2021 Week One Prediction Poll: ND @ FSU

[IrishLion]

#9 ND at FSU
Sunday, September 5
7:30 PM
ABC

Who wins, by how much, and why?

 

[IrishLion]

I've got ND 34-21, in a game that really isn't that close.

ND comes out firing on offense to a 28-7 lead after the first drive of the 3rd quarter. FSU isn't ready for Coan and ND's receivers to look as polished as they do, and once they adjust, Kyren goes to work on the ground and Mayer starts working the middle of the field on intermediate downs. ND tacks on a field goal in the 3rd, then again in the 4th.

FSU gets an early score that gives them hope, but Freeman's group adjusts immediately and shuts them down until later in the game, when one of Travis/Milton makes a couple of big plays against ND's backups way late in the game.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

LFG, prediction polls are back. Once ACamp logs back in, we will have our first (and likely only) FSU by 28+. Tradition never graduates.

I have a feeling this one starts ugly, with the Irish Oline, Coan and Co. pressing a little bit. FSU will ride the early momentum in front a energetic Doak Campbell Stadium and score 10 points on their first two drives, but then Freeman and the D boyz will shut them down the rest of the way. A narrow, 14-10 halftime lead and the liquor cabinets will be utilized to steady the nerves.

BK lights a fire under the squad in the locker room and we come out firing on all cylinders; The OL starts moving bodies and Kyren/Tyree have a big second half. Kevin Austin and Michael Mayer each score to ice it. FSU scores a garbage time TD against the 2s.

ND wins 38-20.

 

[NDdomer2]

I got ND by 10 with a late TD and FG by FSU vs our backups

 

[RDU Irish]

I've got ND 34-21, in a game that really isn't that close.

ND comes out firing on offense to a 28-7 lead after the first drive of the 3rd quarter. FSU isn't ready for Coan and ND's receivers to look as polished as they do, and once they adjust, Kyren goes to work on the ground and Mayer starts working the middle of the field on intermediate downs. ND tacks on a field goal in the 3rd, then again in the 4th.

FSU gets an early score that gives them hope, but Freeman's group adjusts immediately and shuts them down until later in the game, when one of Travis/Milton makes a couple of big plays against ND's backups way late in the game.

I think our depth on defense will hold up better than normal against late garbage points. Hoping Freeman's demeanor is to go for the jugular. I expect some growing pains on offense with us leaving a couple scores on the field and maybe a freebee for FSU. FSU is outclassed- ND no longer plays around with unranked folks. 31-16 good guys.

 

[BobbyMac]

We spend far too much time together.

35-16

 

[Irish du Nord]

Don't expect FSU's offense to ever really get going. 38-13 Irish

 

[WilliamWallace]

I think our depth on defense will hold up better than normal against late garbage points. Hoping Freeman's demeanor is to go for the jugular. I expect some growing pains on offense with us leaving a couple scores on the field and maybe a freebee for FSU. FSU is outclassed- ND no longer plays around with unranked folks. 31-16 good guys.

I’m with you, gonna start looking like a serious contender. I’m hoping the 1’s are pulled midway or so through the 4th, and we still don’t allow points beyond that. My prediction is a bit more optimistic, I can’t help but think we’re turning the corner!

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think there are going to be some growing pains. ND beat FSU by 16 last year in South Bend. While both teams are obviously different, the intangibles favor FSU.

I think this is going to look and feel very similar to the Lvill game 2 years ago. ND came into that game with lots of people to replace, against a team that was inferior, but with an obvious intangible advantage.

I expect ND, defensively in particular, to struggle in the first 20-25 minutes. It's a new scheme and all, so we should expect some breakdowns. But Norvell has seen the scheme many times and frankly, probably is one of the few people that can say they have had success against Freeman. So like the 2019 open, I think we are going to have some white knuckles watching the first 2-4 drives on defense.

On offense, I am a little less concerned but think this will be a pretty big boom or bust game. I don't see us having success in the first half with grinding out drives. It's going to be the big plays that excite, but the lack of consistency that has everyone nervous after the game.

So if ND won by 16 last year, I like them to win by 13 this year, with a final of 34-21. But it's a game that leaves a bunch of ammo for those who think this year is going to be a down year, while simultaneously giving ammo to those who think ND doesn't skip a beat and marches to a 11+ win season.

 

[Riddickulous]

31-21. It'll be a close game into the third.

2016 Texas gave me PTSD so I'm always a little wary of these Labor Day weekend road openers.

 

[ACamp1900]

If Tulsa can beat this program in our house FSU can,… well,… you know.

58-0 FSU over Bishop Sycamore

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I’ve got ND winning 35 - 21 but expecting some tense moments, especially in the first half…….I think the much improved passing game is going to give the offense great balance. FSU won’t be able to key ony one aspect consistently. It may take ND’s new defensive scheme a beat or two to start clicking but am optimistic that they find their groove before too much damage is caused by FSU’s offense. Can’t wait to see how they perform!

 

[Armyirish47]

Last year we won by 16 at home. This year we are maybe better overall on defense but will give up occasional home runs. We are probably less explosive on offense at least early on the road.

Sooooooo I'm thinking 31 - 17 where they have many 3 and outs but pop a big one late for window dressing.

 

[notredomer23]

Idk how anyone is using last year’s game as a measuring stick given all the COVID problems ND was experiencing which included a ton of time off no practicing.

I think FSU will play tough for about a quarter and then ND pours it on. Up by 24 or so in the fourth, FSU gets a garbage TD.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Idk how anyone is using last year’s game as a measuring stick given all the COVID problems ND was experiencing which included a ton of time off no practicing.

I think FSU will play tough for about a quarter and then ND pours it on. Up by 24 or so in the fourth, FSU gets a garbage TD.

I honestly forgot about that; thanks for the reminder. Our squad was a mess leading up to that game.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think there are going to be some growing pains. ND beat FSU by 16 last year in South Bend. While both teams are obviously different, the intangibles favor FSU.

I think this is going to look and feel very similar to the Lvill game 2 years ago. ND came into that game with lots of people to replace, against a team that was inferior, but with an obvious intangible advantage.

I expect ND, defensively in particular, to struggle in the first 20-25 minutes. It's a new scheme and all, so we should expect some breakdowns. But Norvell has seen the scheme many times and frankly, probably is one of the few people that can say they have had success against Freeman. So like the 2019 open, I think we are going to have some white knuckles watching the first 2-4 drives on defense.

On offense, I am a little less concerned but think this will be a pretty big boom or bust game. I don't see us having success in the first half with grinding out drives. It's going to be the big plays that excite, but the lack of consistency that has everyone nervous after the game.

So if ND won by 16 last year, I like them to win by 13 this year, with a final of 34-21. But it's a game that leaves a bunch of ammo for those who think this year is going to be a down year, while simultaneously giving ammo to those who think ND doesn't skip a beat and marches to a 11+ win season.

I completely forgot about this until the other day and you're right. Will be interesting to see how Freeman adjusts. I was looking at their roster the other day and the lack of five star/high four star talent at the skill positions is staggering by FSU's standards. My guess is that ND's talent and experience, especially up the middle of the D, is too much for FSU's offense.

I see this being a low scoring game. 21 - 13 ND win.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think the game will ultimately be won in the trenches by ND (especially on defense) but I think Norvell's offense and some inexperience on offense for ND will make this game competitive early on. I think post halftime, the defense will make FSU's offense one dimensional. After some misdirection and plenty of movement from Norvell with Travis at QB, ND's defense settles down and plays extremely well in the second half. The offense takes the first quarter to get in some rhythm and then the big plays start to come in the both the pass and run game. A 13-7 halftime lead turns into a 30-10 4th qtr lead. Travis and Norvell getting a late score to make it 30-17

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Bill Connelly's SP+ predicts ND 32 - 24 FSU:

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/espn_billc/status/1433033839392198659?s=21[/TWEET]

 

[Irish#1]

Idk how anyone is using last year’s game as a measuring stick given all the COVID problems ND was experiencing which included a ton of time off no practicing.

I think FSU will play tough for about a quarter and then ND pours it on. Up by 24 or so in the fourth, FSU gets a garbage TD.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

The man knows his stuff.

 

[Dale]

I think we run it up. I truly believe Coan and Austin/Lenzy/Mayer have juice in the tank we have not seen and FSU is not gonna be the team to challenge that. Offense will have a weight off their shoulders type performance. Travis breaks a couple big plays against a maybe too fired up new scheme D.

48 - 23

 

[dad4aa]

I think our offense will surprise and do quite well from the start. Norvell may have seen this defensive scheme many times, but he has not seen this defense with the talent we have. ND wins easy 34-13.

 

[tussin]

I think Coan comes out shaky, defense looks good, and we eke out a 24-17 win. We all overreact and reset expectations to a 8-4 / 9-3 season.

EDIT: Oh and "Brian Kelly Revisited" gets some renewed love.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think our offense will surprise and do quite well from the start. Norvell may have seen this defensive scheme many times, but he has not seen this defense with the talent we have. ND wins easy 34-13.

Yep, which is why I think we might cede some big plays early but over time I think the front 7 will really control the LOS and make them one dimensional.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I think Coan comes out shaky, defense looks good, and we eke out a 24-17 win. We all overreact and reset expectations to a 8-4 / 9-3 season.

EDIT: Oh and "Brian Kelly Revisited" gets some renewed love.

Lol, that's exactly what would happen. Even though we all know game 1 is usually a shit show, it's just in our nature as ND fans.

 

[GATTACA!]

Coan comes out dealing and turns some heads.

38-13

 

[Luckylucci]

Can comes out dealing and turns some heads.

38-13

I just listened to Austin’s press from yesterday and he lit up when asked about Coan. Said he’s got a big arm and can put the ball where they/he wants it. Got me excited. Let’s see what happens when the action is live.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Idk how anyone is using last year’s game as a measuring stick given all the COVID problems ND was experiencing which included a ton of time off no practicing.

I think FSU will play tough for about a quarter and then ND pours it on. Up by 24 or so in the fourth, FSU gets a garbage TD.

Sure, ND was impacted by Covid last year. But don't forget that it was also Norvell's first year, fall camp was a mess and they were impacted by Covid earlier. Basically, the team was a mess. Jordan Travis was and after thought until he came in off the bench to save them the week before ND.

So we can't act like the situation leading up to last years game was only a negative impact to ND.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Somehow this feels like Louisville 2019.

 

[IrishBoognish]

Theres so much quiet confidence coming out of the ND coaching staff. I think they're expecting something special out of this crew.


Austin shocks the world (that doesn't pay close attention to Irish football).

Defense may stumble for a second... but dominates after an adjustment.

Kyren and the RB staff take over after FSU realizes the weapons ND has in the air are for real.


42-17 Irish.

 

[Irishokie]

ND 33-27. Season opener shenanigans, what should be a great road environment, and all our new shiny pieces needing time to gel equals a more stressful night than should be. “Winning is tough.”