2020 CFB Semifinal (ND vs. Alabama)

2020 CFB Semifinal (ND vs. Alabama)


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PANDFAN

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Bama 42-31

The Irish are going to make my Tide earn it.


saving this one for later when the ass beating begins mid way through the second quarter....this is typically when all of the momentum and any sort of hope i have in ND winning a Big time match up in the playoffs,bcs disappears into the thin air and my drinking increases ten fold

@oldtakes
 

gkIrish

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Bama 49 ND 17

Just don't see this being competitive. I think we'll see 2 defensive or special teams touchdowns by Bama.
 

Irishize

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Bama 42-31

The Irish are going to make my Tide earn it.

I would say/think the same thing if I were a Bama fan b/c you don‘t know until they actually play. As most of ND’s games this season, on paper; Bama should dominate but the opponent has other ideas. Much like those weaker opponents of ND who push all their chips to the middle of the table in the first quarter, ND will give a valiant effort initially...they may even squeak out a FG to crack the goose egg on the scoreboard. But soon after, Bama will reel off 2-3 quick scores and add another right before half. The commentators will start the 2nd half proclaiming that ND must get a few defensive stops to have any hope of making this a game. They will hold up their end of the bargain, but the offense is now into “3 & out” mode and barely puts up a fight.

BK will have the same excuses...”wasn’t our day” (it’s the CFP!!!! How can that be an excuse?!?!), “we are who we are, we just didn’t execute” BK will deny that this is ND’s MO even though everyone else in the world knows it’s the same old ND when it comes to playing an elite opponent in a game w/ national consequences. The first Clemson win will be forgotten & dismissed as a result of Clemson being down 4 key starters. There will always be an asterisk by that win. It is what it is. We all own the DVD so we are quite familiar with the ending.
 

DCDomer

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Would anyone else sign up for a 21 point loss if it was offered? You're guaranteed to not pull of the upset, but also guaranteed you wont lose by 35/40.

I ask this because I bet Brian Kelly would in his heart of hearts.
 

DCDomer

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May be the worst thing I've seen alleged against BK here on IE, which is saying something.

Didn't really mean it as an attack on Kelly, I just see a STRONG possibility of a beatdown. Just hypothetically, is it better for the health of the program to lose by the same sort of margin we've been seeing against these elite teams, or risk the possibility of a nightmare 40-50 point beatdown.
 
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Whiskeyjack

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Didn't really mean it as an attack on Kelly, I just see a STRONG possibility of a beatdown. Just hypothetically, is it better for the health of the program to lose by the same sort of margin we've been seeing against these elite teams, or risk the possibility of a nightmare 40-50 point beatdown.

We just need to be competitive. I'll be happy if ND covers and the game isn't over by halftime.

I'm way less worried about the defense than the offense.
 

Luckylucci

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45-20 ND takes it on the chin pretty good. I think the defense performs admirable, at times, but the offense gives the defense no rest and short fields. I'm hopeful Book plays like the BMOC he did at times this year but I'd bet it's more like he has in other big games. He'll hold the ball, take sacks, scramble out of bounds for short or no gains. When looking at the 4 QB's in the playoff games, he will once again be a significant drop below those guys.

My optimistic self watched Kyle Trask and Matt Corral carve up this defense and want Book to do the same.
 

gkIrish

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Would anyone else sign up for a 21 point loss if it was offered? You're guaranteed to not pull of the upset, but also guaranteed you wont lose by 35/40.

I ask this because I bet Brian Kelly would in his heart of hearts.

I get your question but I think 21 is a beatdown and wouldn't change the narrative.

I would sign up for a one score loss at this point. That would earn some respect and ensure the game is entertaining.
 

Luckylucci

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I get your question but I think 21 is a beatdown and wouldn't change the narrative.

I would sign up for a one score loss at this point. That would earn some respect and ensure the game is entertaining.

If we lose a game like Florida just did, then I'll be a happy camper on Friday. Very happy.

I also think we need a competitive offense to put on the field just like Florida was able to do. I think we're going to lose a lot of the luster from an undefeated season if this offense, and Book, lay another egg.
 

NDdomer2

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45-20 ND takes it on the chin pretty good. I think the defense performs admirable, at times, but the offense gives the defense no rest and short fields. I'm hopeful Book plays like the BMOC he did at times this year but I'd bet it's more like he has in other big games. He'll hold the ball, take sacks, scramble out of bounds for short or no gains. When looking at the 4 QB's in the playoff games, he will once again be a significant drop below those guys.

My optimistic self watched Kyle Trask and Matt Corral carve up this defense and want Book to do the same.

Fields has not looked good in the "better" competition he's played in IU and NW. Book might escape looking like 3rd place.
 

DCDomer

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I get your question but I think 21 is a beatdown and wouldn't change the narrative.

I would sign up for a one score loss at this point. That would earn some respect and ensure the game is entertaining.


Fair enough, my baseline expectation is just lower than most
 

Luckylucci

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Fields has not looked good in the "better" competition he's played in IU and NW. Book might escape looking like 3rd place.

I'll take it but doubtful. This is where fans reach for very small examples that make their guy better.

Fields had a bad game against NW. That happens. He also has a body of work that is far superior to that of Book's and it's not close. He's a collegiate career comp pct of 69% and 9.2 yds/att. Those are exceptional numbers.

Ian Book is 63.9% and 7.9 yds/att.
 

IrishSteelhead

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2020 CFB Semifinal (ND vs. Alabama)

saving this one for later when the ass beating begins mid way through the second quarter....this is typically when all of the momentum and any sort of hope i have in ND winning a Big time match up in the playoffs,bcs disappears into the thin air and my drinking increases ten fold

@oldtakes


This is accurate. The second quarter is always phuck or walk time in these games. We either hold the line or pack it in during those 15 minutes.


Second quarter of BCS level post-season games in BK era:

2012 vs Bama: outscored 14-0

2016 vs OSU: tied 14-14

2018 vs Clemson: outscored 20-0

2020 vs Clemson: outscored 17-0

BK teams have been outscored 65-14 in the second quarter in his 4 BIG games. Woof.









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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