eerily similar to 2006

[mick2]

Hey guys i was just sittin here minding my own business when all of the sudden i realized!!!

this season seems a lot like 2006!

Think about it.

In 2006 we started off good, lost to michigan, had a come from behind victory on the road at night vs michigan state, then went on to win 6 in a row leading up to usc on the road. inucluding the 3 homegames following msu

2009 we started off good, lost to michigan, had a come from behind victory on the road at night vs purdue. lets hope we can win the next 3 home games just like 06

so far the seasons are almost identical, except this team is much better than the 2006 team, so maybe this year ends a little better than 2006.

just thought it was funny, a little bit of deja vu.

 

[JefMaj]

Yeah, deja vu, or sorta like the same thing all over again, but different.....

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I think I've seen this before.

 

[JefMaj]

I've heard than response before - somewhere - eerry....

Okay - - read it before...

 

[JohnnyIrish12]

Well...hopefully we can beat USC and not get embarrassed in a BCS Bowl game.

 

[AlumniHall98]

Hey guys i was just sittin here minding my own business when all of the sudden i realized!!!

this season seems a lot like 2006!

Think about it.

In 2006 we started off good, lost to michigan, had a come from behind victory on the road at night vs michigan state, then went on to win 6 in a row leading up to usc on the road. inucluding the 3 homegames following msu

2009 we started off good, lost to michigan, had a come from behind victory on the road at night vs purdue. lets hope we can win the next 3 home games just like 06

so far the seasons are almost identical, except this team is much better than the 2006 team, so maybe this year ends a little better than 2006.

just thought it was funny, a little bit of deja vu.

I really agree with you on this, but the biggest difference I can see between this year and the 2006 season may be reflected in this simple fact - I don't know if you all remember this or not, but in 2006, after the miracle-in-the-rain in East Lansing, Kirk Herbstreit came on the air (he was calling that game if you recall) and was just going absolutely nuts about the Irish combeack! He was saying how it was gut-check time for the Irish, following a horrible beat down by ScUM the weekend before, and how they really stepped up, and what an impressive come-from-behind vistory it was, AND, I quote, "Don't be surprised if we are talking about this Notre Dame team being in the NC hunt at the end of this year..." and I was SO f-ing pumped up after that!!! Even though we got absolutely trounced by ScUM the weekend before, and I thought all hopes for an NC shot, Brady Quinn winning the Heisman, ALL of it, were just gone at the end of that ScUM game, that all changed after we came back and beat MSU in the rain that night - we were the TOP story on Sports Center that night, and seemed to have tons of respect and admiration after that victory...

Fast forward to last weekend, ND comes from behind and WINS in dramatic fashion, our record at the end of that game was the same as it was in '06 after we beat MSU, and yet NO ONE...and I mean NO ONE was even talking about this game after it ended - all the focus was on Tebow's injury, ND's victory was buried somewhere on Sports Center behind the USF-Fl State highlights. And the discussion after the game??? How lucky ND was to win, how many problems they have, how they could EASILY be 1-3, etc. etc. You guys all know the rest.

So my point is.....even though the scenarios were more or less identical, this Irish team simply cannot gain back enough respect from the college football world this season to put themselves back in the drivers seat, and that is just a shame. We can only win the ones we play, but I think our strength of schedule is going to hurt us in the end - even if we beat USC, and run the table, does anyone really think we would be in the NC hunt? I just don't see it happening, and so the "W" just doesn't carry the same weight as it did back in 2006. Just my thoughts.

 

[dshans]

YouTube - Deja Vu - Crosby, Stills & Nash

 

[Riddickulous]

The difference between that team and our current team is that the 2006 squad had Victor Abiamiri, Trevor Laws, and Derrek Landri on the defensive line to help stop the run.

 

[phork]

The thing about respect in college football is that its sometimes given and not earned. The payback for being given respect? Is that when that respect is misplaced its almost like a double negative to your rep. So seeing how ND has performed in the last 5 years, losing to pretty much everyone ND played who was a top25 team, getting absolutely hammered in the 2 BCS bowl appearances, getting run by USC each and every year (except 2005) and losing 4 games in which you had double digit leads in last year.
Now suddenly ND is supposed to get the respect of the college football world because we beat a 1-3 Purdue team in the last second? The Mark May's and other detractors have seen enough of this show to generally predict what the final scene will be like. The USC game will be the water mark for this season, because much like Michigan if ND cannot beat them when they are down, don't expect to beat them when they are flying high again.

I think the Washington game is going to be closer than people think, but I think ND still loses to USC because of the injury to Floyd. And I am hoping and praying that there is no BCS game in ND's cards, because waiting on the other end is another embarrassing loss.

Now you can call that negativity all you like, but those are the facts gentlemen.

 

[AlumniHall98]

The thing about respect in college football is that its sometimes given and not earned. The payback for being given respect? Is that when that respect is misplaced its almost like a double negative to your rep. So seeing how ND has performed in the last 5 years, losing to pretty much everyone ND played who was a top25 team, getting absolutely hammered in the 2 BCS bowl appearances, getting run by USC each and every year (except 2005) and losing 4 games in which you had double digit leads in last year.
Now suddenly ND is supposed to get the respect of the college football world because we beat a 1-3 Purdue team in the last second? The Mark May's and other detractors have seen enough of this show to generally predict what the final scene will be like. The USC game will be the water mark for this season, because much like Michigan if ND cannot beat them when they are down, don't expect to beat them when they are flying high again.

I think the Washington game is going to be closer than people think, but I think ND still loses to USC because of the injury to Floyd. And I am hoping and praying that there is no BCS game in ND's cards, because waiting on the other end is another embarrassing loss.

Now you can call that negativity all you like, but those are the facts gentlemen.

Ok, I understand and appreciate where you are coming from on this, but my question to you then, is this - what, if anything, do any of us have to look forward to as Irish faithftul? It sounds like, from what you are saying, that we are doomed to failure, and so why bother rooting our hearts out if past performance is going to dictate future results? Are you saying we will never be in contention for an NC again? Because many posters on this site believe THIS team is better than the '05 and '06 teams, and though I'm not sure if that is the case, IF this team is in fact better, and yet has no chance at competing in a BCS game, then it would seem we will likely NEVER again be competitive at the highest level. That is a rather grim prediction phork, so I just want to make sure I am hearing you right.

 

[weisbank4]

Jake Locker is not going to be a good matchup. I just hope UW is weak enough on D that we shred them good enough that it doesnt matter.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Phork, most ND people I know think the game is going to be very close, perhaps a loss even, myself included. I'm done predicting double digit victories with this team, especially w/out Floyd and Clausen limping around like Kunta Kinte. 'Survive and advance' mode vs. UW is my mentality. They are much, much improved, Locker is the best QB we'll face all year, the defense is still suspect, etc. But we're at home, so i expect another close victory...

 

[JefMaj]

I don't think we will be forever scorned and not given due respect - we had a top 10 ranking within our grasp had we beaten UM (18th at the time) and seeing how all of the other dominoes fell (Miami, Cal, BYU, Penn St. Ole Miss).

Should we go 11-1 or 12-2, even 9-3 with what we have returning (assuming all return) we should start in the top 15 next year.

This is a young defense that - although they are at ND and we think a culture of winning - that's not a reality. They are developing that culture (It's been lacking) and as that culture develops, and as the youth develops - we are headed toward a very good year. I think the polls, should they see that culture regain it's footing at ND they will follow. Maybe not till November. Little victories like MSU and Purdue with foster that growth and make believers out of the youth and the critics. This defense will develop - I say by mid-season. But, shit, what do I know.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Phork, most ND people I know think the game is going to be very close, perhaps a loss even, myself included. I'm done predicting double digit victories with this team, especially w/out Floyd and Clausen limping around like Kunta Kinte. 'Survive and advance' mode vs. UW is my mentality. They are much, much improved, Locker is the best QB we'll face all year, the defense is still suspect, etc. But we're at home, so i expect another close victory...

Oh my freaking lord!!! Almost fell out of my chair I laughed so hard! Tried to rep you, but couldn't yet. Still laughing. Kind of ashamed I am laughing though, but not really.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Go Irish!!! if it makes you feel any better, I busted out too. And pooted.

 

[Riddickulous]

You know it's a sad day when Notre Dame has no advantage playing at home.

 

[JefMaj]

It will be interesting to see how we play at home in the rain.

"His mudder was a mudder..."

 

[phork]

Ok, I understand and appreciate where you are coming from on this, but my question to you then, is this - what, if anything, do any of us have to look forward to as Irish faithftul? It sounds like, from what you are saying, that we are doomed to failure, and so why bother rooting our hearts out if past performance is going to dictate future results? Are you saying we will never be in contention for an NC again? Because many posters on this site believe THIS team is better than the '05 and '06 teams, and though I'm not sure if that is the case, IF this team is in fact better, and yet has no chance at competing in a BCS game, then it would seem we will likely NEVER again be competitive at the highest level. That is a rather grim prediction phork, so I just want to make sure I am hearing you right.

Cheer for the team. Watch the games. But know that in its current state that ND is 4th or 5th place Big10 team. And that isn't changing anytime soon. Its nice to have hope, but hope does you no good when you get blown away in a BCS game. Because when you can barely hang with a pitiful MSU & a Purdue squad that is whats going to happen.

Could you imagine rolling to 12-0, like Father Lou has suggested, only to get punched in the mouth by a Florida or Texas in that game? Offensively ND can compete with anyone, defensively there is a lot of work to do. And as we all know, defense wins championships. So to answer your question, no I don't see ND in a NC any time soon.

 

[BGIF]

You know it's a sad day when Notre Dame has no advantage playing at home.

It was a sad day when a Notre Dame front runnng "fan" ran up the white flag on the season before halftime against MSU.

 

[irishfan]

Cheer for the team. Watch the games. But know that in its current state that ND is 4th or 5th place Big10 team. And that isn't changing anytime soon. Its nice to have hope, but hope does you no good when you get blown away in a BCS game. Because when you can barely hang with a pitiful MSU & a Purdue squad that is whats going to happen.

Could you imagine rolling to 12-0, like Father Lou has suggested, only to get punched in the mouth by a Florida or Texas in that game? Offensively ND can compete with anyone, defensively there is a lot of work to do. And as we all know, defense wins championships. So to answer your question, no I don't see ND in a NC any time soon.

"barely hang" suggests were on the verge of getting blown out, which is incredibly false. Beating your rivals (even if right now they seem like they are only going to be decent teams in their conference) in close games at the beginning of the season really doesn't indicate at all how we will do in a bowl game. I know that the fact that ND was...

1) playing against purdue with backups at a majority of the skill positions on offense
2)using a playbook that was throw together by Weis less than a week before the game

...is probably lost on you at this time, and im sure you would like to point to Purdue losing to N. Illinois and ignore that they lost to Oregon by 2, but let's just wait until we actually play a team that we know for sure is actually good (USC) instead of bitching about close wins over teams we know nothing about (Purdue/MSU) besides the fact that they play us tough every year. We're 3-1 (i know you probably think we should be 1-3) but let's actually wait until we play USC (a BCS caliber team) and have Clausen/Allen/Aldridge back before you declare that we will get blown out in a BCS game.

 

[SoCalDomer]

If we're back in 2006, I'm pulling my money out of Lehman Bros stat and selling my GM stock asap.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Stuff.

 

[mick2]

i think if we win out we are in the bcs. nobody is giving us a chance in the sc game but thats fine i think we'll win, and im all that matters!

i think the only way we get into the champinship game is if we win out and others ahead of us lose 1 or maybe even 2, but never say never.

This season will be a good one either way, i can feel it!

p.s. some moron on cbs thinks that boise state could hang 40 on us?! id love to play boise in a game.

 

[kmoose]

Cheer for the team. Watch the games. But know that in its current state that ND is 4th or 5th place Big10 team. And that isn't changing anytime soon.

Actually, I think this team is only a Justin Tuck/Chris Zorich away from being a NC contender. Our linebackers aren't very good, but given ONE guy on the Dline that would consistently draw a double team and still make plays, I think the LBs would look alot better. The blitz packages would likely be incredibly more effective, as well. That would allow our secondary to be way more effective. This offense can score on anyone.

 

[phork]

...is probably lost on you at this time, and im sure you would like to point to Purdue losing to N. Illinois and ignore that they lost to Oregon by 2, but let's just wait until we actually play a team that we know for sure is actually good (USC) instead of bitching about close wins over teams we know nothing about (Purdue/MSU) besides the fact that they play us tough every year. We're 3-1 (i know you probably think we should be 1-3) but let's actually wait until we play USC (a BCS caliber team) and have Clausen/Allen/Aldridge back before you declare that we will get blown out in a BCS game.

I in fact pointed out the Oregon stat in another post. Barely hang doesn't mean on the verge of a blowout and its nice to be on the good side of 3 plays that could have potentially been 2 losses.

The unfortunate thing going forward is that turf toe doesn't go away after a week or 2. Jimmy is going to be saddled with this the whole season. I don't think ND should be 1-3. They won those games fair and square, but I don't like to be on 4th down, 20 seconds left in the 4th quarter against Purdue. So I stand by my call that as it is ND would be a middling Big10 school

Actually, I think this team is only a Justin Tuck/Chris Zorich away from being a NC contender. Our linebackers aren't very good, but given ONE guy on the Dline that would consistently draw a double team and still make plays, I think the LBs would look alot better. The blitz packages would likely be incredibly more effective, as well. That would allow our secondary to be way more effective. This offense can score on anyone.

And if pigs could fly we wouldn't have bacon for breakfast.

p.s. some moron on cbs thinks that boise state could hang 40 on us?! id love to play boise in a game.

Are you suicidal? BSU would certainly hang 40 on us. Can't stop the run, can't cover the pass. People seem to like to shrug off teams like BSU like they are cupcakes or some unknown. The fact is they get the job done. BSU has a recent history of being really good. I look forward to them crashing the BCS this year and pimp smacking some BCS conference school.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

We could go 11-1 and still end up unranked. Seriously. Ok, we could be in the 20's. But still. USC could very possibly lose to Cal before we play and be a 2-loss team ranked in the 18-20 range. That would be the best win on paper all year.

Oops...wait...stop looking ahead! We play Washington next, dammit!!!! Self-imposed scorn!

 

[mick2]

Are you suicidal? BSU would certainly hang 40 on us. Can't stop the run, can't cover the pass. People seem to like to shrug off teams like BSU like they are cupcakes or some unknown. The fact is they get the job done. BSU has a recent history of being really good. I look forward to them crashing the BCS this year and pimp smacking some BCS conference school.

no im not suicidal, we just held the second best back in the nation to 67 or so yards.

we've had an interception in each game.

the defense has improved from game to game.

im not shrugging of bsu but i would love to play them.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

i still don't see how/ why vegas has the irish at 13 over UW

 

[kmoose]

And if pigs could fly we wouldn't have bacon for breakfast.

I wasn't trying to polish a turd. I was just saying that we may not be that far off. IF we bring back all of our skill guys on offense next year (Clausen, Tate, Floyd, Allen, Rudolph), and Verducci is really an answer to the offensive line woes that have plagued us over recent years, then we might be ready to be in the NC discussion, or at least on the fringes of it, as early as next year. But that supposes some stud defensive lineman coming in and playing like a beast next year. Not a likely scenario, but not unheard of, either. I really hope that they can get it figured out before Clausen leaves, because he is obviously a NC caliber QB.

 

[weisbank4]

In all honesty, Boise would hang 40 on ND, if it was on the blues they would most definitely hang 40 on us. They are in the top 10 arent they?

People need to get over the funny named schools being ranked high. Boise is a legit power football program and has been for years.