National Title in 2011?

[IrishSteelhead]

So wrong on so many levels...

You JINX!

I'm just teasing. To be honest, I've gone to more Cubs ST games this year than Sox ones. Sorry to say, but it looks like another long year for Northsiders coming up.

 

[johnnykillz]

Damn.

The Vine Line always seems so optimistic.

Wait.

You Sox fan you!

Nice User Title, BTW.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Stranger things have happened. Notre Dame is do for some serious help from the football gods, lets be honest every year the National champ has had some luck to win the title

 

[ACamp1900]

There are about 35 or so teams in the natioan that are in the "anything can happen" cat. in terms of a year to year national title run... I'd say we are actually in that grouping this year... so yeah, it 'can' happen ala OU 2000 or tOSU 2002 or Auburn last year... sometimes a team comes from nowhere...


BUT... No Mike Floyd... who is gonna play QB... and a Defense that has moved out of "complete joke" area for the first time in years for all of four games (really not that big of a deal if you think about it, they still have a TON to prove here)... BK sophmore slump??... there are too many 'what ifs' that ALL have to come together for us to even win 10 plus games let alone win a National Title... So to even talk about it is kind of silly imo... it can happen in the same way I could win the mega millions... sure it can happen, but it's not going to happen



here's the bottom line... EVERY SINGLE YEAR about 20 of these threads hit in the preseason... last I checked not once during this time Notre Dame has even played for a National Title... so everyone should do themselves a favor... expect low things... honest to God, you'll be more accurate than not... you won't tear yourself up over it as much, and one day, one year it will prob. suprise you and happen... that's been me for about three plus years now.

 

[johnnykillz]

Well ACamp: I do believe it was me that correctly guessed last season's record.

 

[Rocket89]

What happened the year after Manning left Tennessee?

The ultimate college football Ewing Theory.

I like the 'possible' but not 'probable' line of thinking. We're really not that far off from a national title.

I would say the odds are better we win it in 2011 than in 2012 or 2013 though. Am I right?

 

[ThePiombino]

I just think it's a tad presumptuous to be crowning ND as nat'l champs, when maybe talking about in the title picture would be more prudent...

 

[IrishBlood81]

This thread is why so many others laugh at us. I mean, come on, we come off a shaky year that ends positive and NC here we come. We don't even know who the heck is starting at QB!!!! for QB, option 1 is a Sophomore who won a lot at the end of the year but is very young and we really don't know if he can handle it. Option 2 is a Junior who's coming off of consecutive knee injuries and we really don't know if hes that good.

Couldn't help but think of this

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p0Y7yjxJVlc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


How bout we chill out and wait to see what comes?

 

[ACamp1900]

Well ACamp: I do believe it was me that correctly guessed last season's record.

I could be wrong... but I believe I nailed it as well

 

[ACamp1900]

I would say the odds are better we win it in 2011 than in 2012 or 2013 though. Am I right?

Odds are that we won't even win ten games any of those years... 1993 was a long *** time ago dude

 

[Rocket89]

Odds are that we won't even win ten games any of those years... 1993 was a long *** time ago dude

You do remember Charlie Weis winning 10 games once and going to two BCS bowl games right? 2006 wasn't a long time ago dude.

 

[Riddickulous]

You do remember Charlie Weis winning 10 games once and going to two BCS bowl games right? 2006 wasn't a long time ago dude.

Seriously?

In 2006, we got absolutely annihilated by the three legitimate teams on our schedule. That is not the standard Notre Dame should strive for.

 

[johnnykillz]

The Sugar Bowl really upset me. I think we were winning at half, to lose by like three touchdowns...

 

[Riddickulous]

The Sugar Bowl really upset me. I think we were winning at half, to lose by like three touchdowns...

Tied at 14. Lost by 27.

It was a trainwreck.

 

[Rocket89]

Seriously?

In 2006, we got absolutely annihilated by the three legitimate teams on our schedule. That is not the standard Notre Dame should strive for.

Nevertheless, 10 wins is 10 wins, is it not? Or should we go back and put asterisks next to seasons where we lost handily to the good teams?

Let's recap:

A.) A national title in 2011 is very unlikely, but not a totally crazy idea either.

B.) A title is probably more likely in 2011, than over the following two years. We have tons of returning starters and veterans coming back next year and what I think is going to be one of the weakest schedules ever. 2012 and 2013 we'll miss some upperclassmen, but more importantly the schedules get brutal.

C.) ACamp said odds are we won't 10 games at all over the next three years. Our last two coaches both had 10 win seasons. I never said those teams were great or that the 10-win seasons were in and of themselves great achievements, but they still stand.

We won 8 games last year with crazy injuries and the type of stuff that goes wrong which never happens to a program. Winning two extra games just isn't that much to ask or should be that surprising to us or anyone outside of the Irish fan base.

I also never said a 10-win season with three bad losses was the standard so I don't really see your point there. I'm just pointing out it's very pessimistic to think we're going to tread water next year and win only 7-9 games, or that we are SO FAR OFF from taking the next step to a double digit win season.

 

[Riddickulous]

Nevertheless, 10 wins is 10 wins, is it not? Or should we go back and put asterisks next to seasons where we lost handily to the good teams?

Let's recap:

A.) A national title in 2011 is very unlikely, but not a totally crazy idea either.

B.) A title is probably more likely in 2011, than over the following two years. We have tons of returning starters and veterans coming back next year and what I think is going to be one of the weakest schedules ever. 2012 and 2013 we'll miss some upperclassmen, but more importantly the schedules get brutal.

C.) ACamp said odds are we won't 10 games at all over the next three years. Our last two coaches both had 10 win seasons. I never said those teams were great or that the 10-win seasons were in and of themselves great achievements, but they still stand.

We won 8 games last year with crazy injuries and the type of stuff that goes wrong which never happens to a program. Winning two extra games just isn't that much to ask or should be that surprising to us or anyone outside of the Irish fan base.

I also never said a 10-win season with three bad losses was the standard so I don't really see your point there. I'm just pointing out it's very pessimistic to think we're going to tread water next year and win only 7-9 games, or that we are SO FAR OFF from taking the next step to a double digit win season.

Very good points, all three.

I think 2013 could be a damn good year.

Offensively, you have Hendrix/Golson at QB, Wood at RB, Jones/Daniels/Atkinson/Smith at WR, Eifert/Koyack/Welch at TE. Martin, Watt, Lombard, Nichols, Hegarty, etc. on OL.

Defensively, you have Lynch, Tuitt, Nix, Williams, Shembo, Calabrese, Moore, Wood, Badger, Atkinson, Hardy, etc.

If Kelly is who we hope he is, I'm thinking it'll be a great year.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I won the 2011 national championship on xbox and BK is at least as good a coach as me, so yea I can see this happening.

Hahaha.. If thats the case we should prepare for a string of NCs and every 5 star recruit signing on every year!

But of course we'd also have to deal with the QB fumbling every time he runs or dives.. really annoys me about that game

 

[IrishSteelhead]

This thread is why so many others laugh at us. I mean, come on, we come off a shaky year that ends positive and NC here we come. We don't even know who the heck is starting at QB!!!! for QB, option 1 is a Sophomore who won a lot at the end of the year but is very young and we really don't know if he can handle it. Option 2 is a Junior who's coming off of consecutive knee injuries and we really don't know if hes that good.

Couldn't agree more, but you gotta respect eternal optimism, even when it borders on lunacy.

*How ND handles the trip to Norman in 2012 will be the ultimate litmus test IMO on whether this program is "back" or not.

 

[Rocket89]

Very good points, all three.

I think 2013 could be a damn good year.

Offensively, you have Hendrix/Golson at QB, Wood at RB, Jones/Daniels/Atkinson/Smith at WR, Eifert/Koyack/Welch at TE. Martin, Watt, Lombard, Nichols, Hegarty, etc. on OL.

Defensively, you have Lynch, Tuitt, Nix, Williams, Shembo, Calabrese, Moore, Wood, Badger, Atkinson, Hardy, etc.

If Kelly is who we hope he is, I'm thinking it'll be a great year.

If the young defensive players mature and are as good as we hope, yes 2013 could be a great year.

 

[ACamp1900]

You do remember Charlie Weis winning 10 games once and going to two BCS bowl games right? 2006 wasn't a long time ago dude.

actually when I posted that I didn't remember the ten wins... the last real 10 win season I remember is 1993... sorry... lol

thinking back on it it seems impossible, IMPOSSIBLE that either won ten games, I had to look it up to make sure... it's kind of like the Seahwaks making the Super Bowl... it really happened???!!! Well, maybe it did, but I'm not picking it to happen again any time soon. and YES... odds are ten wins Won't happen any time soon... you're arguing that point???????? seriously?

I'm ND through and through but this program has to show me so much more before I think of BCS wins and title runs as anything other than pure and complete fantasy... sorry. This team you think is so close just had their asses handed to them by Navy for the third time in four years before beating Army, a mess of an SC team and a frost bitten Miami squad that wasn't even that good in warm weather... dude.

 

[ACamp1900]

I have been posting here for five or so years... and was a reg. on the ESPN boards for about five years before that... all that time has shown me one thing above all others in regards to ND football...

We are the freakin kings of cfb fanbases when it comes to "In three-four years we'll win a National Title" type declartions ... Statements like that are now as predictable as the seasons... and as of yet not one has come close to proving right.

it's that simple.

 

[Rocket89]

actually when I posted that I didn't remember the ten wins... the last real 10 win season I remember is 1993... sorry... lol

thinking back on it it seems impossible, IMPOSSIBLE that either won ten games, I had to look it up to make sure... it's kind of like the Seahwaks making the Super Bowl... it really happened???!!! Well, maybe it did, but I'm not picking it to happen again any time soon. and YES... odds are ten wins Won't happen any time soon... you're arguing that point???????? seriously?

I'm ND through and through but this program has to show me so much more before I think of BCS wins and title runs as anything other than pure and complete fantasy... sorry. This team you think is so close just had their asses handed to them by Navy for the third time in four years before beating Army, a mess of an SC team and a frost bitten Miami squad that wasn't even that good in warm weather... dude.

No, I don't think we're "close" at least to a national title. As far as that topic goes, IF we were to win a title, a lot of people, especially outside of ND Nation, wouldn't be shocked due to the talent level, coaching, etc. There's no way in hell I'd bet anything that we'll win a title anytime soon, but at the same time we're a lot closer to being a consistent top 15 team than the perpetual Purdue that you're making us out to be.

10 wins in a 13 game schedule isn't that big of a deal. I mean you really, really, really, really have to see the negative in every little thing about Irish football to think that 10 wins is some impossible goal for this program. Of course I'll argue this point because you're being a bit ridiculous if you really believe it. When roughly 20 teams win at least 10 games a season, that's something that Notre Dame (with an improving stock under Kelly) can achieve.

Take a deep breath and put two and two together: Winning 10 games doesn't mean Notre Dame will be "back" or close to being a national power again. But it will be a good sign and a mark of progress for the program.

We're going to be ranked next year and plenty of people, especially outside of our sphere, are going to pick ND to at least go to a BCS bowl game. Get comfortable with it.

 

[TDHeysus]

IF the other pieces of the puzzle fall into place it's possible but a couple of WRs have to step up not just one. Floyd's presence would obviously help but I still have seen a consistent QB to maximize his talent if it is available.

I dont think Floyd's gameday impact cant be 'replaced' by a couple or few receivers stepping up. Maybe a few WR's can replace the offensive output of Floyd, but not his gameday impact. Unless they step up in a 'career kinda way' and become a bonafide WR threat on a national scale. Floyd is just that, other teams have to account for Floyd every single play. This cant be overlooked, when you have that type of player that the other teams fear and alter their gameplan to stop that player, then they expose weaknesses by gameplanning for one player. (it will create mismatches, can cause a team to blitz, or not blitz; shift alignments, etc) Instead of a team preparing their own game plan, they have to plan to stop/contain/minimize Floyd, by doing this they leave themselves open in spots they didnt want to be open. A good coach can see this (a good coach will dictate that situation) and take advantage of it. I think this is right up BK's Alley. With Floyd, BK already has the opponent on their heels gamplanning for Floyd. Without Floyd, the opponent can now concentrate on stopping RB's, or flankers, or pressuring the QB without having to double team Floyd all day. thats HUGE

I've heard BK say that the offense was going to funnel thru Floyd (not saying he is going to throw to him all the time, but in addition to his WR skills, the offense was also going to piggyback onto the mismatches that Floyd creates). With Floyd gone, that whole part of the offense is not as effective. Does BK change the focus of the offense completely? or just temporarily until/if Floyd gets back??

Floyd's presence is going to be missed, I hope it isnt more than 2 games.

 

[jakerbluegold]

I remember in 2007 people were saying that it was Weis' third year, and that's when it came together for so many of the coaches before him.

Ahhh, a true breath of realism, and what made me cautiously optimistic unlike my childhood. The year that broke my homerism.

Like many have said before, it takes a lot of luck to get to the title game, and even more to win it.

It's possible, but to be honest I'd be satiated if we won 9 games and were even mentioned for the BCS games.

 

[IrishBlood81]

I have been posted here for five or so years... and was a reg. on the ESPN boards for about five years before that... all that time has shown me one thing above all others in regards to ND football...

We are the freakin kings of cfb fanbases when it comes to "In three-four years we'll win a National Title" type declartions ... Statements like that are now as predictable as the seasons... and as of yet not one has come close to proving right.

it's that simple.

^yup this. Please let this be the last NC thread before the fall...please please...please

 

[IrishBlood81]

Couldn't agree more, but you gotta respect eternal optimism, even when it borders on lunacy.

*How ND handles the trip to Norman in 2012 will be the ultimate litmus test IMO on whether this program is "back" or not.

I'm not sure 'eternal optimism' (as you put it...I'd call it naive blindness or absolute lunacy) is something to be respected. lol More something to be pitied!

yeah... I think we'll have a good idea this year whether we're back or not.

 

[irishpat183]

We will not...and I love my Irish...NOT be in contention for a national title this year. Won't happen.

10 games is a nice start. But 10 games doesn't mean you're a contender(especially with our schedule next year). Lets get back to winning 10-11 games EVERY YEAR and then we'll talk title.

2012 and 2013 are going to be the test. If we have good showings(10+ wins, BCS WINS, not losses) I'm thinking we're back in discussions for title talk.

What I don't want is to be a team in discussions every few years when timing is right. I want to be in it every year, like a real traditional power.

10 games is no longer good enough. Sorry, it just isn't.

 

[NDOM]

8-4 or 9-3 is my guess.

 

[johnnykillz]

8-4 or 9-3 is my guess.

Yup. Mine too.

 

[IrishLax]

We will not...and I love my Irish...NOT be in contention for a national title this year. Won't happen.

10 games is a nice start. But 10 games doesn't mean you're a contender(especially with our schedule next year). Lets get back to winning 10-11 games EVERY YEAR and then we'll talk title.

2012 and 2013 are going to be the test. If we have good showings(10+ wins, BCS WINS, not losses) I'm thinking we're back in discussions for title talk.

What I don't want is to be a team in discussions every few years when timing is right. I want to be in it every year, like a real traditional power.

10 games is no longer good enough. Sorry, it just isn't.

Shouldn't talk in absolutes. 8/9 regular season wins is probable, 10 wins is reasonable, 11/12 wins will require some Auburn-style sheer dumb luck winning games they did not deserve to win against elite competition or Michigan State-style luck where we win games by virtue of our competition totally sucking.

The whole season hinges on how our defense plays. If they play like the last four games, we will be in every game. If they play like the first 9, we probably have no shot at getting over 8 regular season wins with all of the question marks we have at QB and WR.