Coaches Poll Top 25 (ND #7)

[greyhammer90]

We look like a good team. That's very exciting. It'd be great if Kelly could provide the one thing ND hasn't gotten since I was born: Style points.

 

[tussin]

I think this is partly due to the fact that a whole lot of people actually watched the game instead of just looking at the final score. All the stuff about Winston, it was THE prime time game, etc., contributed to a ton of viewership I bet. Wonder what the ratings were.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Huge 8.5 overnight rating for Notre Dame - Fla St on ABC. Best non-BCS rating for Cfb on an ESPN network since Nov 2012</p>— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jksports/status/523850364869955584">October 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Huge 8.5 overnight rating for Notre Dame - Fla St on ABC. Best non-BCS rating for Cfb on an ESPN network since Nov 2012</p>— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jksports/status/523850364869955584">October 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That Nov 2012 game was ND-SC also.

 

[Cackalacky]

I agree that I like where this team is at. For me, what separates us from being truly elite are the little things. The lack of attention to detail. For example... the botched uptempo 4th down snap in the 1st quarter and all of the batted balls. Not to pick on Folston because he had his best single game as a complete back last night but he wiffed on several blocks. There were not many misses by the OL but when they did it killed the drives. Those things will add up in an important game like last night.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I agree that I like where this team is at. For me, what separates us from being truly elite are the little things. The lack of attention to detail. For example... the botched uptempo 4th down snap in the 1st quarter and all of the batted balls. Not to pick on Folston because he had his best single game as a complete back last night but he wiffed on several blocks. There were not many misses by the OL but when they did it killed the drives. Those things will add up in an important game like last night.

Sure. But one ref keeping the flag in his pocket and we're saying those things about FSU instead of us. One could argue that we're elite right now...a year ahead of schedule. It's hard to play a flawless game in that stadium on a Saturday night when the stakes are so high. I thought we were pretty polished overall.

Or...one could argue that there are no elite teams right now and we're one of the very close teams. That may be the case.

 

[Cackalacky]

Sure. But one ref keeping the flag in his pocket and we're saying those things about FSU instead of us. One could argue that we're elite right now...a year ahead of schedule. It's hard to play a flawless game in that stadium on a Saturday night when the stakes are so high. I thought we were pretty polished overall.

Or...one could argue that there are no elite teams right now and we're one of the very close teams. That may be the case.

I'd say we are close. I'd be saying these things even if we won. Its been happening for a while, like multiple years. We are getting better with them but the consistently slow starts, TOs... not championship program stuff. I was pleasantly surprised with the aggressive play calling last night. But it was borderline Weis level arrogance and it backfired twice. Its fine to call it but execute it.

 

[philipm31]

I'd say we are close. I'd be saying these things even if we won. Its been happening for a while, like multiple years. We are getting better with them but the consistently slow starts, TOs... not championship program stuff. I was pleasantly surprised with the aggressive play calling last night. But it was borderline Weis level arrogance and it backfired twice. Its fine to call it but execute it.

I think they clean that up, or just snap it regularly.

Helped to have an elite defense, which Weis never, ever had.

 

[philipm31]

What I mean is that they pointed out that we normally do not get under center and that could have been a problem, and if not, I think ND gets that cleaned up. I think that the TO and ball protection have been addressed, as far as EG goes, but it should continue to be stressed as we actually did have four turnovers, two on downs and two INTS, neither of which EG could do anything about as his hand was hit both times. Neither were a decision-making issue, which was nice to see.

 

[philipm31]

The thing that I like about the direction of this program is that we will likely have over 30 wins in a three year span, the best we've had since Lou. That should stand out to recruits, voters, etc. You KNOW it is standing out to the haters, and I love that too

 

[Cackalacky]

I think they clean that up, or just snap it regularly.

Helped to have an elite defense, which Weis never, ever had.

Completely agree. Need excellence in all three phases.

 

[philipm31]

Completely agree. Need excellence in all three phases.

Absolutely, which is why I am so pleased to see us get demonstrably better with our return game, finally.

On a sidenote, isn't Brindza a senior? We might need to find us another clutch PK/P for the next couple years to keep up the momentum on ST. I think the Offense and Defense have made HUGE strides just since last year, and I fully expect it to get better next year, as well.

But when ND was challenging for national titles under Lou, we were definitely excelling in all three aspects. Glad to see that is being addressed, fully.

 

[philipm31]

IMO, win out and we're good. The teams in front of us include:

Ole Miss & Miss State who still have to play each other.

Bama and Auburn still have to play each other. Both have a loss.

Miss State still has to play Bama.

Ole Miss has to play Auburn.

With the way that the WWL talks about the SEC WEST already in line for two spots, I do not even think that two losses will kill that kind of talk, unless UGA wins the East and pulls a monumental upset.

Loser of the Iron Bowl SHOULD be out, particularly if Bama or Auburn lose to a two loss opponent, meaning that if Bama or Auburn lose again, and then the lower team wins the Iron Bowl. Of course, if Bama wins out, they deserve spot in the playoff, but I cannot see Auburn in the playoff because of the way they got shelled by MSU. If Ole Miss beat them, and they beat Bama, that would be nice to not have to deal with FOUR SEC WEST teams trying to keep us out.

Not sure but I can see ND getting frozen out, unless STAN/USC/ASU win out and beat ORE...minus losing to ND, of course.

Hard as it is to say, I am kinda rooting for the Trojans to win out until we play them, so they assured of a Pac12 title game appearance versus ORE...if they do not play them in the regular season (I honestly do not know if they do this year?). If they do win out and win their conference, but have a loss to ND, that would definitely be a BIG feather in our cap as a one-loss team.

 

[phgreek]

Hard as it is to say, I am kinda rooting for the Trojans to win out until we play them, so they assured of a Pac12 title game appearance versus ORE...if they do not play them in the regular season (I honestly do not know if they do this year?). If they do win out and win their conference, but have a loss to ND, that would definitely be a BIG feather in our cap as a one-loss team.

...Amen to that...everytime I see highlights or catch a part of a USC game I need to keep reminding myself...the better they look, the more ND kicking their ass helps the cause...

But it is constant work talking yourself into it...ya know?

 

[ickythump1225]

D-Line had shown flashes of it, but the O-Line hadn't.

TBH, I was surprised at how good we looked. I've been in "wait and see" mode. I'm totally buying in now. This is a freaking good team.

I think our O-line is finally gelling. It's just still amazing to me still how far we've come. Even 2 years ago we get blown out in this game or at least lose by a decided margin. I know 2012 was a magical season and we beat Oklahoma on the road but this FSU team is way better than that Sooners team. We clearly showed we're FSU's equal last night. We can play with any team, any time, anywhere. And we're so young too. That makes it even better.

Also EG...that kid is a straight baller. In my mind EG will always have led us down the field for the game winning score, he did his job and that 4th and 18 was a f**King money. It's a shame he didn't get a clean opportunity at the last play of the game because I have confidence he would have at least made it close.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Does the committee give out a ranking? If so when?

I got the date wrong on the first set of rankings. It's October 28th, not tomorrow. Sorry for the false hope.

 

[GoIrish41]

If anyone would have said at the start of the season that a one-loss nd squad would be in the top 10 half way into the season i would have said they were high. We are going to the playoffs boys.

 

[greyhammer90]

If anyone would have said at the start of the season that a one-loss nd squad would be in the top 10 half way into the season i would have said they were high. We are going to the playoffs boys.

If we win out. Anyone who thinks ASU isn't good enough or that ND doesn't have another North Carolina game in them hasn't been paying attention to college football.

 

[Buster Bluth]

If we win out. Anyone who thinks ASU isn't good enough or that ND doesn't have another North Carolina game in them hasn't been paying attention to college football.

Seriously. Notre Dame is just entering the hard part of the schedule.

at Navy
at Arizona State
vs Northwestern
vs Louisville
at Southern Cal

...they could drop three of those.

If I had to rank the teams on ND's schedule right now:

Florida State (7-0)
Arizona State (5-1)
Southern Cal (5-2)
Louisville (6-2)
Stanford (4-3)
Northwestern (3-4)
North Carolina (3-4)
Michigan (3-4)
Syracuse (3-4)
Purdue (3-5)
Rice (3-3)
Navy (3-4)

I mean....they still have to play the bolded teams. This season could get bumpy.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Seriously. Notre Dame is just entering the hard part of the schedule.

at Navy
at Arizona State
vs Northwestern
vs Louisville
at Southern Cal

...they could drop three of those.

If I had to rank the teams on ND's schedule right now:

Florida State (7-0)
Arizona State (5-1)
Southern Cal (5-2)
Louisville (6-2)
Stanford (4-3)
Northwestern (3-4)
North Carolina (3-4)
Michigan (3-4)
Syracuse (3-4)
Purdue (3-5)
Rice (3-3)
Navy (3-4)

I mean....they still have to play the bolded teams. This season could get bumpy.

I would probably put Northwestern below UNC after seeing both teams play. Otherwise I see things the same. Our season is really just starting, but if we play our A game there is no reason we shouldn't win out.

 

[PerthDomer]

Stanford is better than USC and Ville. Don't let the weak ACC schedule confuse you. Though I agree road USC is tougher than home Stanford.

 

[phork]

I think after getting fucked right in the pussy the boys have a chip on their shoulder. Its going to waken them up and they are going to pound town on the remaining schedule.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think after getting fucked right in the pussy the boys have a chip on their shoulder. Its going to waken them up and they are going to pound town on the remaining schedule.

That'd be great but I'd be shocked if we could keep up that kind of intensity every week from here on out.

 

[philipm31]

...Amen to that...everytime I see highlights or catch a part of a USC game I need to keep reminding myself...the better they look, the more ND kicking their ass helps the cause...

But it is constant work talking yourself into it...ya know?

True but I did not realize that ASU had a better record than USC. If they meet in the regular season, I guess it would be better for ASU to win, preferably a close one so that USC stays ranked, if possible given the amount of bump you get for being a 3 or 4 loss team in the SEC vs any other conference, then the Irish would look a lot better getting by the rest of their schedule unscathed, if they can.

 

[GoIrish41]

If we win out. Anyone who thinks ASU isn't good enough or that ND doesn't have another North Carolina game in them hasn't been paying attention to college football.

Of course if they win out, which i have high confidence that they will

 

[Cackalacky]

That'd be great but I'd be shocked if we could keep up that kind of intensity every week from here on out.

IDK ...Jarron Jones seems like one PO'd dude.... Add Devin Butler to that too.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

True but I did not realize that ASU had a better record than USC. If they meet in the regular season, I guess it would be better for ASU to win, preferably a close one so that USC stays ranked, if possible given the amount of bump you get for being a 3 or 4 loss team in the SEC vs any other conference, then the Irish would look a lot better getting by the rest of their schedule unscathed, if they can.

Arizona State beat USC 38-34 two weeks ago.

 

[philipm31]

Arizona State beat USC 38-34 two weeks ago.

Interesting. I forgot that.

Wonder how ASU stacks up with ORE, if they get their shot. Are they in the same division as ORE, as well as USC?

 

[johnnycando]

Arizona State beat USC 38-34 two weeks ago.

On a Hail Mary pass, mind you at the end of the game.

 

[FLDomer]

On a Hail Mary pass, mind you at the end of the game.

with a back up QB

 

[johnnycando]

with a back up QB

My point is, ASU won by the skin of their teeth.

Their back-up has been starting a lot due to the foot issue of Kelly. He may be the better QB honestly.

They didn't blow USC out of the water.

They will be formidable opponents nonetheless, along with USC.