Notre Dame-MSU: A game of identities
By expunging the first three games of the season, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis effectively conceded that his team has no identity.
Notre Dame hasn't been good at anything, unless you count allowing sacks or not scoring offensive touchdowns. Not surprisingly, the Fighting Irish restarted training camp this week, holding full-speed practices to find something, anything, to build upon.
"They realize that something had to change," Weis said. "I didn't do it to penalize them. I didn't do it to punish them. I did it to try to fix the problems."
On the opposite sideline, Michigan State is hoping to escape its identity, one defined by fast starts and comical collapses.
For the third consecutive year, the Spartans are 3-0, riding a destructive defense to wins against UAB, Bowling Green and Pittsburgh. But since 2004, Michigan State has won only two games after Oct. 1, a fact not lost on its players.
The Spartans want a new identity, one of sustained success under new coach Mark Dantonio. Their journey continues today (2:30 p.m., Channel 5) at Notre Dame Stadium, where they have won five straight.
"We haven't accomplished nothing yet," senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic said. "It's a different feeling. We're just trying to prove ourselves.
"It's going to be an exciting game. It's going to be nationally televised. It doesn't get better than this. This is when you show what you have."
The Spartans likely will show a much stronger hand than Notre Dame, which ranks last nationally in total offense (115 ypg), scoring offense (4.3 ppg), rushing offense (minus-4.7 ypg) and sacks allowed (7.7 spg). Notre Dame's pocket protection problems are the biggest concern today because Michigan State is tied for first nationally in sacks with 17.
Led by Saint-Dic, who is tied for second nationally with 5 sacks, the Spartans already have eclipsed their sacks total from all of last season (16). Saint-Dic said the scheme employed by Dantonio and defense coordinator Pat Narduzzi allows pass rushers to take wider angles.
"The most important thing is we're outside the tight end," Saint-Dic said. "They've got us on the edge, being free and showing our speed."
Notre Dame's struggling line must stifle that speed to open lanes for James Aldridge and afford quarterback Jimmy Clausen the time to throw downfield. Lost in the carnage last week at Michigan, Aldridge rushed for 51 yards on only 10 carries.
The powerful sophomore is expected to get the bulk of the touches today.
"This is a James Aldridge type of week," Weis said. "I would expect to see James early and often."
Michigan State counters with backs Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick. The 255-pound Caulcrick had 111 rushing yards on only 8 carries last year against ND before his carries were foolishly slashed in the fourth quarter.
First-year starting quarterback Brian Hoyer will look to blossoming wideout Devin Thomas, who ranks 16th nationally in receiving (105 ypg).
"At times Hoyer looks very, very good," Dantonio said. "At times we've looked very, very good at wide receiver.
"We need to be a little bit more consistent."
Other than moving right guard Matt Carufel into the starting lineup to replace the injured Dan Wenger, Weis made few changes to his depth chart, refusing to "create sacrificial lambs." But he added that in-game changes are likely if starters sputter.
After a week of negative press and criticism of the head coach and the talent level, ND tries to avoid its first 0-4 start by drawing strength from within.
"When you pull them here together, you say, 'This is it, fellas. No one believes in you but you. You're it,' " Weis said. "You can't look at it from pressure.
"We have to go follow the script, play a physical game. It all starts there."
Michigan State (3-0) at Notre Dame (0-3)
When: 2:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Stadium
TV: Channel 5. Radio: WLS 890-AM. Series: ND leads 44-25-1.
Coaches: Michigan State's Mark Dantonio (3-0 at MSU, 21-17, fourth year overall); Charlie Weis (19-9, third at ND and overall)
Players to watch: Michigan State's running back tandem of Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick combine to average 157.3 yards per game. Caulcrick is a fantasy football dream, scoring 6 TDs in the first three games. Defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic earned Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after collecting 3 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles against Pittsburgh.
Besides punter Geoff Price, who ranks 38th nationally in punting average (42.3 ypp) and first in yards (974), the Irish are practically star-less through three games. Safety Tom Zbikowski is due for a breakout game, much like he had against Michigan State in 2004, when he forced a fumble and returned it 75 yards to the end zone.
The skinny: The Fighting Irish have shown nothing to suggest their slide will end. They are averaging 65 fewer yards than any Football Bowl Subdivision team. Michigan State has won its last five games at Notre Dame. No visiting team has ever won six straight games in South Bend. Mark Dantonio is trying to become the fifth consecutive Spartans coach to win his first game at ND.
-- Adam Rittenberg