2021 Early Season Predictions

[notredomer23]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1387845341987311616[/TWEET]

Was hoping Cincy would be a night game but I am cool with these game times.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I wonder if I could actually make the Cincy game this year. Or perhaps Purdue, if my Boilermaker cousin wants to join us. Gramps is now super excited to go to a night game for the first time in decades, at the ripe old age of 81 lol

 

[Irish#1]

FSU - L
Toledo - W
Purdue - W
Wisconsin - W
Cincy - W
Va Tech - W
USC - W
North Carolina - W
Navy - W
Virginia - W
Georgia Tech - W
Stanford - W

 

[RDU Irish]

I think we end up 9-3 or 10-2 range - too many trap games. I feel like we should do better than 50/50 between FSU, Wisconsin, Cincy, USC, UNC, Virginia so will lean toward 10-2. Less a matter of fearing anyone on the schedule than the cumulative effect of a lot of quality opponents while we have so many inexperienced areas that will likely lack consistency.

 

[notredomer23]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1387427810499653634[/TWEET]

 

[NorthDakota]

Obviously I will predict losses to Wisconsin and Cincinnati because that's just how I've been conditioned as an ND fan. Get Freeman => lose to his prior team. Get Coan => lose to his prior team.

Nah fam we will clown both. We'll poop our pants against some barely average p5 though

 

[greyhammer90]

Nah fam we will clown both. We'll poop our pants against some barely average p5 though

Tbf, it’s been a minute since we had the weird loss

 

[Irish#1]

Tbf, it’s been a minute since we had the weird loss

Correct. We're past that now.

 

[IrishLax]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

 

[notredomer23]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

It really is a weird season coming up. I don't think I've felt so mixed for any year ever that they could either go 7-5 or 12-0.

 

[Trait Expectations]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

Wow. I can see a worst case scenario ending with that record. I suppose if the OL doesn't improve between now and fall games. If Austin breaks his other foot. If Lenzy hamstrings himself again. If the secondary gets exploited after another Hamilton injury, then I could see 8-4, even 7-5 possibly.

But I'm going to count on a few things: The OL improves now that positions are being set in place so the players can develop continuity. I'm going to have faith Austin's trials and tribulations are behind him and he has a good, not great year. Somewhere around 50 catches, 1000 yds, 8-10 TDs. Lenzy returns to 2019 form and merely gives us what he did that year. And our 2-headed RB monster drops in rushing yards combined but greatly increases in receiving yards combined.

And I believe our defensive line will be the best defensive line in every single game we play. I believe our 2nd unit will be better than most 1st units. And that should greatly help us.

I hope we have another great year of forced TOs. That starts with the havoc the Freeman hopes to create.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I got us at 8-4 right now. I reserve the right to change my pick if the OL looks better in the fall and we settle on a QB1 with Austin healthy. Not worried about our defense except at corner.

4 losses??
Who?

 

[Dale]

And I believe our defensive line will be the best defensive line in every single game we play. I believe our 2nd unit will be better than most 1st units. And that should greatly help us.

This. I really don’t think people understand how good the DL might be. Last year, Ade was the somewhat surprise while Daelin, MTA, and Hinish played at what I would call known quantities level. Ademilolas were both solid as well. This year you likely know what you get from Hinish and MTA. But you have a host of BOOM potential guys that last year were not at the level of ready physically. Foskey, Botelho, Mills. Those are guys you look up and wonder if they are in 2022 or 2023 mock drafts yet. Cross, Nana are guys that can give you 2nd string DL production with zero drop off from last years 2nd DL. The Ademilolas can replicate 2020 probably at minimum in which both had fantastic production per snap numbers, but I also think have a potential gear to kick into.

 

[BobbyMac]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

 

[longliveautrydenson]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

I’m not sure if UNC returning their whole OL is a good thing. They were softer than Charmin and super senior Kurt Hinish is going to be on a national OL Demoralization Tour this fall.

 

[BobbyMac]

I’m not sure if UNC returning their whole OL is a good thing. They were softer than Charmin and super senior Kurt Hinish is going to be on a national OL Demoralization Tour this fall.

Well the 5 guys behind them apparently were even softer.

 

[Irish du Nord]

ND will be favored in every game (until they lose or get to the playoffs) and Kelly hasn't lost to a dog since Stanford '17.

EVERY team that has a chance to beat ND has a bye the week before.

If '22's FSU team was the team they face week-1, I might pick em but I don't think Norvell's had enough time to get them up to ND level.

Wiscy is gonna turn their home game at ND's home away from home into a UGA '17 looking crowd. They bring back a lot. This is ND's biggest challenge and I'm 50-50 on the outcome.

Poor Cincy. They are gonna come in sky high after beating IU on the road and having an extra week to prepare but if BK has ND ready for ANY game in his career it will be this one and Freeman's copy of the playbook dooms Cincy to a signature loss.

SC has its usual punchers chance but the OL talent is not there yet to mess with ND's D and we'll see if the new hoard of WR's are as good as the last. And predicted, Drake London is the next Chase Claypool. Can't wait for Kedon to get out of LA, can't stand rooting for him.

Can UNC be better than last year? Lost both star RB's, All American WR Dyami Brown and Chaz Surratt but return its OL intact and just about everyone else including Howell at QB. I say they can't just plug in that much new talent to cover what they lost and ND's roster is too much at home.

So...

I guess the smart bet is Kelly loses to a dog for the first time in 4 seasons. As good as Chicago usually is to the Irish, I'll pick that one... but no more... and say they go 11-1 and of course get the best team possible for a bowl opponent and have to play them in their backyard.

11-1

My hopes are high that ND fans will show out after a year of no in-person games. I predict that it will be a Cuse '18 looking crowd. God-willing I'll be part of it.

 

[zelezo vlk]

The Wisconsin game is technically a home game for the Badgers, so do they get a majority of the tickets?

 

[BobbyMac]

My hopes are high that ND fans will show out after a year of no in-person games. I predict that it will be a Cuse '18 looking crowd. God-willing I'll be part of it.

But ND was the home team for Cuse '18. Wiscy's the home team next year in Chicago though I might remember they did a different type of split for the Green Bay / Chicago series.

 

[Irish#1]

The most important thing to remember is the last 3-4 years have told us a different story and the mental makeup that BK has built into the program. We haven't seen that WTF? game because his teams are wired differently than 5+ years ago. A few years ago there was concern about the O-line and OMM said not to worry and I seconded his motion. Will the O-line be on par with the last couple of years? No, but they'll be better than most think. I have us losing the opener. Maybe Wiscy as well, but we're better than the rest.

 

[CoachB]

FSU - ND will not be super sharp on O, but the D will dominate FSU's Oline. Coan will be a starter and be solid, while the running game takes a step back with our new O-line. The receivers still do not get a whole lot of seperation, which will continue to be a cause for consternation for ND fans. Luckily, Coan finds enough of a security blanket in Meyer. He leads us with 9 catches for 87 yards and a TD. Kyren runs hard and we lead 20-17 late. FSU has the ball on their 35 with 2:19 left with a chance to tie or take the lead. They drive to our 45 before MTA tips a Milton pass and it is picked off by Kiser to seal a 20-17 win This whole site responds like it is a loss instead of a win and predictions for a 7-5 or 8-4 season are the norm for the rest of the week...

 

[Luckylucci]

Mad respect for the detail. I dig it. Now, we have to work on the outcome a bit, lol.

 

[CoachB]

Mad respect for the detail. I dig it. Now, we have to work on the outcome a bit, lol.

Lol, thanks. Right? Almost always ND starts slow. I would take a win here any way I can get it, lol.

 

[CoachB]

Toledo (1-0) @ Notre Dame (1-0)

Toledo's defense, or lack thereof, is just what the doctor ordered for the ND offense. Coan has a big day and spreads the ball around. Kyren rushes for 130 and Tyree rushes for 97 in a solid day. The defense shuts down the Toledo run game, but they do have some success through the air. The first QB off the bench is Drew Pyne, who manages the 4th quarter in a 45-17 victory.

 

[CoachB]

Purdue (2-0) @ Notre Dame (2-0)

Honestly, this game concerns me a bit. Purdue scored at least 20 in every game last year and has an up and coming program. I think their offense is ahead of their defense. I think ND clings to a 24-20 lead midway through the 4th when they put together a 6 minute drive of mostly Kyren. They punch in another one on a 3 yard run by Williams with 1:22 left to seal a 31-20 win. ND fans are uneasy, but are also 3-0.

 

[CoachB]

Wisconsin (2-0) vs. Notre Dame (3-0) @ Soldier Field

One the the most hyped games of the season arrives with the neutral site game in Chicago. Wisconsin will already have a win against Penn State on their resume and both of these teams will come in ranked in the top 15, if not top 10. Wisconsin, coming off a bye, will know Coan's strengths and weaknesses, but Coan will also have a lot of familiarity playing against the Badger D. Leonard is too good of a DC not to have some wrinkles, so the Badgers will slow the ND offense much of the day. On the other side of the ball, it is rough sledding for the Badgers also. ND fans, while excited about the game changing plays by the defense, will also see the tradeoff as they give up bigger plays than in the past three years. ND's offense will look for ways to get Meyer involved, but the Badgers will double him most of the game. Wisconsin leads fairly deep into the fourth quarter 17-14. Fortunately, Kevin Austin steps up and finally shows some of the promise that has been reported about him. Austin scores on a 63 yard beautiful teardrop pass by Coan down the left sideline to give ND a 21-17 lead with five minutes to go. Wisconsin drives to midfield before Bracy responds to the doubters by darting in front of a crossing route and returning it 64 yards for a TD. This gives ND a 28-17 win and a jump into the top 8 of the standings. ND nation celebrates!

 

[Trait Expectations]

Lol CoachB Most people have a hard enough time guessing a W/L or O/U, you're out here calling critical parts of entire games.

 

[CoachB]

Lol CoachB Most people have a hard enough time guessing a W/L or O/U, you're out here calling critical parts of entire games.

Lol, figured I would try to spice it up a little. If any of these come to fruitiion, I will be booking my flight to Vegas, lol.

 

[RDU Irish]

But ND was the home team for Cuse '18. Wiscy's the home team next year in Chicago though I might remember they did a different type of split for the Green Bay / Chicago series.

Pretty sure both games were 50/50 splits for tickets and home/away neutral site treatment. ND has a strong Chicago base - people will hopefully pay more for tickets when they can sleep in their own bed on game day.

 

[NorthDakota]

Pretty sure both games were 50/50 splits for tickets and home/away neutral site treatment. ND has a strong Chicago base - people will hopefully pay more for tickets when they can sleep in their own bed on game day.

Notre Dame has some great benefits. Wealthy alumni base. A national following. All that stuff.

But it's awfully frustrating when they have big games against uncommon opponents.... it means more to them to play Notre Dame, but since this isn't in South Bend, I think the ND faithful will show up in force.

The pictures of the Nebraska crowd 20 years ago and the Georgia crowd a few years ago still haunt me though.