2013 Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll

[GreenSox04]

Ohio state at 2 is funny.
Stanford at 4 is funny.
SCAR ahead of us is funny.
Louisville ahead of us is hilarious.

I'd be pissed if preseason polls meant ANYTHING at all.. Right SC?

 

[Black Irish]

Man, the way ND is being ranked, you'd think they are the only team that lost good players from last year.

 

[NDWorld247]

Man, the way ND is being ranked, you'd think they are the only team that lost good players from last year.

They are the only team that was embarrassed on the sport's largest stage. I think voters have every right to be cautious with this team/program. I don't agree with them, but I can understand where they're coming from.

I also think this is going to be a really exciting year in college football (aren't they all?). Usually there is lead group of teams and then everyone else. This year it seems there is one team (Alabama) and then a LARGE group after them. I really don't think there's much difference between #2 and #14.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I doubt it. Notre Dame would move past OSU and Louisville, especially since we were in the NC last year.

Agreed. ND would jump them due to their schedules being jokes. They don't deserve to be in the NCG due to their sh*t schedules.

 

[Crazy Balki]

They are the only team that was embarrassed on the sport's largest stage. I think voters have every right to be cautious with this team/program. I don't agree with them, but I can understand where they're coming from.

I also think this is going to be a really exciting year in college football (aren't they all?). Usually there is lead group of teams and then everyone else. This year it seems there is one team (Alabama) and then a LARGE group after them. I really don't think there's much difference between #2 and #14.

There's one problem with your logic. Florida's ranked ahead of us...

 

[Anchorman]

There's one problem with your logic. Florida's ranked ahead of us...

Florida beat LSU, FSU and So Carolina last year. They lost to Georgia by 8 points then dropped the bowl game.

I have no problem being behind them.

 

[stlnd01]

They are the only team that was embarrassed on the sport's largest stage. I think voters have every right to be cautious with this team/program. I don't agree with them, but I can understand where they're coming from.

Also, losing Golson probably dropped us five slots. I can understand that.

One thing I'm never really clear on with pre-season polls: How much are voters basing votes on how good they think teams are vs. How much are they basing it as a prediction. In other words, are we the 14th best team in the country today or will we end it ranked 14th (which is typically a low 10-2 or high 9-3 kind of finish). Because we only play one team ranked ahead of us, and if we lose to Stanford and beat everyone else, we should finish the regular season well above 14th. And that game will be epic.

I realize there's no hard and fast rules on this stuff, but it always confounds me a bit, especially when, as with us going into last year, voters dock a team in advance for having a tough schedule. In this case, I suspect Louisville and OSU are benefiting from having weak schedules ("predictive" votes) while LSU and us are probably suffering from having tougher schedules.
Anyway, it's all meaningless. Call back Oct. 1.

 

[philipm31]

Honestly, I'm done with one loss SEC teams getting a pass to the front of the line every year... EVERY YEAR...

THIS.

Gets redundant...and likely will continue even with the playoff system next year.

 

[kmoose]

so far we've been kind of lackluster against most teams that have a pulse on defense.

We scored 20 or more points on 4 (BYU, Michigan State, Pitt, Stanford) of the 5(add Michigan) Top 25 scoring defenses that we faced, last year. That's not kicking @ss, but it's not exactly lackluster, either.

 

[ulukinatme]

We scored 20 or more points on 4 (BYU, Michigan State, Pitt, Stanford) of the 5(add Michigan) Top 25 scoring defenses that we faced, last year. That's not kicking @ss, but it's not exactly lackluster, either.

I was really going back to the last 3 seasons under Kelly. We haven't seen that "Kelly offense" really show up yet against the elite teams. I'm glad we've achieved improvements on defense, because thats what wins championships, but the offense has kind of taken a step back as a result. Offense has to improve if we want to win a big bowl, can't get by with how we performed last year (Save for a few games like Miami). I think we'll get there because they've been building for the future with the OL recruiting and skill positions. Have to admit that even when Weis got to a lot of the big games our offense got shut down against stout defenses.

 

[GoldenDomer87]

I have no issue with the ranking of ND. We lost most of offense and our starting QB. Lost the heart of the defense and 4 other starters. Lucky for us, the teams on the schedule don't seem to be too overpowering. I think it's a legit spot. If we had Golson you could bet we would 10 or 9.

7 National Championships in a row and people still complain about the SEC, really.

 

[KPENN]

I have no issue with the ranking of ND. We lost most of offense and our starting QB. Lost the heart of the defense and 4 other starters. Lucky for us, the teams on the schedule don't seem to be too overpowering. I think it's a legit spot. If we had Golson you could bet we would 10 or 9.

7 National Championships in a row and people still complain about the SEC, really.

See my problem is the middle and bottom tier SEC teams getting bumps because of the top of the conference. It also cracks me up when Vandy, Kentucky, etc take almost take credit for national titles. It's like a little brother high fiving kids thinking he's awesome because his older brother is banging the hottest chick in school, just stupid to me.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I have no issue with the ranking of ND. We lost most of offense and our starting QB. Lost the heart of the defense and 4 other starters. Lucky for us, the teams on the schedule don't seem to be too overpowering. I think it's a legit spot. If we had Golson you could bet we would 10 or 9.

7 National Championships in a row and people still complain about the SEC, really.

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers, twin towers at TE, an iron curtain on the left side of the O-Line and have a QB that is 18-4 as a starter. As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Te'o's gone, oh man. It's like we don't have the best defensive line in college football or something like that...

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers, twin towers at TE, an iron curtain on the left side of the O-Line and have a QB that is 18-4 as a starter. As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Te'o's gone, oh man. It's like we don't have the best defensive line in college football or something like that...

The Twin Towers at tight end are entirely unknown. Eifert was the leading receiver. Rees is not an upgrade on Golson, and it is not even close. It's absolutely ridiculous to say there is an upgrade at tight end. Eifert was one of the best tight ends of the last decade. Koyack and Niklas have shown nothing to say they can even be as good. Running back is also probably not as good. Riddick and Wood were both great running backs. Bryant is the only reason why this is "probably" instead of "definitely". Just a ridiculous post.

 

[KPENN]

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers,

Actually Notre Dame's leading receiver from last year is playing in Cincy.

twin towers at TE,

Twin towers? Lol. They are a huge question mark, losing Eifert is gonna be huge.

As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Uh no they don't. Runningbacks and TE are definitely worse.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Golson was more than ok considering it was his first year starting. Right now with the pros and cons of each i'd put Golson slightly above Ress, and the thing is Golson has a ton of room to go, Rees sorta is what he is at this point.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Claim Rees's record as a starter all you want as long as you realize Golson is 10-1 (essentially 11-1) as a starter, which is way better than 18-4 or whatever.

 

[NDWorld247]

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense.

Golson's potential in 2013 > Rees' potential in 2013 > Golson's performance in 2012. If we're just looking at Golson's performance in 2012 and what I believe Rees is capable of in 2013, I agree it will be an upgrade.

As for the rest of the offense:

2013 WR > 2012 WR
2013 OL > 2012 OL
2012 TE > 2013 TE --- Although I think the 2013 group can match the 2012 production, it's really hard to quantify the value Eifert brought to the offense.
2012 RB = 2013 RB --- I expect our top 2 RBs to account for more than 1,659 yards rushing and 9 TDs. However, I think it's a stretch to think we'll get similar receiving production as Riddick (36 rec for 370 yards and 2 TDs) and I question if any of them will step up in clutch situations the same way Riddick did for much of last year. If I had to pick I'd probably give the edge to 2012, but I'm copping out and saying it's equal.

 

[irishfan]

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers, twin towers at TE, an iron curtain on the left side of the O-Line and have a QB that is 18-4 as a starter. As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Te'o's gone, oh man. It's like we don't have the best defensive line in college football or something like that...

1) Twin towers at TE sounds funny. They combined for 8 catches, 114 yards, and 1 TD last year. That sounds like an average backup TE.

2) Tommy isn't 18-4 as a starter. He is 14-4 and that is counting the Miami "start" last year. Small difference, but its a difference.

3) ND is upgraded at every position on offense? I would rather have Eifert, Riddick/Wood, and Golson back this year than the people we have replacing them.

4) And we don't have the best defensive line in football. We got GASHED by Bama and that's putting it lightly. We stopped the run against them worse than just about anyone they played. Our depth at d-line right now is not strong. I don't know who has the best d-line in football (probably Bama lol) but you can't argue that ND does based on the last time that we saw them play. We let up 265 yards in the biggest game of the year. Only four teams allowed more than 265 against Bama all year. The best d-line in the country wouldn't let that happen.

 

[yankeeND]

1) Twin towers at TE sounds funny. They combined for 8 catches, 114 yards, and 1 TD last year. That sounds like an average backup TE.

2) Tommy isn't 18-4 as a starter. He is 14-4 and that is counting the Miami "start" last year. Small difference, but its a difference.

3) ND is upgraded at every position on offense? I would rather have Eifert, Riddick/Wood, and Golson back this year than the people we have replacing them.

4) And we don't have the best defensive line in football. We got GASHED by Bama and that's putting it lightly. We stopped the run against them worse than just about anyone they played. Our depth at d-line right now is not strong. I don't know who has the best d-line in football (probably Bama lol) but you can't argue that ND does based on the last time that we saw them play. We let up 265 yards in the biggest game of the year. Only four teams allowed more than 265 against Bama all year. The best d-line in the country wouldn't let that happen.

Great point about Tommy's record. It is not a huge deal but I see 18-4 all of the time. He has started 18 games. If you throw Tulsa and USF in there, since he played most of or enough of those games, I wouldn't even argue 14-6. Still that's pretty solid and I am one of the guys that thinks he will have an excellent season. There will always be some wtf's with him in there but if he minimizes TO's we will be just fine as far as his play is concerned IMO.

 

[ulukinatme]

Not worried about Tight End. We've been rolling out great TEs ever since Fasano, I see no reason we'll have a huge drop off this season.

Offensive line will be as good or better than last year...hoping for the later.

Riddick and Wood were a good combo, but I've got faith among the 5 guys we've got at RB right now at least one of them will be a big play maker. They've all got talent, we just need to find the one that will execute the best.

WR's will be great imo. Davaris Daniels showed us just a taste of what he can do last year, he's going to come up big if he stays healthy. TJ will continue to snag receptions. We've got budding stars or one of our RBs to take over slot.

Tommy is a seasoned veteran now, he's not the same guy that was turning the ball over as a Sophomore. He's not going to win us the game with his feet, but he'll manage the offense and if we're able to increase the tempo like they've been talking about, it's worked to his advantage in the past. As a result, combined with what I think will be an improved OL, I think Tommy's strengths will outweigh the loss of Golson's feet.

Overall, yeah, we've got a couple positions that are starting new players, but we're returning a lot of guys too and with lots of great depth this year. This offense should improve, I'd be surprised if it didn't.

 

[Redbar]

Not worried about Tight End. We've been rolling out great TEs ever since Fasano, I see no reason we'll have a huge drop off this season.

Offensive line will be as good or better than last year...hoping for the later.

Riddick and Wood were a good combo, but I've got faith among the 5 guys we've got at RB right now at least one of them will be a big play maker. They've all got talent, we just need to find the one that will execute the best.

WR's will be great imo. Davaris Daniels showed us just a taste of what he can do last year, he's going to come up big if he stays healthy. TJ will continue to snag receptions. We've got budding stars or one of our RBs to take over slot.

Tommy is a seasoned veteran now, he's not the same guy that was turning the ball over as a Sophomore. He's not going to win us the game with his feet, but he'll manage the offense and if we're able to increase the tempo like they've been talking about, it's worked to his advantage in the past. As a result, combined with what I think will be an improved OL, I think Tommy's strengths will outweigh the loss of Golson's feet.

Overall, yeah, we've got a couple positions that are starting new players, but we're returning a lot of guys too and with lots of great depth this year. This offense should improve, I'd be surprised if it didn't.

+1

 

[GoldenDomer87]

See my problem is the middle and bottom tier SEC teams getting bumps because of the top of the conference. It also cracks me up when Vandy, Kentucky, etc take almost take credit for national titles. It's like a little brother high fiving kids thinking he's awesome because his older brother is banging the hottest chick in school, just stupid to me.

What conference can you not say that about? Every conference has its bottom feeders. My point was more directed at the comment of not taking a 1 lose SEC team. I think they have proven their worth. If OSU and Louisville go undefeated, I think a 1 loss SEC team is more deserving. UL plays a joke of schedule. The Big 10 has been down last year and should be this year too.

 

[GoldenDomer87]

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers, twin towers at TE, an iron curtain on the left side of the O-Line and have a QB that is 18-4 as a starter. As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Te'o's gone, oh man. It's like we don't have the best defensive line in college football or something like that...

Most everyone summed it up. TE is a downgrade, the young receivers have looked good in camp, but are unproven. I think it's a downgrade at QB and RB, but our line plays just as well. How can you say "oh man" to seven ints and over 100 tackles? We don't have the best defensive line, to have that you need depth. I would put our 1s against a lot of teams, but from there it's a huge drop or unproven. The 2s look like Schwenke, Rochell, and Jones, two of which have never seen the field. Maybe throw Ishaq in there, but he still has a lot to prove. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and have heard good things about the guys I just said, but it means nothing till you do it in a game.

 

[Black Irish]

I was reading Sports Illustrated's pre-season breakdown, and the analysis on Stanford was, I'm paraphrasing: "they return a great D, a solid O-line, and a promising young QB." Of course, that promising QB had no proven playmakers to throw to and the solid O-line had no proven RBs to open holes for. As far as I see it, Stanford and Notre Dame should be ranked right next to each other. I don't see them being significantly better than the Irish coming into the season. I'm not saying Notre Dame should be ranked in the top five, but I don't see Stanford there either.

 

[stlnd01]

What conference can you not say that about? Every conference has its bottom feeders. My point was more directed at the comment of not taking a 1 lose SEC team. I think they have proven their worth. If OSU and Louisville go undefeated, I think a 1 loss SEC team is more deserving. UL plays a joke of schedule. The Big 10 has been down last year and should be this year too.

I would agree with you that a one-loss SEC team may well be one of the best two teams in the country. That's been the case several times lately.
But I'm not sure that translates into every one or two-loss SEC team deserving a spot among the top 10 teams in the country, which is how voters have come to treat them lately. Most of them only play two or three quality opponents a year. Is the top half of the SEC good? Yes. Are they so much better than everyone else that they deserve to occupy half of the top 12 slots in the preseason poll? Really?
It gets a little tiresome is all.

 

[Irishnuke]

Really? Cuz I see ND returning their 2 leading receivers, twin towers at TE, an iron curtain on the left side of the O-Line and have a QB that is 18-4 as a starter. As a matter of fact, outside of MAYBE Center, it's arguable that ND upgrades at every position on offense.

Golson was okay, but Tommy knows the offense A LOT better. Golson had been in the system for 2 years and couldn't change plays at the line of scrimmage or run hurry up. Tommy may not be as physically gifted, but he can run the offense better.

Te'o's gone, oh man. It's like we don't have the best defensive line in college football or something like that...

This is the most drunk on Kool-Aid post I've ever seen on IE. Ever.

 

[philipm31]

This is the most drunk on Kool-Aid post I've ever seen on IE. Ever.

Or just drunk, period.