Expectations?

[military_irish]

I was kind of just curious as to what everyones expectations were before the season started. Most of the fans i talked to expected anywhere from 9-11 wins, but rarely if any realistically expected an undefeated season.

So why is it when they do lose everyone gets disgruntle, and what not. Now I will be one of the first to say they should have dominated Michigan, but we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. And as most feel, the refs had some say in the outcome, but that is by no means an excuse. Not to take anything away from Michigan either, they did play a good game.

But back to my original reason for posting, just curious as the reasons so many people would get "that" upset over a loss, if almost no one expected them to go undefeated.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

It is the way the game was lost. Too many opportunities to win. Great teams win those games.

 

[AlumniHall98]

I was kind of just curious as to what everyones expectations were before the season started. Most of the fans i talked to expected anywhere from 9-11 wins, but rarely if any realistically expected an undefeated season.

So why is it when they do lose everyone gets disgruntle, and what not. Now I will be one of the first to say they should have dominated Michigan, but we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. And as most feel, the refs had some say in the outcome, but that is by no means an excuse. Not to take anything away from Michigan either, they did play a good game.

But back to my original reason for posting, just curious as the reasons so many people would get "that" upset over a loss, if almost no one expected them to go undefeated.

Realistic Irish fans would certainly agree that an undefeated season was NOT a likely outcome for this 2009 season, although ALL of us, somewhere deep in our ND-loving hearts, always hold onto that hope, however small it might be, that perfection remains a possibility until that first "1" appears in the loss column. But at the end of the day, when push comes to shove, true ND football fans who follow the Irish religiously and study every element of the game would have agreed that a 12-0 season this year was VERY unlikely, but a 10 or 11 win season was, and IS, very possible, and I dare say, absolutely NECESSARY for Weis to remain as the head football coach at Notre Dame.

I think the reason the "L" to Michigan hurts so badly is that, 1.) we all hate our bitter rival and relish nothing more than the taste of sweet victory when we get a "W" against them, 2.) we were, and are, the better team but beat ourselves out of a win, and, 3.) since we are in need of 10 or 11 wins this year to reach a BCS bowl, there is now no margin for error, no place where its ok to slip up and let one get away - EVERY game is a MUST win, and with the loss coming early in the season to an unranked Michigan team who we know we could have beaten, the pressure on the Irish going forward is immense. Those are some of the reasons that THIS particular loss hurst so bad. But we can either learn from it, prosper, and go on to great things this year, or we can perish from it. This coming weekend will tell us a lot.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

After two games, we're right where I'd expect this team to be.... In games, not being blown off the field, competing to the end to win. The Michigan game was a pretty good measuring stick for us considering we were in the the Big Toilet Bowl, hostile environment and facing a style of offense we've struggled with in the past. We're making strides, we're showing we're relevent again and most importantly, we're showing that we aren't going to be anyone's doormat anymore. Keep the train rollin' Charlie....While I'm not always going to like the outcome, I certainly like the direction we're headed.

 

[military_irish]

Realistic Irish fans would certainly agree that an undefeated season was NOT a likely outcome for this 2009 season, although ALL of us, somewhere deep in our ND-loving hearts, always hold onto that hope, however small it might be, that perfection remains a possibility until that first "1" appears in the loss column. But at the end of the day, when push comes to shove, true ND football fans who follow the Irish religiously and study every element of the game would have agreed that a 12-0 season this year was VERY unlikely, but a 10 or 11 win season was, and IS, very possible, and I dare say, absolutely NECESSARY for Weis to remain as the head football coach at Notre Dame.

I think the reason the "L" to Michigan hurts so badly is that, 1.) we all hate our bitter rival and relish nothing more than the taste of sweet victory when we get a "W" against them, 2.) we were, and are, the better team but beat ourselves out of a win, and, 3.) since we are in need of 10 or 11 wins this year to reach a BCS bowl, there is now no margin for error, no place where its ok to slip up and let one get away - EVERY game is a MUST win, and with the loss coming early in the season to an unranked Michigan team who we know we could have beaten, the pressure on the Irish going forward is immense. Those are some of the reasons that THIS particular loss hurst so bad. But we can either learn from it, prosper, and go on to great things this year, or we can perish from it. This coming weekend will tell us a lot.

thats a great way to put it. i won't lie it really took me almost two days to get over it, because i know we should have won that game hands down. i was one of the ones who believed we could have gone undefeated, i didn't outwardly say it, but after the first game i just felt it was more of a possibility.

they are still a very talented team in my eyes, their offense is on par with any team in the nation i believe. there defense on the other hand could use some tweaking, its fair to say out DL recruiting hasn't been the best in recent years. but the kids on the team i think are capable of improving drastically considering they are i believe one of the youngest groups on the team.

running the table here on out may not be that far fetched as some may believe. i may get criticized for saying that. but thats just how i feel.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

It's not so much the loss that has everyone upset, it's the fact that we lost to a second year coach with a team full of players who don't fit his system and a true freshman QB.

I don't think nearly as many people would be as upset with the loss had the outcome been the same, only the loss been at the hands of USC. That would have at least let us know that we are right there with the elite, where we should be. As it is now the loss did nothing but prove that going into his 5th year CW is on par with a young, inexperienced Michigan team.

Once again it just proves that we can't win important, big games.
Were not going to beat USC this year, quote me.
Another season of winning the games we should(and lately even losing some of those) and losing to all the good teams on our schedule.
I remember when we used to be that team on other teams schedules that they marked down as a loss at the beginning of the season. It's sad that now were the ones doing that to the other good teams.

 

[irishfan]

10-2 with a loss to USC and Michigan/MSU

I envisioned pretty much a year like 2005. One close loss early to an overmatched Michigan/MSU then a close loss to USC with us winning out to end the year.

 

[Riddickulous]

10-2.

We score 30+ on USC. However, they score 40+.

 

[military_irish]

when it comes to USC, am i saying right now with out a doubt we will win, no not really. do i have a better feeling for that game? yes. the reason being is they don't have the duel threat QB, that has gave us challenges the first two weeks. even with Nevada, granted they didn't score, but with our D having to account for his running ability we gave up big runs straight through the heart of the D.

with USC, not one of their QB's are real mobile. do they have a dominant run game? of course. but if we are capable of stopping their run, i feel our DB's can do a good enough job shutting down there WR's. and i feel our offense can score on anyone.

but with that being said, there still may be a hiccup some where down the line, which of course would not bode well for us

 

[phork]

ND is not capable of stuffing the run. Unless they stack 8 men in the box and force Barkley to kill us with the pass then McKnight is going to have another banner day. Ultimately I think thats the only thing that could save ND that game.

 

[NDMontana]

Same as every year:

Beat the teams you're supposed to
Go .500 against teams with equally talented players
Lose to the superior teams

 

[military_irish]

i don't disagree that USC is still the superior opponent, but i feel we have a better chance to beat them. i have watched both games USC has played so far, and i'm not impressed with Barkley that much. he will be a great QB just because of USC tradition of great QB's in the recent years.

but i don't think he is as good as advertised at the moment. McKnight is more of the reason they have won and the "stable" of RB's they have. so if we can stop them we will be right in the game, no doubt

 

[NDinL.A.]

I wrote 10-2, with a loss to USC (their lines are better than ours, period), and a loss to either MSU or Pitt. Going into the season, I did not AT ALL expect to lose to this Michigan team. But having seen them play, I got worried. I still predicted a 10 point win, but as the game got closer and I got a good chance to see Tate on the highlights, I had a bad feeling. Watching the game, I thought, and still do think, that we were the better team. But we were on the road, and too many things just didn't go our way.

Having said that, I'm still worried about Mich St, even after they lost. Why?

1. They have owned us lately.

2. They are always tougher than us.

3. They'll be pissed coming off that loss.

But we still SHOULD win. We're better, and all we have to do is tackle and hold them to 24 friggin' points. The offense will take care of the rest (if Floyd and Allen are healthy). And with the O-line playing much tougher, perhaps for the first time in recent memory they won't be tougher than us. I would love to predict a blowout, but I know better with this team. Just win the damn game.

After that, 10-2 is very attainable, as long as we bounce back this weekend with a resounding win, letting the college football world (and themselves) know that ND is indeed a force to be reckoned with. We'll be favored in every game but USC, and if Michigan continues to win (their schedule sets up for a 7-0 start before they play Penn St.), our close loss to them will look even better better. BCS is surely not out of the question.

But the team, and the coaches for that matter, simply have to respond this weekend...

 

[military_irish]

i don't know what it is, maybe because i was able to meet alot of the players this summer and see how bad they really want to win. but for some reason i just feel by the end of the year they will be a team to be reckoned with.

i just seen the fire in their eyes, and how bad they want to win. so i feel if they meet an inferior opponent, i.e Nevada, they will take care of business.

after watching Michigan i feel they can make a deep run and have a big shot at winning the Big 10 but that's just me maybe.

 

[jonesman]

10-11 wins and BCS. Still on target! Go Irish

 

[jason_h537]

I wrote 10-2, with a loss to USC (their lines are better than ours, period), and a loss to either MSU or Pitt. Going into the season, I did not AT ALL expect to lose to this Michigan team. But having seen them play, I got worried. I still predicted a 10 point win, but as the game got closer and I got a good chance to see Tate on the highlights, I had a bad feeling. Watching the game, I thought, and still do think, that we were the better team. But we were on the road, and too many things just didn't go our way.

Having said that, I'm still worried about Mich St, even after they lost. Why?

1. They have owned us lately.

2. They are always tougher than us.

3. They'll be pissed coming off that loss.

But we still SHOULD win. We're better, and all we have to do is tackle and hold them to 24 friggin' points. The offense will take care of the rest (if Floyd and Allen are healthy). And with the O-line playing much tougher, perhaps for the first time in recent memory they won't be tougher than us. I would love to predict a blowout, but I know better with this team. Just win the damn game.

After that, 10-2 is very attainable, as long as we bounce back this weekend with a resounding win, letting the college football world (and themselves) know that ND is indeed a force to be reckoned with. We'll be favored in every game but USC, and if Michigan continues to win (their schedule sets up for a 7-0 start before they play Penn St.), our close loss to them will look even better better. BCS is surely not out of the question.

But the team, and the coaches for that matter, simply have to respond this weekend...

Agree on most I think we lose to USC but i am more confident. After seeing us play and them the first two weeks that we can win but they do have better lines. Thought Michigan would be much improved and the spread scared me a bit. I do not however fear MSU.

1. We match up perfectly in this game

2. I do not believe thay can keep up with us in a shootout if it comes to that

3. Notre Dame will be pissed coming aftera loss

I feel sorry for Sparty. I think this game ends early

 

[Dacian_Irish]

Before the season started I predicted 9-3 based on the fact that our offense still has the core of it's players as Jr's. The defense is also young and built with mainly Jr's and So's.

I still think we have the potential to go 11-1 or 10-2 but only time will tell.

 

[ACamp1900]

I expected 10-11 wins, add that to the fact that I felt we were cheated out of points AND bad play calling in the last five minutes or so killed us... I was on a rampage.....


though I didn't post it, I sure felt it...

 

[phgreek]

I was kind of just curious as to what everyones expectations were before the season started. Most of the fans i talked to expected anywhere from 9-11 wins, but rarely if any realistically expected an undefeated season.

So why is it when they do lose everyone gets disgruntle, and what not. Now I will be one of the first to say they should have dominated Michigan, but we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. And as most feel, the refs had some say in the outcome, but that is by no means an excuse. Not to take anything away from Michigan either, they did play a good game.

But back to my original reason for posting, just curious as the reasons so many people would get "that" upset over a loss, if almost no one expected them to go undefeated.

Good post...I know...I know...but its Lou's fault with all that National Championship talk...and then May being May...I just wanted them to run the table so He'd SHUT THE HELL UP.

I said 10...but one of those has to be a bowl win over a Non WAC team...(do I get to demand that?)

 

[BGIF]

It is the way the game was lost. Too many opportunities to win. Great teams win those games.

And who forecast the '09 Irish to be a "Great Team"?

I thought with the maturation of the team, the coaching upgrades and a manageable schedule like UF, Bama and others that ND had a shot to go undefeated with maximum effort and some lucky breaks.

Holtz predicted them to play AND lose in the NC game for the same reasons I outlined above.

Phil Steele ranked ND his #7 team for those reasons.

Sorry but this "Great Team" comparsion (along with the BS "Great Players win games" nonsense that has been posted for the past few days isn't justified nor is the angst.

ND got some bad breaks in calls, a pair of untimely injuries along with the one to Aldridge, and the defense was suspect as EVERYBODY forecast. Twice ND came back from a deficit to take the lead.

THe biggest reason for the angst was best phrased by ClausentoFloyd lamenting how was he to go to school on Monday and face all those UM fans. HE HAD LOSS OF FACE. That condition was expressed by several other whinners lamenting having to face opponent's fans in their workplace.

As for my expectation it was 12-0.

Now it's 11-1!

GO IRISH!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

This team is good, but I only expect a 500 season.

They have shown nothing better and they are now 1-1.

Jimmy needs to plant his feet.

BiG IF, I loves me some ND, and I hope you are right.

I am not convinced yet, but I am starting to feel good about this team. Starting.

 

[BGIF]

I was kind of just curious as to what everyones expectations were before the season started. Most of the fans i talked to expected anywhere from 9-11 wins, but rarely if any realistically expected an undefeated season.

...

Back in July there was an IrishEnvy Poll, “Notre Dame Record in 2009”


http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/notre-dame-football/44534-season-record.html




Wins Votes
12-0 10
11-1 15
10-2 26
9-3 7
7-8 5
6 or less 0


16 of 63 fans who voted acknowledged their prediction in a post.



12-0 notredomer23, GO IRISH!!!, tannerpw3, BGIF

11-1 tko, WabashFalcon, fitz_bu47,

10-2 DiveRightIn, jason_h537,Junkhead, Mick2, NDinL.A., PADOMERNUT, BillyIrish, TDHeysus,

9-3 ThePolishIrishman,

 

[wakeuptheechoes]

In my opinion if we were to go 1-11 I would want us to have beaten USC. If we were to go 2-10 I would want us to have beaten USC & Michigan. This game was definitely winnable for ND, we should have won, but we didn't. Even when our team may not be as good as our opponents (not the case last Saturday) we hope for a competitive game. We don't want any losses like I remember 55-24 after leading at the half 24-6. Then of course when we get that completive game and only lose by a TD or less, there will be at least one play we blew an opportunity with, or got a bad call against us, that if had turned the other way we would have won. It is ironic in a way, if we are going to lose we want it to be close, but if it is close we will torment ourselves over a failed play or two. If it is not close we will torment ourselves over getting our ass handed to us. What I do expect, is that this year and next and every year after, I will be a "Died in the Wool Gold and Blue Fan" just as I have always been since 1972. And I expect that I will take every loss hard regardless or whether it is close or a blowout.

 

[TDHeysus]

....But back to my original reason for posting, just curious as the reasons so many people would get "that" upset over a loss, if almost no one expected them to go undefeated.

I think most ppl, me included, thought that the Michigan game was going to be a win. I thought they would go 10-2 with losses to USC and one of (Michigan, Mich.st, BC, Stanford). The issue now is, every game, except for USC, Notre Dame is expected to win. there can be no let ups against BC, or UCONN or any of those teams. The pressure is on, and I think that is what you see in ppl's reactions. Pressure.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Deep down, I want a NC, CW to finish each year with no less than 9 wins, and keep the recruits coming in. The Michigan loss hurt but, move on.

CW is bringing in kids, no doubt about it. Yes it's tough not being able to bring in JUCOs and you have to have some damn good grades among other things to get into ND.

After Holtz, two or three good years since he left, we haven't had a whole lot to be excited about. 4 months ago, we all new this would be a 9+ win season and next year should be even better. We will keep getting better with Crist, Teo, Shaq, etc....

I HATE we lost to Michigan, we have the Spartans next. Let's beat the shit out of Sparty and support those guys supporting the Golden Domes on their shoulders!!!!

GO IRISH!!!!

 

[Irish52]

Ya gotta beleive!

Ya gotta beleive!

10-2 with a loss to USC and Michigan/MSU

I envisioned pretty much a year like 2005. One close loss early to an overmatched Michigan/MSU then a close loss to USC with us winning out to end the year.

If you think you can, you will, for never a race was won if you think you'll lose before you run! I truly beleive we can and will beat USC on our home court....you see, we have something to prove!

 

[BGIF]

I think most ppl, me included, thought that the Michigan game was going to be a win. I thought they would go 10-2 with losses to USC and one of (Michigan, Mich.st, BC, Stanford). The issue now is, every game, except for USC, Notre Dame is expected to win. there can be no let ups against BC, or UCONN or any of those teams. The pressure is on, and I think that is what you see in ppl's reactions. Pressure.

The fans are pressured!

Oh the horror!

So a loss to MSU would justify another Jonestown, right?

 

[aaronb]

10-2

 

[NDMontana]

Leaning 9-3 but thinking 8-4.

I see a loss to USC and Boston College. I think losses to Michigan State and Pitt are a distinct possibility but not to both.

9-3....I guess.