A Trojan's ND Football Season Predictions

[uscfootball93]

Well I saw the Wolverine predictions, so i decided to give it a shot.

Purdue=W. Should be an easy win, ND usually plays really good against the Boilermakers, so i don't expect that to change this year. Big win to open up the season.

Michigan=L. This game is gonna be a shoot out. I think ND is able to take advantage of a weak Wolverine secondary and put up at least 28. But because the Wolverines' offense has more experience in their spread system, they put up just enough points to squeak out a win in South Bend. Nd loses by 3-7 points.

@ MSU=W. ND plays very well on the road against the Spartans and they will do the same this year. ND's defense steps up after a bad game against the Wolverines and shows potential. ND wins by 14 points.

Stanford=W. I'm actually really surprised that so many Irish fans think this will be a loss. Stanford loses too much with Gerhart gone, and people keep overrating Gafney. Luck should have a good game, but it won't be enough to win. ND wins the game by at least 10 points.

@ BC=L. In my opinion this will be ND's first "bad" loss of the Kelly era. BC's experience and coaching on defense will cause fits for the ND offense and Montel Harris and the Boston College running game will have a great day against an ND defense that was actually playing pretty good up to this point in the season. ND loses by 10+ points.

Pitt=L. This will be an extremely close loss for the Irish. Pitt comes into the game overconfident and goes down early, but comes back late and is able to prevent an ND comeback by running out the clock. ND loss by 3-7 points.

Western Michigan=W. Big Win. Irish win this game by their largest point margin since the opener.

@ Navy=W. Close win. Game could be fairly low scoring because of Navy controlling the clock, but ND makes full use of their few possessions in the game and win by 7.

Tulsa=W. Big win for ND, similar to the Western Michigan game. But i wouldn't be surprised if the Tulsa offense gives the ND D a tough time early.

Utah=W. Best win of the season for ND. Utah comes into the game a bit overwhelmed that they're playing the Irish and it shows. Jordan Wynn has a bad game allowing the ND offense to operate without pressure on them to score. ND wins by 10-14 points.

Army=W. Blowout.

@ USC=L. SC plays with a fire and jumps on the Irish early. ND has a slight comeback in the 2nd half but still loses. I think the score will be similar to the 2006 game.

Finish season 8-4

 

[ACamp1900]

THis is much more senseable than the UM fans predictions...

I personally agree with just about every game with the fact that I see us losing one of the games we shouldn't at random. MAYBE pulling out one of two out of the Pitt/SC

7 wins is more than fair in any light imo.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think we'll at least split Michigan and Michigan State. Out of the two, we have a better shot against Michigan.

8-4 is a fair prediction. I also have the Irish falling to BC and Pitt.

 

[uscfootball93]

THis is much more senseable than the UM fans predictions...

I personally agree with just about every game with the fact that I see us losing one of the games we shouldn't at random. MAYBE pulling out one of two out of the Pitt/SC

7 wins is more than fair in any light imo.

MSU could be that game you guys shouldn't lose, at least in my opinion.

as for upsetting Pitt or SC, Pitt would be the best shot. Even now i think it's gonna be a very close game no matter what. ND's rush defense could be the key to the season. If they play better than expected, then ND wins 10 games

 

[Riddickulous]

MSU could be that game you guys shouldn't lose, at least in my opinion.

as for upsetting Pitt or SC, Pitt would be the best shot. Even now i think it's gonna be a very close game no matter what. ND's rush defense could be the key to the season. If they play better than expected, then ND wins 10 games

I agree. We have Pitt at home in the middle of the season. We have USC in LA on senior day. Much easier playing at home than away.

 

[JughedJones]

I came into this thread wanting to call you a tool box but your post really didn't solicit those emotions. You were pretty fair with your predictions even if I don't agree.

I think the BK era gets kicked off by winning our two biggest games, beating UM and finally beating USC happens, but we might run into the problem of falling asleep at the switch on a game or two we should win.

I love our chances against a really good PITT squad mainly because of BK's experience against them.

 

[uscfootball93]

I came into this thread wanting to call you a tool box but your post really didn't solicit those emotions. You were pretty fair with your predictions even if I don't agree.

I think the BK era gets kicked off by winning our two biggest games, beating UM and finally beating USC happens, but we might run into the problem of falling asleep at the switch on a game or two we should win.

I love our chances against a really good PITT squad mainly because of BK's experience against them.

You guys got a really good shot of beating UM especially since you're at home, but I like Rich Rod as a coach and this could be his year, plus he returns Forcier and Robinson which could lead the Wolverines to a close win.

As for SC i'm a bit biased in thinking the irish won't win ahahah but i honestly don't see it happening. Maybe in 2011 when the sanctions' effects are probably gonne be felt more.
This year though, SC still has SC talent and the defense will improve and the offense will play better AND SC is at home. Just don't see ND takin it this year.

Pitt, like i said, is gonna be very close. ND could be leading by 2 TD's at half, but i think Pitt finds a way to take the game.

 

[Lou Holtz]

Your a lot smarter than the Michigan Fan... i would switch the UM and MSU i don't think the Wolverines will be a loss but i think sparty on the road could be

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

I am one of those ND fans that think Stanford will be a tough out. Until our D proves anything this year, all preseason I will worry about strong opposing QBs (Luck probably the best one we will face all year).

First things first...we HAVE to come out and beat Purdue. I would like it to look nice, but first game of the year with a new staff/system...a wins a win. Next we should beat UM, its almost a have to win too looking at the next four games (@Mich St, Stan, @BC, Pitt).

Regardless, starting out at least 3-3 is a must, anything over that is just more love for BK.

 

[uscfootball93]

I am one of those ND fans that think Stanford will be a tough out. Until our D proves anything this year, all preseason I will worry about strong opposing QBs (Luck probably the best one we will face all year).

First things first...we HAVE to come out and beat Purdue. I would like it to look nice, but first game of the year with a new staff/system...a wins a win. Next we should beat UM, its almost a have to win too looking at the next four games (@Mich St, Stan, @BC, Pitt).

Regardless, starting out at least 3-3 is a must, anything over that is just more love for BK.

Luck will put up some numbers. but he still can't win the game on his own. He's got no running game to help him out and the defense was horrible last year and i don't see it improving much. ND's Offense will rack up a lot of yards on the Cardinal.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I agree for the most part, I would switch Mich with MSU, and I think we will beat u$c this year.
My reasoning, we will have had the whole season to work out the kinks. Our offense should be on track, and our defense should have a solid understanding of things. I think the wheels will come off for u$c by the time we get there. You will have a dilapidated bench due to transfers, plus I think you will have a fair 2010 recruiting class. Your team will be tired and beat up due to the stated reasons above. I could be wrong but it going to depend on how additional players transfer during the off season and what kind of recruiting class kiffin can pull out of his a$$, but only time will tell.

 

[ndfb4life]

I may be in the minority but I don't think the defense is going to be all that bad this year. I honestly believe that had Brown been the coordinator and we stayed with the 3-4 he ran in '08, we'd have had a much better season. Tenuta's scheme and play calling absolutely KILLED us last year! I'm not saying we're going to be top 10, but I don't think we're going to lose to scUM, Pitt, BC,, or Stanford; and I actually think we'll compete with $C.

 

[jason_h537]

I may be in the minority but I don't think the defense is going to be all that bad this year. I honestly believe that had Brown been the coordinator and we stayed with the 3-4 he ran in '08, we'd have had a much better season. Tenuta's scheme and play calling absolutely KILLED us last year! I'm not saying we're going to be top 10, but I don't think we're going to lose to scUM, Pitt, BC,, or Stanford; and I actually think we'll compete with $C.

I don't think it was Tenuta's fault entirely. We had 2 coordinators who liked 2 different schemes. That is why the players looked so confused and showed no confidence. 1 single voice probably would have gone a long way last year

 

[WabashFalcon]

I don't think it was Tenuta's fault entirely. We had 2 coordinators who liked 2 different schemes. That is why the players looked so confused and showed no confidence. 1 single voice probably would have gone a long way last year

The whole Man vs. Zone thing really freaking killed us. Gray was a great man CB until he was a Boundry Zone corner. He was then asked to flip flop between both without really mastering one of the other. IT KILLED our secondary.

No more of this wishy-washy bullshit.

 

[ACamp1900]

Really I'm just shocked a Trojan can type as much as he did without massive gramatical errors...

next my cpu screen is going to start oozing blood... We'll call it the miracle of Irish Envy.

 

[jason_h537]

The whole Man vs. Zone thing really freaking killed us. Gray was a great man CB until he was a Boundry Zone corner. He was then asked to flip flop between both without really mastering one of the other. IT KILLED our secondary.

No more of this wishy-washy bullshit.

Iactually thought Gary Gray was the only guy in the secondary who played well and kept his swagger. Too much talent on D to not improve, at least a top 40 d

 

[ACamp1900]

Say what you want about our secondary Jay... but you still can't see Sergio Brown.




(closest one wehaveto that stupid hand gesture he loves so much...lol)

 

[nd1]

i say we win 8 or 9 games this year and no wy we lose to purdue and michigan and michigan st. well maybe st because they always play us tough. i say thats the difference in 8 or 9.

 

[jason_h537]

Say what you want about our secondary Jay... but you still can't see Sergio Brown.




(closest one wehaveto that stupid hand gesture he loves so much...lol)

The guy may have made some stupid plays but he played with passion so i love him

Can't see him

 

[Riddickulous]

I don't think it was Tenuta's fault entirely. We had 2 coordinators who liked 2 different schemes. That is why the players looked so confused and showed no confidence. 1 single voice probably would have gone a long way last year

The problem is that we blitzed every play, never got pressure, left the corners on an island, got them torn to pieces, killed their confidence, confused them with conflicting schemes, killed their confidence even further because they were out of position and were further torn up. It was, to put it a bluntly, a colossal failure.

 

[NDOM]

Wow!!! It's actually nice to see a respectable and intelligent Usc fan. It's good to have a mix. Welcome aboard. Nice posts so far.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

The problem is that we blitzed every play, never got pressure, left the corners on an island, got them torn to pieces, killed their confidence, confused them with conflicting schemes, killed their confidence even further because they were out of position and were further torn up. It was, to put it a bluntly, a colossal failure.

My thoughts exactly. They had no help.

 

[choo choo]

i think our trojan gave a very fair and unbiased (attempt anyway) prediction...i find it much more tolerable when people try to see acurately...of course you got one prediction wrong - nd over usc!!!!!

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

My brain agrees with him.

My brain agrees with him.

This year could really go either way . In other words I love our new coach and some these kids have me really excited about the up coming year . There is just so many Variables this year I Have no idea how good this team is till I see them play. Have to say well thought out predictions from U.S.C fan. Still hate your school though.

 

[IrishLax]

The problem is that we blitzed every play, never got pressure, left the corners on an island, got them torn to pieces, killed their confidence, confused them with conflicting schemes, killed their confidence even further because they were out of position and were further torn up. It was, to put it a bluntly, a colossal failure.

^This. It was plainly obvious to anyone who talked to players that they were very frustrated with the situations our coordinators put them in.

I'm interested to see what kind of 3-4 defense we employ this year. I feel like a a zone-blitzing scheme would fit the athleticism of our linebackers and allow the DBs to keep plays in front of them. But I really no nothing about our d-coordinator... can anyone shed some light on what he has done in the past?

 

[uscfootball93]

This year could really go either way . In other words I love our new coach and some these kids have me really excited about the up coming year . There is just so many Variables this year I Have no idea how good this team is till I see them play. Have to say well thought out predictions from U.S.C fan. Still hate your school though.

Right back at ya. ahahaa

 

[alaskandomer]

2010 record

2010 record

I see 8 wins as a minimum. The 4 that could go either way are MSU, BC, Pitt, and SC. If we get by MSU, increased confidence may lift us by both BC and Pitt. Then who knows?

 

[ACamp1900]

"I hate everything they stand for."


USC fan/player/alum on hating academic success, winning traditions, class, moral standards and overall awesomeness...

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

"I hate everything they stand for."


USC fan/player/alum on hating academic success, winning traditions, class, moral standards and overall awesomeness...

I know they are suppose to be our main rivals but I hate Michigan more. Is that wrong?

 

[ACamp1900]

yes. you don't flush a degree for Michigan