2021 Early Season Predictions

[Dizzyphil]

Haven't found a thread on this... so, let the arguments proceed !!!!!



FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
VT - W


Bye


USC - W
NC - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Standford - W


Play-off bound


What say you ?????


Let the discussion begin!!!!!

[Dizzyphil]

BTW - I did see the thread 'Next Year's Schedule' but I'm just looking for W/L for each game.... then I want to do a tally.......




please.

[Dale]

10-2. I see 4 possible Ls. I still think we’d be favored in all of those. Betting we go 3-1 on what I’m expecting and 1 L out of left field

[Dizzyphil]

10-2. I see 4 possible Ls. I still think we’d be favored in all of those. Betting we go 3-1 on what I’m expecting and 1 L out of left field

Do me a favor = copy the list of games and do your W/L so I can do a tally.... just edit your response..


doing this for fun and want to see who everybody believes Irish will W/L to.


Thanks Brother!!

[Dale]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
Va Tech - W
USC - W
North Carolina - L
Navy - W
Virginia - L (My WTF loss)
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

[NDdomer2]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - W
VT - W
USC - L
NC - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

[Dale]

Other predictions:

- Coan balls out
- Kyren slight regress, Tyree step forward
- WR 1 guy emerges but 2 others still look like past years starters
- OL. 6 man rotation but we won’t sweat their performance in the slightest
- D gives up more points but makes more plays. We have a TBD transfer make a huge impact with a FR DB too. Lot of bodies

[TNUtoNotreDame]

FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - L
VT - W
USC - L
NC - L
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

________________

[Carolina Irish]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - W
VT - W
USC - W
NC - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

[NDGOLDEN]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
Va Tech - W
USC - W
North Carolina - L
Navy - W
Virginia - W
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

[BilboBaggins]

W - Florida State
W - Toledo
W - Purdue
L - Wisconsin
L - Cincinnati
W - Virginia Tech
BYE
W - USC
L - North Carolina
W - Navy
W - Virginia
W - Georgia Tech
W - Stanford

[irishtrooper]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
Va Tech - W
USC - L
North Carolina - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

[Irish YJ]

So much depends on our QB situation and our passing game in general. We have zero pass catchers returning with over 500 yards. The most yards returning is Mayer. And the OL will have many new faces, and that's not a good recipe when you have a new QB too.

@FSU - L
-The addition of Milton could turn this team around a bit, and being the first game of the year, anything could happen. And it's on the road.... Toss up IMO, but my gut says a L...

Toledo - W
-If we lose to FSU, this one will worry me big time. Toledo is a solid MAC team.

Purdue - W

(Chicago) Wisconsin - L
-They had a down year due to constant COVID issues and a ton of injury to WRs. Unless we have a QB balling out by this game, we lose.

Cincy - W
-QB just announced recently he's coming back. I think they return a lot. Another one that I'm worried about if we lose the prior game.

@Va Tech - W

USC - Toss up
The dog days of USC might be gone

North Carolina - Toss up
- Their QB will be up there for Heisman consideration

Navy - W

@ Virginia - W

Georgia Tech - W

@Stanford - W

[317Irish]

W - Florida State
W - Toledo
W - Purdue
L - Wisconsin
L - Cincinnati
W - Virginia Tech
BYE
W - USC
L - North Carolina
W - Navy
W - Virginia
W - Georgia Tech
W - Stanford

3 losses... GTFOH! No just kidding, it kind of feels like it’s going to be that kind of year to me too.

[317Irish]

Other predictions:

- Coan balls out
- Kyren slight regress, Tyree step forward
- WR 1 guy emerges but 2 others still look like past years starters
- OL. 6 man rotation but we won’t sweat their performance in the slightest
- D gives up more points but makes more plays. We have a TBD transfer make a huge impact with a FR DB too. Lot of bodies

I genuinely can see all of these playing out.

[dad4aa]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - W
VT - W
USC - W
NC - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

[GATTACA!]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
VT - W
USC - W
NC - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

Coan is Burrow-lite

[Chicago Domer]

I think you are all optimistic. One starter returning to a new position on the OL. That will take time to bring to a decent level. Then we have a QB, who IMO, wasn’t lights out at Wiscy and didn’t play last year.

I think 8-4 is very acceptable for next year with ur schedule. Everyone has ignored Purdue, for example, but look at the more recent history. They have played us tough. I also believe they are going to start breaking out. Isn’t this the third year under their new coach.

I hope I’m wrong.

Go Irish!!!

[Dale]

I think you are all optimistic. One starter returning to a new position on the OL. That will take time to bring to a decent level. Then we have a QB, who IMO, wasn’t lights out at Wiscy and didn’t play last year.

I think 8-4 is very acceptable for next year with ur schedule. Everyone has ignored Purdue, for example, but look at the more recent history. They have played us tough. I also believe they are going to start breaking out. Isn’t this the third year under their new coach.

I hope I’m wrong.

Go Irish!!!

Purdue probably would fall in my WTF category like UVA but I would say on the term “recent history”, we don’t really have a recent history against Purdue. Probably doesn’t feel like it but we haven’t played them since 2014, and have won 7 straight (yes some closer than should be).

[notredomer23]

FSU - W
Toledo - L
Purdue - L
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - L
Va Tech - L
USC - L
North Carolina - L
Navy - W
Virginia - L
Georgia Tech - L
Stanford - L

[stpeteirish]

FSU - W
Toledo - L
Purdue - L
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - L
Va Tech - L
USC - L
North Carolina - L
Navy - W
Virginia - L
Georgia Tech - L
Stanford - L

Either a joke or the worst prediction ever

[InKellyWeTrust]

Struggle early, then Buchner wins the starting gig. Still a bit of a transition with close games in the first half of the season. Then absolutely start smashing teams over the last 6 games, starting with USC.

FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - L
Va Tech - W
USC - W
North Carolina - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

[stpeteirish]

Irish go 10-2. Use 3 QBs at some point in season.Fans demand change. Can’t agree who to fire, Rees or Kelly.
Beat LSU in Citrus Bowl after Tigers have 14 starters opt out to protect their “brand”. ND fans complain about going to a “minor” bowl, pine for playoffs.

Bonus prediction: 2022 Irish go 11-1 beating Clemson at home, make playoffs, lose to Bama, fans complain about “stagnant” program and poor coaching.

[notredomer23]

Either a joke or the worst prediction ever

Bud, I picked ND to beat Clemson and Bama. Of course it’s a joke. I’ve been saying anywhere from 8-4 to 12-0 since the season ended depending on QB play and even with Coan that prediction remains.

[Some Irish Bloke]

FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - L
Cincy - W
VT - W
USC - W
NC - L
Navy - W
Virginia - W
GT - W
Stanford - W

I have a really bad feeling about heading down to Tallahassee week 1. I know FSU has been a total dumpster fire, but it reminds me of heading down to Austin in '16; year two under Norvell and they'll be jacked up to play and start their season on the right foot. Not to mention our OL and QB situation, tough to hit the road at night under those circumstances.

I think we'll be a tough out later in the season but UNC is going to be a buzz saw offensively. My gut says 8-10 wins, so I'll split the difference. 9-3

[texbender]

Concerned with too many new and unproven parts on Offense. Thinking 9-3 here in early February.
FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisc - L
UC - W
VT -W
USC - W
UNC - L
Navy - W
UV - W
GT -W
Stanford - W

[EvilleIrish]

SP+ has us at 26th preseason.

[NDohio]

FSU - W
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisc - L
UC - W
VT -W
USC - L
UNC - W
Navy - W
UV - W
GT -W
Stanford - W

I am not really all that worried about UNC next year. Yeah, they have a great QB but they lose their top two running backs and their top receiver.

I feel like USC is just due for a win. I don't really think they're better than ND, it just feels like it's time.

[zelezo vlk]

I'm gonna be so pissed if Sconny wins.

[InKellyWeTrust]

Obviously I will predict losses to Wisconsin and Cincinnati because that's just how I've been conditioned as an ND fan. Get Freeman => lose to his prior team. Get Coan => lose to his prior team.

[notredomer23]

Was hoping Cincy would be a night game but I am cool with these game times.

[zelezo vlk]

I wonder if I could actually make the Cincy game this year. Or perhaps Purdue, if my Boilermaker cousin wants to join us. Gramps is now super excited to go to a night game for the first time in decades, at the ripe old age of 81 lol

[Irish#1]

FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
Va Tech - W
USC - W
North Carolina - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

[RDU Irish]

I think we end up 9-3 or 10-2 range - too many trap games. I feel like we should do better than 50/50 between FSU, Wisconsin, Cincy, USC, UNC, Virginia so will lean toward 10-2. Less a matter of fearing anyone on the schedule than the cumulative effect of a lot of quality opponents while we have so many inexperienced areas that will likely lack consistency.

[notredomer23]

[NorthDakota]

Obviously I will predict losses to Wisconsin and Cincinnati because that's just how I've been conditioned as an ND fan. Get Freeman => lose to his prior team. Get Coan => lose to his prior team.

Nah fam we will clown both. We'll poop our pants against some barely average p5 though

[greyhammer90]

Nah fam we will clown both. We'll poop our pants against some barely average p5 though

Tbf, it’s been a minute since we had the weird loss

[Irish#1]

Tbf, it’s been a minute since we had the weird loss

Correct. We're past that now.

[IrishLax]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

[notredomer23]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

It really is a weird season coming up. I don't think I've felt so mixed for any year ever that they could either go 7-5 or 12-0.

[Trait Expectations]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

Wow. I can see a worst case scenario ending with that record. I suppose if the OL doesn't improve between now and fall games. If Austin breaks his other foot. If Lenzy hamstrings himself again. If the secondary gets exploited after another Hamilton injury, then I could see 8-4, even 7-5 possibly.

But I'm going to count on a few things: The OL improves now that positions are being set in place so the players can develop continuity. I'm going to have faith Austin's trials and tribulations are behind him and he has a good, not great year. Somewhere around 50 catches, 1000 yds, 8-10 TDs. Lenzy returns to 2019 form and merely gives us what he did that year. And our 2-headed RB monster drops in rushing yards combined but greatly increases in receiving yards combined.

And I believe our defensive line will be the best defensive line in every single game we play. I believe our 2nd unit will be better than most 1st units. And that should greatly help us.

I hope we have another great year of forced TOs. That starts with the havoc the Freeman hopes to create.

[FightingIrishLover7]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

4 losses??
Who?

[Dale]

And I believe our defensive line will be the best defensive line in every single game we play. I believe our 2nd unit will be better than most 1st units. And that should greatly help us.

This. I really don’t think people understand how good the DL might be. Last year, Ade was the somewhat surprise while Daelin, MTA, and Hinish played at what I would call known quantities level. Ademilolas were both solid as well. This year you likely know what you get from Hinish and MTA. But you have a host of BOOM potential guys that last year were not at the level of ready physically. Foskey, Botelho, Mills. Those are guys you look up and wonder if they are in 2022 or 2023 mock drafts yet. Cross, Nana are guys that can give you 2nd string DL production with zero drop off from last years 2nd DL. The Ademilolas can replicate 2020 probably at minimum in which both had fantastic production per snap numbers, but I also think have a potential gear to kick into.

[NDCrusader]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

[longliveautrydenson]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

I’m not sure if UNC returning their whole OL is a good thing. They were softer than Charmin and super senior Kurt Hinish is going to be on a national OL Demoralization Tour this fall.

[NDCrusader]

I’m not sure if UNC returning their whole OL is a good thing. They were softer than Charmin and super senior Kurt Hinish is going to be on a national OL Demoralization Tour this fall.

Well the 5 guys behind them apparently were even softer.

[Irish du Nord]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

My hopes are high that ND fans will show out after a year of no in-person games. I predict that it will be a Cuse '18 looking crowd. God-willing I'll be part of it.

[zelezo vlk]

The Wisconsin game is technically a home game for the Badgers, so do they get a majority of the tickets?

[NDCrusader]

My hopes are high that ND fans will show out after a year of no in-person games. I predict that it will be a Cuse '18 looking crowd. God-willing I'll be part of it.

But ND was the home team for Cuse '18. Wiscy's the home team next year in Chicago though I might remember they did a different type of split for the Green Bay / Chicago series.

[Irish#1]

The most important thing to remember is the last 3-4 years have told us a different story and the mental makeup that BK has built into the program. We haven't seen that WTF? game because his teams are wired differently than 5+ years ago. A few years ago there was concern about the O-line and OMM said not to worry and I seconded his motion. Will the O-line be on par with the last couple of years? No, but they'll be better than most think. I have us losing the opener. Maybe Wiscy as well, but we're better than the rest.