College Football Playoff Rankings 2015 (ND #8...)

[MNIrishman]

The closest team was probably Tenn with Dobbs and Hurd.

You don't think the Irish have a better passing/running game combo than Tennessee? Alabama only beat them by 5 points---at home--- and they're a 5-4 team right now.

 

[T Town Tommy]

You don't think the Irish have a better passing/running game combo than Tennessee? Alabama only beat them by 5 points---at home--- and they're a 5-4 team right now.

I think the Irish are much better. But I also would not read too much into the Tenn game either. A long way to go before the Irish/Bama game materializes but if it does I would love my Tide's chances as I am sure you would love your Irish's chances.

 

[phillyirish]

FPI is obviously broken. I don't now how anyone can take it seriously, 5-4 Tennesse at 4th? TCU who just got blown out at 3rd? Makes no sense. The algorithm or whatever used to process that is sh*t.

 

[Legacy]

...So Kizer's going to break off and run? Highly doubtful. Bama is the most disciplined two gap defense in the country and Ragland, Lee, and foster have plenty enough closing speed to account for Kizer.

Comparing the Irish offense to JFF and the Auburns of the past is a stretch. The Irish offense isn't even close to those type of spread offenses. Outside of Fuller, there isn't one receiver that has the ability to separate consistently.

No TE to fill the seam - although that wouldn't matter as we have LBs that can cover most any TE. RB out of the backfield? Nope....

The Irish would probably have difficulties running the ball so that leaves Kizer and Fuller to account for...

What seems to be lost in all the talk is that Irish defense. And just being honest, that defense isn't close to being a very good defense...

The game - if played - will ultimately be decided where it always is and that's in the trenches. And I would take Bama every time on that and love my chances.

So, against Alabama,
- Kizer and the RB(s) couldn't run,
- the only offensive threat is Fuller, who could be accounted for
- the OL has no chance
- the Irish defense isn't close to being very good

Clemson's defense was poor - or ND just played over their heads?
How many touchdowns did you say LSU was going win by?
Didn't you say ND couldn't beat Arkansas last year and would finish fifth in the SEC West? Sounds like the same this year.

 

[tussin]

We say this every year, but the SEC seems especially overinflated this year. Every East team is garbage. The West teams have been inconsistent all year and unimpressive at times.

I think the only "elite" team in the entire conference is Bama. I would describe LSU and Miss. State as good teams that I wouldn't want to play but would expect to beat most of the time.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm still shellshocked from the last time we played Bama. They will absolutely shutdown the run game, so a W will require Kizer to play lights out and the receivers to not drop the ball.

If the receivers had 50% less drops against Clemson, I honestly think we win by two TDs but the drops coupled with 4 second half TOs kind of kills gameplanning. Just ask Alabama about Ole Miss.

 

[Cackalacky]

I'm still shellshocked from the last time we played Bama. They will absolutely shutdown the run game, so a W will require Kizer to play lights out and the receivers to not drop the ball.

If the receivers had 50% less drops against Clemson, I honestly think we win by two TDs but the drops coupled with 4 second half TOs kind of kills gameplanning. Just ask Alabama about Ole Miss.

Agree. A game against Bama will be have to be won in a shootout. I don't like Henry vs. our DL and LBs. I also do not like Ridley vs. our DBs and LBs. One thing favoring us would be our passing game. Another thing favoring us would be our previous knowledge playing against Joey Freshwater.

Also agree we beat Clemson easily without the 4 TOs and at least half of the dropped balls.

 

[koonja]

I think the Irish are much better. But I also would not read too much into the Tenn game either. A long way to go before the Irish/Bama game materializes but if it does I would love my Tide's chances as I am sure you would love your Irish's chances.

I sure as hell wouldn't like our chances. We need Bama out of the way, IMO, to win it all. Bama then OSU, but I'm not that concerned with OSU. Bama would run all over our defense and would hold CJ to 50 yards or less.

 

[ACamp1900]

I sure as hell wouldn't like our chances. We need Bama out of the way, IMO, to win it all. Bama then OSU, but I'm not that concerned with OSU. Bama would run all over our defense and would hold CJ to 50 yards or less.

They play the games for a reason and ND is good enough to hang with anyone on their best day.... but,... This would be the most likely outcome for sure imo...

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per head coach Gary Patterson, star WR Josh Doctson is out for the year (h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/ChildersRadio">@ChildersRadio</a>)</p>— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) <a href="https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/664867643040501760">November 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NOT good news for us...if we want them to have a chance to knock off baylor or okl

 

[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per head coach Gary Patterson, star WR Josh Doctson is out for the year (h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/ChildersRadio">@ChildersRadio</a>)</p>— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) <a href="https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/664867643040501760">November 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NOT good news for us...if we want them to have a chance to knock off baylor or okl

That's rough. Was counting on them to knock off Baylor at home...

I guess if they go 9-3 (which would then be 1-3 to end the year), they could really plummet in the rankings and not be the marquee win that OSU/Baylor may need at 12-0. They could drop out of the top-25 if they lose badly to OU/Baylor as well.

 

[MNIrishman]

I sure as hell wouldn't like our chances. We need Bama out of the way, IMO, to win it all. Bama then OSU, but I'm not that concerned with OSU. Bama would run all over our defense and would hold CJ to 50 yards or less.

Yeah... I hate Alabama and love comparing our metrics to teams that have performed well against them...but Tricky Nick is a special breed of devil in the postseason and I'll never forget Manti looking completely lost as though he were trying to tackle freight trains instead of running backs. Now, I have COMPLETE faith in our buddy Joe to do better, BUT that matchup terrifies me more than any other. I think our only shot would be a shootout, hoping that our passing game would be enough to make up for a completely stymied running game.

I don't know what it is, steroids, deer antler juice, cousin-lovin, or something else, but Alabama's running backs...gah.

 

[ickythump1225]

Ole Miss had almost half of their passing yards on two plays - one fluke deflection off two defenders and a helmet and one pass that was actually illegal so the Ole Miss numbers are actually a little misrepresented. Also, the secondary this year is not the same secondary as last year. Only one full time starter from last year is in the secondary. While the secondary is actually the weakest part of the Bama defense , I would not say they are bad at all. Plus, the ability of the DL to pressure the QB straight up has been a huge plus. In the past 4-5 years, the DL hasn't been able to do that but that's simply not the case now. Saban has quietly - if that''s possible - recruited players that can come off the edge and can get to the QB. So Kizer's going to break off and run? Highly doubtful. Bama is the most disciplined two gap defense in the country and Ragland, Lee, and foster have plenty enough closing speed to account for Kizer.

Comparing the Irish offense to JFF and the Auburns of the past is a stretch. The Irish offense isn't even close to those type of spread offenses. Outside of Fuller, there isn't one receiver that has the ability to separate consistently. No TE to fill the seam - although that wouldn't matter as we have LBs that can cover most any TE. RB out of the backfield? Nope. Foster has proven time and again he has little issues getting the RB slipping out of the back field.The Irish would probably have difficulties running the ball so that leaves Kizer and Fuller to account for. Somehow I think Bama's defense can do that.

What seems to be lost in all the talk is that Irish defense. And just being honest, that defense isn't close to being a very good defense. I like Bama's chances running the ball on the Irish and once the Irish have to commit eight guys in the box, Coker has shown he has enough in him to pass the ball effectively enough.

The game - if played - will ultimately be decided where it always is and that's in the trenches. And I would take Bama every time on that and love my chances.

Again all of this is based off a full season of playing mediocre (Tennessee) to downright awful (UGA, LSU) passing games all season. The one game you didn't play a bad passing attack you lost.

You make covering Will Fuller sound easy. You better double him or he'll take the top off your defense all day long. Having to account for Fuller is stressful on a defense and somehow I think between Brown, Hunter Jr., Carlisle, and Prosise (a converted WR) running/coming out of the backfield we can scrap together enough of an offense to cause problems. Also, don't just dismiss Kizer running, he's not Mariota but he's not Peyton Manning either. He can run well enough to keep a defense honest. This would easily be the most dynamic offense you'd play all year except maybe Ole Miss but all things considered I'd take our offense over theirs 7 days a week and twice on Saturday.

Our defense is very streaky. At times we're rock solid and then we're the Little Giants. The good news for our defense is your offense isn't all that good. Coker is barely good enough to keep your offense functioning but I'm not sure I'd want him being the trigger man of my team if we had serious title aspirations. Though that Freshman WR you guys have (whose name slips me) is outstanding and Henry is a beast.

Like someone else said our best chance against the Tide would be to get off to a hot start and not let you guys run Henry 30 times. We could win a shootout but a slugfest would be hard. I don't know that any team in the country has the horses to take on Alabama in a street fight and win.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm willing to bet bama's d would be up for the challenge... especially in a big game. They'll inject extra dosages, Saban will make certain all of the academic coaches cover that week's course load, and they'll come out like the 85 Bears,...

 

[ickythump1225]

Yeah... I hate Alabama and love comparing our metrics to teams that have performed well against them...but Tricky Nick is a special breed of devil in the postseason and I'll never forget Manti looking completely lost as though he were trying to tackle freight trains instead of running backs. Now, I have COMPLETE faith in our buddy Joe to do better, BUT that matchup terrifies me more than any other. I think our only shot would be a shootout, hoping that our passing game would be enough to make up for a completely stymied running game.

I don't know what it is, steroids, deer antler juice, cousin-lovin, or something else, but Alabama's running backs...gah.

We definitely would need a shootout. The LSU game illustrated vividly that you're not going to play smashmouth football and win against Alabama. The blueprint to beat Alabama has been laid out by OSU, Auburn, and aTm: you need to spread Alabama out and make them account for the perimeter. If you can't attack wide or deep you're not going to beat Alabama.

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm willing to bet bama's d would be up for the challenge... especially in a big game. They'll inject extra dosages, Saban will make certain all of the academic coaches cover that week's course load, and they'll come out like the 85 Bears,...

Well I'd rather play Alabama in the 2nd round as opposed to the 1st. Although OSU and OU met Alabama after a long layoff and handled them. It's not impossible to beat Saban after a long layoff, though it is very hard.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Per head coach Gary Patterson, star WR Josh Doctson is out for the year (h/t @ChildersRadio)— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 12, 2015


NOT good news for us...if we want them to have a chance to knock off baylor or okl

Just had a B/R alert say that he is in fact playing this weekend.

 

[MNIrishman]

Well I'd rather play Alabama in the 2nd round as opposed to the 1st. Although OSU and OU met Alabama after a long layoff and handled them. It's not impossible to beat Saban after a long layoff, though it is very hard.

Yeah second round Alabama would probably be a lot more feasible. They definitely seem to be more vulnerable BEFORE a big break, when Saban is at his best.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Just had a B/R alert say that he is in fact playing this weekend.

I guess the confusion was over the fact that Peterson said that Doctson will be gone after this season.

Chris Childers evidently thought he heard Patterson say that Doctson is gone for the season.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I guess the confusion was over the fact that Peterson said that Doctson will be gone after this season.

Chris Childers evidently thought he heard Patterson say that Doctson is gone for the season.

Ya I was confused. I read he was done for the season. Then the B/R alert came thru saying the opposite. I got on the trustworthy twitter and didn't find anything.

 

[Irish2155]

What would the playoff look like if Florida, Bama, LSU, OSU, Iowa, and Stanford all lose a game in the last 3-4 weeks? I know that would be crazy but it is definitely possible considering who they all have play still.

I would think the SEC and Big 10 get left out. Would Utah make it?

1.) Clemson
2.) Notre Dame
3.) Utah
4.) Big 12
???

Not as far fetched as you might think. Someone ranked ahead of us right now will lose...mark it down. And maybe 2. ND just needs to win out.

 

[Irish2155]

I'm still shellshocked from the last time we played Bama. They will absolutely shutdown the run game, so a W will require Kizer to play lights out and the receivers to not drop the ball.

If the receivers had 50% less drops against Clemson, I honestly think we win by two TDs but the drops coupled with 4 second half TOs kind of kills gameplanning. Just ask Alabama about Ole Miss.

Yeah, me too. But this year is much different in a good way. We have the OL and play-makers to force them to play in space. Kizer is mobile enough which plays in our favor as well. They might shut down our run, yes...but we are certainly not LSU on offense.

We'd have to stop their run game too, tall task I know but if we do they are done...and I think we have the players who can. Stop our run, ok...we'll chuck all over the field to play makers!! 'Bama can't say that, not may can...our balance is almost unmatched. OSU scares me more than the Tide honestly.

 

[Irish YJ]

Lots of games to cheer for this weekend to help the Irish...

Thursday
VT@GT - GT rolls

Friday
USC@CO - USC rolls

Saturday
WF@ND - ND with style points (ND)
Pitt@Duke - Pit win. Will be a good game (SOS)
UGA@Auburn - Dawgs fall (recruiting, and just because)
FL@SC - FL loses or at least looks mediocre (polls)
TX@WV - TX gets their 5th win (SOS)
OSU@IL - OSU struggles (polls)
VA@Louv - VA win (SOS)
UMass@EMU - UMASS win (SOS)
The U@NC - Miami Win (helps Pitt win division)
Clemson@Syr - Clemson Win (SOS)
Bama@MSSt - MissSt win (polls, Bama elimination - sorry 3T, don't want to see Bama
OKSt@IASt - OKSt struggles (polls)
SMU@Navy - Navy win (SOS)
Temple@SF - Temple win (SOS)
Mem@Houston - Memphis win (polls)
Ark@LSU - Ark win (polls, elimination of LSU)
OR@Stan - Stanford win (SOS)
OK@Baylor - OK win (polls)
Minn@Iowa - Iowa struggles (polls)
Utah@AZ - AZ win (polls - elimination)

 

[philipm31]

50% FEWER drops versus Clemson and only 2 TOs in the 2nd half, ND wins.

That is, if BK just went ahead and did basic math, so we were not trying to come up with a terrible 2pt play instead of a PAT.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Lots of games to cheer for this weekend to help the Irish...

Thursday
VT@GT - GT rolls

Friday
USC@CO - USC rolls

Saturday
WF@ND - ND with style points (ND)
Pitt@Duke - Pit win. Will be a good game (SOS)
UGA@Auburn - Dawgs fall (recruiting, and just because)
FL@SC - FL loses or at least looks mediocre (polls)
TX@WV - TX gets their 5th win (SOS)
OSU@IL - OSU struggles (polls)
VA@Louv - VA win (SOS)
UMass@EMU - UMASS win (SOS)
The U@NC - Miami Win (helps Pitt win division)
Clemson@Syr - Clemson Win (SOS)
Bama@MSSt - MissSt win (polls, Bama elimination - sorry 3T, don't want to see Bama
OKSt@IASt - OKSt struggles (polls)
SMU@Navy - Navy win (SOS)
Temple@SF - Temple win (SOS)
Mem@Houston - Memphis win (polls)
Ark@LSU - Ark win (polls, elimination of LSU)
OR@Stan - Stanford win (SOS)
OK@Baylor - OK win (polls)
Minn@Iowa - Iowa struggles (polls)
Utah@AZ - AZ win (polls - elimination)

I have declared the MSU end zones as Bama safe places so them Bulldogs don't have a chance.

 

[Irish YJ]

I have declared the MSU end zones as Bama safe places so them Bulldogs don't have a chance.

Bama is the only team I don't want to meet in the playoffs. like most, if we have to see them, I'd rather see them in championship game lol.

better get another natty now. Satan will be coaching my Colts next year

 

[T Town Tommy]

Bama is the only team I don't want to meet in the playoffs. like most, if we have to see them, I'd rather see them in championship game lol.

better get another natty now. Satan will be coaching my Colts next year

Ha. Saban ain't no Ramblin Man.

Would be sweet seeing another NCG between us. It would be a good one for sure.

 

[phork]

At this point I am not afraid of anyone. I believe Alabama can be exploited through the air which will open up the run.

 

[ickythump1225]

At this point I am not afraid of anyone. I believe Alabama can be exploited through the air which will open up the run.

At this point my order of preference is:
1.Clemson (we owe them one)
2.Any Big 12 team (they are soft and I believe can be physically dominated)
3.OSU
4.Alabama

I didn't include any other teams that are unlikely to make the playoffs at the moment though there are a few teams I'd put ahead of Alabama.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

At Fiesta Bowl Museum: