Academic Standards

[phork]

The easy way to a championship? Run the ball and stop the run. Its been that way for over 100 years now. You can say X teams ran a spread, etc etc but the foundation of all those teams was to be able to pound the rock.

Weis's issue? Can't run it, had to give up on the run and couldn't stop the run.
Kelly's issue? Can't run it or refusal to run it and can't stop the run. Difference being that Weis had 5 years, this is Kelly's 1st.

 

[NDMontana]

All the academic points are invalid due to Stanford's success. Whether it lasts or not, whether Harbaugh stays or not, he has built a juggernaut. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Stanford admissions even tougher?

Well, I've spoken to this point on different threads but what the hey. Stanford is in California. California has a temperate climate. Fall/winter/spring ball in Palo Alto or South Bend? Hmm, tough call.

Location, location, location. I guess even nerds, who happen to be gifted atletes, like nicer climates.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

To my best buddy, Neutered: The pre-technology era from which I survived had no computers and, since I was a lazy little fart who wanted to be in the Rock all the time playing basketball, I didn't even learn to type. Each thing that I learn happens purely by accident. Hopefully, my incompetence will take up our board's and our coaching staff's quota of universal incompetence, so no one else will have to suffer with it. It's a burden I carry. Hmmm..."Enter" button...?

Now I am jealous!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The easy way to a championship? Run the ball and stop the run. Its been that way for over 100 years now. You can say X teams ran a spread, etc etc but the foundation of all those teams was to be able to pound the rock.

Weis's issue? Can't run it, had to give up on the run and couldn't stop the run.
Kelly's issue? Can't run it or refusal to run it and can't stop the run. Difference being that Weis had 5 years, this is Kelly's 1st.

That's part of it. Difference: Weiss never was a head coach, Kelly established he could win at any level in the college ranks. I'm just sayin' . . . .

 

[phork]

Well, I've spoken to this point on different threads but what the hey. Stanford is in California. California has a temperate climate. Fall/winter/spring ball in Palo Alto or South Bend? Hmm, tough call.

Location, location, location. I guess even nerds, who happen to be gifted atletes, like nicer climates.

You got me there I guess. But you can't tell me there are 1 or 2 kids on the Wisconsins, the OSUs, the Iowas that wouldn't fit in here? I mean its not like you either go to Stanford, or you go to ND. Kids from FLA coming to play at Michigan etc.. There is no reason why we cannot get the right kids in here. The excuses are starting to wear thin.

 

[LongRun]

The idea of "academic standards" cited by the reason for ND's less-than-stellar performance over the last 20 years is widely embraced by many ND Alum. I for one hope this trend never is rectified - can't fix what you fail to see as broken.

The REAL reason is that not only is Kelly the wrong guy, but the RIGHT guy doesn't want to be at Notre Dame - how's that for painful reality. There are AT LEAST 5 guys that they would rather have instead of Kelly…… Gruden, Meyer, Harbaugh, Tressel, Saben.

Which brings us to why Kelly (and the Hamburgler before him). Each of the RIGHT coaches know what it takes to be a TRUE BCS contender – a physical team that can run downhill. Case in point, watch Oregon – They are a scary team and can score a ton of points and they are a run first team. The Tulsa game showed that Kelly is using gimickry that may work at Podunk State University but will never win the close grind-it-out games.

The sorry thing is that ND fans and ND mucky-mucks know this but there isn’t much they can do about it.

What makes it even the more excruciating is that they can't find comfort (as hard as they may try) in using the "academic standards" cop-out. After getting rolled by USC, ND faithful can cry “our academic standards are too high and we would never stoop to the level of the University of Spoiled Children. We will never compromise”. Then go home, have your corned beef and cabbage and feel all better.

But when they see Stanford – with WAY higher academic standards, smaller student body, located in a much more interesting and vibrant location (etc, etc, etc) play smash mouth football……. Kinda takes away any excuses. I'm tempted to say "man-up ND faithful" but think it's better for the head to remain buried in the sand.

On top of it all, there is something that ND never had to deal with before…. Financial constraints. Of course, these were self inflicted wounds. First, they are still paying for Ty’s rounds of golf out in sunny California. The Hamburgler’s pay out was huge. As sad as the Declan Sullivan tragedy was, there will be a financial impact as well. Then Kelly has a 6-year deal.

So with any luck, "academic standards" will continue on along with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus

I honestly think after the Utah Game Brian K will turn to Diaco and say to him " Do you know anything about football. " Diaco is HORRIBLE there is no way Diaco could build a great defense at Alabama. Brian K get this guy our of the program please.