2016 Fall Camp Thread

[GoIrish41]

The media pretty much nailed everything but I’ll give some thoughts of my own from yesterday’s practice:

• I was all #teamKizer before the practice, but now, man, BK is going to have a REALLY tough call. Zaire balled out, and if we’re going to be a running team, I could see him winning the job because he is really dynamic when he scrambles. Kizer played well also, and as Jaime Y from ISD pointed out, the drop-off from the 1st team O-line to the 2nd team O-line is so big that it makes a difference what line you are playing behind, but all that aside, Zaire can be named the starter tomorrow and I wouldn’t have a legit complaint anymore. And the same thing goes for Kizer.

• Zaire didn’t just scramble and run…he looked to keep the pass alive as well. Probably not as much as Kizer, but he did a good job with it. And he threw the ball much better.

• Holmes and McKinley’s drops…ugh. It was REALLY bad for both of them.

• I’ll reiterate what was said by all the reporters…Boykin was a friggin’ beast. And it wasn’t just outmuscling people either. He did a dig route that faked out Coleman so bad that when he caught it and turned, Coleman was at least 12-15 yds off him.

• EQ was up and down. Had a couple bad drops, but also played really well in spurts. I was talking him up to someone who was commenting how bad he looked early, and then he went and dropped a couple in his breadbasket.

• If you like swagger and shit talking, that Ashton White is your guy. He’s better than I thought he’d be. He had some rough moments yesterday, but was always ready to go the next play.

• Everyone should hear Heistand coach just one time in their lives. He spares no one in his quick tirades. He gets after his guys like no other…and the players still love him. And his players are there 45 minutes before practice starts and they stay late and practice as well. I’ve never seen a practice where his players left with the team.

• Nick Weishar looked so much better than we’ve ever seen him. A great sign after a slow start to camp.

• McGlinchey is clearly the leader of the O-line, and Cole Luke is clearly the leader of the DB’s. Big Mike takes the younger guys aside (after Heistand tears them a new one lol) and helps them with their technique. Same with Luke – he was really helping Troy Pride after all his reps.

• Walk-on Finke could start and succeed for many MAC-level teams. All he does is get open and catch everything thrown his way. As has been said, needs to block WAY better to be a real option there, but if Sanders went down, I’d put him in there above Holmes right now.

• Stepherson will be goooooood.

• If you see McIntosh on the field this year, it’ll be to do one thing…go deep. Kid is fast and tracks the ball well. But he also has no clue what he is doing at wide-out and has to be corrected all the time, from technique to simply where to line up. Think Golden as a freshman (not saying he’ll be that good though).

• I think Sanders will get the ball a lot this year. So quick and very hard to tackle.

• Nyles Morgan – I think you’ll be saying this a lot this year, “Wait, how the fuck was Joe Schmidt playing over him last year???????” I can’t wait to see him play. If he can diagnose a play, he’s going to get there and it will be violent. Ask Sanders.

• Corey Robinson is not there or show. He is really into coaching, and is the raw-raw guy to Denbrock’s bad cop. Every rep, he is running to guys and letting them know what they did well or what they could have done better. I know quite a few people who know him, and no one has ever said a bad word about him. #parentingwin

• Alize Jones was once again really involved in the practice, cheering teammates on, being extremely vocal. Is it an act for the media? We’ll see.

• Still really worried about the pass rush.

• I’m not an expert by any means, but at the very least, Jay Hayes was hustling all over the place. That was good to see and opposite of the guy I saw last fall camp.

• Rochelle is a friggin’ beast. So good. He’s going to get doubled a lot IMO. Jones or a blitzing backer have to be able to take advantage. Jones showed his brute strength one play where he pushed the center 3 yds into the backfield (Folston cut it back the other way where Nelson and McGlinchey opened a huge whole or else the play was blown up).

• Final point – in 2013, I saw a practice and knew we were in trouble. The stars of the team (especially Nix and Tuitt) were playing incredibly lazy and resting on their 12-0 season. You could see it. This team is also coming off a pretty successful season, but I saw two things I liked – the team’s best players still got after it, and the talent level, especially at QB and RB, is sooo much higher than that 2013 team, that I think 10-2 (maaaayyybe 9-3) should be the floor for this team. It’s on BVG IMO to get his act together for what could be another successful season.

Great info, man! Reps.

 

[ulukinatme]

USC rarely has trouble breaking in new QBs. There's a lot of talent on that team, and we play them in Southern Cal again. If we can keep the injuries down this time, maybe we win, but it'll still be a tough game. This should be the toughest game on paper, especially if we lose another batch of starters late in the season.

MSU will still be tough I think, but I'm not overly worried about them. Kelly has had Dantonio's number ever since the first meeting when we were screwed by the refs on that final play. Still, when the Spartans show up (Like against OSU) they can be physical. Could be a close match if they come to play.

Stanford should be beatable this year, but Shaw has proven that Stanford is still a force even after Harbaugh's exit. I thought for sure they would eventually fold and return to their old ways, but they've proven that they can still punch good teams in the mouth and control the game.

Texas and VT could have much better years than last year, but both should be winnable. I don't see us struggling in any other games this year, unless we pull a Syracuse and keep a team in a game. We've been a good 2nd half team recently, aside from a few games against inferior opponents. I'd like to see us come out and dominate early this year to put games away.

 

[SoIll]

"• Nyles Morgan – I think you’ll be saying this a lot this year, “Wait, how the fuck was Joe Schmidt playing over him last year???????” I can’t wait to see him play. If he can diagnose a play, he’s going to get there and it will be violent. Ask Sanders."


lmao

 

[GBdomer]

The media pretty much nailed everything but I’ll give some thoughts of my own from yesterday’s practice:

• I was all #teamKizer before the practice, but now, man, BK is going to have a REALLY tough call. Zaire balled out, and if we’re going to be a running team, I could see him winning the job because he is really dynamic when he scrambles. Kizer played well also, and as Jaime Y from ISD pointed out, the drop-off from the 1st team O-line to the 2nd team O-line is so big that it makes a difference what line you are playing behind, but all that aside, Zaire can be named the starter tomorrow and I wouldn’t have a legit complaint anymore. And the same thing goes for Kizer.

• Zaire didn’t just scramble and run…he looked to keep the pass alive as well. Probably not as much as Kizer, but he did a good job with it. And he threw the ball much better.

• Holmes and McKinley’s drops…ugh. It was REALLY bad for both of them.

• I’ll reiterate what was said by all the reporters…Boykin was a friggin’ beast. And it wasn’t just outmuscling people either. He did a dig route that faked out Coleman so bad that when he caught it and turned, Coleman was at least 12-15 yds off him.

• EQ was up and down. Had a couple bad drops, but also played really well in spurts. I was talking him up to someone who was commenting how bad he looked early, and then he went and dropped a couple in his breadbasket.

• If you like swagger and shit talking, that Ashton White is your guy. He’s better than I thought he’d be. He had some rough moments yesterday, but was always ready to go the next play.

• Everyone should hear Heistand coach just one time in their lives. He spares no one in his quick tirades. He gets after his guys like no other…and the players still love him. And his players are there 45 minutes before practice starts and they stay late and practice as well. I’ve never seen a practice where his players left with the team.

• Nick Weishar looked so much better than we’ve ever seen him. A great sign after a slow start to camp.

• McGlinchey is clearly the leader of the O-line, and Cole Luke is clearly the leader of the DB’s. Big Mike takes the younger guys aside (after Heistand tears them a new one lol) and helps them with their technique. Same with Luke – he was really helping Troy Pride after all his reps.

• Walk-on Finke could start and succeed for many MAC-level teams. All he does is get open and catch everything thrown his way. As has been said, needs to block WAY better to be a real option there, but if Sanders went down, I’d put him in there above Holmes right now.

• Stepherson will be goooooood.

• If you see McIntosh on the field this year, it’ll be to do one thing…go deep. Kid is fast and tracks the ball well. But he also has no clue what he is doing at wide-out and has to be corrected all the time, from technique to simply where to line up. Think Golden as a freshman (not saying he’ll be that good though).

• I think Sanders will get the ball a lot this year. So quick and very hard to tackle.

• Nyles Morgan – I think you’ll be saying this a lot this year, “Wait, how the fuck was Joe Schmidt playing over him last year???????” I can’t wait to see him play. If he can diagnose a play, he’s going to get there and it will be violent. Ask Sanders.

• Corey Robinson is not there or show. He is really into coaching, and is the raw-raw guy to Denbrock’s bad cop. Every rep, he is running to guys and letting them know what they did well or what they could have done better. I know quite a few people who know him, and no one has ever said a bad word about him. #parentingwin

• Alize Jones was once again really involved in the practice, cheering teammates on, being extremely vocal. Is it an act for the media? We’ll see.

• Still really worried about the pass rush.

• I’m not an expert by any means, but at the very least, Jay Hayes was hustling all over the place. That was good to see and opposite of the guy I saw last fall camp.

• Rochelle is a friggin’ beast. So good. He’s going to get doubled a lot IMO. Jones or a blitzing backer have to be able to take advantage. Jones showed his brute strength one play where he pushed the center 3 yds into the backfield (Folston cut it back the other way where Nelson and McGlinchey opened a huge whole or else the play was blown up).

• Final point – in 2013, I saw a practice and knew we were in trouble. The stars of the team (especially Nix and Tuitt) were playing incredibly lazy and resting on their 12-0 season. You could see it. This team is also coming off a pretty successful season, but I saw two things I liked – the team’s best players still got after it, and the talent level, especially at QB and RB, is sooo much higher than that 2013 team, that I think 10-2 (maaaayyybe 9-3) should be the floor for this team. It’s on BVG IMO to get his act together for what could be another successful season.

Thanks dad, awesome shit

 

[Wild Bill]

Thanks LA.

What did you think of Redfield? Is he locked in or does studstill actually have a chance to play?

 

[Irish Man3]

No offense to anyone but can someone tell me really who on ND's schedule is really good here?

texas
Nevada
Mich St
Duke
Syracuse
NCS
Stanford
Miami
Navy
VT
USC

I see a total of three teams that should even give ND a close game: USC, MSU and Stanford.

I cant see Stanford doing it because Stanfords strength is the run which is NDs defense strength. Stanford won last years game with a NFL QB and ND having a high school DC calling plays. The starting QB for them this year hardly played a snap last year

Mich St is rebuilding. I would be surprised if they arent a 3-4 loss team this year with a new QB and RB. Easily the third best team in the B10.

USC - again another 3-4 loss season.

Are you guys really second guessing ND to lose to 2 of the 3 tough teams on the schedule? Are you guys that concerned that ND will lose to the 3rd best team in the B10?


Last year ND lost to Clemson (NC contender), Stanford with a pro RB and pro QB, and probably the best team in the country at playoff/bowl time in OSU. And I can see ND being better this year than last.


Im not saying ND for NC or anything but everyone seems to be fishing for 2-3 losses here and I just dont see how short of really stepping on their cocks out of the blue somewhere.

Texas
Duke
North Carolina St
Miami
Virginia Tech

All games that scare me to go along with the three you mentioned.

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

Texas
Duke
North Carolina St
Miami
Virginia Tech

All games that scare me to go along with the three you mentioned.

NC St. Are you kidding me? Well steam roll those guys. Would bet my nest egg.

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

Duke too. F@$@ Duke. We roll

 

[tko]

No offense to anyone but can someone tell me really who on ND's schedule is really good here?

texas
Nevada
Mich St
Duke
Syracuse
NCS
Stanford
Miami
Navy
VT
USC

I see a total of three teams that should even give ND a close game: USC, MSU and Stanford.

I cant see Stanford doing it because Stanfords strength is the run which is NDs defense strength. Stanford won last years game with a NFL QB and ND having a high school DC calling plays. The starting QB for them this year hardly played a snap last year

Mich St is rebuilding. I would be surprised if they arent a 3-4 loss team this year with a new QB and RB. Easily the third best team in the B10.

USC - again another 3-4 loss season.

Are you guys really second guessing ND to lose to 2 of the 3 tough teams on the schedule? Are you guys that concerned that ND will lose to the 3rd best team in the B10?


Last year ND lost to Clemson (NC contender), Stanford with a pro RB and pro QB, and probably the best team in the country at playoff/bowl time in OSU. And I can see ND being better this year than last.


Im not saying ND for NC or anything but everyone seems to be fishing for 2-3 losses here and I just dont see how short of really stepping on their cocks out of the blue somewhere.

Every team that plays ND is good. They bring every ounce of God given ability and then some. All breakdowns are meaningless, just sayin. Plus Kelly won't skull fk anyone, so everyone is given a chance until the clock hits zero.

 

[ulukinatme]

NC St. Are you kidding me? Well steam roll those guys. Would bet my nest egg.

NC State regularly provides a game for Florida State, despite having far less talent, or they outright beat them. Not saying we'll lose to them, but we've let similar teams stay in games with us in the past. I can see the thought process, they can be giant killers.

 

[koonja]

Thanks LA.

What did you think of Redfield? Is he locked in or does studstill actually have a chance to play?

Not him, but the nd podcast said it's no longer a competition. Max is the starter.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

2016 Fall Camp Thread

N.C. State is going to be bad. Like 5-7, 6-6 ceiling bad. They brake in a new QB, new oline, new offense scheme. ND should steam roll them.

The game I'm concerned about that no one is talking about is Miami.

I know we killed them the last two games. But they do have a ton of athletes and a good coach. Could be a really sneaky game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Miami should be a tough game. They are returning a good QB who could cause us fits.

Sherm beat me to it.

 

[SoIll]

Every team that plays ND is good. They bring every ounce of God given ability and then some. All breakdowns are meaningless, just sayin. Plus Kelly won't skull fk anyone, so everyone is given a chance until the clock hits zero.

so so true

 

[Irish Man3]

NC St. Are you kidding me? Well steam roll those guys. Would bet my nest egg.

Shocking that you think so.

ND doesn't steam roll major conference teams very often so that's pretty bold.

Who is better in the ACC, Duke or UVA? It took a last second TD drive last year to beat a bad UVA team. Duke is better than UVA consistently. Duke gives good defenses in the ACC problems every year. ND hasn't proven they have a good defense. We'll see..

Not saying we lose the games I mentioned. However, if you think ND just shows up and wins, you're loony

 

[bluengold4732]

This team will play with a chip on their shoulder and a swagger we haven't seen since the Holtz years. I'm expecting 11-1 or 12-0 if we stay healthy. More importantly I'm expecting a few blowouts as well

 

[connor_in]

This team will play with a chip on their shoulder and a swagger we haven't seen since the Holtz years. I'm expecting 11-1 or 12-0 if we stay healthy. More importantly I'm expecting a few blowouts as well

Seriously?!?!?!???

Do you NOT listen to koon at all? We are going to finish 9-3!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Thanks LA.

What did you think of Redfield? Is he locked in or does studstill actually have a chance to play?

Judging from practice yesterday, it's impossible to tell bc Studstill was on the far field most of the time, working with a S&C coach on his hamstring.

Redfield looked solid, but I'm a skeptic because we've heard all this every pre-season with him. He had one really good run fit that was impressive, and he got beaten badly over the top on one play that Lyght had to get all over him on (Redfield immediately pointed to himself in admission). He's definitely the starter and the leader of the defensive backfield, but he'll have to prove it against Texas and then MSU before I anoint him. Studstill will definitely play IMO if he gets healthy, but I don't think he'll start until Redfield plays poorly.

 

[NDinL.A.]

NC St. Are you kidding me? Well steam roll those guys. Would bet my nest egg.

Games aren't played in a vacuum. The games before them and after them matter. There is a reason there are games called "let down games" and "trap games", etc.

NC State is playing at home, and ND will be their Super Bowl. We will have an eye on the Stanford game the next week (you'd have to be oblivious to CFB history to think that couldn't happen), especially if we are undefeated and a possible GameDay hosting call could be in the cards.

And if you don't believe me, look up the BC and Virginia games last year. Or UNC and Northwestern and Louisville and Navy in 2014. We could do this for every year. These games happen. I especially wouldn't put my mortgage on the NC State game of all games this year, even though I think ND should roll.

 

[drayer54]

NC State at home and the week ahead of a big game... that could go bad. I'm not putting the house down.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

A few things I still can't get over :

• Evan Sharply still calls him De-Shone! (Like the sun shone.)
• Nobody is talking about the staff obviously using GPS in an attempt to keep injuries down by identifying 'overwork.'
  • Like the injuries in past season were any more complicated than overwork-overstress of bodies that carry 20 to 50 lbs. more than they did in the recent past.
  • Like these players working on the far field wouldn't have been pulled out, and would have played to a more serious injury.
• Leadership is way better on this team than it has been since Manti, Zack, Kappy, etc.
• Freshmen are pushing this camp with their play, and their attitudes.
• Like nobody ever listens.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/notre-dame-football/305977-2016-fall-camp-thread-13.html#post1770167

Three fallacies on this thread :

• Elmer isn't a superior lineman. He started and graded out well at UND.
• Competition within position group gets you ready to play against elite P5 contenders on Saturdays. Nothing gets you ready to get your head bashed in at the veracity the game is played at the next level.
• Zaire is a better runner than Kizer. The are pretty damned even. In fact how many times did each break away from defenders? Zaire didn't and Kizer sure did!

What Zaire does better than Kizer, and maybe better than any quarterback in the country is extend plays and make a new, successful launch-point possible. Now that is a talent worth gold in college football!

 

[phgreek]

Games aren't played in a vacuum. The games before them and after them matter. There is a reason there are games called "let down games" and "trap games", etc.

NC State is playing at home, and ND will be their Super Bowl. We will have an eye on the Stanford game the next week (you'd have to be oblivious to CFB history to think that couldn't happen), especially if we are undefeated and a possible GameDay hosting call could be in the cards.

And if you don't believe me, look up the BC and Virginia games last year. Or UNC and Northwestern and Louisville and Navy in 2014. We could do this for every year. These games happen. I especially wouldn't put my mortgage on the NC State game of all games this year, even though I think ND should roll.

Agree...NC state is a giant killer...they have had one of the best records against FSU out of anybody. Since 2012 they beat FSU, and had them on the ropes MULTIPLE times. Plus they are placed as a trap game for ND...they always have enough to hurt you, and their kids play out of their minds in big games...This team is not Wake Forest...at all.

 

[woolybug25]

Agree...NC state is a giant killer...they have had one of the best records against FSU out of anybody. Since 2012 they beat FSU, and had them on the ropes MULTIPLE times. Plus they are placed as a trap game for ND...they always have enough to hurt you, and their kids play out of their minds in big games...This team is not Wake Forest...at all.

NC State is 0-3 against FSU under their current coach and got obliterated two out of the three. They played okay for a while last season, but still ended up losing 34-17. They beat them back in'12, under a different coach, and that was the last quality win they have had since. They went 7-6 that season to boot.

They are not a good football team.

 

[GBdomer]

This team will play with a chip on their shoulder and a swagger we haven't seen since the Holtz years. I'm expecting 11-1 or 12-0 if we stay healthy. More importantly I'm expecting a few blowouts as well

Really?!?!! When have we ever played like that under Brian Kelly? What is so different this year that no one knows about?

 

[woolybug25]

Really?!?!! When have we ever played like that under Brian Kelly? What is so different this year that no one knows about?

We played with toughness and a pretty good chip on our shoulder last season, man. Most teams woul have fell apart with our injuries, and we were a damn good squad last season.

 

[bluengold4732]

Thank you wooly! I for one think this is the most competitive group we've had in a while. I'm not just talking about against other teams but against each other as well. There's plenty of guys fighting for playing time and out to prove something more so than in years past. Jay Hayes even said this team was out to prove something. Guys like himself, Jarron Jones, Nyles Morgan, Shaun Crawford, Max Redfield are all hungry. Even the competition at RB as well as QB. Whether that translates on the field, honestly we won't know until MSU but I like this team as a whole more than any other in recent memory. All the way down to the freshman. The best indication of how hungry they are won't just be wins or losses but the score. Do we finally beat the Nevadas, Dukes, and Navys comfortably or do we scrape by like Temple and BC last year. I'm hoping for the former

 

[Crazy Balki]

We played with toughness and a pretty good chip on our shoulder last season, man. Most teams woul have fell apart with our injuries, and we were a damn good squad last season.

I agree Wooly. I haven't heard of this much legitimate competition across the board in camp. It seems like every other position is up for grabs with good players vying for it. QB, RB, WR, RG, WDE, WILL, CB2.

As for NC State, I get why people are worried, but I'm sorry, I really don't think they're gonna be good at all. I mean, this is a potential ACC cellar dweller team. I don't think people understand how huge Jacoby Brissett was to NC State's success last year, and from what I've read online, the Pack faithful are not optimistic about the options to replace him. Whoever it is, they likely won't warrant the attention that Brissett demanded.

I don't see ND losing. It may not be pretty, but they should win and win somewhat comfortably.

 

[phgreek]

NC State is 0-3 against FSU under their current coach and got obliterated two out of the three. They played okay for a while last season, but still ended up losing 34-17. They beat them back in'12, under a different coach, and that was the last quality win they have had since. They went 7-6 that season to boot.

They are not a good football team.

2012 - NC state won (Raleigh)
2013 - FSU killed them (Tallahassee)
2014 - FSU was losing until the 4th quarter, and FSU was up 49-41 until 3 minutes left and they scored again...I'd say NC state had them on the ropes (Raleigh)
2015 - FSU down 17-7 at half, only up 3 end of 3rd Q...you could argue if they had them on the ropes or not. (Tallahassee)

I said they were a giant killer...thats what giant killer means to me...they get up for the "giant" but are otherwise pedestrian...teams like that can't do two in a row...but they are dangerous if you get them in a favorable schedule situation for them, and unfavorable for you...

IMHO, the only other "Giant" they've faced in that 2012-2015 period is Clemson '15...(wouldn't call previous Clemson teams giants) Clemson won 56-41 but it was 26-20 at the half. NC State put 41 on '15 Clemson...nobody else put 40 on Clemson until Bama in the final, and I think only 3 teams put >30 on '15 Clemson.

Also NC state has

1. Most victories against Florida State since they joined the ACC in 1992: 7
2. Most victories at Florida State since they joined the ACC in 1992: 2
3. Most times scoring 40+ points at Florida State

1-3 being Pertinant to '16...shrug. They have a history of getting after the only Giant in the ACC...particularly at home. ND, by most measures is another ACC Giant, and the first one on their schedule in '16.

That said...I understand NC state will have a new QB...I guess I'd take comfort in that if ND hasn't had a history of making inexperienced QBs one week All Americans...anyway I'm more concerned about ND having a 3 turnover offensive performance, or defensive/ST brain farts (remember the names Cherry and Hines).

I'm just as excited as anyone about 2016, but as I expected, the word "Consistency" is a theme...they can have a shitstorm game, and if it happens, I'm betting it will be NC State. NC State has real athletes...they aren't wake forest, they aren't an academy...

This game is in Raleigh, after a long home stand for ND that winds up against meh competition for the two preceding weeks. It will directly precede Stanford...I think it could be close...very close. I believe it depends on ND seeing this game as a trap and refusing to let it be so.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Let's face it a lot of you want to give BVG crap and I have on here to at times, but mater of the fact is if you cut our injuries in half the last 2 years I guarantee we woulda been playing for a title in at least one of those years. Last year we woulda been 12-0 making the playoffs and the year before 11-1 or 10-2.

 

[woolybug25]

2012 - NC state won (Raleigh)
2013 - FSU killed them (Tallahassee)
2014 - FSU was losing until the 4th quarter, and FSU was up 49-41 until 3 minutes left and they scored again...I'd say NC state had them on the ropes (Raleigh)
2015 - FSU down 17-7 at half, only up 3 end of 3rd Q...you could argue if they had them on the ropes or not. (Tallahassee)

I said they were a giant killer...thats what giant killer means to me...they get up for the "giant" but are otherwise pedestrian...teams like that can't do two in a row...but they are dangerous if you get them in a favorable schedule situation for them, and unfavorable for you...

IMHO, the only other "Giant" they've faced in that 2012-2015 period is Clemson '15...(wouldn't call previous Clemson teams giants) Clemson won 56-41 but it was 26-20 at the half. NC State put 41 on '15 Clemson...nobody else put 40 on Clemson until Bama in the final, and I think only 3 teams put >30 on '15 Clemson.

Also NC state has

1. Most victories against Florida State since they joined the ACC in 1992: 7
2. Most victories at Florida State since they joined the ACC in 1992: 2
3. Most times scoring 40+ points at Florida State

1-3 being Pertinant to '16...shrug. They have a history of getting after the only Giant in the ACC...particularly at home. ND, by most measures is another ACC Giant, and the first one on their schedule in '16.

That said...I understand NC state will have a new QB...I guess I'd take comfort in that if ND hasn't had a history of making inexperienced QBs one week All Americans...anyway I'm more concerned about ND having a 3 turnover offensive performance, or defensive/ST brain farts (remember the names Cherry and Hines).

I'm just as excited as anyone about 2016, but as I expected, the word "Consistency" is a theme...they can have a shitstorm game, and if it happens, I'm betting it will be NC State. NC State has real athletes...they aren't wake forest, they aren't an academy...

This game is in Raleigh, after a long home stand for ND that winds up against meh competition for the two preceding weeks. It will directly precede Stanford...I think it could be close...very close. I believe it depends on ND seeing this game as a trap and refusing to let it be so.

I get it, but I kinda think actually winning makes a team a giant killer, not just putting up a fight for a bit, and this team hasn't beat a ranked team under this head coach. Not one single quality win. I don't see why games played under a different coach, many years ago, have relevance to this year's team.

There are stone cold facts here:

- Their coach is about to be on a hot seat.
- The only ACC teams they beat last season (BC, Wake & Syr) were a combined 3-21.
- They lost their starting QB and heart of their team.
- They finished off their season 3-6, including a humiliating 51-28 loss to Miss St.
- After perusing their sites, all of them see their own team as a bottom dweller with a 6-7 win ceiling. They also all believe they will get beat (just like the last three seasons) by every good opponent they face. Including ND.
- This is a team that has gone 3-9, 8-5 & 7-6 with completely embarrassing non conference schedules.
- They beat Georgia Southern 24-23 last season.
- Their current coach is 0-9 against FSU, Clemson, GT and Louisville over the last three seasons.

Now, don't get me wrong, any team can surprise us (see UVA last year), but this isn't a "giant killer". You actually have to kill someone to be a killer, and their current staff hasn't done that to a single good opponent. This is a team that has played up for a couple FSU games, still lost, and have gotten pumbled by every other good opponent they have played. We should smoke this team.