Do you think its possible that we play OSU in the NC game?

[Axl Rose]

I would really like to get revenge on them for the Fiesta.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I think it'll be hard for both of us to get there, but even harder for them. O$U's offense wasn't very efficient against even average defenses (our's was worse... but it'll be better this year) and it too often relied on their defense giving them enough posessions to make something happen.

I'd say their offense works 90% of the time off of waiting for the other team's defense to screw up---only 10% of the time are they actually making things happen by their own initiative.

So they'll have a really tough time when they go up against Iowa, Texas, Michigan and MSU and/or Wisconsin (I think they play both?...right?).

I don't think they'll be able to beat them all. Their defense won't be there to provide for their offense. It'll be a good defense, but not the one it was last year.


But I will say, one thing to watch out for is their freshman running back, Chris Wells. If he makes an early impact, it'll be a huge boost because Tressel doesn't have the brains to be creative. And there isn't much creativity in ramming it up the middle, but it can work, as Maurice Clarrett proved in 2002 when he pretty much single-handedly won them the national title via the Satan-Ohio State Soul Trade Agreement of 2002.

 

[BGIF]

...
I'd say their offense works 90% of the time off of waiting for the other team's defense to screw up---only 10% of the time are they actually making things happen by their own initiative.

So they'll have a really tough time when they go up against Iowa, Texas, Michigan and MSU and/or Wisconsin (I think they play both?...right?)...

If it worked so well against ND why shouldn't that offensive philosophy work against Iowa, Texas, Michigan, and MSU and/or Wisconsin?

 

[NDAlumSon]

Do you think its possible that we play OSU in the NC game?

I would really like to get revenge on them for the Fiesta.

Revenge is best left simmering until:
Sat 09/23/06 Michigan State East Lansing, MI ABC 8:00 p.m. ET

A possible national championship will take care of itself.

 

[BGIF]

Do you think its possible that we play OSU in the NC game?

SI picks the rematch!

 

[scooper]

I wouldn't be surprised. We are both popular picks.

 

[Vince Young]

...because Tressel doesn't have the brains to be creative.

I beg to differ. See "the four plays" from the Fiesta Bowl, as outlined on The Blue-Gray Sky. He played our defense like a fiddle.

Fortunately, he'll have to work a bit more for it this year.

If we can get through the first 4, there is absolutely no reason why we can't run the table, including against USC.

I'm not entirely convinced yet that we WILL get through the first 4; seeing will be believing with our defense. But IF we get through the first 4... the sky's the limit. And Ohio State's the only other team I see with the horses to hit the finish line alongside us.

 

[lattedatte]

Wouldn't be suprised and anyone that is suprised is silly. We are the two favorites. I think Iowa beats OSU this year, from there they'll need help.

 

[A2McGowan]

It is far more likely to me that if Texas beats Ohio St.(they will), they could coast through the Big 12. The Big Ten is a meat grinder and OSU lost EVERYBODY on defense. West Virginia, Louisville and teams with a little softer schedule and no conference championship game have a great shot. This all leads to one team actually........USC. They are ridiculously loaded and the PAC-10 stinks period......at least compared to SC. Undefeated when they host ND for all the marbles.

 

[jiggafini19]

Too early to tell.

It is wide open this year. The only revenge they should be worried about is Michigan State.

Right after they win their first three games before them.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Too early to tell.

It is wide open this year. The only revenge they should be worried about is Michigan State.

Right after they win their first three games before them.

yeah,it is too early to tell,but I'm picking texas over tOSU.
all the focus has been on vince young leaving and not on that big offensive line,good reciever and running back.their defense itsn't too shabby either.
I think they have a good chance of running the table also.

if tOSU does lose to texas,then that could be the only game they lose this year and will still be ranked high,but not over texas.

notre dame just needs to do it's part and win,win,win

 

[jiggafini19]

You're right, tennesseeirish.

Too many people are assuming Texas and USC will fall into black holes because of their marquee superstar losses. I don't see that as being the case.

Going unbeaten and losing 1 game after winning 30-something in a row as those two did, it is pretty easy to predict their demise. Those teams will hang around and both sould win their respective conferences.

I think Iowa can beat just about anyone in the Big Ten at home, so we'll see what OSU does when they get there. That trip to Texas should be one of the games of the year.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

If it worked so well against ND why shouldn't that offensive philosophy work against Iowa, Texas, Michigan, and MSU and/or Wisconsin?

Because a team like Texas has a very good defensive line and it just wouldn't work. But, it could still win them lots of games, just not all the way to the championship. And as good as Chris Wells is, he's a distant second behind Pittman. (Pittman was second all time in rushing as a sophmore behind only Archie Griffin).

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I would really like to get revenge on them for the Fiesta.

Possible but HIGHLY unlikely. People are too easily glossing over OSU's losses on Defense. I suspect that they will lose to at least UM if not another team.

However, I would not mind seeing it.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

You're right, tennesseeirish.

Too many people are assuming Texas and USC will fall into black holes because of their marquee superstar losses. I don't see that as being the case.

Going unbeaten and losing 1 game after winning 30-something in a row as those two did, it is pretty easy to predict their demise. Those teams will hang around and both sould win their respective conferences.

I think Iowa can beat just about anyone in the Big Ten at home, so we'll see what OSU does when they get there. That trip to Texas should be one of the games of the year.

USC lost more than a couple people though...they lost the backbone of their offense. I would not completely write them off, but I could see them losing 3 games EASILY.

 

[Bubba]

I think West Virginia's schedule, combined with no conference title game helps them out. They would have to go undefeated though. Texas or OSU could make it to the title game even if they have 1 loss. Rematch of the 1989 Fiesta bowl?

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

If it worked so well against ND why shouldn't that offensive philosophy work against Iowa, Texas, Michigan, and MSU and/or Wisconsin?

Because some defenses don't screw up that often. And those teams are the ones that have pretty reliable defenses.

So you shouldn't expect O$U to put up many points on them this season, especially since their defense won't be as good---they won't get them the field position, they won't get them the turnovers and they won't prove as difficult a team to score points on. And the more points they surrender, the more they need the opposing defense to screw up... but that's a dangerous game they are playing and if they find themselves down in a game, they'll be relying too much on luck (well, the other team's misfortune) and the odds will be stacked against them.

Ohio State lived on the belief that 'the best offense is a good defense'.. they'll still have a good defense, but not as good and that makes all the difference.

 

[rontdtarchala]

I don't care who we play, just get there baby!!!!!

ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!!!! GTECH FIRST!!!!

 

[solo]

I don't think so. OSU lost 9 of 11 starters on defense. But they have recruited well. So they could very well get to the title game. I have them as one of my 3 favorites to do so.

I do not have ND pegged in the title game for the following reasons:

1. No defense. Defense wins championships. As the #75 rated D from last year, we could improve signficantly and still not be good enough.

2. No depth. If any of our players get injured, we are hurting.

3. Special teams. We are nreaking in new kicker and punter. That hurts.

4. Schedule. It looks brutal. Surviving the first 3 games without a loss will be extremly tough. And even if we can manage that, we still have other togh games.

We will be a very good football team. But we have much working against us this year.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

1. No defense. Defense wins championships. As the #75 rated D from last year, we could improve signficantly and still not be good enough.

I think that depends on who we would hypothetically play in the title game.

As for the regular season schedule, it's entirely feasible that we go undefeated. If two plays were changed last year, we would have been playing Texas.

The good news is that there won't be a defense in the country half as good as what Ohio State's was last season. When you combine that with the fact that we can put up points on anyone, we might end up in a shootout...and I like our chances in that scenario.

Oh, and like you said, our defense will be better, but I disagree, I do think it will make a difference.

 

[tommy]

yea that made it even worse for me two damn plays but it also gave me a hope the year before i had no hope when usc beat us pretty bad

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

Yeah, before Weis came, I thought the USC ass-beatings were going to be a new Notre Dame tradition.

Thank God that's changed.

 

[solo]

Agree that the D will be better

Agree that the D will be better

Oh, and like you said, our defense will be better, but I disagree, I do think it will make a difference.

But will it be good enough to win a title? The average defensive ranking for the last 10 champions is #6. So can we improve that much? Possibly, but not highly likely in my opinion (jumpin from 75 to 6 is almost unheard of).

You also must look at what our weaknesses are on defense and the type of teams we play. Our defense struggles with good QB's: either accurate passers or scramblers. The following teams have one of those: GT, PSU, Mich, USC, Stanford, Mich St. We'll know after the first 3 games just how much our D has improved.

In my opinion, this team goes as far as the defense can carry it. We will be potent on offense. But you don't want to be in a shootout week in and week out (like Texas Tech). I also think special teams could cost us a close game this year. Do we have a kicker that can consistantly kick even a 35 yard FG? I haven't heard anything ewither way from practice reports on the kicking game.

We know what comes back on offense and can win 8 games with minimal effort based solely on our offensive prowess. But to go undefeated, ST and D will need to step up in my opinion. We will need to develop a pas rush. We will need the dbs to cover much better. We will need to make plays on 3rd and long rather than give up big plays. And we will need to stay healthy. I'm looking forward to another very good season and continued success for some time to come. But I just don't have that feeling that this is our year to win it all.

My prediction for the season is 10-3 and a top 10 finish.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

But will it be good enough to win a title? The average defensive ranking for the last 10 champions is #6. So can we improve that much? Possibly, but not highly likely in my opinion (jumpin from 75 to 6 is almost unheard of).

It's risky relying on one dimension, just ask Alabama last year. But tbh, I'd rather have that one dimension be the offense, because no matter what people say, the offense controls the game.

I think that when you consider how 'average' our defense might be, you have to balance it out with our offense...which, bluntly put, is superb. And it will only get better with Rhema McKnight adding a completely new dimension to our passing game.

I'll tell you what I really think: cheer up. This is going to be one hell of a year. I don't remember the stakes being higher in my lifetime. And I honestly believe these guys will rise to the test.

 

[tommy]

but you could also look at it like our offense will be good enough to score very quick in a drive which will give our d fense more time on the filed i also belive the d will be better than every one is giving them credit for heck we made an enourmous jump on the recruiting front i dont know the specifics but i know it was a big leap to 8 anything is possible

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

You're right, tennesseeirish.

Too many people are assuming Texas and USC will fall into black holes because of their marquee superstar losses. I don't see that as being the case.

Going unbeaten and losing 1 game after winning 30-something in a row as those two did, it is pretty easy to predict their demise. Those teams will hang around and both sould win their respective conferences.

I think Iowa can beat just about anyone in the Big Ten at home, so we'll see what OSU does when they get there. That trip to Texas should be one of the games of the year.

those guys are still pretty good.We'll see what happens when tate is healthy

 

[BGIF]

Do you think its possible that we play OSU in the NC game?

Only if OSU wins all their games.