Oct 26 | Navy

[DillonHall]

Never been but I went to a game at West Point once and it was fun. Would rather do that occasionally than these sterile NFL stadiums we're always playing them in.

Seriously what the hell was yesterday? Worst environment ever

 

[Irishfanforlife23]

Yeah, it's a weird thing. Put them on the road against anyone and they will play fine. It's like Navy coming up. I'm happy they are playing it away, because I think they would shit themselves playing it at home. That's why I sort of want to be on the road for the Playoff, even though it would be cool to play one at home.

 

[ThePiombino]

Spread opened -14

I believe we win, but I don't think I feel comfortable giving 14. Prolly just gonna hammer the moneyline this week.

 

[Irishokie]

We'd be the underdog on a neutral field against Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and even A&M

Being an underdog doesn’t mean we lose every one of those. We’ve already beaten one of those in their own stadium in front of their fourth largest crowd ever. Texas and Alabama would be toss ups, Tennessee and LSU we win, and Georgia would be the most likely loss.

 

[irishff1014]

Too high IMO

Someone posted their schedule it has been very very weak.

 

[SDIrishFan]

This is always going to be a “shortened” game. We may get 9 or 10 possessions, so efficiency is key. The offense can’t disappear for long stretches this game like they have pretty much every game this year.

Finally, have to find a way to force 2 turnovers.

 

[DillonHall]

Being an underdog doesn’t mean we lose every one of those. We’ve already beaten one of those in their own stadium in front of their fourth largest crowd ever. Texas and Alabama would be toss ups, Tennessee and LSU we win, and Georgia would be the most likely loss.

I'm just saying the average SEC schedule is tougher than ours. I don't blame them one bit for scheduling FCS teams when they play so many difficult conference games

And I wouldn't be confident about beating A&M in a rematch. I think they played really poorly against us, especially on offense

 

[DillonHall]

Someone posted their schedule it has been very very weak.

Navy is 132 (out of 134 FBS teams). Army is 133

 

[SDIrishFan]

Navy is 132 (out of 134 FBS teams). Army is 133

In strength of schedule?

 

[DillonHall]

In strength of schedule?

Yep very weak

 

[SDIrishFan]

Yep very weak

I see they beat a 6-1 Memphis team.

 

[irishff1014]

I see they beat a 6-1 Memphis team.

That have beaten:
Cornell. 49-21
Temple. 38-11
Memphis 56-44
UAB 41-18
Air Force 34-7
Charlotte 51-17

Our 2nd team defense is better than all of their numbers 1’s.

So -14 probably isn’t that far off

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Navy is 132 (out of 134 FBS teams). Army is 133

Yes, but do they have a 63% chance of getting in the playoff with a win here today?

 

[DillonHall]

Yes, but do they have a 63% chance of getting in the playoff with a win here today?

Only if they get a lot of style points

 

[Irishokie]

I'm just saying the average SEC schedule is tougher than ours. I don't blame them one bit for scheduling FCS teams when they play so many difficult conference games

And I wouldn't be confident about beating A&M in a rematch. I think they played really poorly against us, especially on offense

A SEC schedule is usually tougher than ours but there are years when they avoid playing the others at the top of the conference. Missouri was supposed to have it easy this year and they’re looking more pretender now.

Give ND’s defense some credit for aTm’s offense playing poorly. We are (maybe were due to injuries) good enough to shut good teams down. With the injuries, I do think we need to realize how thin we are and that a loss is more likely in the playoffs. But we need to win out and make it to the playoffs to have a successful season.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Keys to beating Navy get the ball
And score first gotta have a great first drive take 5-7 minutes off the clock. I’d get the ball into Loves hands as much as possible. Gotta get 2-3 stops they love going for it on 4th down. Gotta play mistake free

 

[Pennick44]

Navy is probally gonna stack the box so Leonard better be ready to throw

ND will overpower Navy on both sides of the ball.

 

[IrishLax]

They’re an extremely good team and I’m quite worried that they will hit explosive pass plays. But what worries me the most is that our offense… for the first time in awhile… is not set up well to take advantages of their weaknesses. We don’t have a consistent, mauling OL or a precision passing game. My fear is that we self-destruct on too many drives and end up in knife fights final score in the 30s for both teams.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Just be disciplined on defense. The DT's need to stuff that full back.

 

[BilboBaggins]

They’re an extremely good team and I’m quite worried that they will hit explosive pass plays. But what worries me the most is that our offense… for the first time in awhile… is not set up well to take advantages of their weaknesses. We don’t have a consistent, mauling OL or a precision passing game. My fear is that we self-destruct on too many drives and end up in knife fights final score in the 30s for both teams.

NDs LBs and DTs are playing really well right now. The DEs worry me due to the injuries.

But if the OL needs anything to get their confidence up, it's pushing around undersized Navy defenders. They will run the rock.

I'm also digging the routes being called for Leonard. When's the last time an ND quarterback was told to throw slant passes? Book was too short for those routes to even be in the playbook.

Having said that, ND is fully capable of playing like they're a middle school team. But I'll go with 35-10.

 

[BeatSC]

So we see some Players participating that we don’t normally see? Urlacher maybe?

 

[Giddyup]

Rilwy Leonard is kinda like the forest gump of 2000’s. Great skills but too ADD to read a D

 

[Irish#1]

If SEC teams continue to play two FCS cupcakes every year, we can keep Navy on the schedule without it being detrimental to our playoff chances.

You would think so, but it will always be that the rest of their schedule is SEC, SEC!

 

[ThePiombino]

They’re an extremely good team and I’m quite worried that they will hit explosive pass plays. But what worries me the most is that our offense… for the first time in awhile… is not set up well to take advantages of their weaknesses. We don’t have a consistent, mauling OL or a precision passing game. My fear is that we self-destruct on too many drives and end up in knife fights final score in the 30s for both teams.

I'm not as concerned about the D giving up too many explosives. In Golden and the young DBs I trust. My main concern is the likely limited possessions we'll get. Can our O be clinical enough with limited plays through 4 quarters? It will be the first time we see them do it this season if so.

 

[stpeteirish]

I think I'd be more worried if we had struggled with Georgia Tech's running game yesterday, but we really didn't. I'm sure it'll be an annoying game, especially in the first half, but if we avoid stupid and costly mistakes (yesterday's pick was stupid but not costly) we should be fine.

I see they beat a 6-1 Memphis team.

Giving up 44 points

 

[FDNYIrish1]

There will be a frustrating big pass play or two when guys get drawn up by the run game. I’ve seen Army 3 times this year, incredibly boring to watch. Seems they’re doing same as Navy, running triple option out of shotgun. Awful to sit through. Should win by 3 touchdowns.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Yeah, it's a weird thing. Put them on the road against anyone and they will play fine. It's like Navy coming up. I'm happy they are playing it away, because I think they would shit themselves playing it at home. That's why I sort of want to be on the road for the Playoff, even though it would be cool to play one at home.

Fair point but I do think the players feed off the hype of a team from the south headed north in wintry weather/cold temps. Only thing I don’t like about the Navy game is a noon start. Great for us fans but seems easier to sleep walk in those early starts for favorites.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I'm just saying the average SEC schedule is tougher than ours. I don't blame them one bit for scheduling FCS teams when they play so many difficult conference games

And I wouldn't be confident about beating A&M in a rematch. I think they played really poorly against us, especially on offense

But we don’t play aTm again. How often has the same been said about NIU…play them 100 times and ND wins the majority of them. But those games are in the rearview mirror. Both games showed what this team is capable of which portends for a low floor & semi-high ceiling (Factoring injuries & questionable pass game). Survive & advance

This season, the only teams I believe where ND is at a talent disadvantage is Bama, LSU, UGA & Texas.

 

[LincolnBlocks]

Do you really believe ND has more talent than Ohio State or Oregon? I want some of what you’re smoking.

 

[Hautian Domer]

They’re an extremely good team and I’m quite worried that they will hit explosive pass plays. But what worries me the most is that our offense… for the first time in awhile… is not set up well to take advantages of their weaknesses. We don’t have a consistent, mauling OL or a precision passing game. My fear is that we self-destruct on too many drives and end up in knife fights final score in the 30s for both teams.

It’s …. Navy. If we can’t win this one fairly comfortably à la Georgia Tech, then we have bigger issues.