A question for true Irish fans...

[AlumniHall98]

On my way in this morning, I heard Dick Vitale say that unless ND "runs the table" and finishes 11-1, therefore including a win over SC, we would not be invited to a BCS bowl game at the end of the year. Do you all agree with this? I am really looking for honest and intelligent insight from the posters on this forum in regard to this question.

My impression, from before the first snap of the year, was that a 10-2 season would land us a BCS bowl invite, and obviously no serious ND fan really thought an NC title game was in the mix, so the BCS was the carrott at the end of the stick, and really the only way Charlie had to keep his job.

Just hoping to get some thoughts on whether you all think a 11-1 finish is absoultely necessary or if we will be invited should we finish out 10-2.

Thanks.

 

[goldandblue]

I think Vitale should probably stick to what he know's best which would be NCAA basketball. Notre Dame finishes 10-2 I fully expect them to be playing in a BCS Bowl. There is always the possibility that they won't be but I say with only one more loss we will be BCS bound.

 

[phork]

At 10-2 or 11-1 and factoring in the year Michigan and USC have (Since those would be our main losses), and how strongly our other foes finish I don't think there is anyway to not include ND in a BCS bowl. Now saying that, it is Week 3 and ND is unranked. Its a tough, tough climb from where we are at.

 

[AlumniHall98]

Thank you for those thoughtful posts, goldnblue and phork. I share your sentiments completely, and that is what I have thought since I began reading my "Guide to Irish Football 2009" preview magazine at the beach this summer!! There was no real chance of an NC invite, but the BCS seemed like a real possibility, and I still believe it is.

 

[notredomer23]

I cant stand the ESPN analysists that say 9-3 gets a BCS bowl bid when at 10-2 its not even guarenteed. 11-1 is definite BCS, 10-2 is probable BCS and 9-3 is slim to none BCS

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I cant stand the ESPN analysists that say 9-3 gets a BCS bowl bid when at 10-2 its not even guarenteed. 11-1 is definite BCS, 10-2 is probable BCS and 9-3 is slim to none BCS

yep, what he said

 

[phork]

You have to remember that you can only take 2 teams from each conference, including the BCS Championship game. It is not a stretch that a #14 or so ND team gets in, basically on strength of ticket sales and name recognition.

 

[aaronb]

Even without a BCS game, 10-2 should insure a good Post-December Bowl game.

 

[BillyIrish]

I think the anti-Notre Dame sentiment is at an all time high right now. I dont think we will get much respect in the polls without a win over USC. so i think i would agree with Vitale. It's a long season and a ton can still happen. hopefully that is the last thing on the mind of the players. the only way to run the table is to win the next one and that starts Saturday!!!


LETS GO IRISH!!!! BEAT SPARTANS!!!

 

[BGIF]

On my way in this morning, I heard Dick Vitale say that unless ND "runs the table" and finishes 11-1, therefore including a win over SC, we would not be invited to a BCS bowl game at the end of the year. Do you all agree with this? I am really looking for honest and intelligent insight from the posters on this forum in regard to this question.

My impression, from before the first snap of the year, was that a 10-2 season would land us a BCS bowl invite, and obviously no serious ND fan really thought an NC title game was in the mix, so the BCS was the carrott at the end of the stick, and really the only way Charlie had to keep his job.

Just hoping to get some thoughts on whether you all think a 11-1 finish is absoultely necessary or if we will be invited should we finish out 10-2.

Thanks.

ND getting shutout with a 1 loss year was discussed on this board preseason after some bowl projections were released. The teams varied slighty but most had:

2 SEC Teams - Florida, and (one of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia)
2 Big 10 Teams - OSU and PSU
2 Big 12 Teams - OU and Texas
1 PAC 10 Team - USC
1 ACC Team - VT
1 Big East Team - WVU
1 At Large - Boise St (BYU, Texas Tech)

Preseason there were a half dozen teams that had a shot at a unbeaten season. If they stumble there should still be a number of 1 loss teams but the league champs.

OU's already go a loss. Will the bowls take a 10-2 ND team over a 10-3 OU or a 10-2 Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, or a 1 loss BYU, Boise or Texas Tech?

Considering the BCS System, Conference Bowl tie-ins, Conference revenue sharing, and the secret Coaches Poll where Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier can vote ND 10 places lower than they should be ranked. I wouldn't be surprised to see ND get squeezed if there are a bunch of unbeaten and/or 1 loss teams. How many years ago was it that CAL got screwed in the last Coaches Poll and voting irregularities were noted.

I didn't hear Vitale so I don't know if he had anything more than those preseason projections.

 

[TDHeysus]

10-2 gets ND a BCS bid.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I think if UM has a decent year and makes it to a bowl and we play USC tough, maybe losing by single digits, we get it. All bowls want money, what team would rake in more cash than ND? However, if USC trounces us I don't think we go.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

Progress would be either the Gator Bowl or any BCS game. I will be suffice with either.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

There are so many variables to consider, it doesn't just rely on ND's record alone. For instance, say ND finishes 10-2 with a win over USC. The second loss would be against a "lesser" team and could cost ND a BCS berth. If ND runs the table, but loses to SC, they still rely on the rest of the Top 10 teams to stumble at some point. There are just so many different things to consider. If it comes down to a choice between ND and Texas Tech or Boise State, ND has a distinct advantage. 11-1, not brainer, they are in. 10-2 is very iffy and could go either way. 9-3, I just don't see it happening, but they could be in the discussion for a time, which is the criteria Swarbrick set for the season.

I dunno. What the hell do I know anyway?

 

[NDFan78]

Nd would definitely need to run the table to have a chance to go to a bcs game. Boise St and BYU are ranked so high that it would be very difficult for ND to pass them.

 

[notredomer23]

ND getting shutout with a 1 loss year was discussed on this board preseason after some bowl projections were released. The teams varied slighty but most had:

2 SEC Teams - Florida, and (one of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia)
2 Big 10 Teams - OSU and PSU
2 Big 12 Teams - OU and Texas
1 PAC 10 Team - USC
1 ACC Team - VT
1 Big East Team - WVU
1 At Large - Boise St (BYU, Texas Tech)

Preseason there were a half dozen teams that had a shot at a unbeaten season. If they stumble there should still be a number of 1 loss teams but the league champs.

OU's already go a loss. Will the bowls take a 10-2 ND team over a 10-3 OU or a 10-2 Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, or a 1 loss BYU, Boise or Texas Tech?

Considering the BCS System, Conference Bowl tie-ins, Conference revenue sharing, and the secret Coaches Poll where Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier can vote ND 10 places lower than they should be ranked. I wouldn't be surprised to see ND get squeezed if there are a bunch of unbeaten and/or 1 loss teams. How many years ago was it that CAL got screwed in the last Coaches Poll and voting irregularities were noted.

I didn't hear Vitale so I don't know if he had anything more than those preseason projections.

disagree about the amount of teams getting in. OSU will not make a BCS bowl because they will lose to PSU and maybe, maybe Michigan. If there are 2 at large spots, there is no way ND doesnt get one, say they go 10-2 and are in the top 14

 

[mick2]

ND orange bowl would be nice!

10-2 irish team gets in the bcs.period.end of story.

 

[irishtrain]

bcs

bcs

The class and insight of most of the guys/girls on this site is why I post here. You folks get it. I agree with all this but will add- the season and what they do from here will determine Notre Dame's future in a big way. 10-2 is great if they do what I think they do on Oct 17. BCS is not important except for the $$$$. They gotta play well enough to keep this coach. I still hear the train.

 

[JefMaj]

I've said that ND is one year away. And with that one year the D line will mature and they will go 12-0 in 2010.
This year (preseason) I was happy with a Gator Bowl and it looks like our last chance at that (new contracts next year change all).
I'm still happy with a Gator - whether at 10-2, or 9-3. I would be upset if we went 11-1 and were shut out of the BCS. Then again, with the anti ND sentiment so prevalent I would almost expect it.

Next year - I see us BCS whether 12-0, 11-1, 10-2. The body and continuity of work over 2 years show things are rebalancing.

When all things rebalance in the universe - and they soon will: We will win again! We will dominate again! Because? WE ARE ND... and they're not!

 

[BGIF]

disagree about the amount of teams getting in. OSU will not make a BCS bowl because they will lose to PSU and maybe, maybe Michigan. If there are 2 at large spots, there is no way ND doesnt get one, say they go 10-2 and are in the top 14

At the end of the '08 season in the final regular season Coaches Poll, BYU was 10-2 ranked #16 and were solidly behind 3 teams with 3 losses.

2008 USA TODAY Top 25 college football coaches' ballots - USATODAY.com

 

[nlroma1o]

I can see ND receiving a BCS berth at 10-2. It is certainly possible. Like many have said already, there are too many variables right now. I don't see why we can't go 11-1 though. As much as I am still hurt from Saturdays loss, I'm glad it came at the beginning of the season. Now we can get it out of our system, and start kickin' ass. I don't see why we can't beat USC this year. There really isn't anything that we shouldn't be able to attain this season.

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

But would ND deserve it over Boise State, BYU, TCU, Utah, or even Houston? What if one of those teams had a 11-1 record, like Utah beating BYU or the other way around by a small margin. Would ND deserve to go over a Utah team that was obviously robbed last year, remember their thumping of Alabama.

 

[nlroma1o]

But would ND deserve it over Boise State, BYU, TCU, Utah, or even Houston? What if one of those teams had a 11-1 record, like Utah beating BYU or the other way around by a small margin. Would ND deserve to go over a Utah team that was obviously robbed last year, remember their thumping of Alabama.

If they beat USC and finish up the season 11-1 I would say they deserve it. I don't see how you argue that they don't. The only loss would come from a hard fought Michigan game that went down to the wire. And if your boys keep winning then that would justify ND even more. Wouldn't it?

 

[wakeuptheechoes]

Normally, 10-2 would probably get a BCS bid. Unfortuneatley, the last two BCS bowls did not bode well for ND. We lost and lost bad. I could see a 10-2 ND team not invited. I do not claim this is fair and I hope it is not the case, only that I could see ND being snubbed. Just as I could see OSU being snubbed at 11-1 for the title game even if other teams had the same record or even 10-2. I will not join Dick Vitale and saying they must run the table to get a BCS but it would help. Much will also have to do with how Michigan does, everyone pull for Michigan now, as their record will help/hurt our strength of schedule.

 

[Junkhead]

I'm more worried about getting to 2-1. That said, 10-2 would be BCS territory for ND.

 

[AlumniHall98]

hey buddy.....look, Michigan won, ok? game over, your team beat our team, we made too many mistakes, the refs were atrocious, and there was highly questionable play calling and defensive coaching on our part throughout the 2nd half.....ok fine....congratulations, good luck the rest of the season...and now....MOVE ALONG!!

I fail to see your interest in a discussion amongst TRUE Notre Dame fans about OUR TEAM'S possibilities for post-season play....I am sure you can find your share of "Michigan heading to the National Championship!" threads on your own homer boards.

The title of this post states quite clearly..."A question for TRUE IRISH FANS...", so unless you're finally seeing the light and realizing you are a closet ND fan, butt out!!

 

[RyanS]

But would ND deserve it over Boise State, BYU, TCU, Utah, or even Houston? What if one of those teams had a 11-1 record, like Utah beating BYU or the other way around by a small margin. Would ND deserve to go over a Utah team that was obviously robbed last year, remember their thumping of Alabama.

First thing.....the only game that even remotely factors in being "deserving" is the NC game.....and we all know that system is completely broken....

Second....since the "sub" bowls only care about making money, then yes ND should (and would) go if they qualify. The simple fact is that very few (if any) team is going to be more profitable for a bowl than ND because of their national fan base (they travel very well).

So....the answer to your question (based on the current bowl system) is yes, ND would be more deserving.

 

[kmoose]

hey buddy.....look, Michigan won, ok? game over, your team beat our team, we made too many mistakes, the refs were atrocious, and there was highly questionable play calling and defensive coaching on our part throughout the 2nd half.....ok fine....congratulations, good luck the rest of the season...and now....MOVE ALONG!!

I fail to see your interest in a discussion amongst TRUE Notre Dame fans about OUR TEAM'S possibilities for post-season play....I am sure you can find your share of "Michigan heading to the National Championship!" threads on your own homer boards.

The title of this post states quite clearly..."A question for TRUE IRISH FANS...", so unless you're finally seeing the light and realizing you are a closet ND fan, butt out!!

Whoa, whoa! Slow down, turbo. ]\/[ Go Blue has been very polite and respectful on here. I took his question to be an honest one, not an attempt to troll.

 

[AlumniHall98]

perhaps you are right....maybe I jumped the gun a bit.

I apologize if I was out of line, MBlue.

Still a little fired up from last weekend I guess...

 

[irish4ever]

It's dependent upon how many 12-0 and 11-1 teams are left at the end of the season. One would think that 10-2 with the other loss being a close game to U$C would put ND in the BCS picture though.