How to create new traditions w/o stomping on old traditions.

[NankerPhelge]

I'm one of the "old guys" here who was a student when ND won a championship ('77).
We had our own traditions, some of which we created, some of which survived, and some of which did not. Contrary to what a previous poster said, however, I don't think our "traditions" had any more or less validity than those that came before us or those that are coming after. For the most part, it was just what a bunch of college kids did to have fun. And that inevitably changes over time. So, three points on this subject:

1. Couldn't agree more with KMoose. ND students and fans should be leaders, not followers. I remember in the '70's, the "wave" was a big fad at sporting events. We refused to do it, because it wasn't "ours," and the consensus was it was kind of lame, anyway. Besides, most of us were too drunk to do anything that co-ordinated.

2. Any PUBLIC traditions should at the very least keep in mind that we are students, alumni and/or fans of a school dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. So, probably not a good idea to blast out Nazereth's "Now You're Messing With a Son-of-a-Bitch" or something like that over the loudspeakers to get the fans and players fired up just because somebody thinks it sounds cool. Notice I said PUBLIC traditions. Listen to anything that works for you in your dorm room, car, basement, whatever. But have a little bit of sensitivity to what Notre Dame is supposed to represent when you show it to the world.

3. Most of all, and this is what bugs me the most. Don't confuse all the peripherals, no matter how "cool" they are with excellence in the football program--ND's true tradition (I mean in this context). I've seen some of the most (to my sensibilities) ridiculous posts where some would-be Hollywood producers fantasize all kinds of stuff--flash-pots; smokescreens; music choreographed to the particular moment; fashion changes; blah-de-blah blah blah. As if we could just perfect the show, all would be right in the end. Like a movie.

All real awesome. Nobody likes a spectacle more than I do. So, do anything you want and enjoy the show. But don't kid yourself that any of this has anything to do with re-establishing the true ND tradition-being the premier college football program on earth. All this stuff is really cool, but rings hollow if we are mired in mediocrity on the field.

 

[returnofthemack]

I'm a recent alum ('11) and sat through the worst 4 years of ND history and I can tell you for a fact, that they could have changed damn near everything in the stadium and it would not have made one iota of a difference. However, I am all for some of these changes. The problem I have with some people is they confuse mundane things for tradition. The kind of turf in the stadium is not a tradition - who cares if it's artificial?. Not playing music over the speakers is not a tradition. To an extent, video boards are also not against tradition.

First of all, the scoreboards at ND stadium are an eyesore. If you have been in the Purcell Pavilion for a bball game, you know ND can do a video board right (no advertisements - just a clean screen that shows replays and pump-up clips from old ND teams). Like others have said, follow scUM's model for the video boards (I hated their old ones but their new ones are actually pretty awesome). As an added bonus, less people would be asked to sit down while cheering since the squatters can watch on the screen. Obviously, the music helps, no question. I've never heard the stadium even close to as loud as it was for the USC game.

What I am, and always will be firmly against, are: advertisements, logo on the field, and logo in the end zone. The clean, no-frills aspect of the field in ND stadium is an actual tradition. As far as advertisements, as someone else mentioned, their only purpose is revenue, which ND does not need. Check out LA Coliseum sometime. It looks ugly with all of the advertisements draped all over the stadium. During College Gameday, there were two enormous advertisements on either side of the torch - it was disgusting.

The change I would like the most (other than the video board) would be the addition of luxury suites to a larger press box. Then, tear out the gold seats so that those pampered pieces of crap can sit down the whole game and golf clap from the luxury suites. Those people **** me off more than anyone else. They usually leave the game early, never stand up and cheer, and rarely cheer at all.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

I'm one of the "old guys" here who was a student when ND won a championship ('77).
We had our own traditions, some of which we created, some of which survived, and some of which did not. Contrary to what a previous poster said, however, I don't think our "traditions" had any more or less validity than those that came before us or those that are coming after. For the most part, it was just what a bunch of college kids did to have fun. And that inevitably changes over time. So, three points on this subject:

1. Couldn't agree more with KMoose. ND students and fans should be leaders, not followers. I remember in the '70's, the "wave" was a big fad at sporting events. We refused to do it, because it wasn't "ours," and the consensus was it was kind of lame, anyway. Besides, most of us were too drunk to do anything that co-ordinated.

2. Any PUBLIC traditions should at the very least keep in mind that we are students, alumni and/or fans of a school dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. So, probably not a good idea to blast out Nazereth's "Now You're Messing With a Son-of-a-Bitch" or something like that over the loudspeakers to get the fans and players fired up just because somebody thinks it sounds cool. Notice I said PUBLIC traditions. Listen to anything that works for you in your dorm room, car, basement, whatever. But have a little bit of sensitivity to what Notre Dame is supposed to represent when you show it to the world.

3. Most of all, and this is what bugs me the most. Don't confuse all the peripherals, no matter how "cool" they are with excellence in the football program--ND's true tradition (I mean in this context). I've seen some of the most (to my sensibilities) ridiculous posts where some would-be Hollywood producers fantasize all kinds of stuff--flash-pots; smokescreens; music choreographed to the particular moment; fashion changes; blah-de-blah blah blah. As if we could just perfect the show, all would be right in the end. Like a movie.

All real awesome. Nobody likes a spectacle more than I do. So, do anything you want and enjoy the show. But don't kid yourself that any of this has anything to do with re-establishing the true ND tradition-being the premier college football program on earth. All this stuff is really cool, but rings hollow if we are mired in mediocrity on the field.

Best post yet! Gives me some solid answers. Thanks!

 

[JoeyGetherall]

I'm a recent alum ('11) and sat through the worst 4 years of ND history and I can tell you for a fact, that they could have changed damn near everything in the stadium and it would not have made one iota of a difference. However, I am all for some of these changes. The problem I have with some people is they confuse mundane things for tradition. The kind of turf in the stadium is not a tradition - who cares if it's artificial?. Not playing music over the speakers is not a tradition. To an extent, video boards are also not against tradition.

First of all, the scoreboards at ND stadium are an eyesore. If you have been in the Purcell Pavilion for a bball game, you know ND can do a video board right (no advertisements - just a clean screen that shows replays and pump-up clips from old ND teams). Like others have said, follow scUM's model for the video boards (I hated their old ones but their new ones are actually pretty awesome). As an added bonus, less people would be asked to sit down while cheering since the squatters can watch on the screen. Obviously, the music helps, no question. I've never heard the stadium even close to as loud as it was for the USC game.

What I am, and always will be firmly against, are: advertisements, logo on the field, and logo in the end zone. The clean, no-frills aspect of the field in ND stadium is an actual tradition. As far as advertisements, as someone else mentioned, their only purpose is revenue, which ND does not need. Check out LA Coliseum sometime. It looks ugly with all of the advertisements draped all over the stadium. During College Gameday, there were two enormous advertisements on either side of the torch - it was disgusting.

The change I would like the most (other than the video board) would be the addition of luxury suites to a larger press box. Then, tear out the gold seats so that those pampered pieces of crap can sit down the whole game and golf clap from the luxury suites. Those people **** me off more than anyone else. They usually leave the game early, never stand up and cheer, and rarely cheer at all.

Back to back good posts. One from an alum in the 70's and yours (a recent grad). Thanks!

 

[Kak7304]

I'm a recent alum ('11) and sat through the worst 4 years of ND history and I can tell you for a fact, that they could have changed damn near everything in the stadium and it would not have made one iota of a difference. However, I am all for some of these changes. The problem I have with some people is they confuse mundane things for tradition. The kind of turf in the stadium is not a tradition - who cares if it's artificial?. Not playing music over the speakers is not a tradition. To an extent, video boards are also not against tradition.

First of all, the scoreboards at ND stadium are an eyesore. If you have been in the Purcell Pavilion for a bball game, you know ND can do a video board right (no advertisements - just a clean screen that shows replays and pump-up clips from old ND teams). Like others have said, follow scUM's model for the video boards (I hated their old ones but their new ones are actually pretty awesome). As an added bonus, less people would be asked to sit down while cheering since the squatters can watch on the screen. Obviously, the music helps, no question. I've never heard the stadium even close to as loud as it was for the USC game.

What I am, and always will be firmly against, are: advertisements, logo on the field, and logo in the end zone. The clean, no-frills aspect of the field in ND stadium is an actual tradition. As far as advertisements, as someone else mentioned, their only purpose is revenue, which ND does not need. Check out LA Coliseum sometime. It looks ugly with all of the advertisements draped all over the stadium. During College Gameday, there were two enormous advertisements on either side of the torch - it was disgusting.

The change I would like the most (other than the video board) would be the addition of luxury suites to a larger press box. Then, tear out the gold seats so that those pampered pieces of crap can sit down the whole game and golf clap from the luxury suites. Those people **** me off more than anyone else. They usually leave the game early, never stand up and cheer, and rarely cheer at all.

This is a great point. I went to several away games at Purdue and the way they use their jumbotron (ads, gimmicks, etc.) had me against putting one in at ND. When I saw the use of the video board in the JACC, my mind was suddenly changed. It proved to me that it can be done in a tasteful manner that enhances the experience of the game rather than detract from it.

 

[Kak7304]

I'm one of the "old guys" here who was a student when ND won a championship ('77).
We had our own traditions, some of which we created, some of which survived, and some of which did not. Contrary to what a previous poster said, however, I don't think our "traditions" had any more or less validity than those that came before us or those that are coming after. For the most part, it was just what a bunch of college kids did to have fun. And that inevitably changes over time. So, three points on this subject:

I apologize for making a generalization. I should have specified that my experiences with alums with this mode of thinking were limited to a several I talked to in person, as well as what I have read on the NDNation forum. I definitely do not think, nor did I mean to imply that most or even a lot of the alumni who experienced championships feel that ND football is exclusively theirs.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Ok but Bama's pro combat the same uni with houndstooth numbers instead of white. What are we late to? this is what I don't get? I don't see Yankees fans complaining about the unifroms, Dodgers, Red Sox, Bama, Michigan, Steelers, Packers?

Notre Dame has a timeless uniform, they will never chaneg becuase they are forever great. They wore throwbacks in 02. All this is, is an alternate uni, i don't get the issue.

Yeah the had houndstooth number and helmet stripe. Plus don't forget about the gloves. They along with Oregon were they first to have a logo on the palm.

We are late in that we are just now doing it as opposed to other schools. There's a difference between throwbacks and alternative uniforms. If you count throwbacks ND is actually a pioneer in that.

 

[irishtrinity]

Just win , win games. Stop losing to average teams. Don't obsess about some tradition, play ball. If you want to change something, try it and see if it works.

I with you 100%

They look great

 

[NankerPhelge]

I apologize for making a generalization. I should have specified that my experiences with alums with this mode of thinking were limited to a several I talked to in person, as well as what I have read on the NDNation forum. I definitely do not think, nor did I mean to imply that most or even a lot of the alumni who experienced championships feel that ND football is exclusively theirs.

Thanks, but no apology necessary. I wasn't offended in the least. My bigger point is that, to a huge extent, I think what each of us considers a "tradition" is colored by our own experiences. My and my buddies' traditions included things like the first person up on game day going to the Harris Liquor Store on South Bend Ave. and getting a quart (not a liter, then) of Jack Daniels and going around to the various houses (we all lived off campus), finding the members of our "group" whereever they had crashed the night before, and then waking up each person by forcing a swig of whiskey down his throat. Then, after everyone was up and that bottle was gone, heading back down to Harris' so each person could buy two half-pints of various booze to stick in each of their socks to smuggle into the stadium. Then, we would scream insanely for the whole game while getting anhilated. One of my favorite traditions was when the guys would grab the female students and pass them overhead up the rows while the whole student section would be chanting "over the wall, over the wall" while the girls screamed their heads off. A short-lived tradition for obvious reasons, but a tradition nevertheless.

Anyway, I digress. Thanks for the response.

 

[returnofthemack]

Thanks, but no apology necessary. I wasn't offended in the least. My bigger point is that, to a huge extent, I think what each of us considers a "tradition" is colored by our own experiences. My and my buddies' traditions included things like the first person up on game day going to the Harris Liquor Store on South Bend Ave. and getting a quart (not a liter, then) of Jack Daniels and going around to the various houses (we all lived off campus), finding the members of our "group" whereever they had crashed the night before, and then waking up each person by forcing a swig of whiskey down his throat. Then, after everyone was up and that bottle was gone, heading back down to Harris' so each person could buy two half-pints of various booze to stick in each of their socks to smuggle into the stadium. Then, we would scream insanely for the whole game while getting anhilated. One of my favorite traditions was when the guys would grab the female students and pass them overhead up the rows while the whole student section would be chanting "over the wall, over the wall" while the girls screamed their heads off. A short-lived tradition for obvious reasons, but a tradition nevertheless.

Any, I digress. Thanks for the response.

I really envy you for being able to attend ND during that era. I can't even imagine how awesome it must have been to have great football teams and a less draconian administration.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Ok but Bama's pro combat the same uni with houndstooth numbers instead of white. What are we late to? this is what I don't get? I don't see Yankees fans complaining about the unifroms, Dodgers, Red Sox, Bama, Michigan, Steelers, Packers?

Notre Dame has a timeless uniform, they will never chaneg becuase they are forever great. They wore throwbacks in 02. All this is, is an alternate uni, i don't get the issue.

I haven't agreed with a post so completely in quite a while. I don't understand the intense desire to do all sorts of crazy stuff with the uniform that I sense from some fans. Notre Dame's regular, traditional uniforms are in the conversation for the best in all of sports.

On the other hand, making the helmet more shiny because we now have the technology to do that, or putting a shamrock on the helmet once a year, aren't crazy changes to me.

 

[NankerPhelge]

I really envy you for being able to attend ND during that era. I can't even imagine how awesome it must have been to have great football teams and a less draconian administration.

Yeah, it was great. Had a lot of fun. And it only took me 10 years to graduate!

 

[PJWhitfield]

"We may consider each generation as a distinct nation," said Thomas Jefferson. ... The old folks have to let go.

 

[BobD]

I love throw back stuff. I'd like to see them wear the old white jersey with ND on it, and run out on the field with leather helmets on. Of course they'd have to put on new modern helmets for the game. Kind of a way to honor the past while shaping the future.

 

[military_irish]

I heard from a source that they will be glow in the dark. Just what I heard. grin:

 

[BobD]

Thanks, but no apology necessary. I wasn't offended in the least. My bigger point is that, to a huge extent, I think what each of us considers a "tradition" is colored by our own experiences. My and my buddies' traditions included things like the first person up on game day going to the Harris Liquor Store on South Bend Ave. and getting a quart (not a liter, then) of Jack Daniels and going around to the various houses (we all lived off campus), finding the members of our "group" whereever they had crashed the night before, and then waking up each person by forcing a swig of whiskey down his throat. Then, after everyone was up and that bottle was gone, heading back down to Harris' so each person could buy two half-pints of various booze to stick in each of their socks to smuggle into the stadium. Then, we would scream insanely for the whole game while getting anhilated. One of my favorite traditions was when the guys would grab the female students and pass them overhead up the rows while the whole student section would be chanting "over the wall, over the wall" while the girls screamed their heads off. A short-lived tradition for obvious reasons, but a tradition nevertheless.

Anyway, I digress. Thanks for the response.

I've seen pictures of ND women from the 70's.....you guys must have been pretty stronggrin:

I kid....great posts! Thank you.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

What exactly is an "old" tradition? The jerseys have only really been in this relative permutation since the 80's. Is that old?

The stadium was renovated in 1997. So we don't want to add a video board/jumbotron to our "vintage" late 90's edifice?

Are there "traditionalists" upset that there is a Burger King and Subway in LaFortune? I am SOOO mad they got rid of the Aramark food service operation. That was and always should be ND!!!

Don't put an NBC peacock on the dome. Keep the classic look of the field. Throwbacks and helmets that identify with the "tradition" of ND (shamrock, leprechaun on helmet) are alright with me, once in a while. A little AC/DC instead of a 15 person pep band playing a sharp version of Irish Backs in the far corner of the stadium is ok by me too.

Our spirit is our tradition. THAT will never change.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Just learned the CEO of Sprint is a ND Grad. Didn't know that prior.

 

[kmoose]

Just learned the CEO of Sprint is a ND Grad. Didn't know that prior.

As is the CEO of Bank of America; Brian Moynihan, ND Class of 1985.

 

[CarrollVermin]

I graduated in the late 1990's. Here is my two cents on tradition and tradition changes:

1. Absolutely need a jumbotron. That this is even up for discussion is a joke. It adds to the stadium experience (replays, etc.) and can be tastefully done so as not to upset the "veteran" fan base in the stadium.

2. All for the music in the stadium...so long as they can mix it up and play it at appropriate times. It would also be helpful to have a recording of the Victory March for those occassions when we score near the end of the half when the band has started to line up for their halftime show.

3. Big on Fieldturf. We practice on it, and it allows for greater traction and footing. My concern would be injuries and rate of knee injuries suffered by our athletes as they cut on a more solid surface.

4. Eliminate post-practice coach interviews. It takes up their time and the questions get so repetitive that they don't serve much of a purpose.

5. Inside Notre Dame Football should be taped immediately after the game is played instead of the current Sunday set up. This is common among most programs. There is no need to take up coach's time while they need to either film study or meet with recruits to film a segment for the show. Again, takes the coach away from what needs to be done.

6. Eliminate Friday Luncheon. I know its a tradition, but what purpose does it really serve?

7. The pep rally can stay, but only if they move them back the JACC. They have lost all of their flavor on the Irish Green and don't really serve a purpose right now other than giving the fan an opportunity to hear the captains speak.

8. The helmet and uniform variations are fine with me. They allow for "swag" and give the athlete an extra jersey to keep at the end of the year. Just don't do anything crazy with them.

9. I do not mind the off-site game, but keep them in the states. There is no reason to go and play in Ireland next year. Sure it may be a recruiting benefit, but don't see that as a major selling point in the grand scheme of things. It does give alumni access who may not be able to make it to ND on a yearly basis, and allows for regional recruiting on those trips.

10. Stop opening with Michigan and Michigan State to start the year in games two and three. We need to morph into a more traditional schedule and start with MAC or CUSA teams like most other BCS schools and allow the team to get their timing and identity before entering the "meat" of their schedule.

That is about all I can think of right now. I know that there is more, but for the most part, these are the bigger things on campus. Give Kelly time to be the coach, and eliminate the other distractions that come with the job that are necessary only because we are Notre Dame. Those end up stretching the coach too thin and keep him from doing what he was brought to do...win games.

 

[returnofthemack]

I graduated in the late 1990's. Here is my two cents on tradition and tradition changes:

1. Absolutely need a jumbotron. That this is even up for discussion is a joke. It adds to the stadium experience (replays, etc.) and can be tastefully done so as not to upset the "veteran" fan base in the stadium.

2. All for the music in the stadium...so long as they can mix it up and play it at appropriate times. It would also be helpful to have a recording of the Victory March for those occassions when we score near the end of the half when the band has started to line up for their halftime show.

3. Big on Fieldturf. We practice on it, and it allows for greater traction and footing. My concern would be injuries and rate of knee injuries suffered by our athletes as they cut on a more solid surface.

4. Eliminate post-practice coach interviews. It takes up their time and the questions get so repetitive that they don't serve much of a purpose.

5. Inside Notre Dame Football should be taped immediately after the game is played instead of the current Sunday set up. This is common among most programs. There is no need to take up coach's time while they need to either film study or meet with recruits to film a segment for the show. Again, takes the coach away from what needs to be done.

6. Eliminate Friday Luncheon. I know its a tradition, but what purpose does it really serve?

7. The pep rally can stay, but only if they move them back the JACC. They have lost all of their flavor on the Irish Green and don't really serve a purpose right now other than giving the fan an opportunity to hear the captains speak.

8. The helmet and uniform variations are fine with me. They allow for "swag" and give the athlete an extra jersey to keep at the end of the year. Just don't do anything crazy with them.

9. I do not mind the off-site game, but keep them in the states. There is no reason to go and play in Ireland next year. Sure it may be a recruiting benefit, but don't see that as a major selling point in the grand scheme of things. It does give alumni access who may not be able to make it to ND on a yearly basis, and allows for regional recruiting on those trips.

10. Stop opening with Michigan and Michigan State to start the year in games two and three. We need to morph into a more traditional schedule and start with MAC or CUSA teams like most other BCS schools and allow the team to get their timing and identity before entering the "meat" of their schedule.

That is about all I can think of right now. I know that there is more, but for the most part, these are the bigger things on campus. Give Kelly time to be the coach, and eliminate the other distractions that come with the job that are necessary only because we are Notre Dame. Those end up stretching the coach too thin and keep him from doing what he was brought to do...win games.

I agree with most of these, especially the one regarding the pep rally. The pep rallies on Irish Green are an over-commercialized travesty. Students rarely go to them because they are so lame. The only reason they hold them on the Irish Green are to get more business for the Eddy Street Commons and to sell more merchandise (closer to bookstore and there's a tent). It's pathetic and creates literally no "pep". I wasn't a huge fan of the JACC pep rallies but they were much better than the Irish Green. But by far the best pep rally I went to was the students/players/band only rally in 2009 at the Stepan Center before the Michigan game. That was the first time I was legitimately amped up for the game (except for when Lou came to give a speech during the 2008 Michigan pep rally at the JACC). What I would like is for them to keep having the Irish Green rallies for the older alums/visitors/etc. and then the players go to the Stepan Center for a later, students-only pep rally. That way, the players would actually get pumped up, and so would the students.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

To steal a line from Micheal Douglas, "Traditionalists have no intention of solving your problems. Traditionalists are interested in telling you two things, and two things only, and that's what you have to fear, and who'se to blame for it."

So awesome.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I graduated in the late 1990's. Here is my two cents on tradition and tradition changes:
10. Stop opening with Michigan and Michigan State to start the year in games two and three. We need to morph into a more traditional schedule and start with MAC or CUSA teams like most other BCS schools and allow the team to get their timing and identity before entering the "meat" of their schedule..

Also agree with this. Although you risk stacking up some really tough games later in the schedule, it gives the team a chance to work things out. MSU does it, going with OSU, Michigan, Wisco, and Nebraska all in a row starting at like their 4th game of the season.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Also agree with this. Although you risk stacking up some really tough games later in the schedule, it gives the team a chance to work things out. MSU does it, going with OSU, Michigan, Wisco, and Nebraska all in a row starting at like their 4th game of the season.

there is a lack of confidence in this statement. they are playing US at the exact same time! we are also THEIR 2nd and 3rd games.

they should not want to play US that early. thats what kelly is trying to build. we are the fighting irish.

and to quote dropkick murphy's "a warrior's code"

You're the fighter you've got the fire
The spirit of a warrior, the champion's heart
You fight for your life because the fighter never quits
You make the most of the hand you're dealt
Because the quitter never wins
No!

our schedule is extremely difficult. every. year. even the cupcake teams give us their best. and over the past few years, yes, their best was better than whatever it was we did versus tulsa or navy or syracuse or whatever else.

but, we need to punch these teams in the mouth, never back down, and continue to schedule thee best competition in the land. i dont want nd to be in a discussion like we have about boise state--do they belong, etc.--and if we happen to play central michigan or even worse, eastern michigan, we better put up 60 and keep them off the board until the 3 deep gets in in the 4th.

whew! ok.....i'm calm....

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

there is a lack of confidence in this statement. they are playing US at the exact same time! we are also THEIR 2nd and 3rd games.

they should not want to play US that early. thats what kelly is trying to build. we are the fighting irish.

and to quote dropkick murphy's "a warrior's code"

You're the fighter you've got the fire
The spirit of a warrior, the champion's heart
You fight for your life because the fighter never quits
You make the most of the hand you're dealt
Because the quitter never wins
No!

our schedule is extremely difficult. every. year. even the cupcake teams give us their best. and over the past few years, yes, their best was better than whatever it was we did versus tulsa or navy or syracuse or whatever else.

but, we need to punch these teams in the mouth, never back down, and continue to schedule thee best competition in the land. i dont want nd to be in a discussion like we have about boise state--do they belong, etc.--and if we happen to play central michigan or even worse, eastern michigan, we better put up 60 and keep them off the board until the 3 deep gets in in the 4th.

whew! ok.....i'm calm....

So I should clarify, that this is exactly my point. Our schedule is tough, but most upper tier teams schedule easier games at the beginning of the schedule. I understand we are ND and that other teams shouldn't want to play us this early. All the more reason to not have our tougher games in the beginning of the season. The other team has the same mentality.

Alabama's 1st 3 games - Kent State, Penn State, North Texas.
USC 1st 3 games - Minnesota, Utah, Syracuse.
Wisconsin 1st 3 games - UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois.

It is a win-win for both good teams to play later in the season, at least not 2nd or 3rd game. Both teams have incentive to do this, and most teams do. And ND is already starting to do this in 2013, when we start with Temple, then Umich, then Purdue and MSU. 2014 we go Purdue, Michigan, Syracuse and Temple.

 

[kmoose]

10. Stop opening with Michigan and Michigan State to start the year in games two and three. We need to morph into a more traditional schedule and start with MAC or CUSA teams like most other BCS schools and allow the team to get their timing and identity before entering the "meat" of their schedule.

Absolutely NOT!! This is one of those "changes" that would fly in the face of the ideals upon which the Notre Dame mystique is built: We want to beat the best, to be the best.

Adding MAC and CUSA teams to the front end of the schedule is not playing the best. I can live with playing Michigan and Michigan State later, but then we would have to play BC, USC, Navy, etc., early. In some years, that would be even worse than playing Michigan and Michigan State.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Also agree with this. Although you risk stacking up some really tough games later in the schedule, it gives the team a chance to work things out. MSU does it, going with OSU, Michigan, Wisco, and Nebraska all in a row starting at like their 4th game of the season.

So I should clarify, that this is exactly my point. Our schedule is tough, but most upper tier teams schedule easier games at the beginning of the schedule. I understand we are ND and that other teams shouldn't want to play us this early. All the more reason to not have our tougher games in the beginning of the season. The other team has the same mentality.

Alabama's 1st 3 games - Kent State, Penn State, North Texas.
USC 1st 3 games - Minnesota, Utah, Syracuse.
Wisconsin 1st 3 games - UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois.

It is a win-win for both good teams to play later in the season, at least not 2nd or 3rd game. Both teams have incentive to do this, and most teams do. And ND is already starting to do this in 2013, when we start with Temple, then Umich, then Purdue and MSU. 2014 we go Purdue, Michigan, Syracuse and Temple.

yes, wakeup, we are pretty much saying the same thing, differently.

does it benefit a program to have a cake walk into the schedule? yes.
has a "cake game" benefitted notre dame recently, even if its only the first game? no.
i say, we shouldnt be making any arguments about "easing into our schedule". we should come out swinging and make them feel the fight.
as far as the point about "learning who we are"--i just dont buy that.

would you rather go against state or u of m in late october or november with usc and stanford?

also, don't sleep on temple. thats a good football team.

by 2014, teams will be nervous to face us. count on that. it wont matter who. we will have such a swagger...seriously, remember this post.

 

[midnightrider28]

I say we back up the Mich and Mich State games back 1 game. Open up with a more slack Div 1 opponent then a slightly more challenging team then go Mich and Mich State. Also BREAK OUT THE GREEN JERSEYS MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Patulski]

I consider ND Stadium to be the equivalent of Augusta National Golf Club. What new traditions have they implemented?

 

[jason_h537]

I consider ND Stadium to be the equivalent of Augusta National Golf Club. What new traditions have they implemented?

Pretty sure Augusta has made several changes to the course over the years. I know they don't allow women in so that's traditional I suppose.