Irish Blogger Gathering: Sparta Is Burning

Welcome to the weekly Irish Blogger Gathering. This week, Sarah at Bad Trade is lining up the other members and asking them to divulge their inner most desires and fears. She promised popcorn:

1. Still trying to get the taste of last weekend's game out of my mouth, so let's start with something fun. With Sparty on its way into South Bend, give me your favorite memory of the ND-MSU series. I don't care what it is: John L. Smith losing it, the image of MSU guarding against nothing, an actual game memory, whatever.

Tommy Zbikowski, 2004. Notre Dame lost its season opener in Provo Utah against BYU. They pull their shit together and beat Michigan in South Bend, and then they travel to East Lansing. Tommy Zbikowski flat out took the ball out of the QB's hands and streaked down the sidelines for a TD. Sure, ND has had bigger moments against Sparty- but I always have that image in my mind.

2. Since 1997, Michigan State has won 9 of 12 games against the Irish. I view this as a classic case of Sparty having ND's number. What worries you most about Michigan State this weekend?

What worries me most is the fact that we lost last week. This game was pressure-packed enough with all of the expectations that came with the 2009 season- not to mention the fact that ND last beat Sparty in South Bend in 1993. 1993. Can this team be game ready- body and mind for what is historically a very physical matchup?

3. Between my lingering bad feelings from last weekend and the history of this series in the last decade plus, give me a good reason or two or three to feel optimistic about a change in fortune for the Irish, because right now, I could use some optimism.

Here are a few:

1. Jimmy Clausen is playing his best football. Look at what he has down in his last 3 games- it has been remarkable.
2. Michel Floyd will be playing. Remember how bad the offense looked in the final games last season? No Floyd.
3. The Fighting Irish are due. It's been too long, and the bowl streak is over, so they might as well snuff this bullshit.

I know those weren't the greatest answers, but it's what I have confidence in right now.

4. As it is my week, I get to address my current ND obsession. Have the last two games changed your opinion/reinforced your opinion re: Charlie in the box versus Charlie on the field?

I will continue to support Weis on the field. Head Coaches belong on the sideline- not the booth. I don't care if he's shitting his pants or in a wheelchair- Weis belongs on the sideline. Like I said earlier this week- when was the last time ND scored 34 points in Ann Arbor?... Never. Weis is doing a fine job with the offense. Besides, he might be confused for a sniper.

5. If nothing else, I can count on one thing to look forward to on Saturday - tailgating. Anyone have a good recipe for me to try? I make no limitations on what it can be - a drink recipe, dessert, appetizer. So long as it can be made on a grill, camp stove, or ahead of time, I am happy to listen. The better the suggestion, the more likely you are to get invited to my own tailgate.

Ahh... drinking. One of the better drinks that I was "smashing" this summer was the Goombay Smash. You can find that recipe- along with a creepy "How to" video by some weirdo in a previous Subway Domer post, like HERE. However, with it becoming more and more "fallish" I will start to fall back on an old reliable freind... Subway Domer Crack. It's simple to make, delicious, can be served hot or cold, and puts me on my ass like a pirate hooker. Enjoy:

Subway Domer Crack

• Take one bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
• Take one gallon of apple cider
• Pour into something
• Shake that something
• Pour into a glass, water bottle, flask, goatskin bag- whatever
• Consume

Just keep the proportions about half or so. You can heat it up in a kettle over a fire, put some gay cinnamon sticks in it (not that there is anything wrong with that)... whatever. The point is that this shit is addictive and does the trick on a fall Saturday. Do I get the invite?

6. Finally, any predictions for the game? I encourage your predictions to involve something other than a final score, but otherwise, I make no suggestions.

After The Fighting Irish set the Spartans asses on fire with an offensive showcase (IRISH 45-16), Dantonio and his band of flamers return to East Lansing with said fires on their asses and burn it to the ground. Ending streaks... it's fantastic.