2012 Season--Optimistic?

[NDinL.A.]

I definately see what you're saying but MSU is losing way more offensive fire power than us. They lose Cousins, Cunningham, and Baker. Thats pretty much their whole offense. I think MSU has a down year next year

* ND QB vs. MSU QB - both probably green, and all we're going to be going off is high school rankings and film, which mean ZERO. Advantage - PUSH

* ND loses Floyd, MSU loses Cunningham - Floyd was waaaayyyyy better and more improtnat to our offense. Advantage MSU.

* ND loses Gray, MSU loses Baker - Both were studs, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that it hurts MSU more (even though they produce effective RBs like the Kardashians produce horrible TV shows). - Advantage MSU.

* Also, Michigan State returns a boatload of talent, and their game is at home.And MSU teams ALWAYS bring it - they play tough on both sides of the line. Plus, they've pretty much owned us the past 15 years. Take off your ND glasses and you'll see that this game is certainly no gimme, and the only way ND is favored is if Vegas gives us the old ND bump. This one will be tough.

 

[kmoose]

I definately see what you're saying but MSU is losing way more offensive fire power than us. They lose Cousins, Cunningham, and Baker. Thats pretty much their whole offense. I think MSU has a down year next year

LeVeon Bell ran for just under 1,000 yards (948), with a 5.2 yards per carry average. Baker ran for 665, with a 3.9 yards per carry average. While I still like ND in this game, MSU did NOT lose "pretty much their whole offense".

 

[notredomer23]

LeVeon Bell ran for just under 1,000 yards (948), with a 5.2 yards per carry average. Baker ran for 665, with a 3.9 yards per carry average. While I still like ND in this game, MSU did NOT lose "pretty much their whole offense".

I did the math on this the other day. They return 25% of their total offensive production from this year. I'd say that's a lot. Especially if we shut down the running backs how we did this year. It could be a very long day for them offensively

 

[Old Man Mike]

Games are always blood-letters, but Notre Dame knows how to play MSU.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I'll be really high and optimistic on ND football when I feel like they can line up against LSU and Bama and not lose by 25. Until then I'll be a realistic and passionate ND guy.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'll be really high and optimistic on ND football when I feel like they can line up against LSU and Bama and not lose by 25. Until then I'll be a realistic and passionate ND guy.

I don't think either of those teams would beat us by 25, even now. Our offense would get shut out, but they wouldn't score much on ours either.

 

[phork]

I don't think either of those teams would beat us by 25, even now. Our offense would get shut out, but they wouldn't score much on ours either.

Ouch. I don't see how that is possible. Hell they would put up 21 with their defense alone.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Ouch. I don't see how that is possible. Hell they would put up 21 with their defense alone.

If you want to extend ND's terrible 2011 TO problems into this scenario, then yes. I was referring to just offense v. defense between the 20s with average luck for both sides.

 

[koonja]

If you want to extend ND's terrible 2011 TO problems into this scenario, then yes. I was referring to just offense v. defense between the 20s with average luck for both sides.

What is this average luck you speak of? I watch all ND games and I didn't know it existed. Whether it's Golson or Hendrix behind center, they probably won't get much help from the WRs and we have one RB that has had meaningful snaps. Going into next year's schedule with this team, BK picked a bad time to underachieve this year. Hot seat if we go 3-2/2-3 in first 5 games? I hope not, but when does he run out of time?

 

[Irish Insanity]

* ND QB vs. MSU QB - both probably green, and all we're going to be going off is high school rankings and film, which mean ZERO. Advantage - PUSH

* ND loses Floyd, MSU loses Cunningham - Floyd was waaaayyyyy better and more improtnat to our offense. Advantage MSU.

* ND loses Gray, MSU loses Baker - Both were studs, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that it hurts MSU more (even though they produce effective RBs like the Kardashians produce horrible TV shows). - Advantage MSU.

* Also, Michigan State returns a boatload of talent, and their game is at home.And MSU teams ALWAYS bring it - they play tough on both sides of the line. Plus, they've pretty much owned us the past 15 years. Take off your ND glasses and you'll see that this game is certainly no gimme, and the only way ND is favored is if Vegas gives us the old ND bump. This one will be tough.

Advantage ND?

 

[stlnd01]

when does he run out of time?

After 2013 at the absolute soonest, and barring a true debacle not until 2014. You can not replace your coach every three years and expect to accomplish anything in college football.
I realize we all want excellence now, but the guy is building something. That takes a little time.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Advantage ND?

oops! Yeah, I meant to type that.

 

[Rocky2820]

What is this average luck you speak of? I watch all ND games and I didn't know it existed. Whether it's Golson or Hendrix behind center, they probably won't get much help from the WRs and we have one RB that has had meaningful snaps. Going into next year's schedule with this team, BK picked a bad time to underachieve this year. Hot seat if we go 3-2/2-3 in first 5 games? I hope not, but when does he run out of time?

And this is why it's so important for Golson or Hendrix, and not Rees, to start at QB. We have got to have this additional element of threat to our offense, in the form of a QB who can run for first downs.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What is this average luck you speak of? I watch all ND games and I didn't know it existed. Whether it's Golson or Hendrix behind center, they probably won't get much help from the WRs and we have one RB that has had meaningful snaps. Going into next year's schedule with this team, BK picked a bad time to underachieve this year. Hot seat if we go 3-2/2-3 in first 5 games? I hope not, but when does he run out of time?

Barring a complete and utter meltdown, Kelly's seat won't start to warm up unless the team underachieves in 2013 and 2014.

If you've got a few minutes, take a look at this article. Deciding to fire a head coach (and thereby having to hire a new one) is the single riskiest decision ADs ever make, mainly because its virtually impossible to project the chances of success and failure.

Swarbrick shouldn't fire Kelly until he's 100% certain that Kelly can't get ND back to the BCS; I don't know how anyone could have watched the last two seasons and come to that conclusion.

 

[ACamp1900]

Swarbrick is one thing (and yes the most important) but when it comes to the fan base and the media.... at Notre Dame... three 7-8 win seasons when everyone expects 9-10 is more than enough to make any ND coachs life difficult... if they don't win ten games next year... heat will be applied... from one source or another...

just sayin

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Swarbrick is one thing (and yes the most important) but when it comes to the fan base and the media.... at Notre Dame... three 7-8 win seasons when everyone expects 9-10 is more than enough to make any ND coaches life difficult... if they don't win ten games next year... heat will be applied... from one source or another...

just sayin

Thank God our fans don't hire and fire coaches.

 

[ACamp1900]

Thank God our fans don't hire and fire coaches.

indeed

 

[NDinL.A.]

Thank God our fans don't hire and fire coaches.

Why not? The guys at NDNation would have already hired Nick Saban, with Guz Malzahn as his OC and Rex Ryan as his DC, with Urban Meyer being his assistant head coach/coach in waiting. And they would have done it in a day's notice. You wouldn't want that?

 

[Rack Em]

Why not? The guys at NDNation would have already hired Nick Saban, with Guz Malzahn as his OC and Rex Ryan as his DC, with Urban Meyer being his assistant head coach/coach in waiting. And they would have done it in a day's notice. You wouldn't want that?

Only if we get Bob Stoops to coach the OLine

 

[arahop]

Here is an honest question, why does anyone assume Golson will be an improvement on Rees?????...

on what evidence is this based other than wishful thinking?

Come on Grant Irons

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I don't think either of those teams would beat us by 25, even now. Our offense would get shut out, but they wouldn't score much on ours either.

ND isn't even close to the caliber of athletes on both sides of the ball to both of those teams. Arguing that is pure fantasy.