OT: The Brilliance of Robin Williams "The Flag"

Must See: Robin Williams telling the story of our American Flag.  What a talent he was...

LINK:  THE FLAG

Know Thy Opponent: Rice Owls Video Update

With Notre Dame 127th football season just 7 days away -- I took a look around the worldwide web to see what I could find about our first opponent, the Rice Owls. 

Just click on the links below:

LINK:  VIDEO REPORT -- SCRIMMAGE #2

LINK:  VIDEO REPORT -- SCRIMMAGE #1

LINK:  VIDEO REPORT -- PRACTICE #4

LINK:  VIDEO REPORT -- FIRST DAY IN PADS

LINK:  MEDIA DAY -- HEAD COACH

LINK:  MEDIA DAY -- DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

LINK:  LSU TRANSFER JOINS RICE TEAM

ND Volleyball -- Experiences "The Program"

Debbie Brown's Fighting Irish were caught off guard with a two-day experience they won't soon forget!

LINK:  THE PROGRAM

Story: A Dad Drops His Son Off at Notre Dame

If you haven't had the honor of dropping off a son or daughter at college -- please know you're in for a rush of emotions that will hit you like Niagara Falls...

I remember all three of our "drop-offs" at college -- I balled my eyes out -- every time.

Well today, ND GO IRISH BLOG regular Rick Becker had the great honor of dropping off his son Ben at the University of Notre Dame.  Here is Rick's story -- a MUST READ!

Rick, thanks for sharing -- and yes, it's going to be alright!

LINK:  "STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE"

Leaving Locker Room for Team Photo Today!

Here's a look at the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame dressed in their new Under Armour gear -- walking down the steps from the locker room towards the PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY sign...

The photo above is of the players at the Tight End position at the University of Notre Dame and their coach Scott Booker.

LINK:  IT STARTS HERE!

Game Day "Dress Rehearsal" for Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- rehearsed their GAME DAY preparations for next Saturday's opener with the Rice Owls.  Here's a video of them practicing the entrance during warm-ups from the Student Section of Notre Dame Stadium.

LINK:  DRESS REHEARSAL

First Look at Notre Dame's "Red Army" Hat!

This is the Under Armour hat you'll see the Notre Dame QB's wearing on the sidelines during the games...

Shamrock Series Helmets in Brian Kelly's Office

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly has a number of football helmets on display in his office -- here are the Shamrock Series helmets...

National Championship Rings for ND Fencers!

These are the rings created for Notre Dame Fencing's two individual NCAA National Champions -- Gerek Meinhardt and Lee Kiefer!

2014 Strength of Schedule vs. Notre Dame

This is the second segment of the ND GO IRISH BLOG's look at the  TOP 25 teams in the AP POLL and their strength of schedule (SOS) vs. Notre Dame's.  These are the teams ranked 6 to 10 and their SOS vs. the Fighting Irish.

Folks -- the PLAYOFF COMMITTEE better be looking at this!

#17 NOTRE DAME

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  103 - 56
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  6
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#6 AUBURN

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  93 - 60
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 6

#7 UCLA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  82 - 72
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 4
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:5

#8 MICHIGAN STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013: 82 - 71
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 3

#9 SOUTH CAROLINA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  96 - 59
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 4
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#10 BAYLOR

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  78 - 72
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013: 2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 1

LINK:  TEAMS #1 - #5 -- STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE 

The Greg Bryant Era -- Only 8 Days From Now!

This is a photo of Notre Dame running back Greg Bryant -- posing for the NBC TV cameras...

"Irish Chocolate" May See His First NFL Action

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis Nix '14 has yet to play in Houston's first two NFL exhibition games due to knee surgery.

That may change this Saturday when the Texan's take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Here's the story:

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

Notre Dame's Shamrock Series' Under Armour

Here's the look...

A Very Nice Story on Domer Jonas Gray

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Jonas Gray had a big game this weekend for the New England Patriots gaining 98 yards on 12 carries. 

Found this great story about Jonas in the News Telegram -- must see!

That's Jonas #35 -- in the photo above.

LINK:  JONAS GRAY

Ireland Golf Caddie's Fighting Irish Tattoo!

The Notre Dame Women's Golf Team was in Ireland last week on a six-day golf tour...

The photo above is of Notre Dame's Director of Athletics Advancement Sara Liebscher -- with her caddy at Old Head Golf Links -- who just happens to sport a Notre Dame Fighting Irish tattoo on his upper arm.

Potentially FIVE NFL ND Rookie Starters

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the following players are in the starting line-up for their respective teams in a couple of weeks.   

When was the last time Notre Dame had five ROOKIE STARTERS in the NFL?

• Zack Martin -- given, will start at right guard for Cowboys
• Troy Niklas -- could start for the Cardinals at tight end
• Stephon Tuitt -- could start at the defensive end position for the Steelers
• Chris Watt -- could start at the right guard position for the Chargers
• Prince Shembo -- could start at middle linebacker for the Falcons

For that matter -- when was the last time any college team had that many rookie starters?

2014 Strength of Schedule vs. Notre Dame

Over the next few days the ND GO IRISH BLOG will be looking at the TOP 25 teams in the AP POLL and their strength of schedule (SOS) vs. Notre Dame's.  First -- the top FIVE ranked teams' SOS vs. the Fighting Irish.

Folks -- the PLAYOFF COMMITTEE better be looking at this!

#17 NOTRE DAME

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  103 - 56
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  6
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#1 FLORIDA STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  83 -69
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  2

#2 ALABAMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 79
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 4

#3 OREGON

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013: 80 - 73
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  4

#4  OKLAHOMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 78
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:   2

#5 OHIO STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  87 - 66
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  1
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  1

Bob Diaco Names His Starting QB -- I Think...

You have got to watch this out of Storrs, CT.  Coach Diaco names his starting QB yesterday -- I think...

LINK:  DIACO

There's a "New Sheriff" in Notre Dame Town!

You've got to love this photo of Coach Van Gorder at today's Notre Dame football practice!

Coverage of Notre Dame Football Media Day

Here's all of the coverage I've been able to find of today's MEDIA DAY for the Notre Dame Football program.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESSER

LINK:  JACK NOLAN INTERVIEW OF COACH KELLY

LINK:  CODY RIGGS INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHRISTIAN LOMBARD INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN COLLINSWORTH INTERVIEW

LINK:  JACK NOLAN & REGGIE BROOKS