2014 ESPN way too early Top 25

[Irish#1]

I'm curious why exactly UNC, Iowa, and Washington are getting the love in this poll that they are. I don't see it. I also have serious questions about A&M and Clemson. Arizona State should still be dynamic on offense, but their defense potentially loses NINE starters. That's... a lot.

Alternatively, where the heck is Missouri? They lose a lot, but their offense should be very good with the weapons they have back there. I also would have Arizona in my pre-season top 25. I think Rich Rod is about to make some noise.

I have no clue on Iowa, but my guess is the history of the new coach is why Washington is getting some love. UNC was playing good the second half, but they still need to prove it to me. I think A&M will have a significant drop off with the loss of JF (if he leaves), but they will not get penalized because of the self fulfilling prophecy that is the SEC.

 

[Booslum31]

Being #24 with a weak schedule would be jail...starting at #24 with ND's schedule at least provides them with a path to the final four. But man is the 2014 schedule brutal!

 

[gkIrish]

Way too many people getting upset about a meaningless poll.

ND will be ranked between 20-25 in the actual preseason poll. It's fair considering our losses on defense and the uncertainty of how our QB position will perform. We already knew the schedule is daunting but it is what it is. Go Irish. Beat Owls.

 

[notredomer23]

Actually Stanford is bringing back most of their D and O.

The depth chart I saw had them losing almost their whole front 7, their RBs, and 4 of their 5 offensive line.

 

[Bluto]

The depth chart I saw had them losing almost their whole front 7, their RBs, and 4 of their 5 offensive line.

Actually I think you're right.

 

[notredomer23]

Actually I think you're right.

I just double checked. They at least lose 10 starters, and it could be more if some do not come back for fifth years or declare early for the draft. They also lose the whole right side of their line. I know it is ESPN and they barely put any research in, but 4 is way too high. I am glad we play them fairly early in the year because it gives us a chance to beat a highly ranked team.

 

[IrishLax]

Depends on who declares early for Stanford. Traditionally, it's been no one. Everyone -- even Andrew Luck -- comes back for extra years. If that changes, then you're looking at a paper thin Stanford depth chart next with a lot of inexperience.

What if, for once, they actually get hit with the injury bug?

 

[notredomer23]

What if, for once, they actually get hit with the injury bug?

That will be the day.

 

[gkIrish]

Depends on who declares early for Stanford. Traditionally, it's been no one. Everyone -- even Andrew Luck -- comes back for extra years. If that changes, then you're looking at a paper thin Stanford depth chart next with a lot of inexperience.

What if, for once, they actually get hit with the injury bug?

 

[magogian]

Depends on who declares early for Stanford. Traditionally, it's been no one. Everyone -- even Andrew Luck -- comes back for extra years. If that changes, then you're looking at a paper thin Stanford depth chart next with a lot of inexperience.

What if, for once, they actually get hit with the injury bug?

They have a ton of starters that used up their 5th year.

 

[notredomer23]

Unless Tre Mason declares early for the NFL draft, Auburn will return all 11 starters on offense

 

[woolybug25]

Unless Tre Mason declares early for the NFL draft, Auburn will return all 11 starters on offense

I'm guessing Tre Mason is gone. Dude had two 1,000 seasons and is a RB. His stock wont be any higher becuase of his size and rb's have a short shelf life.

Returning 10 starters is a big deal though.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Unless Tre Mason declares early for the NFL draft, Auburn will return all 11 starters on offense

I think the center Dismukes.... uh... graduates. May be incorrect on that however.

 

[RDU Irish]

Duke should be in there somewhere, think the program earned that much this year and SHOULD have beat A&M in the bowl.

Standard over ranking of the SEC. A&M should not be ranked pre-season, IMO. Florida should be nowhere near this poll. South Carolina? What do they bring back to merit any respect at all?

 

[T Town Tommy]

Duke should be in there somewhere, think the program earned that much this year and SHOULD have beat A&M in the bowl.

Standard over ranking of the SEC. A&M should not be ranked pre-season, IMO. Florida should be nowhere near this poll. South Carolina? What do they bring back to merit any respect at all?

Seriously? Stevie has got him some pretty good players coming back.

 

[NDohio]

Seriously? Stevie has got him some pretty good players coming back.

Yeah, they lose Conner Shaw(QB) and Clowney. That's it. Unfortunately they have a pretty good team coming back next year.

 

[Cackalacky]

Seriously? Stevie has got him some pretty good players coming back.

Yeah Carolina is stacked with some really good players. Mike Davis and Shaq Roland are two that quickly come to mind. Their D line will be fine. QB fine. DB always good.
They will win the east if Georgia's QB struggles and Florida does not impress.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Yeah Carolina is stacked with some really good players. Mike Davis and Shaq Roland are two that quickly come to mind. Their D line will be fine. QB fine. DB always good.
They will win the east if Georgia's QB struggles and Florida does not impress.

Agree. I think it's theirs to lose. It very easily could have been them playing last night if they would have caught a break early in the season against Ga and not laid the egg against Tenn. Ole Ball Coach still got a little drive left in him.

 

[Cackalacky]

Along with 3 straight 11 win seasons....

 

[NDohio]

Yeah Carolina is stacked with some really good players. Mike Davis and Shaq Roland are two that quickly come to mind. Their D line will be fine. QB fine. DB always good.
They will win the east if Georgia's QB struggles and Florida does not impress.

Stop

Agree. I think it's theirs to lose. It very easily could have been them playing last night if they would have caught a break early in the season against Ga and not laid the egg against Tenn. Ole Ball Coach still got a little drive left in him.

Just Stop

Along with 3 straight 11 win seasons....

Ugh - Please stop

I am so sick of seeing that stupid chicken all over the place. I can't imagine what it will be like if they are a legit national championship contenders.

 

[Damion704]

LOL

 

[RDU Irish]

OK, I overstated the SoCar case. However, I'm not so quick to discount losing your starting QB, all world DL and another early entry DL. I had no idea what they kept or lost beyond that but seems enough to take a step back from this year's team.

 

[Bubbles]

I actually prefer for ND to be underrated to start the season.....makes it better when we surprise everyone. An overrated ND just gives fuel to the hater fire.

 

[ThePiombino]

I actually prefer for ND to be underrated to start the season.....makes it better when we surprise everyone. An overrated ND just gives fuel to the hater fire.

Also makes it harder to crack the top-4 with as little as 1 loss.

 

[gkIrish]

I actually prefer for ND to be underrated to start the season.....makes it better when we surprise everyone. An overrated ND just gives fuel to the hater fire.

Being underrated in the rankings makes it harder for us to absorb losses.

 

[Cackalacky]

Stop



Just Stop



Ugh - Please stop

I am so sick of seeing that stupid chicken all over the place. I can't imagine what it will be like if they are a legit national championship contenders.

Trying being married to a UGA grad, brother to USC grads and a family full of USC fans. ....

 

[irishog77]

Yeah, ND being ranked ~11-14 would be low enough to where people aren't expecting much of them...but high enough to where they could absorb a loss (or two).

 

[ThePiombino]

Yeah, ND being ranked ~11-14 would be low enough to where people aren't expecting much of them...but high enough to where they could absorb a loss (or two).

Too much hate in the human polls for ND to survive two losses IMO.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm just glad ND finsihed ranked this season... I find it hard to believe many teams can finish ranked against that schedule next season... hopefully ND suprises.

 

[Bubbles]

^all good points, but with a good SOS, hopefully its a wash.