ND Starting Nickelback Shaun Crawfod Out for Season with Torn ACL

Just days before the season is going to kick off we get a giant kick to our Irish nuts...

#NotreDame DB Shaun Crawford tore his ACL in Tuesday's practice. https://t.co/VQXvxuSYAm

— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) August 30, 2018

First off I feel horrible for Shaun Crawford.  This is the 3rd, yes, 3rd time he has gone down with a season ending injury either before the season started or right after.  He's battled back from a torn ACL and torn achilles to earn a starting nickelback job only to tear his other ACL on Tuesday.  Gone for the season.  Brutal.

Before we get all doom and gloom we got to remember Notre Dame has depth in the secondary.  While losing Crawford is a blow it gives a guy like senior Nick Coleman a chance to step up in Crawford's starting spot.   Coleman has plenty of experience including starting experience and by all reporting accounts has had a great camp.  Navy transfer Alohi Gilman will still start at boundary safety while Coleman mans the field safety.  Freshman Houston Griffith will get a chance for more playing time and so will Jalen Elliott who was a starter last year.  Devin Studstill and Nico Fertitta provide depth and have plenty of experience at the safety position.  Freshman Derrik Allen will also be given a chance to step it up if need be.  The corners are still loaded with Julian Love, Troy Pride, Donte Vaughn and a bunch of freshman (Tariq Bracy, Noah Boykin, DJ Brown) to provide depth.

So everyone take a deep breath.  It's gonna be ok.  It sucks to lose a kid like Crawford who is a great talent on the field and a great teammate off the field but somebody has to and will step up.  Next man in.  Go Irish!

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Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly's Press Conference for the Michigan Game

Some interesting notes from Brian Kelly's press conference...

1) When asked about "suspended" RB Dexter Williams status for the Michigan game he said "He'll be dressed and he'll be on the sidelines.  We'll see what happens when we kick it off."  I presumed Dexter wouldn't even dress for the game but this leaves a little bit of an opening that Dexter might play vs Michigan.  Personally I hope he does play because he's their most proven back averaging over 7 yards per carry.  We will see Saturday night.

2) Kelly reiterated that he is not afraid to go to backup QB Ian Book if the team needs it.  Starting QB Brandon Wimbush accounted for over 30 TDs last season but in the Citrus Bowl vs LSU he was benched because of ineffectiveness while Book led them to an inspired come-from-behind victory.  I'm not a fan of a two QB situation because the last time ND went into the season (2016) with a "QB controversy" they sputtered to a disastrous 4-8 season with Deshone Kizer and Malik Zaire behind center.  Team Kizaire never worked.  We will have to see if Team Wimbook works this season.  Ugh.

3) The Notre Dame defense is the most loaded from top to bottom since Kelly has arrived.  The last time ND had this much talent and experience on the defensive side they went all the way to the 2012 National Championship game with an undefeated regular season.  This gives me a lot of optimism.

4) Still have no idea if ND will come out in green jerseys for Michigan.  The fans have been encouraged to wear green for the "Green Out" but so far Kelly has been coy when asked if the team would come out in green too.  We are gonna have to wait till kickoff.  Personally I hope they wear the traditional blue and gold but the tea leaves read green jerseys Saturday night.

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SEC Fans Notre Dame vs Michigan 2018 Preview and Predictions

While I might not agree with all their points SECFans.com does a great job previewing this week's Notre Dame vs Michigan game.  It's gonna be a defensive battle.  No question.  And with two really good defenses going at it I expect a low scoring game with the winner scoring somewhere in the mid 20's.  The over/under is currently at 48 and I would put good money on the under.  Michigan's offense is terrible and with leading WR Tarik Black out with a foot injury I don't expect them to put much points on the board against a veteran Notre Dame defense.  While I don't think Michigan will get shutout like last time I'd be surprised if new QB transfer Shea Patterson can be effective in a hostile environment vs a blitzing defense that is going to punish him.  For some bizarre reason this game is a pick em despite Notre Dame returning a senior QB in Brandon Wimbush and playing at home.  College GameDay will be there.  I gotta go ND here.

SportsCrack Prediction: NOTRE DAME 24 MICHIGAN 20

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Get your Green Out on this weekend for the Notre Dame - Michigan football game with this 25% OFF Sale (CODE: GREENOUT) on SportsCrack Shirts

As you may know Notre Dame and their marketing department are doing their best this week to get a "GREEN OUT" going at Notre Dame stadium for the Michigan game on Saturday.  The University is pushing it so hard they even have some of their players, namely captain Alex Bars and LB Te'von Coney, enthusiastically marketing green shirts for the game.

You heard @AlexBars_ and @TevonConey!

We need to see Notre Dame Stadium GREEN on September 1.#GoIrish ☘️ #IrishWearGreen pic.twitter.com/G8XLP47rxr

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2018

 While Notre Dame has been using the hashtag #IrishWearGreen on all their social media platforms the past few weeks to get the word out I think we might have caught Bars and Coney here reveal by accident that the players might actually be wearing green too!

It remains to be seen if the players will wear green coming out of the tunnel Saturday night but you too can wear green this weekend with a great SportsCrack.com t-shirt at 25% off using this code: GREENOUT

Some examples are the instant cult classic "Catholics vs Khakis" game day shirt we made specifically this week.

CATHOLICS VS KHAKIS IRISH GREEN SHIRT

New defensive coordinator Clark Lea replaces Mike Elko and returns a veteran defense that should be the best since the 2012 squad carried them all the way to the National Championship Game.  Here is our "LEA-GION OF DOOM" shirt in GREEN.

Also you can never go wrong at the tailgate or party with our classic Tailgate Like A Champion shirts and Drink Like A Champion Today shirts in Irish Green as well.

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Pre Order Notre Dame 2018 Shamrock Series Riddell Mini Helmets and Authentic Speed Helmets Here

You can now PRE ORDER the official Notre Dame 2018 Shamrock Series New York helmets at SportsCrack.com.

This year the Shamrock Series helmets feature New York Yankees pinstripes on matte navy helmet.  The facemasks are navy with speckled gold flakes.  Notre Dame will be wearing these helmets when they face off with Syracuse at Yankees Stadium.

You can order the 2018 Notre Dame Shamrock Series Riddell Mini helmets here!

If you want to get what the players wear you can buy the official 2018 Notre Dame Shamrock Series Riddell Speed Authentic Helmets here!

And of course you want to get past Notre Dame helmets we have a great selection at our STORE PAGE.

2018 Notre Dame Football Roster: Top 25 Players

1. DT Jerry Tillery - Thank God Tillery decided to come back for his senior season because all reports out of camp is that he has taken his game to an All-American level.  Tillery will need to be double teamed and although his stats won't be eye popping he will be the guy who helps pad the TFL stats for his teammates.

2. CB Julian Love - What's not to love about Love?  The returning 2nd Team All-American showed he had lockdown ability on the outside last year while also taking a few picks to the house.

3. LB Te'von Coney - Coney only started 7 games last season but still led the team in tackles and TFLs.  He has been working on his coverage skills this offseason and should have a tremendous senior season.  Like Tillery it was a tremendous boost for 1st year DC Clark Lea to get a player of Coney's talent back.

4. OG Alex Bars - Overshadowed by the greatness that was Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey the last two seasons I expect Bars to continue ND's success on the offensive line by becoming an All-American this season.

5. LB Drue Tranquill - You couldn't ask for a better captain or leader than 5th year senior Tranquill.

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6. OC Sam Mustipher - The "QB of the offensive line" is expected to be one of the top 3 centers in the nation.

7. DE Daelin Hayes - At full health it's time for the junior to finally shine and live up to his 5-star billing out of high school.  I expect plenty of QB pressures from Hayes.

8. QB Brandon Wimbush - If he gets rid of the yips Wimbush will have a Heisman worthy season.  If he doesn't?  Well he could always run for another 14 touchdowns.

9. CB Troy Pride - Pride has become almost a 1A/1B corner with his teammate Love this offseason camp.  Don't be surprised if he earns All-American accolades.

10. OL Robert Hainsey - As a true freshman Hainsey stepped in and took half the snaps at right tackle last season.

11. WR Miles Boykin - Who could forget his game winning catch vs LSU?  From all reports it's helped boost Boykin's confidence and he should be Wimbush's #1 target this fall. 

12. DE Julian Okwara - Like Daelin Hayes I expect Okwara to burst out this season and become a force on the "Lea"gion of Doom.

13. WR Chase Claypool - Claypool is a top 10 talent he just needs to put forth the focus and dominate during his junior season. 

14. S Alohi Gilman - The transfer from Navy is expected to start after having to sit a season because the NCAA is retarded.  A ball hawk ND didn't have last season at safety I expect Gilman to get his hands on leather plenty thanks to some pressure from his defensive line teammates.

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15. DE Khalid Kareem - The former Bama commit is ready to break out this season while splitting time with Hayes and Okwara.

16. K Justin Yoon - He's gonna become ND's all-time leading scorer this fall.  YOOOOOOOOOON!

17. RB Jafar Armstrong - Who you ask?  The converted WR is following in the foot steps of CJ Prosise and has drawn comparisons to Theo Riddick by Brian Kelly.  I'm expecting him to be starting by mid September and a 1000 yard season is not far fetched.

18. OL Tommy Kraemer - The 5-star is ready to start after splitting time with Hainsey last season at right tackle.  The scary thing is ND is so loaded on the line it's not a given Kraemer starts.

19. TE Alizé Mack - Mack has been quite the enigma since he's arrived at ND.  The rising senior has faced suspensions, questionable hands and was even eyeing early entry to the NFL despite a lackluster junior season.  Much like Wimbush if he puts it all together he's unstoppable.

20. CB Shaun Crawford - Just two years ago Crawford was probably a top 5 talent going into the season.  Unfortunately the injuries have taken their toll and he's lost his starting corner job.  But he is the starting nickelback and has big time playmaking ability in the defensive backfield as witnessed in games vs Texas and Michigan State.

21. TE Cole Kmet - Kmet could shoot all the way into the top 10 with a big sophomore season if Alizé doesn't produce.  Kmet when he's not throwing heat on the mound for the baseball team has built himself into a freak of nature under Balis's strength program.

22. P Tyler Newsome - Yes the punter is on the list.  The senior captain has gotten more steady every season with his booming leg and is a tremendous locker room presence.

23. RB Tony Jones Jr. - I'm not as high on Jones as some are but he's expected to be the starting tailback vs Michigan.  The key will be keeping him healthy especially with Dexter Williams facing a 4-game suspension to start the season.

24. OL Liam Eichenberg - He might not even start this season but Eichenberg is another road grader and the 5th offensive linemen on this list.

25. RB Dexter Williams - Juice has never had more than 8 carries in a game but when he does get the ball he's electric.  Problem is he can't stay away from the weed or pick up the blitz thus limiting his play time.

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Notre Dame vs Michigan Football aka "Catholics vs Khakis" Shirts Available in Blue and Irish Green #IrishWearGreen only at SportsCrack.com

Get the official CATHOLICS VS KHAKIS SHIRT to wear on September 1st when ESPN's College Game Day invades Notre Dame for the Michigan game to kick off the 2018 college football season.

With the decision to encourage the Notre Dame students, alumni, and fans to wear GREEN to make the stadium stand out at night from the typical blue and gold we decided to make an #IrishWearGreen version of the Catholics Vs Khakis Shirt which can be purchased here.

Of course if you are not an Irish Green person you can purchase the shirt in the traditional BLUE AND GOLD (Catholics vs Khakis) here.

For more great shirts to gear up for this college football season please visit our store at SportsCrack.com