We're going to make a major bowl

[Riddickulous]

Book it, fellas.

There's too much negativity on this board. We lost a close game to an unbelievably dynamic quarterback. And that was with playing a former walk-on and a true freshman at quarterback for a half, and neither one had a down of game experience.

Our defense is good enough so that we can coast against Western Michigan and Army.

We are too talented and too well coached, I think, to lose to Tulsa or Navy.

And of the rest...I think we can win four of these six games: Michigan State, Stanford, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Utah and USC.

Hooray for optimism!

I think we have a good enough squad to beat four of those six, as I have already stated. I think we finish the year 9-3 and we head out to the Gator Bowl, boys. I think we drop two more, to Pittsburgh and Utah.

Optimism is the name of the game, gentlemen! Let's give it up for the Irish.

 

[Junkhead]

You are most likely right, we just wanted a HUGE turnaround as fast as possible. Maybe it's better there is no early win streak like with Golfingham or Weis. On the positive side, we had every chance to lose today, and somehow still had a chance at the end.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Yeah bro!
I'll totally second this! YAYA For optimism! I'm encouraged by the way we played and think we have a super bright future.
I think we can even win 5 of the 6 maybe even 6 of the 6! IF Crist stays healthy!!...thats the biggest thing I say today...if he goes down...we're done! hehe sorry to ruin optimism but Yeah! Lets go to a BOWL!! whooo



81

 

[jason_h537]

Not ready to go that far yet but i do feel this team will get better each week (health permitting). We have a tough stretch coming with MSU, Pitt, BC, and Stanford. I still say 8 wins so a ill take GatorBowl

 

[IrishBlood81]

On the positive side, we had every chance to lose today, and somehow still had a chance at the end.

Which is such an awesome turn around from, say,
We had every chance to win today and didn't!



81

 

[ACamp1900]

oh goodness here we go...

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Based on your screen name, I'll take the under. You're hitting .000 to this point. I'm kidding brah....I agree, we'll get there.

 

[Junkhead]

The kool-aid is flowing earlier after a loss than last season! If we lose to Mich State, the Kool-aid well will be dry for me.

 

[IrishBlood81]

The kool-aid is flowing earlier after a loss than last season! If we lose to Mich State, the Kool-aid well will be dry for me.

lol We're just trying to stay positive amongst all the negativity! nothing wrong with a simple swig eh? lol



81

 

[Rocket89]

I think we'll do really well against more "traditional" offenses. If opponents quarterbacks are going to sit in the pocket, we'll do really well shutting teams down.

I feel a lot better about playing MSU, BC and Pitt with a defense that looks a lot better in most areas. Stanford is going to be really balanced and Luck has great rollout ability...that will be a tough victory. Same with Utah.

Other than that, this team can still go 9-3. I'm watching USC right now and we can beat them. It's a long ways away but there's definitely a lot less glow to their program. The Coliseum doesn't even seem the least bit intimidating right now.

 

[Junkhead]

\
Other than that, this team can still go 9-3.

This team can go 11-1 if they start to play balls out, screw 9-3. (just sayin)

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

This team can go 11-1 if they start to play balls out, screw 9-3. (just sayin)

That's what I'm talkin' about!!!!!

 

[calvegas04]

If we lose another it will be to Utah or Pitt.. we beat sc this year

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I love winning no doubt....however here is something to consider. If we win out...and go 11-1 ... do you think we are ready to play in the BCS against a Bama or Texas....? In two years I think we are there...

 

[WabashFalcon]

Week to week men.

We need to lick our wounds, see the positives, and scheme for State... a game I know we can win.

 

[Rudy89]

Honestly I dont have the optimism. I just dont know if we can win these next 4. The only one I think we could get is maybe Stanford but I think MSU, BC, and Pitt have our number especially with two of them beign away games....ill be mor eoptimisotic after a win than a loss

 

[Irish Man3]

It's easy to make predictions right now but what it all really comes down to, is how a young team like ours reacts after getting punched in the mouth. Does the defense "man up" and take responsibility and make improvements or do they revert back to last years attitude? Does Dayne continue to work hard to get better and progress through his reads and let BK mentor him? Will our run game prevail or was week one just a fluke? IMO there are so many questions that need to be answered this week. This is a tough road game against a solid opponent. It's clearly a more traditional style offense but MSU can straight run the football. I think this next four game stretch is everything for our teams attitude. Not just for this season but into the off-season. Our schedule is front heavy theres no question about that. I dont see a single team thats more talented on our schedule and all our tough games are at home except MSU. If we can bounce back and have a strong showing in East Lansing, then I really believe this team is on to something. I hope the coaches take this defeat and show them how good we can be when our backs against the wall. I think with the coaches we have, they will take this loss in stride and lead this team to a 9-3 record. We are far to talented to be anything less than that. We will head into the off-season coming off a bowl win and a 10-3 season and hit the ground running. We will only get better.

 

[Irish Man3]

I love winning no doubt....however here is something to consider. If we win out...and go 11-1 ... do you think we are ready to play in the BCS against a Bama or Texas....? In two years I think we are there...

Texas has not been very impressive this year. Alabama will be playing in the national championship so there is no need to go there. Bama just looks straight dominate right now and they dont have Mark Ingram. I would welcome a team like Texas or Florida or any other "powerhouse" of the last decade. If you told me at the begining of the season that we would finish 11-1 then honestly, I wouldn't care who we played in a BCS bowl. We need to get back on that level. As the season goes on, I think we will see our team grow up and become a serious contender. I'm not expecting 11-1 but its possible and I would welcome that reguardless of who we played.

 

[jmurphy75]

Great thread, I swear there are some negative whiney posters! Cheer up it's football season and we finally get to watch our beloved Irish play on Saturdays! Life is good...although we would all like to get a W every Sat. chances are we might have to endure a L or two through the season. Long story short let's be excited about football season being back!

 

[GreatGolson]

Lets get excited about Notre Dame relevancy is BACK!

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Fair enough Irish Man3....good points.

Yes...there is alot of Football to play still....I am still very optimistic on the future....Go Irish!

 

[ACamp1900]

Honestly I dont have the optimism. I just dont know if we can win these next 4. The only one I think we could get is maybe Stanford but I think MSU, BC, and Pitt have our number especially with two of them beign away games....ill be mor eoptimisotic after a win than a loss

I'm closer to this than a big bowl game... idk that we lose all four... but it will be real hard to win even 3 of these games... if we go 2-2 we are 3-3 at the half way point... that 15-15 over two and a half years of reg. season play...

this team is improving but yesterdays game was the must win if we wnted to make a real BCS push imo... you don't lose to a team that is inferior to you at every single unit the same exact way you have lost games the past two seasons then suddenly out of nowhere just flip a switch and become BCS caliber team when you have not been even close... this team is growing... this time next year they very well may be there... but RIGHT NOW it's time to face reality... this is and has been a .500 team and this team missed their chance yesterday. In all objectivity, I think MSU wins next week.

 

[AZDomer]

Depressing game yesterday, for sure.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel though.
A very much improved football team. I'm quite proud
of our boys!!