2018 CFP Rankings

[Irish#1]

The reason I care is that I want a shot at Clemson. Clemson is very good, definitely better than ND on paper. But they're much more beatable. Lawrence hasn't played a single good defense, and while I don't relish going up against a Venables defense they're a better matchup for Book and his accuracy than Bama. We have a much better chance of making plays against Clemson's offense than stopping Tua.

I want a real shot at an elite team, not getting screwed by the worst possible matchup.

Giving Dabo and Venables a month to prep worries me, but doesn't scare me. Granting that same month to Saban et al. scares the shit outta me

We went against a Dabo / Venables team a couple of years ago. The only reason we lost that game was because we shot ourselves in the foot in the first half, yet still had a chance to win. This Irish defense is much better than what Clemson saw back then and Book is a better QB than Kizer.

The BC game will be interesting given BC has a pretty decent defense. If Clemson rolls them by 30+ points, then I'll worry.

 

[TomHaverford]

Man think of how many yards Book would have put on mich in the air

probably more than 170. He's a lot better than Wimbush.

What took your coaches so long to play him?

 

[calvegas04]

probably more than 170. He's a lot better than Wimbush.

What took your coaches so long to play him?

They knew they din't need him to beat mich

 

[Irish YJ]

If scUM was going to make a move, it would have been last night. Assuming both teams run the table, I don't believe the committee would place a one loss scUM team over an undefeated Irish team. Especially when the loss was administered by the unbeaten team.

Not arguing your TCU Baylor comparison, but both teams had a loss, so there was a little wiggle room to play with even though TCU had beaten Baylor.

I think it will be later if it happens. Click bait right now is smoke. But where there is smoke......

Biggest factors IMO

1) scUM's last stop @OSU for the revenge tour. I know people say OSU sucks... but it's Urbie who has owned JH, OSU will be top 10, and it's in Ohio. This game has been a story all year.

2) Conference Championship win, while we are sitting idle. If scUM gets a rematch with NW, and rolls them by 30+ like they did PSU, people will forget about our 14pt win vs scUM's 7 pt win earlier vs NW.

3) How well do we perform in the final three games

3A) vs an awful FSU. We better look really good and comfortable. Clemson went to Florida and beat them by 49. We have them at home, in the cold. If we struggle against them or beat them by less than 30, we are only inviting even more criticism.

3B) vs Syracuse at "home" - this is really our last, and only opportunity to look good and improve our stock......, instead of just doing what we "should". Clemson only beat them by 4. Their other loss, Pitt (which is good for us). If we tough one out, not many people will pay attention. If we blow them out, we'll get a nice bump in national opinion.

3C) @USC.... USC has zero games left to improve their stock before ND comes to town. So they'll still be considered trash from a down conference. We'll also be their last and only shot at "redemption". If we look less than CFP worthy vs trash, we're again inviting more criticism.

Bottom line, scUM has more "opportunity" to flip minds and win hearts. If we beat FSU by 30+, and comfortably beat Cuse and USC by 20+, we might be able to close the door on criticism.

I think all this is moot anyway because I believe OSU will beat them. My Christmas wish is that scUM is looking ahead at OSU, and looks like shit vs IU,,,,, and their cred takes a major hit.

 

[anarin]

Revisionist history, much?

Notre Dame threw for a whopping 170 yards that game. 43 of those yards, or 25.8% of all passing yards, came on what can only be described as a one in a million fluke play.

Wimbush completed 54% of his passes for 1 TD and 1 INT and 170 yards.

But yeah, keep telling yourself that. Lol.

All I read was Wimbush and remembered that he was the one that beat Michigan lol.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

The reason I care is that I want a shot at Clemson. Clemson is very good, definitely better than ND on paper. But they're much more beatable. Lawrence hasn't played a single good defense, and while I don't relish going up against a Venables defense they're a better matchup for Book and his accuracy than Bama. We have a much better chance of making plays against Clemson's offense than stopping Tua.

I want a real shot at an elite team, not getting screwed by the worst possible matchup.

100% agree with you. In 2015 ND stood toe to toe with Clemson in a monsoon at Clemson. 2018 ND is a better team than 2015 ND. Saying that 2018 Clemson def is better than 2015 Clemson defense, but the offense is probably not. Let the ND front four +Coney (to spy on Lawrence) wreck havoc...

 

[Sherm Sticky]

They knew they din't need him to beat mich

Nailed it!

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Revisionist history, much?

Notre Dame threw for a whopping 170 yards that game. 43 of those yards, or 25.8% of all passing yards, came on what can only be described as a one in a million fluke play.

Wimbush completed 54% of his passes for 1 TD and 1 INT and 170 yards.

But yeah, keep telling yourself that. Lol.

The throw that hit the WR in the hands is a one in a million fluke play? Who is revising the past here?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

probably more than 170. He's a lot better than Wimbush.

What took your coaches so long to play him?

Well, we had a dynamic dual-threat QB with a career 10-3 record with a perceived high ceiling.

That ceiling never raised, and after a couple of lackluster performances against inferior opponents, after literally beating the $hit out of you defensively, BK decided to make a change.

But I'd like to reiterate the obvious that ND beat scUM with our current backup QB.

 

[Legacy]

Two loss teams begin with LSU at seventh, Kentucky at eleventh, then everyone after thirteen except Fresno State (1 loss) and BC (two losses). Three loss teams beginning at fifteenth.

In Week 11 in 2017, first two loss team at twelve. First three loss team at twentieth.

 

[TomHaverford]

I think it will be later if it happens. Click bait right now is smoke. But where there is smoke......

Biggest factors IMO

1) scUM's last stop @OSU for the revenge tour. I know people say OSU sucks... but it's Urbie who has owned JH, OSU will be top 10, and it's in Ohio. This game has been a story all year.

I think all this is moot anyway because I believe OSU will beat them. My Christmas wish is that scUM is looking ahead at OSU, and looks like shit vs IU,,,,, and their cred takes a major hit.

The last two games vs better Ohio State teams were very close, and that was with Wilton Speight in 2016 and J'Oke in 2017. Both those games came down to the wire. This is the best defense that Jim has had in his time at Michigan. The best starting RB he's had. And by far the best QB he's had. It took Wilton Speight fumbling the ball at Ohio State's 1 yard, throwing a pick 6, and throwing another INT that was virtually a pick 6 after return yardage and a penalty ontop of that on Michigan gave OSU the ball at Michigan's 7 yard line for OSU just to get in the game. They were doing nothing on offense for 4 QTRs. That's a 21 point swing basically entirely at the feet of Wilton Speight. OSU barely won that game in double OT on a very controversial spot. Last year the game was 24-20 with 3 mins to go and Michigan having a shot to get the win. What does O'Korn do? Throw the INT on his first pass attempt of the final drive.

Shea Patterson is a lot better than either of those jokers. Michigan's run game is a lot better right now than it was in 2016 or 2017. A senior Karran Higdon is better than a senior De'veon Smith in 2016. And Ohio State's run game is the worst it's been since Meyer has been there. The zone read option and the QB draw have always been a huge part of Meyer's rushing attack and it makes the RB's/OL- the entire run game better. It's completely gone with Haskins who is a statue in the pocket and it's affecting the entire run game. And OSU's defense is the worst it's been in at least a decade- maybe more.

Michigan should win the game by double digits. Will they? We'll see.

As for Indiana- well the game is home coming in Ann Arbor. I highly doubt they will be overlooking Indiana at home for home coming.

 

[TomHaverford]

The throw that hit the WR in the hands is a one in a million fluke play? Who is revising the past here?

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

 

[RDU Irish]

Michigan is LSU with a slightly better offense - total pretender.

Also - quite the rash of bad luck on the road vs. ranked opponents. Excuses are like Michigans.

 

[ndbroski]

The throw that hit the WR in the hands is a one in a million fluke play? Who is revising the past here?

It wasn’t a “perfect” throw by any means but Michigan’s DBs couldn’t have played that any worse

 

[BobbyMac]

Revisionist history, much?

Notre Dame threw for a whopping 170 yards that game. 43 of those yards, or 25.8% of all passing yards, came on what can only be described as a one in a million fluke play.

Wimbush completed 54% of his passes for 1 TD and 1 INT and 170 yards.

But yeah, keep telling yourself that. Lol.

They went after your green safety who had just replaced Metellus. If you had a good enough back up safety maybe they make a play, but you obviously didn't. It was a GREAT call, 3rd and 7 from midfield? If you get an interception, it's the same as a punt. And to correct your poor choice of words, 50-50 balls are really 60-40 balls. The O always has the advantage of knowing the play and Finke would run circles around, and jump over, any of your safeties... like he did. Also... He smoked Kinell, turning him around on the inside move that forced Hawkins to try to bail him out.

Right call, right execution by ND even on a slightly under-thrown ball, failure on all aspects by Michigan... from no pass rush, to Kinell getting smoked to Hawkins not being good enough to make the play. That play goes for a TD 50+% of the time with that level of execution by that personnel package by Michigan... not 1 in a million.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

He shouldn't have caught the pass because he was a white wide receiver?

 

[Legacy]

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

If, if, if... Deal with it. You lost. Our game next year will help you set a historic attendance high. Only Notre Dame. See you in Ann Arbor and will kick your ass.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

Hawkins had no position to screen the ball from the WR. There is no should have intercepted that ball. He could have knocked it away if he went up one handed. He went for the interception because, like you, he did not understand the situation. He was out of position to control that football but he went for it and that's what let the TD happen.

Don't be a dickhead. There is no reason to insult Chris Finke who leads everyone on Michigan's roster in receptions and yards this year.

 

[BobbyMac]

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

1. You're stupid for questioning his stats

2. WTF difference does him being white make? The best DC's in the NFL haven't been able to stop the exact kind of player in New England for a decade. Take your racist garbage to another board and self ban.

 

[ndbroski]

1. You're stupid for questioning his stats

2. WTF difference does him being white make? The best DC's in the NFL haven't been able to stop the exact kind of player in New England for a decade. Take your racist garbage to another board and self ban.

HAHA TH is rightfully getting torn apart right now.

 

[OhioIrish31]

Revisionist history, much?

Notre Dame threw for a whopping 170 yards that game. 43 of those yards, or 25.8% of all passing yards, came on what can only be described as a one in a million fluke play.

Wimbush completed 54% of his passes for 1 TD and 1 INT and 170 yards.

But yeah, keep telling yourself that. Lol.

Do you mean the kick-off return? Maybe you mean the pass that our second string QB threw? Book would have tore Mich up. Wimbush was one dimensional and still had Mich on it's heels as he was shredding that "NFL Ready" defensive front seven. Book would have used his arm and his legs to shred them.

 

[TomHaverford]

He shouldn't have caught the pass because he was a white wide receiver?

Let's face it, most white receivers suck. This kid sucks. Just made a one in a million play for him. Kind of play would be routine for a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant. That kid? That's one in a million for him.

 

[TomHaverford]

Do you mean the kick-off return? Maybe you mean the pass that our second string QB threw? Book would have tore Mich up. Wimbush was one dimensional and still had Mich on it's heels as he was shredding that "NFL Ready" defensive front seven. Book would have used his arm and his legs to shred them.

Ambry Thomas is one of the fastest kids in college football. He laser timed in the 4.3's in the 40 that year he destroyed everyone at The Opening. He was very close to be ranked 5*'s in 247Sports own rankings. Him returning a kick off for a touchdown is not a fluke. He'll do that again in college and in the NFL after he gets drafted.

Wimbush shredded? Lol. He had 170 yards passing and completed 54% of his passes and he had 58 yards rushing on 18 carries. He barely averaged more than 3 yards a carry. Your definition of shredding is not shredding.

Throwing for 300+ while completing 65% or better and running for another 100+ on 10 or fewer carries- now that would be shredding.

 

[benneboy]

Let's face it, most white receivers suck. This kid sucks. Just made a one in a million play for him. Kind of play would be routine for a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant. That kid? That's one in a million for him.

Kid made a great play over your defenders. That's not luck, it's called making a great play. Dude also has like 40" vert and good ball skills so disregarding him just because he's white is ill informed.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Let's face it, most white receivers suck. This kid sucks. Just made a one in a million play for him. Kind of play would be routine for a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant. That kid? That's one in a million for him.

What the heck. Time for a time out.

 

[RDU Irish]

21 point half on drives of 75, 96 and 75 yards is what you expect against Big 12 defenses. With our back up QB before the coaches tucked the play calling b/w their legs for no good reason. Second half put offense on ice knowing you couldn't score. Low energy move that most Irish fans despise.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Hit the WR right in the hands? Lol. Wimbush underthrew an arm punt right to freshman safety Brad Hawkins. Who by the way- was only in the game because of a highly questionable targeting call on starting safety Josh Mettelus.

Hawkins should've had the interception. He had the interception. Let some little 5 ft nothing walk-on nobody white receiver who never made a catch in his life and probably never will again take it away from him. It happens. It's better to be lucky than good, and that walk-on got lucky. Kind of like the scrub from the Giants in the Super Bowl when he caught a Hail Eli prayer on his helmet. Shit happens.

Chris Finke has 383 receiving yards this year. Yeah he was a walk on but has been on scholarship the past 2 years. He's not typically the go to guy for touchdowns but he gets us good yardage.

Finke is 3rd in receiving yards for ND and yet he has 10 more yards than Michigan's top receiver. So our little 5 ft nothing white walk on is better than every Michigan receiver.

ND's offensive stats are overall better with Book at QB is better than Michigan with Patterson, as well. Book has more passing yards, 1 less TD pass, 2 more rushing TD, and higher comp %, all while playing 3 less games.

 

[BobbyMac]

Let's face it, most white receivers suck. This kid sucks. Just made a one in a million play for him. Kind of play would be routine for a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant. That kid? That's one in a million for him.

Nice knowin' ya. But congrats on going out in a blaze of glory. Ban this racist chump.

 

[RDU Irish]

Nice knowin' ya. But congrats on going out in a blaze of glory. Ban this racist chump.

It's not racist to be bigoted against whites - that is the new America. Plus he is a Michigan fan so we should be empathetic to his lack of mental capacity.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Nice knowin' ya. But congrats on going out in a blaze of glory. Ban this racist chump.

I'd like to keep him around so we can continue to point out how ignorant he is. He said Finke sucks, not realizing he has more receiving yards than every Michigan receiver. That was pretty dumb.