Michigan Week: Thursday Irish Update

We're about 47 hours to kick-off and I have to admit I'm a little nervous about this game.  My prediction -- if the Irish lead after Quarter #1 -- GAME OVER, IRISH WIN!

Here's what's being said today about Saturday's game with Michigan -- starting with Coach Kelly after practice:

LINK:  COACH KELLY AFTER PRACTICE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  DETROIT FREE PRESS

LINK:  DETROIT NEWS

LINK:  ANN ARBOR NEWS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES

National Rankings -- Where the Irish "D" Ranks

Notre Dame fans will be sick to their stomach after reviewing the defensive rankings of our Fighting Irish and realizing we're 0 - 1 on the season.  Those turnovers were devastating!  

Here's a look at where Notre Dame's "D BOYS" are ranked among their peers in college football after Week 1 of the 2011 season.  You'll also see how we fared in 2010 and 2009.

NOTRE DAME DEFENSE -- 2011 TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks:  2011 after game #1:  2 sacks, ranked #37 in the country.  2010 Rank #45 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92.

Tackles for Loss:  2011 after game #1:  6 tackles for loss, ranked #55 in the country.  2010 Rank #65 with an average of 5.63 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country. 

Interceptions:  2011 after game #1:  0 interceptions, ranked #74 in the country.  2010 Rank #32 with 14 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50.

First Downs:  2011 after game #1:  20 first downs allowed, ranked #62 in the country.  2010 Rank - #30 allowing an average of 17.92 first downs per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 19.67 first downs per game, ranking us #72.

Third Down Conversion Rate:  2011 after game #1:  allowed a 14.29% conversion rate on third down, ranked #2 in the country.  2010 Rank #22 allowing only 35.08% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67. 

Red Zone Efficiency:  2011 after game #1:  allowed opponents to score 100% of the time, ranked #60 in the country.  2010 Rank #53 allowing the team to score 81% of the time -- in 2009 we allowed teams to score 75% of the time, ranking us #15.

Turnovers Gained:  2011 after game #1:  0 turnovers gained, ranked #98 in the country.  2010 Rank - #54 with 21 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80.

Rushing Yards:  2011 after game #1:  126 rushing yards given up, ranked #56 in the country.  2010 Rank #57 giving up an average of 147 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89.

Passing Yards:  2011 after game #1:  128 passing yards given up, ranked #20 in the country.  2010 Rank #44 giving up an average of 206 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country. 

Total Yards:  2011 after game #1:  254 yards of total offense given up, ranked #24 in the country.  2010 Rank #49 giving up 353 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86.

Points Allowed Per Game:  2011 after game #1:  23 points allowed, ranked #64 in the country.  2010 Rank - #29 giving up 20.5 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63.

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S OFFENSE -- NATIONAL RANKINGS

Mike Lee to Star in Subway TV Spot Tonight!

Notre Dame fans -- if you're planning on watching tonight's NFL opening game (Saints vs. Packers) -- please keep an eye out for Mike Lee '09 and his Subway commercial debut at the TWO MINUTE WARNING commercial break in the first half of tonight's game on NBC.  The telecast begins at 8:30 PM ET.

And, don't forget that tickets are still available for Mike's fight at Notre Dame on Friday, September 16th -- the first professional boxing match ever on the ND campus.

LINK:  TICKETS TO MIKE LEE'S FIGHT AT ND!