Way too early top 25 from ESPN

[NDinFL]

How is that bashing the team's offensive capabilities? The fact is, our offense was awful against every good defense we faced. Even MSU, our offense wasn't very good. If not for GAIII and Blanton, who knows what could have happened. Bama has a better defense than any of the teams we faced this year, by a large margin. FSU's defensive rankings are close, but their competition wasn't as stiff (and even then, we only scored 7 points against FSU, thanks to an incredible effort from Floyd to wrestle away what should have been an easy interception). When I said, ND's offense would score negative points, I thought it was pretty obvious that it was a tongue-in-cheek remark. But it takes no stretch of the mind to assume that ND would be shut out by Bama, and it is not "bashing the offensive capabilities".

Fair enough.

Just so use to the negative nancy or (realism) as it's called...

I took it as: it's impossible to score negative points, but ND's offense IS SO BAD (how bad is it??) we'd score negative points against Alabama!

 

[returnofthemack]

haha yeah, I can see how it could easily be construed that way.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I'd also like to point out that Whiskeyjack is on pace for 5,500+ comments in a single year. That is epic.

This has to be an IE record, right?

Check with GD93, some of us were around here for that guy.....or kid, not sure, but damn that dude could post all day.

 

[Pachuco]

Top 25 or not, if we play focused and up to our current potential, minimize our turnovers and redzone deficiencies, see improvement in our young secondary, select a primary quarterback (hopefully Golson or Hendrix), and make better coaching decisions, the final record will not upset me. There will be ups and downs.

2013 is the year for great success. 2012 is preparing to handle the pressure of those legitimate expectations.

We must beat Michigan this year. That is the only game where I could see myself losing perspective on our present development. MICHIGAN MUST FALL.

 

[Irish YJ]

Got to love playing 2,5,9,11, and 17.....
If I hear one person say we have a soft schedule next year, I'm going to .....

 

[South Bend Fighting Irish]

The only two teams in that top three category that belong are LSU and Alabama.

USC is a young team that has lots of talent (I hate to say that...alot) but, it is way to early to say that team is top 3 material, let alone top 10 material.

Two is too high, just like the guy who ranked them up there.

Even with that young team, there's not a chance USC would ever be able to compete with the SEC West, USC has enough trouble as it is with Oregon taking over the Pac-12. Both LSU and especially Bama's defense would eat Barkley alive. Saban and Miles have built an all around better program on all sides of the ball better than Lane Kiffin has.

Not to mention the low blow that was delivered to their line when Kalil left, is going to greatly effect their deep threat pass game, which seemed to save their asses alot last season.

 

[BGIF]

Which is why I keep my post count relatively low ... and in the Leprechaun Lounge for the most part.

And we thank you!

 

[nlroma1o]

I dont care what happens next season as long as we beat scUM. I dont give a **** about a BCS bowl. I just want to whoop the shyte outta those SOBs.... i mentally cannot recover from another asnine loss to those mother ******s

 

[Grahambo]

The only two teams in that top three category that belong are LSU and Alabama.

USC is a young team that has lots of talent (I hate to say that...alot) but, it is way to early to say that team is top 3 material, let alone top 10 material.

Two is too high, just like the guy who ranked them up there.

Even with that young team, there's not a chance USC would ever be able to compete with the SEC West, USC has enough trouble as it is with Oregon taking over the Pac-12. Both LSU and especially Bama's defense would eat Barkley alive. Saban and Miles have built an all around better program on all sides of the ball better than Lane Kiffin has.

Not to mention the low blow that was delivered to their line when Kalil left, is going to greatly effect their deep threat pass game, which seemed to save their asses alot last season.

They are ranked high because Matt Barkley is still on the team. If you took Barkley away, I bet they would land somewhere in the 15-20 range.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Well then, thank the good Lord we've got you and Acamp here to preach to us how dumb we are to go all in on our team. I feel I'm now a better person for having seen the two of you post about how mediocre we're going to be and preach it as gospel.

Pretty sure you misunderstood my statements if that's what you're taking from them. Both of my comments were about this season's squad. Yes, they were an average team. They COULD HAVE been a great team, but there were too many problems (turnovers, st, etc). I said that IF those problems are not corrected, we'll see the same result. What is wrong w/ that statement? There's nothing wrong with being a fan and having high expectations each year, but at least be realistic. I have extremely high expectations for this defense. As far as every other aspect, I'm in wait and see mode.

 

[South Bend Fighting Irish]

They are ranked high because Matt Barkley is still on the team. If you took Barkley away, I bet they would land somewhere in the 15-20 range.

That's still not even a good reason to rank them in the top three.

I'm not even slightly convinced that USC has established a better power run game then we have, the only game USC looked good running the ball was against us because our entire defense played poorly. All Barkley has to throw to now is woods, USC just lost basically their whole WR corps.

No way is he a top five quarterback, that's a joke....

 

[Whiskeyjack]

That's still not even a good reason to rank them in the top three, All Barkley has to throw to now is woods. USC just lost basically their whole WR corps.

Their top 2 WRs-- Woods and Lee-- are returning. Since they only play 2 at a time, USC's passing attack should be even better next year.

No way is he a top five quarterback, that's a joke....

Vegas disagrees with you. Barkley currently offers the best odds of winning the Heisman next year.

 

[irishff1014]

Their top 2 WRs-- Woods and Lee-- are returning. Since they only play 2 at a time, USC's passing attack should be even better next year.



Vegas disagrees with you. Barkley currently offers the best odds of winning the Heisman next year.

I have to Agree with you on this. Barkley is going to be a heisman candidate next year.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Barkley is the best QB in the nation, and he's going to win the Heisman and go #1 overall.

They are returning almost their entire defense.

Robert Woods is the best wide receiver in the country.

Lee, Farmer, and Grimble are all young and will be much improved.

USC is the best team in the country.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I have to Agree with you on this. Barkley is going to be a heisman candidate next year.

He should have been a Heisman finalist this year, but people didn't pay attention because USC was on probation.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Barkley is the best QB in the nation, and he's going to win the Heisman and go #1 overall.

They are returning almost their entire defense.

Robert Woods is the best wide receiver in the country.

Lee, Farmer, and Grimble are all young and will be much improved.

USC is the best team in the country.

I agree, they just have to stay healthy because they don't have depth.

 

[gkIrish]

That's still not even a good reason to rank them in the top three.

I'm not even slightly convinced that USC has established a better power run game then we have, the only game USC looked good running the ball was against us because our entire defense played poorly. All Barkley has to throw to now is woods, USC just lost basically their whole WR corps.

No way is he a top five quarterback, that's a joke....

Blatantly biased. Matt Barkley is a fantastic quarterback. I've seen him play in person and many times on tv. He was a consensus top-10 pick if he declared this year. Lee and Woods are significantly better receivers than anyone who has played a game for Notre Dame and will be returning next year (Riddick, Jones, Toma, maybe Goodman).

 

[South Bend Fighting Irish]

Their top 2 WRs-- Woods and Lee-- are returning. Since they only play 2 at a time, USC's passing attack should be even better next year.



Vegas disagrees with you. Barkley currently offers the best odds of winning the Heisman next year.

How do you figure their pass attack will improve next year? Kalil was their best tackle and he's gone, that's a weakspot in their OL and I bet barkley won't have as much time in the pocket as he did last season.

Carswell Graudated, Prater left, Butler left, Carlisle is transfering here.

Never said Woods wasn't a great reciever, that's why I mentioned him. Woods is without a doubt top three material. But he's going to be the only guy barkley can throw too, besides Lee.

Ha! So what if Vegas disagrees with me, "Vegas" said Boise State was going to the NC last year, what's your point?

Barkley is the best QB in the nation, and he's going to win the Heisman and go #1 overall.

They are returning almost their entire defense.

Robert Woods is the best wide receiver in the country.

Lee, Farmer, and Grimble are all young and will be much improved.

USC is the best team in the country.

I'll believe it when I see it...

 

[ACamp1900]

On USC... I would say the passing game is legit... seriously so... aside from that the other units are lacking depth, still young or really not that impressive to begin with...

USC will be a very interesting team next year... but i don't know if i buy Barkley and two WR's carrying them to a serious BCS title run... and if Barkley goes down again, forget any major bowl at all...

time will tell.

 

[mriguy]

As a ND fan I cant help but to have expectations and I do expect to win every game. I am not built to think we will lose or we cant win. I love drinking the Kool-aid and I get excited every week so I can watch my beloved Irish. I will be upset after a lose for a few hours and then look forward to the ND hype for the next week!

Just have to add this- I took my daughter to her first ND game this year and its was one of the happiest days in my life. On New Years Eve we all went around the room asking about their most memorable moments and she said it was going to ND with her Dad. It was the best time of her life she said as tears streamed down my face. That my friends is what life is all about!!! Nd is always #1 in our poll at the Allen house!

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

I wouldnt be surprised if Bama was nailed with sanctions this summer... but just enough to suspend players for 1 or 2 games, long enough to let the scum beat them...would it work out and different for the skunkbears?!

 

[ThePiombino]

I wouldnt be surprised if Bama was nailed with sanctions this summer... but just enough to suspend players for 1 or 2 games, long enough to let the scum beat them...would it work out and different for the skunkbears?!

Source?

 

[Grahambo]

Morris Claiborne of LSU is leaving early and so is:

Bruce Feldman @BFeldmanCBS 27m

RT @ClayTravisBGID Per @ChaseGoodbread Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, & Dont'A Hightower will all leave for NFL today.

 

[irishog77]

Morris Claiborne of LSU is leaving early and so is:

Bruce Feldman @BFeldmanCBS 27m

RT @ClayTravisBGID Per @ChaseGoodbread Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, & Dont'A Hightower will all leave for NFL today.

Guess this already kills Petros Snuffalafugus' prediction that Trent will win the Heisman in 2012. That's gotta hurt-- maybe the shortest time ever for a prediction to be proven wrong.

 

[PANDFAN]

14Notre Dame Fighting IrishCommits:18ESPNU150 Commits:5 Top Prospect:Justin Ferguson

anyone see this??? oh espn!!!

 

[NDPhilly]

Morris Claiborne of LSU is leaving early and so is:

Bruce Feldman @BFeldmanCBS 27m

RT @ClayTravisBGID Per @ChaseGoodbread Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, & Dont'A Hightower will all leave for NFL today.

Yuri Wright reminds me a lot of Dre Kirkpatrick coming out of HS. Dre was a little more polished but there size and athletic ability are about identical to each other.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

I wouldnt be surprised if Bama was nailed with sanctions this summer... but just enough to suspend players for 1 or 2 games, long enough to let the scum beat them...would it work out and different for the skunkbears?!

And so the Skunkbear luck begins as 3 Bama underclassman declare for draft today, including Richardson. I mean you'd think Barkley or Landry would have delcared, at least 1...its just comical how much seems to be going their way these days! Hate em'

 

[NDTampa]

And so the Skunkbear luck begins as 3 Bama underclassman declare for draft today, including Richardson. I mean you'd think Barkley or Landry would have delcared, at least 1...its just comical how much seems to be going their way these days! Hate em'

I hate them too. I am still hearing about crap from September 10. I am not worried about Alabama's team. Yeah they lost some great players but they recruit so well I'm sure there will be a bunch of fast linebackers and DB's out there when they play.

Also as far as Running Backs are concerned their back up was pretty solid against a great LSU defense.

Here is to Alabama giving scUM a thrashing in September!!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

'Bama is one of the few teams that truly just reloads every year.

Really looking forward to watching their ungodly defense break Denard Robinson in half, you guys.

 

[GUknights75]

'Bama is one of the few teams that truly just reloads every year.

Just amazing how they go from having 12 Two star commits and 4 Four stars in 2005 to 3 Five stars and 17 Four stars in 2008 and they haven't stopped.