVmZaZ4ITd4YkrQFphjzTVPXcuO6N6fa8jlYdmt0XSeD6vRVOYU7vh30e9kpqUoOyPw-2RVDRHSClJJ7181DyOee5XP3DIknatwppDvOTF4nU8s9eeEudCsG5JHuWCZla-iahucRijfpobwkjuZIJCcYRAEGZgk/w175-h134/Scooby-gang-1969.jpeg" width="175" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Watching this with the granddaughter, the sexual tension among the group is revelatory. It's like<br /> if Fleetwood Mac started a detective agency.</span></li></ul></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>5. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">GOAT? </span></b> With the passing of Johnny Lujack this past week at the ripe old age of 98, this came across my desk:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh8JHLTO9T4sWf8wyVWFbMW8aLEKVrDRWfxaohv9HvjUR8XA3hu9voMV3HAYOti9WmgIKFLbBYx7Nq2-ddRfbGKZKCy00QVW70AGu6eLEhvOyvlmrXBxtiIIjsQTYiS4qHFTtdp4f9GFKTOOs5nSNLEy7xothF1X5Vj6QyS85YX1vCvvt7ZWnP-3stYNk/s1160/IMG_4054.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1160" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh8JHLTO9T4sWf8wyVWFbMW8aLEKVrDRWfxaohv9HvjUR8XA3hu9voMV3HAYOti9WmgIKFLbBYx7Nq2-ddRfbGKZKCy00QVW70AGu6eLEhvOyvlmrXBxtiIIjsQTYiS4qHFTtdp4f9GFKTOOs5nSNLEy7xothF1X5Vj6QyS85YX1vCvvt7ZWnP-3stYNk/w400-h269/IMG_4054.heic" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who was gonna tell Blanda, Arnie and Stan the Man they're wrong? Not me. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6a. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Recruiting (lacrosse)</span></b>. Looking good! Another Top 5 haul! And a legacy stud, to boot! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw5fhnkKvSvR92ZBy4iy9roVyqVRQkkRU1U06pYo_Q2Pu7cv7sLBlQ7Rb6-2NSXEfEZpPqMI1-lmIRPRn7klqBbvjVTGA3IWI0z5tzl63qXj4DNM4Vs-hI5wISvVFapRb3rvATsfvmORR1hfqSjqFpX64wjOw3_cNSoL9gydYo5kdYvx9HVpa_U-LOusE/s1094/ND_Lacrosse%20recruit.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw5fhnkKvSvR92ZBy4iy9roVyqVRQkkRU1U06pYo_Q2Pu7cv7sLBlQ7Rb6-2NSXEfEZpPqMI1-lmIRPRn7klqBbvjVTGA3IWI0z5tzl63qXj4DNM4Vs-hI5wISvVFapRb3rvATsfvmORR1hfqSjqFpX64wjOw3_cNSoL9gydYo5kdYvx9HVpa_U-LOusE/w264-h400/ND_Lacrosse%20recruit.png" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6b. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Recruiting (football).</span></b> Spitballing here but just guessing... <i>not a Notre Dame fit?</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvGeEg9cydlwrrWKU5JeXULFE3y-fYENMv5qQnCyWWJ0_UwB_TLpv9a1bCa8tOHKFt4tXTv3TUL47pbJR7KbFsmTjUnQOpOOQRu5tCPxp-20jMqvs9R6SvfvIDG5l_9HEYPY1lKM-96jccYkZqhoZ-qjSCPkzk01XyJ3wOkLCQQDNGKdtLo4cFtgtKkZm/s1682/Um,%20no.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="1163" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvGeEg9cydlwrrWKU5JeXULFE3y-fYENMv5qQnCyWWJ0_UwB_TLpv9a1bCa8tOHKFt4tXTv3TUL47pbJR7KbFsmTjUnQOpOOQRu5tCPxp-20jMqvs9R6SvfvIDG5l_9HEYPY1lKM-96jccYkZqhoZ-qjSCPkzk01XyJ3wOkLCQQDNGKdtLo4cFtgtKkZm/w261-h378/Um,%20no.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>NIL. </b></span> The state of college football explained in a single, albeit obscure, song:.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I assume you understand that we have options on your time.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"> And we'll ditch you in the harbor if we must.!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>But if it all works out nicely</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>You'll get the bonus you deserve...</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bHTgHussKDM" width="320" youtube-src-id="bHTgHussKDM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC! SEC!</span></b> The only thing about the SEC I miss... </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UrL39OT8p7Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="UrL39OT8p7Q"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Too many of you have heard, for far too many times, a favorite mantra of mine... that I find myself coming back to in times of even trivial adversity: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Crisis doesn't develop character, it reveals it.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which brings us to this edition's Buddy winner:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Rickie Fowler</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnLMVBIjm81L6WemVn-bz2NWJh6QOs1wdEnn_-CR2KxpnUakYiscAgauSmJKvw_7oJAuyoL9uaDIYsTJzdsd6ScFqKTrqv_tPL9lwCrCEsioI-r-ujEsSINjdL7Wd3Api_qnc9hzWo8OwNVEwlwshDiryU67DsVQFKw9xh5grbnme59LFo5BBub5u_zBc/s1480/IMG_3912.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1157" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnLMVBIjm81L6WemVn-bz2NWJh6QOs1wdEnn_-CR2KxpnUakYiscAgauSmJKvw_7oJAuyoL9uaDIYsTJzdsd6ScFqKTrqv_tPL9lwCrCEsioI-r-ujEsSINjdL7Wd3Api_qnc9hzWo8OwNVEwlwshDiryU67DsVQFKw9xh5grbnme59LFo5BBub5u_zBc/w267-h342/IMG_3912.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">"Yeah, winning's great but there's a lot more to life than that."</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;">Golf is a f*cking maddening sport. For the basic amateur hack, solving it is like being asked to create alchemy. Sure, no problem. And so, when one sees one of the world's elite players seemingly <i>totally</i> lose their game, well, it's hard to even process. How can that even be? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And impossible to imagine what it's like to be the one actually experiencing it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is why watching Fowler's 2023 return to form represents one of the great feel good stories of the year. This guy was lost in the proverbial desert, performance-wise, for literally a couple years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet my favorite anecdote about him is hearing from the Spieths, Thomases etc. - his friends - about how Fowler would be there waiting on the 18th green of Sunday's round to congratulate them on their victory - even though he was probably done before they even teed off. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And not just once, he's done this a </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">dozen times</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> over the last few years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bravo, Rickie. You might be one of Life's rare creatures: a better person than you are an athlete.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Only 29 more days until football. And tailgates. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Building to a fevered pitch. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay maybe not yet - an early schedule of Navy, Middle Tennessee State, NC State and Central Michigan doesn't exactly jump start the hippocampus, does it?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But beggars can't be choosers. And so many questions still haven't been answered. Let's start with the cut-to-the-chase big one: what's our record gonna be?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>The Vegas odds predict a 9-3 record. If you were forced to make a large wager, would it be on 10-2 or 8-4? This wager should be based on logic not emotion.</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong>Mike M.</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">When money is involved, it’s always logic, right?</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">I’m bullish on Notre Dame this year, more so than the betting public. As much as Marcus Freeman entering his second year should matter, the fact he’s doing it with Sam Hartman at quarterback might matter more. Not to say that the quarterback is more important than the head coach, but when I’m asked what the biggest lesson Freeman learned from Year 1 was, I keep coming back to the fact that he rolled the dice at the most important position on the field. It was a mistake. He didn’t repeat it. There was a question about how I’d feel about the upcoming season if it were <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tyler Buchner</a> or <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Drew Pyne</a> at quarterback. About three wins lower is my answer.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">I’m not sure I’m higher on Hartman than others, but I believe Notre Dame has the material to compete for the College Football Playoff at quarterback, running back, offensive line, linebacker and cornerback. Receiver could be much better than expected if Hartman delivers. Yes, defensive line is a major question, and it’s the second-most important position on the field.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">There are some ifs to the season, obviously. If <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="35Ls1UOGdoPujC18" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-botelho-35Ls1UOGdoPujC18/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jordan Botelho</a> matures into an every-down player (ir if <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="buoQ3Fiyv3oA5JrT" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/junior-tuihalamaka-buoQ3Fiyv3oA5JrT/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Junior Tuihalamaka</a> can accelerate his development). If grad transfers Antonio Carter and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="osjennMllVuBwL5V" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a> can upgrade the secondary. If <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Ai43QydUF5vBxnps" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cam-hart-Ai43QydUF5vBxnps/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Cam Hart</a> can stay healthy. If <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="zzl8nHTLFr8jnoMu" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/eli-raridon-zzl8nHTLFr8jnoMu/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Eli Raridon</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" data-id="Wxma507LVQYoNaTh" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jadarian-price-Wxma507LVQYoNaTh/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jadarian Price</a> can stay on the field after serious injuries. But are these really huge ifs? To me, it feels more like a parlay made up of betting favorites on the money line.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Just so we’re clear, I’m not predicting Notre Dame will make the College Football Playoff. I’m just predicting that on Nov. 1 that the Irish will be contenders with just one loss.*</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">*Season predictions made in July are subject to change without notice.</p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">July 24, 2023</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps it is the theme of travel - I've been doing a fair bit of late - that attracted me to this offering. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or the northern Italy locale that's made me wistful, with daughter Shea heading back to our old 'hood in August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or my latest foray into mixology requiring lemon juice and simple syrup.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or, just making a blue drink. Cool!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">A Room With Vermouth</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Room with a View (1908)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By E. M. Forster</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTFCs7F684haK2Zpl-bOlDPg4Rs6iENMTKE9ALQslwoKLEoxjampEMSfx7ibfaLYP49Y60AKGySfOFzzhnbtXDJazrDxTDhaMOaaMlcbw0mLtb-mlamjwYQZ7BEWUZoE4Zp6kLhKhHvV2mobqStcdc1jLIKxz54UKjcb8S2Z6hGQelTkONPI3_dQWG0F/s630/Room-With-A-View-Florence.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTFCs7F684haK2Zpl-bOlDPg4Rs6iENMTKE9ALQslwoKLEoxjampEMSfx7ibfaLYP49Y60AKGySfOFzzhnbtXDJazrDxTDhaMOaaMlcbw0mLtb-mlamjwYQZ7BEWUZoE4Zp6kLhKhHvV2mobqStcdc1jLIKxz54UKjcb8S2Z6hGQelTkONPI3_dQWG0F/s320/Room-With-A-View-Florence.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>If you've ever arrived at a hotel only to discover that your room with a "view" is of a parking lot, welcome to the opening scene of E. M. Forster's beloved novel, the first he began writing and the third to be published.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Considered Forster's lightest work, Room lets you settle in for a view of Florentine vistas and sidekick spinsters, all while questioning how one does and doesn't fit into society's preordained pecking order.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">As for you, you'll fit in just fine as soon as you serve your suitor this drink, which boasts a taste of Italy and a view of the blue sky.judgments.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpCHyUCtJj9QtrLro0RU0DvFljGHiVyX0TSyrkywOBSycU527vFl7ooZDosSu27VkL5L0GhlxqB28qDP2AMeSThBKUrZrVtaGi3b1AS0u_KHzlGD3nX18DPoGSg7ixGSx61N4unyEHE_mKpdi90mq8Cchlf2Ft0tXddbPJqi48P9ttegDC4wetiEkHU_B/s542/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%206.05.44%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="530" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpCHyUCtJj9QtrLro0RU0DvFljGHiVyX0TSyrkywOBSycU527vFl7ooZDosSu27VkL5L0GhlxqB28qDP2AMeSThBKUrZrVtaGi3b1AS0u_KHzlGD3nX18DPoGSg7ixGSx61N4unyEHE_mKpdi90mq8Cchlf2Ft0tXddbPJqi48P9ttegDC4wetiEkHU_B/w196-h200/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%206.05.44%20PM.png" width="196" /></a></div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 oz. dry vermouth<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz blue curaçao</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. lemon juice</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 oz. simple syrup</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 egg white</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the vermouth, curaçao, lemon juice, syrup and egg white into a shaker and dry-shake for :05 - then double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Raise the curtains and drink up!</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Are You There God? It's me, Margarita.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>More Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2023 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span>Wake Forest</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Oh well, it's been a good day in hell</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">And tomorrow I'll be glory bound... </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sUw8X83rlLM" width="320" youtube-src-id="sUw8X83rlLM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Everyone starts the year undefeated and glory-bound. Good luck!<br /><div><br /></div><div><div>Thanks to Messrs. Cincotta and Corrigan (Mike) for this year's wager construct - <i>what would be the ND National Champions lacrosse analogy for the 2023 ND football performance?</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Wins<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>ND Lacrosse God<o:p></o:p></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLwwZ0WASkTFHUJrcS5oMsOv7BrpomXoKN8yp-cr6HHEyDF7fkyqbfcQI2P0gNE5_CpQgr4be-EHyL1VN_NdCm4tqXYepdLjLXNR0yvM6OY8G7THzHVwqRIGMPwFPi23C1rbKgF_zG2SJ/s863/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/s1304/Corrigan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1129" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLKveRd9IwVCixgdCbclormMj_p7js4lff9W9mKXgt_AmOz2K7Y2yvGbjAcfXfU5fSqn5bVISiaN7_6EAdmvjF0ArmPh_CazEUa0bacxQzRbPYJwW7fQi_Q-VWF9ACoAwbTAsXXgEQrsmSRcHQSdv_FD5k4sHHpcgC3JkZP8IBKWmF539T6wvUVDXuqi4/w153-h177/Corrigan%202.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>12</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Kevin Corrigan</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p>A Corrigan as national champ?</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i>Perfection.</i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/s1243/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1175" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTeUcaonbh6JaGp_jyfXj7U32RFyxQKmmd-mWgvwi-LESDaBJ2c3FCpjTJXFgBrq78fz9E2mnooAFPyVyjTQGYp3ErHXdgWsKWo5yh5rfaDScHErJCjigsCKD-lY-0tNNfdlFQKv4DcOzOBACqtsg5tgFlN4IJ3hgA9A-9HKhY9VOtnQD4DPi83ciWxi6/w163-h173/Matt%20K.%202.jpeg" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Matt Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">The first of the Kavanagh clan, his career mirrors that of how an 11 win season might be construed - undeniably excellent, just not quite good enough.</p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/s738/Pat%20K.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="738" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y1QCkAybnGASHwWZvg05PJGD5jPdBTumbh2xqTYZNbgS1-nwsv3KewgGknVfLgpLL1ZH2nkDUQ-1NZKspyForsYAbHvJxIzehyCR2c4vqsZp8S3UN9xh1tE0YyImccDFNzr7QWa1d2SKGO4jg5qS0CNA0G_m3cdhOsDNMHV_ATRzNZ2z3N2D5il_PkDa/w155-h138/Pat%20K.jpeg" width="155" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Pat Kavanagh</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p>Nobody embodies 'tough' more than this guy... suggesting a 10 win season, with all the unknowns on the team (e.g., WR's), may say more about the team's fortitude - and future - than two losses might.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/s802/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="802" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLajus3GFoYooV7bjs7zK03venA_g7UeGRtFBEXdICMJ4jvCd9GG6JWoS43kcfaYT9OnfjR9MoA_f972szT8fqyhn4mXL3sCdm_K5LEhicozLHj-rYGZ4LEG6Ymy5X0C8pr3bA84txpBb1n_KivzJVfu30Vxb5BC_C-9V8rsnNqpIMDES950gzDrhcrkZL/w167-h143/Chris%20K%202.jpeg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Chris Kavanagh</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">How would a 9-win season be viewed? The guess here is "wow, that year was crazy, a little unhinged, certainly unpredictable!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Which seems to be the most perfect description of the youngest Kavanagh. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/s1088/Sergio%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1088" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otqVYb_UEq_DzXMS22QA4yhtX3nXzmd48ftGbdw5RLuSs6vPQJQmT9kwVG-H2KVJuiO1pUVfgl0rJYOcdV6M9L5RS1cxFizjwEKlzlfxhCosvvw0vKcgay4s8p0UqjvF8IQo0HIISjXGj1ZnXJfvV-bleOqOfZsMJEGod73_fOHuFSpqDnmbb5QPx-5E/w169-h152/Sergio%202.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>8</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Sergio Perkovic.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">The pride of Bloomfield Hills, arguably the Austin Carr of his era (check out sometime how he singlehandedly brought the team back in a NCAA semi-final vs. Denver).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Yet no one remembers him in light of the team's recent success. Just like no one will choose to remember an 8-win outcome.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/s506/liam.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="506" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OTLU-fwV5posT1gMhM8EByOt725b3rz6o-VIiHQCRRAkFR6_GsZ6_FEfcH3VYhOQecvm8zg4LAOt2ev8TWP3kYk5mH7qzVW4s6gFj45ax3gjGkTnvpnO7KbCujt_AvLkaOPdj1OS8uCdwtbB8NemymdF7I0_yzk8SI_Wm3fF8xNzs9iQvcysvwFVVvpk/w180-h131/liam.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>7</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Liam Entenmann</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p>7 wins, ugh. No one would be happy with that - yet out of it may reveal a preternatural performance or two (ala our man Liam in Philadelphia), setting up an optimistic 2024 scenario.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><i>Dare to dream</i>.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/s1073/byrne%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1073" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4V9mvNpnuynMruf7s1SrU3-IWrIiQqqwe2YWWpgHG1LhZElb3MLPVJ-DMGESE2RlXgm3SiCq-CKmq7nlDwCvFPy96pQeAjbiP0oz_2ic2MnLEkV8L2BN9zcJV3TVuLWC8PlJ_6bZDk4fQlLHFqY2zjAsZvC8EAw80XJWPR4HOKnrLzvER3jHy4FvZ1J/w176-h162/byrne%202.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>Gerry Byrnes</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Nothing optimistic about 6 wins or less. Just looking for someone to blame. In this case, why not point the finger at the former 2nd in command to Corrigan, architect for a top tier defense strategy who (got tired of waiting and) left for the top job at Harvard.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Not fair but so what.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/s640/540427.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_QJyt23PASNMbOnOk0WFmQ6LJ6RMgKaSv2-GUZrHkb6MUX8xQrhV4LLNKy3fRgvQetpWGDycM2EffzbAbHz7R3cZ5oBRlGKO2Ydde0OT4H8yrTqSQPNdAoIDtAxtI_R1RMx7xa4_SUJAY9wPCIHOFpow41b_A7Qwr472ZXqIIdPgo8e39_kcBSIdENPY/w188-h126/540427.webp" width="188" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is lacrosse as club sport territory...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/s1200/notre-dame-fencing.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqMEdKtxsz6tCsgtMhp_T2OQNCTIkIBIu5wF_kMWpTcp7Zwtbbwm1_nXkqP2F5O0VJIA2Yabm9PpZegVVdTTK-st8iqjCfNRuElUsvAWa6DdnDyD5GHN2iUqD6NU85rzgoBUCn8q_ysl0hJ-JdmPkLxfHCI1QVoAQ9q3F4cWOA_5Y8tVOskJZ61AquftG/w173-h97/notre-dame-fencing.webp" width="173" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>4</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">How are the fencers looking this year?</p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is the slow season for this section. One must truly dig deep to find 'critical mass' sports disappointment that can still excite, nay thrill.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is Jerrence up for such a task? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You bet your ass he is. And that's even before the inevitable season ending, pre-season injuries that'll surely dismantle any number of college / professional football teams. (Football is nothing if not a game of attrition.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But in the meantime...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkuIS6a8r6DB5CHdlPycu0D7BKo9ncmAcNpwOIzY7hOLxe0q80sw8qH2f9OE2YQmxJR9qbjE7XLrubW2EqxK9vecaInX2VcETpGUxU-gy2Na1kEWlFE6FhJxfqte5wu9phrIOYRct-rNzSeOIzBl6E40nvvTYluwtxGzaTH1LBTyT--knbGuW04190tOc/s260/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="194" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkuIS6a8r6DB5CHdlPycu0D7BKo9ncmAcNpwOIzY7hOLxe0q80sw8qH2f9OE2YQmxJR9qbjE7XLrubW2EqxK9vecaInX2VcETpGUxU-gy2Na1kEWlFE6FhJxfqte5wu9phrIOYRct-rNzSeOIzBl6E40nvvTYluwtxGzaTH1LBTyT--knbGuW04190tOc/w228-h306/download.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Los Angeles Lakers </b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Laker fans like to say, "we collect super stars." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hard to argue with that. Going back to Abdul Jabbar, they've had an impressive run on players that will be most people's all time lists.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They're already planning for the eventuality of acquiring the NBA's newest heir apparent, Victor Wembanyama, who inconveniently is San Antonio Spurs property for the next several years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What they don't collect too much of any more is actual championships. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well done, Nuggets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>LSU (Les Miles)</b></span><b>. </b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span> </span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZUb8IaaYzZi8qCFd9r5h-V5YC6-rkCqbgdOyinnCXGUFl0BoyIZKSM5TwTlU_ZSDSddU9dlhTWnaYVR7Z-Mv_C0R9lIgsF4QSHK3yiVSEgsD4Cj5FzY5ViX7m3XTpmV843AGBzAhG4jSITJVObAWNoJnnrtmRW-kNOKCeW3_Ekcp_f1zZsLxa5DhPRiP/s690/Les-2.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="550" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZUb8IaaYzZi8qCFd9r5h-V5YC6-rkCqbgdOyinnCXGUFl0BoyIZKSM5TwTlU_ZSDSddU9dlhTWnaYVR7Z-Mv_C0R9lIgsF4QSHK3yiVSEgsD4Cj5FzY5ViX7m3XTpmV843AGBzAhG4jSITJVObAWNoJnnrtmRW-kNOKCeW3_Ekcp_f1zZsLxa5DhPRiP/w181-h227/Les-2.webp" width="181" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The NCAA wakes up from a Rip Van Winkle-esque slumber to realize, 'hey I think there's some cheatin' going on in the SEC!' </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Displaying a sense of urgency typically only reserved for glaciers and government investigations - it took them eight years to figure it out - they drop the hammer on LSU and their former coach, Miles.</span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">37 wins vacated with history now recording the teams performance as 0-14 for the 2012-15 years.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A drop in the bucket but hey, it's nice to be recognized, if only for what amounts to a slap on the wrist.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Novak Djokovic</span></b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ9llVMYcHiO9c3tOrBANi-H43wdxcV4SIxwah8KcQyiLBF39w6C-aeGfZvG_Y7uDqMgoUPJ_OC4MNXZr67GCaFsS7VRW0GokDQaLCe8t4uwf85tX74dXSu10BwcqbcvRFMDs3wooSHh6R0AzPzoyMhE-BEuAFRoXc2UuOl0J1-3WOEblYW5rtrNMA2cT/s1548/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%201.01.50%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1548" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ9llVMYcHiO9c3tOrBANi-H43wdxcV4SIxwah8KcQyiLBF39w6C-aeGfZvG_Y7uDqMgoUPJ_OC4MNXZr67GCaFsS7VRW0GokDQaLCe8t4uwf85tX74dXSu10BwcqbcvRFMDs3wooSHh6R0AzPzoyMhE-BEuAFRoXc2UuOl0J1-3WOEblYW5rtrNMA2cT/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%201.01.50%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Perhaps it was because I've always been a big Federer fan, for me he was always class and elegance personified. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or maybe it had to do with the first time I arrived in Belgrade, our agency's country manager drove me <i>immediately</i> to see the where the US had mistakenly bombed the local Chinese Embassy. Hmmm. Did they want me to apologize?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whatever. I'm just not a huge fan of Serbia and their greatest athlete. Glad he lost Wimbledon. One can only hope it's signaling a changing of the guard. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">What is it about the summer months that brings out society's reprobates.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay, perhaps there's not really any seasonality to this group.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nor does there seem to be any categorical or geographical skew to this resource.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lucky me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>It</i></span><i> can get you into trouble</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>But it can't get you out. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfp70ymGxGE" width="320" youtube-src-id="lfp70ymGxGE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>The One We Call 'Feif</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;">'</span> <i>Et tu, Thomas? </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpzWZrJP2IzG4BZ8j_IB3_jx1TTA9MDPMOmOUceiwh9WhhlCc06mXd9sq7_3uiPcAnYbi8Jz-vEKxQv0pPGnXUS17GM6a2LngcQvLEjbHTrIyueS_jAR3w7780tj_JEGbKqPhGj9qf2IcDjdd6vE0FOaxqeZaDDshBMcPb2mVcNuRGGmr5uFmDff6ZBfa/s941/IMG_0265%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="882" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpzWZrJP2IzG4BZ8j_IB3_jx1TTA9MDPMOmOUceiwh9WhhlCc06mXd9sq7_3uiPcAnYbi8Jz-vEKxQv0pPGnXUS17GM6a2LngcQvLEjbHTrIyueS_jAR3w7780tj_JEGbKqPhGj9qf2IcDjdd6vE0FOaxqeZaDDshBMcPb2mVcNuRGGmr5uFmDff6ZBfa/w387-h414/IMG_0265%202.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>It gives this writer no pleasure to call out one of our own. But let's call this what it is: a Paddlefish coup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So imagine the surprise of two of the founding members of the esteemed club when they saw news of new titles for its leader (singular?), new compensation packages (also singular) and evidently, a new board of directors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Can you say, 'shadow government?'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shameful. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And for future reference - the 1st Rule of <strike>Fight</strike> Insurrection Club is... and one would've thought anyone who paid attention to the January 6th debacle would know this... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't brag about your achievements on social media.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlocSWN5m_VbL2rDWgQf7cLizMj6Yt26Musz4GB01e3F2uXtEDFD3HYYwMQlD8K4tAHMR9P_9rK8yTn8KKm9hP_S6w0kT83rCOUyGDxoiWI1bNrCxBfijAh9jjYlc95xDdVeE2mcve8bcP6u4Ih_OmQ4V648cNoh2vMGIegz5w5DP5vaoVmyts3Oo2XTh/s240/200.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlocSWN5m_VbL2rDWgQf7cLizMj6Yt26Musz4GB01e3F2uXtEDFD3HYYwMQlD8K4tAHMR9P_9rK8yTn8KKm9hP_S6w0kT83rCOUyGDxoiWI1bNrCxBfijAh9jjYlc95xDdVeE2mcve8bcP6u4Ih_OmQ4V648cNoh2vMGIegz5w5DP5vaoVmyts3Oo2XTh/s1600/200.gif" width="240" /></a></div>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Northwestern University</span></b>. <span style="color: white;">This summer's winner of the <i>"Luuuu</i><i><span style="text-align: left;">cy, Y</span></i><i><span>ou Got Some</span><span> </span><span>Esplainin' To Dooooo!"</span></i><span> award. And the fact that the cultural toxicity extends beyond the football team (incl. baseball, softball, volleyball) gives one legitimate pause<i>.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And as much as we tar the entire SEC with the "you're cheaters!" brush, you gotta believe there are college administrators all over the country thinking, "that's Northwestern we're talking about - what's going on within our programs?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Shemy Schembechler</b></span>. Okay, your nickname alone is enough to make you a first ballot <br />tool, which your former employer U. of Michigan could no doubt see past. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, it was your social media activity <i>two days after being hired</i> - generously self-described as 'flippant' - where you proffered that slavery and Jim Crow laws actually <u>strengthened</u> black individuals and families - that the school administrators couldn't quite wrap their minds around. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoe5HtBSH8ki4qVoHf42mrKM7SIcOhbVVigZtYdqCePZe759ADjmaGu5pOWLHndW6Wi49U_PCghXocmg90vFYBxyy_kfBOjoayZIrC0QcVUJzMnRofL_DhHYyFIGDlJGkWrt6tajt--uq4TEFk9Z4FBJLTOecUom3_3RySY41yFB9RK4MnPXN-0EOB2s4/s500/giphy.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="500" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoe5HtBSH8ki4qVoHf42mrKM7SIcOhbVVigZtYdqCePZe759ADjmaGu5pOWLHndW6Wi49U_PCghXocmg90vFYBxyy_kfBOjoayZIrC0QcVUJzMnRofL_DhHYyFIGDlJGkWrt6tajt--uq4TEFk9Z4FBJLTOecUom3_3RySY41yFB9RK4MnPXN-0EOB2s4/w374-h154/giphy.gif" width="374" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The moral of the story? Even for a football coach - there are limits to some cutting edge hypotheses. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But to be fair, those concepts could probably get you elected in Florida. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhEmV13ZYp6174_PiRZ06CPm9g0IjjBXG9buiLi4KHNipVjbvDwDothOqHIY5EtYrcLjAgQB-SY8C6auvw8h67S3chRi1H8GG1VH9xTfo5L3ooTWn_uvTmVwsTS6zViWQxcVbPwuJ134PE5RdI4D2AwfOPt3VRxYhnEHd3tabRE28O4_-QzLMySVpxM5/s808/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%2012.25.17%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="808" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhEmV13ZYp6174_PiRZ06CPm9g0IjjBXG9buiLi4KHNipVjbvDwDothOqHIY5EtYrcLjAgQB-SY8C6auvw8h67S3chRi1H8GG1VH9xTfo5L3ooTWn_uvTmVwsTS6zViWQxcVbPwuJ134PE5RdI4D2AwfOPt3VRxYhnEHd3tabRE28O4_-QzLMySVpxM5/w226-h208/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-27%20at%2012.25.17%20PM.png" width="226" /></a></div>4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">PGA</span></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. <i>BOHICA, faithful tour members</i> - especially you, Rory, who took virtually every LIV bullet for Monahan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Money wins. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Again. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And just keep telling yourself that Saudi PIF money is clean. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFFTr-Wgeic8VB6p7lg2eNBbKPfSqjBxL5xihJAOEYghfCzqPKeSsmbgiL1i_M_lyR9rZrD-Qm4WqeNhvZwul1ybmz8_8E35ToF_hYfDC2Xj9ApPHiJ2JfL5Ul9MmIJLT8uf6cwiJQpBfP93cuJ2gbVUIhjM6vY4vFwNXEVxFcvMITBKv_II2DlKee6Gd/s480/hLkQKa0.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFFTr-Wgeic8VB6p7lg2eNBbKPfSqjBxL5xihJAOEYghfCzqPKeSsmbgiL1i_M_lyR9rZrD-Qm4WqeNhvZwul1ybmz8_8E35ToF_hYfDC2Xj9ApPHiJ2JfL5Ul9MmIJLT8uf6cwiJQpBfP93cuJ2gbVUIhjM6vY4vFwNXEVxFcvMITBKv_II2DlKee6Gd/w186-h186/hLkQKa0.gif" width="186" /></a></div>5) <b> </b><i><span><b style="color: #fcff01;">"Rapid, unscheduled disassembly."</b></span> </i> <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What comes to mind when you hear those words?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>SpaceX?</li><li>Any time Cincotta visited 801 St. Louis?</li><li>Jerrence's 'safe words' for the ND Reunion 2024? </li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">No One Likes A Show Off, Junior</span>.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUgme9O6DSq1fmiezdrxgbSQBCrNguLhor8ZW9ijeBlmUDHxUNVIjdKO4s-JAM6N6mBe8xbspXPDzjlDzpEypyiNWcu7LlHF1b_gOZgwRJyeodsO1PKOJIdM8JiGoJMrnirBizBuhB-LH0zLyZuB_n-xeB27_EespXLjMS6lJdgYbpg3qqEaSxKwM1SmR/s1958/Show%20off.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUgme9O6DSq1fmiezdrxgbSQBCrNguLhor8ZW9ijeBlmUDHxUNVIjdKO4s-JAM6N6mBe8xbspXPDzjlDzpEypyiNWcu7LlHF1b_gOZgwRJyeodsO1PKOJIdM8JiGoJMrnirBizBuhB-LH0zLyZuB_n-xeB27_EespXLjMS6lJdgYbpg3qqEaSxKwM1SmR/w376-h640/Show%20off.jpg" width="376" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For everyone who still has their parent(s) around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">You know that old trees just grow stronger</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">And old rivers grow wilder every day.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Old people just grow lonesome</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there."</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKoYHFVBpEA" width="320" youtube-src-id="VKoYHFVBpEA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-27820079202496367262023-06-01T16:20:00.003-05:002023-06-01T16:44:00.923-05:00Spring Time For Marcus And Notre Dame<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>C'mon dim the lights</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>It's party time!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Switch on the strobe... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rPrPNpzLHIk" width="320" youtube-src-id="rPrPNpzLHIk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhd63km_cq0pX3RJKL3FRZT6NmfhCzCC86bPxGC4MbxNZ88uwC_K6KYCUTMVGtRuU0CZvZy1Oo_XMcaUlu831f6qRLTqFKqPSYdrc1hYED78wNU8jlZ5cMbsE_K__oeGEzDsv6Ma3ROmSdGhhCgIZsDjBEgq6W51rw-yFMYhPbM-7mvQYWz4BWI6-Nw/s788/Naples_KB%20shower%20(3.5.23).jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhd63km_cq0pX3RJKL3FRZT6NmfhCzCC86bPxGC4MbxNZ88uwC_K6KYCUTMVGtRuU0CZvZy1Oo_XMcaUlu831f6qRLTqFKqPSYdrc1hYED78wNU8jlZ5cMbsE_K__oeGEzDsv6Ma3ROmSdGhhCgIZsDjBEgq6W51rw-yFMYhPbM-7mvQYWz4BWI6-Nw/s320/Naples_KB%20shower%20(3.5.23).jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Why Naples? '<i>Cause that's where the babes are. </i>Duh!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Naples, FL</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Jerrence realized, now, that he'd never truly be accepted at his local Naples fitness center until he got himself a man bun...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">...and other initial insights from his first few months of retirement.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">---------------------------------</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like many of you who've gone before me into the Retirement Zone, I've been repeatedly asked, "so what are you gonna do?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But unlike many of you, I've never really understood the question - though I've faked it like I did, furrowing my brow like Derek Zoolander, as if I was in deep philosophical thought over the profundity of the question.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwweOngHhqELOdJDVrbpUJqhEFVCLTypf4IMJKFXGRvGOy5-JOWnfyYBzq3VyX61j2t9es69HF9w0d6ITcVd086kwo4rV-wUZGW-YJcKjL8UPl34vVgkncLydLr_-_Xk7umw9HuDgpTS_Hs1q5gCQAfnrqBgVmhQDY2X_u3COHGHw-r45XCeK-xsiGbA/s1114/IMG_3195.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwweOngHhqELOdJDVrbpUJqhEFVCLTypf4IMJKFXGRvGOy5-JOWnfyYBzq3VyX61j2t9es69HF9w0d6ITcVd086kwo4rV-wUZGW-YJcKjL8UPl34vVgkncLydLr_-_Xk7umw9HuDgpTS_Hs1q5gCQAfnrqBgVmhQDY2X_u3COHGHw-r45XCeK-xsiGbA/w301-h320/IMG_3195.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>When in point of fact, truth be told, I found the query, kinda stupid and irredeemably pointless. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After all I've been "doing" for 40+ years. Wasn't it time to start... <i>not </i>doing? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Slamming one's inner motor into, minimally, neutral? Taking my ambition into the metaphorical garage for a service check up and re-tooling? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe it stays in the shop, maybe it doesn't.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We'll find out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But ever the slave to convention and peer group pressure, with my evening swim and cocktail hour still a constant, I have began to spitball some new objectives:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG3Lx6PprYaQfPLmmZsIO0McTvuTwqvYe4_Cv1DawYZ3ikF67njW1GabeQX3qFzGXzbBNUi6UEua8ZnRjqrpm-307Oo8R10zuquWkLk6VsEBcgOeZYP7nsZYYGfvnHOOEiig8ehEIqbRHKtnIDgPwBDg4YFBKW5Qnm-_xl_dDagfWNV1mcXyXYWrdnw/s1283/70ab5346-b060-40c4-b891-e7815e8a9d38.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1283" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG3Lx6PprYaQfPLmmZsIO0McTvuTwqvYe4_Cv1DawYZ3ikF67njW1GabeQX3qFzGXzbBNUi6UEua8ZnRjqrpm-307Oo8R10zuquWkLk6VsEBcgOeZYP7nsZYYGfvnHOOEiig8ehEIqbRHKtnIDgPwBDg4YFBKW5Qnm-_xl_dDagfWNV1mcXyXYWrdnw/w320-h312/70ab5346-b060-40c4-b891-e7815e8a9d38.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Okay, you can be the cult's high priestess. Satisfied?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1. Read <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Infinite Jest</span>.</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. Watch <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mad Men</span></i>. I hear I'd find it interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. Write a <span style="color: #fcff01;">manifesto</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Start a <span style="color: #fcff01;">cult</span>. I've watched the Waco series. Doesn't look that difficult.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />5. Drive <span style="color: #fcff01;">Route 66</span> with Raz. <i> </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Challenge accepted, Jack Kerouac</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />6. <span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC roadtrip</span> with Raz. See pt. 5.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Get <span style="color: #fcff01;">golf index</span> to 15. <i>A girl can dream</i>.<br /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. Return to <span style="color: #fcff01;">Ryman Auditorium</span> for October Isbell residency with Rayhead. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_ogMo1X2QEoityYbWVdaoDAlXFN-0ejZOny9d9f2HGfKrHk9VHjoDTILooHutgnyazloMkbPkM2EFeigr6U6m1m7e1rXWxLicpttxfFYuXICnFO4rdCZDNgsz3bTanycujvzqzVS-InETfc6SdUTQqepmQVh3kkzyctRvVWV1S5freoPSkf49EddGQ/s1600/7aaf6d30-0dc4-4c69-b4ab-e4098f10d181.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_ogMo1X2QEoityYbWVdaoDAlXFN-0ejZOny9d9f2HGfKrHk9VHjoDTILooHutgnyazloMkbPkM2EFeigr6U6m1m7e1rXWxLicpttxfFYuXICnFO4rdCZDNgsz3bTanycujvzqzVS-InETfc6SdUTQqepmQVh3kkzyctRvVWV1S5freoPSkf49EddGQ/s320/7aaf6d30-0dc4-4c69-b4ab-e4098f10d181.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">9. Attend <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sundance Film Festival, </span>dress in black.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Get back on <span style="color: #fcff01;">skis</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">10. Open Flint Lake's first <span style="color: #fcff01;">floating Tiki bar</span> and bookstore.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">11. Create 'The Jerrence' <span style="color: #fcff01;">cocktail</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy8aED08J2N7J6LzNgSaxKTi9b7vRTlhFOI1jWuWQSDbh9eaJQzcgwMmE3qaBoyPFA3v8Ut5Wn-3nqpfey768Xojv0WyuxQMRMwvpGaNwno0s5ZuW1IeXXQuKXyNlQjJjna9lWN1YG4eFd5SohtaIawKMzNiTthurRiX4QFKdp4CWsm0yBWPN6T8X5g/s777/IMG_3460.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="777" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy8aED08J2N7J6LzNgSaxKTi9b7vRTlhFOI1jWuWQSDbh9eaJQzcgwMmE3qaBoyPFA3v8Ut5Wn-3nqpfey768Xojv0WyuxQMRMwvpGaNwno0s5ZuW1IeXXQuKXyNlQjJjna9lWN1YG4eFd5SohtaIawKMzNiTthurRiX4QFKdp4CWsm0yBWPN6T8X5g/s320/IMG_3460.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">It's like it can see inside my mind...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">12. Defeat </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Chat GPT</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (I'll show you what artificial intelligence </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">really</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">looks like.) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">13. Get a <span style="color: #fcff01;">dog </span>(<i>won't Defarge be surprised!</i>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">14. Reinvent the <span style="color: #fcff01;">blog</span> (<i>podcast, anyone?</i>).<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">15. Reimagine<span style="color: #fcff01;"> time travel</span>. Save Senior Bar.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6nNyRqOiGhlRA4KwHvfFlp22u9nAOxhaQ_XzBelX9YlHpRE4z5zjz8nef3naU2sDOQzM0m4GvRxMll7_dkO7So2zo24GHFx98mWQak9r0pSLdCzinftoGMS5hiJ8iFqoIJUPTI_HBgu3TSXMi_Cw9bpmfzE2zajIAK2p7ofp6DupkJ7x-95FvJg82g/s1523/Senior%20Bar%20House%20May%201979.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1523" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6nNyRqOiGhlRA4KwHvfFlp22u9nAOxhaQ_XzBelX9YlHpRE4z5zjz8nef3naU2sDOQzM0m4GvRxMll7_dkO7So2zo24GHFx98mWQak9r0pSLdCzinftoGMS5hiJ8iFqoIJUPTI_HBgu3TSXMi_Cw9bpmfzE2zajIAK2p7ofp6DupkJ7x-95FvJg82g/w640-h434/Senior%20Bar%20House%20May%201979.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>The Rasmus Center For Exceptional Deviance</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week - I</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRvIf6RnNlcLoJHhXK6YHzrvVgMx2cbM_-yJ8tNu4k78qhU_jidl0gEVAaBmjkW0XbV5h6ytlY1yH0i_pFltLPA9qlcr8RJ4t1aZrK-haGtKYxS2LmWxjWvKu1Bxlm6LhKmg6GnidzDGrL9hTJjQArPbv0ar8xRmD4CxaaoTmk2cHEvoTwINA0sP-5w/s3242/IMG_3589.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="3242" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRvIf6RnNlcLoJHhXK6YHzrvVgMx2cbM_-yJ8tNu4k78qhU_jidl0gEVAaBmjkW0XbV5h6ytlY1yH0i_pFltLPA9qlcr8RJ4t1aZrK-haGtKYxS2LmWxjWvKu1Bxlm6LhKmg6GnidzDGrL9hTJjQArPbv0ar8xRmD4CxaaoTmk2cHEvoTwINA0sP-5w/s320/IMG_3589.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div>"I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you put concentration camps in people's countries, you had better be flawless on the ice..."</div></h4></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><h3><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z2pSaFBkg9iEvmfGiYIMEJUmT0HdkmfcpRUCbHu2T8mGmmvWwWkUIdL0nQ3uVghplBzYBW8nAIzIGWzKPGqUs_GZgFYRHAGK5L5L-ZGwellu9TgRDeWWyepyK8XXzzYcSEPk8LC3dpOVEGXuCq_FQh7py-VQqj-cCCRzFkR00rv08g-BoMEoI0EK_A/s2825/IMG_3592.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="2825" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z2pSaFBkg9iEvmfGiYIMEJUmT0HdkmfcpRUCbHu2T8mGmmvWwWkUIdL0nQ3uVghplBzYBW8nAIzIGWzKPGqUs_GZgFYRHAGK5L5L-ZGwellu9TgRDeWWyepyK8XXzzYcSEPk8LC3dpOVEGXuCq_FQh7py-VQqj-cCCRzFkR00rv08g-BoMEoI0EK_A/s320/IMG_3592.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>Hitler on Ice</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">"History of the World: Part II</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At 96, you've still got it, Mel Brooks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;">Quote of the Week - II</span></span></h3><div style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaVr77phOehkjzbSL2RaEn9hPEl-86Ll9FRooSlLQJhbeoL_2JOraEEQjSErnFTUUhTrmWZIQsN-6jUbw8P8HvSmvOHRtr1unJ1_6nLx_0s-eL5K3Rc8NtuJdIS0Fede2Ba0X2L8JYbouf8pJut-slNzSgFdKSfKVNRXPEzxBgxltdQJ7F3tJak-gKg/s1080/kavanaughs.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaVr77phOehkjzbSL2RaEn9hPEl-86Ll9FRooSlLQJhbeoL_2JOraEEQjSErnFTUUhTrmWZIQsN-6jUbw8P8HvSmvOHRtr1unJ1_6nLx_0s-eL5K3Rc8NtuJdIS0Fede2Ba0X2L8JYbouf8pJut-slNzSgFdKSfKVNRXPEzxBgxltdQJ7F3tJak-gKg/s320/kavanaughs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work..."</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Chuck Close</span></div><div style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frankly, I have no idea who Mr. Close is but I heard this quote during Final Four weekend and looking at the ND team performance, it seemed apropos. (Duke got snubbed last year too so it's not like inspiration is a singular, limited commodity.) </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">At some point, it's about showing up and dare we say, doing the <u>dirty</u> work. <i> </i></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><i>Bravi a tutti</i>, LAX'ers! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxcuarghNTqTNo7Cb4ELMiNjdGOzX15NTDm1jt-XambuW9QkidfhncaZTM-7KrEeDGwr00XDzAfpTPUAqZEXXcevGsPSV_NkEJA1hEc71R7pRkTyJsSI8_AlvDwwp3PxiXKC_cF0-TBvFcBAUni5OHiClMphgNDBDPYClAoHhJoqR4Zmie2Wu6obzA/s972/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-01%20at%202.36.22%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="972" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFxcuarghNTqTNo7Cb4ELMiNjdGOzX15NTDm1jt-XambuW9QkidfhncaZTM-7KrEeDGwr00XDzAfpTPUAqZEXXcevGsPSV_NkEJA1hEc71R7pRkTyJsSI8_AlvDwwp3PxiXKC_cF0-TBvFcBAUni5OHiClMphgNDBDPYClAoHhJoqR4Zmie2Wu6obzA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-01%20at%202.36.22%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: As Jerrence reflected Notre Dame's lacrosse championship with newfound appreciation and abject amazement (<i>"Mike, those guys really slash the shit out of each other out there! If they weren't on a lacrosse field, those would be several felony assault charges..."</i>), he couldn't divorce himself from the historical mountain that the team had just climbed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">UVA had already beaten them twice this year - and neither game was especially close. And while the Irish had defeated Duke during the regular season, the Blue Devils had owned us during the NCAA tournament.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And yet, the team's ability to approach the tournament essentially as a <i>tabula rasa</i> clearly freed them up to play loose and without fear - something that became all too apparent when things in both games got dicey. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Spring Practice Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I can't pretend there's any meaning hidden</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>In the things I'm saying....</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But I'm in tune.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W6-3rnD7FSc" width="320" youtube-src-id="W6-3rnD7FSc"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHFmRU5JCaJ-uohMAht9FVC9cj2XzK3NLX6DKTQzMjhh0MDndT1WWAExnVoHCLnoL6Q6B8LBbyELVUaP_0NnrsCl6LmNZ9pQsnbHFi1BJdvAba5kZgzI7AnkIBVnMEFnzxhbKR5F13dZYItFSQxgfIh3oYgRmSTWUvHfEuoT79-dm5jgSj4l7MG8ppw/s1024/hartman.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHFmRU5JCaJ-uohMAht9FVC9cj2XzK3NLX6DKTQzMjhh0MDndT1WWAExnVoHCLnoL6Q6B8LBbyELVUaP_0NnrsCl6LmNZ9pQsnbHFi1BJdvAba5kZgzI7AnkIBVnMEFnzxhbKR5F13dZYItFSQxgfIh3oYgRmSTWUvHfEuoT79-dm5jgSj4l7MG8ppw/s320/hartman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>1. </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"> Bowl Game</span>. We won, right? (It's been a while.). And our QB looked really promising! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Oh, wait.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">QB Competition</span></b>. I hope this doesn't drag out like Kelly used to do it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Oh, wait. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUMg1G026vbrDhT6Bkz8fMgGzQrwznfgSCm0G7IlmsZZnXA7G0esiJWJkI1L8gO8EmhZ2YiRXn41hj2rWzhdIcEjCA9RVXAv0v9a_bCdmyFiD8IviB7abb2R9p2Xuan9Zp663t-DnT7rnez3ADhZ5KQ_GuplnpnsMac8A5R7LIXhIv0YYVFUThl5ug/s1304/IMG_3632.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUMg1G026vbrDhT6Bkz8fMgGzQrwznfgSCm0G7IlmsZZnXA7G0esiJWJkI1L8gO8EmhZ2YiRXn41hj2rWzhdIcEjCA9RVXAv0v9a_bCdmyFiD8IviB7abb2R9p2Xuan9Zp663t-DnT7rnez3ADhZ5KQ_GuplnpnsMac8A5R7LIXhIv0YYVFUThl5ug/s320/IMG_3632.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>3. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Transfer portal</span></b>. Honestly, WTF? Allow me to go full Clint Eastwood Gran Torino 'get off my lawn' for a moment...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Does<i> anyone</i> actually relish competition any more? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or is it just a question of what's the easiest path to 1st string / stardom / a lucrative NIL deal? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We're all old enough to remember that <i>Joe freaking Montana</i> was 7th on the QB depth chart at one point (thank you, coach Devine, for that blinding glimpse of insight). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That said, does anyone think he'd be hanging around if he were playing these days? Almost zero chance. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kids these days.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2D90Y2n8nyJlF1vJWH8JCB-hdXSAr0Y6dqVYW3EUJw3WYOewNDarZAIPj3mggvCf_9QBQgCEeNjU-jPV68GnzeofYE57QsrN8PwtIl3080K0IqYLYuuOVF4c0QNFaBNuhoreUJX10m80OvvCmNkNmxDYRm73kU_77YwgZMFgIpCZLSB7h4759bMoog/s1177/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%2012.12.22%20PM.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1163" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2D90Y2n8nyJlF1vJWH8JCB-hdXSAr0Y6dqVYW3EUJw3WYOewNDarZAIPj3mggvCf_9QBQgCEeNjU-jPV68GnzeofYE57QsrN8PwtIl3080K0IqYLYuuOVF4c0QNFaBNuhoreUJX10m80OvvCmNkNmxDYRm73kU_77YwgZMFgIpCZLSB7h4759bMoog/w159-h161/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%2012.12.22%20PM.jpeg" width="159" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Savvy?</span></i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>4. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jack</span></b>. To say that our esteemed AD has had an uneven off-season would be an understatement. The basketball coach hire, if not a home run (time will tell), looks to be at least an extra base hit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Offensive Coordinator replacement process? Not so much. Note to self: when determining what compensation you need to negotiate against, make sure you have the latest contract.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I, for one, CANNOT WAIT for the next Cincotta - Swarbrick conversation. (We know what stadium parking lot intersection to hang out at, Jer. )</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBPmdy4rzzGiExCyQaEAWiEEuTjW64xa6NUxsdUne0xwLEv0Uqhx_zDDYGewuKN5Hr6kYZm-3DkdUnqNCo9_TSm4qjp5yfxmlVb2RjeqMr24MqG4PSpvMfFlN8NZjvFA_tQahUq_jB8M9rfWmU6IXDfzRBfH8mieqkS-1naXxSa86bn_PZwj43HgQ8g/s2048/Quaid.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1377" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBPmdy4rzzGiExCyQaEAWiEEuTjW64xa6NUxsdUne0xwLEv0Uqhx_zDDYGewuKN5Hr6kYZm-3DkdUnqNCo9_TSm4qjp5yfxmlVb2RjeqMr24MqG4PSpvMfFlN8NZjvFA_tQahUq_jB8M9rfWmU6IXDfzRBfH8mieqkS-1naXxSa86bn_PZwj43HgQ8g/w134-h200/Quaid.jpg" width="134" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Micah</span></b>. Normally, hiring someone named Micah would suggest ND's coaching shortlist involved focusing laser-like on the Lancaster county Amish leagues. And to read ND message boards at the time, that wouldn't have surprised anyone.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But more and more, it's looking like an extremely strong hire. Put aside the fact that there'll be virtually no one on the roster from the existing team (or recruiting class), next year's group - if current projections hold - look more talented and certainly more in sync with the new coach's philosophy (whatever that is).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Could going to a men's basketball game actually become a thing again? Maybe not next year but hey... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Coming from Penn St., he surely had to know basketball is never gonna be top dog at ND. <i>We're a <u>fencing and lacrosse school</u>, bub</i>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzUNtWnqv7V0vacgnkpWqUO24ChJlqKkjbkaS_ZSd0sOmOLbl9S1TUokwYa-F8ZQYooYZ-329soEArtgJ6fK-CDgak5i9T6dwVUJbp87qGT5EOQ82D6LMDmXRKLODkZ9_d9vUuSPGvXh1-l2VO0uFjmeSI4eKSXXBx-ooKmkT9LB8p3SYYiU9FcAt7Q/s640/Disappointed.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzUNtWnqv7V0vacgnkpWqUO24ChJlqKkjbkaS_ZSd0sOmOLbl9S1TUokwYa-F8ZQYooYZ-329soEArtgJ6fK-CDgak5i9T6dwVUJbp87qGT5EOQ82D6LMDmXRKLODkZ9_d9vUuSPGvXh1-l2VO0uFjmeSI4eKSXXBx-ooKmkT9LB8p3SYYiU9FcAt7Q/w320-h174/Disappointed.gif" width="320" /></a></div>6. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">MTS.</span></b> Not to be confused with MTG, we're talking Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders. As in Notre Dame's 2023 home opener. Well, that's... something. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, good thing we rectify that by crushing the rest of the home schedule, starting that very next week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wait, what? Central <i>where</i>?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Good Housekeeping</span></b>. Like me, have you experienced the angst of cutting a lime into several wedges and finding out your supposed "friend" isn't interesting in drinking as many G&T's as it takes to use them all? Disappointing, isn't it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u6mhFKt9IkGmqsj_OpYcrbwROPEIxFfUMBXibg5hyEYfWtZ-cCHXvIOxT0Sw-ZzUMAEIjpwvtic1fqRXtMpxPRVWd7YUzk_felhvSAdt5TFf1ipiM5crFKhUutQYL-MrswIAXkp4Cg5vl84ulCXbhpqO_tN-xUMxSrgEjBouWg89FubSNcRE6eaDWw/s1329/IMG_3537.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1329" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u6mhFKt9IkGmqsj_OpYcrbwROPEIxFfUMBXibg5hyEYfWtZ-cCHXvIOxT0Sw-ZzUMAEIjpwvtic1fqRXtMpxPRVWd7YUzk_felhvSAdt5TFf1ipiM5crFKhUutQYL-MrswIAXkp4Cg5vl84ulCXbhpqO_tN-xUMxSrgEjBouWg89FubSNcRE6eaDWw/w200-h193/IMG_3537.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Well, fear not. Madame Defarge has an easy hack to save those little suckers from drying out (and spare you the PTSD from recalling the 'starving children in China' messaging you were inundated as a wee lad). It's this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Find a container - perhaps even just a shot glass - and fill it with your favorite white spirit and stick those limey leftovers in it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They stay hydrated and ready for consumption the next time you need 'em!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Tommy</span></b>. One would be remiss if we didn't recognize coach Rees' departure. It'd be a massive understatement to say that Tommy's relationship with ND Nation, basically ever since he enrolled, has been a complicated one.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Was he ever the offensive child savant that industry 'experts' seem to suggest? Tough to say - he did have his moments amidst a few egregious 'no shows.' And who can tell how funky the chemistry was between him / Kelly / Hiestand? And it probably didn't help his Freeman relationship that he got hired <i>before</i> Marcus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Net</u>: when one considers the factors, including 1) he's only 30 years old and 2) who says 'no' to Nick Saban / Alabama, it's a smart career move. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good luck, coach Rees. And perhaps we'll see you again a few (several?) years down the road.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">I'm free.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"> I'm free!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">And I'm waiting for you to follow me....</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AOlNWDRc1Ms" width="320" youtube-src-id="AOlNWDRc1Ms"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who has been the apple of Jerrence's eye during this non-football season? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I'd be less than honest if I didn't tell you I wasn't disappointed in my inability to find this headline:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b><i>"Corrigan Wins National Championship!"</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Similarly, it'd be great to singularly call out our goalie, heir to the lucrative breakfast baked goods fortune (<i>note to self: fact check whether that's actually true</i>) but as spectacular as he was over the Final Four weekend, ND is not bringing home the trophy without a complete team effort. So the whole damn Men's lacrosse team are Buddy's pals this week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRItwjEIV7MI2WCxMIrvNnnzaBpF727d5aL9p3TZiRT-1YIpeZw3rWAwR8-SQL2inG-Bimk4J7UKv9I4i1A58WqGyoxP67W2SPANBsK0pYfE90LFjBrQpSQoB7NElBozkZ2coPehyNn66-zxzcxkXDQBmqdPqPmHVayY9AXN9JxeN5l7wEZwXWlupfg/s4756/08cc2290-5803-4171-926b-30bd74db1b86-notredame.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="4756" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRItwjEIV7MI2WCxMIrvNnnzaBpF727d5aL9p3TZiRT-1YIpeZw3rWAwR8-SQL2inG-Bimk4J7UKv9I4i1A58WqGyoxP67W2SPANBsK0pYfE90LFjBrQpSQoB7NElBozkZ2coPehyNn66-zxzcxkXDQBmqdPqPmHVayY9AXN9JxeN5l7wEZwXWlupfg/w640-h426/08cc2290-5803-4171-926b-30bd74db1b86-notredame.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Look, I don't know jack shit about the sport but I'm sentient enough to be able to discern watching an entire team do their respective jobs to a max proficiency... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">...especially as their alpha male / apex predator star goes down with an injury most of us wouldn't get out of bed with. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ODBX1I-SQxyjJ4dC_cpqv4GeUrao44aud9KMxmNOBSOgYxTkGvjpP6r8rB4nRR9LLHho35zdtL7MN09iL4JW_8Liws9FyjEuHZYW71mzJ2rg4ZnOkSp8pjdE5kllWJbd56BYo37MetrEegTR-SxhMoMY3zZMKQSyvjY0OO06Buu4Xhu2g11ARQQY4g/s900/entenmann.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ODBX1I-SQxyjJ4dC_cpqv4GeUrao44aud9KMxmNOBSOgYxTkGvjpP6r8rB4nRR9LLHho35zdtL7MN09iL4JW_8Liws9FyjEuHZYW71mzJ2rg4ZnOkSp8pjdE5kllWJbd56BYo37MetrEegTR-SxhMoMY3zZMKQSyvjY0OO06Buu4Xhu2g11ARQQY4g/s320/entenmann.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Get that weak sauce out of here...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Win nearly every critical face off? <i>Check.</i></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Negate opposing team's attacker? <i>Check</i>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Substitute liberally and strategically? <i>Check</i>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Optimize your time outs like a mo-fo? <i>Check</i>.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>There are times I feel like givin' in</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>There are time I begin to begin again.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You know I'm not in the clear... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qYzY25b_uek" width="320" youtube-src-id="qYzY25b_uek"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>One more thing (and my oldest brother warned me about this)</u>: never have I seen a sport where change of momentum - and scoring - can change so radically fast and almost predictably so. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The last three minutes of the semi-final vs. UVA? The most batshit crazy sequence I ever seen. Until watching the 3rd quarter of the finals.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What a sport. Congratulations, ND Men's lacrosse. And of course, the coach - cousin Kevin<span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Don't bother fact-checking that.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's the off-season. No football in sight, the Spring Blue-Gold game notwithstanding, for four more months. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're bored, I get it. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">You probably have questions. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Me too.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like, when you're retired, why do the days of the week even have names? I mean, I get the concept of "yesterday / today / tomorrow" but beyond that... what's even the point?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or, closer to the blog, how the hell did <i>Brian Ward </i>end up winning this year's football pool? </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">(Answer: In the words of the late, great Larry Corrigan, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally.") </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But you probably have queries more ND football-related on your mind, yes? So here's something fairly all encompassing from the most recent Pete Sampson / <i>The Athletic</i> mailbag as you begin your 'Wager 2023' thinking:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>Let’s say there are six tiers of position groups in college football:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>1. Championship level</strong><br /><strong>2. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">College Football</a> Playoff level</strong><br /><strong>3. New Year’s Six level</strong><br /><strong>4. Above-average Power 5</strong><br /><strong>5. Average Power 5 </strong><br /><strong>6. Below-average Power 5</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>Based on what you’ve seen and heard from spring practice, what tier would you place each of Notre Dame’s 2023 position groups in? — C.</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">For the sake of discussion, let’s cut those levels down to four: College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six, secondary bowl and “What are we even doing here?” (i.e. 7-5 or worse). Basically, we’re combining the first and second categories — same deal with the fifth and sixth categories.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Here’s what I’ve got:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>College Football Playoff:</strong> Running back, offensive line, cornerback</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">It’s not that Notre Dame has the best groups in the country at these spots; it’s just hard to pick out better ones. These positions are populated by the five best players on the team: <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/joe-alt-IaQDGafPY1MXNPwJ/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Joe Alt</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/blake-fisher-vu06y6WmyiJeRkdg/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Blake Fisher</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/benjamin-morrison-Eub3jMXnV1GjLvqN/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Benjamin Morrison</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/audric-estime-vB4aG2FbDQnE0mVM/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Audric Estime</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/logan-diggs-4e3iAQgKJsLZOJgC/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Logan Diggs</a>. Running back almost has too much talent — at least when Diggs and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jadarian-price-Wxma507LVQYoNaTh/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jadarian Price</a> are healthy. Plus, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jeremiyah-love-PtL9wFHMmkDkekMu/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jeremiyah Love</a> arrives this summer.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Offensive line should be outstanding with Alt/Fisher and fifth-year senior <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/zeke-correll-0vivYp8Vbw4mYoF6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Zeke Correll</a> at center.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Cornerback is more of a projection with <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cam-hart-Ai43QydUF5vBxnps/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Cam Hart</a> healthy, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/clarence-lewis-SiTdUJioFTWwsT03/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Clarence Lewis</a> working as a solid nickel and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-mickey-egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaden Mickey</a>/<a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/christian-gray-OMax98TXhnfEfvQN/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Christian Gray</a> as the fourth option. With <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">USC</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Ohio State</a> on the schedule, the uptick in cornerback talent is well-timed.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>New Year’s Six:</strong> Quarterback, linebacker</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">OK, hear me out on linebacker. Notre Dame will have three inside linebackers with roughly 3,100 combined career defensive snaps. Few diagnose formations better than <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jd-bertrand-Zh6rcNJDtWwC35Ew/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">JD Bertrand</a>. The staff is now working <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jack-kiser-GJfQ9mtwE3z7pLOd/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jack Kiser</a> on the interior in sub packages, putting one of the roster’s more underrated athletes to better use. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/marist-liufau-avvGxhEHz30DuIJB/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Marist Liufau</a> led the defense in snaps last season, and while he didn’t make many impact plays, if he’s the third inside linebacker on the depth chart, the Irish have a strong trio. If Notre Dame can get something from <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaylen-sneed-gMO2sqfRwYjIvId6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jaylen Sneed</a> or <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/nolan-ziegler-Wifi0YbcmTVkl3ne/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Nolan Ziegler</a> at rover (a sub player in modern defense), this will be a strong unit.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Quarterback hasn’t shown a ton during spring, although word from inside Saturday’s scrimmage was <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sam-hartman-ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Sam Hartman</a> was outstanding. Still, neither <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tyler Buchner</a> nor Hartman is winning the job this weekend. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see that competition go deep into August. Still, this feels like a New Year’s Six group, meaning 10-win talent at the position. Could that rise a tier? Sure. Let’s see it in August.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>Secondary bowl: </strong>Receiver, tight end, defensive line</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">There’s room for movement, but these positions feel a bit Gator/Cheez-It heading into summer. Could receiver bubble up to a New Year’s Six level? That depends on the quarterback but also <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tobias-merriweather-lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Tobias Merriweather</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/deion-colzie-ya3zEWbQOByMCzam/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Deion Colzie</a> making massive jumps.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Defensive line could get there too, but that could take <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-botelho-35Ls1UOGdoPujC18/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Jordan Botelho</a> repackaging his Gator Bowl and making it a regular thing. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/rylie-mills-aFhGsj9mkpw9BxwG/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Rylie Mills</a> could be a CFP-level tackle, and the defensive line’s interior should be better than expected.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">Tight end hasn’t shown enough in spring practice to warrant a boost, with <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/holden-staes-Op531v7FcMhp3145/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Holden Staes</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/eli-raridon-zzl8nHTLFr8jnoMu/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Eli Raridon</a> (ACL) short of experience behind <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/mitchell-evans-RNmd8GCY9jGhPLv6/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Mitchell Evans</a>, who’s solid but average by Notre Dame standards. Would going to 12 personnel be a strategic advantage for this roster? It’s not clear with this depth chart.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;"><strong>“What are we even doing here?”:</strong> Safety</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px;">For starters, Notre Dame is probably looking for a transfer safety after this weekend, which says a lot. Defensive coordinator Al Golden said the Irish “need help” when asked about a transfer/position switch. As good as <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/xavier-watts-HoniTu0VkD08vvrd/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Xavier Watts</a> might be, it’s hard to get a read on the rest of the position, especially with <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/thomas-harper-osjennMllVuBwL5V/" style="color: #386c92; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px;">Thomas Harper</a> hurt. Like receiver last year, safety has a massive amount to prove.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span face="adobe-caslon-pro, serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">Overall, let’s not turn this question into a math equation just yet. Because if you wanted to look at these projections, you’d come away thinking Notre Dame was a New Year’s Six contender more than a Playoff contender. And that might be the case for now. But it’s also mid-April.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">April 19, 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">One early epiphany from Retirement World: education is wasted on youth. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But what a time for us, um, elders to re-embrace knowledge! Like this: the Mob had the word 'mafia' stricken from the first 'The Godfather' film. (It snuck into the 2nd one.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or, Old Fashions can be made with a variety of whiskeys / ryes / bourbons / brandy's.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And that grapefruit pares with other things than just tequila. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm learning so much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Rye And Prejudice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pride And Prejudice (1813)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Jane Austen</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1psh7r9nOxXkeo7nDIWt5HE8jHhHwc_ejk_NhS8Bq0cJFIpph2hm1Gkm2bW1JnsP_E0DzQC1jc4LXw4VWORP849a1_oncsMw7VEit4s0weWGussARhL4S7qy1sUeLGJgGms53iT7owhhpw5bHu_P_l1dalg_V4xqOwagM2GN9xDFhjCQzfK9LvMEA/s500/b675ca53e51fae00f961c96a9ebce802.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="500" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc1psh7r9nOxXkeo7nDIWt5HE8jHhHwc_ejk_NhS8Bq0cJFIpph2hm1Gkm2bW1JnsP_E0DzQC1jc4LXw4VWORP849a1_oncsMw7VEit4s0weWGussARhL4S7qy1sUeLGJgGms53iT7owhhpw5bHu_P_l1dalg_V4xqOwagM2GN9xDFhjCQzfK9LvMEA/s320/b675ca53e51fae00f961c96a9ebce802.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Austen's frothy 19th Century masterpiece, which brought the author little acclaim during her short lifetime ("41 is the new dead," sadly), follows a family's efforts to marry off its five daughters, one of whom leads the narrative. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, Elizabeth - famously played onscreen by Keira Knightley's cheekbones - has a judgy streak that practically overshadows the love she has for Mr. Darcy, a stuck up (but rich!) gentlemen. Not to worry: there's a delectable double wedding in the end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nLxelPcBuVXosY1HlpIamdA7MG-sALp8m_TUJDqFuwur-wrp4hYy4thTnyGH9vLcSkkO9vHTAiaLKTtHUqRgyfgy8KLUdtEBh1zP-u_n3XguZDtedChlZa3tRMCQteoYhVFoaKgM06_wE7tf1yWXf6mYdfBv9oJQow9fq1IKT9ozSU2AfqHVFolrRw/s1150/woodfordreserveryewhiskey_900x.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nLxelPcBuVXosY1HlpIamdA7MG-sALp8m_TUJDqFuwur-wrp4hYy4thTnyGH9vLcSkkO9vHTAiaLKTtHUqRgyfgy8KLUdtEBh1zP-u_n3XguZDtedChlZa3tRMCQteoYhVFoaKgM06_wE7tf1yWXf6mYdfBv9oJQow9fq1IKT9ozSU2AfqHVFolrRw/w156-h200/woodfordreserveryewhiskey_900x.webp" width="156" /></a></div><br />We match-make two strong personalities - spicy rye and zingy grapefruit - for an unexpected marriage that'll get folks drinking, dancing and dropping old judgments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 oz. grapefruit juice</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1.5 oz rye whiskey</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the ingredients over ice in a rocks glass, stirring like a complicated heart.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2023 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>August</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26<span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Navy (Dublin, Ireland)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>September</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Tennessee State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@NC State</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">16</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Central Michigan</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">23<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span>Ohio State</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">30<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span>@</span>Duke</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>October</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@Louisville</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>USC</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">28<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> @Pittsburgh </span></span>Wake Forest</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>November</u> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Clemson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">18<span> </span><span> </span><span> Wake Forest</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">25<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>@Stanford</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager 2023</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-MS9oI11Sxe_2Lx6XRtyWGr1IS0pEEM5KQNX_q1nzocK23wYYt5Ezdg-Av7cRLcBYe1e8gBay0kK2QAqsaD8T7b9MORrhobkp6dEcdDYE0wqB-4JkoSydcKfYUEnXDwJ3iuoM5NhqOYUxny6SDLYCaHN_X7O4WHezQ0JAcLbbvBDluD68b6xo8fOFA/s177/under-construction-night.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="177" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-MS9oI11Sxe_2Lx6XRtyWGr1IS0pEEM5KQNX_q1nzocK23wYYt5Ezdg-Av7cRLcBYe1e8gBay0kK2QAqsaD8T7b9MORrhobkp6dEcdDYE0wqB-4JkoSydcKfYUEnXDwJ3iuoM5NhqOYUxny6SDLYCaHN_X7O4WHezQ0JAcLbbvBDluD68b6xo8fOFA/w200-h198/under-construction-night.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></span></div></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the risk of sounding like a humble bag - or maybe just an outright boast - but I can really hold onto reveling in someone else's failure for an impressively long time.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>You're pathetic, Jerrence</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I say, "One man's profound character flaw is another man's superpower."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In any event, allow a poor blogger a brief walk down memory lane to recall how the football season ended in such spectacularly disappointing fashion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>USC</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> </div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCxpVuQd0feeJ3Hqa5owMfjTj9HsndRsB2mF4jH5cYSTIg0XSyuhMX3aBYl_IE47LZ5a5uBDRGYaLY74_zOWCdKxlPavLQ5LIbRC6VuZA0WzLODw90dDMUHks7ZUIYzppNUzoHO6n7nCis5DjiTgRuG2ySVIB2PhJbN3uCmJmdZNej59GYocZbizjkQ/s1920/evc__20230102_tuln__usc_b94128c4_722d_475c_855b_911047.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCxpVuQd0feeJ3Hqa5owMfjTj9HsndRsB2mF4jH5cYSTIg0XSyuhMX3aBYl_IE47LZ5a5uBDRGYaLY74_zOWCdKxlPavLQ5LIbRC6VuZA0WzLODw90dDMUHks7ZUIYzppNUzoHO6n7nCis5DjiTgRuG2ySVIB2PhJbN3uCmJmdZNej59GYocZbizjkQ/w200-h113/evc__20230102_tuln__usc_b94128c4_722d_475c_855b_911047.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Style points for staying true to your brand by playing absolutely no defense against... <i>Tulane?! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How's those finger nails coming, Caleb?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan</span>. </b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-60wWtcCqsn-Uoq1YfvncTo3yQlglJYZ-XfXT-6zCQxT3ea7PFP_CjpMEJCSTwcZQgB_5qSa1Mh7HGQ12xciZkOnYKWLo2uzelG5iCPrSgbv-bwOtMXsR6oOGu221-VqPE073MCEQnpyGI_b8WVrYxQ0Z00kHkFTrjvAE31WAF5DlEtsslXq6HLrt_w/s904/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%202.40.39%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="904" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-60wWtcCqsn-Uoq1YfvncTo3yQlglJYZ-XfXT-6zCQxT3ea7PFP_CjpMEJCSTwcZQgB_5qSa1Mh7HGQ12xciZkOnYKWLo2uzelG5iCPrSgbv-bwOtMXsR6oOGu221-VqPE073MCEQnpyGI_b8WVrYxQ0Z00kHkFTrjvAE31WAF5DlEtsslXq6HLrt_w/w200-h156/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%202.40.39%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><u>The good news</u>: losing to TCU was truly soul-crushing for all of Wolverine Nation whom seem to think a) a national title was their divine right and b) the team was actually better than they really are.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><u>The bad news</u>: their schedule will continue to be made up of 11 awful-to-mediocre patsies + Ohio State so they're highly likely to continue sniffing around the BCS playoff going forward.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> tOSU.</span></b> </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DD-oCZ4KkiCGiaB1EdRs1SPCxOY0mto2qxNSZJP-bLW_nziqtykVZWZHABLmu95IngaPCGZoNwXedBnGbd_wWggOZEjH83Hj1FhAS9pv4PrSNc0uiT__bYGRu4Lzbl0zkqg4SPZU8XKUUrIOhrbSck40Xnv9niTKVzIN5d2PB0z2yZ6B2Fq-qNvSww/s640/607d953d41c6575c4016929b0a4b6be4.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="640" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DD-oCZ4KkiCGiaB1EdRs1SPCxOY0mto2qxNSZJP-bLW_nziqtykVZWZHABLmu95IngaPCGZoNwXedBnGbd_wWggOZEjH83Hj1FhAS9pv4PrSNc0uiT__bYGRu4Lzbl0zkqg4SPZU8XKUUrIOhrbSck40Xnv9niTKVzIN5d2PB0z2yZ6B2Fq-qNvSww/w200-h132/607d953d41c6575c4016929b0a4b6be4.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Missed it by...<i> that much.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;">At this point, it really doesn't matter that this both an excellent game and arguably a loss to the ultimate national champs that one needn't feel embarrassed about. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Except for the part about making someone named Stetson look like the Second Coming of Joe Montana.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still, it's a loss.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnjvPkn6f7y9EbxFer0fJ6gWRNAqTYEZ2TSL2lzdbHXSJbnVdFAy8XujWJN0DPnuKfPEMS0ZmqKnif1uUvIeQznzuzDCC3ZqzxLdjni9tLjDy5A7AAA4rOfRPx9tmEpPel4wORWxmYZLwhqXsYaH1-xb9XQJdxnc_efch45Zmp99b6TL0hqzCbew2Pg/s958/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%202.44.31%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="958" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnjvPkn6f7y9EbxFer0fJ6gWRNAqTYEZ2TSL2lzdbHXSJbnVdFAy8XujWJN0DPnuKfPEMS0ZmqKnif1uUvIeQznzuzDCC3ZqzxLdjni9tLjDy5A7AAA4rOfRPx9tmEpPel4wORWxmYZLwhqXsYaH1-xb9XQJdxnc_efch45Zmp99b6TL0hqzCbew2Pg/w200-h166/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-19%20at%202.44.31%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Princeton? Really?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;">4). <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>March Madness</b></span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Honorable mention to all of the top seeds in this year's college basketball tournament. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's always been the best damn fun gambling opportunity, while further reinforcing why one should be extremely careful ever relying on a handful of teenage boys.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 5. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Los Angeles Lakers</span></b>. <i>Thank you, Nuggets.</i> What you did - dispatching LeBron so expeditiously - was the humane thing for them. And definitely for the rest of the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Duke</span>. </b> For as much as ND's lacrosse season was placed in the context of last year's NCAA tournament snub, the championship game was about exorcising some demons of past losses to this team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Five times in the tournament, Duke has bounced the Irish, twice in the championship game. Top-seeded, with history on their side...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8OmV5Z9Ri_OsH58-PocwF3bx5A0k0qwvsze6nn7cTbWycZQZx9f-8tkp5Mgw8N2hWopX40UprogLcxp23ftJoz7jE7A1K1q3KaqjIhexMMtkc1sb5qsf-ZY27pf13cLqe2jMQBpuAfbtO2oYQsX9h3a1Uan3zWCK9-UoOxlbf39UEPn4qxlAqZ4tEQ/s498/not-today-satan.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="498" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8OmV5Z9Ri_OsH58-PocwF3bx5A0k0qwvsze6nn7cTbWycZQZx9f-8tkp5Mgw8N2hWopX40UprogLcxp23ftJoz7jE7A1K1q3KaqjIhexMMtkc1sb5qsf-ZY27pf13cLqe2jMQBpuAfbtO2oYQsX9h3a1Uan3zWCK9-UoOxlbf39UEPn4qxlAqZ4tEQ/s320/not-today-satan.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/s480/IMG_0401.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwG8lF6e3J-G5k2Fow5AdHpaladL22OoYlmYQwPVcf9jDPXmVCoR7ojadSVj69iNyiVI9mdxfMA2rOqcTivJYEkjnJ-QO6RdeXEm8mhR9V8MHh-O9Dm2GrxNvN_-iFlxGB8jLRx815bfDUsFcpyZGc2uxlpngKOXx7FrMgKchI1DGxa7-zDp2SF9DNQ/w133-h200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/s480/IMG_0485.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Qi0BLYiQ0fnJod1S1AzrpRLF5LpkvpLirxU5lacf94DSEnanL43Y4lPkJxPqCm4GBgdWObURmHwHLVAzppjvj1XieJZ6PPt4gPxysEOnE6UTkmf9NWEJkHKI_2hVAJwMOKQ4Z_3tbcXypGQePukNyL3xcWqYaWxHKJhBu7u0F--YwhuZdyDembxqA/w133-h200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">As one knows, even during the season when this blog's a weekly </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">occurrence, there never seems to be a shortage of moronic behavior to celebrate.</span></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wait five months and one could spend the entire post calling out the rampant misbehavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'll try to show some restraint. After all, a few (many?) of you have better things to do, like... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">... jobs? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>I'd sooner chew my leg off</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>Than be trapped in this.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>How easy to think of all of this</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>As bittersweet me.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQhbN4i25a8" width="320" youtube-src-id="yQhbN4i25a8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPVpqWmX9YiReqJBgB5RVhs8Fd_D6kYTkV6Fy1UH9d3rbckHjBhuNWSiqgRnvZ0jtF7RjmzkHQkMvaGJeQqskhNtYEGBpzHRoKKrXFfiqk7XHoYbUsoGbkVmatSRbSn5DgKhD2XLvJbrAh_sq03RYYmDCcJaDP_jsaduz8IdFZ6Wisrb8p1oJ_Tm7zw/s1500/335465031_197025056291843_6503789984612242552_n.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPVpqWmX9YiReqJBgB5RVhs8Fd_D6kYTkV6Fy1UH9d3rbckHjBhuNWSiqgRnvZ0jtF7RjmzkHQkMvaGJeQqskhNtYEGBpzHRoKKrXFfiqk7XHoYbUsoGbkVmatSRbSn5DgKhD2XLvJbrAh_sq03RYYmDCcJaDP_jsaduz8IdFZ6Wisrb8p1oJ_Tm7zw/s320/335465031_197025056291843_6503789984612242552_n.png" width="256" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Aaron Rodgers / Jets</b></span>. This divorce was never going to end well. And I feel comfortable saying this as a near 60 year Packer fan: <u>I was done with A-A-Ron</u> even before he went full Punxsutawney Phil - or was it more likely channeling his inner Jesus resurrection fantasy? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently he did see his shadow, portending 6 more weeks of being a Packer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And as for Jets Nation, with your Dickensian "you'll get thin gruel as compensation and like it" negotiation attitude - be careful what you wish for. The first time things go wobbly... Rodgers has many talents, being accountable isn't one of them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The New York media and the prickly 1st ballot Hall of Famer. A match made in <strike>hell</strike> heaven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdezHKWHx3ZlywYJcPSV1O1qs5jkCPCDlvs8WsAqTQu2cE5pDuCmsFxTcEfaKAZpCK1BNLiwKYmTyqBXD7DaWiyLlw1flwL4o_X9TpBJgBxV2ZET68dOcH7hjJq4eaWGVbnvmxdgwltKBdZnOG-NBslbvvO549UJrA91PeEgLIvZ5pTmjb9SHDRbDXA/s1133/IMG_3249.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1133" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdezHKWHx3ZlywYJcPSV1O1qs5jkCPCDlvs8WsAqTQu2cE5pDuCmsFxTcEfaKAZpCK1BNLiwKYmTyqBXD7DaWiyLlw1flwL4o_X9TpBJgBxV2ZET68dOcH7hjJq4eaWGVbnvmxdgwltKBdZnOG-NBslbvvO549UJrA91PeEgLIvZ5pTmjb9SHDRbDXA/s320/IMG_3249.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">"Bitch, pick a tea already>"</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk3m1cnkXbXGdpVOt04ptWCk4wRlJxgoO7pSfZP9euLdyJY4_qglmKpOXeCIexm8H2qQtki1SqdqoUXTh_MWCTjLge0WimajR2em-eLXxQ2avdAJtp6y6Tla3fnZBGZ_K5L-N7pA9UB6EguvrdQnCGxoj73VlWrzqJeOBnPSwaxKz_BHFhKHIZDBggw/s1128/IMG_3504.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk3m1cnkXbXGdpVOt04ptWCk4wRlJxgoO7pSfZP9euLdyJY4_qglmKpOXeCIexm8H2qQtki1SqdqoUXTh_MWCTjLge0WimajR2em-eLXxQ2avdAJtp6y6Tla3fnZBGZ_K5L-N7pA9UB6EguvrdQnCGxoj73VlWrzqJeOBnPSwaxKz_BHFhKHIZDBggw/s320/IMG_3504.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time' proposal guy</b></span>. Speaking as a fellow who, went he asked Defarge to marry him 38 years ago (in perhaps a more-clever-than-was-necessary fashion, I might add) didn't get an emphatic "yes!" but rather a tentative "when?" response... I'm particularly empathetic to engagement scenarios that don't go entirely to plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Still, one would've thought that the execution of such a plan involving being <i>on the field during the middle of a professional baseball game</i> borders on both the <u>narcissistic</u> ("hey, look at me, aren't I outrageous!") and <u>masochistic</u> ("this is probably going to likely provoke an aggressive response from Security"). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Am I right? Yes and yes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And undeniably stupid.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT98pR0osC5BplqoFsKO4pvTQzfXBJd8yD7nEJ0YV4Ki4xUMDsuRVT0J4Uw9eHLHGCFt-0PAhXa55edL9iOSva6prI14zIZtPVpmXCSwdPIMKeO5buvYn1AGmPMJG5MB1kcLJ7iiHeSK8nzm7iaYWSUSxt7P8YiclL3gz2zq-ZxRFjREvHckZjixsUw/s988/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-12%20at%206.13.24%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="988" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT98pR0osC5BplqoFsKO4pvTQzfXBJd8yD7nEJ0YV4Ki4xUMDsuRVT0J4Uw9eHLHGCFt-0PAhXa55edL9iOSva6prI14zIZtPVpmXCSwdPIMKeO5buvYn1AGmPMJG5MB1kcLJ7iiHeSK8nzm7iaYWSUSxt7P8YiclL3gz2zq-ZxRFjREvHckZjixsUw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-12%20at%206.13.24%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39K2uRtt86YPd54PGKzD3YeDMBZkdJt3ddsi6Xc0SNJAjQHOqoH6jwclvlvcBPU6oSZfHmr7VVPhSSaZPnuejSBd4juO6pSzAHMVX_00K0vnnuaJG_u3GrKPVw999JLfHrlIDD_8iiuUssVFn_srWpLMP0eNoVP7skLUcj6jk9IhxV5hrhVQ5yTdy4A/s1540/IMG_3487.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1110" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39K2uRtt86YPd54PGKzD3YeDMBZkdJt3ddsi6Xc0SNJAjQHOqoH6jwclvlvcBPU6oSZfHmr7VVPhSSaZPnuejSBd4juO6pSzAHMVX_00K0vnnuaJG_u3GrKPVw999JLfHrlIDD_8iiuUssVFn_srWpLMP0eNoVP7skLUcj6jk9IhxV5hrhVQ5yTdy4A/s320/IMG_3487.jpg" width="231" /></a></div></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brandyn Hillman</span></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. This shout out is both unfair and, yet, telling. Young Mr. Hillman was a late and fairly highly regarded ND recruit who (apparently and by his own admission) didn't fulfill all the academic requirements to ultimately gain acceptance into du Lac. For both school and athlete, very disappointing and embarrassing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Give the lad full marks for owning his mistake. Yet there's something truly ironic about the recruit 'landing' at arch-rival / evil twin of ND... and the kid misspelling his five word declaration.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The very definition of a 'true Michigan Man.'</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />4) <b> </b><span><b style="color: #fcff01;">Texas A&M</b></span>. Jimbo and Bobby P. What possibly could go wrong? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYuxh59Xl-pzh8I3i7ZRs_5XkYGiXor1lCwXvyklef5nv00mUiLCE7p6VOsoP4SYlV6lHaKbqt3GIpzp2kRVmsWm50hWiKWkJNQNiLIOD_6dGTwCZ3MmHY3h3r83I6YMM79qmo-EmY5mCQi5YuFI5vL0OfXIeu1-qpDXz_S3XnNoi3VIRGxhZrbBudw/s1395/IMG_3233.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYuxh59Xl-pzh8I3i7ZRs_5XkYGiXor1lCwXvyklef5nv00mUiLCE7p6VOsoP4SYlV6lHaKbqt3GIpzp2kRVmsWm50hWiKWkJNQNiLIOD_6dGTwCZ3MmHY3h3r83I6YMM79qmo-EmY5mCQi5YuFI5vL0OfXIeu1-qpDXz_S3XnNoi3VIRGxhZrbBudw/w269-h320/IMG_3233.jpeg" width="269" /></a></div><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LSsys2uWaS96OIuKJqSGlAWTMN3tGvh2O7JRmoaCV0XgTH8AmeU0O_tLBLFzLa0lpnNf90fMYdAjKQb3fhiq4Td5SD_zllYwL9W9txP3zg6aaAXRUdN3QZJX9yf8fQNs5YvONXW6g72UxJMKWQdQD6aJzQ6FVzG2SREyiHAwdidCZq8I2w2X7pgj0A/s250/tommy-boy-college.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="250" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LSsys2uWaS96OIuKJqSGlAWTMN3tGvh2O7JRmoaCV0XgTH8AmeU0O_tLBLFzLa0lpnNf90fMYdAjKQb3fhiq4Td5SD_zllYwL9W9txP3zg6aaAXRUdN3QZJX9yf8fQNs5YvONXW6g72UxJMKWQdQD6aJzQ6FVzG2SREyiHAwdidCZq8I2w2X7pgj0A/s1600/tommy-boy-college.gif" width="250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Stetson Bennett</span></b>. Normally, when one thinks of a walk-on's success story, it involves a kid being awarded a scholarship, leading to his getting degree and spring boarding that scrappy 'can do' attitude into a successful career in the private sector. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Obviously, Stetson is exceptional in this regard on several levels, including being the starting QB on two national championships as well as a sustained commitment to <i>not graduating</i>. That's right, Mr. Bennett attended college for almost seven years without graduating.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, if the pro career doesn't work, Senator Blutarsky surely has a place on his staff for him. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Josiah Garcia</span></b>. Where to start? How about with believing RentAHitman.com was a real website.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkClq3OI15KxBSarRRXZd9Spfp4Kq1GO1KD2rcenPMxVm1oVS6158UTRSmJdU-78SilsO5DGw2lO30B-6C5nPUzKRBdaegh_5IEyZ5LHDUUc6ojGvcrUzWvW4ypR7MjEeQh5623wiNZyDLYLrvMr7cYz0OG7n6s8lY3oAEbDP8SdQq2RhhPU2teJnPA/s1504/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-20%20at%2012.32.34%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1504" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkClq3OI15KxBSarRRXZd9Spfp4Kq1GO1KD2rcenPMxVm1oVS6158UTRSmJdU-78SilsO5DGw2lO30B-6C5nPUzKRBdaegh_5IEyZ5LHDUUc6ojGvcrUzWvW4ypR7MjEeQh5623wiNZyDLYLrvMr7cYz0OG7n6s8lY3oAEbDP8SdQq2RhhPU2teJnPA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-20%20at%2012.32.34%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ya can't fix stupid. </i> Who knew Forrest Gump would be so prescient?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">I Don't Care How Cute You Are, No One Likes A Show Off.</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV3o5YFH-IcMUPj5wU7p7e0nOvS-MlPgkxouv7WsH4GEMdq9KHPjMrACyUf4Kt4GGuuKmAMK785HmPD-crLJEYSBOf3d0w3Az4Kw_DmgyI7XtRNUZ2Brs_H1Q4jPwsKzFa83jBdv-uIxu-SdjzXiZj0sFIHFR8AS9kEtC50h44PGpUWPUuyiak0sgMw/s1958/IMG_3522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="1148" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV3o5YFH-IcMUPj5wU7p7e0nOvS-MlPgkxouv7WsH4GEMdq9KHPjMrACyUf4Kt4GGuuKmAMK785HmPD-crLJEYSBOf3d0w3Az4Kw_DmgyI7XtRNUZ2Brs_H1Q4jPwsKzFa83jBdv-uIxu-SdjzXiZj0sFIHFR8AS9kEtC50h44PGpUWPUuyiak0sgMw/w235-h400/IMG_3522.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>The Circle of Life</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ixk8JhAxrcN4tsRC4fzZF3QAbA503Lt-7_M2R_wl7DPAQqRp2AkhmEEiuwkKot1PUU9mcI0-AaOr0Eu1J0VkdgZ_FuoEMNbFN36Be4jbSunpKzRytELxdfWkE-Ky-wtBRiQrrvwUqU3UCoLp5JfMx8kqbmHm-xaCG606G_s5NrMOB6yJNCy-1jSMQA/s1507/IMG_3794.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ixk8JhAxrcN4tsRC4fzZF3QAbA503Lt-7_M2R_wl7DPAQqRp2AkhmEEiuwkKot1PUU9mcI0-AaOr0Eu1J0VkdgZ_FuoEMNbFN36Be4jbSunpKzRytELxdfWkE-Ky-wtBRiQrrvwUqU3UCoLp5JfMx8kqbmHm-xaCG606G_s5NrMOB6yJNCy-1jSMQA/w139-h200/IMG_3794.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>A special one was taken from us recently, far too soon, even as another rang in their 98th year - sharing a birthday with Fr. Ted, no less. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The grim irony is that the latter would've happily volunteered to take the place of the former in God's pecking order. Unfortunately, Life doesn't work like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br />Fare Thee Well, Linda Lohn</i>. Beloved wife, mother, friend to so many of us. You will be so missed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBR5Wsz95UePUPB2iJOD2uuSMYmXQNsA4oo2LKTpWqvypdoQe-0PGywemOu7YKQI5Jqwjd32UPXdLrnEUXP6YxJpOxzwg1ILC8UK_LK8ZK-q7PMHosf4JS-7KnC0STp3dVZT5myW3sOWlNbUgOFbMU40mCeiLdqNWAV75gvwET8CsFcaQaM7N9S8L2Q/s2462/IMG_3768.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2462" data-original-width="2333" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBR5Wsz95UePUPB2iJOD2uuSMYmXQNsA4oo2LKTpWqvypdoQe-0PGywemOu7YKQI5Jqwjd32UPXdLrnEUXP6YxJpOxzwg1ILC8UK_LK8ZK-q7PMHosf4JS-7KnC0STp3dVZT5myW3sOWlNbUgOFbMU40mCeiLdqNWAV75gvwET8CsFcaQaM7N9S8L2Q/w189-h200/IMG_3768.HEIC" width="189" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Happy birthday, Kay Corrigan</i>. Mom, your memory is, at best, shaky while your hearing is, let's be honest, totally for shit (except, apparently, when you hear the word 'wine' - then its military-grade excellent). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, as you like to say, God doesn't have your room ready - and we're all appreciative He doesn't. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The point to all of this, that really does not need making... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nothing is promised. Continue to enjoy every sandwich, friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>.. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-62815692733586570242022-12-24T17:53:00.003-06:002023-01-03T15:16:28.309-06:00Christmas: Stay warm y'all!<h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I pray my wish will come true</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">For my child, and your child too... </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lCpXMy5GalI" width="320" youtube-src-id="lCpXMy5GalI"></iframe></div></div></h3><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ever</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">yone has their favorite Christmas story, don't they... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxrhkaTOQ5pmifoRqZPd9zxgddX4amMvr8C6UhW4iuRjiaVUyqS1Dsh24SoVkiMFLdVPLttKc5f24meNV1nD9ThxQmEjKXaKtiQqJn1CyLAnZYoKpXHeh5HCEwZnx9Pd1mZnxXO_JDq3fdO1lWSTrp1_krKkVRwRQDqqgy02b65loiXsb4EUW6bBDUA/s4032/IMG_3163.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxrhkaTOQ5pmifoRqZPd9zxgddX4amMvr8C6UhW4iuRjiaVUyqS1Dsh24SoVkiMFLdVPLttKc5f24meNV1nD9ThxQmEjKXaKtiQqJn1CyLAnZYoKpXHeh5HCEwZnx9Pd1mZnxXO_JDq3fdO1lWSTrp1_krKkVRwRQDqqgy02b65loiXsb4EUW6bBDUA/s320/IMG_3163.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other evening, while supping with fellow Class of '79ers, the movie,"It's A Wonderful Life" came up in conversation - a fabulous film that's never disappoints despite its 76 year old age. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love that movie - but my favorite holiday story - perhaps because it fell on my birthday - involves the Castellini, Feifar and Corrigan couples, BBQ ribs, a great deal of wine and REO Speedwagon. </div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The year? <span> </span>2011.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The venue? <span> </span>1155 N. Dearborn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The cause? Celebrating both the Feifar and Corrigan birthdays.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The vehicle? The Champs Sports Bowl, Notre Dame vs. FSU.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The result? Irrelevant.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ3pTTsbY9w-pDE4z_xBjupBejVLulWVBRNow8O_FVIQSqld0nHtHDt48snSGUofpqxFKNW_RlNOfUYALSpZxAsjs-IgC8f3GOJyRlS9GR-SO8Ej7X9QtNNR5d22dr36D7RGIegW-PMGMRogXTz7j9J8TCl05QVgDx_EyimCYPN8kkDr9ve7x_PX8Kg/s2048/DSC05113.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ3pTTsbY9w-pDE4z_xBjupBejVLulWVBRNow8O_FVIQSqld0nHtHDt48snSGUofpqxFKNW_RlNOfUYALSpZxAsjs-IgC8f3GOJyRlS9GR-SO8Ej7X9QtNNR5d22dr36D7RGIegW-PMGMRogXTz7j9J8TCl05QVgDx_EyimCYPN8kkDr9ve7x_PX8Kg/w400-h300/DSC05113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">"Did he say, REO?"</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What <i>was </i>important was that, as the night went on the game ended, more wine got opened, Jerome expressed his desire in seeing REO at an upcoming Holiday Star Theatre, Merrillville IN concert and group reaction ensued. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Judy's response - and I'm paraphrasing here, "No one's stopping you, Jerry." (Implicitly, you're going alone.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, one thing led to another as we extolled the virtues of 1970's Midwestern rock 'n roll and as the hour progressed toward midnight... when our host tells us, by the way, he's got a CNBC gig the next morning...</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Wait. What?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">...and as an homage to his beloved band, he's going to drop three Speedwagon references into his interview.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Hold on. You're going to work tomorrow? It's Friday before New Years. Why?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward 12 hours when a simple, cryptic is received, saying simply, "I made four."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sure enough, the CNBC website video verified the achievement, although I did think it slightly inappropriate of Jerry to sign off the piece by telling the CNBC talking head, "I'm gonna keep on loving you."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nonetheless, incredibly impressive. Unless you think about the poor guy in Dennison, Iowa who's probably watching the segment and yelling, "Quick, Irma, grab a pen and write this down! This Chicago finance expert is telling us that we've got to roll the changes and simply ride the storm out..."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No wonder we head into recessions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course you could probably describe ND's 2022 season the same way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSQIa2EIu5SZsnHoe_zf_essXZFWpabHo834lk5DDlVmJ7pvUBRNiBhGJojYwXLGfw4adCG7orpcu3XQOqRP12oa8uU4uBZ5K0yVq8g0oOeQo3wEt3MMC3YJkOStgIhD7jSzNi-yOfK54Sq191eD4cFRESxZxv2Ot5iO8mg0cQfa0A08LgmAkVUu1sA/s1150/IMG_3168.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1150" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSQIa2EIu5SZsnHoe_zf_essXZFWpabHo834lk5DDlVmJ7pvUBRNiBhGJojYwXLGfw4adCG7orpcu3XQOqRP12oa8uU4uBZ5K0yVq8g0oOeQo3wEt3MMC3YJkOStgIhD7jSzNi-yOfK54Sq191eD4cFRESxZxv2Ot5iO8mg0cQfa0A08LgmAkVUu1sA/w640-h368/IMG_3168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The tragic irony being that Mr. Bourdain committed suicide. Still, as another calendar year passes, words to take to heart - we're not getting any younger. And we can always be better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW6amWO8zUS4MXJguZ8bf1NI1_gQ0UaLzizhVzPhpXDqgXDPFdY-CeW8wS92zODVWnKbR_lz-Dzb42jVeZM3cCka4OaML7Ln6ARJQZSrxX251er4NqfTaqdT5nDnzNC4MaswXPopnFYRV2PRMxbaJaAqVK9iAkFdUGw0FFvryN-ATL4XLdK7AUocSfg/s982/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-22%20at%2011.09.08%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="982" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW6amWO8zUS4MXJguZ8bf1NI1_gQ0UaLzizhVzPhpXDqgXDPFdY-CeW8wS92zODVWnKbR_lz-Dzb42jVeZM3cCka4OaML7Ln6ARJQZSrxX251er4NqfTaqdT5nDnzNC4MaswXPopnFYRV2PRMxbaJaAqVK9iAkFdUGw0FFvryN-ATL4XLdK7AUocSfg/w400-h178/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-22%20at%2011.09.08%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: Jerrence could feel it coming a mile away. The disgust. The revulsion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The self-loathing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why did he bother to invest anything, emotionally, in the college football recruiting process? He hated that he allowed himself to get caught up in the decision-making processes - or lack thereof - of basically children, most of whom have trouble choosing their cafeteria lunch line options much less a college destination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTLtmcPZcWQoaqkbJTBtzLWx6j1beRI5qFQdDvT5X4T3wkvgwHiC1G0KlQCrmhiMAI0qUSkX_ZCGU-aFNOc9wv4Ey5KcA4q2sbr-y3CvYL9SuJiXbwHtxWoFScySJ76lwFxE0234oUdFHp6-gSv9JvByQZTliTQS6fUuNOGOo0_YAiQ5cMeIDcUgJ7g/s220/IMG_3176.GIF" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTLtmcPZcWQoaqkbJTBtzLWx6j1beRI5qFQdDvT5X4T3wkvgwHiC1G0KlQCrmhiMAI0qUSkX_ZCGU-aFNOc9wv4Ey5KcA4q2sbr-y3CvYL9SuJiXbwHtxWoFScySJ76lwFxE0234oUdFHp6-gSv9JvByQZTliTQS6fUuNOGOo0_YAiQ5cMeIDcUgJ7g/w200-h200/IMG_3176.GIF" width="200" /></a></div><br />Which led him to think about the interminable recruitment of Peyton Bowen, the 5-star safety who had made a <span style="color: #fcff01;">commitment</span> to Notre Dame virtually a year ago, while spending almost every weekend thereafter visiting a competing college. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence began to wonder, despite thinking he had a reasonably well developed vocabulary, perhaps he had a looser grasp on that word's meaning than he realized.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhd4SsBAL_1QE2BcFJKWBnylqYccdNgtH6ACTF9EpzGRH4VvBYzqVUdY6Yih4KtMz6FTJr79I_6yeytq_KSrsJsvhm-PWUDGUKaKxc12AUgiJy_rYkJ-3nZgju3G14EklZJp0SjL8DYLBZOFRiGuBaggja6BIDFFR6oZ9NiTbDJ_x4U8OgA87vRweXQ/s1170/IMG_3177.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1170" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhd4SsBAL_1QE2BcFJKWBnylqYccdNgtH6ACTF9EpzGRH4VvBYzqVUdY6Yih4KtMz6FTJr79I_6yeytq_KSrsJsvhm-PWUDGUKaKxc12AUgiJy_rYkJ-3nZgju3G14EklZJp0SjL8DYLBZOFRiGuBaggja6BIDFFR6oZ9NiTbDJ_x4U8OgA87vRweXQ/s320/IMG_3177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nope. Jerrence had the definition right. It would seem Peyton was the one a bit confused about what a 'commitment' demands.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what, ultimately, do we make of young Bowen</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, acknowledging the possibility that the lad by himself, may not singularly be the singularly colossal narcissist that appears? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is he Naughtious Maximus or Biggus Dickus?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yzgS61zgPEg" width="320" youtube-src-id="yzgS61zgPEg"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know where I land. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One more 2022 Pete Sampson 'steal' of an article. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, at least a part of one. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After all, he is far more well equipped to provide an accurate summary of the 'state of the program, Post-Early Signing Period / Pre-Bowl Game than I can...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Enjoy. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Thoughts on <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Notre Dame</a>’s 24-man recruiting class that finished 9th in the 247Sports Team Rankings at the end of the first day of the early signing period.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Marcus Freeman got the Brian Kelly treatment on Wednesday, navigating a signing day press conference focused as much on where ND failed in recruiting as where the program succeeded. But this is where this program wants to live, measuring its recruiting success against <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/alabama-crimson-tide-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Alabama</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Ohio State</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/georgia-bulldogs-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Georgia</a>. The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes were mentioned, unprompted, by OC Tommy Rees later when he talked about the WR culture the Irish want to build. If you’re going to take a shot at programs that sign 5-star talent in bulk, you have to be clear-eyed when you miss.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And although some criticism of Freeman might feel harsh considering this class was ranked #1 in the country when training camp opened in August, Wednesday’s reality check was healthy for ND football if it wants to really challenge for a title. To his credit, he didn’t exclusively wave pompoms, even though he’d earned the right to pat the program on the back. And that’s healthy, too, because there may be nothing more important for ND’s championship viability than perspective and context.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So let’s apply a little bit of both to Notre Dame’s 24-man recruiting class.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. All these things can be true at once: Notre Dame hit a higher <a href="https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Blue-Chip-ratio-2022-college-football-15-teams-who-can-win-the-national-championship--190039196/#190039196_2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Blue-Chip Ratio</a> (83.3 percent of Irish signees were at least four-star prospects) yesterday than at any point under the previous coach. Yet Kelly’s new program out-recruited his old one, which is one of the reasons he bolted ND in the first place. ND hit all its biggest needs, including a banner receiver haul despite the 2022 passing offense hardly serving as an effective billboard for the position. The Irish will have just one 5-star prospect on the roster next season. Alabama will have more than a dozen. Freeman has signed back-to-back top-10 classes, something Kelly basically conceded was impossible.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame signed an excellent class that can return to the College Football Playoff.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame had an all-time class slip through its fingers, a potentially title-contending haul that once may have included Keon Keeley, Peyton Bowen and Dante Moore.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey, college football is a complicated and conflicted sport to follow. College football recruiting is, too.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Before getting into what Notre Dame is doing in NIL and what it’s not, take a moment to acknowledge Freeman and his staff are recruiting into gale-force headwinds in that realm. There are no six-figure deals for Notre Dame prospects, although there can be six-figure deals for Notre Dame players once they’re on campus. That has forced Freeman to walk a public tightrope on which he both leans into NIL and pushes back against it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Freeman: “If you’re coming here because of NIL, it’s probably not going to be the best place for you, and it’s not going to be the place you choose.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Also Freeman: “We continue to let the recruits know that you’re going to be able to capitalize off name, image and likeness at Notre Dame as good or better than anywhere else you’re looking at. And we believe that and we’ll continue to sell that. And if that’s important to you, and that’s what attracts you to ND, then this is a place you choose.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Neither quote is wrong. It’s that Freeman has to make both right at the same time.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Until Notre Dame changes its stance on NIL as a university, the best move for Freeman is to do a different kind of recruiting evaluation, figuring out which prospects will be most swayed by NIL and adjust accordingly. When Notre Dame hosted 4-star receiver Jaden Greathouse on a visit, the Texas product told the staff he didn’t need to hear more NIL pitches because that wasn’t why he liked the program. Other prospects Notre Dame recruited led with NIL questions on recruiting visits. Which type of player do you think is more likely to sign with Notre Dame?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a new level of scouting, and it’s a tough ask for Notre Dame to nail this in the first cycle where NIL led the recruiting discourse. The good news for ND is that Freeman acknowledged the staff has to scout a little differently moving forward. It’s not that they need to avoid all prospects interested in NIL, but they have to be prepared to have recruitments like those of Bowen, Moore and Keeley go sideways.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I think every kid you’ve got to look at and say, ‘OK, why did we get him?’ Or, ‘Why didn’t we get them?’” Freeman said. “And that’s something we’ll do as a staff is say, ‘OK, every recruit that signed here, why did we get them? What was important? OK, the kids we didn’t get, why didn’t we get them? What was important? What could we have done differently? The ones that de-committed? Why did they de-commit? What can we have done differently?’ And some of them, we might have to say, ‘It wasn’t the right fit. It’s OK.’ And some, we’ve got to look and say, ‘We’ve got to evaluate the way we’re recruiting, what we’re selling, how we got to the point where they didn’t want to come here then de-committed.’”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Will Notre Dame change its stance on NIL as a university after the past week? Jack Swarbrick went on a podcast with the Golics and called Notre Dame a “champion” of NIL. That’s partially true. Notre Dame may be a proponent of NIL as a theory, but it hasn’t fully embraced NIL as a practice. That’s not saying ND needs to get into the same sandbox as <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/oregon-ducks-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Oregon</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/miami-hurricanes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Miami</a> and Texas A&M. But it would be a mistake for the school not to reevaluate its overall stance on NIL. It’s not going away.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Swarbrick has lobbied the federal government for a fix. That feels like the right approach to the legal issue facing the NCAA under new leadership. But it’s also on the wrong timeline, considering NIL will affect next year’s recruiting class even more than it altered this one.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6. As for the class ND did sign, it’s hard to remember a haul with this much balance that also hit the program’s biggest needs. Rees navigated a thorny QB recruiting landscape and <a href="https://theathletic.com/4023784/2022/12/21/kenny-minchey-notre-dame-quarterback-recruiting/" rel="noopener" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">found a four-star solution in Kenny Minchey</a>, a player who might prove to be the best QB Notre Dame signs over a 4-year window. Chansi Stuckey took a WR room and overhauled it in one cycle, with four high school prospects, one graduate transfer and two guys named <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/kaleb-smith-rm1Pf7Uzb34IUqK9/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Kaleb Smith</a>. Deland McCullough <u>signed the highest-rated RB the Irish have landed in more than 10 years</u>, despite a room that doesn’t offer automatic playing time. Overall, it’s the kind of class at the offensive skill positions that should let the Irish go into games against the likes of Ohio St. and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">USC</a> without thinking about ball control and time of possession quite so much.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Credit Mike Mickens for keeping Notre Dame’s cornerback recruiting rolling, too. It’s a position where previous staffs had believed the Irish could not sign top-100 talent regularly. Instead, after getting Ben Morrison and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-mickey-egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jaden Mickey</a> last cycle, the Irish got <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/christian-gray-2NMEJy7HfA2Ir3HX/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Christian Gray</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/micah-bell-IzKQ8SF3deXDo43z/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Micah Bell</a> in this one. And that’s after losing Jayden Rhett to Georgia early in the process. <u>Gray is the highest-rated corner to commit to Notre Dame in more than a decade</u>. There was no settling at the position, just a push to maximize the talent on hand. If that leads to a few transfers because older players have been beaten out by younger ones, that would now be seen as healthy.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8. The most interesting prospect Notre Dame signed? 4-star athlete Brandyn Hillman, who was more of a 3-star recruit until the Irish got involved. Then again, he started his senior year with an offer from Norfolk St. The 6'1", 191-lb high school QB feels like more of a college safety, the kind of transition DC Al Golden welcomes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hillman isn’t Bowen. But like Rees landing Minchey at QB after missing on Moore, taking Hillman when Bowen waffled is good board management by Notre Dame’s recruiting staff. The Irish didn’t just fill a hole with Minchey and Hillman — they got athletes the staff believes can be potential starters.</span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">December 22, 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jw1RuGho2Yc" width="320" youtube-src-id="jw1RuGho2Yc"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div>The winners. Or in Survivor-speak, The Final Three. </div><div><br /></div><div>* Brunett</div><div>* Ward</div><div>* Garrett</div><div><br /></div><div>Let the best man win. And for those of you who wish to play along at home, you'll find the final tie-breaker questions below.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, for those of you who haven't ponied up - would appreciate it if you'd do so (<i>if your name is highlighted, I think you've paid</i>). I could be wrong on either front, paid or not - just let me know. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pick the winners, with the spread, and the over/under.</i></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47h30Rf5G8PduDoAFs7Hhu15HJFHjVQ5-tixPksOBKaeH2Q9cfXOE-pa8mY2hSJWnzyPSA-G7p5b33rQk2iaMwW6hZdqep1jfNV0km-MLDdgGoHbcUMf3LuhrQJC8VcLwQ8gUDC_9kbHRkksebsHveb0nTCYx3gs-n86fOyTElEpl0-i_lFiqAUd8RA/s1016/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.19.59%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1016" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47h30Rf5G8PduDoAFs7Hhu15HJFHjVQ5-tixPksOBKaeH2Q9cfXOE-pa8mY2hSJWnzyPSA-G7p5b33rQk2iaMwW6hZdqep1jfNV0km-MLDdgGoHbcUMf3LuhrQJC8VcLwQ8gUDC_9kbHRkksebsHveb0nTCYx3gs-n86fOyTElEpl0-i_lFiqAUd8RA/w640-h242/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.19.59%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvV0ujDJIlJVGnwLLqr8--kfsuyYeGDZl7guDeygqy9eMlEcYTDA4kuib0a0QXxOoWMZdzttsi5jFS9k8q7ZViI8ODSjLc5AtkIfkiL8fArgDS6GQlE2x6QOMgMWgQqAMQlNQ4eqTpF3GRqtq1D4GkYxJ2B5fj1mSl5Bvn6Qkf7tZDvvCLjKUFacz-g/s2054/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.20.23%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="2054" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvV0ujDJIlJVGnwLLqr8--kfsuyYeGDZl7guDeygqy9eMlEcYTDA4kuib0a0QXxOoWMZdzttsi5jFS9k8q7ZViI8ODSjLc5AtkIfkiL8fArgDS6GQlE2x6QOMgMWgQqAMQlNQ4eqTpF3GRqtq1D4GkYxJ2B5fj1mSl5Bvn6Qkf7tZDvvCLjKUFacz-g/w640-h296/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.20.23%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Brian M.</span>, <strike>John P</strike>.,<strike> JP</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Blayney</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Lini</span></strike>,<strike> Theo</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Sloane</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bob J.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">, Bill,</span><strike> </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bob S.</span><strike>,</strike><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Mike C.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Pat B.</span><strike>,</strike><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jim B.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike>Tim S</strike>.</span>, <strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Feif</span></strike>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Mike G.</span><strike>, Phillip S.</strike>,<strike> <span style="color: #fcff01;">George</span></strike>, <strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike B</span></strike>., <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Shea</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jerrence</span>, <strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Raz</span></strike>, <strike>Mark</strike>,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bryan</span>, <strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Matt</span></strike>, <strike>Jerry C.</strike>,<strike> Daryl</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">John</span> <strike> </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jim T.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Alex</span>,<strike> Randy</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Pat C.</span>,<span style="color: #fcff01;"><strike> Gerard W</strike>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not a lot of options to pick from since the last time I posted.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh, wait.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The PAC-12 championship game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Utah v. USC.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>That'll do.</i></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>USC</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Just because the game occurred three weeks ago, doesn't make the Trojan's blowing their BCS Playoff chances - and getting crushed doing so - any less delicious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W8OQeLlaF8YkvX31n2Tm9DJM69wpkdnocGeTwFGg-RQxG38ksXvr8nBI2-ZY-7iZeMbCBd9bbWyBOjYRnnJhNCYaeD00tEyX8kX3zkSIfuicf5j55V0jZDOWkhwvRU3NTkAvUJNdqj2jUqlylzUR0QqMsdg8Xb040B3xs94lblStdB-XnIf_74ZtKQ/s712/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%201.08.49%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="502" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W8OQeLlaF8YkvX31n2Tm9DJM69wpkdnocGeTwFGg-RQxG38ksXvr8nBI2-ZY-7iZeMbCBd9bbWyBOjYRnnJhNCYaeD00tEyX8kX3zkSIfuicf5j55V0jZDOWkhwvRU3NTkAvUJNdqj2jUqlylzUR0QqMsdg8Xb040B3xs94lblStdB-XnIf_74ZtKQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%201.08.49%20PM.png" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCCVoyP-MsOD16ysbZNYy_-HZVuksUdujU78osJgrYtlNad1-vep7WN4Dacp12wuXkyzTHBChH7mwe93vpFFVj3LGMX4NhOHAT8KcmIgIg9KZn4RdWf5tPPFp8ilklNfyPwxIvyFjZIJg_OaUxhIqHXZvz29Vl3S8FXU9fV5EW85P9leL1Q0-Hp8-3Q/s1200/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.55.15%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1200" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCCVoyP-MsOD16ysbZNYy_-HZVuksUdujU78osJgrYtlNad1-vep7WN4Dacp12wuXkyzTHBChH7mwe93vpFFVj3LGMX4NhOHAT8KcmIgIg9KZn4RdWf5tPPFp8ilklNfyPwxIvyFjZIJg_OaUxhIqHXZvz29Vl3S8FXU9fV5EW85P9leL1Q0-Hp8-3Q/w240-h182/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-24%20at%2012.55.15%20PM.png" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This time of year, when one thinks of 'holiday tools', I'd like to believe we're envisioning more of the Christmas bar variety.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So many instruments. So varied. All so singularly committed to making our lives a little cheerier as we celebrate <strike>surviving</strike> another year, with friends, family, loved ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, that's not what this section's all about. Thus, I give you a different kind of holiday tool</span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>The mood ring counter is all a-glow... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X96Un6POoo8" width="320" youtube-src-id="X96Un6POoo8"></iframe></div><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2WIAYCYIO9OvuIrf-bJYL35f154E1F6ktGslkhQnmc2v9pH5V9TdAj1ozd07fHtJQfUbKQ4iBt-xsdodNEiTLDeaDZuolTxt_1MWGSEsL0oYQAL4iYtvmpCIUq4fCBL-RIiyMkL7AkWxZaclbv7wz8wp3KcqAlPu4R-kFdUssg1evcE9r4IDjYD__g/s498/jt-daniels-daniels.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="498" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2WIAYCYIO9OvuIrf-bJYL35f154E1F6ktGslkhQnmc2v9pH5V9TdAj1ozd07fHtJQfUbKQ4iBt-xsdodNEiTLDeaDZuolTxt_1MWGSEsL0oYQAL4iYtvmpCIUq4fCBL-RIiyMkL7AkWxZaclbv7wz8wp3KcqAlPu4R-kFdUssg1evcE9r4IDjYD__g/w332-h171/jt-daniels-daniels.gif" width="332" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>JT Daniels</b></span>. Remember him... the NEXT GREAT USC QB? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Transferring again. Let's recap:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="text-align: right;">2018-19: USC</span></li><li>2020-21: Georgia</li><li>2021-22: West Virginia</li><li>2023: Rice?</li></ul></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Cam McCormick says, "Hold my beer."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqELzGZZw9c39J7nT0tuxOIiSmYqVGvA2fM0g9VpQ3JrFKMcQj_mAT8eqjBNv0XIwxTVihFvCf4c4c9E1bMovyHC5V_oXdtbc_bb-6SOCsreYEwpDG5DqWjVbA1f_yQlWJcgHsOkmmopL0PObDoMR8erTS2Ewfkm58TQqAlasMeQL_uBjCn3Trh2ahQg/s1381/IMG_3167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqELzGZZw9c39J7nT0tuxOIiSmYqVGvA2fM0g9VpQ3JrFKMcQj_mAT8eqjBNv0XIwxTVihFvCf4c4c9E1bMovyHC5V_oXdtbc_bb-6SOCsreYEwpDG5DqWjVbA1f_yQlWJcgHsOkmmopL0PObDoMR8erTS2Ewfkm58TQqAlasMeQL_uBjCn3Trh2ahQg/s320/IMG_3167.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Deion Sanders</b></span>. Not for the reason (um, Dylan Edwards) you might think... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hey Coach Prime, just because it's a common (if typically under the radar) practice for new coaches to not honor existing recruiting commitments - or scholarships, doesn't make it any less of a completely douchey move. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuxn-rujPz1cca6xK-yTj0aIf5-UEc-TZ34d8wcJ9_mSX0BLIX23f2wkYA2dbJWEj2GZ_uoCTGRYXNrHYw95hkYWj1iCKoYOP1E4qZRa7G5LC0QtfOmgcAjHmSMFvK_-JntOOSAhc_jaFDrrXbQF2UdZYXlyZEFxkR-5weBx3KPxr07q0FhBuRxA4Hw/s1170/IMG_3170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1170" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuxn-rujPz1cca6xK-yTj0aIf5-UEc-TZ34d8wcJ9_mSX0BLIX23f2wkYA2dbJWEj2GZ_uoCTGRYXNrHYw95hkYWj1iCKoYOP1E4qZRa7G5LC0QtfOmgcAjHmSMFvK_-JntOOSAhc_jaFDrrXbQF2UdZYXlyZEFxkR-5weBx3KPxr07q0FhBuRxA4Hw/s320/IMG_3170.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-GxuTNrdYEVo5737mNoKbKvbgQkG-dKDZbvEWR6KeVtHhdNSX0GWU6Rii593Z3k_PlLKE9WdedUZdgSAt5VPT0d7j6GBQXuj_DA_E038lOCOCK2C1ArYVZf-2I3rqauFdbggdktYW58PqwiKEE0tUEjFehq5Q8Jxrt2HokkMpbPTQTfBU3B_kK6xCw/s1074/IMG_3186%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1074" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-GxuTNrdYEVo5737mNoKbKvbgQkG-dKDZbvEWR6KeVtHhdNSX0GWU6Rii593Z3k_PlLKE9WdedUZdgSAt5VPT0d7j6GBQXuj_DA_E038lOCOCK2C1ArYVZf-2I3rqauFdbggdktYW58PqwiKEE0tUEjFehq5Q8Jxrt2HokkMpbPTQTfBU3B_kK6xCw/s320/IMG_3186%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Xavier Babudar</span></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. AKA The Wolf Fan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fellow fans were worried last week when he wasn't at the Chiefs - Texans game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Turns out there was a good reason</u>: While traveling to Houston for the game, he got arrested for allegedly robbing a bank in Bixby, OK. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Presumably he didn't pull a Marvin Barnes and wear his game day Chiefs outfit while pulling the job. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stay safe this holiday season!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUODJKlagXTp2Ok3RljBeQ_KRdywXLHOaC9ZykknJaQVJMW0GVFfo1-ABZzo1S41im9ZXgMZw-H3ZBVKquq2JdzY_nx61H2iQx_j8Oq6Izm7L_mI5e6KmROlcOyODSPHNrE6PcCqpWW-2nfxktoMW-p7xuF7crrInY5Nh-lKeQYKm8JeIsNi3TpJhdw/s1128/IMG_3169.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1128" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUODJKlagXTp2Ok3RljBeQ_KRdywXLHOaC9ZykknJaQVJMW0GVFfo1-ABZzo1S41im9ZXgMZw-H3ZBVKquq2JdzY_nx61H2iQx_j8Oq6Izm7L_mI5e6KmROlcOyODSPHNrE6PcCqpWW-2nfxktoMW-p7xuF7crrInY5Nh-lKeQYKm8JeIsNi3TpJhdw/w640-h378/IMG_3169.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-51691498926639640382022-12-02T16:29:00.001-06:002022-12-13T08:47:24.965-06:00Week 12: Drew, We Hardly Knew Ye<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Many rivers to cross</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But I can't seem to find my way over... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/twf7LhQIBkQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="twf7LhQIBkQ"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A friend of the blog - we'll call him Matt (because that's his name) - recently sent me this joke:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcxO0J5JRYaaJFQL73mwf6Co0UM2J7r4n2K1DutNbvC2YiZegsSs6kiqRCp7ieyriZu3WetKXGwy8-XhW1_RpiYJp4xnhSo4-czXXY29Oxsrj31QCnHbxUf0XlsYFNdZMTFgE3xvAWEqdkkhmTviyyhC9P6FIS4e1o-VucUxqjArHCMNI_D4mI2-GHg/s464/anigif_enhanced-26515-1436735211-2.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="464" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcxO0J5JRYaaJFQL73mwf6Co0UM2J7r4n2K1DutNbvC2YiZegsSs6kiqRCp7ieyriZu3WetKXGwy8-XhW1_RpiYJp4xnhSo4-czXXY29Oxsrj31QCnHbxUf0XlsYFNdZMTFgE3xvAWEqdkkhmTviyyhC9P6FIS4e1o-VucUxqjArHCMNI_D4mI2-GHg/w200-h112/anigif_enhanced-26515-1436735211-2.gif" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Q. Why did the chicken cross the road?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> A. To die alone in the rain. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matt, you're supposed to be Mr. Glass Half Full, not Nihilist Matt. Leave that to the pathologically depressed, like the tools on my ND football message board.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That said, I loved it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the underlying essence of how one reacts to Matt's joke is this: everything is relative. How one perceives something is deeply personal, whether it's a joke or a football player, a team, a specific game. It's like the time I attended one of Gruley's book signings and he shared that his agent was of the opinion that, when coming up with marketable plot lines, "Pedophilia is always a winner." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh574juxtyFLjFIxDFmuxtQR5Kbr8LPAuRPgmU8een6ROWSjgRVA8eka3k_NKYwJdEdwe8L7JyQuXIRcQapSxaixVlMCg4L_UBe26DpBrvVFxw4OtDAXqXtVBl9Rks2FILN3VYg0XfGI2-beghZ2x-h7wJoB4LsRT7PZLVdgvsmi8LoZZjExdMaRLqiwA/s640/Gruley.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh574juxtyFLjFIxDFmuxtQR5Kbr8LPAuRPgmU8een6ROWSjgRVA8eka3k_NKYwJdEdwe8L7JyQuXIRcQapSxaixVlMCg4L_UBe26DpBrvVFxw4OtDAXqXtVBl9Rks2FILN3VYg0XfGI2-beghZ2x-h7wJoB4LsRT7PZLVdgvsmi8LoZZjExdMaRLqiwA/w202-h202/Gruley.jpeg" width="202" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I'm pretty sure the audience got his point - that there was a consistently fertile consumer appetite for stories that involve very dark behavior - that's not to say that some of the laughter resulting from Bryan's observation didn't have an uncomfortable undercurrent - should I really be laughing at that? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So it is with Notre Dame football as we move to the final chapter of the 2022 book: how should I be feeling about this year's product?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY226MuaKiRVdn8TjKnIzj3yjao5d3awzgS1_G8b6l0upCDkihMwAlxujAlXwU4D_0lEeLjPLNnhZZK9KN6I-21da4K-Osbd-YryA_2VnWWsRfRxm5d2yk-ySkHUGmki7vS_vQLjw4bI7tliZ3aG_xjdqFGgUqeab8d2zXtEiiKamu56OmFWizm8gSng/s982/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%2012.11.14%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="982" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY226MuaKiRVdn8TjKnIzj3yjao5d3awzgS1_G8b6l0upCDkihMwAlxujAlXwU4D_0lEeLjPLNnhZZK9KN6I-21da4K-Osbd-YryA_2VnWWsRfRxm5d2yk-ySkHUGmki7vS_vQLjw4bI7tliZ3aG_xjdqFGgUqeab8d2zXtEiiKamu56OmFWizm8gSng/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%2012.11.14%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">What part of "don't utter a sound" was unclear?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Did it leave you feeling good, bad, or indifferent? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8-4. Maybe 9-4. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And what is the driver of that opinion - your views on the coach(es)? the players? the system? the culture?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For me, 2022 had far more good than bad. But then, I'm an optimist. I choose to believe the aforementioned chicken's backstory involved it doing something quite heroic - perhaps sheltering a bunch of chicks from some predator, only to be mortally wounded and/or die a solitary death. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You know, in the classic movie hero tradition, like John Kasinski's dad figure in "A Quiet Place." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sorry, no sequel for you, John.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, hey, to each his own. What there is no difference of opinion on: the continued excellence of the Stayer tailgate operation. Thanks again, boys!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0E_117xZACE7sNjMx_f8U0NPYP5S6kT9cFrNRg11fK2bw2O-mz-JP5sVa67MWUHGZePHv-Dkw1VLW_6BrTBPzzqA1RrxcTE6BYbiK6eYkzJ7zULVRteBCO7Dv4InVXjkCvi_WlMgh-gsIl_m_QDHR5dLBKSKR3j6h-sslSeiz_pxmmndErhECE98QA/s1134/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%202.40.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1134" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0E_117xZACE7sNjMx_f8U0NPYP5S6kT9cFrNRg11fK2bw2O-mz-JP5sVa67MWUHGZePHv-Dkw1VLW_6BrTBPzzqA1RrxcTE6BYbiK6eYkzJ7zULVRteBCO7Dv4InVXjkCvi_WlMgh-gsIl_m_QDHR5dLBKSKR3j6h-sslSeiz_pxmmndErhECE98QA/w244-h220/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%202.40.45%20PM.png" width="244" /></a></div>"Kids, don't buy drugs. </h4><h4><br /></h4><h4>Become a pop star and they give 'em to you for free!"</h4></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Billy Mack</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aging pop star, Love Actually</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As my mum used to say, there's a time and a place for everything. Unfortunately, ND had a few too many "that's not the time" occurrences (fumbles, missed reads, missed tackles, soft coverages) Saturday night. And that, children, is how you lose a game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyuUPaJlzwQItKbkyiuUlRYHHTIxVSzyPALjzWVKVVgEhmOZDs4p10cgacGo3JqIi21hozgKaAV21Qje37QoaHp4Gtl8YP7tselGTc5CRlxnN_zaN94qxQhsK6KHQ_po4Co-3w5hiLAxIpk7oxTfBCNP6U1eet3lg3XpMxIsIiPU72FnBPbBoh3GQUg/s952/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-01%20at%209.44.18%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="952" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyuUPaJlzwQItKbkyiuUlRYHHTIxVSzyPALjzWVKVVgEhmOZDs4p10cgacGo3JqIi21hozgKaAV21Qje37QoaHp4Gtl8YP7tselGTc5CRlxnN_zaN94qxQhsK6KHQ_po4Co-3w5hiLAxIpk7oxTfBCNP6U1eet3lg3XpMxIsIiPU72FnBPbBoh3GQUg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-01%20at%209.44.18%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: Jerrence knew what he watched wasn't a fever dream - after all, he'd seen the USC - UCLA game the week before. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still, the performance of the Trojan QB was striking. Caleb Williams was really, <i>really</i> good. And Jerrence, typically not at a loss for words, was having trouble articulating just how vast was the difference in QB play between the two programs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the risk of being too <span style="color: #fcff01;">reductive</span>, he also saw how fundamentally more important that position was than any other in the sport. In this case, literally the difference between winning and losing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence's even more simple epiphany: If a team does not have an elite QB, you're pretty much fucked. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 12: Thoughts</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It's same old song... </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pvEoR4QywgE" width="320" youtube-src-id="pvEoR4QywgE"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>I, for one, am tired of being every USC QB's submission on their winning Heisman Trophy application.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, after 12 weeks, I'm pretty observationed out. Okay, perhaps a few more:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>A Tale of Two Plays. </b></span>There were two plays early on that seemed to portend, at least on offense, the attitude each team was bringing to their offensive philosophy:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) <u>USC's 1st series</u>: 3rd and 2 on their own 33, Riley uses play action and misdirection to a wide open TE that goes for 31 yards. Five plays later, USC 7-0. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) <u>ND's 2nd series</u>: 4th and <i>a long 1</i> on SC's 27 yard line. Rees sends in (for maybe the 8th time this year?) the Mitchell Evans sneak. Everyone knows it's coming, including USC. They overload the middle. Evans gets stuffed. SC marches down the field and before you know it, 10-o, and ND, not built to play catch up, can never quite recover.</div><div><br /></div><div>* <span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">I don't think you can accuse Freeman of not having the players ready. </span><span>Not sure you could say the same thing about the two Coordinators.</span></div><div><ul><li><span>Rees clearly had zero trust in Pyne - until he had no choice.</span></li><li><span>With two starting DB's out and facing Williams, Golden may have a little more of an excuse - where he felt he had to play five DB's and hope the running defense didn't get exposed. <i>Wrong</i>. </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">At the risk of sounding like sour grapes, do we ever get reasonable officiating in The Coliseum?</span> </b> I'm not convinced we win but it would've been nice to see a few of those blatant holding calls against USC be made. Of course, I still have PTSD from our Senior Class Trip game... and Paul f*cking McDonald.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Off-Season's Going To Be Fascinating.</span></b> If there's any kind of silver lining to the SC loss, it should now be apparent to The ND Powers That Be that the college football 'rules of engagement' have changed forever. Or at least until the NCAA or some governmental legislation brings some level of regulation to what is, effectively, The Wild West. </div><div><br /></div><div>If ND chooses to stick their heads in the sand on where this is going, the Stayer tailgates are going to be the only thing that's elite on Game Day Saturdays.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2G84CEUk6Y7VDMhxNF-5I_ihpFsCezRMf9MEJjUdQWCJQMVh0Pxz0J5Rtr6CCbTJ0w70l5tlwNxhYlwZT3ULS5vR_fO6W6e-3ckBtMURhtsdDabyRLbEOdpGxdCDEM3Vj-HkuEYccyGVDkE9WlatY3SG-qXrifNjLe_qzN7ltwFb4tIT6AkonvW8xQ/s1170/IMG_3105.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="1170" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2G84CEUk6Y7VDMhxNF-5I_ihpFsCezRMf9MEJjUdQWCJQMVh0Pxz0J5Rtr6CCbTJ0w70l5tlwNxhYlwZT3ULS5vR_fO6W6e-3ckBtMURhtsdDabyRLbEOdpGxdCDEM3Vj-HkuEYccyGVDkE9WlatY3SG-qXrifNjLe_qzN7ltwFb4tIT6AkonvW8xQ/w640-h126/IMG_3105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #fcff01; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OUrWpjVGhh8yHaYDAPoaqa7hOkaEFoIcB8ZL-J0RD8rVmjK07sgZAor7-xOdVTZgtU9aO-lC7EeAXquOZ2fLuJ1YGOuxjdmU7ecvzx44Uhsf9Ro1nLQOJUn0dBiLTBw5xMf9BPP7sxcLT4jgzUMxQy6AtNIWuU-GEq2ZZPA3M3IpfiBgJ_fuAjxuXA/s1385/IMG_3122.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1127" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OUrWpjVGhh8yHaYDAPoaqa7hOkaEFoIcB8ZL-J0RD8rVmjK07sgZAor7-xOdVTZgtU9aO-lC7EeAXquOZ2fLuJ1YGOuxjdmU7ecvzx44Uhsf9Ro1nLQOJUn0dBiLTBw5xMf9BPP7sxcLT4jgzUMxQy6AtNIWuU-GEq2ZZPA3M3IpfiBgJ_fuAjxuXA/w325-h400/IMG_3122.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>* <span style="color: #fcff01;">Going Forward, </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Recruiting Now Means Recruiting Your Own</b></span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>As an unabashed fan of the Early Signing Period, I find it gratifying that one is no longer put through 2+ months (December-to-February) of 18 year olds fucking with my emotions, as they decide where they want to play college football. </div><div><br /></div><div>Note that I didn't say 'where they want to go to school.'</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that many of them don't genuinely agonize over the decision. It's just there's also a ton that seem to love the <strike>attention</strike> sucking up and are more than susceptible to late season enticements, some more ethical than others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now throw the players already on your roster, especially the really good ones, into this equation. </div><div><br /></div><div><u>NIL + Transfer Portal = Unabated Free Agency</u> (<i>see Addison, Jordan</i>). One would like to think that the valued, star athlete that ND attracts probably isn't going to cut and run for another program (more likely to the NFL) but one has think mid-tier schools are going to get decimated by the elite programs being able to show their stars a path to success and riches. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have you ever noticed that there's a lot of variations on the concept of irony?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's grim irony.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And tragic irony.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even funny irony. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not sure how one labels this week's version but it feels inescapable that this week's Buddy ought to go to our much maligned QB, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Drew Pyne</span>, who had arguably the best game of his life - and no one outside of his family will remember it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you hadn't seen the game and looked up his stats on Sunday morning and saw this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">23-26, 318 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg198FiB35muktwcjkJ4ugJHZEH72BuxtOcYfrM2nG3ZZjA-sUJ5Kh2lBBPfhOY1s8FGcaMpK4eny0-vu9r2NG_XFZ6lmY9W7IzWbjoBT3MbkE1PItwFeM1Qi-5KL04lUDl0Ok5-ggju8dkJA1LE5yVc095emZOXZDns5laRZFBB-pSrVnQ8r4VbogDwg/s736/Pyne.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="736" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg198FiB35muktwcjkJ4ugJHZEH72BuxtOcYfrM2nG3ZZjA-sUJ5Kh2lBBPfhOY1s8FGcaMpK4eny0-vu9r2NG_XFZ6lmY9W7IzWbjoBT3MbkE1PItwFeM1Qi-5KL04lUDl0Ok5-ggju8dkJA1LE5yVc095emZOXZDns5laRZFBB-pSrVnQ8r4VbogDwg/s320/Pyne.webp" width="320" /></a></div>You'd say "ND won, probably big." Actually, more likely the first thing you'd say was "Who dosed my coffee" but you get the point.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, he had a self-inflicted fumble at THE MOST inopportune time - a mistake that almost surely will haunt him longer than it should - but by and large, he did more to keep ND even close than anyone else (looking at you, defensive front seven). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yes there were misreads that took some drive-continuing plays off the table (and I completely discount his INT, at end-of-game desperation time). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And not that this changes anything long-term in coach Freeman's assessment... but let's give the kid his due for this week. He played to a level that should have been good enough to beat USC.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">He's not the reason ND lost. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I played the fool </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I did just what you expected</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CF6OWkFPdXI" width="320" youtube-src-id="CF6OWkFPdXI"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. We understand your decision. </div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the whole, I hope we'd all agree that we've got a lot to be thankful for - even as some of us may be going through some legitimately very tough challenges.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the fact is, the uneven performance of the 2022 Notre Dame football team ought to be on the bottom rung of anyone's list. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The team remains something to be proud of, and as an excuse to hang with, well, <i>most</i> of you :) , it's been another terrific year.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If there’s an institutional takeaway from this season that is above Freeman’s pay grade, it’s figuring out the transfer portal. And program sources have indicated a willingness inside Notre Dame to rethink how much the football program can get involved with college football’s analog to free agency and how quickly the institution must move on potential Irish targets.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame will always be a four-year institution built on developing high school talent over the long haul. That’s fine. That’s good. That’s the culture Freeman wants. A source indicated Freeman leaned into that message before the USC game, talking up Notre Dame’s ownership culture instead of USC’s rental outlook. That should be how Notre Dame builds its program moving forward.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But after losing to USC and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/marshall-thundering-herd-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Marshall</a>, two programs with 20-plus transfers on the roster, there’s a chasm between where those programs are and where Notre Dame is in the market. There’s no reason taking four transfers (at the skill positions — all due respect to kicker <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/blake-grupe-FSlhrMyw73y36PkL/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Blake Grupe</a> and punter <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jon-sot-6Hpw77KwCwfCD3v3/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jon Sot</a>) needs to undermine Notre Dame’s culture. Some inside the university are concerned a transfer who spends one year at Notre Dame gets the same degree as a student who spent four years here. And that’s fair, to an extent. But it’s not like Freeman wants to turn Notre Dame into a college football pit stop. He wants to “enhance” the roster where he can, when he can. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Irish didn’t need one <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/brandon-joseph-tLGzRey8dUkCUMOB/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Brandon Joseph</a> this season; it needed three. Freeman needs help making that happen.</span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">November 249 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Man, if ever a game harkened back to past times (and not particularly good ones at that). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More like dystopian times where ND was always undermanned while SC was rolling out another elite QB (with seemingly a prestigious award also on the line).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's never worked out too well for ND, historically.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What to do? Drink up, Shriners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brave New Swirled</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brave New World (1932)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Aldous Huxley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUuR_d66OHDGrfvMAXXaSF_sPmINlfAH6PsMogSTHeMzFF2ZBtX9erkW6FbRjw09QXVvg84saCO4wxbjTgx01FgH1FEsUTsTkFY2E0b1mz-1Hsd0o69-mljxXG6AbB0Hn77jVTLxohQdG1RyPHWqzitJokCUIGqC7EU1OWcgHewahBd2QSnm6QvCozA/s1032/aldous_huxley___psychedelic_by_jesstheninjapanda_db2niot-pre.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUuR_d66OHDGrfvMAXXaSF_sPmINlfAH6PsMogSTHeMzFF2ZBtX9erkW6FbRjw09QXVvg84saCO4wxbjTgx01FgH1FEsUTsTkFY2E0b1mz-1Hsd0o69-mljxXG6AbB0Hn77jVTLxohQdG1RyPHWqzitJokCUIGqC7EU1OWcgHewahBd2QSnm6QvCozA/s320/aldous_huxley___psychedelic_by_jesstheninjapanda_db2niot-pre.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Imagine a world dominated by antidepressants and governmental control over reproductive rights. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh. Wait. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Written in the 1930's, <i>Brave New World</i> could've been copy-and-pasted from today's headlines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Huxley penned a dystopian world in which embryos are pre-programmed for certain behaviors and needs, and technology is so revered that "Oh my Ford" is a commonplace utterance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Huxley was an outspoken fan of psychedelic drugs, you can <i>legally</i> freeze your own brain with this swirly smoothie featuring a surprising aphrodisiac: watermelon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hey, what you drink (and who you drink it with) ain't nobody's business but your own.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4fXBfu7TFehQjJGczx0dete2SUiTJDIOukP8Lq-XT0649MNzYr4hP89wEscMsX0wmCC-tcqg8riHlfH11HFhlZvtQ1Muli_g-tPCmBYsBEotDAjlKgMC9jZhVkKiNKaVn4Ia6JZCbDdU42DSCC1fkBD0g-nu0eCeauDfjXYEMxZDk3mD3aJYu0RyAw/s2300/70a896fa-0af5-45eb-9b6a-4dd763ffe7c4.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2300" data-original-width="2300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4fXBfu7TFehQjJGczx0dete2SUiTJDIOukP8Lq-XT0649MNzYr4hP89wEscMsX0wmCC-tcqg8riHlfH11HFhlZvtQ1Muli_g-tPCmBYsBEotDAjlKgMC9jZhVkKiNKaVn4Ia6JZCbDdU42DSCC1fkBD0g-nu0eCeauDfjXYEMxZDk3mD3aJYu0RyAw/w200-h200/70a896fa-0af5-45eb-9b6a-4dd763ffe7c4.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br />* 1 oz. vodka</div><div><br /></div>* 1/4 oz. lemon juice</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>* 1/2 oz. melon liqueur</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>* 1/2 tspn. granulated sugar</div><div><br /></div><div>1 cup seedless watermelon, chopped into course cubes</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Add the vodka, lemon juice, sugar, watermelon and a handful of ice to a blender, running until smooth. Pour into a cocktail glass and float the liqueur on top.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No matter your political leanings, one gulp of this and you'll be more than brave enough to fight The Man.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div>How prescient that the Churchill quote chosen for the 8 Win group would be "history is written by the winners."</div><div><br /></div><div>And I wonder how each of them would describe this year:</div><div><br /></div><div>* Brunett?</div><div><br /></div><div>* Ward?</div><div><br /></div><div>* Rasmus the Younger?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In any event, good on you fellows for clearly recognizing the balance between the excitement of a new, charismatic coach and a healthy skepticism toward the challenges of any new coach transitioning into the Notre Dame Way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do I really believe that was your methodology? Of course not. But, as Winston said, it's your history to write. </div><div><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, Team 8, time to start brushing up on your bowl game prognostication. The Athletic's best guess as of this week:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt_Gb9eeZQmLKsGAMs-Y-_FH0NeL6C3kdKqw3vTIU-cThPtbtjR_ytqEr3rNg4HL_NpJOlROg2pzB8KnnCjSWZCEHLT0jSq7mwUCR9HQtuENAnGR-C0w98PAVlhX00lMzIOA7ECxY3EF738GF236pHI2QcjF4i0SUT2mbaJYKTEZk8p5B6T_SofadPw/s1242/Bowl%20games.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1242" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt_Gb9eeZQmLKsGAMs-Y-_FH0NeL6C3kdKqw3vTIU-cThPtbtjR_ytqEr3rNg4HL_NpJOlROg2pzB8KnnCjSWZCEHLT0jSq7mwUCR9HQtuENAnGR-C0w98PAVlhX00lMzIOA7ECxY3EF738GF236pHI2QcjF4i0SUT2mbaJYKTEZk8p5B6T_SofadPw/w640-h381/Bowl%20games.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for those who care, they think ND is looking at a December 30th Gator Bowl contest against the 194th ranked* Mississippi State Bulldogs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>* US News & World Report University ranking.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Brian M.</span>, <strike>John P</strike>.,<strike> JP</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Blayney</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini</strike>,<strike> Theo</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Sloane</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bob J.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">, Bill,</span><strike> </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bob S.</span><strike>,</strike><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Mike C.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Pat B.</span><strike>,</strike><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jim B.</span>, <strike>Tim S</strike>., <strike>Feif</strike>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Mike G.</span><strike>, Phillip S.</strike>,<strike> George</strike>, <strike>Mike B</strike>., <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Shea</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jerrence</span>, <strike>Raz</strike>, <strike>Mark</strike>,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Bryan</span>, <strike>Matt</strike>, <strike>Jerry C.</strike>,<strike> Daryl</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">John</span> <strike> </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Jim T.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Alex</span>,<strike> Randy</strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Pat C.</span>,<strike> Gerard W</strike>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This being rivalry week - not to mention lots on the line regarding BCS Playoff positions - one would think the Schadenfreude candidates would be falling all over themselves.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Actually, not as much as I'd hoped. But that's probably because I so desperately wished to have USC headline the roll call. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Disappointed but not dismayed. There's always other losers out there.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWbIixWDSL402G1G8Z-bIuwp5EBa2_NiTxuEBK9XGceksBTd5-gXtzKdF7RXg4YbAQjXSdZDDRqukZX9ReDvaSuvlolc3dXK1itGvIkaj2PWpOtPjgIxHRtyeaaLAeYMyEeYeBUyrUrUBogqRuI0VbtqtLPc7qtjfR_3x3Zf1i0Q5bQu39zl8ZfixtQ/s600/UM.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWbIixWDSL402G1G8Z-bIuwp5EBa2_NiTxuEBK9XGceksBTd5-gXtzKdF7RXg4YbAQjXSdZDDRqukZX9ReDvaSuvlolc3dXK1itGvIkaj2PWpOtPjgIxHRtyeaaLAeYMyEeYeBUyrUrUBogqRuI0VbtqtLPc7qtjfR_3x3Zf1i0Q5bQu39zl8ZfixtQ/w200-h194/UM.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>tOSU</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> In the annual Larry Corrigan "Root For a Tie with Lots of Injuries" Bowl, I honestly didn't see you as the Schadenfreude winner. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But that's why they play the game, right? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Plus bonus style points for the way you did it</u>: a) making JJ McCarthy look positively Heisman-esque and b) showing that renowned Buckeye mental fortitude and completely collapsing in the 4th quarter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IMjhM9mjy1k" width="320" youtube-src-id="IMjhM9mjy1k"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">LSU</span>. </b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span> Nice job, Brian Kelly. Your reward for gagging this week is getting Georgia next. Don't take this in the wrong way but I hope they hang 50 on you. But I'm sure the Tiger fam-uh-lee will provide the empathetic support you so richly deserve. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Clemson.</span></b> At this point, it really doesn't matter that this loss diminishes our own strength of schedule. I just want misery for everyone. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Irkj4FIzCo" width="320" youtube-src-id="4Irkj4FIzCo"></iframe></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">"ROI! ROI!" </span></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qOIeK6xHIkzK3TXUH-pk5IxRIfIvtvRby9wR-pITjD7rr2trqmt7vddbWkDl3YWPphERv5kd4wxoJJjUujABYaTewF1iK1SWfbjHhJ3d2kw5cpMaBWsmPd2pP8l6-TCuuQIZwrlBPRMtCdgZeuiG-L7md-uh0AyZX8uTcpX4lz5tNW2GIVvLpXwaOw/s1894/IMG_3123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1894" data-original-width="1088" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qOIeK6xHIkzK3TXUH-pk5IxRIfIvtvRby9wR-pITjD7rr2trqmt7vddbWkDl3YWPphERv5kd4wxoJJjUujABYaTewF1iK1SWfbjHhJ3d2kw5cpMaBWsmPd2pP8l6-TCuuQIZwrlBPRMtCdgZeuiG-L7md-uh0AyZX8uTcpX4lz5tNW2GIVvLpXwaOw/w230-h400/IMG_3123.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So you know who's </span><u style="font-family: georgia;">not</u><span style="font-family: georgia;"> a tool? Drew Pyne. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The kid did everything that was asked of him, to the best of his (fairly limited) ability.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wish him well in his future endeavors. Hope he's getting his ND degree.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unlike the other idiots cited below. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I don't know you b</span><span style="text-align: justify;">ut I think I hate you</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">You're the reason for my misery</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hjTko2npZeI" width="320" youtube-src-id="hjTko2npZeI"></iframe></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozrYEBxJqMsJ3vFxQmly4-Zk2Oex7GrHX4gcsR3blUUZpQVooSalAJIAdAnao6S3URdQKMp9IL5kDWOfMd5UV804oumJQSnqCA_14n13jSvzZgzy_g2b_oUcQLAKVEU1QJSm08bi1AuzOplwAOhEhATEZ9ZVYaR2019HOoq2IbjjkUb99xra9Ft5lQg/s1623/IMG_3100.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozrYEBxJqMsJ3vFxQmly4-Zk2Oex7GrHX4gcsR3blUUZpQVooSalAJIAdAnao6S3URdQKMp9IL5kDWOfMd5UV804oumJQSnqCA_14n13jSvzZgzy_g2b_oUcQLAKVEU1QJSm08bi1AuzOplwAOhEhATEZ9ZVYaR2019HOoq2IbjjkUb99xra9Ft5lQg/w289-h400/IMG_3100.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Caleb Williams</b></span>. Being a generational QB talent and a complete tool can be mutually exclusive. It can happen. For example, I don't recall Trevor Lawrence being a bad guy. Quite the opposite, in fact.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But Caleb, hoo boy. Despite being an east coast Washington D.C. product, you're looking more like pure SoCal douche. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The passive taunting. The profane fingernail polish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Chris Fowler</b></span>. I'd like to think I'm one of the last guys who gets caught up in the "ooh the announcers are terrible... they hate us" but Fowler... I gotta say, sharing your love for Anthony Davis as a young lad growing up? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Both creepy <i>and</i> journalistically unprofessional. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Could you at least pretend to be objective? Yeesh.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As for you, Kirk Herbstreit... I generally like you but man, try studying a little more before the game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyEEIObGDLexukM6Virv0LI2aOrfax1Z42iY7SBAIXFQKjDMMUCrDO1Zf5L8rYRn2d0_7a8Q3kJ4QBgjZQsp_GNt4Ze0yZYkzSnZjLKbdJPNysHTwbF9Ka4jhRleu7nT86Yl9gcbyB4xt69yMMN1NxyMF9OZ9STqzW5Seyj00gdGxl35MlfTCYRA6A/s1138/IMG_3103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1138" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyEEIObGDLexukM6Virv0LI2aOrfax1Z42iY7SBAIXFQKjDMMUCrDO1Zf5L8rYRn2d0_7a8Q3kJ4QBgjZQsp_GNt4Ze0yZYkzSnZjLKbdJPNysHTwbF9Ka4jhRleu7nT86Yl9gcbyB4xt69yMMN1NxyMF9OZ9STqzW5Seyj00gdGxl35MlfTCYRA6A/w400-h148/IMG_3103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71vGQi2XNAd8S3VOOrTfk8qFfSR1gNNPMjsBmG5w5KBpWiMqQXryJqc0uC-vi6A2E98zd1vNDbsgKTeB5LVkKaHIlJ5-o6i16tdKP2zYNOPGx3D9eIefxD6HmUSwXUO42plE5RGP15L0E3lDoxnOqjYkHo-ncS5ganEv-gnufqieap07b_tFdS3hPcg/s1036/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%204.22.15%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1036" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71vGQi2XNAd8S3VOOrTfk8qFfSR1gNNPMjsBmG5w5KBpWiMqQXryJqc0uC-vi6A2E98zd1vNDbsgKTeB5LVkKaHIlJ5-o6i16tdKP2zYNOPGx3D9eIefxD6HmUSwXUO42plE5RGP15L0E3lDoxnOqjYkHo-ncS5ganEv-gnufqieap07b_tFdS3hPcg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-02%20at%204.22.15%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Antonio Brown</span></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Is it right to make of those who are clearly unwell? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Probably not. But I've never tried to hide my flaws. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay, that's not entirely true. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But to catch you up: in the last 24-48 hrs., an arrest warrant has been issued for Brown in connection with a domestic abuse charge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">He's barricaded himself in his house -with guns - in a standoff with the police. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You do you, Antonio. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <b> <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Things that make you say, "hmmm." </span></i></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe he's guilty, maybe he's not. But taking seven weeks to come to a determination - where he stays eligible to play the entire time?!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMamymFodEh8XakTdnxvLEFlyXrYuX-BBnOHgTVXe6QHumNicgHgASMZrdsJ6564BdUhv1rehCOwugHjOvE0yL7c45BOBJvsOrvGKVhQiduS4Az0N97UAy8yZly2jHiU5a6ClKtBBvQH1u_MyLgz4QFdNkk7N4ApXKmQJT_HVgQgaM0KV1py8HezpJg/s1164/Mazi%20Smith.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1164" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMamymFodEh8XakTdnxvLEFlyXrYuX-BBnOHgTVXe6QHumNicgHgASMZrdsJ6564BdUhv1rehCOwugHjOvE0yL7c45BOBJvsOrvGKVhQiduS4Az0N97UAy8yZly2jHiU5a6ClKtBBvQH1u_MyLgz4QFdNkk7N4ApXKmQJT_HVgQgaM0KV1py8HezpJg/w400-h360/Mazi%20Smith.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought.</span></h3></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>“Drummer seeks musicians to form band.”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">46 years ago, 14 year old Larry Mullen posts an index card on a bulletin board of the Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul Hewson, Dave Evans and Adam Clayton sign up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzDJwXCui1K_Qq3cztRcZ57Os3Bv1pmgiz-wgNsVBLYAkSRRxARyrBrWdWbNmRtVrT5ahK3oajVQns6CwWK73r9imXLPAGdST-mNZTkR88XF45HIv6RXLbJYYRFOhxN71tnlMZh25d-nWWaQNCZoDIq6FPsVmMAqE709rtI1wCQIZB3pF8wxmpYsiTA/s1806/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-30%20at%2010.00.34%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1806" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzDJwXCui1K_Qq3cztRcZ57Os3Bv1pmgiz-wgNsVBLYAkSRRxARyrBrWdWbNmRtVrT5ahK3oajVQns6CwWK73r9imXLPAGdST-mNZTkR88XF45HIv6RXLbJYYRFOhxN71tnlMZh25d-nWWaQNCZoDIq6FPsVmMAqE709rtI1wCQIZB3pF8wxmpYsiTA/w640-h294/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-30%20at%2010.00.34%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They called themselves 'Feedback', then 'Hype' and finally, </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">U2</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. And the rest is history.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJLGeXWouE0" width="320" youtube-src-id="SJLGeXWouE0"></iframe></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It will be interesting to see if, with a year under his belt (and one would think some earned credibility), does Freeman post his own index card on the school bulletin board - looking for maybe a new member or two for <i>his</i> band? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-72094660391615546382022-11-26T10:12:00.004-06:002022-11-27T15:50:50.359-06:00Week 11: Chilly Scenes of Winter<div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Guess who just got back today...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bawlZLHMEas" width="320" youtube-src-id="bawlZLHMEas"></iframe></div><br /></i><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Notre Dame IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A short story about resilience and adaptability: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence finds himself in Iowa for Thanksgiving with the family matriarch, Kay - now rounding the bend toward 98 yrs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year will be a little different. Due to a case of COVID in her Independent Living facility, even though she has tested negative, the annual Norman Rockwell dinner on a cousin's farm has been cancelled. An infant w RSV - taking no chances.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moreover, quick investigation revealed that every restaurant in town of any quality will be closed for the day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD7qiEPzcbXMsVC3X-VFstPhCpePv08xJMGRIrr-ICqXKQ4CYa8Au-kAkO7PxZ1QbQZjmeFrZJDHScvOLJOa-J49YjIQ-MeiBSZYN7AgFdU1Ex4YsrRQ9psX9SzLuW1tGTz36CXay-LUSTqbTm4zuOu2Gmw2R3tO_XplHmYeP2w2NhXMxvB7TS0WdEg/s1094/Resized_Resized_20221119_113929.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD7qiEPzcbXMsVC3X-VFstPhCpePv08xJMGRIrr-ICqXKQ4CYa8Au-kAkO7PxZ1QbQZjmeFrZJDHScvOLJOa-J49YjIQ-MeiBSZYN7AgFdU1Ex4YsrRQ9psX9SzLuW1tGTz36CXay-LUSTqbTm4zuOu2Gmw2R3tO_XplHmYeP2w2NhXMxvB7TS0WdEg/s320/Resized_Resized_20221119_113929.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>The few, the proud, the increasingly numb... </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><u>Jerrence</u>: Well, mom, it looks like it's gonna be a day of just watching football and drinking. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Kay</u>: Okay. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Jerrence</u>: Okay? To be honest, mom, I expected a little more resistance to that proposal. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Kay</u>: Why?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Why indeed</i>. She's almost 98 and clearly comfortable at this point in her life with playing the proverbial hand that's dealt her... simply moving on and making the best of the situation. Plus she's got a stash of Zinfandel for just such an occasion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wish more of ND Nation was like her. I'd like to think the 'Stayer Lot Few' did just that last weekend. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKorJwm8kF1NV9I7U7wF5j_dReCKZ9JJNyfYop4DkXwG9BbgvPUvnzd2RXFuhowbOS8QI98TIgQMXkeio5Uvma_D5BFar1yq73xxq5_4ggPakE62P2cYNKbJijx6X_qF9Svxah0Y-yVmkEgDPjQbH1kv7Hii1q1-j3IuikZSCWCJCIWXev-2kKeadzSQ/s710/IMG_3060.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="710" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKorJwm8kF1NV9I7U7wF5j_dReCKZ9JJNyfYop4DkXwG9BbgvPUvnzd2RXFuhowbOS8QI98TIgQMXkeio5Uvma_D5BFar1yq73xxq5_4ggPakE62P2cYNKbJijx6X_qF9Svxah0Y-yVmkEgDPjQbH1kv7Hii1q1-j3IuikZSCWCJCIWXev-2kKeadzSQ/w200-h195/IMG_3060.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>"It ain't the way I wanted it. I can handle things! I'm smart. Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect!"</h4></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Fredo Corleone</span><span style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Respect? Maybe next year, Fredo. (But I doubt it.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_nCe_cz4kaljHbg1ULKE_uLIK-2rHUGu0yMamB2dEIohjo3jFg-PBUekwUQNs7RgI5VV6A2-mxbx7EmdQ0uZH8BsBELuPLQWR-x7dl7Cmi966YGQaZE17n676JrH78BXOkH2NL88kJa9nOuO9aatoax19ITw-wr87qVjwpzdzyxol9OKMKkBLtsRzA/s960/Demulcent.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="960" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_nCe_cz4kaljHbg1ULKE_uLIK-2rHUGu0yMamB2dEIohjo3jFg-PBUekwUQNs7RgI5VV6A2-mxbx7EmdQ0uZH8BsBELuPLQWR-x7dl7Cmi966YGQaZE17n676JrH78BXOkH2NL88kJa9nOuO9aatoax19ITw-wr87qVjwpzdzyxol9OKMKkBLtsRzA/s320/Demulcent.png" width="320" /></a></div><u>Used in a sentence paragraph</u>: Jerrence looked down at his 1842 Club chili - there was snow flakes in it. That's not right, he thought. How could that be? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because after a brilliantly sunny 1st half, it was in fact, snowing in Notre Dame Stadium. And not just flurries. Hard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mid-November and feeling like being inside a snow globe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDoH6Z3_4uaODF7PJUlL-IP6OsnPLh566sBe-8mTL-h_8xH5ff_h22-IabMT1iGIPUPwIjxKnhRG8p0TrtQ3rfL4jSJE_gN_CzrZolq3xJ0kqQIYAH0Db4CzMWR8zzNF16gjahu0huMZmw6RVjTJjRl2ExdG_yaL4EJm4GX4hL8Yj4mMaby0YPkiX8w/s4032/IMG_0862.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDoH6Z3_4uaODF7PJUlL-IP6OsnPLh566sBe-8mTL-h_8xH5ff_h22-IabMT1iGIPUPwIjxKnhRG8p0TrtQ3rfL4jSJE_gN_CzrZolq3xJ0kqQIYAH0Db4CzMWR8zzNF16gjahu0huMZmw6RVjTJjRl2ExdG_yaL4EJm4GX4hL8Yj4mMaby0YPkiX8w/s320/IMG_0862.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">I say, Peter, are those hints of cinnamon I'm noticing?</span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;">The radical change in the weather, while perhaps unsettling to many (especially the BC team), Jerrence found extraordinarily <span style="color: #fcff01;">demulcent</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And why not? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The team was up 37-0 (making the Navy game appear to be increasingly an annual aberration), he was hanging with close friends one last time for the season, and Boston College was committed to running the ball - and more importantly, running the clock. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Plus, Jerrence knew there was a nice, celebratory scotch in his future. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Huzzah!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 11: Thoughts</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Let the stories be told </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Let them say what they want...</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7BDBzgHXf64" width="320" youtube-src-id="7BDBzgHXf64"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gaqpehpTWl6SRxq0BVDT_-e-P3YwCT1XO5AhI3wFfZbVrwT9KTebmTMf0cn5lcqYeUoorIWCBI_z0VJBkmcuGdxrL6zFjI2Tx_wR4SZwQC_kpCJeHAawIRmLy8WPqBl_LKNLq9ysPDX9ClvGBYFSUwUHTtt79r3-dz790uUR1CcsT0e2kPBFE8sqtQ/s2895/Far%20Side.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="2271" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gaqpehpTWl6SRxq0BVDT_-e-P3YwCT1XO5AhI3wFfZbVrwT9KTebmTMf0cn5lcqYeUoorIWCBI_z0VJBkmcuGdxrL6zFjI2Tx_wR4SZwQC_kpCJeHAawIRmLy8WPqBl_LKNLq9ysPDX9ClvGBYFSUwUHTtt79r3-dz790uUR1CcsT0e2kPBFE8sqtQ/w217-h276/Far%20Side.HEIC" width="217" /></a>Well who doesn't like a circus-like roller coaster ride? At least on the way up. And maybe not for three months. Take heart, it's almost over. Some near-final observations...</div><div><br /></div><div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">How would Freeman have them prepared?</span></b> If this season is - and always was going to be - a referendum on the Brian Kelly replacement hire, right now you'd have to feel pretty good about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe not feeling entirely great - but can we recognize ND's a unique place where <i>anyone</i> new was going to have a learning curve - so bringing the team back from the prior week's horror show to a performance of complete domination has to count for something.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALhI0cpXu4-TNr8G-d1-E5BvmHj4DuOPCI4dbP6dirybZxECA3NsPwZNZRCp0UUv_xzASBVEd3aiwR7oYvv_fXDasiepHYKwDFSeECYUTHUAhoO0j6h3oOENjFKA1FuADr-rpotTwvNVX7uhmEFsts5HDR9Zw4QkbpZ8ycPwJq9tYx7ISnzKZsXln_Q/s4032/IMG_9416.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALhI0cpXu4-TNr8G-d1-E5BvmHj4DuOPCI4dbP6dirybZxECA3NsPwZNZRCp0UUv_xzASBVEd3aiwR7oYvv_fXDasiepHYKwDFSeECYUTHUAhoO0j6h3oOENjFKA1FuADr-rpotTwvNVX7uhmEFsts5HDR9Zw4QkbpZ8ycPwJq9tYx7ISnzKZsXln_Q/s320/IMG_9416.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Bob, that's not my hand you're squeezing</span></i><span style="color: #fcff01;">...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />* <span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">Morrison is a legit star. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>If two INT's in a game is good, three is better right? </div><div><br /></div><div>And five for the season, <i>sweet</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>And here's a fun fact (at least by my less-than-rigorous investigation), <u>every single one</u> of the lad's picks have led to TD's. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another fun fact: he didn't enroll until the summer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please let him get #6 this weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuMRwomOJRqRFboWrShU_4hqhZC4VTTIZEiZkjt1-iNG8_evPS_22VP1noNXojDfR2Lh5AMbRssQrVVsF8NVIssvnodJ5rIk7hPQFwkKgqJOX9cVIa7Gy_7BcNLjO9LcNaT2Nkfb1IK3EbnYbjCozlwksgeIrxq-aJkOg80Px31EI9AGN8GpF5i57Gg/s512/IMG_0298.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuMRwomOJRqRFboWrShU_4hqhZC4VTTIZEiZkjt1-iNG8_evPS_22VP1noNXojDfR2Lh5AMbRssQrVVsF8NVIssvnodJ5rIk7hPQFwkKgqJOX9cVIa7Gy_7BcNLjO9LcNaT2Nkfb1IK3EbnYbjCozlwksgeIrxq-aJkOg80Px31EI9AGN8GpF5i57Gg/s320/IMG_0298.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Peter, are you flirting with the photographer?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">No change re the Pyne evaluation.</span></b> </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sorry but he's still the same MAC conference-level QB that we've seen all year. </div><div><br /></div><div>He made a couple really good throws (and at least one aided by a very good catch). </div><div><br /></div><div>But it's fair to ask one's QB to make more than 3-4 quality passes in a game. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>And since we <i>are</i> asking, it better be this week.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobckfG958iiOv71M6dKK8s3rOjCDj-fbr6dgu57Lgxx84xeCQgG5bVAm5Qa3n2uuq4zRP7Feqn1NJfoGjwxYg10t19Fh0JFrq4v-f8Kf2dHeSC0TijNfQGQSiL5T8v9y06cCqoGHE-pX9nMFjBelGYV_qFno4ansdxEUasG-LJUPkm0yx4t6CdcMoPw/s1134/IMG_3073.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1134" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobckfG958iiOv71M6dKK8s3rOjCDj-fbr6dgu57Lgxx84xeCQgG5bVAm5Qa3n2uuq4zRP7Feqn1NJfoGjwxYg10t19Fh0JFrq4v-f8Kf2dHeSC0TijNfQGQSiL5T8v9y06cCqoGHE-pX9nMFjBelGYV_qFno4ansdxEUasG-LJUPkm0yx4t6CdcMoPw/s320/IMG_3073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>We cut to further action in the 4th quarter... </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH8dnS-oOiW1MvLQqi80T7oHdbI98nzUS8PDke-ZtCj9EUOP9g4MzB47RNcwIYNECwU_ZvyPae2nX5fKVVWEbbdY8UDYtDubnaFaCKI74g1xcX-i7LGsy1GBwT1RsyBILiUBDV02mm1v6_Udl2SGDFuZMqJqo9kLL_Ku5oK5RiX4ONLtaAnhYzMpP6Q/s4032/IMG_3033.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH8dnS-oOiW1MvLQqi80T7oHdbI98nzUS8PDke-ZtCj9EUOP9g4MzB47RNcwIYNECwU_ZvyPae2nX5fKVVWEbbdY8UDYtDubnaFaCKI74g1xcX-i7LGsy1GBwT1RsyBILiUBDV02mm1v6_Udl2SGDFuZMqJqo9kLL_Ku5oK5RiX4ONLtaAnhYzMpP6Q/s320/IMG_3033.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Someone tell Judy this is actually fun...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">19 Game win streak</span></b>. Remember when one would cringe as ND fell apart at the end of every season - and with it, away went the quality recruits, thinking "Nah, I'm good. Think I'm gonna stay closer to home."</div><div><br /></div><div>For a variety of reasons, those days seem to be over (NIL bribery notwithstanding). </div><div><br /></div><div>And a big contributor to that is the team going four - now possible five? - years without a loss in the last month of the season (with these last games now being the final data points for recruits before the early signing period).</div><div><br /></div><div>That's worked out nicely. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please make it 20 in a row. </div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's designation proves equally challenging as the last for exactly the opposite reasons: <i>too many candidates</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* There's the record setting TE.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* There's the record setting DE.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* There's the (seemingly) soon-to-be record setting freshman CB.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* There's the QB who puts together just enough good plays to be considered.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's talk about <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Logan Diggs</span></i>. Starts the game with a 51 yard run. And follows it up with a great catch on a 28 yard wheel route (do you notice how many players need to make terrific catches on Pyne's passes). End the game with a 150 total yards and has emerged as the bell cow of the RB's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Remember when there was talk of him transferring last off-season? Whew.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7jZuLF2yQLi2ZWzfSrumS1ix3T63t4dyDEqXmUk5FIwvZToEYMFFVcGgi37447YArQE5OY9Lt8hVi2yG_P2XXz0OYqJr-5EPJvGRJGmzVmMsJogwpWLazLGR1EiZRvepNq9oxgYoW23gqLWqFwUjMCk_RclJrnr0cWLHyKmGr1tQ8OlLFHcYMxwEDg/s1600/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%2010.19.37%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7jZuLF2yQLi2ZWzfSrumS1ix3T63t4dyDEqXmUk5FIwvZToEYMFFVcGgi37447YArQE5OY9Lt8hVi2yG_P2XXz0OYqJr-5EPJvGRJGmzVmMsJogwpWLazLGR1EiZRvepNq9oxgYoW23gqLWqFwUjMCk_RclJrnr0cWLHyKmGr1tQ8OlLFHcYMxwEDg/w640-h192/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%2010.19.37%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>One more thought</u>: When one thinks of Dillon Hall, typically, it's within the context of non-prosecutable deviance. The kind wildly embraced in other cultures - Thailand comes to mind - but largely frowned upon in western societies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But sadly, last weekend and through this Thanksgiving holiday, another theme sadly connected to Dillon has been front and center for this blogger: mortality. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">First we had the annual anniversary of Dave Huffman's tragic car accident - 24 yrs. ago, I think? Maybe one of the first instances for me of meeting a guy - a legitimate sports star - who was a genuinely decent, grounded, nice guy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4PLPbWH9TSpOLkC-_i1y5owUnvtT4V25770W6ye4vWcUxsdyfAFtVm7P6knZ6LA4pSwBsU9tZ1PRGPZ8kfHac0dDcRyv1hZtWfv_raSWt9itxuJIqTdkI6ohImqNp1IpJdlIS9iKCD4gp8TlYB0Ploh0pbdm4u8zuXE1Lng9kJU5ZMIPgGknJ7GlyQ/s990/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-25%20at%202.24.34%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="818" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4PLPbWH9TSpOLkC-_i1y5owUnvtT4V25770W6ye4vWcUxsdyfAFtVm7P6knZ6LA4pSwBsU9tZ1PRGPZ8kfHac0dDcRyv1hZtWfv_raSWt9itxuJIqTdkI6ohImqNp1IpJdlIS9iKCD4gp8TlYB0Ploh0pbdm4u8zuXE1Lng9kJU5ZMIPgGknJ7GlyQ/w190-h230/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-25%20at%202.24.34%20PM.png" width="190" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend was just as bad, maybe worse, if not quite as shocking - the passing of <span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike Brooks' wife, Leslie</span>, from cancer. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">If there's one thing that connects the class of '79 men - besides our shared schooling - it's been the consistent ability to marry ridiculously above our station. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">And while I never had the pleasure of knowing Leslie, I know this to be true. Because while the idea of anyone marrying Mike is not entirely out of the realm of possibility - there is a perverse charm to him after all - but to do so, knowing you're also signing on to the rest of the Dillon reprobates? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">That's clearly a special person.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">RIP, Leslie. And our sincere condolences, Mike. Whatever we can do for you, let us know.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>A human being that was given to fly</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T9lqxKLPMIU" width="320" youtube-src-id="T9lqxKLPMIU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the whole, I hope we'd all agree that we've got a lot to be thankful for - even as some of us may be going through some legitimately very tough challenges.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the fact is, the uneven performance of the 2022 Notre Dame football team ought to be on the bottom rung of anyone's list. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The team remains something to be proud of, and as an excuse to hang with, well, <i>most</i> of you :) , it's been another terrific year.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and from your eyes inside the program, what should Notre Dame fans be thankful for as Marcus Freeman wraps up year one? Maybe some things casual fans won’t see? </span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">For me, the obvious ones are:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1. Winning a big game against a top-five team convincingly</strong><br /><strong>2. Not losing the team after the Stanford loss</strong><br /><strong>3. The recruiting operation</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Curious what others may be lurking behind the scenes.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Terence M.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’d include how Freeman has managed Notre Dame in the biggest-picture view. He has shown a real grace during this season’s tumult, navigating moments that could have frayed his coaching confidence. For a first-time head coach to lose at Ohio State, lose his starting quarterback and lose to Marshall back-to-back-back, it felt like watching a freshman quarterback throw four picks in Week 1. Does he ever recover?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For how much Freeman talks about confidence, those opening eight days really tested his. He has clearly come out the other side of that, without publicly blowing up or throwing players and/or coaches under the metaphorical bus (publicly or privately). That takes some real restraint. Brian Kelly has 30-plus years of coaching experience and would have struggled to hold this season together without making a spectacle of it all.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But the biggest point would build on your second point, Terence. The idea that everybody was on the same page exiting the Stanford game is a fantasy. Freeman had to pull the staff and roster back from the brink while also basically faking his own confidence in the moment. That was an incredible test that Freeman passed and probably will be one of this year’s defining accomplishments, right there with beating Clemson and potentially beating USC. It set the table for him to show the in-season improvement that’s so critical to wherever Notre Dame football goes in the future with Freeman at the helm.</span></p><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">November 24, 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week, Faulkner. This week, Hemingway. Talk about two ends of the spectrum. Variety is the spice of life, they say.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps you've heard this anecdote which served to underscore his brilliant brevity. When challenged to write the saddest story ever in six words, he crafted:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps if he were around for this football season, I suspect we'd be seeing something equally tragic: <i>QB Drew Pyne. Returning next year</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In any event, succinct writer, minimalist cocktail.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">A Farewell To Amaretto</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Farewell to Arms (1929)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Ernest Hemingway</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7LqIbpWDC900c3DJfX6C2kUN15IA4sxfdBE_r9g_DyVU2EUJUFP2Lty2N1CxJ1cBFY2rVX94LZmmR5klFl6bW8rvKFZ6Dc2OIXlnU-D7t6JRE_d2psDhdHOty_j6fBI6769q-k-7HxAgkXuljT11mP9JuK-S6944mwSpZ2bsPluDdcQWK6jjL_4teg/s224/images.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7LqIbpWDC900c3DJfX6C2kUN15IA4sxfdBE_r9g_DyVU2EUJUFP2Lty2N1CxJ1cBFY2rVX94LZmmR5klFl6bW8rvKFZ6Dc2OIXlnU-D7t6JRE_d2psDhdHOty_j6fBI6769q-k-7HxAgkXuljT11mP9JuK-S6944mwSpZ2bsPluDdcQWK6jjL_4teg/s1600/images.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>Widely lauded as Hemingway's most accomplished work, <i>A Farewell to Arms</i> firmly established his spare, just-the-facts prose. Little wonder: before doing time as an ambulance driver in World War I, Hemingway was a junior reporter in Kansas City.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much of <i>Farewell </i>draws directly from Hemingway's own life abroad, from mortar shell injuries to angelic nurses. Nobody said was was easy but just when you think the narrative is gonna land nice and quiet in Switzerland, Hemingway throws a friggin' dead <i>baby</i> into the mix.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We salute Hemingway's complicated time in the Italian campaign with that country's own amaretto. Take this one like a soldier: sour but fighting.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeU4Dhhva6kmdhWx9VlOankAnP5FcxaLUD2zlHRlpHCm4H3Up7MctUVYrbJiidZ9MyiKP9dok3K3j-_-bW4yKz_kTxB0XmeE7i2wstKwbx_tIzF4weTWas8DjWGTBv0Pp-ybqaBLPmgPAXB-SbJQ5_YtxuN_vRJNKs8F1xT2heqregA7aQQdhACq0xw/s225/download.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeU4Dhhva6kmdhWx9VlOankAnP5FcxaLUD2zlHRlpHCm4H3Up7MctUVYrbJiidZ9MyiKP9dok3K3j-_-bW4yKz_kTxB0XmeE7i2wstKwbx_tIzF4weTWas8DjWGTBv0Pp-ybqaBLPmgPAXB-SbJQ5_YtxuN_vRJNKs8F1xT2heqregA7aQQdhACq0xw/w200-h200/download.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />* 2 oz. Amaretto</div><div><br /></div>* 1/2 oz. lemon juice</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>* 1 tspn. granulated sugar</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the amaretto, lemon juice, and sugar in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Best enjoyed after returning home from a stint overseas, with bonus points awarded if you get your girlfriend - or boyfriend - into a nurse's uniform.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div><i>Winner winner, chicken dinner! </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, not specifically, a winner. But we know, now, there will be a winner! Perhaps even more than one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Huzzah!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and probably now is as good of a time to tell you we're not bestowing everyone participation awards.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grow up. </div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">, Bill,</span> <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span></strike><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span> Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A week of near misses... oh, how glorious it would've been to see TCU, Michigan, even USC, go down.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hell, even Texas A&M and Oklahoma won. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Not the greatest of Schadenfreude weeks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">C'est la vie. I take solace in knowing the funnel will likely be full next week.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Tennessee</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Just when one started to buy into the "<i>Tennessee / Hendon Hooker are this year's LSU / Joe Burrow" </i>they go ahead and get 62 hung on them by (checks notes)... South Carolina?! Ouch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And lose the aforementioned star QB to injury for the year? Double ouch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And play Vandy next, whose riding an actual 2-game win streak? Eek. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axFa3oQZrho" width="320" youtube-src-id="axFa3oQZrho"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Florida</b>. </span><span> Like last week, this is more about celebrating <i>another</i> Clark Lea win than caring all that much about the Gators. Although seeing any of the Big 3 Florida teams lose is always nice.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Miami</span></b>. Speaking of which, if this team stays a doormat for the rest of the century, their ultimate resurgence will be too soon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Added bonus: getting crushed by Clemson, making ND's win vs. the Tigers look all the more impressive. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week, Tools have gone global!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One has to decide for oneself whether that's a good thing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK19JnBIpdW7pCOwAqPoh7RNjnIJmAf7sC_Jvdn4GvUpcFduVdSbhpwDQx4i3_EBsSUY2GOdDV6DsuOLhpF--SP6ZjoYRvkmSg2jTHLxbpIMMgSFFweznXP1gftA14vIrJ_ziPL9eR2tFIjSG0gHYnpwu4iMEIpwWepLecQKJ6MRj9YTe6SiVykikbHw/s1550/IMG_3052.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="614" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK19JnBIpdW7pCOwAqPoh7RNjnIJmAf7sC_Jvdn4GvUpcFduVdSbhpwDQx4i3_EBsSUY2GOdDV6DsuOLhpF--SP6ZjoYRvkmSg2jTHLxbpIMMgSFFweznXP1gftA14vIrJ_ziPL9eR2tFIjSG0gHYnpwu4iMEIpwWepLecQKJ6MRj9YTe6SiVykikbHw/w254-h640/IMG_3052.jpeg" width="254" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Qatar</b></span>. Whaddya mean 'no alcohol at the World Cup games?!' The ultimate bait and switch. Ouch. Let me tell you - the British football supporter is not going to take this well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Ticketmaster</b></span>. To be honest with you, I don't really know the issue - something to do with really effing up Taylor Swift's ticket sales for her latest world tour that apparently everyone in the world wants to go to (and tried to buy tix at the same time). And in doing so, incurring the wrath of the aforementioned pop deity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oops.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Fun fact</u>: In a revelation that approaches the same level of incredulity as Ungie's "I've never seen an episode of Seinfeld" admission, I don't know a single Taylor Swift song. I hear she's pretty popular.</div></span></div></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) </span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Phil Jurkovec</span></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">. I recognize that college is, generally, a safe space for making - and saying - some really, really stupid things. And for those of us of a certain age, we thank God that social media wasn't around in the late 70's to memorialize our particular expressions of idiocy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, young Phil doesn't have that benefit. And if anyone should stop talking, it's him. <u>Hint</u>: Notre Dame stopped thinking about you two years ago.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Kyrie Irving</b></span>. He's like the Freddie Krueger of social hot takes - he just. won't. fucking. go. away. A couple weeks ago it was his seeming lack of grasp of why the world was a tad bothered by his support for a blatantly antisemitic film.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week, it's his dare-to-dream proclamation for a social platform where he can express his views without fear of criticism or consequence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sure, Kyrie. Excuse me but I'm due back on planet Earth now. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Speaking of stupid teenagers... </span></i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn7lH4GoYS2lBoUlmWnUqKErtQGaTGYD84fjksQje3riRl-hdVFu4dh3YmBdDbf39ULtRtBf27bWKRCXDz4K--0dDqnFh0gR5INqFkqbcnYcWh42e323VCgUEB8YVV4toE_qFrMbDx-hqqYR5_Lz_LOHuGDsEY5D7Y2qQw2x0v6MYGqLP7U3BBPDbHw/s1338/IMG_3075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1156" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn7lH4GoYS2lBoUlmWnUqKErtQGaTGYD84fjksQje3riRl-hdVFu4dh3YmBdDbf39ULtRtBf27bWKRCXDz4K--0dDqnFh0gR5INqFkqbcnYcWh42e323VCgUEB8YVV4toE_qFrMbDx-hqqYR5_Lz_LOHuGDsEY5D7Y2qQw2x0v6MYGqLP7U3BBPDbHw/w345-h400/IMG_3075.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Marcus, Mensa is also rescinding their nomination. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One more time: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Happy Thanksgiving to all in the Notre Dame <i>fam-uh-lee, </i>both immediate and extended... </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViRxCKYbtuiL7auLbpy16JXeE7evTQSoJM0ppK3cZMUMxLFLh9WLcNG9GqwRzafgRgMXmrf448u1d2DxyMaoICbnz9d-BeNDKgPr2I2MALfu68HqgjEF_sEakmEOQ94kVKkJTVoKeVLDgzzj9askOUXWXWocxqC6yVjNkaFXL3kQiPfG6j6x55WzGAw/s1508/IMG_0542.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1508" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViRxCKYbtuiL7auLbpy16JXeE7evTQSoJM0ppK3cZMUMxLFLh9WLcNG9GqwRzafgRgMXmrf448u1d2DxyMaoICbnz9d-BeNDKgPr2I2MALfu68HqgjEF_sEakmEOQ94kVKkJTVoKeVLDgzzj9askOUXWXWocxqC6yVjNkaFXL3kQiPfG6j6x55WzGAw/w640-h398/IMG_0542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-40569943932851600152022-11-17T17:15:00.000-06:002022-11-17T17:15:03.311-06:00Week 10: Who Are You?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Blame it on Cain</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Don't blame it on me</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It's nobody's fault</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But we need somebody to burn... </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qynbbfC7J5U" width="320" youtube-src-id="qynbbfC7J5U"></iframe></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO-BhuRRfvZUvtl_vJihLKccDkI05GHneoHXd6wrwBx9kWzpETpOuY0UypsCUOSzzTyeuwo8oFtq5R9mdZEayrfug9GU7Rycj1tM7RsZuM_sBOIDjirQ_1qN9EfLC8mOuAvnuS27IwFp2TlLGf4b36HoW4f7QNPmxk7Fy6rGq6NmpyD6Zt3COJUtduQ/s4032/IMG_3005.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO-BhuRRfvZUvtl_vJihLKccDkI05GHneoHXd6wrwBx9kWzpETpOuY0UypsCUOSzzTyeuwo8oFtq5R9mdZEayrfug9GU7Rycj1tM7RsZuM_sBOIDjirQ_1qN9EfLC8mOuAvnuS27IwFp2TlLGf4b36HoW4f7QNPmxk7Fy6rGq6NmpyD6Zt3COJUtduQ/s320/IMG_3005.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>Grandpa, this is why your brothers watch the game on tape delay, isn't it?</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So there I was watching the game Saturday afternoon, start of the 4th quarter and The Granddaughter is looking at me with an irritated "You call this rubbish I'm seeing 'quality bonding time?'" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">...when what should appear on the TV but the new <i>John Wick: Chapter 4</i> trailer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank God - a diversion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I, of course, launch into a thorough yet digestible summary of the franchise's brilliance for consistently delivering a sharp metaphor for a rapacious global consumer society that feeds off of planned obsolescence, essentially eating its own and in doing so destroying the myth of The Loner archetype, that iconoclast who in fact could be Society's savior.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qEVUtrk8_B4" width="320" youtube-src-id="qEVUtrk8_B4"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feeling awfully self-satisfied, it turns out Sloane found grandpa's take... lacking. Her words - paraphrasing here - <i>"OK, Boomer, that analysis is both simplistic and derivative, and more than a little lazy… relying on worn out, hackneyed tropes and suggesting “you've been talking to Jerry Perez again, haven't you - BTW, whose latest screenplay was totally deserving of the recognition it received in the Austin competition - but honestly grandpa, at least TRY to have an original thought once in awhile."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ouch. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">She continued. <i> "No, gramps, let me tell you what the John Wick oeuvre is really about: a rallying cry against an increasingly intrusive Techno-Military-Industrial complex whose libertarian hero represents a brave, silent majority, a segment often considered 'outsiders' and</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> ostracized by a knuckle-dragging patriarchy who categorize those they don't understand with stereotypical-if-uncomfortably accurate labels like "psychotic" and "disturbed" or "armed and dangerous." Decent people who otherwise just want to be left alone with their emotional support dog..."</i></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Excuse me? You're 19 months old. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And frankly, I'm not sure I like your condescending attitude. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">OK, agree to disagree. That both of us should end up in a highly confused and fatigued state - naps were taken by both parties immediately thereafter - only proves one can still find common ground on even the most complex and volatile of subjects... John Wick, Notre Dame football. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y66oP_XaLSc7rFTfNJd_IC2uhAKJZITBrVRX074SS-SNfHfUPnEQ-M5At9x0zMmRmw68pziXMstE0Z6B6sAQhwnkG4XdBv_QUTXYo3j7HyfgGVEFuABWrGtXlKHJ5C4gSfaMQ_JH2JgJWcX1ff4W2Qx9jfdiALcsMRhD2HTKIj0dq15BGomiLpBPvg/s800/Michaelangelo.Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="800" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y66oP_XaLSc7rFTfNJd_IC2uhAKJZITBrVRX074SS-SNfHfUPnEQ-M5At9x0zMmRmw68pziXMstE0Z6B6sAQhwnkG4XdBv_QUTXYo3j7HyfgGVEFuABWrGtXlKHJ5C4gSfaMQ_JH2JgJWcX1ff4W2Qx9jfdiALcsMRhD2HTKIj0dq15BGomiLpBPvg/w257-h142/Michaelangelo.Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles.webp" width="257" /></a></div>"Wise men say 'Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.'"</h4></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Michelangelo</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Ninja Turtle</span><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Saturday took me a while to process. As in "what the hell WAS THAT?!"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not good. Like, <i>biblically</i> not good. And yet, I think you file it under 'the 2022 roller coaster ride ain't over yet' and ask yourself, what were your realistic expectations for this year?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLXPFtiFLBC4YxdIo9AXfJHgxNcgDVAoAeiO8vIKJHSn7e6NoZYAeNUPvjlmt4NjP0K8NXGotmt2M24omQ48qaEAmXkIslmBAjX2oSTESZZAmu10beJDdpiZrAfW_ITG20FJ3EfmY3Ja3xecsRVeraUSzW2sVV5NYfajYgZ2Abw7jSMLsZuT7EAld-Q/s1500/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.44.51%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1500" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLXPFtiFLBC4YxdIo9AXfJHgxNcgDVAoAeiO8vIKJHSn7e6NoZYAeNUPvjlmt4NjP0K8NXGotmt2M24omQ48qaEAmXkIslmBAjX2oSTESZZAmu10beJDdpiZrAfW_ITG20FJ3EfmY3Ja3xecsRVeraUSzW2sVV5NYfajYgZ2Abw7jSMLsZuT7EAld-Q/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.44.51%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If it was BCS Playoff berth, I've got nothing for you and respectfully suggest you consider counseling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If it was more like, "We're playing the long game here, with a high potential - but admittedly neophyte - new head coach and there's likely to be some 2-steps-forward-1-step-backward moments"... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then maybe Saturday's epic 2nd half no-show will ultimately register as another in a series of learning opportunities for coach Freeman that we wish we didn't have to be subjected to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But we are. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I, for one, will be extremely interested in seeing what the off season brings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><u style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2wu4yBX2c8gGYdJqM_lCztND8-OuSXOHrmG0vqg7oq4-Pim0W4sE2XudY3ys6hEBa00ukw5slRWaI8BFVF4NgaDRmygxKrPe_BJNGWKLjeo4MdV4rlX12dl7pyTt8b2YVd0seGpuZape27sQGOgxOsN80ezpGRZkuuYRCuFFsfxUoV033HKCjvo3-Q/s968/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%208.52.27%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="968" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2wu4yBX2c8gGYdJqM_lCztND8-OuSXOHrmG0vqg7oq4-Pim0W4sE2XudY3ys6hEBa00ukw5slRWaI8BFVF4NgaDRmygxKrPe_BJNGWKLjeo4MdV4rlX12dl7pyTt8b2YVd0seGpuZape27sQGOgxOsN80ezpGRZkuuYRCuFFsfxUoV033HKCjvo3-Q/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%208.52.27%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u><span><u>: J</u>errence looked at his granddaughter and knew precisely what she was thinking. </span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">True, he felt compelled to tell her, this wasn't the team's finest performance. If you'd only stayed up last week and saw how the Irish dominated Clemson...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still, he understood the infant's incredulity. The </span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">recrudescence</span></i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> of Notre Dame's inept form in the 2nd half - <i>hello, Marshall! hello, Stanford!</i> - had Jerrence similarly baffled. Where was the team that put up 35 pts without a hint of ever having to punt?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How can this same O-line not be able to run AT ALL against this defense? </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And how does this same defense get shredded by a <i>3rd string</i> QB that runs an option-oriented offense? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Honestly, the team's inexplicable disappeance drove one to drink. And while his younger companion was pounding diluted cranberry juice pretty hard, Jerrence treated himself to something... more medicinal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 10: Thoughts</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Nothin' to do, nowhere to go home</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I wanna be sedated...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bm51ihfi1p4" width="320" youtube-src-id="bm51ihfi1p4"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Truth be told, there have been times in the past where I’ve thought “why not just re-post an old blog?” - there’s more than 230 of these now, I can’t even remember what I wrote last week. Given that these posts have all of the intellectual nutrition of a Twinkie, I'm sure my loyal readership doesn’t retain the content either… plus, I was far more clever back in the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>So when the same sh*t on the field keeps happening, why not?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-5wAGtTWq2U50R2nPifCO7XIvRK5c7-2OvKR-ZLazctocqxGp5yAj3iSZlDKYNEQNOKIY66nE5jwoM3EI3gOSujfaGQVd4e_tqIs051UiAagurW5Q6Vlh2I3GSMykGmrUFQpQCkQ-n1foaO7mmHD3_skK7hWd_YYtm-3OF7XiIWx9XRz5phY-7Pqbg/s390/Pyne.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="390" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-5wAGtTWq2U50R2nPifCO7XIvRK5c7-2OvKR-ZLazctocqxGp5yAj3iSZlDKYNEQNOKIY66nE5jwoM3EI3gOSujfaGQVd4e_tqIs051UiAagurW5Q6Vlh2I3GSMykGmrUFQpQCkQ-n1foaO7mmHD3_skK7hWd_YYtm-3OF7XiIWx9XRz5phY-7Pqbg/s320/Pyne.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Navy game - and our inability to put them away - represents one of Life’s great mysteries, (up there with 'why aren’t hot dogs sold in the same multiples as the buns', 'how the hell do you fold a fitted sheet' or 'how did Gallagher (RIP) ever make a viable career out of just destroying a watermelon?'</div><div><br /></div><div>Some things are simply beyond the ken of this blogger's simple mind. So with that, let's review the 'Occam's Razor' hypotheses - where the simplest answer is (probably) the correct one:</div><div><br /></div><div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Let down</span></b>. After the Clemson win, totally understandable. Just doesn’t quite explain a very good 1st half and <i>then</i> have the team pull a complete no show in the 2nd. </div><div><br /></div><div><br />* <span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;">"It's f*cking Navy." </span>Their offense is weird, they've got a “no quit” attitude which, while laudable in the context of defending our country against enemies foreign AND domestic, is super annoying football-wise and their 'assignment sure' focus compensates for their lack of actual athleticism and skill while throwing into sharp relief ND's ability to be similarly disciplined. </div><div><br /></div><div>So why does no other team in the country seem to struggle with them like we do?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNV6X6F89Y-f1UM-CE1pz2uyfch-Tqxx6j9LuQrkvSWZJKy-FiYu-MJKjr32WVP-hT84y8OFEyZs0VjfqVauiH3cGjG-SNzm3U89n6COJUboSS0Z3uJ_jKlHnS0mA99W__QrIX2s0YJMzAu5U25WSBZ1ZdUfmXmGasAhKVVyuLXeaudNY_TuGmF_FWQ/s533/Far%20Side.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNV6X6F89Y-f1UM-CE1pz2uyfch-Tqxx6j9LuQrkvSWZJKy-FiYu-MJKjr32WVP-hT84y8OFEyZs0VjfqVauiH3cGjG-SNzm3U89n6COJUboSS0Z3uJ_jKlHnS0mA99W__QrIX2s0YJMzAu5U25WSBZ1ZdUfmXmGasAhKVVyuLXeaudNY_TuGmF_FWQ/s320/Far%20Side.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">“It’s the QB, stupid.”</span></b> Look, it gives me no pleasure to dump on Pyne. And after the 1st half, he looked like a 1st ballot Buddy Award winner (<i>spoiler: he's not</i>). </div><div><br /></div><div>But it’s painful watching him process, at glacial speed, what the defense is doing, or going to do. Or subsequently, what his options will be. </div><div><br /></div><div>* <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Coordinators</span></b>. This game, particularly, deserves to point the finger at both guys. I believe I read that Golden has <u>never</u> had a good track record against option teams - did Freeman not challenge his plan last week? And Rees (who I actually like and wonder whether he often thinks, 'WHAT IF I HAD AN ACTUAL D-1 QB?')… he had to see immediately that Navy was going to sell out the entire 2nd half. And yet, no seeming adjustments. Hmmm.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Other thoughts</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>- <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Can we talk about DJ Brown?</span></i> 4 PI’s or Holding in the last two games, half of which kept opponent TD drives alive. Not good.</div><div><br /></div><div>- <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Inexperienced LB’s</span></i>. My guess is that Golden’s options were fairly limited but playing freshman LB’s against an offense they’ve never seen - ever - where even experienced defenders struggle - in hindsight seems a tad questionable.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IQyD5H1CCxMOHc3RqOLuQK5BZbOwS-qdbBM0XA6-9HRb1ztINtOOMVqp9ZAGhekuTVAFqG12hj-lXAPrwb4SclMiiJ4i6RvMCGvU2p7hBarWSepvd8QKQe2TxDwyGMqPkj_LdvGZHvMuIXkcu_fJWrEwcJtetktPfFu9QlU0tJulFksSP-YHYaH0YQ/s1200/braden-lenzy-catch.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IQyD5H1CCxMOHc3RqOLuQK5BZbOwS-qdbBM0XA6-9HRb1ztINtOOMVqp9ZAGhekuTVAFqG12hj-lXAPrwb4SclMiiJ4i6RvMCGvU2p7hBarWSepvd8QKQe2TxDwyGMqPkj_LdvGZHvMuIXkcu_fJWrEwcJtetktPfFu9QlU0tJulFksSP-YHYaH0YQ/s320/braden-lenzy-catch.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>Giving new meaning to the concept of the 'reach around.'</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>- <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Braden Lenzy</span></i>. One might have noticed on his Catch of the Year, that he had the Navy DB smoked by a comfortable 5 yards. </div><div><br /></div><div>And Pyne couldn't get it there. </div><div><br /></div><div>The kid has taken a lot of grief for being a disappointment for much of his time at ND but has never complained. </div><div><br /></div><div>Would love to see him get his due as his career ends. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I wouldn't hold my breath.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If last week's award choice represented quite a challenge, what does that say about this week?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do you give it to the QB who has a career game in one half but then completely falls apart (and not alone) in the 2nd?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One sure doesn't have to worry about putting forward a O-line nomination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And how many weeks, Jerrence, are we going to overlook the special teams - who've gotten to the point where one is disappointed when they <i>don't </i>block a punt? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still, in a game where consistency by anyone wasn't a hallmark, The Committee wishes to respectfully call out the <span style="color: #fcff01;">WR group</span>: much maligned (and probably deservedly so), they might be the one area that ND consistently dominated - even if the opportunities never came to fruition as often as they should've.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1rPfRCgwnNWlGqI8Ubo1bK7IdI1RtODn2FmD-HUzE5VqzxKS5abFoYL4PipnxHsGmib2GOKWQyFUlf3FnomjUsNR8ztOpXtNUxekPooVe7DUHbpD9kTubwkk0GXU8KezT2tQ69Jd660DP9FutQBVBdSketDkH6H8su5mskYqoog8vcrSv3bxFjz80A/s1763/Jayden%20Thomas.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1763" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1rPfRCgwnNWlGqI8Ubo1bK7IdI1RtODn2FmD-HUzE5VqzxKS5abFoYL4PipnxHsGmib2GOKWQyFUlf3FnomjUsNR8ztOpXtNUxekPooVe7DUHbpD9kTubwkk0GXU8KezT2tQ69Jd660DP9FutQBVBdSketDkH6H8su5mskYqoog8vcrSv3bxFjz80A/s320/Jayden%20Thomas.webp" width="320" /></a></div>* Who had <span style="color: #fcff01;">Jayden Thoma</span>s as #1 WR on their scorecards? Not me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* Let's talk (again) about <span style="color: #fcff01;">Braden Lenzy</span>. If one went back and watched the season's tape that the coaching staff gets (i.e., not the TV telecasts), how often would we have found him open deep? Quite a lot, one suspects. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">* Even <span style="color: #fcff01;">Lorenzo Style</span>s caught a few passes. (I, for one, haven't given up on him but someone please take him to a sports psychologist - or a Haitian voodoo priest - ASAP.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Will this group matter in the last 3 games? I hope so. They sure seem to be showing up at the right time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>As you walk on by</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Will you call my name?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CdqoNKCCt7A" width="320" youtube-src-id="CdqoNKCCt7A"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time for another peak outside the echo chamber of the Notre Dame beat reporter.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is another way of saying that I don't think Pete Sampson is submitting a mailbag this week.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But The Athletic's Stewart Mandel is and, of course (because there always is), there's a Notre Dame question being posed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And not an irrelevant one: how ya feeling about Freeman's first year?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Obviously, the <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/marshall-thundering-herd-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Marshall</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/stanford-cardinal-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Stanford</a> home losses are what most of America will remember about <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Notre Dame</a> this season, but objectively, how should Irish fans feel if they win out (including another top-10 win over USC) to finish 9-3 in the first year of the Marcus Freeman era? — Lauren, Atlanta</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think you answered your own question. If you told a Notre Dame fan in the hours after the Marshall or Stanford losses that this team would wind up beating USC and perhaps even finish 10-3 with a win in a decent bowl (Gator, Cheez-It or Holiday), they’d have been overjoyed, right? It’s still a step back from where they were during Brian Kelly’s last five seasons, but it would be a Top 25 season with an extremely encouraging back half — and a potentially season-ruining win over your archrival.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame is a good defensive team, but <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/caleb-williams-oOKwyoc07OTLmXZN/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Caleb Williams</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jordan-addison-iV0lvnNnsh7VufDN/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jordan Addison</a>, et al., are going to get theirs. You have to outscore USC to beat USC, and that’s not how Notre Dame is built. The <a href="https://theathletic.com/3893640/2022/11/14/usc-football-college-football-playoff/" rel="noopener" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Trojans’ defense is fairly awful</a> — I expect them to give up 45-plus points to UCLA this week, win or lose. But you’ve got to have a quarterback who can take advantage. Utah’s Cam Rising and Cal’s <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jack-plummer-Yrt20qmv3lzrrH0c/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jack Plummer</a> both threw for 400-plus yards on the Trojans; Arizona’s Jayden de Laura went for 380. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Drew Pyne</a>’s season-high to this point is 289 against UNC.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So the better question might be: How should Notre Dame fans view the season if the Irish go 9-4, without beating USC, but with impressive wins over ACC title game participants <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Clemson</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/north-carolina-tar-heels-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">North Carolina</a> and against two teams, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/byu-cougars-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">BYU</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/syracuse-orange-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Syracuse</a>, that were ranked at the time? It’d be disappointing, given the Irish started the season ranked in the top 10. But I’d say their improvement is still encouraging. Marcus Freeman wound up having more first-year head coach growing pains than anticipated, but the season did not deteriorate into a disaster as initially feared.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">November 16, 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">You'd think I'd be a big fan of William Faulkner - he's apparently the record holder for the longest grammatically correct sentence in literary history - something north of 1200 words. (Eat your heart out, James Joyce.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I even took a class at ND entirely devoted to the author. I believe I came out of the semester even more confused than when I went in. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In that respect, Faulkner is the perfect proxy for a book / cocktail for a Navy game recap: I didn't understand what I witnessed there either.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Absolut, Absolut! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Absalom, Absalom! (1936)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By William Faulkner</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IZAbW1AORPP23DGmXaJ2EF2eLD_Pssz5XMO5CeurfQWog5iziavOidA8DfZtYoKEd2gzNSi6Wo-QS-YGmUpYLr9qfgdMUFeQ6JWy2UGD4oCtoTqkzsw9NplZbWt0lfGMLd8FUg64Ksi5FibyyWrOmW4fGT_UH1ATNA0SVb2gNvGqBmdWy5NFb6ffoA/s320/Faulkner%20caricature.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="229" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IZAbW1AORPP23DGmXaJ2EF2eLD_Pssz5XMO5CeurfQWog5iziavOidA8DfZtYoKEd2gzNSi6Wo-QS-YGmUpYLr9qfgdMUFeQ6JWy2UGD4oCtoTqkzsw9NplZbWt0lfGMLd8FUg64Ksi5FibyyWrOmW4fGT_UH1ATNA0SVb2gNvGqBmdWy5NFb6ffoA/w143-h200/Faulkner%20caricature.jpeg" width="143" /></a></div>Why tell a simple story if you can make it complicated? No worries - haters gonna hate (and Faulkner's gonna Faulkner). A truly exasperating exploration of life in the author's beloved, fictional Yoknapatawpha County, MS - at least this story includes a 'map' of the area. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If out-of-order flashbacks and a Civil War backstory don't sound like your idea of a good time, keep in mind that Faulkner won no less than the Nobel, in part for his efforts here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Southern sip is guaranteed to make you ramble incoherently. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxMcMEZKUDCOgQ2Vi3x4hqEsPdLX2JOrZEyEFYT9pe1bnJ9ZDmitb_-Lh95nSTc0gHxgZumuj_AK60lCVF_elupjBo2I30Afdxpn_sxvRebOXEac5zj3-HLSOs7Zqfgz6snSIV_4ua0cgOxSuyw_3vc4g6ThFvOxLl_gFJ02XYaRzNx-lm_tsKQEY5g/s1069/absolut_products.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1069" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxMcMEZKUDCOgQ2Vi3x4hqEsPdLX2JOrZEyEFYT9pe1bnJ9ZDmitb_-Lh95nSTc0gHxgZumuj_AK60lCVF_elupjBo2I30Afdxpn_sxvRebOXEac5zj3-HLSOs7Zqfgz6snSIV_4ua0cgOxSuyw_3vc4g6ThFvOxLl_gFJ02XYaRzNx-lm_tsKQEY5g/s320/absolut_products.webp" width="320" /></a></div>* 1/2 oz. Absolut vodka</div><div><br /></div>* 1/2 oz. Absolute Citron</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>* 1/2 oz. Absolut Lime</div><div><br /></div><div>* 1/2 oz. Absolut Vanilla</div><div><br />* 1/2 oz. Absolut Peach</div><div><br /></div><div>* 5 oz. lemonade</div><div><br /></div><div>* Club soda, to fill</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry, for garnish</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine all the ingredients, except for the club soda and the garnishes, in a shaker with ice and shake for 5 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over feesh ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry, and just <i>try</i> to form a complete sentence.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Are You There, God? It's Me, Margarita.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>More Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div>I believe the expression is, "They don't ask how, they ask how many."</div><div><div><br /></div><div>For the still viable Wager players, it's 'survive and advance' time - even if we may not have the same assured swagger that we carried out of ND Stadium ~ 2 weeks ago.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>On to BC, the last in a series of underwhelming home opponents that have proven to be ND's kryptonite this year. (As if the Superman analogy even applies this year.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Worse, the latest spread has ND giving 21 pts. And we know how well ND performs as double digit favorites at home so far this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>So perhaps we won't have a Wager winner...</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It takes a leap of faith </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You gotta show some guts...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ouWEZPkbznQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="ouWEZPkbznQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">, Bill,</span> <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span></strike><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span> Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">On almost any metric, last week was something of <i>le grande dumpster fire</i>, oui?</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nowhere was that more evident than in college football where no less than #6, #11, #12, #16, #17, #18, #21 and #24 lost.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which would seem to explain how ND could look so dubious and still improve in the polls. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But as the philosopher The Grinch once said, "One man's toxic sludge is another man's pot pourri..." And that, my friends, is the true schadenfreude spirit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b-Jyud0SmC1M0xnoi0Gg-fokkBPtvfY__LEjdZG5N04z3Q6ireqiurBeZsvl_vGSVcAyyUaunJTkzsYCaPKaigl2_LncRujjdSg8Dhg9cGRDegno9IujuItJuAzMrph2r-zYwAE65x1yMESntdvTlqjIdr9exEkIwFnSQc6WFEpeXc5KNPt8LOea7Q/s2560/oklahoma.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="2560" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b-Jyud0SmC1M0xnoi0Gg-fokkBPtvfY__LEjdZG5N04z3Q6ireqiurBeZsvl_vGSVcAyyUaunJTkzsYCaPKaigl2_LncRujjdSg8Dhg9cGRDegno9IujuItJuAzMrph2r-zYwAE65x1yMESntdvTlqjIdr9exEkIwFnSQc6WFEpeXc5KNPt8LOea7Q/w400-h205/oklahoma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Texas A&M and Oklahoma</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Let's call Notre Dame this week's winner of the Peyton Bowen Bowl, considering these two teams seem to be the options our 5-star safety commit is flirting with the most. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now with a combined record of 8-12, if the kid bails on ND, it isn't gonna be because of the quality of the play on the field. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Oregon / UCLA</b>. </span><span> Take your pick. Or both. In any event, not a great weekend for the PAC 12. Ever being the optimist, both these teams have USC as season making (or redeeming) games in the next three weeks.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> Kentucky</span></b>. I don't really have anything against you - this was just a convenient forum for congratulating Clark Lea on his first SEC victory.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iK3PVrXHhAA" width="320" youtube-src-id="iK3PVrXHhAA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike Corrigan</span></b>. Someone bet their Philadephia brother on the Padres - Phillies series last month. The wager? I believe it was three martinis. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VseUWVmjvLY" width="320" youtube-src-id="VseUWVmjvLY"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If one judges by the interesting array of tools this week, one might think that this was Halloween week, such is the eclectic-bordering-on-the-bizarre nature of the representatives.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">None of which are even remotely Dillon Hall caliber.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I'd consider this a down week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QmKFW44QDjeYZNzHgw9V8_0eqPKfirkXvcHvpmbEZ-4u7OiWLQ22Yl6k_ja1s7s2g5BJ00gCEvtTJcyaoOKk0LwekGbFRRfF8sD7cYICd035y_4NKhKWrnOZaNCZEubZku1yx6eI3eSDYKgSZ1ntwcbH2jnb58nHA663FG84BKYqZza6C8DjmAprxQ/s1686/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.04.07%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1686" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QmKFW44QDjeYZNzHgw9V8_0eqPKfirkXvcHvpmbEZ-4u7OiWLQ22Yl6k_ja1s7s2g5BJ00gCEvtTJcyaoOKk0LwekGbFRRfF8sD7cYICd035y_4NKhKWrnOZaNCZEubZku1yx6eI3eSDYKgSZ1ntwcbH2jnb58nHA663FG84BKYqZza6C8DjmAprxQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%209.04.07%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Pat Narduzzi</b></span>. Call this the equivalent of a recruiting Crystal Ball that I'm proactively placing on coach Narduzzi spontaneously combusting should 3/4 star QB Kenny Minchey commit to ND after having been a Pitt commit since August. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A long time hater of ND for a variety of perceived reasons including a 'why won't they join the ACC' gripe, the potential to send him over the edge is strong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Film at 11, as they say.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmauZXsv7dNu9xe7clCHU8OHC363ifxqOHb5L5O47E3PpZ7Xeq5Zlk6EfgxvlOXsnDF1zmI74nT7ZnAK1jVm2VvosE2wlFMHbuT2DcZvVgFikQzXkVLyEmpliNKsV5T48U5b7J7qQ1WkyhA_0ndnkRGbG3BiHp9fCnOyqqviM9CVQx0lXqrW8Uysn3g/s904/Holmes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="904" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmauZXsv7dNu9xe7clCHU8OHC363ifxqOHb5L5O47E3PpZ7Xeq5Zlk6EfgxvlOXsnDF1zmI74nT7ZnAK1jVm2VvosE2wlFMHbuT2DcZvVgFikQzXkVLyEmpliNKsV5T48U5b7J7qQ1WkyhA_0ndnkRGbG3BiHp9fCnOyqqviM9CVQx0lXqrW8Uysn3g/w400-h221/Holmes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Elizabeth Holmes</b></span>. News flash: This is sentencing week and Ms. Holmes doesn't think she should go to prison - but she's willing to accept, maybe, house arrest. But it's gonna have to be a nice house, like, a <i>really</i> nice house. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Naturally, with a chef, an acupuncturist, a personal trainer and her astrologist, Chardonnay. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Basically, can you please just be nice to me, Mr. judge?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Elon</span></b>. Given that Twitter is so commonly described as a dystopian hellscape, one supposes that giving Jesus the verified 'blue check' - and for a mere $8 / month - represents true value-added. Well done, Mr. Musk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr0rSiTiiRUkRw94LAW1Yb9B0drC4Dc0H7NDfjpDS2zK399DKfrcNGyZgvnKrFjesQ5Y8WbJO7mlggcFB3O-2uLkHSyu-c3ISffUoj1BVaVCmVINPg0rg23klyokAoEtSmjsw4jcyN1veanksSdlU7VYM-tE2KVKUy6Y7z_Jzg1w2aViCXHQvbU8JMQ/s1042/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-14%20at%202.22.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="952" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr0rSiTiiRUkRw94LAW1Yb9B0drC4Dc0H7NDfjpDS2zK399DKfrcNGyZgvnKrFjesQ5Y8WbJO7mlggcFB3O-2uLkHSyu-c3ISffUoj1BVaVCmVINPg0rg23klyokAoEtSmjsw4jcyN1veanksSdlU7VYM-tE2KVKUy6Y7z_Jzg1w2aViCXHQvbU8JMQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-14%20at%202.22.00%20PM.png" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every November. Final home game. </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">The Few, The Proud... </i></div></div><div><i style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div><div><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">We'll miss you this week, Tim. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL02Fef50gI6Q2Yj9PyfgKvWAZZlakU712HpfOmq9kc9wAvE1PmVz_fIsWHslxpm39G-qlmxoD63T0UUDzrYABMDUq_DtEJE5TOqEIARfL29GgSTWuRa1bM5h6EziNssAmBXQ4oNriIkqGP04KVjyJwqab_LhtbIk94e5YwX6Ky_VmXQ5xS7ExjLDEw/s1003/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-14%20at%201.25.54%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1003" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL02Fef50gI6Q2Yj9PyfgKvWAZZlakU712HpfOmq9kc9wAvE1PmVz_fIsWHslxpm39G-qlmxoD63T0UUDzrYABMDUq_DtEJE5TOqEIARfL29GgSTWuRa1bM5h6EziNssAmBXQ4oNriIkqGP04KVjyJwqab_LhtbIk94e5YwX6Ky_VmXQ5xS7ExjLDEw/w640-h448/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-14%20at%201.25.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-26719706709160187222022-11-11T14:42:00.000-06:002022-11-11T14:42:21.636-06:00Week 9: Book of Revelations<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Will it be like I hope?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Just a matter of time... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vdfuPQnQNm8" width="320" youtube-src-id="vdfuPQnQNm8"></iframe></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzEGkCzU8J2LLCr3_fScNvFkf3GUf4FTfaYRGGJ1mJ0H1TDqzh9XatC7ehCqmeYPfKpW00GE0ND3iPoPpwG3mcO6RMp1w4nsCojtn2lf2cAS8ZqT5NY3D3wdzOz8g5X1hhrThXpilleGYjftjAwmwzlMR-M7Ov07y8o9i3OSeDMor0URbjLsu6KGavA/s1938/IMG_9866.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1938" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzEGkCzU8J2LLCr3_fScNvFkf3GUf4FTfaYRGGJ1mJ0H1TDqzh9XatC7ehCqmeYPfKpW00GE0ND3iPoPpwG3mcO6RMp1w4nsCojtn2lf2cAS8ZqT5NY3D3wdzOz8g5X1hhrThXpilleGYjftjAwmwzlMR-M7Ov07y8o9i3OSeDMor0URbjLsu6KGavA/w400-h260/IMG_9866.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>What the hell am I gonna write about this week...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Truth be told, in the run up to this game - spent in Mexico playing golf with daughter Ryan and sucking down a lot of tequila... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>"Please try our property's signature cocktail, made with the region's finest agave."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It's 10am in the morning. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>But okay. </i></span><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Sure. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Our tee time isn't until 3pm.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">...Jerrence was anticipating writing a somewhat darker-themed post. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even after a convincing win against the 16th ranked Syracuse the prior week, he had no confidence in anything other than the Stayer tailgate. ND had already proven this year that the notion of 'home field advantage' was an oxymoron along the lines of military intelligence, jumbo shrimp, Italian war hero...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why should this week be any different?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsa9dB4FntvGA-JyEoBppo6mQiPZaOk_cDGANqZbNYupmrINftp9-VW4RDiELqoQCXILAakSXj4s5pwm-aBOAYoTfOXzpOv-HEC4TuVz02DnfSBh9RBEcdX-omZNU2ChPN6Cl4AwZHwLrBDlwK5GhxL1L6cRSUCkl29vpHRZGuezTfmOizQU1fQ4Yrw/s795/dabo.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="795" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsa9dB4FntvGA-JyEoBppo6mQiPZaOk_cDGANqZbNYupmrINftp9-VW4RDiELqoQCXILAakSXj4s5pwm-aBOAYoTfOXzpOv-HEC4TuVz02DnfSBh9RBEcdX-omZNU2ChPN6Cl4AwZHwLrBDlwK5GhxL1L6cRSUCkl29vpHRZGuezTfmOizQU1fQ4Yrw/w320-h168/dabo.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">"This was an ass-kicking. Period."</h4></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Dabo Swinney </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dabo has always been one of those coaches most people liked, until Clemson became dominant. Then not so much. Tiresome. Irritating. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No one likes a consistent winner, Dabo. <i>Give the other children a chance</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But to my recollection, he's consistently been one of the most post-game honest coaches in the country. And Saturday night, he didn't disappoint. Well done, coach.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jC1JXjk99gokKP3aWbejC-Ux2qz43mcBXeCkDIrchXYYkvdqmrJpCM2IgSMsPWsYRx008nBGUBBXoOsphQ1FFxTw4o_9dzIKA9ZdYN10PImwC7t_EnstRbxn42CSOc1GR-X1W-GeG7XHjQ3SvL2eUVomXnqC3cYIchNHnoq6p4Qld6X1UTGGJHTc0w/s1112/IMG_2971.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1112" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jC1JXjk99gokKP3aWbejC-Ux2qz43mcBXeCkDIrchXYYkvdqmrJpCM2IgSMsPWsYRx008nBGUBBXoOsphQ1FFxTw4o_9dzIKA9ZdYN10PImwC7t_EnstRbxn42CSOc1GR-X1W-GeG7XHjQ3SvL2eUVomXnqC3cYIchNHnoq6p4Qld6X1UTGGJHTc0w/w320-h287/IMG_2971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Jerrence stared at the beer he'd been nursing for the better part of the entire 2nd half - he knew he still had to make the hour drive back to Valpo.</div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But he was cognizant that this was one of the few times this football season that he was actually happy that he wasn't heavily anesthetized.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Synapses firing, Jerrence watched ND act with a 'step on their opponent's neck' aggression throughout the 4th quarter. My God, they actually threw on a 2nd and short to a wide open Mayer. TD!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who are these guys? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A wave of emotions quickly came over him, both <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">cathartic</span></i> and revelatory, as he watched the crowd pour onto the field. This was the team that Jerrence and his pals thought they were getting this year. Finally. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As despondent Clemson fans trickled into the Morris Inn bar, Jerrence felt something else, empathy. How many times 'been there, done that?' So filled with post-victory <i>gemütlichkeit</i>, he began to reach out to the garishly clad elderly couple next to him, only to glance at his phone and see a text:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT95NUR_3CgnXrBbfHT-G2yQx0MrVwwb9K8g8rfUMriLHr3N_QiwlOIueD2H5240Lu2CNm9Y5P7bBimDw2YjNN7UkMWNUF6yhx5qCZRa4VRnjtao9Fb0nJeyubwseLmkexfVPY-46ssbtJ3rA4Bf8le8lFa29rYPS4JdtgFB5TqptxG2dWWDsRjy-6Q/s1153/IMG_2991.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1153" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT95NUR_3CgnXrBbfHT-G2yQx0MrVwwb9K8g8rfUMriLHr3N_QiwlOIueD2H5240Lu2CNm9Y5P7bBimDw2YjNN7UkMWNUF6yhx5qCZRa4VRnjtao9Fb0nJeyubwseLmkexfVPY-46ssbtJ3rA4Bf8le8lFa29rYPS4JdtgFB5TqptxG2dWWDsRjy-6Q/s320/IMG_2991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 9: Thoughts</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>These are the days of miracle and wonder</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>This is the long distance call...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uy5T6s25XK4" width="320" youtube-src-id="Uy5T6s25XK4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What a difference <strike>a week</strike> two weeks make... heretofore, what occrred to me watching the game from the comfortable confines of Rohr's:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Osbsir9x9-qDb4-rNEJjxt9Arv0Zmbyc3PMi5JMODiiLStc7dpGLpmvKixOkH9aC1igGgApzjVisVLwzPj7ZnilVBXPIzKSp-ybNW2mvIaoTgzPeuUjiasGuGYpBg6SBSHkfW4sZLnHZ1rywSOPTRtJW7MenH_6ywOtUUFAuYVJe34ArAG4pyzJ7w/s2040/IMG_2969.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="2040" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Osbsir9x9-qDb4-rNEJjxt9Arv0Zmbyc3PMi5JMODiiLStc7dpGLpmvKixOkH9aC1igGgApzjVisVLwzPj7ZnilVBXPIzKSp-ybNW2mvIaoTgzPeuUjiasGuGYpBg6SBSHkfW4sZLnHZ1rywSOPTRtJW7MenH_6ywOtUUFAuYVJe34ArAG4pyzJ7w/w369-h212/IMG_2969.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian Mason</span></b>. Is The Man! The block was fabulous but even more impressive was how freaked out the Clemson punter was on almost every ensuing punt.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Punt block. The gift that keeps on giving. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0h33QaCUxkx_BQYxSJZ5WBk3e50VbeDvf5BcYNQoCrhTeBB9i37ULv6B49ZALSCtWV8kVfRq7lhLiRgQeclQKxoMJxTqCH_Y5VJI82Md5neM8IzjRFZdp20KHg5tTWis1BYH2TxAjj1hOyzZn_GZuslbi_EVadyh-vbOuMntYEPrdaNuDIrR-Wntxg/s1170/IMG_2974.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1170" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0h33QaCUxkx_BQYxSJZ5WBk3e50VbeDvf5BcYNQoCrhTeBB9i37ULv6B49ZALSCtWV8kVfRq7lhLiRgQeclQKxoMJxTqCH_Y5VJI82Md5neM8IzjRFZdp20KHg5tTWis1BYH2TxAjj1hOyzZn_GZuslbi_EVadyh-vbOuMntYEPrdaNuDIrR-Wntxg/w320-h177/IMG_2974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>2) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;"> RB's.</span></b> The O-line is receiving, justifiably, a ton of accolades for the way they owned Clemson's vaunted defensive front. But that doesn't quite give the RB's their due - Diggs and Estime are <i>really</i> good - and much of their downfield yardage was due to their ability. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They may not be true 'take it to the house' home run hitters but they're damn good.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhe3El6YQcLlL30_ghNzVtgEsJ1Jt_-2E7m08HodDqK92_0FYbxTw8P7c4DAfsDXJyRnsA6cDLd-sMm4Ba-MgjZhPbHu8hDhpojD7WU86UrsEdkSN25tYtvWUCLM1IQbnwhb9y4VCxsprGq3og-GxCRQmNrwHbdlxwtDuaV1q-Oy5O8YnMMfZm0C9LQ/s1128/IMG_2963.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1128" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhe3El6YQcLlL30_ghNzVtgEsJ1Jt_-2E7m08HodDqK92_0FYbxTw8P7c4DAfsDXJyRnsA6cDLd-sMm4Ba-MgjZhPbHu8hDhpojD7WU86UrsEdkSN25tYtvWUCLM1IQbnwhb9y4VCxsprGq3og-GxCRQmNrwHbdlxwtDuaV1q-Oy5O8YnMMfZm0C9LQ/s320/IMG_2963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Pyne</span></b>. Really isn't good. At the risk of beating this dead horse, it doesn't seem to be a coincidence that his completions come only when he has a very clear passing lane (e.g., sideline passes, short throws off bootlegs and the occasional lofted pass off play action). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But he is what he is. Nice kid. Good teammate. And it would appear that Rees and the team have learned to adjust the offense to accommodate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Long may that last. Just hope we never need an "80 yard, 2 minute, no time outs" drive to win... 'cause that ain't happening. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJoYAL2BK3spXax6YLBlkKYwX2hSVvJ8bvy9X6g0tXHuAW6ubj4pf3DxfuL4CEFiUB97mHxDDEhCcbnULkGrSwXJu_0yy6NfBeSjK5b8UoA7V00N4AN0zt-ZXpWn_BFT2vZzoN4mGa0rQ4OyR4qwsQijNqYzQZKwH85HrTLKiVL6ofVCvXerlBPfTpQ/s1170/IMG_2968.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1170" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJoYAL2BK3spXax6YLBlkKYwX2hSVvJ8bvy9X6g0tXHuAW6ubj4pf3DxfuL4CEFiUB97mHxDDEhCcbnULkGrSwXJu_0yy6NfBeSjK5b8UoA7V00N4AN0zt-ZXpWn_BFT2vZzoN4mGa0rQ4OyR4qwsQijNqYzQZKwH85HrTLKiVL6ofVCvXerlBPfTpQ/w403-h253/IMG_2968.jpg" width="403" /></a></div>4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Recruiting</b></span>. Saturday was obviously part of a very big, and presumably very successful, recruiting weekend. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One would like to think our wavering 5-star DB recruit from Texas witnessed Ben Morrison's performance and saw himself doing the same in a year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That said, I wonder what the dialogue was with any of the WR's? Tough to say that game was a showcase for them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Brief Interlude</span></b>. If you only have 4 minutes, spend it on this... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8KMKnbKnq0" width="320" youtube-src-id="X8KMKnbKnq0"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>5) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Clemson fans</span></b>. As far as I'm concerned, they can come back anytime. Nice before the game and nice afterwards. That said, if my 'word of the week' is cathartic, their's would've been another 'c' word:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgWGzezESB-VbyQpumBi0pdbHpsob6IlUBuxG9xFDOdxgd7OtGruUGpK1ICmGcxln_bJ7cATTuxO4BxvPHyxQ5loXcQ4yXUBDdKuabSAptlwWHg_0ZxkiCvUrrQiG9r1X1TPtyhAdFROxn07uN4VexTxmZZVGdj6dctqHRb01GF3wNQF9LZvWB8qgPQ/s822/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%203.52.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="822" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgWGzezESB-VbyQpumBi0pdbHpsob6IlUBuxG9xFDOdxgd7OtGruUGpK1ICmGcxln_bJ7cATTuxO4BxvPHyxQ5loXcQ4yXUBDdKuabSAptlwWHg_0ZxkiCvUrrQiG9r1X1TPtyhAdFROxn07uN4VexTxmZZVGdj6dctqHRb01GF3wNQF9LZvWB8qgPQ/w381-h143/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%203.52.22%20PM.png" width="381" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">November Stayer tailgates</span></b>. Exceptional. Like I said two weeks ago, <i>coming out strong. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks, as always, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Stayer hosts Jay - Bob - Jerry - Tim - Jim - Peter</span> and special guest collaborator, Mo (Sullivan) Borkowski!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewBlS4sH1OfmpIHoNWhTWjGGrL2xR0HgA0kn20aYEjxjDI585SfCfhJxHWPDQNHs-Ahc_yQ-NHdPZO0Reslclz4JH0u7bSIlCAKNCJUYBcScvJcQWTlJRrbI6J0mzY2JIcPfSWzdtFhtF64dmcjVVEGcbV0FKU_Iw18tOhgeF41g2BOVH2LkVEEgeYA/s4032/IMG_2961.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewBlS4sH1OfmpIHoNWhTWjGGrL2xR0HgA0kn20aYEjxjDI585SfCfhJxHWPDQNHs-Ahc_yQ-NHdPZO0Reslclz4JH0u7bSIlCAKNCJUYBcScvJcQWTlJRrbI6J0mzY2JIcPfSWzdtFhtF64dmcjVVEGcbV0FKU_Iw18tOhgeF41g2BOVH2LkVEEgeYA/w640-h480/IMG_2961.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></div></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week, The Nomination Committee faced a bit of a quandary: in games such as we witnessed Saturday night, does one reward The Big Play or Sustained Excellence?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why not both? (It's not like this award has any real rules - more like guidelines - associated to its criteria.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If ever there was a game for a 2-fer, the Clemson game would be the one.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">How do you not call out the <span style="color: #fcff01;">O-line</span> for pulling off the most unlikely of dominant performances against a collective 5-star front seven (hell, Clemson's back up's were 5-stars)? And it wasn't like Pyne was giving them anything to otherwise be concerned about. Brilliant. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Bravi a tutti! </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuAOm9LXew8X0r9HeuvZtbvqyAd2ZmD_-WKlDoBwLxIEM6tuPHBtfoLV3uwLxVFbvnUxZy0y96VrlVWVRsqIc32wU5lm5VJzQEfqTMoMs5nGsza15UViiR_MBOTOqLYeFZjXJcDwbo3OVWD0Clpt4B9Ox_KToEkXX4AcnwkGmWzLGMIatr-YrtP5-7Q/s1170/IMG_2975.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1170" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuAOm9LXew8X0r9HeuvZtbvqyAd2ZmD_-WKlDoBwLxIEM6tuPHBtfoLV3uwLxVFbvnUxZy0y96VrlVWVRsqIc32wU5lm5VJzQEfqTMoMs5nGsza15UViiR_MBOTOqLYeFZjXJcDwbo3OVWD0Clpt4B9Ox_KToEkXX4AcnwkGmWzLGMIatr-YrtP5-7Q/w400-h223/IMG_2975.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And yet, 21 of the 35 points came directly as a result of either special teams (7 pts.) or the defense (14 pts.). Which brings us to <span style="color: #fcff01;">Benjamin Morrison</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Clearly, Clemson's game plan was to throw at him early and often. Pick on the freshman. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Made sense.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if he had done nothing else, his tackling, alone, would've separated him from ND's typical performance. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But wait, there's more! Those two INT's (perhaps you can show Lorenzo Styles how to catch?) that represented genuine game changing plays. Huge. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And bonus points, young Morrison, for the post-game interview. You're more articulate at 18 than certianly this blogger, and virtually all of his readership, is now.</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And... you put the load right on me.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/64JdzV4_rDI" width="320" youtube-src-id="64JdzV4_rDI"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Indeed both the O-line and Mr. Morrison did. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's Sampson mailbag had more than a few provocative questions that would've been worthy of <strike>stealing</strike> sharing, including a "what the hell is going on with Lorenzo Styles" query (A<i>nswer: Pete, along with the rest of us, has no idea</i>).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But one can only pick one of these each week and continuing with this week's new (and perhaps semi-delusional) "the future is so bright we all gonna need sunglasses" attitude, I give you this: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Imagine a world where Notre Dame wins out to finish the regular season at 9-3. How would we evaluate this season compared to a 9-3 where the losses were to <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Ohio State</a>, Clemson and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">USC</a>? If anything, the current timeline seems more encouraging to me. Curious to hear your thoughts.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael M.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Completely agree. This was a would-you-rather thought experiment I ran over the summer, but it was for a 10-2 season. Basically, would you rather beat two from the Ohio State/Clemson/USC group but lose a shocker? Or would you rather win every game Notre Dame should win but lose two of the games from the Ohio State / Clemson/USC group? The sentiment was with the first option, although in that moment the “shock loss” was more like <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/north-carolina-tar-heels-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">North Carolina</a> or <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/byu-cougars-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">BYU</a>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In some ways, the losses to Marshall and Stanford make this feeling of potential progress more acute. You’re traveling further in terms of perception from where the Irish were walking off the field against Marshall to where they might be walking off the field against USC. Sure, some of the upgrade is probably recency bias. It’s good to feel good right now. But beating Clemson and USC would provide a signal that Marcus Freeman may do what Jack Swarbrick gambled he could do when he hired him: push the ceiling of Notre Dame football higher.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was a question from Nadeem A. about whether one win can be proof of concept, and it’s a fair pumping of the brakes. But the entire Freeman experiment is about reimagining what Notre Dame football can be. And Freeman sort of already has made progress to that end.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Obviously, Freeman can’t keep losing to Sun Belt teams or woeful Pac-12 opponents. But the idea Notre Dame can blow out a top-10 team? That’s new territory. Closing the regular season with six consecutive wins should shore up the 2023 recruiting class and give the Irish some new momentum next cycle. It may even change how Freeman views what his next staff looks like.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">November 11, 2022</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Given that it took until early this past week to fully purge all of the tequila / mezcal out of my system, this week's book / cocktail seemed like the only route to go. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Are You There, God? It's Me, Margarita</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (1970)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Judy Blume</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg246vZC4Wmohfdq1QU-YcKI9qA8lg90na9Vwex0SOOvSra_Rjbkpop50qVQeeOdOXgfX27Fkv87ETD1Ti-Cs3k8APmAgZoYoaan7Ogob3npM-aFmlhBX7Kw94-W2HeAscstbf4O08w8BSvq3cCfKsFSROGYwmH1YGrWuCLK8i2UxX0LN1c-ZGpFvJF6w/s994/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%201.38.41%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="994" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg246vZC4Wmohfdq1QU-YcKI9qA8lg90na9Vwex0SOOvSra_Rjbkpop50qVQeeOdOXgfX27Fkv87ETD1Ti-Cs3k8APmAgZoYoaan7Ogob3npM-aFmlhBX7Kw94-W2HeAscstbf4O08w8BSvq3cCfKsFSROGYwmH1YGrWuCLK8i2UxX0LN1c-ZGpFvJF6w/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%201.38.41%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Move over, wizards. Make room, vampires. For many of us, Margaret was the original YA superstar, even if her epic battles were of the religion-and puberty kind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Actually, <i>especially</i> because of that.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The point is, Margaret showed us all how to face all of life's big 'ol quandaries, from God to boys to bra size. $100 says when Maggie got to college, she faced an even headier question: how the hell do you make a margarita without a blender? (Hint: on the rocks, kid.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't worry, Madges of the world, we've got your back. We'll even hold your hair when you've had one too many.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAom7MXouSaeQQV9yVAKdVnW173taEpmSzaKYGO1CXtV_tuZqiEy_uSMlI_41MlL6qHmz_3lTqYrJKuAmAwP8gVgBJsqfzJ8AN4Sm08V9OJPYgzhJNyC2_z7ZrmAFtcmdczI82zRjzGwKCZRNFRDB63xaRPapOdvzmAk0udB8vOkZQjbYvTld3LRD9hg/s1200/tequila.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAom7MXouSaeQQV9yVAKdVnW173taEpmSzaKYGO1CXtV_tuZqiEy_uSMlI_41MlL6qHmz_3lTqYrJKuAmAwP8gVgBJsqfzJ8AN4Sm08V9OJPYgzhJNyC2_z7ZrmAFtcmdczI82zRjzGwKCZRNFRDB63xaRPapOdvzmAk0udB8vOkZQjbYvTld3LRD9hg/w400-h225/tequila.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>* Coarse salt, for cocktail rim</div><div><br /></div>* 1 1/2 oz. tequila</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>* 1 oz. lime juice</div><div><br /></div><div>* 1/2 oz. triple sec</div><div><br />* 1 lime wedge, for garnish</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rim a Solo cup in coarse salt and set aside. Dump all your feelings - er, ingredients - into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice into the salted Solo cup. Or, if you're feeling classy, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wedge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is in Judy Blume's honor, after all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div>So we're all aligned here, right? </div><div><ul><li>10-3</li><li>New Year's Day bowl victory</li><li>Top 10 ranking</li><li>Top 5 recruiting class</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Too soon? Probably. Let's try and get by Navy (and with a minimal-to-no injuries). </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, at least it looks like The Wager this year may have a winner. </div><div><br /></div><div>And wouldn't be great if it all came down to the USC game to determine 9-3 or 8-4?</div><div><br /></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Oooohhhh, I'm still alive...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qM0zINtulhM" width="320" youtube-src-id="qM0zINtulhM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">, Bill,</span> <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span></strike><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span> Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brian W</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Special SEC Edition!</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I wasn't already so content with my music selections, I'd be throwing in here The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> And all the people were singing</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> They went 'na na la, na na la...'</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Texas A&M</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> You know how crowds like to chant "MVP! MVP!" for their star player when they do something outstanding and want the world to known their partisanship? </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I live for the day when A&M is getting pasted - again - and the <i>opposing</i> crowd breaks into "ROI! ROI!" </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j2o9B_8U7BQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="j2o9B_8U7BQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Bama</b></span>. Heavy is the head that wears the crown</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Truth be told, the Tide's lost two games by a total of 4 points so enjoy this while it lasts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Tennessee</b>. </span><span> Apparently not entirely Ready For Prime Time. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who remembers Marvin Barnes? The Providence College basketball star of the early 1970's...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nicknamed (appropriately) "Bad News", Marvin was never confused with any Mensa candidates and for reasons that escape me, I was reminded of a Marvin anecdote - potentially apocryphal but totally on Brand:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Simply put, the story goes that in those days, pre-NIL, Marvin was hurting for money and decided he was going to address it by robbing a local 7-11. So he throws on a ski mask and off he goes. Unfortunately, he also throws on his basketball letter jacket with <i>Marvin </i>nicely stitched on the front breast. So when a 6'8" black man in a ski mask, comes in and demands all your money - and it's a reasonably small college town... well, you know how it's going to end.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb6dUqnYjdVO_yYsfL1yoEdvrzf3NZ1axIaW9teMiRY30oovU1zMXfbjktLtxuazmqZSmVNfw9mAiKg4814qKMUKyzmg6pTH9Cq4KGHSpBhbm1BFGA3UlsFLnkmDtjETecxkRfVPuvPVD48XdgFn41Ot-leMUB_8-gXUBK-4KCbR_CRNRFeDiVhuQrg/s1200/freeman.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb6dUqnYjdVO_yYsfL1yoEdvrzf3NZ1axIaW9teMiRY30oovU1zMXfbjktLtxuazmqZSmVNfw9mAiKg4814qKMUKyzmg6pTH9Cq4KGHSpBhbm1BFGA3UlsFLnkmDtjETecxkRfVPuvPVD48XdgFn41Ot-leMUB_8-gXUBK-4KCbR_CRNRFeDiVhuQrg/w363-h204/freeman.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>ACC Refs</b></span>. I am loathe to be that conspiracy theory guy but when you see normally composed Marcus Freeman lose his sh*t... for the 2nd consecutive week... it just seemed awfully suspicious that once ND got up big, 28-0, the flags started coming out against the Irish. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And after last week where, apparently, offensive holding on Syracuse wasn't ever a permissible call.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Can't say this is a new phenomenon but still, very disappointing.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXA-LOmkhTD77vfZdjJAaEQXyt5UnGhW_yuMGxBokHKnrFvfVdKxIG42uMHBBAtTYaNq9J8Rp82g1H8IW29LfOQBH59wnS-6UpvOQOc-JLoY-ZGwvkX8UojYPPy79VtrmvOomxHZ7P0Hrh7LaCGYvR9dHpdSOshBediJGIETA05qZuBBZHPaxtJhs3Ag/s1248/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-10%20at%2011.51.57%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1248" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXA-LOmkhTD77vfZdjJAaEQXyt5UnGhW_yuMGxBokHKnrFvfVdKxIG42uMHBBAtTYaNq9J8Rp82g1H8IW29LfOQBH59wnS-6UpvOQOc-JLoY-ZGwvkX8UojYPPy79VtrmvOomxHZ7P0Hrh7LaCGYvR9dHpdSOshBediJGIETA05qZuBBZHPaxtJhs3Ag/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-10%20at%2011.51.57%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Dan Snyder</b></span>. Never considered to be one of the NFL's most popular owners - quite the opposite, it would seem he's lowered that bar even further. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Already under fire for a toxic work environment involving systemic sexual harassment, this week Snyder's legal counsel decides to drag one of his players - who had gotten shot! - into the argument and put the blame on the D.C. Attorney General, suggesting the action against the Commanders was politically motivated. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In which case, the aforementioned player's attorney screamed, "Keep us the F*CK out of your battle with the government, Snyder!" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh Dan, no one will ever accuse you of being subtle. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">KFC</span></b>. Giving new (or perhaps old) meaning to the definition of target audience. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdSAuDxWSgREDbSw79ldwcicf9oE0x_Yt1DIM11sstSthTzhQJOlM8DYIJBSIVSxIoOBBmiCpgYR5IhgXEU3RcyGafaQdMzS7e3IdcATm18P9AISlsKrJggr5HPISdAAyCprvyDso2mRzxIHAHHSRkt58kbOt-fL3SZFo107Y7ymuIMbFDyMAauYPEA/s1484/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-10%20at%2011.09.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1484" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdSAuDxWSgREDbSw79ldwcicf9oE0x_Yt1DIM11sstSthTzhQJOlM8DYIJBSIVSxIoOBBmiCpgYR5IhgXEU3RcyGafaQdMzS7e3IdcATm18P9AISlsKrJggr5HPISdAAyCprvyDso2mRzxIHAHHSRkt58kbOt-fL3SZFo107Y7ymuIMbFDyMAauYPEA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-10%20at%2011.09.11%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And who celebrates Kristallnacht to begin with? (That's a rhetorical question - I do NOT really want to know.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because I have nothing to say about Navy week (other than 'watch your knees, D-linemen') and I've always loved Monty Python's brand of silly absurdity...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7VpfNUGEqA3yG8ihi8XKJ6zVy4wr26ZILpPxxJM9lwCsKixY88BbdvObrVQ_A8Z8RNaVECMndwhan3w7w6dF6n5f_HprdkFZELLbbBi4voepCJ7pAGEKegFZIIu-7P2TSkhpSyi-Wt3ZYGwddnsfCwUN3HdDacpx0RMORwNwHcVcgpVIq-FWjk85ag/s1040/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%205.29.26%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1040" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7VpfNUGEqA3yG8ihi8XKJ6zVy4wr26ZILpPxxJM9lwCsKixY88BbdvObrVQ_A8Z8RNaVECMndwhan3w7w6dF6n5f_HprdkFZELLbbBi4voepCJ7pAGEKegFZIIu-7P2TSkhpSyi-Wt3ZYGwddnsfCwUN3HdDacpx0RMORwNwHcVcgpVIq-FWjk85ag/w640-h466/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-09%20at%205.29.26%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-50745830725091524692022-10-28T14:55:00.004-05:002022-10-28T15:01:19.749-05:00Week 7: "Moving On, Nothing To See Here..."<div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I stay down with my demons...</span></i></div><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OBG3Cfja0K8" width="320" youtube-src-id="OBG3Cfja0K8"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3 style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dateline: Notre Dame IN</span></span></h3></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3me_GSJejNFvrezPGd8UBHr-Oy1ZGYRZASF1nKhopf6iF6lB12maNYlO1UcWPZyoMn_piB_iBXzbbUX_DNshpJKDZs5STs2DDn9cWIdgEKsacruI6RqOkww2payZaQ7fqlGqUDeW2y7uPrS4TBK5Z8_YT5_6IY5Y5Z-Fq5sGo89BIx1txbRCoHU6s1Q/s3533/IMG_0190.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="3533" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3me_GSJejNFvrezPGd8UBHr-Oy1ZGYRZASF1nKhopf6iF6lB12maNYlO1UcWPZyoMn_piB_iBXzbbUX_DNshpJKDZs5STs2DDn9cWIdgEKsacruI6RqOkww2payZaQ7fqlGqUDeW2y7uPrS4TBK5Z8_YT5_6IY5Y5Z-Fq5sGo89BIx1txbRCoHU6s1Q/w320-h262/IMG_0190.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was halfway through the 2nd quarter, ND winning 23-7 and one would have thought that Jerrence would've been in a semi-orgiastic state. The team had scored more points in 15 minutes than they scored in the entire Stanford game. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And all he could think was, "I can no longer watch this offense without alcohol."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It wasn't the toughest sell in the world to persuade his daughter and two older brothers to watch the 2nd half from the civilized confines of Rohr's, the Morris Inn bar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did that improve Jerrence's state of mind? At least as far as his opinion of the team and its prospects, only directionally. The malaise of that afternoon wasn't going anywhere any time soon.</div></span></div></div><div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xxx-large; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xxx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZOntqrSlsKF3EvLHUOyO4wnzKJZNm4eUdeeeVzjeiNUAZCUYwYODxp7wLE-Hdicl4WDM0lgEfhRjp0EbtK6Qw0aYGyuVR24otHtC3VzKWscjsl_TONjuFyzRwvYGuCcRLb4fsX9KD19pTMNv9ZXhL_CRR5KODKeduy1501JNlYqSX_3ARFNPlszBLA/s1800/buscaglia.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1800" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZOntqrSlsKF3EvLHUOyO4wnzKJZNm4eUdeeeVzjeiNUAZCUYwYODxp7wLE-Hdicl4WDM0lgEfhRjp0EbtK6Qw0aYGyuVR24otHtC3VzKWscjsl_TONjuFyzRwvYGuCcRLb4fsX9KD19pTMNv9ZXhL_CRR5KODKeduy1501JNlYqSX_3ARFNPlszBLA/w243-h145/buscaglia.jpeg" width="243" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy."</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Leo Buscaglia </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> Author</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you hadn't died 25 years ago, I'd have sworn you watched Saturday's game too.<br /><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9GQF_-K0OssOj-CUy0_dU3vJZP_ncTAl1oI0AnJSSFKmeDMbWQT7MeQpIV95wkdhetdm9SNa705xiG9XzRdb9Wxtq71cuKD40S2TZj6RVXUVsBBew9bPzzkxXiZB350PrYZTPM1CgBDIYh6J4B8EgmEgxvqXDso5pupJTTh85IXRkVsl-wBVUHBDNw/s988/hebetude.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="988" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9GQF_-K0OssOj-CUy0_dU3vJZP_ncTAl1oI0AnJSSFKmeDMbWQT7MeQpIV95wkdhetdm9SNa705xiG9XzRdb9Wxtq71cuKD40S2TZj6RVXUVsBBew9bPzzkxXiZB350PrYZTPM1CgBDIYh6J4B8EgmEgxvqXDso5pupJTTh85IXRkVsl-wBVUHBDNw/s320/hebetude.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Jerrence looked at the scoreboard - there was still more than 4 minutes left in the 1st quarter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">How could this game be taken this long? The team was winning, scoring points - Jerrence thought there should be more of a feeling akin to excitement. Minimally, why wasn't he settling in and at least savoring what seemed to be a comfortable afternoon, watching an easy, low stress ND victory? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Instead he felt a mixture of frustration and boredom. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrgYzY0vAnwAiWxNIQNdIZypCN81JV9oY4pc_b7urmNWxaYUIFD3LEAR5SPRBhgJeVHfY6gAU1UadVWQWr7lg4lRCSOHDk7SD9U7ELbjvSd79PTU2aAdMrWlvqA5bgT6L5b-er8suuIdhSibWvtd1SCN0UxDjb2qms1auxh5HdQcMTI6ZAxzQZ69CKw/s2560/Mayer.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrgYzY0vAnwAiWxNIQNdIZypCN81JV9oY4pc_b7urmNWxaYUIFD3LEAR5SPRBhgJeVHfY6gAU1UadVWQWr7lg4lRCSOHDk7SD9U7ELbjvSd79PTU2aAdMrWlvqA5bgT6L5b-er8suuIdhSibWvtd1SCN0UxDjb2qms1auxh5HdQcMTI6ZAxzQZ69CKw/w393-h221/Mayer.jpeg" width="393" /></a></div>Perhaps it was because of the <span style="color: #fcff01;">hebetude</span> in the team's offensive showing. Everyone on the planet now knows ND will run on 1st down. And not just any run call, <i>the same run call.</i> The only unpredictability with 2nd and 3rd downs was which one would involve a pass to Michael Mayer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if it wasn't for the TE's catching ability (and catch radius), the offense would almost be unwatchable.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;">Jerrence found himself looking ahead to November 9th. Season 5 of <i>The Crown</i>. At least that family's dysfunction was interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: right;"> </span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 7: Thoughts</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Is there a powder to erase this?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Is it dissolvable and tasteless?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>You can't imagine how I hate this...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jpz_gUyImhw" width="320" youtube-src-id="Jpz_gUyImhw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEmaJsj0ycIEx_fWMNdJXyFLd-m_T1b_I6TkRGhz9zQ7YMnTJFhYFnv8YW3i3n5XKQlV-De-w403p5MKidroSFnIAeYPlt7BRxSeCeIauQWPrYniVEaThvQxR3-NrUt2iFWnbYgi-YsXzoBrkeKMQVf5yxLcVFqG_VdNGT2SEhqbJr7-XoSxrUvCAJg/s480/E6bwalVXIAEF-aC%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="480" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEmaJsj0ycIEx_fWMNdJXyFLd-m_T1b_I6TkRGhz9zQ7YMnTJFhYFnv8YW3i3n5XKQlV-De-w403p5MKidroSFnIAeYPlt7BRxSeCeIauQWPrYniVEaThvQxR3-NrUt2iFWnbYgi-YsXzoBrkeKMQVf5yxLcVFqG_VdNGT2SEhqbJr7-XoSxrUvCAJg/w181-h168/E6bwalVXIAEF-aC%202.jpeg" width="181" /></a></div>Let's start by saying <span style="color: #fcff01;">Rohr's at The Morris Inn</span> serves an excellent cheese 'n stout fondue starter as well as an ambitious Puglian burrata. Both pair well with almost any adult beverage, as the four Corrigans confirmed via statistically significant clinical testing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To that point, Jerrence's brother Kevin (he, of the half dozen or so Napa/Sonoma winery memberships, knows a little something about vino) vouches for the Class of '75 Paul Hobbs Pinot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Note to self for future reference, all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So... who wants to talk about the game? NOT ME! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I do have two QB thoughts that need to be stated, if only for primal therapy purposes:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* Freeman had the perfect opportunity to get Angeli legitimate playing time and he didn't. The game was not remotely in jeopardy and Pyne had his bell rung. Very disappointing - and one can't help but think that's not going to come back and haunt us - it's not like Pyne isn't going to get hit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqlVdKp6T9fQhG0MV32xbEVCzHmg2trGNUCQimGWZuCOm669eYsBTZtOXqSaySYF0ZtO8rz-xv0IfvOQxBNErISwCdZWF_e_RWAD2xdXiSkxaYthISRRDkMRDz0ScESZieUWygKJt0ua5GvnhSeS-rJGhO5JBs7PNWioJgy4FHV1KTOTsjScXqy5nJQ/s1280/Diggs.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqlVdKp6T9fQhG0MV32xbEVCzHmg2trGNUCQimGWZuCOm669eYsBTZtOXqSaySYF0ZtO8rz-xv0IfvOQxBNErISwCdZWF_e_RWAD2xdXiSkxaYthISRRDkMRDz0ScESZieUWygKJt0ua5GvnhSeS-rJGhO5JBs7PNWioJgy4FHV1KTOTsjScXqy5nJQ/w253-h142/Diggs.jpeg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* Another opinion: The 20 (or so) consecutive runs at the end of the game appeared to be far less a sign of "our offense will impose its will upon you" dominance and more an unspoken self-recognition we have absolutely zero confidence in our passing game. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both disappointing and depressing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving on... what does interest me is this: Recognizing that 2022 is more transitional than we anticipated. But transition implies a certain movement, hopefully positive in nature, does it not? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If one accepts that premise, Jerrence sees <u><strike>3</strike></u> 4 <u>priorities going forward</u>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSTE80F4dc8kczCJjPEz1qZRH2J_KuqIdiiADxU4sua5SpLxu_mfUcHMhA04icKN9eVOUeS487q4bEhH0GN2NbarwtsO183-MCXUjtTxouAgIP5L8G9ZEYkgTbD7V_2a3Rk8kUxiOqMfSMcpARPJiKgiUpbz_Zb4zYHaYcwbsnZqasokT7G8QfI-0IQ/s2560/Jagusah.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSTE80F4dc8kczCJjPEz1qZRH2J_KuqIdiiADxU4sua5SpLxu_mfUcHMhA04icKN9eVOUeS487q4bEhH0GN2NbarwtsO183-MCXUjtTxouAgIP5L8G9ZEYkgTbD7V_2a3Rk8kUxiOqMfSMcpARPJiKgiUpbz_Zb4zYHaYcwbsnZqasokT7G8QfI-0IQ/w230-h130/Jagusah.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div>1) Preserve your (borderline) top 5 recruiting class - so no humiliating losses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) Identify who you're going to build next year around - and that includes the coaching staff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNh9m3ysJTMVvy6i2C0r3U6PqGg9G86FuGoNaNWAezcaEekSsP79MzvldGNkKmgcF5APijAEdcxvsjRKfhn2NHSfdOkly3Q1ya_m5RrLDoB03SMFwtst5XksodfeQcZp5YgToA10bv0UDMUCLveP8vloulptcYtxDQ4qP9i2h_pECbGj4n0H_wivblw/s2048/Card.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="2048" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNh9m3ysJTMVvy6i2C0r3U6PqGg9G86FuGoNaNWAezcaEekSsP79MzvldGNkKmgcF5APijAEdcxvsjRKfhn2NHSfdOkly3Q1ya_m5RrLDoB03SMFwtst5XksodfeQcZp5YgToA10bv0UDMUCLveP8vloulptcYtxDQ4qP9i2h_pECbGj4n0H_wivblw/w200-h109/Card.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>3) Start doing your research NOW on QB transfer portal candidates.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* <u>Assumption #1</u>: Who knows what the condition of Buchner will be in.<br />* <u>Assumption #2</u>: Cincotta was right, Savvy Jack - and how many times has one<i> ever said that</i>? ("That would be the 'empty set', Alex.") - Pyne is <u>not the answer now and he won't be next year either</u>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4) November Stayer tailgates. <i>Finishing the year strong</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25-uXDrp-6BPuCJU0FRMYpJy8mFRhN1BWO4A65UUEAcq891mAt0JCRNw5QK48RjSB4KocQP3iUB5GhICDGwANNZTsoqLcHg3wL3I-c_cyq6TV-3GCnyMB0wQqo3gclDbBB_73lqZigarvfxQYyRV8gDzo-O4BC6yEiFXUAA7VTD3elqNx2mdP1iDT6g/s3264/IMG_0015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25-uXDrp-6BPuCJU0FRMYpJy8mFRhN1BWO4A65UUEAcq891mAt0JCRNw5QK48RjSB4KocQP3iUB5GhICDGwANNZTsoqLcHg3wL3I-c_cyq6TV-3GCnyMB0wQqo3gclDbBB_73lqZigarvfxQYyRV8gDzo-O4BC6yEiFXUAA7VTD3elqNx2mdP1iDT6g/w400-h300/IMG_0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">The few, the proud.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><br /></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;">Buddy's Buddy</b></h3></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">With a game won as seemingly handily as last week's, one would think there'd be any number of viable candidates to be a Buddy - and surely there is:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>The Usual Suspect(s)</u>: Michael Mayer, who never ceases to amaze. (Just because he's a god, Drew, doesn't mean you have to worship only him, if you catch my drift.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">T<u>he Unsung Hero(es)</u>: Blake Gruppe, who seems to bail us out of every red zone disappointment. (How different would Saturday have been if he'd missed a few of those early kicks?)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>The 'Didn't See That Coming' Guys</u>: Tariq Bracy, who's arguably been the team's best DB so far this year - something one couldn't even conceptualize after last year's Fiesta Bowl.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tSj-PBNJSqpUyLGx-Fti-j2YkLW4s5teRl9dKRGTsj1r4iyVvnAawDJn0Y76A1AVsp7QJ69vxWWB6heDj4Jwr_eSBZt7nqFoiEP8BtnxGi3XWYpZOqMUQ5ue0Y5CuIdJSpyBvL9TwXcvW5wDyhOUY30tjAr67sOQsfevxGm1Xy7Pz2SMTlSZTGFRHQ/s2560/Foskey.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tSj-PBNJSqpUyLGx-Fti-j2YkLW4s5teRl9dKRGTsj1r4iyVvnAawDJn0Y76A1AVsp7QJ69vxWWB6heDj4Jwr_eSBZt7nqFoiEP8BtnxGi3XWYpZOqMUQ5ue0Y5CuIdJSpyBvL9TwXcvW5wDyhOUY30tjAr67sOQsfevxGm1Xy7Pz2SMTlSZTGFRHQ/s320/Foskey.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></u></span><u style="font-family: georgia;">The 'Where Have You Been' Guys</u><span style="font-family: georgia;">: Which brings us to this week's winner, </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Isaiah Foskey</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Anointed as a preseason surefire 1st round draft pick, he's been largely invisible for much of the season. Not Saturday. One could make a case that his blocked punts were our best offensive plays - certainly our most consistent. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And on top of that, 3 sacks. Nice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Man oh man, do we need that to continue for the rest of the season! </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Keeping with the theme of "this year is basically over, isn't it?"... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How about a question to Mr. Sampson that's equally more forward looking?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Rank these ways in which Notre Dame could improve its offense next season from most crucial to potential mistake:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>• CJ Carr re-classifies to 2023<br /></strong><strong>• Notre Dame upgrades at offensive coordinator<br /></strong><strong>• Notre Dame brings in a 3 1/2-star 2023 QB recruit<br /></strong><strong>• Notre Dame brings in a transfer to compete for the QB position<br />• Notre Dame brings in a transfer at wide receiver</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Joe F.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you included “next season” in the question, this answered itself.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Notre Dame brings in a transfer quarterback<br />2. Notre Dame brings in a transfer at wide receiver<br />3. Notre Dame upgrades at offensive coordinator<br />4. Notre Dame brings in a 3 1/2-star 2023 QB recruit<br />5. CJ Carr reclassifies to 2023</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Drew Pyne</a> does the rest of this season or however well <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Tyler Buchner</a> heals from his shoulder separation, Notre Dame choosing not to take a transfer quarterback would feel like roster mismanagement. The job needs to be open after this season. Let Buchner, Pyne and a transfer quarterback fight for it. If Buchner or Pyne beats out somebody like <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/brennan-armstrong-PyhjRTMEpbZ9Uehj/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Brennan Armstrong</a> (Virginia), <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/hudson-card-ibi8l21dE9t9NdP1/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Hudson Card</a> (Texas) or <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/sam-hartman-ACKjO2GYVyQmmXFw/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Sam Hartman</a> (<a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/wake-forest-demon-deacons-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Wake Forest</a>), so be it. That’s good for Notre Dame. And if the inverse is true, if somebody like Armstrong, Card or Hartman is better than what Notre Dame has in place, that’s fine too. Rolling the dice with Buchner and Pyne without additional competition would be a mistake. And the upside of hitting on a transfer quarterback is massive. What would Notre Dame have been without Jack Coan a year ago? Probably something similar to what we’re seeing right now.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taking an older receiver wouldn’t impact Notre Dame as much as a quarterback, but how differently does this offense look with <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/ricky-pearsall-t2qctMezEkeOOCMd/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Ricky Pearsall</a> (who transferred from Arizona State to Florida) or <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/charlie-jones-CpS7kFjfd8SKR9Gm/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Charlie Jones</a> (Iowa to Purdue)? Pearsall’s stats have been modest (16 catches, 303 yards, two touchdowns), but his yardage and touchdowns could lead Notre Dame’s wideouts. Jones has been a revelation for <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/purdue-boilermakers-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Purdue</a> with 72 catches, 840 yards and nine touchdowns. Those stats rank first, second and third nationally. Go find another Ben Skowronek.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Joe, the way you phrased the offensive coordinator section makes me think you’ve already make up your mind on Tommy Rees. Changing the offense comes with some risks that adding a quarterback or receiver does not. Does the recruiting class hold together? How would this offense look with better quarterback ability? Rees is clearly under fire. But as Rees would say himself (usually he’s deflecting credit when he does), it’s players, not plays. Notre Dame can improve both. But if Rees was calling plays for Hartman, methinks fan opinions would change.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourth is adding a high school senior quarterback in the 2023 class. There aren’t many options. The quarterback the Irish would add probably feels more like an impulse buy than a researched decision. It too late and there’s too much uncertainty to flip a bigger name like <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/kansas-state-wildcats-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Kansas State</a> commit Avery Johnson. If Dante Moore, Christopher Vizzina or Jackson Arnold want to come, take them. Notre Dame has already done its due diligence. It already knows they fit. But if you’re going to add at quarterback, add a transfer, not a high school prospect you’re just getting to know.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dead last on this list is the CJ Carr reclassification. Asking a high school prospect to skip his senior year is a huge leap anywhere. Doing it at Notre Dame makes it even more complicated. If Carr was all-in on reclassification from the start, maybe the calculus changes. He hasn’t been. Maybe a redshirt season at Notre Dame helps Carr compete for the job in 2024. Maybe. But if the question is about what helps Notre Dame next year, adding Carr doesn’t. And keeping him in the recruiting class might help the offensive skill recruiting stay hot.</span></p><div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 26, 20212</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Keeping with the theme, equal parts depressing and unfathomable, a book (and a solid Daniel Day Lewis movie) that also delivers a libation that'll allow you to lose feeling in your extremities and, possibly, fantasize a more interesting ND offense. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Unbearable Lightness of Peeing</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Milan Kundera</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Czech writer Kundera sets up this Communist-era classic with an open question about the paralyzing ramifications of our seemingly inconsequential everyday decisions. (Something tells us he didn't get invited to a lot of cocktail parties.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnrXJqn-clvVAoA2rRh15DZ3JtXNg7vahSaJYSXWEKAZjOm8Sow7FtlVGX04E9_NpSXLwSoPo1P0xferTaKWoIeMu6mh6GVwfcIswcHajf41Ip_DGUbFwGUvP9DstEo2Gsk-eQET8M4ebycP3FI6p9_vQagDoWkAPWTl_v3m0GKGCuIAhxmFrDYMQyg/s386/9780060914653-us.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="284" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnrXJqn-clvVAoA2rRh15DZ3JtXNg7vahSaJYSXWEKAZjOm8Sow7FtlVGX04E9_NpSXLwSoPo1P0xferTaKWoIeMu6mh6GVwfcIswcHajf41Ip_DGUbFwGUvP9DstEo2Gsk-eQET8M4ebycP3FI6p9_vQagDoWkAPWTl_v3m0GKGCuIAhxmFrDYMQyg/w147-h200/9780060914653-us.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>Kundera goes on to introduce a horndog surgeon with an impressive mistress-to-marriage ratio, but don't get too turned on! In the end, everybody ends up either dead or dejected, and you might be left questioning what your life would've looked like had you never picked up this meditation on politics and sex. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or attended a 2022 ND home football game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Modify your mood with Prague's favorite spirit, at least for tourists. This quenching gulp goes down so much lighter than its namesake book that you'll be running to the bathroom after a few serious slurps. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvQYJARWlO66HmbQLUG_B2rtRT78crQN0_0a2voEHtad0-vNz7oE6sAlL6I6H2es6WiaPqbIiyQbXo2UINIvcsch06e85yixpuWlJv9q2w1wReJmMfdQHjyYMbC09bCjNk8OiWdf84qqNZ0ya9BsKORFNHnXs_f-t0z6N4Pv-5D6v4PiJHoc42MJLNQ/s608/icon_1556119696-Absinthe_sour-highres.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="375" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvQYJARWlO66HmbQLUG_B2rtRT78crQN0_0a2voEHtad0-vNz7oE6sAlL6I6H2es6WiaPqbIiyQbXo2UINIvcsch06e85yixpuWlJv9q2w1wReJmMfdQHjyYMbC09bCjNk8OiWdf84qqNZ0ya9BsKORFNHnXs_f-t0z6N4Pv-5D6v4PiJHoc42MJLNQ/w145-h236/icon_1556119696-Absinthe_sour-highres.jpeg" width="145" /></a></div>* 3 1/2 oz. pineapple juice</div><div><span><br /></span></div>* 1 oz. absinthe</span></div><div><br />* Lemon wheel, for garnish</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the ingredients over crushed ide in a rocks glass and garnish with the lemon wheel. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Go soft pouring the (highly alcoholic) absinthe, lest you wake up contemplating where the hell you are. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>W</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div><u>Stating The Obvious</u>:</div><div><br /></div><div>Five games left, how's everyone feeling?</div><div><br /></div><div>How's this for a hard truth - the team has to go 4-1 just for this year's wager to have a winner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eek. </div><div><br /></div><div>They could do it. It could happen. Probably won't.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dare to dream. </div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">The saints smile shyly down on you</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">They couldn't get over your nine-leaf clover</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxiD70NBxwg" width="320" youtube-src-id="FxiD70NBxwg"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">, Bill,</span> <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span></strike><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span> Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., Brian W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes you have to give the little guys some love.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So for all the high profile losses one celebrates in sports (<i>looking at you, Los Angeles Dodgers</i>), we need to occasionally take a step back and remember the teams that one doesn't necessarily ever worry about - but you still like seeing having their neck's stepped on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Texas A&M</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Aren't you bored, Jerrence, with always putting A&M on this list?</span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No, Jimbo, I'm not. </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4LZ7sw7lIYk" width="320" youtube-src-id="4LZ7sw7lIYk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Pitt</b></span>. One shouldn't normally care, one way or the other, about what Pitt does. And God knows Jerrence is a BIG fan - <i>huge</i> - of his classmates who hail from the Iron City, The Prague of Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But their head coach, Pat Narduzzi, is such a colossal douche and committed ND hater (what'd we ever do to you?), that they (he) need to be recognized at least once a season for their resolute adherence to mediocrity. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WHtCgMIrgTBqd3xEhTCXddXyPb7nIQroL7lX2G0ZVB9P0Wx0mA20FlzJB1-nZ9erEIhDSOvo5VJkYtqMKtYDSNgkwKhaOk63TpN6ps1rajd69Jb3Q8mX_wNgUXuanlArFl3Cde6OvJdiISgEQriO3ORI-CtNxoYlu_fdWXuj1aU_KtiUaq42fir_zg/s200/thumb_the-u-is-finally-back-acebeek-com-notsportscenter-aaaaannnnnd-theyre-gone-again-29227095.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="200" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WHtCgMIrgTBqd3xEhTCXddXyPb7nIQroL7lX2G0ZVB9P0Wx0mA20FlzJB1-nZ9erEIhDSOvo5VJkYtqMKtYDSNgkwKhaOk63TpN6ps1rajd69Jb3Q8mX_wNgUXuanlArFl3Cde6OvJdiISgEQriO3ORI-CtNxoYlu_fdWXuj1aU_KtiUaq42fir_zg/s1600/thumb_the-u-is-finally-back-acebeek-com-notsportscenter-aaaaannnnnd-theyre-gone-again-29227095.png" width="200" /></a></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Miami</b>. </span><span> You just didn't lose to Duke - Duke, <i>in football!</i> - you got <u>smoked</u>, 45-21. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>It would appear that coach Freeman isn't the only 1st year head coach having an uneven start. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Congratulations, Mike Elko. </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maybe I've been too harsh on the NCAA. Their complete abdication of any sort of governance has turned college sports into the wild west - and allowed all sorts of vermin to crawl out of their dark holes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Normally, I'd be weeping 'n wailing 'n gnashing my teeth over all this. Check that, I <i>am</i> weeping 'n wailing 'n gnashing my teeth over their laissez faire management style. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, sadly, it is good for shameless bloggers. After all, content is king<i>. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSoDmN_VzUotfioytkwqzvLMGL5y4gRUDpR40W2BoS-zKsKhfYPpKpO1UQXV1FPN0YsvI6GCuo8sThYCnRLhKn7WC646UlIIoXKcPnSLVbvkSo96zUBIHUgQYQlCI9Waqmy9QnANHPOhPbz8MGxehb2kdgA4i8mnaUJiqNE2SA0B2cmyEb7lmFMVS1g/s940/morpheus_not_surprised.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="940" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSoDmN_VzUotfioytkwqzvLMGL5y4gRUDpR40W2BoS-zKsKhfYPpKpO1UQXV1FPN0YsvI6GCuo8sThYCnRLhKn7WC646UlIIoXKcPnSLVbvkSo96zUBIHUgQYQlCI9Waqmy9QnANHPOhPbz8MGxehb2kdgA4i8mnaUJiqNE2SA0B2cmyEb7lmFMVS1g/w200-h150/morpheus_not_surprised.png" width="200" /></a></div>1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Lendale White</b></span>. File this along with "water is wet" but on a podcast this week, the former USC fullback, running mate to Reggie "I wasn't getting illegal benefits, I was just ahead of the NIL curve" Bush in the legendary Pete Carroll years, told the story about how he once 'found' a duffel bag with $150,000 when he moved into his apartment</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> - thus explaining how he was able to tool around LA in a new Lexus. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sure you did. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM9aEsQgD5xQkqReork_36I7uI-kbIdA5zNEO9oMCKZ7X-AdnjUrlOTKqzB0-WXD2X_TKbi-RJg0fzM4a93AFw5VdGT1J2XsQUk3c0GIKmGsmvmJdzqW_2J9QxosLTmp4JtUQNrjp_-BcU2MocmQ5EcV8Yjs2R2bMMbMwtaQ-vaBnyIXLw5_QoNh3gA/s1201/MV5BMWYyNTg3NWEtYTM3NS00YWU0LWE4MmItNWUwZmViNTA0ZWY2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDgyNjA5MA@@._V1_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1201" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM9aEsQgD5xQkqReork_36I7uI-kbIdA5zNEO9oMCKZ7X-AdnjUrlOTKqzB0-WXD2X_TKbi-RJg0fzM4a93AFw5VdGT1J2XsQUk3c0GIKmGsmvmJdzqW_2J9QxosLTmp4JtUQNrjp_-BcU2MocmQ5EcV8Yjs2R2bMMbMwtaQ-vaBnyIXLw5_QoNh3gA/w169-h135/MV5BMWYyNTg3NWEtYTM3NS00YWU0LWE4MmItNWUwZmViNTA0ZWY2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDgyNjA5MA@@._V1_.jpg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>The Three Stooges</b></span>. Otherwise known as PJ Williams, Denver Harris and Chris Marshall, three Texas A&M freshmen (from last year's $30M Recruiting Class). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The threesome, allegedly, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">t</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">hought it was a good idea</span><i style="font-family: georgia;"> to fire up a fatty in the locker room </i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>before</u> their game</span><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">against South Carolina. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which the team lost. Jimbo Fisher, offensive savant and tough-as-nails taskmaster.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"> "...you've been holding onto it<br /></span></i></span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">And I sure would like a hit."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pSgGCOHuO1U" width="320" youtube-src-id="pSgGCOHuO1U"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKOl551aLDxVoTAidgxmy75clxyMRoxnniWktnQobNMHtLxhOkBfBqQqAtiAZfHl-flsOEA0VXV3jKTKnzeELBzMoEIDmajr7Z9JeJmCkM5arrZhgWlleBD5jH2ZSYR1U1CA6Ita2X4wwP9Zw9IyOVJRfOLXpim26PP23iRwpPNIhCcCIqET0NFFXug/s1350/FgE_shRWQAAHD5F.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKOl551aLDxVoTAidgxmy75clxyMRoxnniWktnQobNMHtLxhOkBfBqQqAtiAZfHl-flsOEA0VXV3jKTKnzeELBzMoEIDmajr7Z9JeJmCkM5arrZhgWlleBD5jH2ZSYR1U1CA6Ita2X4wwP9Zw9IyOVJRfOLXpim26PP23iRwpPNIhCcCIqET0NFFXug/w160-h200/FgE_shRWQAAHD5F.jpg" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3). <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Ye</b></span>. The artist formerly known as Kanye West gets unceremoniously punted by Adidas (after making more than a few very public antisemitic comments) walks - with a TV film crew (as one does) into the Skechers LA office, ostensibly to offer his genius (why else).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And is promptly escorted off the premises. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There may or may not be a blog next week as Jerrence and daughter Ryan take their newfound Wadden Golf Academy retooled games to Cabo. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Oh Mexico</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>It sounds so simple, I just got to go...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0WMPgvEmNYQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="0WMPgvEmNYQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-78672002993757639142022-10-20T11:51:00.004-05:002022-10-20T15:14:29.338-05:00Week 6: Chutes And Ladders<p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">On a hill, under a raven sky</span></i></div><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have no idea exactly what I've drawn</span></i></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some kind of change, some kind of spinning away</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">With every single line moving further out in time....</span></i></div></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0U3tTHlysiQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="0U3tTHlysiQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dateline: Morris Inn, Notre Dame IN</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9fyvBziuwNL4f17bzTKF8GJQ4hDbzjfvE3gNdG2xhMZ3lRLTnaJaoMfF3arVP66Pxt-v2Nh3HU0baNIA9RB77BverI-PGf76Lo9JieysCJ6_f-xeoNAea8NHWBou34WacU2w0A4wA1iqEOYwS6fvCzUsLcHYGBRUzOX4uDrFwOwN_oEwOE2tOE6MfA/s1778/Rohr's%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1778" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9fyvBziuwNL4f17bzTKF8GJQ4hDbzjfvE3gNdG2xhMZ3lRLTnaJaoMfF3arVP66Pxt-v2Nh3HU0baNIA9RB77BverI-PGf76Lo9JieysCJ6_f-xeoNAea8NHWBou34WacU2w0A4wA1iqEOYwS6fvCzUsLcHYGBRUzOX4uDrFwOwN_oEwOE2tOE6MfA/s320/Rohr's%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Last Saturday had more to do with loss than I - or, one suspects, any of us - anticipated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah, there was The Game and what arguably ranks as a new low, performance-wise, in the Marcus Freeman Era. Which is already saying something - I'd like to say we've hit rock bottom but most of us thought that milestone was achieved a month ago against Marshall, so who knows if we've entirely 'deep dived' yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But there was also human loss - which brings me to Dave Gutschenritter, 'friend of the blog' who had his father pass the day before Saturday's game, and who still made an appearance at the Stayer tailgate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a7dBV50oLZgp6MiJDv51B2khYKrBQxe2JfjGt_LLIwnSEW71MiBtXm5zzvggIQ4U5ZWbnYHG72h7xASNFMGYmx-Tb00S4yu99ZI5k-uWx8Su7kYelh4arSxyuNV5YyCTUcWa3bbUPI-A2oIIRusNN2uVwPKZR23TIQCVtLbN9O8spIKYdWgy_EmYCA/s4032/IMG_5210.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a7dBV50oLZgp6MiJDv51B2khYKrBQxe2JfjGt_LLIwnSEW71MiBtXm5zzvggIQ4U5ZWbnYHG72h7xASNFMGYmx-Tb00S4yu99ZI5k-uWx8Su7kYelh4arSxyuNV5YyCTUcWa3bbUPI-A2oIIRusNN2uVwPKZR23TIQCVtLbN9O8spIKYdWgy_EmYCA/w400-h300/IMG_5210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Dave auditions candidates for his new boy band.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Let me tell you about 'Gutsch.' </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If the Grace Hall roommates of Castellini-McGuire-Brunett-Gutschenritter were the Beatles<span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span> (<i>and let us take a moment to savor the delicious absurdity of that analogy</i>), <u>Gutsch would have been George Harrison</u>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The quiet one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The underrated one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The smart one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The normal one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, a <i>little</i> more normal. After all, here's a guy who when he said he was going to run home to see his family in Niles, MI, he actually RAN HOME. Literally. 10'ish miles. Probably, I'd imagine, with his dirty laundry on his back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At any rate, Dave and I opted to watch the 1st half of the Stanford game bellied up to the Rohr's bar. But mostly, just talking about family (some 2022 stories happier than others) and probably walking away, thinking ND's sucky performance wasn't really that all important in the grand scheme of things. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Hey Dave (and I <i>know</i> you know this)</u>: Getting a father like that for his 99 years<span style="color: #fcff01;">**</span> and your 65 years? That's a walk off, grand slam-level victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">*</span><span>A<i> better comparison might be The Monkees, in which case, Dave would clearly have been Michael Nesmith.</i></span><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">** </span>No truth the rumor that he considered Queen Elizabeth II a total slacker for only making it to 96.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HiOZG1LgDs4XwK-UKrh5bI8njHfbOcSA2C7i6F8Q67f29N5Xeaj-fN-fzA_wjCX8mntm5KmvM3rFOWjOAxSWTGsj9_t2bN5uWLsg6nmhm0WvgHf-NErKmRp7FHWKu1VBzF03Gq4CzsVmsN2QvP8aH5dhMX4QZLG_QbkW1GmvKvYE3WEKlWddKdQRKA/s2578/KIS.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2578" data-original-width="1882" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HiOZG1LgDs4XwK-UKrh5bI8njHfbOcSA2C7i6F8Q67f29N5Xeaj-fN-fzA_wjCX8mntm5KmvM3rFOWjOAxSWTGsj9_t2bN5uWLsg6nmhm0WvgHf-NErKmRp7FHWKu1VBzF03Gq4CzsVmsN2QvP8aH5dhMX4QZLG_QbkW1GmvKvYE3WEKlWddKdQRKA/w146-h200/KIS.JPG" width="146" /></a></div>"Must be a really slow news day, dad."</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Julie Castellini </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Upon hearing of her father's exploits, 45 years ago, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-great-notre-dame-keg-caper-11665806462?mod=hp_listb_pos2">making the WSJ</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ah, youth. So jaded. Family are always the toughest critics. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PGsxlvlr4cFvSdF2YOxJJaIotqNsmJpScIS_PePu-Cup7Rux8-yfHajY55WsI8KVraheIVpJKW0NRqtumGEZ0VNJJRBLdZhqLNtvVPXwbjr8lkdLqgog6mZvlaL4XYuqYicHypBGhZEqffpMSUlLf4ajk8gLsN8mKiF_m6wYBzbJJ98r1N61ynkVLw/s916/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-16%20at%2011.03.18%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="916" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PGsxlvlr4cFvSdF2YOxJJaIotqNsmJpScIS_PePu-Cup7Rux8-yfHajY55WsI8KVraheIVpJKW0NRqtumGEZ0VNJJRBLdZhqLNtvVPXwbjr8lkdLqgog6mZvlaL4XYuqYicHypBGhZEqffpMSUlLf4ajk8gLsN8mKiF_m6wYBzbJJ98r1N61ynkVLw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-16%20at%2011.03.18%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Perhaps it was the multiple Tools beer consumption at the tailgate - that sh*t was kinda addicting, what exactly is in that stuff - but Young Jerrence found himself having an even-more-than-usual difficult time grasping what ND's coordinators (both offensive and defensive) game plans were all about.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">abstruse</span></i> nature of Rees' playing calling, frankly, made Jerrence feel stupid. He just couldn't understand it - had he missed something? Were these games now evaluated on something different than points scored?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moreover, it was giving him PTSD from his one recruiting trip to Stanford. Jerrence knew he was a couple sandwiches shy of a picnic, intellectually speaking, but didn't need a football coach to make him feel even more inadequate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> And coach Golden's use of a non-tackling strategy, while surely cutting edge, looked especially counter-productive to his untrained eye. Some guy named Filkins was running through them like we were playing flag football. Were we playing flag football? If so, ND didn't look very adept that either.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Boy, if this was the future of sophisticated college football strategy, Jerrence was beginning to think, maybe it's time to start that lacrosse blog.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 5: Thoughts</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Loose string</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Find the pieces don't fit in...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/boOegK3iIu4" width="320" youtube-src-id="boOegK3iIu4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's keep this brief:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Point</u>: Giving up 16 points shouldn't get you beat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Counterpoint</u>: Yes but when did we stop practicing tackling?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Point</u>: Stanford's defensive game plan - overplay the run, take away Mayer - shouldn't have been a surprise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Counterpoint</u>: Pyne was objectively awful. And when your players don't even know where to line up (see Mayer's TD that was called back), would a more clever plan have even mattered?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Point</u>:<span> Freeman's honeymoon is emphatically over.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>Counterpoint</u>: When does anyone's attention turn to Rees and Golden?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJv0zcY_mH-HFYP_0uIdJ710wA9_EdIAZcysyLxLyRCJ_HoYNlHCbN6qI-2FyVoe_ySoZQ6jtNlKEbS1cJcbzOXLbEpGo6hGx8T-5rCUyAopvOha__QdkkmKbg9eXJnBLEiQFxBHwmKmV29qOY-azw2bfdwfOO7DdwUir4FxVSSzVwiColRNU1u6Ozw/s2532/Merriweather.PNG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="2532" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJv0zcY_mH-HFYP_0uIdJ710wA9_EdIAZcysyLxLyRCJ_HoYNlHCbN6qI-2FyVoe_ySoZQ6jtNlKEbS1cJcbzOXLbEpGo6hGx8T-5rCUyAopvOha__QdkkmKbg9eXJnBLEiQFxBHwmKmV29qOY-azw2bfdwfOO7DdwUir4FxVSSzVwiColRNU1u6Ozw/w640-h296/Merriweather.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">There has to be something positive to take away, doesn't there?</span></i><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thinking about... what am I going to do with all that free time I seem to have in front of me?</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1J2O-wgLTRedvAVo6tsjzUQD9GGrXcI-VKUpzNuQNhC9gQW-2TPZNIijF-hZFQChSDcUqKU6DxuRXQ5W8zu6gFym8aQ9BkDKjXNGZnhTavDbyIXMdcDQ_pbFeu6GBCrKJUgkgNRoRl6gLz8gTKugT7lvxgGvTgPiUBLsmcLeeb9JH8jQiYNV4tngUQ/s988/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-19%20at%208.01.07%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="988" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1J2O-wgLTRedvAVo6tsjzUQD9GGrXcI-VKUpzNuQNhC9gQW-2TPZNIijF-hZFQChSDcUqKU6DxuRXQ5W8zu6gFym8aQ9BkDKjXNGZnhTavDbyIXMdcDQ_pbFeu6GBCrKJUgkgNRoRl6gLz8gTKugT7lvxgGvTgPiUBLsmcLeeb9JH8jQiYNV4tngUQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-19%20at%208.01.07%20PM.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>TV</b></span>. The Corrigans are recommending Apple + "Bad Sisters," a 10-episode series featuring </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> the worst, most despicable human you'll ever see characterized on TV - ironically named JP but commonly referred to as 'The Prick' - and know immediately that he dies. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As one character surmises, "He's Satan's problem now."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What you don't know is how or by whom, just that more than few people were motivated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Based in Ireland, funny and clever.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfN80marksohsPfGTIjd94Qc0INR225TNGVh5M4nUR3HLGl5dCMIB7pYvtPfq8fCKh5ulwZw2Ik7sWDoh3qBRYOkTUCJq5S1RXLjXRDfOiw4zmJE11rmpTTpG39jzLS-pcJPcEIMqy-Jv3QsoA7G8Q-MQhImjglRfOj2TWdsz96cBFWLXkFsDiHj70Q/s2102/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-19%20at%208.03.35%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2102" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfN80marksohsPfGTIjd94Qc0INR225TNGVh5M4nUR3HLGl5dCMIB7pYvtPfq8fCKh5ulwZw2Ik7sWDoh3qBRYOkTUCJq5S1RXLjXRDfOiw4zmJE11rmpTTpG39jzLS-pcJPcEIMqy-Jv3QsoA7G8Q-MQhImjglRfOj2TWdsz96cBFWLXkFsDiHj70Q/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-19%20at%208.03.35%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Film</span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. More Irish content: <i>"Banshees of Inisherin" </i>described as two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship with alarming consequences for both of them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(Sounds like The Brian Kelly Story.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, from the director who brought you (with those same two stars) the hugely underrated <i>"In Bruges."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Baseball</b>.</span> Desperate measures for desperate times. Anybody but the Astros.</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><b>Space Travel, anyone?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfKkQVkPY6KcRtCNXm7X4rVE2ZwALiTT4AosOrjNsrdx8mDfuRqLHH3QYLqRMahEnJ9dFhMLVfHlEgRZnq4TS6lMs1EnCJuZs1tcYFDXWFTuMreg_lQrEiUBSpgCG7V3N2czZD90XbZne2pQoENMD5TADHDXKCpZXKikYNPO7ELd8k9nzFUzA1M84sA/s1784/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-20%20at%2010.14.35%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1784" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfKkQVkPY6KcRtCNXm7X4rVE2ZwALiTT4AosOrjNsrdx8mDfuRqLHH3QYLqRMahEnJ9dFhMLVfHlEgRZnq4TS6lMs1EnCJuZs1tcYFDXWFTuMreg_lQrEiUBSpgCG7V3N2czZD90XbZne2pQoENMD5TADHDXKCpZXKikYNPO7ELd8k9nzFUzA1M84sA/w640-h340/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-20%20at%2010.14.35%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Corrigan & Co. Luxury Travel Outfitters</i> is now a licensed provider for Virgin Galactic's commercial space-line.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Drinking</span></b>. Always an option. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Reading</span></b>. Or you could just try picking up a book. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="960" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREwQIJfJCuYLVXdpv_VNAxaso0qQo-kGhatrpx5b1kiA1jO8IV52oxxsB20bHtLgjlyBph9KOeAjOI3_f05U5H9ZjgfHrjjnaxKBAJXm-veHLxXELK0Nbalo-vQiINbu413I5S6YZKUZ0q_WWleLMKSSTvMSepI766zKwRrDTcHqacCB4PKnXc8gIiw/w400-h369/Unknown%202.jpeg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; text-align: left;"><b>Buddy's Buddy</b></span></h3></span></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The thought of awarding this week's Buddy to Tobias Merriweather was more than a little compelling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It'd allow me to make some kind of obscure Dickensian reference - does his name not just scream a character out of Victorian England - while fairly pointing out that he represented possibly the only glimmer of optimism in an otherwise mind-numbingly frustrating game.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But how much did he actually play - like, count on one hand # of plays? That'd be like Dame Judy Dench winning an Oscar for 8 minutes of screen time in "Shakespeare In Love." Questionable, at best. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Can't do it. Plus he'll surely win this legitimately soon. If he doesn't transfer first. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_52_MUONez8aA7vzwsd4wxLD2uuTmDau2Ktx4OciDGzxELGxLQFNlrgdhpZjFuGFiovOSPGRDvECPUUF6sA8JYaskOLGglz0P41T7RuMiiC8UfsOK3Y12rGX7yBdmcNAWwKtZaMfMPY4kkfVIToE5laDgmX_mnV7wBNsCYYlELIcK8d7xun7hqMcVA/s4032/IMG_6929.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_52_MUONez8aA7vzwsd4wxLD2uuTmDau2Ktx4OciDGzxELGxLQFNlrgdhpZjFuGFiovOSPGRDvECPUUF6sA8JYaskOLGglz0P41T7RuMiiC8UfsOK3Y12rGX7yBdmcNAWwKtZaMfMPY4kkfVIToE5laDgmX_mnV7wBNsCYYlELIcK8d7xun7hqMcVA/s320/IMG_6929.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />No, this week the call out needs to go <span style="color: #fcff01;">The Stayer Lot hosts</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Entirely in full force this weekend, the tailgate was excellent:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Behrens' Bloodies</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Belknap's Brats</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rasmus Tenderloin</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tools Beer</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Celebrity Guests</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At least someone lived up to expectation. Thanks, guys.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once again, I'm betting Mr. Sampson isn't going anywhere near his digital mailbox with a Hazmat suit on.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>We want answers, dammit. We want the truth!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The truth? You can't handle the truth!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're probably right. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But Pete at least has the courage to take a shot at providing some working hypotheses, of which I've opted to cherry pick a few of the more talked about positions. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Welcome to the halfway point of a season <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Notre Dame</a> didn’t see coming.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For all the preseason unknowns that surrounded Marcus Freeman as a first-time head coach at a program that has historically chewed up first-time head coaches, the idea Notre Dame might struggle to qualify for a bowl game, lose a Sun Belt program and rate among the worst offenses in college football was not under consideration. What has gone right and wrong, with an eye on the season’s final six games? </span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Quarterback</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If this season’s most important evaluation was Marcus Freeman as a bona fide head coach, its second most important was <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Tyler Buchner</a> as a full-fledged QB1. Whatever happens in the season’s second half won’t do anything to clarify the read on Buchner, who played 120 snaps before being slammed to the turf against Marshall and suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. All Buchner can do now is watch from the coaches’ box as offensive coordinator Tommy Rees tries to deploy the talent he has available. Things would feel slightly better for Notre Dame if the Buchner-led offense had clicked from the opening kickoff at Ohio State, but the Irish averaged just 1.25 points per drive with the sophomore running the show. That’s worse than Notre Dame’s offensive production under <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Drew Pyne</a> if the sample size were limited to only Cal and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/stanford-cardinal-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Stanford</a> (1.72 points per drive).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Irish can still give Pyne opportunities to rediscover the level he showed against <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/north-carolina-tar-heels-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">North Carolina</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/byu-cougars-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">BYU</a>, while also getting an honest look at freshman <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/steve-angeli-I6WeHlD2jqOubRd9/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Steve Angeli</a>. It will not be possible for Notre Dame to know everything it needs to know at this position by Thanksgiving weekend. Buchner’s injury removed that from the discussion. But the Irish can learn what they have in Pyne and Angeli to determine how much that may factor into a potential transfer next winter. It feels like good business for Notre Dame to add at quarterback this offseason, but how the rest of this season unfolds might dictate what kind of addition the Irish need.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even if Freeman wants Notre Dame to be led by its lines, it’s impossible to win in the College Football Playoff without a dynamic quarterback. Maybe Buchner can still be one. Pyne’s skill set feels like a step down from Ian Book. Angeli is a total unknown. Even if all three return next year, finding a quarterback with starting experience would help the room. At a minimum, if Buchner or Pyne beat out that TBD quarterback, it would signal they’d improved from their current state.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wide receiver</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Privately, Notre Dame knew this could be coming. This was the season when the bill for haphazard recruiting and poor development may come due. And it has, with interest. Notre Dame hasn’t had a 100-yard game by a receiver yet. Its leading receiver is averaging 45.8 yards per game. Its star incoming freshman has one catch, although it was a 41-yard touchdown. Its fifth-year senior starter has less than 100 yards, although with better quarterback play he could have scored at least three touchdowns. As much as running back has been a pleasant surprise, wide receiver has been a disappointment through six games.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Where the position goes under Chansi Stuckey should be obvious. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tobias-merriweather-lJCyRAGXNmvfY1b6/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Tobias Merriweather</a> needs to be in the rotation, not just in on 10 plays per game. He’s been on the field for just seven passing plays all year and took DNPs against <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/ohio-state-buckeyes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Ohio State</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/marshall-thundering-herd-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Marshall</a> and North Carolina. Even if Lorenzo Styles, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/braden-lenzy-kQI1ol1n9PgWQJgJ/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Braden Lenzy</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jayden-thomas-O7Vonm7Lf4FN1sB0/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jayden Thomas</a> click together, Merriweather still brings something the others do not. The other factor for Stuckey is recruiting, where Notre Dame has three four-star prospects committed with intentions to take a fourth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame can’t keep living like this at receiver. The position is holding back the offense. The rest of this season is about creating potential for the future. Only six Power 5 programs average fewer passing yards per game than Notre Dame’s 208.3: <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/iowa-hawkeyes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Iowa</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/kansas-state-wildcats-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Kansas State</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/colorado-buffaloes-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Colorado</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/rutgers-scarlet-knights-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Rutgers</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Georgia Tech</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/auburn-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Auburn</a>. Two of those already fired their head coach, another may soon, one fired its offensive coordinator and another has an offensive coordinator under nuclear heat. Notre Dame might be stuck here this season, but there’s no reason to remain in that company with Stuckey working the position.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Defensive line</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s hard to get a read on Notre Dame’s defensive line through six games. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/isaiah-foskey-sV1E0HBkF8O7Bbvr/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Isaiah Foskey</a> was supposed to play himself into a surefire first-round pick. It hasn’t happened, although Pro Football Focus rates him as the top player on the defense. He is stuck on three sacks and hasn’t been a gravitational player coming off the edge. Meanwhile, NaNa Osafo-Mensah was supposed to be a supporting actor in the background. That hasn’t happened either. He just played his best game at Notre Dame against Stanford and has been a steady force all season.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, what is Notre Dame’s defensive line? A group of good players who have played good football. Great football? Not yet.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/justin-ademilola-nypQR8M18VWjrm4b/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Justin Ademilola</a> leads the position in tackles (25) despite being fourth in snaps and starting just twice. Harvard graduate transfer <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/chris-smith-ztSB15UH19Yd5658/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Chris Smith</a> went from playing 18 snaps against Marshall, Cal and North Carolina combined to playing 63 against Stanford. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jacob-lacey-bTZscORSrxhpih1Q/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jacob Lacey</a> had two sacks against Cal, then left the team with plans to enter the transfer portal the next week. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/rylie-mills-aFhGsj9mkpw9BxwG/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Rylie Mills</a> was supposed to be a dominant defensive end but is now playing more on the inside. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/gabriel-rubio-0TecdrK7Ii51JJbp/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Gabriel Rubio</a> was a non-factor in September and a fringe starter in October.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It still feels like there’s more to be shown by the defensive line in the season’s second half, particularly against the woeful offensive lines of <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/unlv-rebels-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">UNLV</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/boston-college-eagles-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Boston College</a>. How it will be judged, though, comes down to the <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/usc-trojans-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">USC</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/clemson-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Clemson</a> games. Get <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/caleb-williams-L3lwHw7qyyINKO4t/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Caleb Williams</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/dj-uiagalelei-GNCaooHWykhED4rc/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">DJ Uiagalelei</a> on the ground, and the season will take a different tone.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Linebacker</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame opened the season with four linebackers it believed could play high-level football: <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jd-bertrand-Zh6rcNJDtWwC35Ew/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">JD Bertrand</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/bo-bauer-TUPYZbwKloMOmY4M/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Bo Bauer</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/marist-liufau-avvGxhEHz30DuIJB/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Marist Liufau</a> and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jack-kiser-GJfQ9mtwE3z7pLOd/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jack Kiser</a>. It’s not clear any of those four have been at full power each week. Bertrand has missed more than a full game with targeting suspensions. Bauer played through a shoulder injury before a knee injury during practice ended his Notre Dame career. Liufau hasn’t come close to the levels predicted for him before his leg injury in training camp a year ago. Kiser has been the most steady of the four, but last weekend against Stanford he got the least snaps, subbed out as the Rover for a nickel back.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The position is at the center of a defense that has been woeful at forcing turnovers, getting red zone stops or creating havoc of any real kind. While that’s not all on the linebackers, they bear an outsize burden for some of that production. Combined, these four linebackers have totaled 819 snaps of defense this season and combined for just six tackles for loss. They haven’t played on the other side of the line of scrimmage enough, which is part of the reason why the Irish have been mediocre on third down and in landing TFLs. It’s also part of the reason why Notre Dame rates among the nation’s worst red zone defenses. Notre Dame has allowed points on 100 percent of opponents’ red zone trips and touchdowns on 78.8 percent of them. More disruptive linebacker play changes that outlook.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By far, the biggest opportunity for the defense the rest of the way is ramping up <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/prince-kollie-CnT4Clix1fuyMjx7/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Prince Kollie</a>’s involvement. The sophomore was not a box-ready player when he enrolled, but in his second season he has made some impact. Notre Dame needs to find out if he has starting potential during the next six games. Junior Tuihalamaka could use some more work (10 snaps in six games). <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaylen-sneed-gMO2sqfRwYjIvId6/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jaylen Sneed</a> still seems a year away despite his recruiting ranking.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 19, 20212</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">While working out at Sand Creek CC, I saw that FOX News (state TV, it would seem, for all such clubs) ran a story, "Is Gin The Next Big Thing?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, duh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So in honor of that (and the team playing like Victorian Era women)... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Portrait of A Pink Lady</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Portrait of A Lady (1880-81)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Henry James</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fDP3ajDLoB0fKksb0etklJFtsakYkpMODbY_hfmaR7QM-uu_xgFpvMh2CL5QyQ9crO4reml1sTB_e-saQ4i131C6vcSqz0-uEme6Hel0scamJlnjPkmL4mHpat0SRPI_mAC45HeMDhQ7b6oVdntsWKlutMn7oyqKugnhpEvDGD50NoE7AMWD72Kj8w/s1457/Portrait%20of%20a%20Lady.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1116" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fDP3ajDLoB0fKksb0etklJFtsakYkpMODbY_hfmaR7QM-uu_xgFpvMh2CL5QyQ9crO4reml1sTB_e-saQ4i131C6vcSqz0-uEme6Hel0scamJlnjPkmL4mHpat0SRPI_mAC45HeMDhQ7b6oVdntsWKlutMn7oyqKugnhpEvDGD50NoE7AMWD72Kj8w/s320/Portrait%20of%20a%20Lady.jpeg" width="245" /></a></div>A woman's liberty is at the pink, beating heart of Henry James's transatlantic novel, one of the finest in a life measured in words rather than women (James was an avowed celibate). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, Victorian-era independence is different from Victoria's Secret-era independence, and rather than go sad and single, the heroine chooses the <i>least</i> terrible suitor she can find and ends up wealthy, wed - and woeful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our variation on a classic cocktail is best served to a group of ladies (<i>insert ND football team or coaching staff joke here</i>) holding out for Mr. Right - or even just plain right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">No matter how many sweethearts they may have to sift through.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Makes About 12 Drinks (but if you're watching ND football, <b>SERVES 2.</b>)</span></i></u></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ne1YFRev97kxvLiYl8j13jxYu0Vw7eXdvJblMxCVXj2WyLZOLNJ-EU6AS42FOs5txVBMqbKz1muVKd5ziORhOAC9xTP70KSt8go4cfw-UFndy1BpQj--c0wRp_2acdlxxQ2-1T4F0GZPxCxsHHRkk1Ki2wKrN6Vt57U8ZegvjBLvLd-gHEHR8Ca9AA/s3000/popular-brands-of-gin-to-try-4027227_final-8579abac448545a1812837cce3e47068.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ne1YFRev97kxvLiYl8j13jxYu0Vw7eXdvJblMxCVXj2WyLZOLNJ-EU6AS42FOs5txVBMqbKz1muVKd5ziORhOAC9xTP70KSt8go4cfw-UFndy1BpQj--c0wRp_2acdlxxQ2-1T4F0GZPxCxsHHRkk1Ki2wKrN6Vt57U8ZegvjBLvLd-gHEHR8Ca9AA/w400-h266/popular-brands-of-gin-to-try-4027227_final-8579abac448545a1812837cce3e47068.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>1 liter, gin</div><div><span><br /></span></div>3 cups, pink lemonade</span></div><div><br />6 oz. grenadine </div><div> </div><div>1 liter, club soda</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Combine the ingredients, except the club soda, in a big punch bowl. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Show off a little by adding one of those big, glamorous blocks of ice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stir in the bubbles and sip away the troubles - the grass is always pinker on the other side of this cocktail.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Tequila Mockingbird</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Stating The Obvious</u>:</div><div><br /></div><div>With six games left, including Clemson and USC (in Los Angeles), there's the very distinct possibility (probability?) that no one is winning the pool this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not a whole lot else to say.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span>, Bill, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike G.</span>, Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span></strike><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span> Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., Brian W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I consider The Dark Knight a genuinely great film and one of my favorites. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Fun fact</u>: Sean Penn was actually offered the role of The Joker before Heath Ledger got it (and made it the 'creepy fabulous' gold standard).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a week like this that reminds me I'm only beginning to understand why it resonates with me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/s500/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="500" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIlUxHjUT3cvzoDodqh78ynXDObxHNnyfDdOmIIhy0sm4Nr2uuecKc8oIgnq9QzAU-5iwJRnglW83tSvzYFyEsqw6EyJIqFxx1RpYZIiSnwFbFWRQvY8c2S7nqHPJOh4RbB2Pb621CMPHqPF2sY_2ueQlvmnOG0uOhMoezijNJEBnl1u0HyZOWFviuQ/w400-h168/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Consider me, football-wise, one of those men this year.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Alabama</span></b>.<span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> Ugliest game winning kick, maybe ever. But as the saying goes, they don't ask how, they ask how many. You just know that 'Roll Tide' will still end up in the BCS playoffs - I think it's in the NCAA rule book - so enjoy this while you can.</span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gEPnplQlWuM" width="320" youtube-src-id="gEPnplQlWuM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>USC</b></span>. I suppose I should be celebrating Utah's coach for the ballsy go-for-the-win 2 pt. conversion at game's end. But, accentuate the positive?! That's not what this section is about, not even a little bit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nice clutch defense, Trojans.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMvGq5z5Xm7kxUHAf0bIko3RNV7CeOlaUbO4EldZ-8iMU0R1HMUDzc0BiL1gzrihxmpIq-BWXBy0wbIhAMvepg1y-EQwGaBsESEnvkXorHuTHiEXNW9w6P5cKJ79lvVkjwLCYamMq3tA6NSBKk5hG42uxYRHqwcMOlgMX8Hvisct8J5Hgi3JIX3kGWw/s960/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-17%20at%203.27.54%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="960" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMvGq5z5Xm7kxUHAf0bIko3RNV7CeOlaUbO4EldZ-8iMU0R1HMUDzc0BiL1gzrihxmpIq-BWXBy0wbIhAMvepg1y-EQwGaBsESEnvkXorHuTHiEXNW9w6P5cKJ79lvVkjwLCYamMq3tA6NSBKk5hG42uxYRHqwcMOlgMX8Hvisct8J5Hgi3JIX3kGWw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-17%20at%203.27.54%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Penn State</b>. </span> You suck.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No, really - you <i>actually </i>suck. Michigan was (is) better than I thought - using motion and misdirection in your offensive scheme, that's legal? - but the Nittany Lions are not good. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As Lloyd Bentson might've said, "I know mediocre and you're not mediocre."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps because I'm filled with more than a little self-loathing related to the time I've <strike>wasted</strike> invested in Notre Dame football this year... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I'm finding it harder than usual this week to point the finger at others in the sports industry for their idiocy. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seems a little like 'people in glass houses' hypocritical.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So one must look elsewhere. </span></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Liz Truss</b></span>. <i>Congratulations to the lettuce.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The UK's <i>Daily Star</i> created a livestream on October 14th to see whose shelf life would expire first. Purchased at a Tesco for 60 pence, the plucky cabbage won. Well done. Going forward, no report on what the leafy vegetable's thoughts were on UK monetary policy.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgggbRVYJ2q9htJNG6S0x2YQNWOZwMEO1JSbtJuhO8FhNnXXc-Q3uFsHncw3BlmDBmF37ej5GzicCWfWAJl0a0Z5MH5lhRMBUOR53e9fFoZh5y0y3bTUUybrxBnsTbaLUcX9CidhJmth02XS5jLurcjNkl2sDuFbNN_z79vsdKvkzfdP41MPmod5Fn6A/s1204/IMG_2831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgggbRVYJ2q9htJNG6S0x2YQNWOZwMEO1JSbtJuhO8FhNnXXc-Q3uFsHncw3BlmDBmF37ej5GzicCWfWAJl0a0Z5MH5lhRMBUOR53e9fFoZh5y0y3bTUUybrxBnsTbaLUcX9CidhJmth02XS5jLurcjNkl2sDuFbNN_z79vsdKvkzfdP41MPmod5Fn6A/s320/IMG_2831.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Kanye West</b></span>. Where does one start? How about, for this week, we just go with him having his name officially changed to just, "Ye." As in (and I'm speculating here):</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;"> I am Ye as you are he as you are me and we are all together...</span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TKuvJLTeJYY" width="320" youtube-src-id="TKuvJLTeJYY"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A bit derivative, especially for a self-proclaimed genius, but sure. And if that's the case, I would like to be called 'rence.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMOFcy9McCWH_p25_aTot_ri190nN7_WcpQ509prmyfeSpU6GpEZWbHEQQuR5C6yx2MvqMLxksgfFNDFlgAaGD9HUbTSm9e4eyEin1K9fJi-2qiJc2MsHo9mJ81DyMbfPfAos4UIo8m6PkMkHpk6AZ5plXVY7ZqbM-xOHtJRJm6aChApQG0BoKN6jVg/s888/c780136c-89af-4e7a-af72-4e4c649af2cd_screenshot.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="888" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMOFcy9McCWH_p25_aTot_ri190nN7_WcpQ509prmyfeSpU6GpEZWbHEQQuR5C6yx2MvqMLxksgfFNDFlgAaGD9HUbTSm9e4eyEin1K9fJi-2qiJc2MsHo9mJ81DyMbfPfAos4UIo8m6PkMkHpk6AZ5plXVY7ZqbM-xOHtJRJm6aChApQG0BoKN6jVg/w400-h216/c780136c-89af-4e7a-af72-4e4c649af2cd_screenshot.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Or just, 'ree if you're into the whole brevity thing.<br /><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know a soul who doesn't badly want coach Freeman to succeed. If central casting was drawing up a Notre Dame coach, they'd be hard pressed to do better than Marcus. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkM5wFHdrvQPKAgX8LPUa6sWoyBwo7FGPB9Qhmu6ukz42_xMoOeaC_g5-8eNuCwG0_JdKG5uKqS0CjTuJmSLojb10Xzg3s27vVyeq-QfwvXl2_jy00dKHKAWoczZXRdsirb9pv2ub7RnB8sYcHpmk_bx1GuwnBFxtQNRMRjHAvuNHr3ReKpgFiER2w/s470/tumblr_n9efamD66D1rkbvfno1_500.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="470" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlkM5wFHdrvQPKAgX8LPUa6sWoyBwo7FGPB9Qhmu6ukz42_xMoOeaC_g5-8eNuCwG0_JdKG5uKqS0CjTuJmSLojb10Xzg3s27vVyeq-QfwvXl2_jy00dKHKAWoczZXRdsirb9pv2ub7RnB8sYcHpmk_bx1GuwnBFxtQNRMRjHAvuNHr3ReKpgFiER2w/s320/tumblr_n9efamD66D1rkbvfno1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div>And yet, ND Nation has a fairly binary, pass/fail approach to having one win its affections. </div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not Defcon 1 yet, coach, but understand who you're dealing with:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A fanbase that has never been known for its patience. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Mean and strong like liquor,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Mean and strong like fear.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Strong like the people from south Alabama</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And mean like the people from here.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Take it from me, we ain't never gonna change... </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6T893QwLOmQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="6T893QwLOmQ"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-82607933152742865702022-10-13T18:03:00.003-05:002022-10-13T18:11:57.473-05:00Week 5: Viva Las Vegas<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">All you need's a strong heart</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">And a nerve of steel...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9MO1KyNUOIs" width="320" youtube-src-id="9MO1KyNUOIs"></iframe></div><br /><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dateline: Flint Lake, IN</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">"A lot of this really happened..."</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are words that begin the new David O. Russell film, "Amsterdam" and just as easily should be the banner over every one of these blog posts. (If one were to believe that everything written in <i>Musings From 'A' Lot</i> is based on 100% fact, well, you'd be leaning extraordinarily heavily on that word, 'based.')</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB_QFB1emtFOqPUuHtkgIdd5l7ifAlB90yIjmk2NU4iTDMImr4YsZB9Mx3m7JqN4OWDJwVwwbvLYLaGXaDuy40w1mMeAjkKNqFVt9jffrau_G4-8ZL7V98bHsNGtS7GYPFF4gSmxHnfPRG4UUW-pdH9M4UoQcKorP5Z9Y4gWg8qgZyTCDYOO-xIpjSg/s2872/IMG_4335.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="2197" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB_QFB1emtFOqPUuHtkgIdd5l7ifAlB90yIjmk2NU4iTDMImr4YsZB9Mx3m7JqN4OWDJwVwwbvLYLaGXaDuy40w1mMeAjkKNqFVt9jffrau_G4-8ZL7V98bHsNGtS7GYPFF4gSmxHnfPRG4UUW-pdH9M4UoQcKorP5Z9Y4gWg8qgZyTCDYOO-xIpjSg/w214-h280/IMG_4335.jpeg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore..."</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">God love you, beautiful dreamer. Don't ever change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Those words also represent an interesting juxtaposition for anything, this particular blog included, involving Las Vegas - a town where, I'm told, truth goes to die, the absurd is the norm and facts become subject to interpretation after a few cocktails. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">All of which made Saturday night's proceedings so apropos. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Was the game's outcome not a little surprising / predictably unpredictable / occasionally uneven / wildly entertaining?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Absolutely. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Viva Las Vegas.</i></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LGdv6GfbL9YWjsSVLPOw9KgD_pjDbHNfqOqT4FQSPI3932_mh-x195tCRW8hklvlmcUr-6Dw_G7JI8XTLgTv0NGN5ENoAaFLWGXmwVsO87z-7d1U2PN1Pu16uCTpF0Qs9R0tia8JLHttTWFjgXv26sDekNynrfnPL-ZiMv0wEGG7btrAXeN-vMcBvQ/s1200/john-heywood-english-writer.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1200" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LGdv6GfbL9YWjsSVLPOw9KgD_pjDbHNfqOqT4FQSPI3932_mh-x195tCRW8hklvlmcUr-6Dw_G7JI8XTLgTv0NGN5ENoAaFLWGXmwVsO87z-7d1U2PN1Pu16uCTpF0Qs9R0tia8JLHttTWFjgXv26sDekNynrfnPL-ZiMv0wEGG7btrAXeN-vMcBvQ/w203-h163/john-heywood-english-writer.webp" width="203" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>"Rome wasn't built in a day."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">John Heywood </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">English playwright (1497-1580)</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">No shit, John. Specifically the 'build' of the Roman Empire took 870 years, from 753 BC to 117 AD. And while I'm not suggesting ND Nation give our new coach that long, it'd be wise to cut him some slack - recognizing he's playing with a lot of kids he (or his chosen staff) didn't recruit. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Iu0LtOaIrKKKdan8wyr1Ly51vP7OUuYHgMMqild-t7VhRD2vsi-xw0FumXnS_O44Md2i1zb-X7txyCdOjV_1o4tiDEEXyn9rLTCpSaRP0j36b62KjIWShA7vbTlp5HCUquu-nqcnwrBRXeuQD221Wf1i7FdHk4T6MGm52xhRQrf2q1SBRZBYbgetmw/s1416/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-10%20at%204.33.40%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="974" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Iu0LtOaIrKKKdan8wyr1Ly51vP7OUuYHgMMqild-t7VhRD2vsi-xw0FumXnS_O44Md2i1zb-X7txyCdOjV_1o4tiDEEXyn9rLTCpSaRP0j36b62KjIWShA7vbTlp5HCUquu-nqcnwrBRXeuQD221Wf1i7FdHk4T6MGm52xhRQrf2q1SBRZBYbgetmw/w275-h400/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-10%20at%204.33.40%20PM.png" width="275" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Young Jerrence watched the proceedings going on in Las Vegas, a town where the descriptor '<span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>degenerate</i></span>' was usually coupled with 'gambler. ' He thought that categorization overly and perhaps unfairly, limiting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After all, his experience with, and around, Class of '79 Dillon Hall graduates (giving many of them the benefit of the doubt that there actually was a degree in the diploma jacket they received) suggested that when properly inspired, 'gambling' merely scraped the surface of what one would reasonably be described as degenerate behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Infinite possibilities</i>."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Variety is the spice of life</i>."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Moderation in everything, including moderation</i>."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jerrence could hear those words emanating from any one of his Dillon pals. He was happy he was safe at home with his multiple cocktails and savory snacks. He couldn't imagine how anything but jail time could result from a Dillon + Las Vegas collaboration.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dyfgQhTFHsDrTRpPrAz27ppbssnvBkjaIn9u2rRJW-ucEaPFy3iDHIR4aVRZ1EobPu0xt6wi3vU5aDEIvBiPVBxNEt-pMKYnOf8R5H5cfOxm5Wpsh8R19fCriOe29JPTEWqJb0mkpoctZtZ7RoxA3ehc-FIHgf2DveKW2iY1obmu6S8PiKqiNLSx1w/s2161/IMG_0776.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2161" data-original-width="2063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dyfgQhTFHsDrTRpPrAz27ppbssnvBkjaIn9u2rRJW-ucEaPFy3iDHIR4aVRZ1EobPu0xt6wi3vU5aDEIvBiPVBxNEt-pMKYnOf8R5H5cfOxm5Wpsh8R19fCriOe29JPTEWqJb0mkpoctZtZ7RoxA3ehc-FIHgf2DveKW2iY1obmu6S8PiKqiNLSx1w/s320/IMG_0776.jpeg" width="305" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 5: Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>TV Party tonight!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>TV Party tonight!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4U4YHckNaIk" width="320" youtube-src-id="4U4YHckNaIk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We're gonna have a TV party tonight... </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PFIni3Mc_IMJwfSMQlcEY80EN5eiF3T1yClOAGf2xL2A6bCKOOpVhBhqHeiEumZDxZ5m6XPxi8WwwSTzK-TSSI_yRjF6jgHH3RnWmDagCrGrNK_54zAzSM7mD0vxVFAKF7ZISl3mQn0ahwTWRbmC29g-WEO-FfQEUBXsMKfPycgv283loCpRzG_kPA/s2048/IMG_5748.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PFIni3Mc_IMJwfSMQlcEY80EN5eiF3T1yClOAGf2xL2A6bCKOOpVhBhqHeiEumZDxZ5m6XPxi8WwwSTzK-TSSI_yRjF6jgHH3RnWmDagCrGrNK_54zAzSM7mD0vxVFAKF7ZISl3mQn0ahwTWRbmC29g-WEO-FfQEUBXsMKfPycgv283loCpRzG_kPA/w300-h400/IMG_5748.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile back in Vegas... </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>But is it really a party if there's only one of you? Yes. That is, if the wife is out of town and one has a loyal coterie of imaginary friends. And liquor. And a muse. (I call mine Jerry Perez, mixologist.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Hello, Mr. Daiquiri, have you met my colleague, Tom Collins? It's almost kick off, let's get to work..." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And let's also begin the Freeman v. Kelly "Wins Against Ranked Teams" competition! Given how difficult ND's schedule is over the next few years, if he survives Marcus is gonna have ample opportunity to crush his predecessor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At any rate, after five games, one would think you could begin to draw certain insights about a team. Perhaps not with this group - the term, "Work In Progress" still seems to be applicable. So with that in mind, in no particular order, some observations...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>:<span> D-line getting pushed around.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Unsurprising</span>: If you're a RB and you weigh ~ 220 lbs., ND LB's will not attempt to tackle you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xE8oHjw3AGthYarnaYrrPDvOpzYil1PbOn7KkY0VOu327addyVFXAownb4gP4rERGUaAdUxKZjomQDs2s-jWMlPg1F-Ts4v6gp6MwN6dSdEwGsJ49ccVmKTHmXJS-D0LnzXgu5m7EdNOqCATndJ8cyyPtwg4mM8ct7JLN8Er0lAGJtER0Q32EpW-NA/s2560/Mayer.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xE8oHjw3AGthYarnaYrrPDvOpzYil1PbOn7KkY0VOu327addyVFXAownb4gP4rERGUaAdUxKZjomQDs2s-jWMlPg1F-Ts4v6gp6MwN6dSdEwGsJ49ccVmKTHmXJS-D0LnzXgu5m7EdNOqCATndJ8cyyPtwg4mM8ct7JLN8Er0lAGJtER0Q32EpW-NA/w326-h183/Mayer.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>:<span> Tyree seems to be regressing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Unsurprising</span>: Mayer remains The Man. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>:<span> How bad our Red Zone play calling is. If we don't score from 20+ yds out, it's FG time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Unsurprising</span>: How comfortable Rees is with any 3rd down with 4 yards or less.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rLGJZC-CE_-PXkWntCa2odP9irZwIWT-6XzFL6VTumYKBFAXt4emOeu7CuJ9ySDuuoJrtzkLNEZcGK1-QTl3RdVuwFETwWj5PXCLcyTsnWqja3JJWHB5Zke_ORxwcsYajRe42sHp5lrtiHQXppgZyB-mD-qdyPathch-73FPDEt18OT7Lg9nNDq-NQ/s2560/Thomas.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rLGJZC-CE_-PXkWntCa2odP9irZwIWT-6XzFL6VTumYKBFAXt4emOeu7CuJ9ySDuuoJrtzkLNEZcGK1-QTl3RdVuwFETwWj5PXCLcyTsnWqja3JJWHB5Zke_ORxwcsYajRe42sHp5lrtiHQXppgZyB-mD-qdyPathch-73FPDEt18OT7Lg9nNDq-NQ/s320/Thomas.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Surprising</span>: <span>"Jaden Thomas, your table is ready."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Unsurprising</span>: Pyne's passes sail high a lot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Of course he does, he's 5'10.")</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>: The D's propensity to give up big plays. Like, <i>really</i> big plays. At inappropriate times.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Unsurprising</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">: Jaden Mickey looking lost (this ain't the Blue-Gold game anymore).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>:<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pyne looking like Patrick Mahomes (let's just not make it a habit, okay?) </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Unsurprising</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The running game, by and large, looking really strong. Long may <i>that</i> last. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ym6GCZWlmfyyLGm4ZRgC3Wjfv-Mtmeu_otbra4-W82ooYioUyzvO_J23hu4BwAgfDFzSVy9iMqyiIfpZP0eH16_SJAvI3edfF49tgdg6zqYt8JJ_08YUHMUvyg59r-tQv4ieAhHaR4xDSCE5bYYmKaW3aNjGz8z063iz39dPu8I2uuvUT_wMPuVDTw/s2560/Manti.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ym6GCZWlmfyyLGm4ZRgC3Wjfv-Mtmeu_otbra4-W82ooYioUyzvO_J23hu4BwAgfDFzSVy9iMqyiIfpZP0eH16_SJAvI3edfF49tgdg6zqYt8JJ_08YUHMUvyg59r-tQv4ieAhHaR4xDSCE5bYYmKaW3aNjGz8z063iz39dPu8I2uuvUT_wMPuVDTw/s320/Manti.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div>Surprising</span>:<span> How good Manti Te'o was with post-game analysis.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Unsurprising</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">:</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> How dull Jason Garrett was with in-game analysis.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>: Tim Corrigan not receiving a MacArthur Genius Grant. (Geez, Committee, isn't there a Seniors division?)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Unsurprising</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">: "U. of Chicago prof wins Nobel Prize for Economics." </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">(Geez, is anyone else even eligible for that award?)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Surprising</span>: How good Bryce Young is in the new Dr. Pepper Fansville commercials. (BTW, this is how NIL is supposed to work.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Unsurprising</span>: How accurately the new Progressive ads represent the memory-challenged conversations between Jerrence and Defarge.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62WE03ccr0LBfNsBUESLZ6erVcp8W0rEgVD_sVdQyaX7IYjViy9sB-XlmIxxrRKYxfuSBpWl12scdQn4TR7Hvpqttmfpy4pXg39iSAm7_4dRhtSEfLGmuSuAjJQD9Z4Gz5ffjT_J0pguZa4AkGODxFHca_NAH4WmRIBN6oKO9DLrjSOkgUFTl80C7yw/s615/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-13%20at%207.52.49%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="571" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62WE03ccr0LBfNsBUESLZ6erVcp8W0rEgVD_sVdQyaX7IYjViy9sB-XlmIxxrRKYxfuSBpWl12scdQn4TR7Hvpqttmfpy4pXg39iSAm7_4dRhtSEfLGmuSuAjJQD9Z4Gz5ffjT_J0pguZa4AkGODxFHca_NAH4WmRIBN6oKO9DLrjSOkgUFTl80C7yw/w371-h400/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-13%20at%207.52.49%20AM.png" width="371" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Buddy's Buddy</span></h3><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet another week when I seemed to be a game early on the rightful star of the game, in this instance Mr. Mayer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Surely it's unfair to discount consideration for an athlete whose weekly performance is so uniformly excellent and yet, life's not fair.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if I could tell the difference between the Ademilola twins, which I cannot (minimally, it'd help if they were named something like Malcolm and Owen instead of Justin / Jayson) one of them - <i>again, not sure which</i> - probably should get a shout out for his (arguably) game saving 4th down tackle.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnMeusV0551KCvomWDGgD0cBl281MmON3vBzbAlNtR811AnF3sSMnTwceJWtx-TkkbiT8A3f5HKFryNIvHVKlI5nCpWFJQggjhK--uc-Jh6dkHDTW4q6jCSj4bLk4BHEqdp7RHO-q8ZMm4PiWdSOaAc72tdDieMU2HAVttZEI9J4miFgIcOcolNDC4Q/s2560/Pyne.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnMeusV0551KCvomWDGgD0cBl281MmON3vBzbAlNtR811AnF3sSMnTwceJWtx-TkkbiT8A3f5HKFryNIvHVKlI5nCpWFJQggjhK--uc-Jh6dkHDTW4q6jCSj4bLk4BHEqdp7RHO-q8ZMm4PiWdSOaAc72tdDieMU2HAVttZEI9J4miFgIcOcolNDC4Q/w400-h225/Pyne.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>But, no, this week's award goes to our oft-maligned QB, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Drew Pyne</span>. It's time to recognize just how well he's playing. A couple Pyne 'fun facts,' since the Cal game:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">63-86 (73%) </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">701 yds. (234 yds/game)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">8 TD's, 1 INT</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sure, it helps to have 7 or 8 seconds to find open receivers but many of those throws were near perfect placements. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Freeman constantly cites his great decision making (although his INT wasn't an example of that - it looked like it was getting picked whether it got tipped or not). One would have to think he's only going to get more comfortable playing in big game situations (and by all accounts, the Vegas atmosphere was bowl game-like). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So if the O-line keeps playing well, this could be a Kevin McDougall-like year with a 2023 QB controversy looming. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself - he's not Montana or Quinn, or maybe even Book. Or probably, McDougall, But he's playing well and showing ND can win with him. <i>So welcome to Buddy's Club, Drew</i>. Like the Heisman House except with dog treats. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or for this week, given the high regard Mr. Cincotta has for him, maybe we also </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">call him Jerry's Buddy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Special Recognition to the one I call <span style="color: #fcff01;">Defarge and her NW Indiana Girl Scout colleagues</span>.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><u>The back story</u>: After trying to deal with the GSA infrastructure who, frankly, couldn't quite bothered with the concept of doing something actually meaningful for the displaced children of Ukraine, Lisa and her fellow GS volunteers started a project last Spring to collect backpacks full of requested items, mostly basic staples for Ukrainian refugees. They hoped to get contributions for 100. </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">They put 800 backpacks on a boat to Europe. </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk-U5_dIu-mciJE4CLE33uAsj6OmHOm_ifzjMzLe5FOPjm5K-3aHL7hMteUTWo5kxB44e4XVQowSPOPrcsNjk6QFeXE1m26vPG-Wk8MNIqbDDQLw6EHCfRDWtmanmhaqPPJInNOVh4RBis-i5riTQGE9dbTWrnRzQgOmrelbLwQqEPa5uFxZQyW1LMQ/s601/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-12%20at%207.42.27%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk-U5_dIu-mciJE4CLE33uAsj6OmHOm_ifzjMzLe5FOPjm5K-3aHL7hMteUTWo5kxB44e4XVQowSPOPrcsNjk6QFeXE1m26vPG-Wk8MNIqbDDQLw6EHCfRDWtmanmhaqPPJInNOVh4RBis-i5riTQGE9dbTWrnRzQgOmrelbLwQqEPa5uFxZQyW1LMQ/w323-h400/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-12%20at%207.42.27%20PM.png" width="323" /></a></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">They have another wave going on right now. Help Heroes is the organization that is shipping them. </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">All of you guys rock.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What a difference a few weeks make.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Post-Cal (Berkley) game, everyone wondered whether the offense could ever consistently score in double digits.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward three weeks, with improved O-line play, a QB that seems to be settling in, a 3-headed RB rotation and a god at TE, that question seems less of an imperative.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which leads to: what's going on with the defense, the group that was supposed to be the team's rock? We kinda knew the secondary was going to be a little shaky but that front seven? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Inquiring minds want to know..."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Entering the year, the front seven appeared to be the team’s strength. However, there have been multiple games where the line and the linebackers, especially, have had major flaws exposed. What can Al Golden do to address this in the second half of the season? Simplify the defense? Change the rotation?</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Joel L.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s a good question. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/notre-dame-fighting-irish-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Notre Dame</a>’s defense has been hard to understand — not because it’s been great, not because it’s been awful, but because it’s been wildly unpredictable within games.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the season began, Freeman described the linebacker position as a team strength. Five games later, he has said openly <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/marist-liufau-avvGxhEHz30DuIJB/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Marist Liufau</a> needs to play better, moved <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jack-kiser-GJfQ9mtwE3z7pLOd/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jack Kiser</a> to inside linebacker, played almost two games without a suspended <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jd-bertrand-Zh6rcNJDtWwC35Ew/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">JD Bertrand</a> and managed the injured <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/bo-bauer-TUPYZbwKloMOmY4M/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Bo Bauer</a>. Safe to say the linebacker position overall, which is Al Golden’s domain, has played below expectations. Liufau seems a step slow within the defense, Kiser has been good, Bertrand has struggled laterally and Bauer has gutted out what he can gut out, which can only go on for so long.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One stat I track is individual “wins” by the defense on third and fourth down. Basically, who made the stop, got the pressure or played the coverage that resulted in Notre Dame getting off the field (or forcing a fourth down)? Linebackers have not delivered. Liufau has three wins, Bertrand has one and Kiser and Bauer 0.5. By comparison, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/isaiah-foskey-sV1E0HBkF8O7Bbvr/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Isaiah Foskey</a> leads the team with six, and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tariq-bracy-b1tv4caZIKrmD4AB/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">TaRiq Bracy</a> is second with five. When it comes to getting off the field, Notre Dame’s linebackers don’t put nails in coffins.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What changes from here? The knee-jerk reaction would be to play <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/prince-kollie-CnT4Clix1fuyMjx7/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Prince Kollie</a> more, which has to happen if Bauer’s injuries sideline him. Kollie played 10 snaps at North Carolina and eight against <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/byu-cougars-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">BYU</a>. It’s not a coincidence that work came with Bertrand suspended for targeting. But that role needs to expand because keeping Kiser inside feels untenable with Bracy suffering a hamstring pull and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jaden-mickey-egzZsRiEhwfmcgRk/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Jaden Mickey</a> struggling. Nickel has been Notre Dame’s base defense this season, but that only works with a strong nickel. If the nickel is weak, play base with Kiser at Rover. In theory, Liufau should get better the longer he plays in the defense. Golden referenced outside expectations for Liufau not aligning with his actual production in early practices, so perhaps there needs to be some recalibration. Still, Liufau has the ability to flash greatness. Continuing to try to pull that out is the smart play.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notre Dame’s defensive statistics are mediocre across the board, except for turnovers forced, which are poor. That’s not all on the linebackers. But the position hasn’t been as large a part of the solution as Notre Dame needs it to be.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">October 13, 20212</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">A game in Vegas requires a fun drink with a dark side, does it not?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The town is called "Sin City" for a reason, yes? And with Defarge out of town, Jerrence isn't driving anywhere.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of driving... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Taxi Screw-Driver</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Taxi Driver (1976)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Directed By Martin Scorsese</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Buckle up for a frightening film that won innumerable accolades (though, curiously, no Oscars) and permanently placed DeNiro and Scorsese at the top of the list of Hollywood's toughest talents. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWXY3HJqsRlujR8Rqk4eP6uXvMXxuglJmV2_QgGMbXtpNpfZLEEbHGfuF-aFvXPF5hqXy_huiaZromyDMWrJaVYaPTnXuYRoOS1yl7aYgACzOH0RSBYL_35dQit9sklU_QSB0odsCxXk3zhX2hTwHjRw6TZ6Pkh2aGX6OimNl4fRPbPFHlAMZ1k8JfQ/s500/WellinformedGrandHorseshoebat-size_restricted.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="500" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWXY3HJqsRlujR8Rqk4eP6uXvMXxuglJmV2_QgGMbXtpNpfZLEEbHGfuF-aFvXPF5hqXy_huiaZromyDMWrJaVYaPTnXuYRoOS1yl7aYgACzOH0RSBYL_35dQit9sklU_QSB0odsCxXk3zhX2hTwHjRw6TZ6Pkh2aGX6OimNl4fRPbPFHlAMZ1k8JfQ/s320/WellinformedGrandHorseshoebat-size_restricted.gif" width="320" /></a>Tracing the downward spiral of Travis Bickle, whose career behind the wheel is a far cry from his days in Viet Nam. Taxi Driver also brought a 13 tear old Jodie Foster to prominence. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not to be out-acted by his middle school co-star, DeNiro was so "method" he reportedly got his cab license in his spare time - when he wasn't improvising one of the most quoted pieces of dialogue ever - "You talkin' to me?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This rough ride inspires a blood(y) orange take on a classic cocktail.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mSiEzkNG_92eyCNcAmm6ik9JkI9uOc6Ymh4nebke5Xh6Fq8wGYEEQFv9vsIVq-EyDzP4aMl6MJo8DZI7-Wr8fDTwg_j5MroxIy_cnulAVSLEvRO8tpjAZ-RM2Bldo1Qe_XX7R53a_mey7JKQc4qepOHT4CeP8uy4ItKKp0JU6XdWIYZ8INj5YgNEVg/s800/Blood-Orange-Final.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mSiEzkNG_92eyCNcAmm6ik9JkI9uOc6Ymh4nebke5Xh6Fq8wGYEEQFv9vsIVq-EyDzP4aMl6MJo8DZI7-Wr8fDTwg_j5MroxIy_cnulAVSLEvRO8tpjAZ-RM2Bldo1Qe_XX7R53a_mey7JKQc4qepOHT4CeP8uy4ItKKp0JU6XdWIYZ8INj5YgNEVg/w273-h273/Blood-Orange-Final.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div><br />1 oz, vodka</div><div><span><br /></span></div>1 oz. gin</span></div><div><br />6 oz. blood orange juice </div><div> </div><div>Blood orange wedge, for garnish<br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hide your car keys, pour the vodka and gin over ice in a highball glass, and top with the blood orange juice. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Give it a quick stir and garnish with the wedge of blood orange.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Source: <i>Gone With The Gin</i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div>So how we feeling, all you folks still in the running?</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I think the only guy who should feel even a little bit confident is Alvin. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, hey, every week we're seeing progress, yes? Perhaps not uniformly so but improvement nonetheless...</div><div><br /></div><div>Will it be enough by the time we get to November (or frankly, a week earlier in the dreaded Carrier Dome) when the competition gets stiffer? We'll see. </div><div><br /></div><div>But stomping Stanford would be a really nice signal to send to the 9 and 10 win gang. </div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I think I see the light coming to me...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4l9a5vIm4so" width="320" youtube-src-id="4l9a5vIm4so"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Sloane</span></strike>, <span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Dave M.</span><strike>, </strike><span style="color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: line-through;">Peter</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span>, Bill, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br />Mike G., Phillip S., George, Mike B., <span style="color: #fcff01;">Shea</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerrence</span>, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span>, Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., Brian W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know we're only 5 games into the season but this feels like a strong Schadenfreude season and only likely to get better.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At some point, Michigan has to play somebody, don't they?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for USC, I guess we'll see this week vs. Utah.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But otherwise this year's mainstays - not only are they fun to revel in their weekly disappointment, their consistency makes for an easy update each week. Win-win!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>LSU</b>. </span> You might ask, "Jerrence, are you ever going to ease up on coach Kelly?"</span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not this year. </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bGsjq1viMy0" width="320" youtube-src-id="bGsjq1viMy0"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Oklahoma</b></span>. 49 - 0. As in Texas scored early and often. And you scored, well, zippidy doo dah. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ouch. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MuK8YvXuhBY" width="320" youtube-src-id="MuK8YvXuhBY"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eufhVAYS-DaldyW9v_e_oK1G16SPH6MugEBr6-_EhSxnhcunW0Dr26tpfPMeZvUMqpD6n6LUB9-iScBFMBTmbtENZU0j0kK2fRtePJ3Cw1n26dG851_Lw528TXw2Z77AMieliUX6uLFueBICwHtbp1vX70bJWKs6t8kLMu2lyvw8U4JZ9NwNYDNZPQ/s300/download.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eufhVAYS-DaldyW9v_e_oK1G16SPH6MugEBr6-_EhSxnhcunW0Dr26tpfPMeZvUMqpD6n6LUB9-iScBFMBTmbtENZU0j0kK2fRtePJ3Cw1n26dG851_Lw528TXw2Z77AMieliUX6uLFueBICwHtbp1vX70bJWKs6t8kLMu2lyvw8U4JZ9NwNYDNZPQ/s1600/download.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Texas A&M</b>. </span> You played valiantly, frankly better than one would've liked. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But you're still a loser, Jimbo. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And your boosters are not paying you (or your recruits) the big bucks to go 8-4.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>BYU</b></span>. Perhaps because I watched the Hulu series, "Under The Banner of Heaven" and got COMPLETELY freaked out by the fundamentalist strain of the Mormons (and actually, too, the church's base), you're on this list.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxIlK9xn3_I9yv1mCKRC6y4st6KKu4CA2AVq1PAP0aiUyWv1UrekE91p9iaqyfa3Li9sC4Wgn6LfHv9zAu__rGf_F1wSgWv0xojn78Fw6A1AyOBiCnb4s_6kUTuIfbmfoFIWvqiSHVxetLgmQysz6ayP1SaeghbpcmsQUvDhJYhzDRTDKXARxgqtnKQ/s1140/IMG_2756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="1140" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxIlK9xn3_I9yv1mCKRC6y4st6KKu4CA2AVq1PAP0aiUyWv1UrekE91p9iaqyfa3Li9sC4Wgn6LfHv9zAu__rGf_F1wSgWv0xojn78Fw6A1AyOBiCnb4s_6kUTuIfbmfoFIWvqiSHVxetLgmQysz6ayP1SaeghbpcmsQUvDhJYhzDRTDKXARxgqtnKQ/w400-h171/IMG_2756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Words can make you pay and pay</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Four-letter words I cannot say</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Panty, toilet, dirty devil</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Words are trouble, words are subtle</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Words of anger, words of hate...</i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The same can be said about this week's Tools. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_sLtZ1YhgdM" width="320" youtube-src-id="_sLtZ1YhgdM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Gus Tucker</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Thank you, Jim Belknap, for pointing out to me the fellow (although technically it was the school) who started the absurd salary inflation for D-1 head football coaches. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeZ0hNfHcYr4JVebtJ3lifYAxtd_pVtM_10ax3MhTOkeVUolousl6jkU40u-bDaiGJi8ayanmIxKfcZbphqqWT2m-LixEfdI7dBltR07zzLIUXm3vpQebrpUOQv8amjHEhRNwaI6eZbFoXPCXc4Wu4f5lLcZs44KkW-j1dFtsoNNd0qFbZPXvyI7OYw/s1170/IMG_2754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="1170" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeZ0hNfHcYr4JVebtJ3lifYAxtd_pVtM_10ax3MhTOkeVUolousl6jkU40u-bDaiGJi8ayanmIxKfcZbphqqWT2m-LixEfdI7dBltR07zzLIUXm3vpQebrpUOQv8amjHEhRNwaI6eZbFoXPCXc4Wu4f5lLcZs44KkW-j1dFtsoNNd0qFbZPXvyI7OYw/w400-h165/IMG_2754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Jarret Doege</b></span>. Who? He's kinda the poster child for any number of things that irritate the bejesus out of me, after NIL and generally, the NCAA. This one happens to be about seemingly unfettered transfer freedom...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHsmRIjk9zLn5Izr9CO-ZOSs5oYMaDrr5nXVJyyU1x9zpE_Z5t0B2dRJH1J-s8-H7e0LUdDag3LgNOP3SP79DLo4BPynkZRWbeQRc26EI55yDUim7wVGHhlkid36VR9rkvggO-4zm02c1v1S1i4lvtxchbFtNZomPXtkxgz1ehh1zRlRld1KVl-mNlg/s1380/IMG_2752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHsmRIjk9zLn5Izr9CO-ZOSs5oYMaDrr5nXVJyyU1x9zpE_Z5t0B2dRJH1J-s8-H7e0LUdDag3LgNOP3SP79DLo4BPynkZRWbeQRc26EI55yDUim7wVGHhlkid36VR9rkvggO-4zm02c1v1S1i4lvtxchbFtNZomPXtkxgz1ehh1zRlRld1KVl-mNlg/w339-h400/IMG_2752.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Jamie Gooch</b></span>. Full disclosure: I loved the Harry Potter series of books - thought they were wildly creative and very underrated in redefining what heroism looks like - as well as their message about perseverance when you're that odd kid in school. The books also happened to be a source of enduring father - daughter bonding when Ryan and Shea were small - we'd read all them together, often aloud and doing the various character voices. It was a wonderful experience for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">So it's always bugged me when one would read about the occasional loon, invariably a bible readin' southerner, who was advocating for a Harry Potter book burning (or some such) due to the series' supposed glorifying of witchcraft and The Dark Arts. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Are you fucking kidding me? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">So even now, good to know those knuckle draggers still roam the earth. God loves all His creatures, especially the simplest.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrDaBXEqV3PzLkKCtY5yUmMheuoxIx7zJAJ8CAB-B-hLk-5kiIjMR0iODCEiby9GDShXhdVkH_DKtXzovuEDIcgesLyxtzGN_5ZOzpvms0PxhvCGIOaN_o4CgMk7a0lvUGHwjxXMIE1Gk0v5Xu-UeQAhX5vNTVPWhpYjbzun2jTWXtLYjlrf9WQ3pdw/s1109/IMG_2759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="923" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrDaBXEqV3PzLkKCtY5yUmMheuoxIx7zJAJ8CAB-B-hLk-5kiIjMR0iODCEiby9GDShXhdVkH_DKtXzovuEDIcgesLyxtzGN_5ZOzpvms0PxhvCGIOaN_o4CgMk7a0lvUGHwjxXMIE1Gk0v5Xu-UeQAhX5vNTVPWhpYjbzun2jTWXtLYjlrf9WQ3pdw/w333-h400/IMG_2759.jpg" width="333" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">4) <b> <span style="color: #fcff01;">Hans Niemann</span></b>. File this under "More Things Jerrence Never Wished To Know Of Their Existence."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">... <i>vibrating anal beads</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-IGsbwu1ygGa7bIxMsWQ4Q9aRs64L3pqr2YryWAFl51LngqGbstvdaUDPJ_-ZZMwnK7_hUxRYiYdIHVkB9fOfZjTQKRYy4fcSlloJwNjdknNPMcHb7jrMPrNaXEyyUt9UF2rU93B8eq9CuptKL0i5FD3-H2hoSBKPkvxdBJEoBfI39n7c35GNnjIbQ/s1082/Tool.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1082" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-IGsbwu1ygGa7bIxMsWQ4Q9aRs64L3pqr2YryWAFl51LngqGbstvdaUDPJ_-ZZMwnK7_hUxRYiYdIHVkB9fOfZjTQKRYy4fcSlloJwNjdknNPMcHb7jrMPrNaXEyyUt9UF2rU93B8eq9CuptKL0i5FD3-H2hoSBKPkvxdBJEoBfI39n7c35GNnjIbQ/w400-h294/Tool.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5). <span style="color: #fcff01;"> <b>Alex Jones</b></span>. Sandy Hook shooting denier and all around conspiracy douche, after receiving a near $1B judgement against him... who is apparently outraged by the verdict: "A show trial! What a travesty - after all, I said I'm sorry."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">26 people died, including 20 children who are never gonna see their 8th birthday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fuck you, Alex. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought - I</span></h3></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">While we were away... <i> </i>h</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">appy anniversary, Lisa. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> <i>"I just wouldn't have a clue." </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">Indeed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UBv_yUaTVcuBsuA7IUTqaytDTWPV_A0yxnBkXi6PcA-H3KmxOTeQRAR4NNQkG7QUoVc1RAMa7GjUu0FekxMiUSadIg0exqBLf7mPzc343wywYxfz9LVdfzSaGSUUlSq4I44O5m_ryuVsCEYuE3434lFzxFOCPdorftKIDs16BCT6aVX0peSA7BtL3Q/s1593/Unknown-1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1497" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UBv_yUaTVcuBsuA7IUTqaytDTWPV_A0yxnBkXi6PcA-H3KmxOTeQRAR4NNQkG7QUoVc1RAMa7GjUu0FekxMiUSadIg0exqBLf7mPzc343wywYxfz9LVdfzSaGSUUlSq4I44O5m_ryuVsCEYuE3434lFzxFOCPdorftKIDs16BCT6aVX0peSA7BtL3Q/w291-h310/Unknown-1.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BU-RNjPxsXI" width="320" youtube-src-id="BU-RNjPxsXI"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thoughts - II</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As if one needed any more provocation to come to the Stanford tailgate... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6HiDXIn6zrqOixV7dqvcYMUnGYdDEQQBRD3dS9bMaqK_bH2u0ZvbjRMzgmazSxlqgVJcPWJXRAVO7yurkzllwA0gEGrDnLu9o1wLI918iheXaTfp--tgf_KXWMvikBDtTn4WLx6RX_SpxQ_YMTvIMzhUzzRa9WKDeQArJX9_U4hLTl1UE1ZvBRZnDg/s4032/IMG_6929.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6HiDXIn6zrqOixV7dqvcYMUnGYdDEQQBRD3dS9bMaqK_bH2u0ZvbjRMzgmazSxlqgVJcPWJXRAVO7yurkzllwA0gEGrDnLu9o1wLI918iheXaTfp--tgf_KXWMvikBDtTn4WLx6RX_SpxQ_YMTvIMzhUzzRa9WKDeQArJX9_U4hLTl1UE1ZvBRZnDg/w480-h640/IMG_6929.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-78226409989792404822022-10-01T14:48:00.000-05:002022-10-01T14:48:06.793-05:00Week 4: Level Setting<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Can't you just see the sunshine?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Can't you just feel the moonshine...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oV_MCQm8iFM" width="320" youtube-src-id="oV_MCQm8iFM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dateline: Detroit, MI</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHw4779QeSfjr3LNGXzM9tOgG0oH47KIKC40D09p9MnV6-xWeOGdgbxhICMzRpRodPNVR3isDX_L6pTRZGRCaz9LNhKj2iOweRLGUPugNXvY5AX2IOY0-mo-BTKK7_49LAIDFQtgwmUdULgeBBeRLaY03ShlieDEUpQ2hD1GhJp_Xr_fXKHuPuJvUjQ/s768/uba6avedgyeqehjeftngvgfjtyl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHw4779QeSfjr3LNGXzM9tOgG0oH47KIKC40D09p9MnV6-xWeOGdgbxhICMzRpRodPNVR3isDX_L6pTRZGRCaz9LNhKj2iOweRLGUPugNXvY5AX2IOY0-mo-BTKK7_49LAIDFQtgwmUdULgeBBeRLaY03ShlieDEUpQ2hD1GhJp_Xr_fXKHuPuJvUjQ/s320/uba6avedgyeqehjeftngvgfjtyl.png" width="246" /></a></div>As Jerrence sat in the St. Clair Shores church pew last weekend, in attendance for a morning memorial service for a relative of Defarge... he found his wife gesturing toward the large Jesus figure on the back wall of the altar.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Jesus looks just like Mel Gibson."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hmmm, now that you mention it... the church is St. Margaret's of Scotland - maybe the artist was channeling a Braveheart vibe. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"So you're saying that if we'd been at St. Margaret's of Ireland, he'd look like Liam Neesom? And which one - Schindler Liam or 'Particular set of skills' Liam?'"</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, no.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"And why isn't he looking tortured? It's supposed to be a crucifixion scene, right? He shouldn't be looking that... composed."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You're given this a lot of thought, haven't you? And when did you become a bible scholar? You're like the original pagan baby for all the time you've spent in a church.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Frankly, the conversation was so out of left field, so unexpected that it left Jerrence highly disoriented. But it wouldn't be the last time that day he'd be experiencing that feeling.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfhTkNWdqf3mEeT0fMDG9pFPm7knY9oQHKn_Vj0q_TPp9Dk19daN2NeHPi4ZPDhvBGCvhAJyyG7aPZ5lghmhRgQBudAvaDTIJk8929binzxDt3uiH7iMhSEvc0s6xnkwIuFPZLfxlFynNiNdDPqs5WNY49w_aE8wOMe1KHGHgo35Sc3tkzRwuacDgSw/s641/0060764-lxge-1280x720%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="595" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfhTkNWdqf3mEeT0fMDG9pFPm7knY9oQHKn_Vj0q_TPp9Dk19daN2NeHPi4ZPDhvBGCvhAJyyG7aPZ5lghmhRgQBudAvaDTIJk8929binzxDt3uiH7iMhSEvc0s6xnkwIuFPZLfxlFynNiNdDPqs5WNY49w_aE8wOMe1KHGHgo35Sc3tkzRwuacDgSw/w186-h200/0060764-lxge-1280x720%202.jpeg" width="186" /></a></div>"It's what you hope Notre Dame football is going to be about<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">."</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marcus Freeman </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I believe you speak for all of us, coach. Although it's worth remembering that hope is not a strategy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d_MQ3jZiR6PM_Q8flnZj03hEwepJL_TraNdE5PEqKqbySaNM_TkyBQp0LrLLxWgrDvJ3mbc9JQCZxvt9ufQIKQsz3lknb8NWN0TAxDQ_K6nCYgcTPWrYSsw_VVOAQXmAJqO2XXDY_J4z5Afe76IbXB6rQFOpA0TafBVMMS7k_Qqx8GYyig6rfFpH7g/s986/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-30%20at%209.47.25%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="986" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d_MQ3jZiR6PM_Q8flnZj03hEwepJL_TraNdE5PEqKqbySaNM_TkyBQp0LrLLxWgrDvJ3mbc9JQCZxvt9ufQIKQsz3lknb8NWN0TAxDQ_K6nCYgcTPWrYSsw_VVOAQXmAJqO2XXDY_J4z5Afe76IbXB6rQFOpA0TafBVMMS7k_Qqx8GYyig6rfFpH7g/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-30%20at%209.47.25%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Young Jerrence wasn't exactly sure what he was seeing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After watching a 1st half where the Fighting Irish offense appeared to approach something akin to competence - in and of itself something of a shock - he was now seeing a 3rd quarter performance exceeding that, looking more like... dominance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaIglrCOaly_owIERSVDPL4Kfr22zcEDa9ZFE26vkwIGKfQB0VWWsBnQCFDrtDzyvUd2epAcoPpEllH1LvPSCaeiCk2twZ431WdhBp6vJ96LUA7c2iGA9TndjSlMbxC4L8_6qL9MKFMFL6lHtFQGcAqa-CmGHYXQOfYUItT5Of6K9gfkHVvqyLg7s-w/s540/801image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="540" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaIglrCOaly_owIERSVDPL4Kfr22zcEDa9ZFE26vkwIGKfQB0VWWsBnQCFDrtDzyvUd2epAcoPpEllH1LvPSCaeiCk2twZ431WdhBp6vJ96LUA7c2iGA9TndjSlMbxC4L8_6qL9MKFMFL6lHtFQGcAqa-CmGHYXQOfYUItT5Of6K9gfkHVvqyLg7s-w/w273-h271/801image001.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Sensei, teach me your ways...</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Moreover, the creativity of the play calls belied an <i><span style="color: #fcff01;">aplomb</span></i> Jerrence hadn't seen in the Tommy Rees OC regime since... when? Maybe the 1st half of last year's Oklahoma St. bowl game? Before that - he couldn't recall when.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There was almost a swagger to the offense, equal parts "we're gonna run this down your throats" and "don't get too comfortable, we still have a few tricks up our sleeve."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was fabulous.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not since Jerrence's introduction to 801 St. Louis's Cypress Room had he felt this feeling of both confusion and euphoria.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 4: Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I know it seems impossible now</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I know it seems like a joke... .. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UqnloxnTWzc" width="320" youtube-src-id="UqnloxnTWzc"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One can only imagine somewhere in a luxury box in Chapel Hill late last Saturday afternoon, Jack Swarbrick might've now been thinking, "I'd like to see that clown that I picked up from the Stayer Lot last week.."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">True dat, Jack. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other things that jumped out to me:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Tyree</span>. For all the talk, deservedly so, of the Estime Coming Out Party, I was more struck by how well Tyree ran - speed and genuine power. Nice to see.</div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsTaoarFFd2xh3bhTgxqYDAxWK588XsRwe3GP43L-heqmybwZR5R7zDVy6gEheSuhyV-XpYJY2x3zl7I2U_PE8lx1UvspTuz1XCqDUYH_OhEgxBcuzQT4cmxR3mciqTFYX44mEhjZlhbha5cqMXhbjzt-ObBWULs6YDxmmTnr_t4eMT74dXBnx24X9w/s1280/Riley.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsTaoarFFd2xh3bhTgxqYDAxWK588XsRwe3GP43L-heqmybwZR5R7zDVy6gEheSuhyV-XpYJY2x3zl7I2U_PE8lx1UvspTuz1XCqDUYH_OhEgxBcuzQT4cmxR3mciqTFYX44mEhjZlhbha5cqMXhbjzt-ObBWULs6YDxmmTnr_t4eMT74dXBnx24X9w/s320/Riley.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Foskey.<i> </i></span> Two games in a row, sweet. Similar to what can be said of the whole team, this is what we thought we were getting, yes?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">3) </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Mills </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> The 'other' Defensive End. Who just happens to be really, really good.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">4). <span style="color: #fcff01;">DB's</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">. I don't even know what to say about the breakdowns. You play tough for 90% of the game - the freshman Morrison looks like a total revelation (Mickey, less so) - but giving up TD's of 80 and 64 yards, not good. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is the issue at safety? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5). <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bertrand</span>. Recognizing the targeting can be daunting to get right, even in the best of circumstances but, man, he's gonna have to adapt his technique. Worse, he's getting a reputation. </div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>6) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Turnovers</span>. Well, we got one now! That's a start - let the floodgates open! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdjAOzI8jicMJ0F5GgKXGJSIG9zoUHOKqp3FQVwtdrAdc0fiuiJPvEV4xOuiH3KCzHI6S_PPppv7tr917YFDlSccN6uoa8xKlQmQH59VJCvX377Ww__4zEt099O-uVvPocpiRY5eI3URjb_K22Y66cYi7PxyDH-bk-olShOeH6qS8F9Dx2JNaDe8bUg/s1064/Pyne.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1064" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdjAOzI8jicMJ0F5GgKXGJSIG9zoUHOKqp3FQVwtdrAdc0fiuiJPvEV4xOuiH3KCzHI6S_PPppv7tr917YFDlSccN6uoa8xKlQmQH59VJCvX377Ww__4zEt099O-uVvPocpiRY5eI3URjb_K22Y66cYi7PxyDH-bk-olShOeH6qS8F9Dx2JNaDe8bUg/s320/Pyne.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />7) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pyne</span>. You didn't think we could summarize the game without a comment on him, did ya? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">He remains the key variable, doesn't he? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">And if this is the start of seeing a guy settle in, get comfortable - and it sure doesn't hurt if the O-line finally starts consistently doing their job - the year begins to look decidedly more optimistic.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">8) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Special teams</span>. Let's talk about Zac Yoakam. Who? The <u>walk-on, freshman back up</u> kicker who's become the designated kick-off guy. 8 kickoffs / 6 into the end zone. UNC never began a drive beyond its own 25 yard line. Underrated stat.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vt8T3GP5h5o" width="320" youtube-src-id="Vt8T3GP5h5o"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Buddy's Buddy</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps I was a week early on the Audric Estime nomination... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's no denying what we saw - and one can debate his goal line fumble, whether it was an unforgivable, "you cannot let that happen under any circumstance," an unfortunate mistake driven by well-intentioned extra effort or perhaps, simply, a really good play by the defender.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">One note: he'd carried the ball 6 or 7 straight times so maybe, next time, one might wish to factor in the potential for fatigue.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>You could have a bumper car, bumping</i></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><i>This amusement never ends...</i></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OJWJE0x7T4Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="OJWJE0x7T4Q"></iframe></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Regardless, the kid's a beast. But he's not my, or Buddy's, buddy this week. The Committee thinks that honor needs to go to </span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Michael Mayer</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMIZiQ_yen6gWWp283rTlB86QETUCruI7Lc5upYOX8iJ9006CjDQ_7Z6WuNBI4bP37H_t1CUecDZDDiBFUScvzS3OGQ80oLBgSKYhyhiS640VkKP3T5Jd_A63y7BHgtzXSNsCi4ZOr_rixwvIMKnSQwcKlmS7wxcgob9P9odp8AiH5tUp1uG28IVCUA/s1320/Mayer.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMIZiQ_yen6gWWp283rTlB86QETUCruI7Lc5upYOX8iJ9006CjDQ_7Z6WuNBI4bP37H_t1CUecDZDDiBFUScvzS3OGQ80oLBgSKYhyhiS640VkKP3T5Jd_A63y7BHgtzXSNsCi4ZOr_rixwvIMKnSQwcKlmS7wxcgob9P9odp8AiH5tUp1uG28IVCUA/s320/Mayer.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />When UNC drove down the field and made it 7-0 who among us didn't think, "uh oh." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At season's end, we may end of saying that righting the ship, offensively, during that first half might be as important of a stretch as ND has this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Giving Pyne time to get settled, who was his go-to? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">His TE, that's who. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And frankly, a lot of those passes weren't exactly hitting Mayer in the chest. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">He was basically unguardable and did the team ever need him then.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's mailbag question goes out to my golf cart ridin' - Savvy Jack interrogatin' - Drew Pyne lovin' friend, Jerome.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And in truth, also shines some light on a question that's bothered me for the past few years (i.e., why is it so hard for ND to identify a stud QB when it's arguably the most high profile position in the country). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Answer (for those who might not want to wade through the lengthy answer (JP)): it's actually hard for everybody. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As Jerome might say, "Oh. I did not know that."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong>What is the likeliest scenario for Tommy Rees next year: (a) <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/nfl/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">NFL</a> coordinator, (b) offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, (c) offensive coordinator elsewhere, or (d) QB coach/analyst somewhere?</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong>Related but somewhat separate question: Has he ever talked about his quarterback evaluations over the past five years and why he picked the guys he did (e.g., <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Tyler Buchner</a> over <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/jj-mccarthy-vM3US1AyEbkMeYiX/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">J.J. McCarthy</a>, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/steve-angeli-I6WeHlD2jqOubRd9/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Steve Angeli</a> over <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-allar-l3RM8Ec93ryPA118/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Drew Allar</a> before it was too late, going after Drew Pyne early on, etc.)? It seems like that is actually an under-discussed aspect of a program in the media that otherwise picks apart and sorts through every little detail of the program.</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: right;"><strong>James M.</strong></p><div class="ad-container" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; text-align: start;"></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">I don’t think Rees will be an offensive coordinator for another college program next year, unless he has no choice. Being an NFL offensive coordinator would be a jump and would have to come at a place where he already has built relationships — i.e., Los Angeles or Philadelphia. Leaving for a quarterbacks coach job or an analyst job would say more about Marcus Freeman’s intentions than Rees’ desires.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">That brings us back to Rees in his current post as Notre Dame offensive coordinator. Even if the offense improves under Pyne, it will be hard to erase the first three games when Notre Dame looked like a Catholic Iowa. Does that feel differently in November than it does during the idle week? Could the final nine games make up for the first three? I don’t know how Freeman would see that, especially with recruiting seemingly in a good place at quarterback and receiver.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">If you read this mailbag, you know I believe Rees is very talented. I also can’t deny that Notre Dame’s offense has struggled and there’s a new head coach who has his own idea about offense. On top of all that, I’ve never covered a fourth-year offensive coordinator at Notre Dame in my 22 years on the beat.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">As for the quarterback evaluation issues at Notre Dame, that predates Rees the coach and goes back to Rees the player. In Kelly’s early years, some of his first quarterback offers included Matt Alviti, Jack Beneventi and Brandon Dawkins. Alviti was a backup at Northwestern. Beneventi ended up at Western Illinois. Dawkins started at Arizona before leaving as a grad transfer for Indiana.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">Even the guys Notre Dame chased who were validated with four-star rankings — <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/hunter-johnson-XJPuIbJ1KxJdYKVW/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Hunter Johnson</a>, Malik Henry, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/graham-mertz-Mcg2fbGUKGihpf1B/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Graham Mertz</a>, Blake Barnett — didn’t exactly pan out. Somehow the Irish chased Henry and Jacob Eason in the same class but ended up with Ian Book, who would win 30 games at Notre Dame. When Barnett flipped to Alabama, it opened the door for Brandon Wimbush. DeShone Kizer was a fall-back option. <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/cade-mcnamara-83ALCxxEtYSF6bgU/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Cade McNamara</a> flipped to Michigan when Notre Dame was all-in on <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/phil-jurkovec-F3KvwweRoTxynr89/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Phil Jurkovec</a> a cycle later. Now McNamara is behind J.J. McCarthy, whom Notre Dame rated behind Tyler Buchner.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">The biggest takeaway here is evaluating quarterbacks is hard, and Notre Dame has not done enough to stock that position to account for that reality.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">Look at the top 25 quarterbacks per 247Sports Composite rankings from the Class of 2019. There are three hits in that group: Sam Howell (North Carolina), <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/max-duggan-X9NmZKlH4smoCHbk/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Max Duggan</a> (<a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/tcu-horned-frogs-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">TCU</a>) and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/kj-jefferson-cbWHFdGVvWPlC9xa/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">KJ Jefferson</a> (Arkansas). Three!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">Seventeen of the top 25 quarterbacks that year have transferred at least once. One changed positions. Three are backups where they signed. Howell, Duggan and Jefferson all clicked at the programs that recruited them. Graham Mertz feels stuck in between hit and bust at Wisconsin.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;">If a position only pans out 15 percent of the time, it’s critical you take as many shots with that position as possible to increase your odds of a hit.</p></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 29, 20212</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Truth be told, finding a drink (and story) in my very specific reference books that marries, with a Carolina theme, hasn't proven easy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So one has to fall back on unfortunate stereotypes that, were one writing to a less evolved audience, would no doubt get one culturally canceled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So bring on the Tobacco Road / hillbilly reference, throw in a bit of Europe to really confuse the audience and... <i>voila!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">The Moonshine And Sixpence</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Moon And Sixpence (1919)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By W. Somerset Maugham</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Hell hath no mid-life crisis like a stockbroker who wakes up one day, looks at his wife and kids at breakfast - and announces he's taking a one-way trip to Paris to pursue life as a painter... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Now will somebody please pass Daddy the pancakes?!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaxairGF-QDJi248nSF6tfJOMP7tXSDLqS0a2BOR-ZeD3E11VPG9liKhWF2zts2kNQSk2g2cO2INxOlYeflYD_zc4HLR8JkzrMQmetrB3PDQyoQtrd7jh-Z_qMI6-pKA1Qne-HJ2HA951BqzVn4gFU5eHtIcO-FlVQ-f3FWOjAs922298LRenchmWDw/s448/the-moon-and-sixpence.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="448" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaxairGF-QDJi248nSF6tfJOMP7tXSDLqS0a2BOR-ZeD3E11VPG9liKhWF2zts2kNQSk2g2cO2INxOlYeflYD_zc4HLR8JkzrMQmetrB3PDQyoQtrd7jh-Z_qMI6-pKA1Qne-HJ2HA951BqzVn4gFU5eHtIcO-FlVQ-f3FWOjAs922298LRenchmWDw/s320/the-moon-and-sixpence.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Along the way, Maugham's artist - a stand-in for famed real-life painter Paul Gauguin - makes the perfectly logical geographical progression from Paris-to-Marseilles-to-Tahiti, where he finally finds contentment and his own kind of success (never mind his leprosy in the end). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sip on this "moonshine" cooler next time you need inspiration to break out of that cubicle and head to the tropic (or maybe what's left of SW Florida).</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLoJKEXXAdD7wMvRV5fvNrzR5Pv7K2qzVpfSxV0xlDvEmQJuVcWbrjJ3FTxAg97Ntf1YcAF-WQUDHYJPWnJiyua_C76ZYYounLpiEaZbWBjK8JE_faJ-fztL6Y1qDnlyisdMzy7J5IrHDS4rM62VGCG4_VdPDzFVqhTE-PG72nJvpC7c8-PtXRDd4Ow/s1280/Coco-Real-Cream-of-Coconut-16.9oz__45120.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLoJKEXXAdD7wMvRV5fvNrzR5Pv7K2qzVpfSxV0xlDvEmQJuVcWbrjJ3FTxAg97Ntf1YcAF-WQUDHYJPWnJiyua_C76ZYYounLpiEaZbWBjK8JE_faJ-fztL6Y1qDnlyisdMzy7J5IrHDS4rM62VGCG4_VdPDzFVqhTE-PG72nJvpC7c8-PtXRDd4Ow/w150-h200/Coco-Real-Cream-of-Coconut-16.9oz__45120.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>1 1/2 oz. whiskey</span></div><div><br />Splash of pineapple juice </div><div> </div><div>Squeeze of coconut cream (e.g., Coco Réal Cream of Coconut)<br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the ingredients over ice into a rocks glass (or travel mug!). Give a good stir, grab your <i>Tahitian For Dummies</i> guide and head for the airport - you're going places!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: <i>Tequila </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Mockingbird</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC <span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span>OPEN</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><u>The good news</u>: Looking ahead, every single game now seems winnable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u>The bad news</u>: Every single game also still looks losable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, now at least it's possible to feel a little more confident that <i>someone </i>will win the pool.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You know I'm not in the clear</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You are not in the clear.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01;">Don't you go count me out.now dear...</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qYzY25b_uek" width="320" youtube-src-id="qYzY25b_uek"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, Sloane, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter</strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span>, Bill, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br />Mike G., Phillip S., George, Mike B., Shea<br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Jerrence, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span>, Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., Brian W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Funny how when the highly ranked teams finally start playing real opponents, the spreads get decidedly smaller and the games dicier.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let the true Schadenfreude Season begin! </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Oklahoma</span>. So much for dispelling those whispers about how weak the Big12 is these days. And BTW, who had the state of Kansas being a combined 7-1 on their bingo cards so far?! </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh - and the time of this writing, OU is getting absolutely crushed by TCU. If it wasn't obvious already, there is is no 'D' in Oklahoma. </span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In hope the Bowen brothers are watching this.</span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfD72XVNZOFXasO_supiiXgzf9GjFYmPWL6ChqgrfRSKcMankTng1M77LV88tPPrnoeWPERAWgGh1yQXYRkKxh-QdeSWiWTvji92hh1Ndn13PgoYo9Y6bFZRx5bN6aZL7hmsbrRxCSfprGKX4uS6ifuktzXD74q6stnU1SLognXHRqnV45z9i_TEFSQ/s640/well-that-worked-oout-nicely-the-grinch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="640" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfD72XVNZOFXasO_supiiXgzf9GjFYmPWL6ChqgrfRSKcMankTng1M77LV88tPPrnoeWPERAWgGh1yQXYRkKxh-QdeSWiWTvji92hh1Ndn13PgoYo9Y6bFZRx5bN6aZL7hmsbrRxCSfprGKX4uS6ifuktzXD74q6stnU1SLognXHRqnV45z9i_TEFSQ/s320/well-that-worked-oout-nicely-the-grinch.gif" width="320" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan State</span>. I almost feel bad about this one. <i>Almost</i>. Being with a bunch of their alums (relatives of Defarge) and nice people, watching their team get taken apart wasn't all that enjoyable. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it did facilitate a group decision to "turn this game off!" (boy, been there on that feeling) and get the ND game turned on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which was fortuitous. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAe9rI_CmGFSLyuY0dTZywQy-ovpIafFoFWPK36rOpSndgcraTRwuOgRqZ4FMbS9rlxx4HqPzTNJ0OYoNCeTvVM1-5SRYA_GiwVWgWdaxZadlOt5OH9c5CNx5b9CybHXY4nI4RT9DxP4qM5RYxoyJzL4j4YS8UL4pdt-4uN1JrDEXl5Wnhr8RS-pfEw/s600/b7a85d394aeb492e19e9e664be36963d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAe9rI_CmGFSLyuY0dTZywQy-ovpIafFoFWPK36rOpSndgcraTRwuOgRqZ4FMbS9rlxx4HqPzTNJ0OYoNCeTvVM1-5SRYA_GiwVWgWdaxZadlOt5OH9c5CNx5b9CybHXY4nI4RT9DxP4qM5RYxoyJzL4j4YS8UL4pdt-4uN1JrDEXl5Wnhr8RS-pfEw/w222-h167/b7a85d394aeb492e19e9e664be36963d.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Miami</span>. Losing to Middle Tennessee State? By 14?!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">That has to one up our Marshall, doesn't it?! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Let it go, Jerrence</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Texas</span>. A loss to Texas Tech isn't quite Marshall-esque - the Red Raiders are now 3-1 but the way they lost and because of the in-state dynamic, it might sting more. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) <span style="color: #fcff01;">SEC Shorts</span>. Can't get enough of these... and consider this me buying a 'future' on Tennessee's crash to earth in the next month. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C589ojMxNtU" width="320" youtube-src-id="C589ojMxNtU"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'll let you in a little secret: every week, I stress (on Sunday), "I have no candidates for the Tools section."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And by Wednesday or Thursday, I'm fretting over "the whole damn blog can't just be about tool after tool after tool..."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So it was, again, this week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that's without even dipping into the very deep pool of political candidates. </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL6G4U4hYO-GwTmGjhcCnUQlToyHzWmm6tRfxNOp7QvYiEnywG0bai-NAeSOBvrd7-scxUu_V9nJnSvoPU84XcwJJgoLEFcEHim1xYoJGeasoqIoYabJ5WFZ3iM5XoU6gKsOgrHtHV61mKjVGsfakWPm_zW-LH9l29TNNilp2nO8iqpKr4cK083oMQA/s1080/02320930c7f60399d51840434f0af3ab9945a44a6f593ae610c245aabba467ba_1%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1080" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL6G4U4hYO-GwTmGjhcCnUQlToyHzWmm6tRfxNOp7QvYiEnywG0bai-NAeSOBvrd7-scxUu_V9nJnSvoPU84XcwJJgoLEFcEHim1xYoJGeasoqIoYabJ5WFZ3iM5XoU6gKsOgrHtHV61mKjVGsfakWPm_zW-LH9l29TNNilp2nO8iqpKr4cK083oMQA/w246-h194/02320930c7f60399d51840434f0af3ab9945a44a6f593ae610c245aabba467ba_1%202.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br />1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Brett Favre</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hoo boy, Brett. It's not getting any better for you... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week: your charitable foundation has been found to be giving money, $130k to be precise, to the athletic department of your alma mater, Southern Miss. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I guess charity begins at home. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Disaster porn</b></span>. I know this makes for riveting TV - "hey, let's send the weatherman out into a historically bad storm, won't that be cool?" but this is just plain stupid. And dangerous.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><i>"Jim, are you alright?"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><i>"WTF does it look like to you - I'm practically horizontal..."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cCR4s8Y9TuQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="cCR4s8Y9TuQ"></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkSsaDDnmWbP4N7dxnAVZtLMT-iGwGdEa3c7bF_dc9IFZKpZdv2P2Rbq9KYcFuoZKKRxidSEO__K_K2sraJJMaWomqEqibibUq578fJWcMSvN3pa2OexETjQDH9QJYqE7d0AxFMEwz-Hksx3Nj-gWtWCbN4x4Lm_jHgR9ovMVdivZJGESOgt9x8wkVw/s640/i-see-nothing.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkSsaDDnmWbP4N7dxnAVZtLMT-iGwGdEa3c7bF_dc9IFZKpZdv2P2Rbq9KYcFuoZKKRxidSEO__K_K2sraJJMaWomqEqibibUq578fJWcMSvN3pa2OexETjQDH9QJYqE7d0AxFMEwz-Hksx3Nj-gWtWCbN4x4Lm_jHgR9ovMVdivZJGESOgt9x8wkVw/w237-h177/i-see-nothing.gif" width="237" /></a></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;">NCAA</span>. Bravo, for putting the Air Force Academy on two years probation for some bullsh*t improper recruiting contact during a COVID 'dark' period. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">But, sure, let the Miami's, A&M's and USC's of the world throw more money than God at high school kids and turn a blind eye.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Your ability to focus on the really important areas of athletic governance remains incomparable. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6-2jxR8UPuXs8TQ5y5LSYjnuvs-k_ppyHhMtwmDtn69EN--qI8cWxENhazJaLL6JvrgnRd45IxSESB1QJdJqvQQrir_-jcTmQJypqCLT1E-rewEVatyINIlwJzf3cZA3i6z1v_r0n4kIx009EqelKR41jJ_CXHxyWQ5zV9M2XJJwZHuh7Dq9hh10gw/s2048/FPDOv1BWQAAzYjO.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6-2jxR8UPuXs8TQ5y5LSYjnuvs-k_ppyHhMtwmDtn69EN--qI8cWxENhazJaLL6JvrgnRd45IxSESB1QJdJqvQQrir_-jcTmQJypqCLT1E-rewEVatyINIlwJzf3cZA3i6z1v_r0n4kIx009EqelKR41jJ_CXHxyWQ5zV9M2XJJwZHuh7Dq9hh10gw/s320/FPDOv1BWQAAzYjO.jpeg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;">Hmmm. Who's missing?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>4) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>NIL</b></span>. Speaking of which, this week's Sign of the Apocalypse...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Top 2024 defensive prospect T.A. Cunningham moved from Georgia to southern California. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">So what - high end athletes transfer all the time to better their chances for a scholarship.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">His move was... a little different. Set into motion after representatives from Levels Sports Group, a would-be sports marketing company, sold the Cunningham family on the idea that they'd be able to secure him marketing opportunities if he was playing in CA, where it's legal for HS athletes to profit off their name/image/likeness.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">According to an injunction filed on Mr. Cunningham's behalf, <i>"the Levels team promised the family a home, transportation and meals in California, including providing a separate home in Georgia for the athlete's mother."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Good lord. This doesn't bode well for the Irish recruiting...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1RW_NneUxdhjqrnlLri9g9rf7BYqzDECJYOZMfGiRX-BGhPzYod8fsXZUvENVz8b0WLwFbkXvd_2mmoJYN0VqKAGfeVR598_vDcmBsF3DZekid_Zu3Aj1wUaZ9YShlX7IzUDi-DwcxEaaKWtJDuor1aJXxm4xy_HpmBKgmnJLflYRmOsZXCfB4csag/s1092/IMG_2737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1092" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1RW_NneUxdhjqrnlLri9g9rf7BYqzDECJYOZMfGiRX-BGhPzYod8fsXZUvENVz8b0WLwFbkXvd_2mmoJYN0VqKAGfeVR598_vDcmBsF3DZekid_Zu3Aj1wUaZ9YShlX7IzUDi-DwcxEaaKWtJDuor1aJXxm4xy_HpmBKgmnJLflYRmOsZXCfB4csag/w640-h344/IMG_2737.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">NIL legalization, by state</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought - I</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">#61 - an historic moment with two very vested parties... nice. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mvlfj3gg2xxnsnAI79FrwcwhLKI5Q05rRYEoVo2PU7VlE5rRuD8JIodAEpm9oxqZ1_7e2-T8HbTXucAkKxvH7z7Bm5e6qLluAJYiIo-Kn6KCu1z4111W1xFWCfmxjlHlR6p4eO6tDW4rxWBN7Sjo6Rkmd7CXdLSIeaggFBtI5vRJ2hXHkqfHhe7z1g/s1702/IMG_2742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1702" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mvlfj3gg2xxnsnAI79FrwcwhLKI5Q05rRYEoVo2PU7VlE5rRuD8JIodAEpm9oxqZ1_7e2-T8HbTXucAkKxvH7z7Bm5e6qLluAJYiIo-Kn6KCu1z4111W1xFWCfmxjlHlR6p4eO6tDW4rxWBN7Sjo6Rkmd7CXdLSIeaggFBtI5vRJ2hXHkqfHhe7z1g/w400-h259/IMG_2742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Roger Maris Jr. and Aaron Judge's mother</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought - II</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekVCJxJylMgh0mq_4l-45mGpj9RlyYnGSyENnzS4HtDSZ1hSIU797Ox2Tcqt4i06WHrruSkJpDVgen9hpUxGnmWi4I1tpmii0rtkpWAcY3MGtlogV-ijEKCfhxsAX4x9pt1Xtg3PnyaoFHG2zRCo0t-sa9AFyJWWVB9BrBr3XVvNS83YmhpJTxopE-Q/s1090/IMG_2732.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1090" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekVCJxJylMgh0mq_4l-45mGpj9RlyYnGSyENnzS4HtDSZ1hSIU797Ox2Tcqt4i06WHrruSkJpDVgen9hpUxGnmWi4I1tpmii0rtkpWAcY3MGtlogV-ijEKCfhxsAX4x9pt1Xtg3PnyaoFHG2zRCo0t-sa9AFyJWWVB9BrBr3XVvNS83YmhpJTxopE-Q/w640-h598/IMG_2732.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160375265998795422.post-75297148918007017862022-09-23T08:01:00.004-05:002022-09-23T08:31:08.350-05:00Week 3: Baby Steps<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Out on the road</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">You're Willy Loman, you're Tom Jode.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Vladimir and Estragon</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Kerouac, Ghengis Khan...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWKf-xZhbtQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="aWKf-xZhbtQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Dateline: Flint Lake, </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">IN</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindl_F1Ox9hcEbRdYaaX6F2r-FpdSoHx1-99CAJOi-VdMBrafFsSnhnHVVOZTGfHb1Ps2wZVXLxG7TV_sRYafHdzGxMWuD5oRq4dVW2mW8AJ_gXZMNAig8M2pcMu3LVHpPXrWhvh9COTNd88PIY9Ffuv8YMO1vhMfx7r0uoOh89g_meKYc1GTZ6ytrCw/s800/IMG_0009.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindl_F1Ox9hcEbRdYaaX6F2r-FpdSoHx1-99CAJOi-VdMBrafFsSnhnHVVOZTGfHb1Ps2wZVXLxG7TV_sRYafHdzGxMWuD5oRq4dVW2mW8AJ_gXZMNAig8M2pcMu3LVHpPXrWhvh9COTNd88PIY9Ffuv8YMO1vhMfx7r0uoOh89g_meKYc1GTZ6ytrCw/w181-h241/IMG_0009.JPG" width="181" /></a></div><br />I could do the math but I don't want to - how many years of Linipalooza and the associated hi-jinx has there been? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A dozen or so, I'm pretty sure. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And without fail, the hosts - Jerry and (let's be honest) superstar Judy, do a remarkable job each and every year. This year being no different. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What one finds especially impressive - and amusing - is that, as the midnight hour inevitably tolls... and there's a handful of folks still loitering in the kitchen - a moment which I think my wife, Defarge, believes to be 'her time' - Jerry has gotten increasingly overt in his inquiry of where, exactly, everyone has accommodations that night - while clarifying that it's not gonna be IN HIS KITCHEN. Cute <i>and</i> futile - it's not like it inspires anyone to leave any quicker.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aside, what's also impressive is the host's ability to consistently schedule something early morning the next day: whether it be a CNBC talking head appearance or a meeting down at ND. I'd like to say I admire that but, really, I think it's seriously flawed planning.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>But that's not the point here. My focus this year has to do with <u>those that attend Linipalooza</u> and the great distances many of them travel. Every year they come in large numbers - I think its testimony to many things but mostly, the high character of the guests. The continued connection to the relationships matter to them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7LhujCV73WRPoMKLjjHf2GjTw-zRYEsAh0Kmc4aVFM5h1D9j1xIZZv6jESHo6hIcs5wpDzUKgUmOAL7AbzWFEhxs2toE1sbRIEBq8n-DqthDYxAZXbQZ8wfDzFIntHZsWz1urMFhmjx6dbIRyf5zu3Ce7rVqRW_nkMs682jm6tpbshvCcR9fkq_SGA/s225/Heck_jeck-1-.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="225" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7LhujCV73WRPoMKLjjHf2GjTw-zRYEsAh0Kmc4aVFM5h1D9j1xIZZv6jESHo6hIcs5wpDzUKgUmOAL7AbzWFEhxs2toE1sbRIEBq8n-DqthDYxAZXbQZ8wfDzFIntHZsWz1urMFhmjx6dbIRyf5zu3Ce7rVqRW_nkMs682jm6tpbshvCcR9fkq_SGA/s1600/Heck_jeck-1-.webp" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Corrigans were graced with two such long distance travelers, Albert and Jerome. Closer to being mythical creatures than mere mortals, the two of them came to Chicago independently, yet not. Such is the intertwined history of the two. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pick your interesting, unlikely pairings in history that they invoke - Butch & Sundance? Maybe Thelma & Louise. Okay probably more like Hekyll & Jekyll.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I say, how about Rosencrantz & Guilderstern?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Who? (<i>Look it up, JP.</i>) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJchRD_nPv4er9lcl7Y6FSCb_oGpSjiwlITbWXWl0z003I8vdJF5c2vfCk6cU7N0I8IRCDHIln5qi8ZSVjZ9e_-vgK8oay4pwKN00fHd4PcH4t2ewVW049w7eLGrCU1tsD2qeAweDvuKAeZWyx9wwX22FoTJ6iIr78nK93MJuTm4CxyQNGAvqGjBZiJA/s1564/IMG_2707.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1564" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJchRD_nPv4er9lcl7Y6FSCb_oGpSjiwlITbWXWl0z003I8vdJF5c2vfCk6cU7N0I8IRCDHIln5qi8ZSVjZ9e_-vgK8oay4pwKN00fHd4PcH4t2ewVW049w7eLGrCU1tsD2qeAweDvuKAeZWyx9wwX22FoTJ6iIr78nK93MJuTm4CxyQNGAvqGjBZiJA/s320/IMG_2707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-size: x-small;"><i>Al & Jerry meet Tim & Gary</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Two minor characters in Shakespeare's <i>Hamlet</i>, they're the focus of a now, highly lauded existential tragi-comedy (circa 1966) by noted playwright Tom Stoppard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The play follows the two bit players who often seem as halves of a single person... such is their banter - earmarked by both confusion and absurdist observation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sound like anyone you know? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At one point, one observes, <i>"Look on any exit as being an entrance somewhere else." </i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Positively Brunett-ian.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or, <i>"There must have been a moment at the beginning where we could have said 'no' - but somehow we missed it."</i> I think I've heard Cincotta say that exact thing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And so it was this weekend. Both surreal and insightful. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As Sir Isaac Newton once opined, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thanks, Albert and Jerome, for the awesome time hanging w Lisa, Ryan, Sloane and me. You guys are giants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhD9URm5DfIZ-2sX0ODLaraEHI9ZV0Pu8ccy_4DJ-jIdFPBXmOYaOt6Qn7dOVFgulOq5CHPwakmoTCD82UMfIKD_mdRp015xkVxhJVUxjFj0lL1ZHnqHF6obvEJ_gy1YE4UT9BOy0qqsL6rMNc6zFBuU46HzYWHl32HVJ1e-lbmBN-f-YBataf6k2LA/s4032/IMG_8211.HEIC" style="clear: left; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhD9URm5DfIZ-2sX0ODLaraEHI9ZV0Pu8ccy_4DJ-jIdFPBXmOYaOt6Qn7dOVFgulOq5CHPwakmoTCD82UMfIKD_mdRp015xkVxhJVUxjFj0lL1ZHnqHF6obvEJ_gy1YE4UT9BOy0qqsL6rMNc6zFBuU46HzYWHl32HVJ1e-lbmBN-f-YBataf6k2LA/w640-h480/IMG_8211.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div></div></span></div></div><div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Quote of the Week</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH5OUd1YKdYzvlZ27qEj-6ZHrHsStqq5-R0cPxo11vN1UxYayrLQute7SLhiZGuqUJhbPlhhVomOY0sZI7TnzOTf_jBkdxIJN8Rm5Fz6N_n7LDhmMnqPAlEtGm7311OwTuqekruyI5wDHiQB2DFwWNNFGfzGDCQqiFjr7Fdlo603wcs-6Hc94MJoHdA/s400/Matt-Fortuna.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH5OUd1YKdYzvlZ27qEj-6ZHrHsStqq5-R0cPxo11vN1UxYayrLQute7SLhiZGuqUJhbPlhhVomOY0sZI7TnzOTf_jBkdxIJN8Rm5Fz6N_n7LDhmMnqPAlEtGm7311OwTuqekruyI5wDHiQB2DFwWNNFGfzGDCQqiFjr7Fdlo603wcs-6Hc94MJoHdA/w182-h182/Matt-Fortuna.jpeg" width="182" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"The misery ended. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The drama did not."</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Matt Fortuna </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></h3></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Athletic writer, friend of Gruley (don't judge) and periodic guest at the quarterly, invitation-only Class of '79 Arts & Letters dinners - summarizing Saturday's game and the lack of clear conclusions to draw from the outcome coming out of it. He's not wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Buckle up. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Word of the Week</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qWn9VwulEyJeVEw7z5PO_hev4SbvA9J1rmNer7ijn8I0VM0NW6CAOfHGCKzcSTXOhyGbtmwNKJSsLi7o45TWhMYIAKKsHUqmVQUok8H35ExsuWZxNPBSC7ujy6Q3ufXzBgMzcTT1160XHk6MXo-a3kN4Ek8eDRwjGWvrtRJtPKE0uSBMlRMJk7JJuw/s986/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-23%20at%206.34.04%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="986" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qWn9VwulEyJeVEw7z5PO_hev4SbvA9J1rmNer7ijn8I0VM0NW6CAOfHGCKzcSTXOhyGbtmwNKJSsLi7o45TWhMYIAKKsHUqmVQUok8H35ExsuWZxNPBSC7ujy6Q3ufXzBgMzcTT1160XHk6MXo-a3kN4Ek8eDRwjGWvrtRJtPKE0uSBMlRMJk7JJuw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-23%20at%206.34.04%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Used in a <strike>sentence</strike> paragraph</u>: Young Jerrence exhaled. What a day - a weekend - it had been. Talk about a 'long day's journey into night.' </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good friends. Great parties. Mediocre golf. Baffling football. The previous four days had it all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Regarding the latter, Jerrence thought it <span style="color: #fcff01;">reductive</span> to say that the team simply wasn't very good. There had to be more to their lack of proficiency - lack of success - than that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Didn't there? </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Linipalooza XII</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfP6DlBIIwVv0EBLPR9YckSD8cVGg8A3BIqGr5tn0NXwB2Zv3sc6Zy9lyAIM2kubi-eFd0LdbmW1Sg32_1pMzqwG5-LybYRZ0hlKRduMIKg3OK0ogMZzTGMEkEEMzOWNCmdRtRpGeQxa9gu4cfhPZb-qpTQWOptIE2-QkIQX2FsqilEKQ9G-ejV7TXw/s1214/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.14.33%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1214" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfP6DlBIIwVv0EBLPR9YckSD8cVGg8A3BIqGr5tn0NXwB2Zv3sc6Zy9lyAIM2kubi-eFd0LdbmW1Sg32_1pMzqwG5-LybYRZ0hlKRduMIKg3OK0ogMZzTGMEkEEMzOWNCmdRtRpGeQxa9gu4cfhPZb-qpTQWOptIE2-QkIQX2FsqilEKQ9G-ejV7TXw/w640-h448/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.14.33%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcAKRHoKLo5O9YHqidaa4XS9t1Zt_TuE8XPPOSk7leb34sDL6ZeVPDgfNRTpaQ7DENVAJo4PX7IoBJrCaJCsaPz6RdeQWslR22IQpduWxjXW5EkHrLBDr-qRtmg2LPbPnZqvZh9K-9tvDnjhYyX3Jyrfx4w5lyVMDAlSNbDyjviYhHEDfs_xcPYyvGg/s1210/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.22.00%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1210" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcAKRHoKLo5O9YHqidaa4XS9t1Zt_TuE8XPPOSk7leb34sDL6ZeVPDgfNRTpaQ7DENVAJo4PX7IoBJrCaJCsaPz6RdeQWslR22IQpduWxjXW5EkHrLBDr-qRtmg2LPbPnZqvZh9K-9tvDnjhYyX3Jyrfx4w5lyVMDAlSNbDyjviYhHEDfs_xcPYyvGg/w640-h452/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.22.00%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ILR_9CpaZf8ZcKz0690uag0uS9jRQZaS0QMWjfB3kTbu1N0HfJepbKI12O1guAS4doREt98iJj0ANQaumTLvkm-ItfsQlaLIBGxi6wCr5y8-B2cNTVknWI6MvcfakOmuj5P3t9QUTeEkhQ3XqyNRLE5ivFKq8Ou6BwzWJAipYBwpYR19_u29zsZ47g/s1178/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.04.22%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1178" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ILR_9CpaZf8ZcKz0690uag0uS9jRQZaS0QMWjfB3kTbu1N0HfJepbKI12O1guAS4doREt98iJj0ANQaumTLvkm-ItfsQlaLIBGxi6wCr5y8-B2cNTVknWI6MvcfakOmuj5P3t9QUTeEkhQ3XqyNRLE5ivFKq8Ou6BwzWJAipYBwpYR19_u29zsZ47g/w640-h448/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.04.22%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Game 3: Thoughts</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">If I didn't love you</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">I'd hate you... ..</i><i style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kh9sUkYkOd8" width="320" youtube-src-id="kh9sUkYkOd8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was (is) a principle one learned early in one's client-side marketing career - at the time I believe it was called "The Proctor & Gamble Way" where, when evaluating a proposal, for example a new advertising campaign... one always leads with a positive remark in order to establish a positive atmosphere for the inevitable constructive criticism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So even if you felt that the creative idea was complete shite, you could say something to effect of <i>"Thanks for some very provocative thoughts. Let me start by saying your grammar was spot on. The spelling? Flawless. And your use of primary colors - exceptional. Now about the idea itself, did you even read the strategic brief?" </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thus commences the evisceration. With that in mind...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;">The Day</span>. - and the tailgate - was spectacular. One could not have drawn up a more perfect September afternoon in the Midwest. <i>Bravi a tutti</i> to both the weather gods and, of course, the tailgate hosts. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiMTGGRUR7Invq2doQMLpY8L6r0YtCAL8CeKDCjFjUXHCvjTksRdEnhdXOLdBGJNDh_89f4-tAi8RcdnMHcaR_4gejcTaIDF3QJxX_i9w7oU9zwl6C3x4C_gFu7F3nkU5VTBbTB1xoi6s9vkVp58SPQeGTl76FNCY1m1ay1ygo3pofnCg_FrSA30PMg/s3142/IMG_0055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3142" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiMTGGRUR7Invq2doQMLpY8L6r0YtCAL8CeKDCjFjUXHCvjTksRdEnhdXOLdBGJNDh_89f4-tAi8RcdnMHcaR_4gejcTaIDF3QJxX_i9w7oU9zwl6C3x4C_gFu7F3nkU5VTBbTB1xoi6s9vkVp58SPQeGTl76FNCY1m1ay1ygo3pofnCg_FrSA30PMg/w640-h522/IMG_0055.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlDXyMv0VBQQeLMHO_yjW2V0fksQiX3P2_5nRUPG4OyCAznNB2D7oX0-2RpY05qp_PKcO0AA14N8eXUiexdjJdXl8860KYxkcRsOabKy3H0N4YtrLlsFZQvx9qP7mDf8EjEQJNmmREqZRwDhxITrAKusE02y84n9ioqkhipsVt9PIgJjwABaRaybUqg/s770/drew-pyne-cal-getty.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="770" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlDXyMv0VBQQeLMHO_yjW2V0fksQiX3P2_5nRUPG4OyCAznNB2D7oX0-2RpY05qp_PKcO0AA14N8eXUiexdjJdXl8860KYxkcRsOabKy3H0N4YtrLlsFZQvx9qP7mDf8EjEQJNmmREqZRwDhxITrAKusE02y84n9ioqkhipsVt9PIgJjwABaRaybUqg/s320/drew-pyne-cal-getty.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">"We Need To Talk About Drew."<i> </i></span> Pop quiz!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Q1. How far was the average Pyne pass beyond the line of scrimmage? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">A. <i>0.65 yards</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Q2. How many completed passes traveled more than 10 yards in the air?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> A. <i>One</i>. (Mayer's TD was not.)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Officiating </span> Okay, I'll grant you the Cal offsides on the missed FG was a complete phantom call - and maybe a make up for... not <i>once</i> reviewing a few of those highly suspect Cal receptions in the 1st half?!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yZLqmdwOrrSP2i7sleJKdcy68bDig8eBQGHRScEfX1xhaIFvV5usBsqHL0Dj6A1K7eEIPZcwjQmm4Y0egppXq1V0GBQ84bsr2ApzsZnqdLfGzKJ5-9xknYIV85mDiq8QlXdLaAc8oxoUjPpISs_GF9mAMsOVaMqxvzuUKwrHAF2TGvnZmxrHXJa_w/s2560/Foskey.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yZLqmdwOrrSP2i7sleJKdcy68bDig8eBQGHRScEfX1xhaIFvV5usBsqHL0Dj6A1K7eEIPZcwjQmm4Y0egppXq1V0GBQ84bsr2ApzsZnqdLfGzKJ5-9xknYIV85mDiq8QlXdLaAc8oxoUjPpISs_GF9mAMsOVaMqxvzuUKwrHAF2TGvnZmxrHXJa_w/w400-h225/Foskey.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />3) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Prop bets</span>. And not good ones, at that. It's true testimony to the incompetence of the game when one loses a prop bet -<i> taking the over</i> - on whether EITHER TEAM will get a first down before the 5 minute mark left in the 1st quarter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4). <span style="color: #fcff01;">Foskey</span>. It'd about damn time. </div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>5) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Turnovers (or lack thereof)</span>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mwh3H6Ip13Fa1RU0bdekP8RLGWMCI8-8TSXrYOCT9YnfQDyxoXeZ06Y5T1CJkTecjqHmhulRyc7sX0sii_BzFBSYGl-MUY1YawS7O5X7S2pZadegL77ghR_sb7uWK0VAvVS1pr_zr59fVfEnW6iEXz5M2JwFRqS0K-CG9MOOAFz6JnmxEbLIrsyntg/s1200/cal-near-catch.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1200" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mwh3H6Ip13Fa1RU0bdekP8RLGWMCI8-8TSXrYOCT9YnfQDyxoXeZ06Y5T1CJkTecjqHmhulRyc7sX0sii_BzFBSYGl-MUY1YawS7O5X7S2pZadegL77ghR_sb7uWK0VAvVS1pr_zr59fVfEnW6iEXz5M2JwFRqS0K-CG9MOOAFz6JnmxEbLIrsyntg/s320/cal-near-catch.png" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">How many have they forced this year. That would be the empty set. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">But if there's any consolation, we're among impressive peer group also throwing a shut out: Auburn, Temple and Fresno St.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br />6) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Brandon Joseph</span>. In the future, dude, regarding Hail Mary passes... JUST KNOCK IT DOWN!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F86Zp3RWh4Enc9Ezlns4pWlSbwJsnPOab9zTTdr3b-q5uMmbkZiNatHVmBC8D5wBb13olyTrvnPIFnKhSiemsXi-epaw2DGsBGdlv5waHReuwUlOcPPlGb-108PT-MDnamYNV-OlTys9GpyZ4XHBhayIxODyluYlR_5SOHyWa2bpFwS3ltEHqaM8iA/s1170/IMG_2546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1170" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F86Zp3RWh4Enc9Ezlns4pWlSbwJsnPOab9zTTdr3b-q5uMmbkZiNatHVmBC8D5wBb13olyTrvnPIFnKhSiemsXi-epaw2DGsBGdlv5waHReuwUlOcPPlGb-108PT-MDnamYNV-OlTys9GpyZ4XHBhayIxODyluYlR_5SOHyWa2bpFwS3ltEHqaM8iA/w400-h303/IMG_2546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Marcel and Jerrence react to the failed Hail Mary.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">7) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Manti</span>. We knew it beforehand but easily the best part of the day was having him back on campus. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eJSwsSjneH4" width="360" youtube-src-id="eJSwsSjneH4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Buddy's Buddy</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/s640/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPiEa71tu1kZaxp0m6fBh2kEPC0xhEIyq019AWkPyGRpUBoYjfxwYahIV3BBevCNZtLmxVYY3dOWzJhkRvRKFgO5ZxU-rFp6VLP8DVpfmpVmDuPuYF_e8LUoDub6naL4egYyz_1wuuncB/w238-h179/Bud_head+on%2521.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Was it the halftime decision to head to the Morris Inn Bar (one couldn't continue to watch that game without some kind of adult beverage in one's hand) that drove the team - shamed them, really - to a decidedly more inspired 2nd half?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In which case, credit the Al's - Brunett and Marcel - for facilitating such a decision.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or was it coach Rees, no doubt feeling a little of the pressure himself, dropping F-bombs on his QB in a 'tough love' kinda management style? Well, Pyne did go something like 13-14 passing after Tommy went full Tom 'do your f*cking job' Thibodeau on him. As they say, it's not weird if it works.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEr77DDjC44pyXG2cW32lFzyzZ7wUyi2rOQDu7OFreOnOfH4JbHd-W5v4dJxefc6BtZjah4nT_ss2Kmiwj0Mfrb9PghaG8RQs6u-dDmpRsplqt3R5fASp7IM0w3UBCPnUJpvqkyJW4kGh2_9ZeZnEyD_a7pBVymeV1KLwT-102dlcIZLfcjRxRXlKQA/s2560/Estime%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEr77DDjC44pyXG2cW32lFzyzZ7wUyi2rOQDu7OFreOnOfH4JbHd-W5v4dJxefc6BtZjah4nT_ss2Kmiwj0Mfrb9PghaG8RQs6u-dDmpRsplqt3R5fASp7IM0w3UBCPnUJpvqkyJW4kGh2_9ZeZnEyD_a7pBVymeV1KLwT-102dlcIZLfcjRxRXlKQA/s320/Estime%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Personally I'm going to turn to the running game. While the O-line certainly showed up, back-to-back set your hair on fire false starts notwithstanding, I'm looking at the RB's and one guy in particular, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Audric Estime</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Boy does he run hard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">And boy, did the team need it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Honorable mention: <span style="color: #fcff01;">Savvy Jack</span>. In a surreal 'Letters to Penthouse' type fashion...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Dear ____________,</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I'm a graduate of a small midwestern private university and I never thought this would happen to me. After our school's football team won its first game of the year, my friend - we'll call him Jerry - and I found ourselves back at the site of the afternoon's tailgater, having a beer, noshing on fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies - and talking with a couple alumni from the visiting team, one of which was an actual Top Gun pilot. But that's not even remotely the most interesting part of the end-of-day sequence.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>After a while, Jerry and I began our way back to our car in the Stadium parking lot, loaded up with a styrofoam cooler of chicken (because why not) - having a walk that was maybe a couple hundred yards.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f_wQgLu-nixp7xWz_GAo3_ppWzvpL_VVxRFgaFTBUsRpoP-tewZkIPhM5JNPfyyB75E4fqhndzVN7BXC-RYo4hHwr9fCPawOwaw8s3o_zI_Y2zJWYyQoJE5ITOF4PVFvDE4Zlp8mEIy9KBXDXIxy08Jbi2lQ2sZghxOQl4q6ZnCyqFeGUWVsxv1Nkw/s1280/0041119-isil-1280x720.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f_wQgLu-nixp7xWz_GAo3_ppWzvpL_VVxRFgaFTBUsRpoP-tewZkIPhM5JNPfyyB75E4fqhndzVN7BXC-RYo4hHwr9fCPawOwaw8s3o_zI_Y2zJWYyQoJE5ITOF4PVFvDE4Zlp8mEIy9KBXDXIxy08Jbi2lQ2sZghxOQl4q6ZnCyqFeGUWVsxv1Nkw/w400-h225/0041119-isil-1280x720.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>As we walked through the first intersection, friend Jerry yells, "Hey, how about a ride?" -- whereby I turn to see him soliciting a well dressed man in a golf cart. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>It is the very familiar face of the university's Athletic Director. I know this because he is on TV a lot and is a Big Fucking Deal. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Where you going?"</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Just over there."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Sure, get in - you've got that cooler to carry, after all."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Okay, then: Jack Swarbrick be giving us a lift. Cool. We hop in with Jerry riding shotgun and me in the back seat with an excellent view of the AD's head. His hair is short and immaculately groomed. I wonder if he goes to Armando's and does he know Abe? Probably. My musings are interrupted as Jerry starts to tell the AD, "you gotta do something about the QB - Pyne is just not the answer. And he's never gonna be the answer..."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Even at the time, the line of inquiry seemed, well, questionable. One gets limited, 1-to-1 time with a man who's literally shaping college athletics and you're spending it giving him grief about the mediocrity of this football team's QB? After they just won their first game? Not even a "hey, thanks for bringing Manti back." </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>(Not the route I would've gone. But then again, I had other matters on my mind, like could I inhale another piece of chicken in the limited time before we got to the car.)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Non-plussed, the AD informs Jerry, "You know, he did have an offer from Alabama..."</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Oh, really? I did not know that." </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I marvel at the witty repartee coming out of my friend. One would never have known he'd been drinking for several hours.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We reach our destination, get out, thank our Good Samaritan and wave goodbye as he immediately accelerates with everything the little vehicle has to offer. It is clear both that he cannot get away from us fast enough and that we have ruined it for any future post-gamers who Mr. Swarbrick might've considered assisting. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The End</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">RE-PETE (A shameless, illegal lift of Pete Sampson's weekly mail-bag)</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/s470/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Xpk1EJAj9uaGOamGcWxsobKxeG7BcWV_iF42fK1kjthX9O1xrrKBvY_pCofdW_lw17p7jrNh1vZQegwLxpA1c1BmBlT-X-6YeyAL6n0dJuVfrH5urclpdnguVr6Swx4u7BCWV6g2W5E/w210-h200/Screen+Shot+2020-11-06+at+12.01.27+PM.png" width="210" /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know whether Pete just got tired of trying to address the same questions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or whether he thought to himself, "Shit. I have no clue what's going on with this team so far. Screw it."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But there didn't appear to be a Mailbag this week,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There did, however, happen to be a Notre Dame-related question to one of Pete's colleagues at <i>The Athletic</i>, Stewart Mandel. So consider this week both a guest appearance and possibly, someone with perspective outside the ND bubble.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">What is the biggest issue that you see with Notre Dame? Tommy Rees yelling in the first quarter wasn’t a good look. Is a change in OC the answer? — Moneer H.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I see two big issues. One, this was the first time since 2017 Notre Dame entered a season with no quarterback who had previous starting experience. Now it’s already lost the next guy up, <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/tyler-buchner-Kd5Sb9ftOh9nKz7E/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Tyler Buchner</a>, and <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/player/drew-pyne-KUwDwW2wZDYF7cBD/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">Drew Pyne</a> has a ways to go.</span></p><div class="ad-container" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; text-align: start;"></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But even when past Irish QBs were struggling, they could still usually rely on a strong running game. That slid in the wrong direction last season, dropping from 29th to 72nd in yards per carry, and it’s gotten even worse this year, with Notre Dame currently 110th (3.3 YPC). An offensive line that was so dominant for so many years with guys like Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey and Liam Eichenberg just isn’t there yet.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As for Rees — I get that he’s a former Irish QB and that he gave a jilted fan base something to feel good about when he opted not to follow Brian Kelly to <a class="ath_autolink" href="https://theathletic.com/college-football/team/lsu-tigers-college-football/" style="color: #4a90e2; text-decoration-line: none;">LSU</a> last year. But I’ve never understood the reverence for him as an offensive coordinator. His first two offenses ranked 34th and 41st nationally in yards per play. Not bad, but not exactly offensive savant material. Part of the reason he stayed was he’d have more autonomy under Marcus Freeman, a defensive coach, than he had under Kelly, an offensive coach. But the past few weeks make you wonder whether a 30-year-old OC working for a 36-year-old head coach may not have been the world’s greatest idea.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And yet, I would strongly encourage Irish fans not to go into full-blown panic mode yet. (I realize it may be too late.) No, it does not appear 2022 is going to be the kind of season you’ve been enjoying lately, but that’s not entirely unexpected when pivoting from the winningest head coach in school history to a young, first-time head coach who lost his starting quarterback in Week 2. This is still the same guy who is currently assembling the school’s highest-ranked recruiting class in recent history. He may need a little time, though, to gain experience and truly put his stamp on the program.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 674px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which may or may not require making some staff changes after Year 1.</span></p></div><div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Source: The Athletic</span></div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">September 21, 20212</div></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Well I just don't know what to do</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And I hate this confusion.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>I got all these questions </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>And nowhere to lose them. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/il0BEp4BB0A" width="320" youtube-src-id="il0BEp4BB0A"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Cocktail of the Week</span></h3><div><h3></h3><h3></h3><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/s746/Tim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="746" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq953MJvoRHJI7u2IRqJ6P2K585Lm98dM72e8SI5ZADgpu-AH89Peaf5GZuzuLUJbLJX4g4h3WXNCak8bzwn6kU4DYCW5kgc5CC0eFc365WCOuqzrnolsL2fz0zVmbgmuqHozIbcNpYUf/w192-h137/Tim.jpg" width="192" /></a></h3><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">You know what I noticed after two tailgaters? The beverage of choice has shifted, like the subtle movement of the earth's tectonic plates... perhaps irrevocably... from Bloody Mary's to Paloma's.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, Jay.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if any book / cocktail combination had parallels involving tequila and non-performance, it'd be the Hemingway-based cocktail below.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>The Tequila Sun Also Rises</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Sun Also Rises (1926)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">By Ernest Hemingway</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qEor0RUWhmOnbmOjTl-dZPDuO1EQjb0Kj4BIKvy8jJRg-Yuv9o3M7458iRIujd_I06dZJQc_pynL5MgxdYQA7mFpt4hSW11XIlH4YVUkt2LeDWAw07CPwNTyHD8Vk0MNs132z-2mnq1s0PDnkFTzD5TDOMpGm0xDnjIV7n0L975tw9x7q5l5GeVviA/s2048/Hemingway.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qEor0RUWhmOnbmOjTl-dZPDuO1EQjb0Kj4BIKvy8jJRg-Yuv9o3M7458iRIujd_I06dZJQc_pynL5MgxdYQA7mFpt4hSW11XIlH4YVUkt2LeDWAw07CPwNTyHD8Vk0MNs132z-2mnq1s0PDnkFTzD5TDOMpGm0xDnjIV7n0L975tw9x7q5l5GeVviA/s320/Hemingway.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Picture yourself in post-World War I Paris, but don't get too comfy; why sit back in the city of lights when you could be running from the bulls in nearby Spain?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's not all our tragic leading man Jake is running from, however. In <i>The Sun Also Rises</i>, an unnamed war injury leaves our hero unable to perform in the bedroom, despite his having the hots for a volatile and newly single British babe. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The allegorical novel put Hemingway on the map as a major voice of Americana. Our Spanish-themed twist on a tequila sunrise will have you going from <i>hola</i> to <i>olé</i> in two shakes.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6V9kDxnnDKozezEtPJszl7DEWx_t7IVnrnfHIMCsKexKjjCqurCXyCzRpIAoIi8MzL2eWUdUzahf9kUBH7O_Vew5S87yk7kEmoyOt9fg2H_vCnpPtxhiQQz9woLtaeQsiZcGFi1IKq-S-kNtmAp_BiNEssLUjxLEO71RhFwi497ahsESF9XCU8NYvQ/s1999/Rioja.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="1328" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6V9kDxnnDKozezEtPJszl7DEWx_t7IVnrnfHIMCsKexKjjCqurCXyCzRpIAoIi8MzL2eWUdUzahf9kUBH7O_Vew5S87yk7kEmoyOt9fg2H_vCnpPtxhiQQz9woLtaeQsiZcGFi1IKq-S-kNtmAp_BiNEssLUjxLEO71RhFwi497ahsESF9XCU8NYvQ/w133-h200/Rioja.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>1 1/2 oz. tequila</span></div><div><br />4 oz. orange juice </div><div> <br />1/2 oz. grenadine</div><div><br /></div><div>1 oz. Rioja wine</div><br /><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour the tequila, orange juice and grenadine into a Collins glass over ice. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Slowly pour the Rioja on top to float, and saddle up for a no-bull beverage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Source: <i>Tequila </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>Mockingbird</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><span><i>Cocktails with a Literary Twist</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">by Tim Federle</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">2022 Schedule</span></h3><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><br /><b>September</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 3 <span>@</span><span>Ohio St. <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10 <span>Marshall <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>15 <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">LINIPALOOZA XII</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 <span>Cal (Berkely) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span>24</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span><b>@UNC</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>October</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 1 <span> </span>OPEN</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> 8 <span>@BYU (<i>Las Vegas</i>)</span><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span>Stanford</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 <span>UNLV</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">29 @Syracuse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u><b>November</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 <span> </span><span>Clemson<span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 <span>@Navy<span> <span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">19 <span> Boston College </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">26 <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>@USC </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></span></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Wager</span></h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/s1200/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96DwFGuoPHj_Vrl5vhBCprzJZAsIwLvFQCpbuadWWDs4VmvklVHoMknF4nrQ4bko5hnWEfmb9dsEmhS7VERB_YR_muZyB5wN06ld0HvOj0iMMETgUNy6My3w1u0wmM3Ow1w7xLDnV93obj0_SiBqujX8HmPRFZrUYl-N3RRbgmsZj32BOYN0HlcYLMg/w286-h262/my-10-favourite-sir-winston-churchill-quotes.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, Team 10, not exactly a ringing endorsement that you're going to see this season all the way through to Wager victory. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or frankly, even see it through to October.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But Hope springs eternal.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wins<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Quote<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: 1pt solid yellow; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Domer</span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">12</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Brian M., John P., JP, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Blayney</span></strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">11</b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strike>Lini, Theo, Sloane, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Dave M.</span>, Peter</strike></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>10</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob J.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Gutsch</span>, <br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jerry P.</span>, Bill, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Bob S.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Mike C.</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat B.</span>,<br /><span style="color: #fcff01;">Jim B.</span>, Tim S., Feif,<br />Mike G., Phillip S., George, Mike B., Shea<br /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>9</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Never, never give in..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Jerrence, Raz, Mark,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bryan, Matt, Jerry C., Daryl, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Graham</span>, <span style="color: #fcff01;">John</span>, Jim T., Alex, Randy, <span style="color: #fcff01;">Pat C.</span>, Gerard W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>8</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"History is written by the victors..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;">Albert</span>, Garrett R., Brian W.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>7</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>6</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter..."</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><b>5</b></span><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If I were married to you, Mr. Churchill, I'd put poison in your coffee.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>If we were married, I'd drink it..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire..."</i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid yellow; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 53.75pt;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">3</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"If you're going through hell, keep going..."</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid yellow; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid yellow; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Schadenfreude of the Week</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztmQKTvL9aWeRh0aXFcz4oiGKjvmgsSKxMFOpDe7sbYlPJ1hZhBwJg-czvZvpJpF5FhKPCTf1czR2XuTk9y2vaNYZbMJQsy8nrqxK2Vg29PaGbfiGiIf32cUoOoxP2D7cMVmzzimLxtqA/w220-h160/Unknown.jpeg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">October can't come fast enough - will someone please play a meaningful opponent? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankfully, there's that 2nd tier of the top 20 to come to our rescue.</span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Michigan State</span>. Ranked #11 going into the game and loses by 11 to Washington - and needing a big 4th quarter to make it appear even that close. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />2) <span style="color: #fcff01;">BYU</span>. Ranked #12 going into the game and gets crushed by Oregon. Maybe the PAC12 isn't as bad as we thought. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nah...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePSE9kqaAZYtDQlzv15jnB2P5nmYaypniabBtq3lbtX3TEb59of5weDKkCALUdqlN1QZ6J5MSNULNUYqA2TQyfT7HajHpi-Is6Jm4TJu7FvFx_PTnlKnBl0a3z2hMxoF9TbOuHzhOC_Et9qfR4NdDaSnrDQ2j7-blFVUn_zBwHOFgIuGyQ4pEsQ09zQ/s826/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-21%20at%207.09.50%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="826" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePSE9kqaAZYtDQlzv15jnB2P5nmYaypniabBtq3lbtX3TEb59of5weDKkCALUdqlN1QZ6J5MSNULNUYqA2TQyfT7HajHpi-Is6Jm4TJu7FvFx_PTnlKnBl0a3z2hMxoF9TbOuHzhOC_Et9qfR4NdDaSnrDQ2j7-blFVUn_zBwHOFgIuGyQ4pEsQ09zQ/w200-h196/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-21%20at%207.09.50%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>3) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Miami</span>. Ranked #13 - <i>seeing a trend yet?</i> - going into a classic 'root for a tie with lots of injuries' vs. Texas A&M, the Canes went down in an entire game seemingly as dull as ND's 1st half. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And good thing you abandoned that insipid Turnover Chain gimmick, especially since <i>you had none</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) <span style="color: #fcff01;">Auburn</span>. Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTDBw7X8wBU">this</a> (<i>love the SEC Shorts guys</i>) if only for the Gary Danielson diss. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Terry's Tools</span></h3><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/s2048/IMG_0229.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvndop2SWxscwPtbCEQhCfYpvAlmqv7q1j9sK-aGD5W1rIAOWqmI7bKBLibYkenOuTSh4_mHw13qc7CWztXdvTV7KtUJ43MgA7oZ52AuuEQ8QgyWai2aFTFbpiXnpU562eCMNfAsDk3k/w125-h167/IMG_0229.jpg" width="125" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the fun and interesting aspects of this section is the wide variety of the sub-segments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mostly, we revel in the stupid ones, the Darwin Award finalists that make you wonder how they ever made it to their teens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week's recognition takes a darker turn, the Criminal Tool. And a sad one for this Packer fan, given the very credible argument one can make that he virtually saved a football franchise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, there you go. </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Brett Favre</b></span>.<span style="color: #fcff01;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> You know, speaking on behalf of Packer Nation, we were willing to look the other way (both literally and figuratively) over the dick pics controversy during your J-E-T-S time. You are, after all, from Mississippi - perhaps that's a familiar form of courtship down there.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But embezzling big money - $6M allegedly - from the state's welfare system in arguably the poorest nation in the country... in order to build a freaking volleyball arena that your daughter might play in?! That's a new low, like, rock bottom low. Which is saying something for you.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKpFEyWvBTfKdO9AzlqZsRkohZauuI6OMm2YZ_CASI-_MTcksKJ87i00sbCjmEUTw5yvd3XhTlnP8Z_q9g2fatTP5kBVteBu7s8JDIq4ZfTxLdYrdDUAoCq816Io38iSlVGyo4fvbthb6Y4032ZBwoIDSK-cqlrPibLTlxGII3_XusQJP-ezAyp-g3A/s1384/IMG_2708.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1084" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKpFEyWvBTfKdO9AzlqZsRkohZauuI6OMm2YZ_CASI-_MTcksKJ87i00sbCjmEUTw5yvd3XhTlnP8Z_q9g2fatTP5kBVteBu7s8JDIq4ZfTxLdYrdDUAoCq816Io38iSlVGyo4fvbthb6Y4032ZBwoIDSK-cqlrPibLTlxGII3_XusQJP-ezAyp-g3A/w217-h276/IMG_2708.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">2) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Cleveland Browns fans</b></span>. The sad reality is that I doubt they're really not any different than any other fan base. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Still. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">They are the ones who happen to be saddled with Deshaun Watson as their $230M - fully guaranteed! - QB and this is just not a good look (defending his right to coerce sexual favors) to be presenting the world. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">3) <span style="color: #fcff01;"><b>Boston Celtics</b></span>. Juxtapose Watson's status with the punishment they just gave to their coach, Ime Udoka: a <i>full year </i>suspension for having an affair with a co-worker, a seemingly consensual relationship.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Seems a little excessive. And difficult to reconcile against Watson's punishment (not even a full year). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">And make no mistake: talent matters, especially in sports. This coach, in his first year, took the team to the NBA finals. In other words, they would've fired his ass if he wasn't good.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwvARJMM6_hy2aifNRPT1PpaQb02U_vq5dV7_3vI7UW7CpsX1fLlynjnHX9uVBRWBeXE8cwEHdg3Z0Hkdas835Dti5jHS7ZC1uKoJEO-rOeMIN56ldW5pGCypXFu3jCJBr7oSh7YbBOlUFuh73bSGPPaN5qYDeFxKwe_q5DRDIWNMSJOrbM3gFtQDKQ/s1170/IMG_2728.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1170" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwvARJMM6_hy2aifNRPT1PpaQb02U_vq5dV7_3vI7UW7CpsX1fLlynjnHX9uVBRWBeXE8cwEHdg3Z0Hkdas835Dti5jHS7ZC1uKoJEO-rOeMIN56ldW5pGCypXFu3jCJBr7oSh7YbBOlUFuh73bSGPPaN5qYDeFxKwe_q5DRDIWNMSJOrbM3gFtQDKQ/w320-h218/IMG_2728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>4) <b><span style="color: #fcff01;">Utah</span>.</b> Giving Wisconsin a run for their money as the preeminent (and profoundly underrated) bastion to the dangerously weird. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Sure, their scary fundamentalist Mormons and zealous militias get all the headlines (and book deals) but, apparently, we haven't given the state its due for their football-mad populace. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">Go Utes!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div><h3><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;">Final Thought</span></h3><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">20+ years ago, Roger Federer got me to watch tennis, at least Major championship tennis. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">End of an era today. And in a fittingly cool way.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8UJLN2hbuq6Nb4QixLkXNHIXey0GCoxqyP0636PrSvaxLzsDqzAONONypLLOkUHEhnNsDbORzT2ZWg-XW8GWjiovl1Q9Yv6YiKK1QBHc8SwUGUoGSTfzMZrjxHDnbXUg2JcNHl16jXxAVNSf_sJr1i9zr9oXipm1h8qYadixn8DMBAh0_JPMQFHvyA/s1116/IMG_2726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1116" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8UJLN2hbuq6Nb4QixLkXNHIXey0GCoxqyP0636PrSvaxLzsDqzAONONypLLOkUHEhnNsDbORzT2ZWg-XW8GWjiovl1Q9Yv6YiKK1QBHc8SwUGUoGSTfzMZrjxHDnbXUg2JcNHl16jXxAVNSf_sJr1i9zr9oXipm1h8qYadixn8DMBAh0_JPMQFHvyA/w400-h396/IMG_2726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><i>66 Majors in this picture. Yowzer.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0