General team info

[IrishLion]

They replaced the BYU game with Rice. ASU is going to be horrendous this year and I don't see Stanford being better than last year. I admittedly don't know much about Oregon State.

Stanford will be better based on returning production, and could potentially be *much* better if McKee takes a step forward.

I still don't view them as a threat to ND, though. Shaw's best seasons moving forward will be the years like this one, where they build towards a veteran QB and a roster with enough experience to string ~9 wins together if they don't run into any problems. They haven't adapted to the new recruiting timelines, so they won't be able to reload as often as they might have in the past.

 

[arahop]

LOL
ND in 2010 coming off of 15 years of mediocrity and a complete overhaul is NOTHING like a top 5 program ND in 2022.
Nice try…but fail.

Hey, I get it, you're a glass half empty on Freeman and this years team. I'm a glass full kind of guy. Cheers!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Hey, I get it, you're a glass half empty on Freeman and this years team. I'm a glass full kind of guy. Cheers!

Not sure what you are talking about. Reaper was saying all along that we should win the game by double digits. Yes he did throw in some line that if we don't win that game, maybe Marcus isn't the guy, but his expectation is that we will win. You threw out some stuff about Tulsa and other teams we lost to that we shouldn't have. Seems like Reaper was the optimist and you were the pessimist.

 

[condoms SUCk]

11-1 (Could see it) or 10-2 (Most Likely) 9-3 would mean the injury bug really hit the team.

Loss (OSU but ND beats the spread and builds confidence)
Toss Up- Clemson...please for the love of all that is holy can we get a cold/snowy Nov game?
USC- will be so beat up by the time we play them I'm not sure they will have 2 quality OL starters...guys they literally have ZERO O-line depth. DL could be an issue for them too.
The Rest- remaining games will be a mix of good/bad/ugly but the team will find ways to win.

Wild Card- TB's health...helpful tip would be for him to use ramps and elevators from now until the EOY.

 

[arahop]

Not sure what you are talking about. Reaper was saying all along that we should win the game by double digits. Yes he did throw in some line that if we don't win that game, maybe Marcus isn't the guy, but his expectation is that we will win. You threw out some stuff about Tulsa and other teams we lost to that we shouldn't have. Seems like Reaper was the optimist and you were the pessimist.

That's like your interpretation man

 

[Reaper97]

Not sure what you are talking about. Reaper was saying all along that we should win the game by double digits. Yes he did throw in some line that if we don't win that game, maybe Marcus isn't the guy, but his expectation is that we will win. You threw out some stuff about Tulsa and other teams we lost to that we shouldn't have. Seems like Reaper was the optimist and you were the pessimist.

Yeah.
My original comment was when talking the BYU game with another poster.
He agreed that ND was better in the trenches & at the skill level, but was worried about losing because of the location.
My point was simply that if you are better everywhere on the field & you lose because of location, which is a neutral site, then it’s coaching.
But I followed by saying ND will win by double-digits.

 

[Irish4life]

Prister remains very down on Colzie.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think 9-3 is the floor. The 2022 team’s strengths will be the OL play and the defense. That has been their recipe for success.

I think Styles is going to be really good this year. To the point where teams won’t be able to double team Mayer without getting punished by Styles. Once Merriweather gets up to speed, they’ll be cooking.

Agreed. I think Styles will be a game wrecker. And I think he trends towards a 3 and out prospect. I've always thought he was the real deal. I believe Rivals had him as a fringe 5 star and I always thought that was appropriate. Was actually surprised when didn't move further up 247's board.

And, just to add some color to the Merriweather convo, it seems like everyone is hearing he's impressed so far.

 

[INLaw]

What about BYU impresses you?
Their strength is in the trenches, but ND’s OL & front 7 are wayyyyy superior.
And they don’t have the athletes ND does. That’s their weakness.
The only problem for ND is that it’s in Vegas.

You think half the team gonna pull a Deion McIntosh while in Vegas?

 

[Reaper97]

You think half the team gonna pull a Deion McIntosh while in Vegas?

How great of a story would that be if it happened to both teams?

A Catholic school & Mormon school both running amuck in Vegas…

 

[allenm5333]

You think half the team gonna pull a Deion McIntosh while in Vegas?

I wasn’t on here back then. what did he do?

 

[Reaper97]

I wasn’t on here back then. what did he do?

He got sent home from the bowl game for bringing a professional lady to his room…

 

[INLaw]

I wasn’t on here back then. what did he do?

Hooker before the bowl game if memory serves

 

[calvegas04]

Yeah.
My original comment was when talking the BYU game with another poster.
He agreed that ND was better in the trenches & at the skill level, but was worried about losing because of the location.
My point was simply that if you are better everywhere on the field & you lose because of location, which is a neutral site, then it’s coaching.
But I followed by saying ND will win by double-digits.

BYU Ranks Second in Returning Production Ahead of 2022 Season​

BYU Ranks Second in Returning Production Ahead of 2022 Season

BYU will return most of its production following a 10-win 2021 season

www.si.com

 

[Whiskeyjack]

BYU Ranks Second in Returning Production Ahead of 2022 Season​

BYU Ranks Second in Returning Production Ahead of 2022 Season

BYU will return most of its production following a 10-win 2021 season

www.si.com

They had a great offense-- OFEI of 1.04, which was good for 4th nationally--but their defense was horrendous--DFEI of -.031, 83rd nationally.

Our defense is gonna need to come ready to play, but they are not a well-balanced team. Fortunately, defense and a solid ground game travel well, so we should still be favored to win comfortably.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Just go 1-0 against Ohio State.

 

[notredomer23]

Sporting News 2022 college football Preseason All-American team: Alabama's Bryce Young, Texas' Bijan Robinson lead the way | Sporting News Canada

Sporting News 2022 Preseason All-American team is loaded with Alabama and Ohio State players. Who made the list?

www.sportingnews.com

ND with 3 pre-season first team all Americans in Mayer, Paterson, and Foskey. Brandon Joseph is second team.

ND had 12 opponents on the first and second team.

 

[ulukinatme]

Did anyone see PFF predicted ND’s win total at 6.6?
They have Maryland at 6.7

The people at PFF smoke crack.

 

[Valpodoc85]

First year, young coach, essentially freshman qb, thin at wr and now rb is a tall task. Starting at OSU complicates matters. Realistically this team will be 8-4, 7-5. MFMF will do well but first year will be tough

 

[Whiskeyjack]

First year, young coach, essentially freshman qb, thin at wr and now rb is a tall task. Starting at OSU complicates matters. Realistically this team will be 8-4, 7-5. MFMF will do well but first year will be tough

We haven't fallen short of double digit wins since 2016. This year's team will be stronger top to bottom than last year's. Freeman isn't losing 5 games with this roster.

 

[arahop]

We haven't fallen short of double digit wins since 2016. This year's team will be stronger top to bottom than last year's. Freeman isn't losing 5 games with this roster.

Amen to that. 5 lose predictions by Irish fans on here is close to troll territory

 

[IrishLion]

I could see an 8-4 season if it’s one of those “all the bounces went the other way” type of seasons with injuries, close calls and general ND-related weirdness.

Thin at the skill positions, but a defense that should be able to carry the team. A young, energetic coach that will surely be a great one… but will have a lot of learning to do.

Between the schedule, lack of offensive depth, potential for injuries and a coach that might make a costly rookie mistake or two in game management, 8-4 wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, and definitely wouldn’t spell doom.

 

[du Lac]

What I love is that we are dominating in the 50 to 100 range. Four star recruits go all the way up to number 400, they are not made the same.

 

[Luckylucci]

I don’t foresee many circumstances where I’m ok with 8-4 and staff continuity.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Isn't the Over/Under for Vegas at 9.5? Seems much more reasonable.

If Tyler Buchner pans out this is an 11-1 team. Probably finishing the season on an 11-game win streak, though I'd give a kidney to have them beat Ohio State this year.

IMO percent chance of winning each game...

at Ohio State - 25%
vs Marshall - 99%
vs California - 90%
at North Carolina - 80%
BYE
vs BYU 70%
vs Stanford 75%
vs UNLV 95%
at Syracuse 95%
vs Clemson 55%
at Navy 99%
vs Boston College 80%
at USC 60%

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Isn't the Over/Under for Vegas at 9.5? Seems much more reasonable.

If Tyler Buchner pans out this is an 11-1 team. Probably finishing the season on an 11-game win streak, though I'd give a kidney to have them beat Ohio State this year.

9.5 does seem to be accurate and I’ll give a local renal surgeon your contact info.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I don’t foresee many circumstances where I’m ok with 8-4 and staff continuity.

This…. 8-4 would be bad

 

[Old Man Mike]

If Buchner is at least Coan-good, we win 10, maybe 11. If he's Book-good, we might go undefeated regular season, but won't win in the playoffs. Buchner doesn't have to be All-American for this roster to do 10-11, barring a weird run of injuries at one or two positions. Also, of course, the coaching staff has to actually be good at game planning and management. Both the Buchner and the staff concerns are in the reasonable zone as far as hope being justly supported.

But despite my "All Hail ND" nature, the realist in me says: Come on, Buchner, and come on Coach F, be as good as I hope you can be. The OSU game will tell me what the season will be like, and I'm counting on double-digit wins even with a competitive OSU loss at their home. I always look at the two lines. We're REAL good there. We should be a team that others hate to play, because of our Big Boys. Give them some DAMM help QB!!! (Sorry, I'm getting a bit p!ssed that QB after QB can't ever take over the game once in a while (though Book did that a couple of times, it's been few and far between.) )

 

[BilboBaggins]

If Buchner is at least Coan-good, we win 10, maybe 11. If he's Book-good, we might go undefeated regular season, but won't win in the playoffs. Buchner doesn't have to be All-American for this roster to do 10-11, barring a weird run of injuries at one or two positions. Also, of course, the coaching staff has to actually be good at game planning and management. Both the Buchner and the staff concerns are in the reasonable zone as far as hope being justly supported.

But despite my "All Hail ND" nature, the realist in me says: Come on, Buchner, and come on Coach F, be as good as I hope you can be. The OSU game will tell me what the season will be like, and I'm counting on double-digit wins even with a competitive OSU loss at their home. I always look at the two lines. We're REAL good there. We should be a team that others hate to play, because of our Big Boys. Give them some DAMM help QB!!! (Sorry, I'm getting a bit p!ssed that QB after QB can't ever take over the game once in a while (though Book did that a couple of times, it's been few and far between.) )

But ND lines have been good for a while (notwithstanding the first half of 2021). IMO Notre Dame's offense has been plagued by an inability to run the ball inside consistently, the ol' "impose your will" stuff, and the lack of a WR corp that can get separation.

Going back to 2018, there was a huge warning against USC when the Irish squeeked out a win to finish the season 12-0. USC's strengths were DL and CB and they showed the country that a defense with long and athletic CBs were going to put the clamps on ND's WRs and a competent DL would be enough to keep just seven in the box. Clemson in the CFP blew that right open. Despite personnel changes, IMO Notre Dame has been kinda stuck at that same offensive identity the last few years.

The good news is option play and a running QB is the biggest X factor in college football, and there isn't much tape on what this offensive coaching staff likes to do. Ya only need one A+ gameplan from the staff to win one game.

 

[ulukinatme]

If Buchner is at least Coan-good, we win 10, maybe 11. If he's Book-good, we might go undefeated regular season, but won't win in the playoffs. Buchner doesn't have to be All-American for this roster to do 10-11, barring a weird run of injuries at one or two positions. Also, of course, the coaching staff has to actually be good at game planning and management. Both the Buchner and the staff concerns are in the reasonable zone as far as hope being justly supported.

But despite my "All Hail ND" nature, the realist in me says: Come on, Buchner, and come on Coach F, be as good as I hope you can be. The OSU game will tell me what the season will be like, and I'm counting on double-digit wins even with a competitive OSU loss at their home. I always look at the two lines. We're REAL good there. We should be a team that others hate to play, because of our Big Boys. Give them some DAMM help QB!!! (Sorry, I'm getting a bit p!ssed that QB after QB can't ever take over the game once in a while (though Book did that a couple of times, it's been few and far between.) )

This is asking quite a lot though. When the OL was somewhat stable Coan was a pretty damn good pocket passer. I mean, he broke a Fiesta Bowl record and most of our WRs weren't exactly top of the line as far as position groups go. Aside from a few surprisingly scrambles he was a statue compared to Book.