My original plan was to write all the answers to the questions this week in haiku. But then I watched the Arizona State game, and realized that would take more than I had in the tank to keep up my end of the Irish Blogger Gathering, so you’ll get my rantings in their normal iambic tetrameter. As usual, my question comes at the end, and you can ponder my compatriots’ answers to that query in the link I’ve put in my answers to them.

It’s cold. Let’s do this.

Frank Vitovich, UHND: What were your initial thoughts on Nyles Morgan in his first career start and how do you envision the line-backing corps looking next year assuming Joe Schmidt is back for a 5th year?

I thought he looked like a freshman — giving more than enough effort, but not always in the right place.

Right now, Schmidt’s experience and smarts help him overcome any physical limitations, which is why he was ahead of Morgan on the depth chart in the first place. I think Morgan’s going to climb the learning curve fast, and when he does, his physical gifts will put him ahead of Schmidt. The good news is there will be ample depth at middle linebacker.

Ryan Ritter, Her Loyal Sons: With the playoff now out of reach, what are the new goals for the 2014 season? Would you consider achieving this new goal a successful season or would such a designation be gone without a playoff berth?

The obvious choice is winning out. None of ND’s last three opponents have looked like world-beaters, and all have significant injury or depth issues that should allow even a depleted Notre Dame team to beat them.

I suppose a 10-2 regular season would be on the successful side of the spectrum. But it’s hard to look at the FSU game and not see this season as an opportunity lost. Continually pointing to next year is getting tiresome.

Josh Vowles, Subway Domer: If you didn’t see, I took a few blows to the head Saturday. In my migrained state, a thought popped in my head while trying to watch the ND / ASU game on the DVR: Have you ever wondered what football would be like today if it was a pass oriented game in 1897? How different do you think today’s game would be if it evolved from what it is now?

No, I haven’t.

(oh so tempting to just leave it at that)

I think the game would be a lot less physical because you wouldn’t have offensive linemen firing out they way they do on run plays. I think quarterbacks taking the snap under center would be a lot less common. And I believe OL guys would be lighter, as it would be less important for them to move their defender.

Aaron Horvath, Fighting Irish Athletics: How do you think this weekend’s forecast will change the game plan? Will it help a certain team more than the other?

I don’t think so. The forecast isn’t calling for precipitation, only low temperatures. Latitude-wise, Northwestern is north of Notre Dame, so it’s not like either school is going to pull a Miami-at-the-Sun-Bowl. I think both teams are going to stick with their original game plans — Northwestern trying to force turnovers and Notre Dame trying not to accommodate them.

OK, go look at what they all said to this:

Outside of the holder promotion, what do you think should be the Malik Zaire plan going forward? Status quo? More playing time? If the latter, in what scenarios?