The Rest of the Season

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
I think we, myself included, have bought into the hype of Brian Kelly, and may have overestimated the recruitment of Charlie Weis. Yes, we do have some very good players, but we are still incomplete, and I think we will follow a similar path...maybe a year faster then Stanford. The bottom line is that this is going to take time and is going to be a process.

Dayne Crist has a TON of potential, and will develop into a very good QB. He is still a first year quarterback starting in a new system, and it is more then obvious that he is having some growing pains. I do not mean to take anything away from Stanford, they are a very good team, and they showed that we are not there yet to compete with the big dogs of football.

Both of our lines need to be built up, they are leaky, and not very good. They are both in new systems, and are working with a mixmatched line. We need to bring in some big nasty lineman that blow teams off the ball. Our LB's are good, but we need a few more elite players to compliment Teo. Our secondary is a huge concern for the future, we are thin, and need some BIG commits this class. I think as the years go on we will see talent maximized, and not deteriorate into a mess similar to what we are watching now.

Brian Kelly is a good coach, but not a miracle worker. I had thought that we had enough talent for him to work with, but we are nowhere near a solid team. Luckily, we will probably go 7-5/8-4 with a nice bowl win to set the stage for next year. I think that as the season goes on we will see the team grow, and with the pattsies we have coming up get some real confidence, and gain A TON of valuable reps.

BC- Winnable, they do not look good, and will be a good game. A MUST WIN.

Pitt- Is coming of a disastrous season with off the field issues. Its at home, and is a toss up.

Those 2 games are winnable aslong as we do not going into a slump, and just deteriorate.

W. Michigan- A easy win that we should get Lo Wood some reps, and a few other freshman that could use the expierience.

Tulsa- Same as WM.

Navy- I fear that is we do not get our Dline going we could lose this game, especially if the offense sputters. I think BC,PITT,WM, and Tulsa will be valuable to this team in confidence and reps for expierence in the system. I look for everything to start clicking against a solid opponent.

Utah- This game is HUGE. There is a chance that we could be on a 5 straight win streak and this may be the best team we will face aside from Stanford. I will be really let down if we do not see a change in the team from now til then. I expected to see this team grow as the season rolls on (granted I thought we would be further ahead of the curve then we are) this game could be interesting.

Army- Tricky game, if the team has a big loss and is hungover Army could win. Or if the team is on a 6 game win streak and is looking ahead to SC could be a problem. A win is almost definite.

We could be 8-3 or 7-4 (Probable) heading into SC. This is our bowl game, if we can take SC down the season will be a success, similar to Stanford when the took down SC in Harbaughs first season. The players will buy into the system and end on a high note with a bowl birth.

I think Kelly can get it done, but he has a big job to do. He needs a signature win this year to get the train rolling, recruits believing, and momentum heading into 2011. Keep faith, and watch a team grow.

Go Irish
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
Are you serious? We could easily lose at least four games before SC

Have you watch BC and Pitt? They are not good, way behind UM, MSU and Stanford. The team needs tons of work, but from following BK through the years his teams get better and better, and one game eveyrthing just clicks.

We were sloppy as hell against Michigan, and MSU. The games were close, but we were really ugly and it showed now. Stanford exposed us for who we are. BC has problems and as does Pitt, they will be tough games but winnable. The back half of the schedule is a joke aside from Utah and SC.

ND will be a different team when Utah comes around. I guarantee it.
 

ShamrockOnHelmet

Refreshman
Messages
2,745
Reaction score
1,750
I think you are underestimating Tulsa and Utah.

Utah is terrific, and is essentially a PAC 10 team (will be in reality in year). We probably have little hope of winning that game. Tulsa is a top team in their conference, and seeing as how we can't beat middling big 10 teams, the Tulsa game is a toss up at best.
 

NDFANnSouthWest

We are ND!
Messages
4,806
Reaction score
199
Until we fix our QB and his decisions....we will not win another game. Looks at first that he was overwhelmed with the playbook...so then they cut it down...now he only throws curl and out routes....PREDICTABLE!

We need to stretch the field at times...keep them guessing...
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
Until we fix our QB and his decisions....we will not win another game. Looks at first that he was overwhelmed with the playbook...so then they cut it down...now he only throws curl and out routes....PREDICTABLE!

We need to stretch the field at times...keep them guessing...

I think that its Dayne choice not to try and stretch the field. It looked like there were plenty of down field patterns, he just throws the easy gimme's. He's afraid of his deep ball bc its been off when he uses it.

In agree though...for every 5 bombs to Floyd he'll catch one.
 

NDFANnSouthWest

We are ND!
Messages
4,806
Reaction score
199
another scary point is:
Crist - 5 star
Floyd - 5 star
Rudy - 5 star
O-Line - average 4 star
rest of WR RB - average 4 star

I know I know Star's does not mean great players...however we can't complete (constantly) a 5 yard out or curl...wtf...is it the coaching..? are we snake bitten....

same argument for D...
teo - 5 star
Mac- 4 star
fleming - pretty sure he was 4 star
Harrison - 4 star
and so on....

WE HAVE the TALENT...what is going on....?
 

NDFANnSouthWest

We are ND!
Messages
4,806
Reaction score
199
I think that its Dayne choice not to try and stretch the field. It looked like there were plenty of down field patterns, he just throws the easy gimme's. He's afraid of his deep ball bc its been off when he uses it.

In agree though...for every 5 bombs to Floyd he'll catch one.



Even if he over throws the ball....he keeps the corners honest
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
another scary point is:
Crist - 5 star
Floyd - 5 star
Rudy - 5 star
O-Line - average 4 star
rest of WR RB - average 4 star

I know I know Star's does not mean great players...however we can't complete (constantly) a 5 yard out or curl...wtf...is it the coaching..? are we snake bitten....

same argument for D...
teo - 5 star
Mac- 4 star
fleming - pretty sure he was 4 star
Harrison - 4 star
and so on....

WE HAVE the TALENT...what is going on....?

The talent deteriorated for years under Weis. Guys, its game 4. Let the guy do his thing. We arent seeing Kelly's offense, we are seeing what he has to do bc the line is terrible, for whatever reason they never peaked under Weis.

Harbaugh won 4 games his first season.
 

ubet49

New member
Messages
44
Reaction score
4
All I saw today was one team that prepared for the game. They had a plan.
ND had no sacks, no stunts no nothing.
4th and 1 and we have a single running back in the backfield. Pathetic.
 

Riddickulous

"That" Guy
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
8,325
Boston College - Winnable.

Pittsburgh - Extremely one-dimensional offense. I think this is the most winnable of our remaining "tough" games.

Western Michigan - If we don't win this convincingly, we're probably looking at a 3-9 season.

Tulsa - Underrated. With our D, I could see them winning this game.

Navy - You'd think we would win this one, but I don't know.

Utah - Are you kidding me? Utah is going to kick our ***.

Army - Convincing win. No excuses if we don't.

USC - Maybe we can outscore them.
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
Boston College - Winnable.

Pittsburgh - Extremely one-dimensional offense. I think this is the most winnable of our remaining "tough" games.

Western Michigan - If we don't win this convincingly, we're probably looking at a 3-9 season.

Tulsa - Underrated. With our D, I could see them winning this game.

Navy - You'd think we would win this one, but I don't know.

Utah - Are you kidding me? Utah is going to kick our ***.

Army - Convincing win. No excuses if we don't.

USC - Maybe we can outscore them.




Maybe I am overestimating Kelly, but I think by the time Utah comes around we are going to be much better. I think by the end of the season we are going to make strides as a team. The system is not clicking yet.

We may not win SC/Utah but I think we will play much better
 

NDFANnSouthWest

We are ND!
Messages
4,806
Reaction score
199
The talent deteriorated for years under Weis. Guys, its game 4. Let the guy do his thing. We arent seeing Kelly's offense, we are seeing what he has to do bc the line is terrible, for whatever reason they never peaked under Weis.

Harbaugh won 4 games his first season.

fair enough...I may get slammed for this- however it is not even the loss I am pissed about its the lack of attention the detail- lack of passion on the O side of the ball. I still dont see the the FIRE that it takes to complete...

case in point that kid for Stanford Skov...that kid plays with passion...now before someone sends me a what about "Manti"....I agree...however Manti is the only one with that fire- and Carlo is getting there...
 

Riddickulous

"That" Guy
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
8,325
fair enough...I may get slammed for this- however it is not even the loss I am pissed about its the lack of attention the detail- lack of passion on the O side of the ball. I still dont see the the FIRE that it takes to complete...

case in point that kid for Stanford Skov...that kid plays with passion...now before someone sends me a what about "Manti"....I agree...however Manti is the only one with that fire- and Carlo is getting there...

How can you not mention Robert Blanton? He's always fired up to play.
 

DirtySecret

Banned
Messages
1,420
Reaction score
47
The talent deteriorated for years under Weis. Guys, its game 4. Let the guy do his thing. We arent seeing Kelly's offense, we are seeing what he has to do bc the line is terrible, for whatever reason they never peaked under Weis.

Harbaugh won 4 games his first season.

How long has Harbaugh been at Stanford? My case and point! Harbaugh is 14-14 in five years! That's down right awful! Even now, I don't buy into the Stanford hype machine..
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
fair enough...I may get slammed for this- however it is not even the loss I am pissed about its the lack of attention the detail- lack of passion on the O side of the ball. I still dont see the the FIRE that it takes to complete...

case in point that kid for Stanford Skov...that kid plays with passion...now before someone sends me a what about "Manti"....I agree...however Manti is the only one with that fire- and Carlo is getting there...

I saw the fire the first 3 games. I think they may have been deflated from the Michigans. Also, Its hard to play with fire when you arent sure what you are doing? If youre thinking, it takes away from reaction time.

Stanford's defense confused/made uneasy Crist. They took away his security blanket in Kyle. The quick hits to him the past few games hid our ineptitude of the offensive line. The other routes never had time to materialize, and the game was moving way to fast in the secondary for him to use the little time he had to connect with the other options.

I said after Purdue that Crist was not comfortable/seeing those quick windows of time the reciever created between the opposing coverages. Jimmy Clausen attacked those windows with pinpoint accuracy. It shows how young he is, and how much more he has to grow. That cant be coached, it just comes with expierence. BK had to of seen this, and once a good defense came and took away KR, Crist was lost.

Guys its not BK, its what he has to work with. Underdeveloped, new, and hesitant players. The Oline is new players in a new scheme...the just spells trouble. The slow defense is playing in a new system for the first time...trouble. The QB is playing in his 4th start, and is not developed enough to take advantage of the little oppurunties he has. We lost our biggest playmaker in Golden Tate.

Our only argument for a good season was the we had a lot of 4/5 star players for high school. They never did anything, or are to young in a new system, to prove anything in college.

I drank the kool-aid too, If this was not our team, and wearing Tennessee jerseys we all would have seen this coming months ago.

Teo just assaults people
 

dmort

New member
Messages
247
Reaction score
10
This is the same team as last year with better defensive coaching. Its going to take another year or two to turn the defnse around. Offensively Crist looks like a QB that has alot to learn. Remember Claussen his first 2 years ?
 

NDFANnSouthWest

We are ND!
Messages
4,806
Reaction score
199
This is the same team as last year with better defensive coaching. Its going to take another year or two to turn the defnse around. Offensively Crist looks like a QB that has alot to learn. Remember Claussen his first 2 years ?

yes you are correct....I guess we all wanted to do better this year. ND fans as a whole are desperate for a good year....
 

tommyIRISH23

Well-known member
Messages
1,629
Reaction score
156
How long has Harbaugh been at Stanford? My case and point! Harbaugh is 14-14 in five years! That's down right awful! Even now, I don't buy into the Stanford hype machine..

2007- 4 games
2008- 5 games
2009- 8 games
2010- 4-0 ranked 16th...

the guy can coach...he teams got better every year.
 

dskoo65

Banned
Messages
526
Reaction score
18
How long has Harbaugh been at Stanford? My case and point! Harbaugh is 14-14 in five years! That's down right awful! Even now, I don't buy into the Stanford hype machine..

do you have any idea the train wreck of a program he took over when he got there? they didnt have a fraction of the talent kelly has to work with in his first year.
 

Riddickulous

"That" Guy
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
8,325
Considering how terrible Stanford has been the past 15 years or so, I'd say Harbaugh has done an outstanding job.
 

dmort

New member
Messages
247
Reaction score
10
The key to defensing the spread offense is controlling the QB. You do that and the offense is dead in the water. On the O line you have what 3 guys who are starting this year ? ND is going to take its lumps this year. On the flip side their strength of schedule is looking to be right up there which will help them at bowl time if they can finish with a strong second half of the season.
 

Riddickulous

"That" Guy
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
8,325
The key to defensing the spread offense is controlling the QB. You do that and the offense is dead in the water. On the O line you have what 3 guys who are starting this year ? ND is going to take its lumps this year. On the flip side their strength of schedule is looking to be right up there which will help them at bowl time if they can finish with a strong second half of the season.

I'm thinking 6 wins this year. Probably 7 with a Hawai'i Bowl-esque blowout because of the talent gap between us and whoever the hell we play in a bowl. Likely some team from a non-BCS conference.

Then 8-10 wins in 2011. Maybe 11-12 if we have some kind of miraculous leap defensively.

Then another 8-10 win year in 2012. Probably closer to 8. Crist is back, but we lose some linemen (Robinson, Dever and possibly Cave), Floyd and Rudolph (if we haven't already in 2010) and a lot on defense (Johnson, Fleming, Filer, Gray, Blanton, Smith) heading into 2012. Plus with that ridiculous schedule, you can bet we'll have some trouble. Michigan, at USC, Oklahoma with a senior Landry Jones, Miami, Stanford with a possible fifth-year Andrew Luck.

Who knows in 2013. Maybe a BCS appearance. The talent Kelly brings in begins to show. More speed defensively.
 

tankjeep

New member
Messages
2,511
Reaction score
67
The talent deteriorated for years under Weis. Guys, its game 4. Let the guy do his thing. We arent seeing Kelly's offense, we are seeing what he has to do bc the line is terrible, for whatever reason they never peaked under Weis.

Harbaugh won 4 games his first season.

bk's basically in a pickle. he's got to play his veterans cuz he's got freshman that aren't ready to play yet. and with those veterans you get less talent (especially on defense).

i'm happy with bk as a coach, but right now we are not that good of a football team. bk needs time to get his type of players in for his system. in the mean time, he's got to break the bad habits and poor coaching (tenuta) on the defensive side of the ball.

we will be lucky to win 6 games this season. i'm okay with that, cuz it's going to take a while for bk to get the foundation of his program established.
 

Irish Insanity

Well-known member
Messages
9,885
Reaction score
584
It seems to me that Brian Kelly has a plan to input his plan into the O and D more and more every week thru his practices. But it seems like the O is a couple steps behind at grasping it and struggles to do what he expects. The D is not quite as far behind as the O, but still some struggles. Seems if BK would just slow his teaching down a little we may play better. But at the same time I still believe in BK, and say it will be a short time before our team are back on top where they belong. GO IRISH!!!
 
Top