A positive look at the 2012 schedule

[Black Irish]

I know Bleacher Report is considered a suspect source by some on IE, but I like this article they have about giving 1 reason why Notre Dame can beat each of their '12 opponents.
Notre Dame Football 2012: One Good Reason Why the Irish Can Beat Every Opponent | Bleacher Report

It's nice to see a positive spin on the tough schedule the Irish have ahead on them this year. I think ND will over-deliver in 2012 in the same way they under-delivered in 2011. Articles like this make me believe it's not just the crazy part of my brain saying that.

 

[IrishLax]

I fully expect us to start 4-0. MSU isn't going to be half the team they were last year without Cousins and we have to beat Michigan eventually right????

After that, it's a total crapshoot. So many of these teams could be really good or somewhere around average... the lone exception being USC who will be damn good.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I fully expect us to start 4-0. MSU isn't going to be half the team they were last year without Cousins and we have to beat Michigan eventually right????

After that, it's a total crapshoot. So many of these teams could be really good or somewhere around average... the lone exception being USC who will be damn good.

I have the same outlook as you lax.. 4-0 at the break with a long over-due win over UM.

After that it will be on Kelly as to how he prepares the staff and players and whether or not they can execute and remain focused through the gauntlet that is the remaining schedule.

 

[irishff1014]

I don't normally like what they have to say but they do make alot of good points.

 

[NDhoosier]

With all negativity around Notre Dame sites regarding the 2012 season, it is refreshing to see something actually new. I am sure some pessimist will post in here saying we will somewhere around 6-6 or 7-5, but they are just trying to be "that guy."

10-2 is my prediction, but an upset over Oklahoma or U$C is not impossible.

 

[NDOM]

With all negativity around Notre Dame sites regarding the 2012 season, it is refreshing to see something actually new. I am sure some pessimist will post in here saying we will somewhere around 6-6 or 7-5, but they are just trying to be "that guy."

10-2 is my prediction, but an upset over Oklahoma or U$C is not impossible.

Yep I'm that guy, I still say 7-5 is what we are going to go with a bowl win to make us 8-5. That's what I have been used to for the last 20 years. I'm NOT going to be "THAT GUY" and say we are going to go 10-2 every year or compete for the National Championship every year because I actually have realistic expectations.

BUT..........keep posting your 10-2 predictions year in and year out (not just you) so you can be disappointed on a yearly basis.

 

[Cali_domer]

Yep I'm that guy, I still say 7-5 is what we are going to go with a bowl win to make us 8-5. That's what I have been used to for the last 20 years. I'm NOT going to be "THAT GUY" and say we are going to go 10-2 every year or compete for the National Championship every year because I actually have realistic expectations.

BUT..........keep posting your 10-2 predictions year in and year out (not just you) so you can be disappointed on a yearly basis.

HEY!!!! I am also that guy!!! 7-5 to 5-7 has been my prediction for a long time(2 weeks).

 

[NDOM]

HEY!!!! I am also that guy!!! 7-5 to 5-7 has been my prediction for a long time(2 weeks).

LOL, I just do not see how we can go 10-2 with Tommy Rees as quarterback and if it is NOT Tommy Rees it will be an inexperienced quarterback. And with the toughest schedule that pretty much is a recipe for another sad season.

 

[bert2834]

LOL, I just do not see how we can go 10-2 with Tommy Rees as quarterback and if it is NOT Tommy Rees it will be an inexperienced quarterback. And with the toughest schedule that pretty much is a recipe for another sad season.

If Tommy is our QB next year, then I will have zero faith in Brian Kelly from then on out.

 

[BobD]

It's going to be a good year.

 

[STLDomer]

-We kill Navy
-We proceed to kill Purdue
-We proceed to kill Michigan
-We edge out Michigan St.
-We beat Miami pretty good
-We edge out Stanford in low scorer
-We edge out BYU in trap game vs. underrated team between Stanford and Oklahoma
- We shock and ovverated OK on college gameday
- We edge Pitt in another trap game
- We kill BC
- Beat Wake Forest handidly
- We get beaten by at least 10 vs. USC, we go to Sugar/Fiesta bowl they go to National Championship

disclaimer: this assumes good QB play

 

[Rhode Irish]

Lets get to 4-0 first, then see what happens. The world could open up for this football team if that happens, but I need to see us get there before I get all giddy and start breaking down the matchups the rest of the way.

 

[NDPhilly]

Sept. 1 Navy (Dublin, Ireland)
Sept. 8 PURDUE
Sept. 15 at Michigan State
Sept. 22 MICHIGAN
Sept. 29 Open Date
Oct. 6 MIAMI (Soldier Field, Chicago)
Oct. 13 STANFORD
Oct. 20 BYU
Oct. 27 at Oklahoma
Nov. 3 PITTSBURGH
Nov. 10 at Boston College
Nov. 17 WAKE FOREST
Nov. 24 at USC

I'm pretty sure we start out 4-0 but I could live with 3-1. I have to do more research on Miami but they lost their top 2 receivers, their starting QB,and their starting RB so I think we win that one. IMO we drop one to either BYU or Stanford at home. Most likely Stanford but we could very well beat both teams. @ Oklahoma is a loss anyway you look at it. Pitt at home with a new coach should be a win but that could be tough. I don't think Pitt will score much but they should have a good D. BC returns 19 starters so they will be better, but not that much better. we win there. Wake Forest at home is a win and @ USC is most likely a loss.

9-3 when you break down the schedule it isn't as bad as it appears. Two losses to Top 3 teams and one loss to another quality team.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I don't disagree with any of that, and I'll even go so far as to say that we SHOULD start 4-0. My concern is not as much about the teams we are playing as it is about ND's ability to play consistent football close to the level that it is capable of. That has been a problem for this program for years.

I said last year before the USF game that the only reason I was worried about that game is because it was the type of game we seemed to lose. Despite the fact that the game should have been a cake walk, I said I needed to see it before I bought in. I wanted to see it. But we all know how that turned out. I'm going to remain cautious until its proven to me that I don't need to be.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I think this season will swing on momentum. Depending on what direction the ball bounces, I think ND could be really good if they get the swagger starting out 4-0. ND has the talent to compete, unlike previous years, so I think 4-0 could do ALOT for our irish this year. All it takes it one play to turn a season around...confidence is contagious.

Now, if this team starts 2-2....just as confidence is contagious..we have all seen what weakness does to a team. Every link in the team breaks under pressure.

4-0 would be a very very good thing for our young Irish team this year. I feel like theres a new breed of football player on our team...I can't see Aaron Lynch being too pleased with losing while in a leaders role.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Um you guys are assuming our QB plays lights out and several guys step up at the WR position. Those are HUGE ifs. Michigan still has Denard Robinson and they always find a way to beat us despite being outplayed the majority of the game.

And we don't have any proven CB's. Face it guys, 2012 is going to be a rough year. 2013 is when we'll make a run.

 

[ThePiombino]

Lets get to 4-0 first, then see what happens. The world could open up for this football team if that happens, but I need to see us get there before I get all giddy and start breaking down the matchups the rest of the way.

How about we work on 1-0 and THEN we see what happens?

 

[greyhammer90]

I'm tired of seeing Michigan as an assumed win every year. I don't care if we've out played them 9 out of the last 12 quarters. They own us. ND has not come out of the gate without tripping over themselves in a very long time. If we go 4-0 I'll change my tune, but the way we've played I'm sticking with an 8 win season.

 

[BGIF]

How about we work on 1-0 and THEN we see what happens?

^

Really, 4-0 and we still have to find a Starting QB, OL, a couple of WRs, a LB, and a Secondary this Spring.

 

[DillonHall]

^

Really, 4-0 and we still have to find a Starting QB, OL, a couple of WRs, a LB, and a Secondary this Spring.

Seriously...what are these predictions based on? Like every preseason, I'm cautiously optimistic, but there are many unknowns at this point.

 

[NDinFL]

Seriously...what are these predictions based on? Like every preseason, I'm cautiously optimistic, but there are many unknowns at this point.

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Um you guys are assuming our QB plays lights out and several guys step up at the WR position. Those are HUGE ifs. Michigan still has Denard Robinson and they always find a way to beat us despite being outplayed the majority of the game.

And we don't have any proven CB's. Face it guys, 2012 is going to be a rough year. 2013 is when we'll make a run.

I dont think our QB has to play lights out, he doesn't have to be a Heisman contender. He just has to be efficient running the offense. If we have average QB play that doesnt get stifled during pressure, we should be okay. Also, Kelly's offense, schematically speaking, will have players open consistantly...if the QB doesn't lock on 1 reciever or is physically competant enough to make tough throws...we should be okay as we can move the ball all over the field.

Well, we had proven CB's last year that (aside from Blanton) werent All-Americans. Our Dline line should get us a lot of pressure, even against the best lines, if they aren't afraid to make a play on the ball we should be atleast average.

I dont see how 2012 being very rough correlates to a NC run in 2013. If we are that young, and that average in these key positions in 2012...I don't see them being fixed within a year...especially if we have a QB making consistant rookie mistakes mixed with a young and raw secondary mistake prone as well. 2014 would make more sense for a run if thats that case.

The best omen for a NC run in 2013 would be a 2012 season with (Regular season):

8-4 losing very close games (even to Oklahoma/SC) by less then 2 scores, and being in position to win most of the game. Few limited mental mistakes from being young

9-3 same scenario but much lesson margin of error on mental mistakes and upsetting one of the giants on our schedule. Solid QB play that gets better as the season goes on that by the end of the year our QB isn't a first year starter anymore, hes adapted very well, and is very efficient. Also, go-to guy emerges in the WR spot.

10-2 no mental errors/good qb play/breakout player at WR and defensive secondary

I don't see how this team can go from 7-5 in 2012 to a NC contender in 1 year. If this is the case, we are very far off. Youve got to remember...we can't go to junioir colleges and bring in a 22 year old sophmores who are absolute studs to fill needs.

 

[Crazy Balki]

^

Really, 4-0 and we still have to find a Starting QB, OL, a couple of WRs, a LB, and a Secondary this Spring.

We have plenty of talent at those positions those. And the line returns it's two best players (Martin and Cave). I'm not too concerned with WR, as their play will improve as the QB does.
I'm not in the least bit concerned about replacing Fleming, as Ishaq is a faster, stronger and overall more athletic version of Fleming. My only primary concern coming into 2012, is the CB's. Tee should occupy one of the spots, and his style of play doesn't rely as much on talent, but instincts and intelligence. But he does have the talent part as well. But opposite Shepard is where I'm nervous. Jackson has the prototypical size, speed, tackling ability and change of direction needed for in a CB, but he was originally a WR. His instincts are still up in the air. Jalen Brown has speed, size and coverage ability, but lacks the good directional change. But if Jackson or Brown can play better than Gray (which isn't that hard), the secondary should actually IMPROVE over last year. I would say 10-2, but I can't make a decision until the QB is named.

It's gonna be a good year.

 

[Rhode Irish]

How about we work on 1-0 and THEN we see what happens?

I'm not predicting 4-0, I was just responding to what had already been said in the thread.

 

[stlnd01]

I think we go 8-4, give or take one.
Lose to USC, Oklahoma, one of Mich/MSU, and maybe one other game (most likely Stanford or BYU).
To me, the most telling thing will be how we play in those losses. If they're all close and we improve as the season goes on, I'm quite optimistic for 2013. If we plateau in midseason and lose by multiple scores to the best teams we play - like last year - then, well, I'm still worried about our ability to get over that hump from "decent" to "good."
Better QB play, more weapons emerging on offense, more playmaking from the defense. On this much depends.

 

[woolybug25]

Um you guys are assuming our QB plays lights out and several guys step up at the WR position. Those are HUGE ifs. Michigan still has Denard Robinson and they always find a way to beat us despite being outplayed the majority of the game.

And we don't have any proven CB's. Face it guys, 2012 is going to be a rough year. 2013 is when we'll make a run.

I didn't even read what you said because your sig pic is extremely close and extremely loud.

 

[NDhoosier]

I didn't even read what you said because your sig pic is extremely close and extremely loud.

Same here, I thought most sites have size limits for signature pics...

I still say 7-5 is what we are going to go with a bowl win to make us 8-5.

Alright, who do you see us losing to and why? The only teams that are "better" than us are Oklahoma and U$C.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I didn't even read what you said because your sig pic is extremely close and extremely loud.

Same. I don't want to get a reputation for complaining about people's sig pics, so I didn't say anything. But since you brought it up, I'll offer 1000 vbucks if he changes the pic to something .10 the size of that pic or smaller. I wish people would just avoid the sig pic thing altogether, but that is a personal preference and I get that people want to wear their flair or whatever. But if you MUST use a pic in your sig, could we at least make it a size that does not take up the entire screen?

 

[phgreek]

I think this season will swing on momentum. Depending on what direction the ball bounces, I think ND could be really good if they get the swagger starting out 4-0. ND has the talent to compete, unlike previous years, so I think 4-0 could do ALOT for our irish this year. All it takes it one play to turn a season around...confidence is contagious.

Now, if this team starts 2-2....just as confidence is contagious..we have all seen what weakness does to a team. Every link in the team breaks under pressure.

4-0 would be a very very good thing for our young Irish team this year. I feel like theres a new breed of football player on our team...I can't see Aaron Lynch being too pleased with losing while in a leaders role.

I'm actually hoping these guys face and actually overcome some adversity in a game and overcome it early...so later they don't get the "oh here we go again" syndrome if they get down against a good team. Hoping for a squeaker in the first 4, so we can have some leaders emerge...guys that just say HELL NO...this isn't happening on my watch...then I think we have the potential to beat expectations...generally speaking my expectations are 8 wins.

 

[Black Irish]

What I took away from the Bleacher Report article is the "any given Sunday" philosophy, that on on given Sunday (or Saturday) anything can happen on the gridiron. The game doesn't always go to the home team or the Vegas favorite, as Fighting Irish fans are painfully aware.

I'm not talking national championship or BCS bowl at this point, but I'm not ready to concede defeat to anyone. I'm just hoping that the Irish in 2012 will build on their strengths from 2011 while pitching their flaws to the wayside. As long as they don't choke against inferior opponents and go for blood against the stronger teams for all 4 quarters, we'll be in good shape.