Guys, if you're worried... I'd jump now!

[ACamp1900]

I never said their recruiting was Top 20, I said their program is a Top 20 program, but not a national title contender. Big difference there. They are generally in the top 40 recruiting classes annually, and I remember them being Top 15 in the last couple years... I think.

Of course you can coach up. But do you honestly think you can coach up consistent classes of two-star prospects and beat a team loaded with four- and five-star talent? Sure, you may be able to knock them off once, but beating these talent laden teams consistently? Go back and look at VT's record against big time opponents.

lol... never said you said that... just pointing out they coach up...

 

[ACamp1900]

Of course you can coach up. But do you honestly think you can coach up consistent classes of two-star prospects and beat a team loaded with four- and five-star talent? Sure, you may be able to knock them off once, but beating these talent laden teams consistently? Go back and look at VT's record against big time opponents.

and I expect our boys, who may be top heavy right now but there is talent there, to play with and at least try to show up against the big boys yeah, i expect that, espec. from a Charlie coached team... and no i am not on the throw in the towel for 07 bus... I think we can win 8-9 games with that schedule...

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

2007 is going to be a rough year, but we KNOW THAT right now. So, we need to keep our expecations in line with this...

NOW, 2008 and 2009 are going to be some good years. 2010...WOW.

But let's not forget 2006 is NOT over. We can STILL run the table. This season is NOT over.

 

[Irish Envy]

2007 is going to be a rough year, but we KNOW THAT right now. So, we need to keep our expecations in line with this...

NOW, 2008 and 2009 are going to be some good years. 2010...WOW.

But let's not forget 2006 is NOT over. We can STILL run the table. This season is NOT over.

Yep, I am still fully confident that we can finish with a 10-3 to 12-1 record unti proven otherwise on the field. Just wanted to paint a realistic picture as why we're going to have issues with those uber talented teams this year and next.

That said, the title still exists. If you're going to freak out about the team without doing your research on why it happens, jump now. I can only imagine how it is going to be next year if we get ran off the field once or twice.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Yep, I am still fully confident that we can finish with a 10-3 to 12-1 record unti proven otherwise on the field. Just wanted to paint a realistic picture as why we're going to have issues with those uber talented teams this year and next.

That said, the title still exists. If you're going to freak out about the team without doing your research on why it happens, jump now. I can only imagine how it is going to be next year if we get ran off the field once or twice.

Yeah, you are spot on. This season will end well enough...just not perfect. There is no crying over spilt milk...just win NOW.

 

[Indydomer]

It just seems like its been so long since we have had the hype and a potential shot at the NC. I just wish that college football had a fucking playoff. The BCS sucks. Look at us fellas, we lost one game and our national title hopes are shot. Unless everyone loses one game and we somehow get up high enough we have no chance at a NC. I don't think that is right personally. We are 2-1 and as far as NC aspirations they are gone.

Sucks.

And no I am not jumping. I was going to critisize some people for jumping already but the playoff thing popped in my head.

I agree with SVo we still have a solid team and could make a run the rest of the way. I could handle 12-1 11-2 10-3. It is a hell of a lot better than 7-6. The future is bright.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

It just seems like its been so long since we have had the hype and a potential shot at the NC. I just wish that college football had a fucking playoff. The BCS sucks. Look at us fellas, we lost one game and our national title hopes are shot. Unless everyone loses one game and we somehow get up high enough we have no chance at a NC. I don't think that is right personally. We are 2-1 and as far as NC aspirations they are gone.

Yeah, a playoff would seriously change the way the game works...including scheduling. A lot better match-ups might appear if teams felt they could make a bracket, etc. (even if they lost 1)

 

[tommy]

i think its a money issue the ncaa makes a hell of a lot of money on them bowl games would they make as much on say a 16 game playoff or would it be the same ass ncaa basketball what is it 62 teams ?

 

[BGIF]

i think its a money issue the ncaa makes a hell of a lot of money on them bowl games would they make as much on say a 16 game playoff or would it be the same ass ncaa basketball what is it 62 teams ?

The bowls aren't run by the NCAA, tommy.

Bowls were created by local chambers of commerce and local movers and shakers to create events that would bring tourists ($$$$) to town filling the hotels and restaurants and generating tax revenues. The usual formula was one out of state team (that would bring fans) and one regional conference team that the locals would come to see even if it wasn't the hometown favorite. When they had two out of state teams the locals didn't come (see Honolulu Bowl).

The regional conferences have bowl revenue sharing agreements so that bottom feeders like Kentucky and Vanderbilt get to share in the wealth and get compensated for their annual beatings. They don't want to see a 16 team playoff which would jeopardize their sweetheart deals. They don't want the NCAA running the show like they do with basketball. The NCAA (an association made up up of universities) might well do the democratic thing and hold regional games to limit travel. It would make sense.

That's one of the prime reasons for the BCS to maintain the status quo. They don't want the midmajor and minor conferences from getting a playoff slot and a slice of the cut. AND don't want them taking games away from their local chamber of commerce. Neither do the mayors and governors of those states want to lose the economic windfall.

Other NCAA Divisions already have a playoff system and they don't play in New Orleans, Miami, Dallas, and LA.

 

[jiggafini19]

I would like a Division I-A playoff but I don't think it is a viable option. Money talks guys. We all know that.

Do conference champions get outmatic bids? How many teams? 8...12....16....?

The system the way it is appears to be what they're going with. Personally, in a playoff, I think certain teams from certain conferences would end up not being able to hide behind weak regular season schedules.

And I highly doubt you'd see the Madness of March when the Sun Belt champion (16 seed) plays USC or Ohio State. It would be a mauling.

I don't think it will ever happen.

 

[guff]

Every college football clamors for a playoff but they don't put their money where the mouth is - so to speak. As long as fans are watching meaningless exhibition football in droves we, as fans, will continue to get meaningless football. Want the system to change - stop watching. No viewers = No $$.

After last year's Feista Bowl I said that I'm done with the bowls. I'll watch the championship game if ND is involved (highly unlikely at this point), otherwise I have better things to do with my January evenings. Every other sport plays it's exhibition games at the beginning of the seaon. College football saves their exhibition games for last.

Someday college football fans will wake up and realize the bowls are no more meaningful than a junior varsity high school soccer game.

 

[KMac151993]

Every college football clamors for a playoff but they don't put their money where the mouth is - so to speak. As long as fans are watching meaningless exhibition football in droves we, as fans, will continue to get meaningless football. Want the system to change - stop watching. No viewers = No $$.

After last year's Feista Bowl I said that I'm done with the bowls. I'll watch the championship game if ND is involved (highly unlikely at this point), otherwise I have better things to do with my January evenings. Every other sport plays it's exhibition games at the beginning of the seaon. College football saves their exhibition games for last.

Someday college football fans will wake up and realize the bowls are no more meaningful than a junior varsity high school soccer game.

What is meaningless about the bowls?

 

[guff]

What did OSU get for betting ND in the Feista Bowl? They got nothing. As a result of their win, they got to say "Yeah! We won." BFD. They didn't get to play for a national title because they won. They didn't get more money because they won. They got nothing but bragging rights.

The bowls are no more meaningful than a split squad Grapefruit League baseball game. College football fans like to think they are because their team is involved but the aren't meaningful.

A game is meaningful if the outcome matters. ND and OSU played an exhibition football game in January. The outcome of the game was of no consequence.

 

[NDgettysburg]

A game is meaningful if the outcome matters. ND and OSU played an exhibition football game in January. The outcome of the game was of no consequence.

Not that it's a huge point, but it does affect the preseason rankings the following year

(I know...it shouldn't....but it does)

 

[Irish Envy]

Just thought I'd bump this post back up because it's still very, very relavant. If you haven't go back and read (or re-read) this thread because it explains why we're in the position we're in.

Talent is the lifeblood of any team, any business, any organization. We're less talented then most of the teams we play yet we still win. It's going to take time... it IS going to get worse before it gets better.

 

[BGIF]

Then add in:
Talley's departure
Quinn can't throw the long ball
Walker can't run
Everybody's slow
The OLine's inconsistent
The Secondary is the worst we've ever had
The DLine has no pass rush
No CB can cover
Crum's out of position
We have no LBs
The Defensive Scheme Sucks
Field Goal Kicker can't kick
Kickoffs don't reach the endzone
Nobody knows how to tackle
Zbikowski gets sucked in on play action every time
Penalties show the lack of discipline
We don't start enough freshman
The coaches suck
Minter should be fired
ND has a cupcake schedule

No wonder ND's 1-8, right?

 

[Aaronl]

jump ship on the IRISH. never. ive been thru faust, davie and willingham. IMO nows the time ppl should be jumping on the wagon! LOL!


Go Irish!

 

[liverpool_irish]

some of you people kill me...on one hand you say that it's ok for weis to struggle next year (7-5, etc.) because we'll be so young.

But, what you all fail to see is that most of the starters this year and last also started the last two years....doesn't that make them YOUNG?

Quinn...a 4-year starter; McKnight, Zbikowski, Walker, Santucci, Sullivan, Harris, Morton, the list goes on and on and on.

If Weis is struggling with a very veteran squad against some pretty pathetic teams...what makes you so sure he's going to do any better down the road?

Use the no talent excuse all you want...but the Quinn's and McKnight's and Harris' and Zbikiowski's and Abiamari's and Leitko's and Laws' and Frome's all came to ND with the usual all-this and all-that accolades. Blame the past recruiting efforts if you want to...those kids haven't touched the field and the ones that have look pretty darn good (Bruton, Grimes, Herring, Crum, etc.).

 

[Irish Envy]

No, it doesn't make them young. Once you get 10-15 games of experience under your belt in a starter or key reserve capacity, you know whether a player will be a contributor or not. When we lose this senior class, combined with the lack of junior class, we're going to be very, very thin.

Our junior class, the players that should currently be our key reserves and depth, does not exist. This is another reason why this team struggles, because it just doesn't have the depth that other programs have. Teams like Texas, USC, Michigan, Ohio State all rotate players in and out, something we just don't have the luxury of doing.

As for your last paragraph, its pretty jumbled. What are you trying to say?

 

[ACamp1900]

No, it doesn't make them young. Once you get 10-15 games of experience under your belt in a starter or key reserve capacity, you know whether a player will be a contributor or not. When we lose this senior class, combined with the lack of junior class, we're going to be very, very thin.

Our junior class, the players that should currently be our key reserves and depth, does not exist. This is another reason why this team struggles, because it just doesn't have the depth that other programs have. Teams like Texas, USC, Michigan, Ohio State all rotate players in and out, something we just don't have the luxury of doing.

As for your last paragraph, its pretty jumbled. What are you trying to say?

I see what you're saying but let me just say I think we'll be very young, not thin... I'd say the issue with the depth chart will be experience not the amount of talent.... "IF" we survive the first four/ five games next year, we should be just fine and have another just in or just out BCS season... Next year we'll be much younger but we just might be much more talented... it should be a memorable season for sure either way... even if it's a 5+ loss year, it'll go down as the final "Notre Dame is history...." season... '08 we're back for good... book it...

 

[Irish Envy]

I see what you're saying but let me just say I think we'll be very young, not thin... I'd say the issue with the depth chart will be experience not the amount of talent.... "IF" we survive the first four/ five games next year, we should be just fine and have another just in or just out BCS season... Next year we'll be much younger but we just might be much more talented... it should be a memorable season for sure either way... even if it's a 5+ loss year, it'll go down as the final "Notre Dame is history...." season... '08 we're back for good... book it...

Who's experienced on the second team?

 

[ACamp1900]

Who's experienced on the second team?

that's why we should see pleanty more PT being spread the next couple of weeks... my point is we'll have more top flight recruits who will HAVE TO get playing time... that could be a curse, but with a coach like CW it just might be a blessing, hence it being interesting

 

[irishmike46]

Why Jump

Why Jump

If you want to jump ship, go right ahead. CW has taken a bunch of guys that were not his and made them a viable team. Yeah, we have problems, but look at where they were 2 years ago. As far as next year, hold judgement until October, no need to throw them under the train just yet.

 

[tommy]

i understand why every one is all huffy and puffy i want nd to dominate just as bad as every one else. but you have to build it it doesnt just happen specialy being nd you get every teams best game. its unreal how many guys have career days against nd and its not just lack of d . i would never jump i will go down with this ship i wish i could have some how had the song playing in the thread lol

 

[mirertobrooks]

You know what's great about Charlie, if you asked him about next year after '06 is over he'll tell you the objective is to win the National Championship.
I love the idea of FR and SO playing, they have nothing to lose, and they'll be playing with a sense of urgency.
So I think that makes the 2007 Irish a pretty dangerous team. 13-0 is pretty unrealistic, but I don't think it will be a disaster.

 

[ACamp1900]

You know what's great about Charlie, if you asked him about next year after '06 is over he'll tell you the objective is to win the National Championship.
I love the idea of FR and SO playing, they have nothing to lose, and they'll be playing with a sense of urgency.
So I think that makes the 2007 Irish a pretty dangerous team. 13-0 is pretty unrealistic, but I don't think it will be a disaster.

totally agree...

cheers kind sir

 

[mirertobrooks]

Remember the Michigan Fab 5?
Similar results are not out of the question. Sorry for the basketball comparision.

 

[scooper]

The big problem with youth is the physical maturity of the linemen. Guys can pick up a lot of strength, stamina and quickness between the ages of 18 and 22. Even elite guys. This is less of an issue for backs and receivers. But a handful of 19 year olds on the line who have been in a college weight program for one year, may have trouble with a group of 21 year olds with a couple years experience and training on them.

Even superhuman Sam Young has some issues now and then when opposing guy with an overwhelming combination of power, size and speed. Let's see how he does in two years. I bet he locks those guys down.

 

[NDAlumSon]

Then add in:
Talley's departure
Quinn can't throw the long ball
Walker can't run
Everybody's slow
The OLine's inconsistent
The Secondary is the worst we've ever had
The DLine has no pass rush
No CB can cover
Crum's out of position
We have no LBs
The Defensive Scheme Sucks
Field Goal Kicker can't kick
Kickoffs don't reach the endzone
Nobody knows how to tackle
Zbikowski gets sucked in on play action every time
Penalties show the lack of discipline
We don't start enough freshman
The coaches suck
Minter should be fired
ND has a cupcake schedule

That's IT!!!! I'm not wasting any more time watching.
When do pitchers and catchers report?

 

[80domer]

move on

move on

Ty is gone. His recruits suck. Excuses are for losers. Just get out there and win. The poodle rebuit a broken program out here at sc and did it with superior recruiting and good coaching. He also won when he was doing it. Charlie is an excellent coach, he can recruit, and ND is an excellent platform to do it from. If ND needs to win with freshman and sophomores then they will just have to do it.