2011 Opponents

[DomeX2 eNVy]

Who will be the toughest team to beat next year?
Right now, it doesn't look like as tough a schedule - but as we learned this year, you never know who will do what.

South Florida - Skip Holtz
Michigan - who will be coach, but they got our number lately
Michigan State - will they be as good next year, game at ND
Pittsburgh - new coach, big unknowns here
Purdue - just don't overlook them
Air Force - tricky offense
USC - after our bye week at home, but they still have a ton of skills
Navy - REVENGE!!! I can't believe I have to say that
Wake Forest - "acamademics" battle
Maryland - neutral site, new coach
Boston College - always tough
Stanford - Harbaugh?? Can they be as good without Luck?

I can honestly see ND beating all these teams, but I'm doubtful that would happen with injuries, let downs, random acts of nature, fake field goals, etc.

I think Navy could be tough to bounce back if we beat USC and are ranked - which I think will happen. I'm going with Navy as toughest to beat. (I'm sure my mind will change throughout a debate, but that's where I'm starting.)

 

[FMA]

I think ND will be +2 in the win colum with 10 wins. Maybe 11 wins including a bowl victory. I also think Crist will have to beat out Rees for QB next year.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

South Florida could be a trap game. Skip has them playin well, and will for sure be up for ND.

Michigan- I think we take them out. I feel like RR is out, otherwise a bone-head decision on lettling the speculation go this long. Either way, we have a defense to stop Denard.

MSU- Tough game

Pitt- Win.

Purdue- Danny Hope needs a big season. They will be tough it wont dont bring out A game

AF- Get us read for Navy. Should win

SC- The streak begins.

Navy- Dobbs is gone. Not even close. ND rolls

Wake- Win. just gotta show up and play solid.

Maryland- If leach gets the job, the offense will be good.

BC- 3-0 and those tube steaks get put back where they belong.

Stanford- Could be a very very very big game.

All winnable, but who knows. 9 wins plus bowl win is the minimum.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Who will be the toughest team to beat next year?
Right now, it doesn't look like as tough a schedule - but as we learned this year, you never know who will do what.

South Florida - Skip Holtz
Michigan - who will be coach, but they got our number lately
Michigan State - will they be as good next year, game at ND
Pittsburgh - new coach, big unknowns here
Purdue - just don't overlook them
Air Force - tricky offense
USC - after our bye week at home, but they still have a ton of skills
Navy - REVENGE!!! I can't believe I have to say that
Wake Forest - "acamademics" battle
Maryland - neutral site, new coach
Boston College - always tough
Stanford - Harbaugh?? Can they be as good without Luck?

I can honestly see ND beating all these teams, but I'm doubtful that would happen with injuries, let downs, random acts of nature, fake field goals, etc.

I think Navy could be tough to bounce back if we beat USC and are ranked - which I think will happen. I'm going with Navy as toughest to beat. (I'm sure my mind will change throughout a debate, but that's where I'm starting.)

USF-Will not be an easy game...Skip Holtz will have those kids jacked up and they destroyed Clemson today(Good day for Lou today, especially if USC wins tonight)...USF has talent.
SCUM-Will be a tough to go up there and beat them...They have talent.
MSU-Kurt Cousins is a good QB, but we should win
Pitt-At their place will be tough, because it's a road game and the Mike Heywood connection
Purdue-We should win this game, but we have to watch out for Robert Marve.
AirForce-Tough offense to defend, we should win though.
USC-IMO the toughest game on our schedule. They will want revenge, they have a ton I mean a ton of talent and Barkley will be the best QB in the nation.
NavyThey have our number now...
Wake ForestWe should roll in this one
MarylandThey have athletes, but we should roll in this one also.
BCHonestly I know they get up for us, but we should roll
StanfordI think this we be a tough game, but we should win in a close one.

 

[NDinMich]

Lets not forget Navy beat ND without Ricky Dobbs, they can beat ND without him. I've heard their incumbent QB is quite good too. Who knows 2 or 3 more years of torture from the Middies?

Seems to me, being in Michigan, RR is going to keep his job. Unless, UM gets embarrassed in their bowl game, he'll be the HC in 2011. Why would they keep him on after getting beat bad by OSU and the debacle at the banquet? DC is gone for sure though.

Finally, I've learned in these past few years never to try to predict a season or the strenght/weakness of a schedule before it plays out. Remember all the talk of ND's "easy" schedule before this year? It sounds cliched to say it but every game for ND is tough, ND seems to get everyone's best effort (except for Miami in the first half today!). Call me negative or whatever you want but I could see any of those teams beating ND and vice versa.

 

[GreatGolson]

due to the generous amount of kool aid (and other liquids) in my body. ill go with 10-2 and an undeserved BCS bid

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

We could be damn good. Michigan State, Stanford, USC, and Michigan stand out.

We aren't losing to Navy. We'll crush them. That's my biggest guarantee of the season. We need to re-establish dominance over them.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

We could be damn good. Michigan State, Stanford, USC, and Michigan stand out.

As does South Florida, they are a very very tough game to open the season with.

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

As does South Florida, they are a very very tough game to open the season with.

Lou just had a funny. He said he was going to pick an UPSET. He said he'll pick ND and that will upset his wife.

 

[Anchorman]

We aren't losing to Navy. We'll crush them. That's my biggest guarantee of the season. We need to re-establish dominance over them.

I've heard this for three years without much change

As said, Dobbs successor is looking very good. In limited action he averaged 9.5 YPC and his lone start was a 201 yard performance.

Will be a good game as usual.

I'll say 9-3 but could range from 6-6 to 11-1 with a very long shot at 12-0.

 

[Fan of the Irish]

USF and USC will be our toughest games (IMO). If we keep progressing the way we have and can keep Floyd and Rudolph, I think we can definately go undefeated.

 

[kmoose]

USF and USC will be our toughest games (IMO). If we keep progressing the way we have and can keep Floyd and Rudolph, I think we can definately go undefeated.

Aren't you overlooking Stanford?

 

[Fan of the Irish]

Aren't you overlooking Stanford?

I think Harbaugh goes to the NFL as does Luck, so I don't think they will be what they have been the last couple of years.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Aren't you overlooking Stanford?

I believe Stanford has like 11 seniors leaving, and something like 6 of them are 5th year. Thats alot to lose and still be a dominant as this year. Plus if Luck leaves thats another. With all that Harby may go too. I still think they'll be tough.

 

[Anchorman]

Which brings up a good point. Far too many unknowns with regard to things like Pitt + Haywood's situation, Luck and Harbaugh's future, Floyd/Rudolph, QB battle, etc. etc. for a real solid prediction.

 

[jason_h537]

If Harbaugh stays put, Stanford is gonna be a bitch. MSU and BC are always tough. We will just have to wait and see. lets finish up this recruiting class 1st

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

Which brings up a good point. Far too many unknowns with regard to things like Pitt + Haywood's situation, Luck and Harbaugh's future, Floyd/Rudolph, QB battle, etc. etc. for a real solid prediction.

Of course you are 100% correct. But isn't it fun to think of 2011 after today? Still 8 months until the next game - we need something to argue about.

Looks like:
MSU, USC, Navy, Stanford, and USF are causing the most early heartburn. No Skunkbears?

 

[choo choo]

i think the schedule is pretty tough...im guessing 9-3 or 8-4

 

[Riddickulous]

Michigan, for a variety of reasons...

1. It's early in the year
2. It's in the Big House
3. If we don't have Michael Floyd or Kyle Rudolph, there may be some trouble finding playmakers

 

[IrishAlum1997]

BC- 3-0 and those tube steaks get put back where they belong.

QUOTE]

Boston College Tube Steaks. Hi-rar-ious.