2018 Record Prediction

[Ndaccountant]

In a vacuum those teams don't have me worried, but the travel is the key. I doubt there will be a team in the country that travels that much over the same 5 weeks.

Navy plays in SanDiego, in cincy, at UCF, home and then at tulane.

 

[Luckylucci]

Navy plays in SanDiego, in cincy, at UCF, home and then at tulane.

Damn, that's no joke. Good to know.

 

[notredomer23]

A disappointing 11-2 with a loss to Northwestern

 

[IrishLion]

I think Wimbush will end up being basically the same Wimbush that we got last year... a dynamic threat running the ball, but inconsistent with his accuracy. The fact that he's in his second year starting gives him just enough extra control to get us back to 10 wins despite the losses of two generational OL and a realllllly good RB, and a schedule that's loaded with trap games.

If he somehow completes 55% of his passes over the course of the season consistently, without going from valley-to-peak, the team can win 11.

If he stays healthy and somehow floats closer to 60% passing, they can win 12 and will be in the playoff.

Right now, I expect to see an entertaining but frustrating 9-3 regular season, followed by a bowl win.

 

[fitz_bu47]

If Wimbush takes a step forward, it's playoffs or bust.

I believe he will.

 

[IrishLax]

I think we're a 9-4 team because I just don't see the OL being that good this year, and I don't think we've got "elite" talent anywhere. I think the only way the team gets to 10+ wins is if the defense is truly a top 10 caliber unit and Wimbush turns into a gamebreaker. If both those happen, I think we've got a really good shot at the playoffs.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think we're a 9-4 team because I just don't see the OL being that good this year, and I don't think we've got "elite" talent anywhere. I think the only way the team gets to 10+ wins is if the defense is truly a top 10 caliber unit and Wimbush turns into a gamebreaker. If both those happen, I think we've got a really good shot at the playoffs.

I won't say they won't be good but I'm right there with you. Wimbush broke down early/took off running with a best OL in college football last year. This year, there will be legitimate pressures and I'm afraid he'll develop a case of the yips.

This is why my money has been on Book this season. I hope Wimbush makes massive leaps and wins the Heisman and gives us a natty but I hope the same for Book or whoever plays QB for us.

I still have hope our OL will be top 10 this year.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think we're a 9-4 team because I just don't see the OL being that good this year, and I don't think we've got "elite" talent anywhere. I think the only way the team gets to 10+ wins is if the defense is truly a top 10 caliber unit and Wimbush turns into a gamebreaker. If both those happen, I think we've got a really good shot at the playoffs.

Corners may be an exception here. Love was 2nd team AA, Pride Jr is playing at a high level and Crawford is a play maker in the nickel if he can stay healthy.

Tight end is loaded but not much production to show for it as of now. Still, Alize was top recruit in country at TE and is uniquely physically gifted. Wright and Kmet were top three recruits and look like they're going to be studs. They need to prove it on the field, but it's there.

Don't disagree with your prediction, though.

 

[NorthDakota]

Either 9-3 plus a bowl loss or 8-4 with a bowl win. Don't see more than 2 wins between USC, Michigan, Stanford, and Virginia Tech. Think we lose another game between Northwestern and Florida State. Things could get really bad if Michigan smokes us.

ND wont get blown out by Michigan lmao

 

[Irishize]

8-4 regular season with a meaningless bowl game win to go 9-4.

Losses to Michigan, VT, Northwestern, and USC

I’m with you.

 

[Irishize]

If Wimbush takes a step forward, it's playoffs or bust.

I believe he will.

With the loss of two of the best OL in the nation & question marks at RB combined w/ Wimbush’s struggles w/ swing passes, I’d love to see an offense similar to what we saw in 2005 where Wimbush can throw it up to a bunch of 6’4”-6’5” guys, RB out of the backfield (minus swing pass) or use his legs (which wasn’t a luxury in ‘05). Just my two cents.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

All I know is more than one person unsarcastically predicted a loss to NW. Im flaccid now.....

 

[Irish YJ]

Surprised to see all the 10-3 and 11-2 predictions!

Going with 10-3

Losses to VT and USC, followed by a bowl loss to

 

[OhioIrish31]

I think we fade at the very end of the season with a loss to USC and a loss to Georgia in a bowl game...11-2. Everyone heads off to therapy and marriage counselling after the season because of the build-up/let-down.

 

[BabyIrish]

9-4 as I don’t see Wimbush taking the jump we need to be a playoff team. If he does, could be a special season though.

 

[DogDaysIrish]

Not a huge believer in Wimbush. 8-5 and be pleasantly surprised with 9-4.

 

[loomis41973]

eight-fiddy

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Not a huge believer in Wimbush. 8-5 and be pleasantly surprised with 9-4.

"pleasantly surprised with 9-4"
Lmfao.

Go back to ND Nation, asshole.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Henges24]

"pleasantly surprised with 9-4"
Lmfao.

Go back to ND Nation, asshole.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

To be fair, any Browns fan would be pleasantly surprised with a winning record.

Trust me, I would know.

 

[ACamp1900]

The poll needs a few more options....

 

[Rack Em]

Not a huge believer in Wimbush. 8-5 and be pleasantly surprised with 9-4.

How's your mullet looking?

"pleasantly surprised with 9-4"
Lmfao.

Go back to ND Nation, asshole.

Hold your wad there fella. You've been on the board long enough to know this poster wasn't originally DDI. He's no ND Nation asshole.

 

[Irish#1]

Our O-line will be just fine. Will it be as good as last years? Of course not, but it's like comparing a Lamborghini to a Mercedes. These guys have picked up experience and are chomping at the bit to prove themselves. The key to this season isn't the D, TE's, WR's, RB's or OL. The key is whether BW thinks too much or just "balls out".

 

[arrowryan]

I'm not going to predict their record because I'm never right and I hate being let down after having high expectations. But some of the concerns people have mentioned, I believe, are warranted and some not so much.

Until Brandon Wimbush proves in a real game, concerns about his play are legit. I don't care how good or bad he looks in practice, he needs to prove his doubters wrong on September 1 in order to keep them quiet.

I don't think the concerns about the o-line are warranted. Yes, Coach Kelly and Coach Quinn are replacing two top 10 picks. With that being said, this is nowhere near the first time this team has replaced first round talent on the o-line. Will it be tough to replace the two? No doubt, but its been done before. It'll be tougher to replace Nelson than Big Mike because I think Q is the best o-linemen Notre Dame has had in 10+ years. I think Zach Martin and Stanley were better tackles at Notre Dame than Big Mike and the staff had them replaced relatively fast. I'm not saying the o-line won't take a step back at all, I just don't think it'll be as big of a step back as some people believe. I mean, this is why they recruit o-linemen so well, right? For moments like this.

Just like the QB situation, until the safeties prove it in a game, there is reason to be concerned about the safety position. I believe our safety problems are gone, but I can't be 100% until I see them with my own eyes. There is just too much talent and athleticism back there, they have to better. Also, I think Love and Pride will make our safeties better as well.

Autry Denson is too good of a coach for me to be worried about the running back situation. I know we don't have a bell cow right now that can eat up 20-25 carries, but I think Jones, Armstrong, and Davis gives us a unique blend of power, speed, and athleticism. Josh Adams lacked the ability to change direction and he wasn't a factor in the passing game. Jones will be our power back who can also catch the ball, while Armstrong and Davis will be able to change direction in the blink of an eye and I think both (Armstrong in particular) will be dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield.

 

[Rack Em]

All I know is more than one person unsarcastically predicted a loss to NW. Im flaccid now.....

Admiral Ackbar's opinion on the NW game sandwiched between Navy @ San Diego and Florida St @ home under the lights....

 

[IrishLion]

Admiral Ackbar's opinion on the NW game sandwiched between Navy @ San Diego and Florida St @ home under the lights....

The whole back end of the schedule is a gosh darn trap.

It's like one big Sarlacc

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Our O-line will be just fine. Will it be as good as last years? Of course not, but it's like comparing a Lamborghini to a Mercedes. These guys have picked up experience and are chomping at the bit to prove themselves. The key to this season isn't the D, TE's, WR's, RB's or OL. The key is whether BW thinks too much or just "balls out".

THIS. Reps, sir. We have done nothing but recruit studs on the OL in the BK/HH era. Of course we will digress from the #1 OL in the country, but that doesn't mean we will inevitably be a poor unit up front. We can still be an elite OL if they gel. Liam is the key at LT, but he won that job over Hainsey, who most of us are very high on.

 

[Rack Em]

The whole back end of the schedule is a gosh darn trap.

It's like one big Sarlacc

In its belly, you will find a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over…the last 5 games

 

[calvegas04]

Our O-line will be just fine. Will it be as good as last years? Of course not, but it's like comparing a Lamborghini to a Mercedes. These guys have picked up experience and are chomping at the bit to prove themselves. The key to this season isn't the D, TE's, WR's, RB's or OL. The key is whether BW thinks too much or just "balls out".

Plus it looks like we could have a coaching upgrade at OL

 

[koonja]

Plus it looks like we could have a coaching upgrade at OL

I'm all for #Quinning, but I think that's a farther-fetched hope than "BW all of a sudden has it!".

I believe we will not see a drop off in performance that many expected, and I think we'll at least maintain our OL recruiting.

But to expect a performance upgrade at OL coaching is arguably impossible at any school if HH is the one who left, let alone Quinn who hasn't coached in how long?

I do think we'll be just fine and OL will still be a strength over the next ~3 years, but I do not expect the coaching to be better. I would be very happy if it was the same.

 

[irish4ever]

I figure 10-3 is legit. Va. Tech and U$C road losses and either scUM (f*ck that hurts me to type this) OR F$U loss at home.