What is an acceptable record in 2012?

[LuckyDomer]

Logan Thomas.

With Hendrix at quarterback, Notre Dame outscored the #6 team in the country 14-7.

I may get beat for this but I wasn't expecting to beat Stanford. Was I hoping, hell yeah, but realistically with our scattered play this year I didn't see it happening. Many writers have been dogging ND's play against Stanford but I saw a lot of good things. In the 1st quarter, our D held a heisman candidate, possibly future #1 pick and his offense to a touchdown and 2 Defensive stops. And in the 2nd half to one touchdown and 7 Defensive stops. I think that is pretty darn good. If it wasnt' for the 2nd quarter break down, it would have possibly been a game. I think it has been a trend all year long, of our Defense playing out of their minds until our Offense can't return the favor and then it seems as if our Defense breaks down a little bit.

Anyways, I am super excited to see our Defense and Offense w/ Hendrix in a bowl game and next year. Even with a disappointing loss to Stanford and other games this year I've seen a lot of promising things for the future.... I can definitely see a 9-3 (10-3 w/ bowl) season next year

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Many writers have been dogging ND's play against Stanford but I saw a lot of good things. In the 1st quarter, our D held a heisman candidate, possibly future #1 pick and his offense to a touchdown and 2 Defensive stops. And in the 2nd half to one touchdown and 7 Defensive stops. I think that is pretty darn good. If it wasnt' for the 2nd quarter break down, it would have possibly been a game. I think it has been a trend all year long, of our Defense playing out of their minds until our Offense can't return the favor and then it seems as if our Defense breaks down a little bit.

We were the only team this year to hold Stanford under 30 points. As you (and Coach Kelly) said, the offense simply didn't make the crucial plays to make it a game down the stretch.

Three turnovers in Stanford territory, and it may as well have been four with the bad pass to Riddick and the ensuing Ruffer miss (even though you don't beat Stanford with 20-yard field goals anyway).

 

[FOTY977]

9-3 with losses to MSU, scUM, and OU.

Start out dramatically, 2-2 dropping rivalry games we're supposed to win causing severe case of "here we go again". Unlike this year though, we actually step up coming off the bye and make a statement against the U, then roll on to drop only one more-- close one at Oklahoma's homecoming.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Also, I do think that there is a chance that Hendrix will be less mistake-prone than Tommy or Dayne. There is no way to know that for sure, obviously, but I just think it is a lot easier to make mistakes with the ball in the air. Hendrix will have the ability to pull the ball down and use his feet when he doesn't like what he sees down the field, so hopefully that will lead to less forces into coverage and less turnovers.

I hope that's the case; in theory, Hendrix's ability to run should open up Kelly's playbook considerably and prevent opposing defenses from selling out against the pass. Rees' lack of athleticism put us at a huge schematic disadvantage, which made things much more difficult for our offense.

With Hendrix at quarterback, Notre Dame outscored the #6 team in the country 14-7.

That last TD came in trash time with Stanford in a Prevent defense. If they had maintained the same mix of pressures, the end score would probably have been 28-7; Hendrix didn't do a good job of escaping their blitzes or hitting his hot routes.

I'm not arguing that Hendrix can't succeed. He's just very unlikely to lead us to the BCS in light of his inexperience.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I have no freaking idea; ND football is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I don't from game to game if I will see the team that beat MSU, the team that choked against scUM, the team that barley beat Pitt or the team that got thrashed by U$C.
Until I see them play consistently week in and week out I have no idea how we are going to decide who we are going to beat.
In addition there are just WAAAAAYY to many question marks that need to be answered.

 

[ACSlaterJeans]

Let's start with not being #118 in punt returns.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Logan Thomas.

With Hendrix at quarterback, Notre Dame outscored the #6 team in the country 14-7.

I'll one up you. Darren Thomas (2010).

There's no reason Hendrix or whoever is playing can't have a great year.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Have you seen the schedule? 7-5 would be acceptable and is probable. With a bowl win. We aren't going to be much better next year with the schedule and minus Floyd, Te'o, Hayseed, Trob and most likely Eifert too.

Next year = this year.

Most likely Eifert? You know something we dont?

 

[BeauBenken]

I will say, I don't see why everyone acts like it is fact that Eifert and Te'o leave.

 

[irishff1014]

I hope that's the case; in theory, Hendrix's ability to run should open up Kelly's playbook considerably and prevent opposing defenses from selling out against the pass. Rees' lack of athleticism put us at a huge schematic disadvantage, which made things much more difficult for our offense.



That last TD came in trash time with Stanford in a Prevent defense. If they had maintained the same mix of pressures, the end score would probably have been 28-7; Hendrix didn't do a good job of escaping their blitzes or hitting his hot routes.

I'm not arguing that Hendrix can't succeed. He's just very unlikely to lead us to the BCS in light of his inexperience.

He will get us farther the Rees ever will

 

[irishff1014]

One thing that i think wold be niceto see in the redzone is Daniels 6'3", Koyack 6'5", Eifert 6'6" and Toma 5'9" with Wood or GAIII in the back field. That is mismatch city.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

One thing that i think wold be niceto see in the redzone is Daniels 6'3", Koyack 6'5", Eifert 6'6" and Toma 5'9" with Wood or GAIII in the back field. That is mismatch city.

Never saw the measurements written down, that definetly makes me feel better about next year. Also, add the fact that Hendrix (if he is the starter) will also add atleast 10 lbs of somewhat lean muscle over the next year. He'll a threat to take it to the house inside the 10 yard line, so im sure he'll occupy someone creating another mismatch

 

[returnofthemack]

I will say, I don't see why everyone acts like it is fact that Eifert and Te'o leave.

Murphy's law has been applicable to pretty much every part of ND football this year, so why stop now?

 

[returnofthemack]

Just to clarify so that I don't get berated, I don't think they will leave and fervently hope that they don't - I'm just saying, that's the rationale that would lead to people predicting that outcome.

 

[PJWhitfield]

I think we're overlooking something. The 2012 schedule offers Notre Dame the easiest start -- Navy and Purdue -- since BK arrived. That should help the Irish tune up for MSU and Michigan, especially if the Irish are going with a new QB. Next year could be a better year than many people expect.

 

[IrishLax]

I don't think Te'o played well enough to leave... he'd probably be a second or third round pick right now. But I wonder how much twittergate might influence things.

Eifert will be interesting to watch because he could/should be a 1st round pick after another year. I don't think he will leave, but he very well may cash in now because he's a likely 3rd/4th round pick as it stands and that's not bad for a TE.

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

I don't think Te'o played well enough to leave... he'd probably be a second or third round pick right now. But I wonder how much twittergate might influence things.

Eifert will be interesting to watch because he could/should be a 1st round pick after another year. I don't think he will leave, but he very well may cash in now because he's a likely 3rd/4th round pick as it stands and that's not bad for a TE.

Most mock drafts that I have seen project Te'o as a top 15 pick.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

He's currently 13th on both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's respective big boards.

Most coaches recommend you go if you're projected in the top half of the first round. That's right about where Manti is right now, but with the changes to the rookie salary scale I think it's a little less of a certainty now. Plus Manti has always made his own decisions and the big board has never been the sole factor in his life.

 

[BeauBenken]

Seriously, Te'o has said he won't leave til he has that degree. Unless he's way ahead of schedule or something, by his own word, he should be back.

 

[phork]

Seriously, Te'o has said he won't leave til he has that degree. Unless he's way ahead of schedule or something, by his own word, he should be back.

Clinton said he did not have sexual relations with that woman.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

He's currently 13th on both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's respective big boards.

Most coaches recommend you go if you're projected in the top half of the first round. That's right about where Manti is right now, but with the changes to the rookie salary scale I think it's a little less of a certainty now. Plus Manti has always made his own decisions and the big board has never been the sole factor in his life.

He'd be crazy not to go, even if he slips to the second round. The window to strike while the iron is hot in the NFL is only a year or two, the window to get a college degree is decades.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I think the simple fact that he hasn't shot down the idea of going pro yet means it's being heavily considered. I think he goes and Eifert stays.

 

[Veer option]

If I was Teo and saw what happened to Jonas, the upcoming bowl game would be my last in the Blue and Gold.



BOT: Considering the deep challenges next years team will face, losing experienced OL, DL, the entire secondary and the best WR in Notre Dame history. Anything between 6-8 wins is comfortable for me.

 

[koonja]

The real question is how bad we might be in 2013 if Rees decides to go pro after his junior year.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

9-3, just add 1 win per year.

 

[BeauBenken]

Clinton said he did not have sexual relations with that woman.

Has Te'o been asking you how you define a degree?

 

[irishtrinity]

10+
I really just want to stay ranked...