Why cant we win a championship next season?

[Old Man Mike]

As long as we take this just for fun, it would be an interesting speculation to evaluate our chances if say Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma, and ND all went undefeated, then would we get in the Big Game?? Someone who understands the computers better than I might be able to guess how we'd fare in their view of us for that percentage of the BCS rankings. How we'd do with the humans is probably a lot more debatable, but my feeling there is that ND still has a lot of human friends.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

if you win every game it doesnt matter where you start, and if your and undefeated ND, your gunna get the #1 or #2 spot

Mildly disagree on this one. I think our rep hurts us in the dream scenario. 3 undefeated teams including an undefeated ND leaves us on the outside if the Pac-10 and SEC are both involved.

Love the enthusiasm.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

I've been saying I expect this team to go 10-2 or 9-3 next year with a final ranking near #15.
Though undefeated isn't out of the realm of possibilities.
This team gets rolling early gets some good wins under their belts it might just snowball for us.

 

[WabashFalcon]

if you win every game it doesnt matter where you start, and if your and undefeated ND, your gunna get the #1 or #2 spot

Allow me to counter that argument.

TCU-2011
Boise State-2004, 2006
Utah-2004, 2008
Hawaii-2007

All undefeated at the end of the regular season. All did not win a championship, even if they won their BCS Bowl game.

 

[NankerPhelge]

Well, you can call me a homer, too. I ALWAYS expect a National Championship EVERY year. Have since 1962, when I first started watching them. At least before the season. And until that first lost. Nothing wrong with being outrageously positive. Isn't that the ND way?

 

[BGIF]

if you win every game it doesnt matter where you start, and if your and undefeated ND, your gunna get the #1 or #2 spot

Auburn 2004 ring any bells? 13-0 won the SEC Championship Game and got snubbed for the BCS title Game. Won the Sugar Bowl and finished #2 but they didn't get to play for the NC.

I believe USC and OU were ranked #1 and #2 preseason and kept those slots throughout the season. Neither undefeated Auburn nor undefeated Utah could overtake either one of them.

There has been more than one season where some sportswriter has pointed out block voting by conference coaches to manipulate the BCS selection process particularly at the end of the season, BCS crunch time. It's the primary reason that the coaches poll weekly votes are kept private. So there's no transparency.

BTW, how many voting coaches are in ND's football conference?

For end to get to the BCS Title Game they need a high ranking early, dominate opponents, be undefefeated, and hope there aren't two other undefeated teams from any conference, AQC or not.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Allow me to counter that argument.

TCU-2011
Boise State-2004, 2006
Utah-2004, 2008
Hawaii-2007

All undefeated at the end of the regular season. All did not win a championship, even if they won their BCS Bowl game.

Obviously the number of undefeated teams would affect if we were in the championship game, as well as the big name of the programs. But the 4 you listed are in no comparison to us if we were in their position. All of those are small named schools with anual weak schedules. Comparing their programs to ours is an insult to us.

 

[phork]

Plus the fact that we have sucked the last 15 years doesn't help.

 

[Jerry]

I haven't kept up with this thread, but to go back to the original post I think that our QB situation keeps us from contending for a NC next year. Unless Crist really steps up I don't see Rees or any of the other Sophomores leading the offense. Also as good as the defense played at the end of this season they are still a year away from being elite, IMO.

 

[phgreek]

That kid makes Terry Bradshaw look like Stephen Hawking.

...don't care who ya are...thats just funny

 

[irish1958]

I haven't kept up with this thread, but to go back to the original post I think that our QB situation keeps us from contending for a NC next year. Unless Crist really steps up I don't see Rees or any of the other Sophomores leading the offense. Also as good as the defense played at the end of this season they are still a year away from being elite, IMO.

I don't think Crist can do it for four reasons: not accurate enough, no touch, poor runner, lack of fast release.
I don't think Rees can do it for four reasons: not strong enough (to throw long passes), can't throw the fade, poor runner, locks on one receiver only.
That leaves the other three; or we wait until '12 or '13 or '14 or.............
Golson has an advantage in that he will never be a threat to go early to the NFL.
By the way, did anybody notice Rodgers and Cutler scoring TDs and picking up first downs by running? Every first down they pick up is the same as getting a turnover.

 

[IrishLax]

Beyond this talk of "what happens if we go undefeated" it is important to point out that we have very VERY little chance of doing so.

USF: just added a transfer who was the #1 RB recruit in the country and #6 overall from a year ago and will have improved QB/WR play to compliment a good defense.

Michigan: first night game ever in the Big House. Anything can happen.

MSU: returns a lot of talent.

Pitt, Purdue, Air Force: we should win these games but AF/Pitt have reasonable levels of talent to be competitive. AF espcially since they have a unique scheme.

USC: they have loads of talent if they ever put it all together.

Navy: 'nuff said.

WF/MD/BC: Maryland has some talent, but overall we should be in good shape against these teams.

Stanford: as long as Luck is healthy, I see them being top 10 coming into this game.

It's just as plausible that we go 6-6 that we go 12-0. This schedule is brutal.

 

[Anchorman]

Beyond this talk of "what happens if we go undefeated" it is important to point out that we have very VERY little chance of doing so.

USF: just added a transfer who was the #1 RB recruit in the country and #6 overall from a year ago and will have improved QB/WR play to compliment a good defense.

Michigan: first night game ever in the Big House. Anything can happen.

MSU: returns a lot of talent.

Pitt, Purdue, Air Force: we should win these games but AF/Pitt have reasonable levels of talent to be competitive. AF espcially since they have a unique scheme.

USC: they have loads of talent if they ever put it all together.

Navy: 'nuff said.

WF/MD/BC: Maryland has some talent, but overall we should be in good shape against these teams.

Stanford: as long as Luck is healthy, I see them being top 10 coming into this game.

It's just as plausible that we go 6-6 that we go 12-0. This schedule is brutal.

IrishLax is right on.

Every game is winnable, but every game is also losable. I envision between 8 and 10 wins with a good bowl, maybe a BCS bowl if 10 and a weak year around college.

 

[mick2]

i just want to get back to the days of going into the bar before the game confident that we were gonna leave drunk, and happy winners.

I'm always nervous before the games now. i still leave drunk but not always happy.

I dont like starting the season against usf, this will be the biggest game of their season, maybe some of their careers. they will have nothing to lose and those teams are dangerous.

if we get by the first 3 unscathed and healthy, i think we'll be 6-0 and hosting a vengeful sc team.

sc is at the middle of the season, we win and use that confidence to roll up until bc and stanford the last two weeks.

we lose that and we could be in bad shape cuz the next game is navy.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I think if our schedule was shuffled around, and arranged differently...we'd have a shot. Imagine Purdue, Wake, AF, UM. 2/4 of the game's would be cupcakes, and all four would be winnable.

South Florida is a dangerous team to open with. The are very quick, and athletic. But, most of all, well coached. The defense better have it's rust banged off quickly.

I think the idea that ND could compete for a title, after the last 20 years, is a lot for people to grasp. And, rightfully so, we have had high expectations only to get let down in crashing fashion. On top of that, we do not know what it is like to have a good coach. How long has it been? 17 years? Brian Kelly is not a good coach, but a great coach. But, again rightfully so, we are hesitant to anoint him the "chosen one", and we want proof.

I've read a lot of reasons to why we can't win, but he are a few reason to why we can.

1. Our offense is going to explode next season. History repeats itself, and all contending starters have atleast a year in Kelly's system. He is a master of developing QB's to run his system, and he will next season. Heisman quality? No, probably not. But Brian Kelly's offenses have exploded in year 2. With all of our starters coming back, there is no reason to think otherwise. ND will have a offense in the top 20 next season. (Provided we do not have a hamstring epidemic this season).

2. I think our defense finally clicked. The mix and match of positioning player's to be most effective is over. Diaco know's who he wants, and where he wants them to play. ND's defense is going to continue to progress from where it left off through the off-season, and we will have more raw talented players filling in for those we lost (Shembo..etc). Expect ND's defense to be top 30, maybe top 20.

3. Keep our skill players healthy, and active. Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, Mike Floyd, TJ Jones, Jonas Gray, Tyler Eifert, and Rees/Crist/???. If they can stay on the field at the same time, and gel...they will be incredibly hard to defend. We just have to avoid having players get hurt as other come back..etc.

3. Our line's will be very good. Our offensive line is going to be solid. Look at the lanes they opened up our last 4 games. Our defensive line, for the first time in forever, will be very good. I think Nix will jump in to anchor that 3-4, and be a monster in the back field.

4. If they get on a roll, they will be very very tough to derail. Imagine if they go 4-0, that will be 8-0 in the last 8 games. If momentum catches our irish, they will ride that wave. Confidence is huge with any team, especially this one.

A long shot...sure. But possible, I'd say so.

 

[Veer option]

South Florida is a dangerous team to open with. The are very quick, and athletic. But, most of all, well coached. The defense better have it's rust banged off quickly.

Agreed they are a dangerous team. They seem to be a team filled with players FSU, FL and Miami over looked and they play with a chip on their shoulders. The will be a very speedy team for the Irish to open up the season against.



I think the Irish have a ways to go before being even mentioned in a BCS game. The only thing I will add to the great points already typed QB situation, the defense, et al. Besides the dependable kicking of Ruffer, and the great kickoff coverage the Irish need to get more production out of the special teams. The future does look bright and I am excited to see what happens.

 

[irishff1014]

I won't say that we don't have a chance for a BCS bowl game. If we go 10-2 that could very well could be in a BCS game. BUT we have to have a great spring. I just hope that Crist is ready for the opener.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Beyond this talk of "what happens if we go undefeated" it is important to point out that we have very VERY little chance of doing so.

USF: just added a transfer who was the #1 RB recruit in the country and #6 overall from a year ago and will have improved QB/WR play to compliment a good defense.

Michigan: first night game ever in the Big House. Anything can happen.

MSU: returns a lot of talent.

Pitt, Purdue, Air Force: we should win these games but AF/Pitt have reasonable levels of talent to be competitive. AF espcially since they have a unique scheme.

USC: they have loads of talent if they ever put it all together.

Navy: 'nuff said.

WF/MD/BC: Maryland has some talent, but overall we should be in good shape against these teams.

Stanford: as long as Luck is healthy, I see them being top 10 coming into this game.

It's just as plausible that we go 6-6 that we go 12-0. This schedule is brutal.

Agree completely

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I won't say that we don't have a chance for a BCS bowl game. If we go 10-2 that could very well could be in a BCS game. BUT we have to have a great spring. I just hope that Crist is ready for the opener.

If Crist doesn't participate over the spring, then he's most likely not going to start.

 

[irish1958]

Agreed they are a dangerous team. They seem to be a team filled with players FSU, FL and Miami over looked and they play with a chip on their shoulders. The will be a very speedy team for the Irish to open up the season against.



I think the Irish have a ways to go before being even mentioned in a BCS game. The only thing I will add to the great points already typed QB situation, the defense, et al. Besides the dependable kicking of Ruffer, and the great kickoff coverage the Irish need to get more production out of the special teams. The future does look bright and I am excited to see what happens.

I agree special teams was our greatest weakness; no punt returns and very few KO returns.
However, Kelly and the coaches had such a mess on their hands that there was really no time to improve and no players to plug into the ST unit without using all the red shirts.
Goodman did a superb job at punt catching. If I recall he had trouble with only one.
KO returns were a disaster and our coverage wasn't a whole lot better.
Kelly knows how important STs are, and I expect we will see major improvements next year. Field goals and PATs were good, but Ruffer did miss three extra points and one FG.

 

[CanadianIrish]

Despite the fact that I don't want to get overly optimistic and I'm far from a pollyanna-esque fan, next year is our best chance to make a run at the NC or a BCS game for the next couple of years.

Floyd is the top WR in the country, we have a very veteran OL, our DL is mostly seniors (with LNIII being the exception, although he will likely rotate in and out with seniors). In fact, most of our starters will be in their last year next season, and they were once part of top recruiting classes. Our schedule is relatively weak, which is won't be starting in 2012.

I really don't see how we are going to get a better shot for a couple of years until this class (and last year's red shirts) are upper classmen or seniors.

The only weakness is at QB where we have a great deal of uncertainty, but hopefully Kelly can sort that out.

 

[irishff1014]

Floyd is good but not the best in the country. Blackmon is a killer. Special teams need either Cam or Atkinson running back punts and kickooffs.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Both Atkinson brothers said that when watching their dad run back kicks on film, they got thrilled and both of them would like a chance to do that. We'll see if Kelly agrees.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Both Atkinson brothers said that when watching their dad run back kicks on film, they got thrilled and both of them would like a chance to do that. We'll see if Kelly agrees.

GAIII did return punts in the AA Bowl game,

One of his returns he broke like 3/4 tackles. It was only like 5 yards, but it was a promising effort.

And DaVaris might also get a look at returns.

 

[Riddickulous]

GAIII did return punts in the AA Bowl game,

One of his returns he broke like 3/4 tackles. It was only like 5 yards, but it was a promising effort.

And DaVaris might also get a look at returns.

DaVaris will get a look at returns. He's a perfect fit for Kelly's offense and Kelly apparently loves his play.

 

[IrishLax]

Mark it down right now:

Theo Riddick will be our punt returner next year.

 

[GreatGolson]

^isnt he already our go to "athlete" for wildcat and such, i expect it to be him, unless daniels or Bennet Jackson challenge him (or BK doesnt want to risk loosing a veteran receiver)

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

DaVaris will get a look at returns. He's a perfect fit for Kelly's offense and Kelly apparently loves his play.

I meant might as he "might" end up being the guy.

He'll definitely get his chance.

 

[eNDzone]

I agree special teams was our greatest weakness; no punt returns and very few KO returns.
KO returns were a disaster and our coverage wasn't a whole lot better.

I disagree. Kick offs were not long but the coverage was excellent. we had some great efforts by Bennet Jackson and Austin Collinsworth ;two freshmen.

 

[irish1958]

I agree that both these players were very good and played with a lot of enthusiasm, and in the last four games the STs were much better. I don't have the stats for the first eight games but I don't remember them being as very good.
I may be (and probably are) wrong.
In any event, I think, except for punt returns, STs showed improvement in the last games.