ND picked as top sleeper outside top 25

[SoCalDomer]

It won't be much of a surprise if Notre Dame emerges from the wreckage of its 2007 season and regains some respectability by going 6-6 or 7-5, but a look at the Irish's schedule shows it isn't so far-fetched to think they could do even better than that.
Instead of beginning the season with a "Big Six" program the way they usually do, the Irish open the 2008 slate with a near-certain victory against San Diego State. Then, they play host to a Michigan team retooling its offense under a first-year coach. If the Irish pull off a victory in those first two games, they should have plenty of confidence as they face the meat of a schedule that includes only one program (USC) ranked among the top 24 teams in Rivals.com's preseason countdown.

Notre Dame returns just about everyone on offense other than center John Sullivan and tight end John Carlson. Assuming Jimmy Clausen lives up to expectations in his sophomore season – and that the line gives him enough time to throw after allowing an NCAA-leading 58 sacks last season – the Irish should at least be average, which would represent a major upgrade.

The defensive line is a major question mark, but the pass defense could be solid with David Bruton and Darrin Walls in the secondary. There are plenty of potential losses on this schedule, and you have to think the Irish will slip up at least four times while facing the likes of Michigan State, Purdue, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Boston College.

But when you study that schedule, the only near-certain loss is the season finale against USC. So maybe that 6-6 or 7-5 finish everyone's forecasting might be more like 8-4 or 9-3.

more (free): Rivals.com College Football - Looking for a sleeper outside the Top 25

 

[Irishwino7]

"and you have to think the Irish will slip up at least four times while facing the likes of Michigan State, Purdue, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Boston College."


Am I reading that right? They predict a 1-4 record against those teams? I wouldn't be completely suprised to get beat by 2 of them but not 4.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Mich State, Pittsburg and North Carolina are programs on the rise. I would expect those to be the toughest of those 5.

Boston College while they ended last season highly ranked lost their star QB and a bit of senior starters. If you also look at their wins, many of them were last minute or come from behind victories. they really didn't dominate.

Given last year though, i'm not going out on a ledge and predicting a win against any of them. (not saying we're going to lose, just that i'm not predicting a win. of course i think we should win all of those games.)

 

[WeisWeisBaby]

SoCalDomer was never a great journalist, I'm sure he will fix that for you in the future

 

[Mwedmonds]

Those could be tough games, Pitt has an improving defense that could be deadly vs. our 'O.' We def. need protection. I went to high school with two of the Pitt players on defense...hope that o-line stiffens up a bit. Purdue always scares me when we line up against them, then again, alot of teams scared me last year.

 

[irishmarine]

last year our shadows scared us

 

[IrishGrizz]

This year, Tenutas Defense will scare our opponents offense!!!

 

[JeremyND07]

This year, Tenutas Defense will scare our opponents offense!!!

Tenutas Defense? I thought it was still Corwin's defense....I do see our defense improving a lot and carrying us most of the season. OL is still a HUGE question mark for me...I cannot see them improving that much with Latina as there coach but I hope he proves me wrong!!!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I am increasingly drinking more Kool-Aid, so I think we will pull off a Top25 spot by the time the year is out.