Skip Holtz and South Florida

[Riddickulous]

They're our home opener for the 2011 season.

This is a very interesting matchup. Of course, there's the Holtz storyline, but there's more to it.

South Florida loses twelve starters, but with Skip Holtz and the return of quarterback B.J. Daniels, it could be a tough game.

Thoughts on the matchup?

 

[chyrspchuck]

I just hope we get our QB situation figured out. If we do, I believe we slaughter them at home.

 

[RyCo1983]

I think we come in and blow them out. The boys will be prepared. The defense we closed the season with will show up...but it could definitely turn into a nail biter...The talent differential has me pretty confident.

Lonesome night on IE Riddickulous...seems like there's like 4 of us on here

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

They're our home opener for the 2011 season.

This is a very interesting matchup. Of course, there's the Holtz storyline, but there's more to it.

South Florida loses twelve starters, but with Skip Holtz and the return of quarterback B.J. Daniels, it could be a tough game.

Thoughts on the matchup?

My thoughts.

1) This is a scary opening game. (trap game)
2) Our success/failure will create a sort of momentum that will last through the season.

However, I predict ND wins by 14 points.

Kelly isn't messing around anymore.

 

[jason_h537]

Think we are a better overall team. Still a lot of questions though. Who is the QB? Who is starting OLB? Can the D continue it's dominance? Will a running threat step up? Tough way to start the year

 

[Riddickulous]

I think we come in and blow them out. The boys will be prepared. The defense we closed the season with will show up...but it could definitely turn into a nail biter...The talent differential has me pretty confident.

Lonesome night on IE Riddickulous...seems like there's like 4 of us on here

It's 1 AM on a Thursday (Friday) night and there isn't a possible five-star commitment on the line.

 

[RyCo1983]

It's 1 AM on a Thursday (Friday) night and there isn't a possible five-star commitment on the line.

very true...very true
Skip lost alot of his experienced players...I really do like our chances to win big if our offense get up and running.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I just hope we get our QB situation figured out. If we do, I believe we slaughter them at home.

We going for a slaughter???? When we goin' man???? Name the game. We there.

 

[Riddickulous]

My thoughts.

1) This is a scary opening game. (trap game)
2) Our success/failure will create a sort of momentum that will last through the season.

However, I predict ND wins by 14 points.

Kelly isn't messing around anymore.

Has Kelly ever been messing around?

But this is a serious trap game, especially when you consider our recent shortcomings/terrible play in season openers, excluding Nevada.

Think we are a better overall team. Still a lot of questions though. Who is the QB? Who is starting OLB? Can the D continue it's dominance? Will a running threat step up? Tough way to start the year

This one is a huge question, as B.J. Daniels is a legitimate running threat and somebody needs to keep tabs on him when he moves out of the pocket.

 

[irishtrain]

Tough game and if he coaches like his Dad they'll give blood to get the Irish. Once again a century game for the opposition. Its about time these tough games get consideration by the national media. SEC teams play silly games to start and Notre Dame opens up with main the battle station encounters. So much for an easy start.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Lou already picked the upset game. His wife is upset he is picking Notre Dame.

 

[calvegas04]

ND will be beast in this game

 

[irishff1014]

I think that Kelly and staff will have this team ready to play. But this could be a trap game like others have stated. BJ has never lived up to his potential. I hope that this game isn't close. We need to open up with a statement game.

 

[Veer option]

ND will be beast in this game

HAHAHAHA

It will be a good test for the defense when they try to keep up with the speed USF presents. Though I feel the Irish will prevail and give the team much needed momentum for the journey to the night game in Ann Arbor vs the trainwreck skunkbears.

 

[IrishLax]

I've already commented on this extensively in other threads but this game is a coin flip. South Florida has a very quick defense (although they are not very big inside) so if we're going to move the ball it will be running to set up the pass.

Then they have added the #1 RB recruit and #6 overall from '09 as a transfer. He will be starting next year and an absolute force to reckon with. Couple that with improved QB/WR play and we will have our hands full. The big weakness on the team this year was ineptitude at QB/WR but that should be less of a concern this next year so they may be a very balanced team.

Lastly... the biggest wildcard here is that we will have basically no scouting report on them coming into this game. We will never have seen how they like to use their new RB and other weapons before they snap the ball. That could lead to some early points and potential for an upset a la Tulsa where mistakes coupled with an early score doomed us.

 

[Shamrocks and Shenanigans]

I think this game will be a great way to determine how the season is going to turn out. I think that we beat up on them. The best part about this game will be to see what direction Lou takes when he talks about it.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I think this team is going to ride a wave of momentum next season, and it all starts with playing 1 game at a time. SF is a trap game fore sure, but the story line will have many talking heads shining a light on the match up for weeks, ND will be hyped for the game. And, I expect them being anxious to pickup where they left off with Miami.

On the first snap I hope Louis Nix demolishes SF's line, and pancakes BJ Daniels before he can get his feet set.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

This is no doubt the biggest game of Skip's career. I think he is eventually going to be the head coach at Notre Dame, just like his dad. Maybe not in the near future, but he is building up to it.

 

[IrishMoore1]

I disagree. Skip is as old as Kelly, and Kelly will be coaching here a long time. I can't see skip taking the job at an old age

 

[Riddickulous]

I disagree. Skip is as old as Kelly, and Kelly will be coaching here a long time. I can't see skip taking the job at an old age

Skip is 46.

No Irish coach has lasted longer than 13 years in the program, no matter how successful.

Unless Kelly has the ability to eliminate stress at will, even with outstanding success, Kelly will probably be gone 10-12 years down the road. Holtz will be in his mid-to-late fifties. He could still have a good decade or so left in him.

 

[DillonHall]

How can anyone say that the first game of the year is a 'trap game?' This team's going to be ready to play after a long offseason.

 

[IrishLax]

How can anyone say that the first game of the year is a 'trap game?' This team's going to be ready to play after a long offseason.

yeah, it's a not a trap game at all. South Florida will be flat out good next year... in fact, the BE will be a lot better as a whole. Louisville, USF and WVU are all trending up.

 

[m-araim]

Has Kelly ever been messing around?

But this is a serious trap game, especially when you consider our recent shortcomings/terrible play in season openers, excluding Nevada.




This one is a huge question, as B.J. Daniels is a legitimate running threat and somebody needs to keep tabs on him when he moves out of the pocket.

Yes, the Tusa game

 

[m-araim]

Has Kelly ever been messing around?

But this is a serious trap game, especially when you consider our recent shortcomings/terrible play in season openers, excluding Nevada.




This one is a huge question, as B.J. Daniels is a legitimate running threat and somebody needs to keep tabs on him when he moves out of the pocket.

Yes, the Tusa game

 

[InKellyITrust]

Don't overlook BK's familiarity with the Big East Conference.

In Kelly I Trust

 

[anarin]

Don't overlook BK's familiarity with the Big East Conference.

In Kelly I Trust

Holtz wasnt there when Kelly was. So that idea is out the window.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Skip Holtz will never coach here. Chuck Martin will be the next coach after Brian Kelly.

 

[Riddickulous]

Skip Holtz will never coach here. Chuck Martin will be the next coach after Brian Kelly.

Quite possibly.

 

[phork]

48-13.