BC to test Notre Dame's confidence
Notre Dame players felt the positive vibes well before they stepped onto the Rose Bowl field last Saturday night.
"We were 0-5 at the time, (but) we had the best week of practice we've had all season, and possibly the whole time we've been here," fifth-year senior tight end John Carlson said. "We've still managed to maintain our confidence."
Their confidence surged after a 20-6 win over UCLA, momentarily putting to rest talk of sad streaks and historical futility. The Fighting Irish finally got evidence that they had improved. Hope was revived for what most consider a lost season.
Notre Dame's fiber will once again be tested today against No. 4 Boston College (2:30 p.m., Channel 5). An upset in a game known for them would continue to energize the Irish heading into next week's showdown with suddenly mortal USC.
But a loss, especially a blowout loss, would cast doubt on Notre Dame's professed progress. It can't be discounted that last week's dominating defensive performance took place mainly against a walk-on redshirt freshman quarterback (McLeod Bethel-Thompson) who had never attempted a pass in a college game.
Boston College senior Matt Ryan, one of the best quarterbacks in the country, provides a true test for the Irish. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 49.1 percent of their passes against Notre Dame, but Ryan is connecting at a 62.7 percent clip with 15 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions.
Irish safety Tom Zbikowski likened today's matchup with Ryan to facing former Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton in 2004.
"At that time, (Orton) was probably No. 1 for the Heisman," Zbikowski said. "It just seemed if you ever lost your leverage on the receiver, he put it on that other side, right on that person, on the opposite shoulder.  ¦ You've got to play your leverage and not necessarily worry about the quarterback, but make sure you're covering your receivers."
The Irish defense won the UCLA game by forcing 7 turnovers, their most since causing 8 against Purdue in 1989. Boston College is more disciplined with the football, meaning Notre Dame needs more production from an offense that generated only 140 yards last week.
Notre Dame still ranks last nationally in rushing offense (33 ypg) and will face a stingy Eagles defensive front led by ends Alex Albright (5 sacks) and Nick Larkin. Starting wide receiver David Grimes is expected back for the Irish, who will employ a more aggressive game plan.
"It has to change significantly," Irish coach and play-caller Charlie Weis said. "It's not like we're going to go in with three tight ends and run the ball inside the whole game. We're going to have to score some points to win."
The teams haven't met since 2004, but the series is known for upsets, with Boston College usually playing the spoiler. Ryan was only 8 years old when the Eagles stunned No. 1 Notre Dame 41-39 in 1993, but the quarterback remembers David Gordon's famous field goal.
"I was pretty young, but it got a lot of national attention," said Ryan, who grew up an Eagles fan. "I remember watching BC in 2002 when they knocked off Notre Dame and they were undefeated."
The roles are reversed today, as Boston College is 6-0 for the first time in 65 years and boasts its highest ranking since 1984. First-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski, a career assistant in both the college and pro ranks, has the Eagles in position for possible national title run in the diluted ACC.
Shocking results have become a weekly occurrence in college football, and Notre Dame hopes to make its contribution today.
"They're not going to ruin our season," Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis joked. "We'd love very much to put a damper on their season. But we understand that they're playing very, very good football.
"We're going to have to play a very good game to be able to win."
Boston College (6-0) at Notre Dame (1-5)
When: 2:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Stadium
TV: Channel 5. Radio: WLS 890-AM
Series: Notre Dame leads 9-7
Coaches: Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinski (6-0, first year at Boston College and overall); Charlie Weis (20-11, third year at Notre Dame and overall)
Players to watch: Besides that Matt Ryan guy, Boston College has plenty of playmakers, including senior running back Andre Callender, who averages 5.1 yards a carry. Senior free safety Jamie Silva ranks second nationally in interceptions with 5. Notre Dame senior safety Tom Zbikowski has forced a turnover in each of his last two games. Last week he recorded his first sack since Nov. 5, 2005, against Tennessee. The Irish are still searching for a running game and need either sophomore James Aldridge (38.7 ypg) or freshman Armando Allen (19.5 ypg) to step it up.
The skinny: Notre Dame finally ended its losing streak and now gets the chance to upset a team that has broken hearts in South Bend several times. It won't be easy against Matt Ryan, arguably the nation's best quarterback, and an opportunistic Boston College defense that ties for third nationally in turnovers forced (19). The Eagles have won four straight against the Irish, including three of the last four at Notre Dame Stadium. The teams will meet every year through 2010, but there are no plans to resume the natural rivalry, largely because Boston College left the Big East and Notre Dame will begin playing three Big East teams every year beginning in 2011.
- Adam Rittenberg