Keys to the Notre Dame game
Offense The Huskies need to keep the ball out of the hands of Notre Dame and Jimmy Clausen and the running game with Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon is the way to do it. The UConn running game is averaging 167 yards per game on the ground and the tandem of Todman and Dixon have combined for 1,556 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. The Irish can be run against and getting Todman and Dixon to control the clock against a susceptible Notre Dame defense will change the game’s dynamic. UConn quarterback Zach Frazer needs to control his emotions of returning to South Bend and play another tight game like he did against Cincinnati. Notre Dame’s defense has been i

Game Day Notre Dame -- What the '68's say
On the way in I stopped by the Knute Rockne rest stop for some food, and of course as Midwesterners are prone to do, I made some friends. These weren't just ordinary Notre Dame fans. The group I started to talk to were the Great '68s. This is a group of alumni who have been coming to games since they graduated in 1968. They are located in the Legends Parking lot and ordinarily there are 100s of people tailgating. It's usually shoulder to shoulder. Today was a sparse crowd and pretty much only diehards. Part of it is anticipated poor weather (it's not, it's beautiful), part of it is the season.This is where things get tenuous for Charlie Weis.

Greetings from Chicago
In the Windy City as the flights, hotels and travel to South Bend was a bit over the top.UConn coach Randy Edsall said something interesting on Tuesday. I have been thinking about it all week. This game is not big for the players. every game is big,. but to me this is a manifistation of almost 20 years of hard work and vision.Notre Dame is college football. It's the most recognizable name in the sport and even when they are mediocre, the name lingers. That UConn is playing the Irish is a big deal for the program. It represents a coming of age for the Huskies.I still think UConn suffers the "Can you believe this?" factor. When UConn plays at Notre Dame Sta

High School football playoff changes
Back to my prep days, and boy did I ever like covering high school football. Will get back on that saddle Thanksgiving Week.Here is the CIAC's new playoff format which was unanimously approved.The format calls for four equal divisions by enrollment (down from the current six). Eight teams in each division would qualify for the playoffs. A quarterfinal round will be on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, followed by semifinals on the next Saturday and the four championship games the Saturday after that. In 2010 those dates will be November 30th (16 quarterfinals at sites of the higher ranked team), December 4th (eight semifinals at neutral sites if possib

Thursday update
No major injures this week. Usual suspects out: Jimmy Bennett, John Yurek, Kihuan Dabney, Robbie Frey and Cody Endres.Scout teams player of the week: Offense is Steve Greene, defense is Tevrin Brandon, and on special teams Marcus Aiken.As far as the game.Jordan Todman had a terrific game two weeks ago at Cincinnati with 154 yards and four touchdowns. Since Andre Dixon's 155 yard performance against Louisville, Todman has been the better back. He is ahead of Dixon on the depth chart and will start, and while they have been splitting carries, I think Todman has wrestled the starting back from Dixon again. Dixon will get carries, but Todman is adding somethi