Phil Steele Top 40 (ND #17)

[zelezo vlk]

Is MSU really going to be that good this year? I just don't see it.

The bring back a lot of talent. Their defense has been phenomenal for years now. I think they may take a step backwards on that side of the ball, but I think their offense will be a bit more consistent this next year. That's all they need to finish second in the Big Ten really.

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[TheTurningPoint]

Mo Crum was a good football player. Not taking anything about from what he did on the field, but the talent or lack there of...made him look better than he was.

His senior year he had 84 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2INTs. The 3 force fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries were great. But overall not a extreme "this is a great player" statline.

His junior year he had a great year. 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles in 13 starts. So the tackles were close to on par with his senior year with the extra game, but he was in the backfield a lot more. Soph year 57 tackles, 0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and he started all 12 games.

Dan Fox senior year he had 95 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery. Carlo Calabrese had 93 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 forced fumble. In the "fans" eyes these were two of the most unproductive LBs and they finished top 2 in tackles in 2013, and had just about the same statline as Mo Crum.

 

[irishfan]

People are harping on his projected preseason AP poll a bit much. It's literally just how he think the AP will vote at the start of the year. It's not his predictions. He already has A&M at 39 in his Top 40 but projects the AP to have them at 19.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Mo Crum was a good football player. Not taking anything about from what he did on the field, but the talent or lack there of...made him look better than he was.

His senior year he had 84 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2INTs. The 3 force fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries were great. But overall not a extreme "this is a great player" statline.

His junior year he had a great year. 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles in 13 starts. So the tackles were close to on par with his senior year with the extra game, but he was in the backfield a lot more. Soph year 57 tackles, 0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and he started all 12 games.

Dan Fox senior year he had 95 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery. Carlo Calabrese had 93 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 forced fumble. In the "fans" eyes these were two of the most unproductive LBs and they finished top 2 in tackles in 2013, and had just about the same statline as Mo Crum.

Obviously I agree with what you wrote. You helped me make my point. Fox and Carlo were more talented than Crum, both would start a head of Crum.

 

[NDdomer2]

Mo Crum was a good football player. Not taking anything about from what he did on the field, but the talent or lack there of...made him look better than he was.

His senior year he had 84 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2INTs. The 3 force fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries were great. But overall not a extreme "this is a great player" statline.

His junior year he had a great year. 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles in 13 starts. So the tackles were close to on par with his senior year with the extra game, but he was in the backfield a lot more. Soph year 57 tackles, 0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and he started all 12 games.

Dan Fox senior year he had 95 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery. Carlo Calabrese had 93 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 forced fumble. In the "fans" eyes these were two of the most unproductive LBs and they finished top 2 in tackles in 2013, and had just about the same statline as Mo Crum.

I totally agree on him standing out based on his teammates abilities.

Sherm- I was comparing him to Martin as far as "ND Man." 2 time captain, etc.

 

[philipm31]

I'm with you. I also think Bama will own Auburn this year by 15-20pts. Bama's toughest game is at LSU IMO.

People said that going into last year's game too. Iron Bowl has been pretty much a toss up for twenty years, but slightly tilted towards Auburn since 1989, overall, since they started playing home and homes.

Oh and people also were saying that for weeks before the FSU game and I got lambasted for even suggesting they would hang with FSU for even a half much less all but the last half minute. Do not underestimate Malzahn. He is a hell of a coach.

That being said, AL being outside the top 2 would be ludicrous. Having AU starting that high is the ludicrous part. Nobody on the SEC outside of Bama deserves a Top 5 ranking.

 

[T Town Tommy]

People said that going into last year's game too. Iron Bowl has been pretty much a toss up for twenty years, but slightly tilted towards Auburn since 1989, overall, since they started playing home and homes.

Oh and people also were saying that for weeks before the FSU game and I got lambasted for even suggesting they would hang with FSU for even a half much less all but the last half minute. Do not underestimate Malzahn. He is a hell of a coach.

That being said, AL being outside the top 2 would be ludicrous. Having AU starting that high is the ludicrous part. Nobody on the SEC outside of Bama deserves a Top 5 ranking.

I think Both Bama and Auburn are overrated starting out - Bama with a new QB and Auburn with huge defensive questions and good but unproven running backs. Will be interesting to see how each develops as the season progresses. I think Bama can be a 10-2 11-1 type team if things go as planned whereas I can see Auburn at 9-3 when it's all said and done.

USC ahead of the Irish is puzzling to me. New coach, top heavy league with solid teams, and still not enough depth due to sanctions. I think the Trojans may still be a year or two away if Sark can come in and be effective as a HC. Gotta like the Irish better there.

 

[RDU Irish]

Not being a homer: anyone think we will upset FSU this year?

How epic.

It has all the makings of a "Return to Glory" type game. On the road, against the consensus #1 team lead by Heisman Trophy winner Crablegs Winston. If we come out and punch them in the mouth from the start, it should be interesting.

I am talking with friends about going to that game but seriously conflicted. Odds are definitely not in favor of us winning and I don't like the idea of post game deep in enemy territory with an "L". But IF we do win, damn would that be one for the ages. Not some USC "Bush Push" flash in the pan but a true sign that we are back baby!

 

[Black Irish]

I'm not too worried about USC, even with ND playing them in SoCal. It seems like the Irish have gotten the Trojan monkey off their back (knock wood). Stanford is the Cali team we have to sweat now. But aside from the Cardinal and FSU, none on the tems on our schedule this coming season worry me too much. If the Irish don't do the usual pratfall against Michigan, I can see this team getting out to a 4-0 start and reasonably going 10-2 overall, maybe 11-1, if we can out slug Stanford at home. We just need to avoid games like this:

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not being a homer: anyone think we will upset FSU this year?

How epic.

I'm in. As an added bonus, I want to see JW go down!

 

[irishfan]

Released #27 Northwestern and #26 Louisville today.

Probably the highest ranked spot you'll see NW in a pre-season poll. Most would have them as one of our easiest 5 games also....

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm not too worried about USC, even with ND playing them in SoCal. It seems like the Irish have gotten the Trojan monkey off their back (knock wood). Stanford is the Cali team we have to sweat now. But aside from the Cardinal and FSU, none on the tems on our schedule this coming season worry me too much. If the Irish don't do the usual pratfall against Michigan, I can see this team getting out to a 4-0 start and reasonably going 10-2 overall, maybe 11-1, if we can out slug Stanford at home. We just need to avoid games like this:

I don't think Stanford is going to be as good as they were last year.

 

[Irish#1]

i think if we beat michigan st we'll be in a BCS bowl game. if not i can see an 8-4/7-5 season with our brutal schedule, but beating sparty on the road AGAIN would prove that this is a good team and kind of set the tone much like it did in 2012

We don't play Sparty this year dude lol

Well there you go! We'll be in a BCS game!

 

[Irish#1]

It has all the makings of a "Return to Glory" type game. On the road, against the consensus #1 team lead by Heisman Trophy winner Crablegs Winston. If we come out and punch them in the mouth from the start, it should be interesting.

I am talking with friends about going to that game but seriously conflicted. Odds are definitely not in favor of us winning and I don't like the idea of post game deep in enemy territory with an "L". But IF we do win, damn would that be one for the ages. Not some USC "Bush Push" flash in the pan but a true sign that we are back baby!

No one had us coming close in Norman a couple of years ago.

 

[#1rish]

Phil Steele's Pre-season All-Ind team

Phil Steele

 

[NDdomer2]

golson at RB and Folston at WR?

 

[#1rish]

It has (QB) and (RB) next to each one of them, but I'm not sure what that means.

Also Cam at RET is odd.

 

[dublinirish]

Steele had Davonte Neal down as 1st team RET before he had ever set foot on campus lol

 

[irishfan]

Couple funny ones for his Top 40...

#25 Texas
#24 Florida

 

[irishfan]

#23 Clemson
#22 Boise State

 

[irishfan]

#21 UCF
#20 Stanford !!!!
#19 Marshall
#18 UNC


This has to be the lowest anyone has Stanford ranked.

 

[irishfan]

So, assuming Steele has FSU, USC, and Arizona State in his top 17, this means we play 8 of the Top 30 teams in the country according to him....

 

[Black Irish]

#21 UCF
#20 Stanford !!!!
#19 Marshall
#18 UNC


This has to be the lowest anyone has Stanford ranked.

UNC ahead of Stanford? Yeesh. That's supposed to be one of ND's easier games.

 

[NCND]

ND is 17th but somehow predicted to be in one of the "New Year Six" games. His prediction: UCLA vs ND in Fiesta Bowl

 

[irishfan]

ND is 17th but somehow predicted to be in one of the "New Year Six" games. His prediction: UCLA vs ND in Fiesta Bowl

Would absolutely love that matchup.

 

[NCND]

ME TOO.

 

[Black Irish]

ND is 17th but somehow predicted to be in one of the "New Year Six" games. His prediction: UCLA vs ND in Fiesta Bowl

That'd be a good game. Provided ND isn't already scheduled to play in the BCS Championship (fingers crossed).

 

[irishfan]

ND checks in at #17


Here is a PDF of his ND preview:

http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2014Top40Countdown/17NotreDame.pdf

 

[#1rish]

His reports are never eye-friendly are they

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Phil thinks we play the most difficult schedule in the country. Can't argue with him there.