2007- Being realistic

[Clausen2Kamara]

I wish I was as positive as Lackey but I just don't see this team winning more than 7 or 8 games. We all thought our o-line would be the strength of our team this year and we obviously know how that turned out. We'll have 4 new starters on the o-line next year. Combine that with a QB with zip experience and it will be a rough start. The D will be improved at least in the secondary. I think Herring is gonna be good, really good. Walls, Lambert, McNeil, and Gray in the Dime with 3 of them with another year of experience will be good. My suprise next year is that I think Harrison Smith will start and do well at FS. Our D-line will be another issue. I'm hoping Laws comes back but probably not. That leaves Hand, Kuntz inside with Ryan and Mo Rich on the ends. I see freshman getting considerate playing time in this area especially Trattou. He seems physically ready to contribute. These kids must grow up fast as it is essential to have a solid d-line. Our LB corps will be our strength with Crum moving back to the outside where he will become one of the best in the nation. Along with TT or hopefully Donald battling for the other spot. Big Toryan Smith will be putting fear in all the crossing routes. Here is my realistic prediction with this young and soon to be exciting team.

2007 Notre Dame Football Schedule

Sept. 1 GEORGIA TECH- 1st game for a VERY YOUNG offense. The good thing is, Charlie and co. will have all offseason to prepare. No Calvin Johnson, and being at home, I think we take this game but close. Win.

Sept. 8 at Penn State- This will be a very tough game. Clausen or DJ will have to deal with a very hostile crowd and a now experienced offense with too many play makers. Loss.

Sept. 15 at Michigan- Wow. At Michigan with Henne and Manningham, lets just hope it is not as bad as this years loss, I'm afraid it might be. Loss.

Sept. 22 MICHIGAN STATE- I think this will be the first game that our team gels together and Charlie instills confidence in his team after 2 tough losses. Win.

Sept. 29 at Purdue- This will be closer than many people think. It will come down to who's D shows up more. Hopefully it will be ours. Win.

Oct. 6 at UCLA- A very tough D with a lot of confidence. At their house, seeking revenge. I remember one other team who seeked revenge this year and that didn't turn out 2 well. Nough said. Loss.

Oct. 13 BOSTON COLLEGE- I think this will be the upset special with the Irish inspired to win this one and big. Jones/Clausen's 1st real big game. Just hope we don't look ahead. Win.

Oct. 20 USC- Hate to say it but I'm afraid were gonna have to wait another year to compete with the Trojans. Loss

Nov. 3 NAVY- HAHAHA Win.
Nov. 10 AIR FORCE- A little tougher but....Win
Nov. 17 DUKE- HAHAHA. Win
Nov. 24 at Stanford - HAHAH X2- Win.

8 wins I would be pleased. 2008 is a year we could do some real damage. It sure will be fun to watch this team because it has loads of talent, now they just need to get the necessary experience.

 

[Pete]

Why didn't you put this in the other thread?

 

[jerseyborn1971]

The only game I disagree on is the PSU game. I think we could beat them. Tough, but winnable.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Jersey, u might be right but our corners will have to step up big in this one. I think PSU's D will also take a step back which could help.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

Jersey, u might be right but our corners will have to step up big in this one. I think PSU's D will also take a step back which could help.

The corners need to do that regardless of who we're playing. We did alright against those playmakers this year. And those playmakers did better last year. Morelli is the difference. I just don't see him as a huge threat. He has been the Kyle Wright of the North.

 

[IrishLackey]

I guess I am being a little optimistic. But I just think charlie sorted through the mess he was left with by TY and he got us 19 wins in 2 years. So I figure, hes starting to get his type of players, and although they will be young, I believe they will step in and be productive. I won't have the same confidence I had with Brady here, but i only see 2 games that the odds look tremendously stacked against us. and that is USC and MICH. All the other games I think we can win, maybe ugly, but win nonetheless.

 

[mizzouirish]

Very good analysis. I want to disagree on TT playing linebacker still. I believe he is one of the better athletes on the team, but keeping this guy at linebacker seems like a waste of that talent. I think that TT would be our best option on 3rd downs with short yardage or a change of pace back. How about him coming in on obvious passing situations to blitz the opposing QB from the nickel spot? If we are that desparate at LB, I would almost rather see a 5-2 or a 4-3 strong with Morrice Richardson playing the downlineman spot. However, I think the best option for the LB core is to have Brockington and Crum on the outside with Toryan in the middle. I hate to say it, but I would almost rather have TT as our full-time running back. What about a wingback set with TT and Darius?

Just an idea.

 

[JPICCIANO]

I think I will be as excited for next year as I was this year, but for completely different reasons. This year had the excitement of a possible NC and Heisman winner, plus all the expectations that come with the preseason hype. I found myself so nervous before every game thinking that if we lose the season is over and finding our two losses so disappointing (Especially the Mich game that I attended). Kind of a crappy way to go into saturday afternoon. On the flip side, it was nice to see ND up there where it belongs again with the nation's elite.

This next year is going to be just as much fun. I can't wait to see who will replace Brady and the Shark, and what our new backfield is going to look like. Plus can the defense finally make a turn around and keep up with our offense. Every game we play next year will not have the mountain of expectation heaped on it and our guys can go out there and show us some of the raw talent that CW and Co. have been able to gather up. Next year could be one of those magical years where we end up shocking college football. Kinda like the year USC began its rise with C. Palmer.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I agree JP, with the high expectations off of the teams shouders, they should be much more relaxed and just have fun out there. They are going to make mistakes, its only natural, but the big thing will be if they learn from them. I also agree with Mizzou as I just do not see as TT being a linebacker just like I don't see Zib at SS. I think Zibby would make a great weakside linebacker if he adds 15-20 more pounds of muscle. I also like TT in the backfield, he is the purest RB we have on the team.

 

[ndirish302000]

i dont like to speculate on upcoming seasons because college football is so unpredictable but i will say that in weis' first year not many people thought he would win 9 games so just keep an open mind for the next year and hope for the luck of the irish to come through... you never know whats gonna happen.

 

[punishment]

I believe somebody mentioned on another post that we would be something like preseason #43. At least we won't have to hear the crap about how ND is overrated next year.

I realize that people look at teams like USC who plug in great young lowerclassmen and still do extremely well. However, USC only had to plug in a QB, but he had 2 great receivers to help him out who had been starting for several years. Their O-Line had to replace I believe 2 players. Same argument on their defensive side of the ball.

What will hurt ND is that the entire team is going to be full of players starting for the first team, and playing a meaningful game for the first time. The question is, will there be somebody to bail them out when things are going badly, a la Brady Quinn? Will there be a gamebreaker and difference maker like Samarzidja? Well there be the reliable receiver with great hands on 3rd down like Carlson? There are just so many questions next year. I believe 6-6 is safe. But depending on how quickly the team gels, we could get a couple more wins. I don't think Weis will allow us to have a losing year.

Also, there are only a total of 9 seniors and 10 juniors next year. There will be very little upper classmen leadership.

 

[Aerosmith777]

I'll be honest, looking forward to 2007, I'd sign for 8-4 right now.

 

[JPICCIANO]

You would have to consider 8-4 a successful season next year. There could always be an upset along the way.

Still they could go 0-12 and I would still be in front of the TV screaming like an idiot for them to win one. My fiance thinks I'm nuts. She even asked if I would chose her over the Irish. Tough call.

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

NC OR BUST

 

[ACamp1900]

Yes sir!! Realistically I must say I'll be okay if the team goes 13-0... 12-1 or worse would be a quandary...

GO IRISH!!!

Hord for Heisman!!!!!

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

You would have to consider 8-4 a successful season next year. There could always be an upset along the way.

Still they could go 0-12 and I would still be in front of the TV screaming like an idiot for them to win one. My fiance thinks I'm nuts. She even asked if I would chose her over the Irish. Tough call.

Classic JP. That one I can relate to. My girlfriend got to experience first hand of my antics during the SC game. Of coarse that had to be the first one we watched together. You should have seen the look on her face as I was pacing back and forth and suggesting things to Charlie. It must have sounded like jibberish to her.

 

[timm3117]

I don't think we'll be as bad as people think, What are we losing again. Brady, Jeff, Rhema, an O-line that couldn't seem to block, and a defense that couldn't stop anyone.

I think the offense will be ok we have talent at QB, and WR, We'll have a better running game. We have a young but very talented O-line, our D will be different, But in this case different could be good. Next years D will be stronger, faster, and more talented, then this years D.

We start with GT at home, well tech loses alot of players too. Penn St, Boston College, and UCLA will be tough but are winable. I think 9-3 is very realistic.

 

[MightyK]

8-4 will be a decent year. It will be interesting to see how it plays with recruits. Two great young classes, so the depth chart should be young and solid (lots of competition), but the so-so results on the field can't be as appealing.