The Art of War: Nevada V.S. Notre Dame

I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)

Charlie Weis was hired because he was an "Offensive Guru". It was looking like that for his first two years when he led the Irish to BCS Bowl Games and turned Brady Quinn to a Heisman contender. As we all know, the last two years have been forgettable. On the other side of the field is long time Nevada football head coach Chris Ault. Mr. Ault's resume is quite impressive. He, of course, is known for his Pistol offense. Gut not a lot of people know that he is in the College Hall of Fame. With that said, I still give the advantage to Notre Dame and Charkie Weis because of his past accomplishments. Plus ND's assistant coaches really sealed the deal. Tenuta, Hart, Verducci, Brown, Parmalee.

Explores the five fundamental factors that define a successful outcome (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management). By thinking, assessing and comparing these points you can calculate a victory, deviation from them will ensure failure. Remember that war is a very grave matter of state.

II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)

Sun Tzu claims "success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict." Jimmy Clausen was a turnover machine last year, but I think he improves on that this year. Simply Notre Dame wins this because this game will be a shoot out. And I ND's secondary has big time players like Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton plus the return of Darrin Walls. Nevada on the other hand has a terrible secondary.

Explains how to understand the economy of war and how success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict.

III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)

Indeed Notre Dame has the size (4 and 5 star recruits). But Sun Tzu defines the source of strength as unity. And we have that in our offensive line and many returning players. I read that the O-Line combines for the most starts in the country and that we have 9 returning players in O-Side and 8 players in the D-Side.

Defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and the five ingredients that you need to succeed in any war.

IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Nevada)

Sun Tzu explains "the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them." Linebackers. ND linebackers have to really show up for this game. They must be focus throughout out the game. And lock down. And play fast. Will they be able to? The past couple of years the answer was a big fat NO. But now with the young guns in ND (B. Smith, Filer, Fleming, Te'o) comes speed. I think they will lock down the QB and RB. But will it be enough. No, the pistol offense is too much and will simply gain yards.

Explains the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them.

V. Energy (Advantage Nevada)

Notre Dame has the momentum with the thrashing of Hawaii and Clausen throwing an almost perfect game. But remember San Diego State from last year's first game and Appalachian State versus Michigan. Nevada will be so pumped up playing on a national TV looking for an upset and a place in SportsCenter headliner. With a big upset, Nevada's schedule is easy except for one game the last game against Boise State. This is a big game for Nevada for a potential upset and undefeated/BCS crasher season. If so, Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick will be invited to New York for the Heisman.

Explains the use of creativity and timing in building your momentum.

VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Nevada)

Nevada has a strong run defense and ND has a weak running game. Notre Dame has a strong passing game and Nevada has a weak secondary. Who gets the advantage. Nevada gets the advantage. Running game is very important because it can eat up a lot of time and sets up play action passes. ND is much better when the running game is working.

Explains how your opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of your enemy in a given area.

VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Nevada)

Red Zone defense. With Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick and Vai Taua, Nevada is potent in the red zone. Notre Dame on the other hand is not. And when it comes to field goals, ND is just bad. That was last year with Walker, but not we have a Frosh kicker which makes me very worried.

Explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon you.

VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Nevada)

The pistol offense is a very flexible offense that is why Nevada wins this point.

Focuses on the need for flexibility in your responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.

IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame has a better band period. As proven by the Irish Guard.

Describes the different situations in which you find yourselves as you move into new enemy territories and how to respond to them. Much of it focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.

X. Terrain (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame is playing in The House That Rockne Built. Nevada has never played in an atmosphere like Notre Dame. Nevada practices in the desert and might not be used to cold weather like South Bend even though it is still early September.

Looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)

This ND team is a veteran team. They have been through every situation. Loosing unloosable games (Syracuse), embarrassing games (USC), and close and tight games. Advantage ND.

Describe nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus you need to successfully navigate each of them.

XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Nevada)

Simply ask who ask the most fire power? Yes, Colin Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick probably has the pistol offense and better stats line (running/throwing) than Jimmy. But the real advantage foes to Nevada because of the running game. Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick + Vai Taua is a deadly mixture.

Explains the use of weapons generally and the use of the environment as a weapon specifically. It examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attack.

XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame easily wins this because Charlie Weis worked for a guy named Bill Belichick who was caught spying on the other team to get their signs. Plus Nevada the gambling state bans spies/cheaters.

Focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, specifically the five types of sources and how to manage them.

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I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)
II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)
III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)
VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Nevada)
IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)
X. Terrain (Advantage Notre Dame)
XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)
XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Notre Dame)

IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Nevada)
V. Energy (Advantage Nevada)
VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Nevada)
VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Nevada)
XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Nevada)

There you have it. Notre Dame gets 8 points while Nevada only gets 5 points. According to Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Notre Dame beats Nevada.

Notre Dame (with 38 points) beats Nevada (with 27 points)

Source: All words in italics are from Wiki.