At What Point Did You Think

[Irish#1]

We could and would go undefeated?

For me, the "could" part was when we beat Stanford. That game told me we had the defense to do it. The "would" was after beating Pitt. Of course the Pitt game had me ready to throw up, but after that game was over I was a firm believer in the "IT" factor. Any team that wins the NC always has one or two moments in a season where you need a little luck.

 

[chicago51]

The Oklahoma game for both.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

The Oklahoma game for both.

This.

To go into Norman and do what ND did was enough for me to fully believe. Up until that point, I watched every Saturday like I did in years past...with cautious optimism. ND dominated that game, much like A&M did this past Friday (much like Alabama was dominated by that same A&M team..just sayin).

 

[Rhode Irish]

The Manti pick in the Oklahoma game was the exact moment. I was on the phone with a friend, and I just started yelling "we're going to play for the [expetive deleted] national championship!" As it turned out, more still had to happen (obviously), but that is the moment I first let myself entertain the idea. I didn't know for sure until the goal line stand against Southern Cal.

 

[ND NYC]

We could and would go undefeated?

For me, the "could" part was when we beat Stanford. That game told me we had the defense to do it. The "would" was after beating Pitt. Of course the Pitt game had me ready to throw up, but after that game was over I was a firm believer in the "IT" factor. Any team that wins the NC always has one or two moments in a season where you need a little luck.

was my exact thought process...

 

[chicago51]

6-6, that was our record I first started lurking around IE, Weis was in his final year, the program was in turmoil, and people were unsure of the future of Notre Dame football. Its crazy to think of how far we've come in just 4 years. Its been one hell of a ride, and no matter what happens tomorrow night, lets just remember where this program was a few years ago, and how promising the future looks! GO IRISH BEAT BAMA

This quote from another thread.

I didn't know it would be this year but I remember BK's first year when the team was 4-5 after the Tulsa loss. When we came back and won the last 4 games (including the Sun Bowl) I knew this staff had something special about them. I kind of knew ND could win a national championship at some point after Robert Hughes rumbled in for the game winning score against USC in 10.

 

[Irishman77]

After beating Michigan

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Being the eternal homer optimist, I think the COULD every single year. However, I started to think they WOULD after the Oklahoma game. When Cierre broke that long run for the first TD, I just had that feeling.

My emotions are so high today. I can't wait for tonight! Let's go get 'em boys!!!

 

[Buster Bluth]

The Oklahoma game for both.

This.

 

[NDfaninBama]

I always believed we COULD especially if we kept turnovers down. The Oklahoma game I started believing this year we would. After the Michigan State game I was optimistic, but to be honest I was scared we'd trip up at Oklahoma.

 

[irishpat183]

The OU game when Cierre went 62 yards. At that moment, I knew, for once in a long time, we had the athletes to compete against the big time programs.

I never would've picked us to go undefeated this season (I picked 8-4)....this has been the greatest season I've ever watched. It's also taken 10 years off my life.

 

[cyrano]

I always believed we COULD especially if we kept turnovers down. The Oklahoma game I started believing this year we would. After the Michigan State game I was optimistic, but to be honest I was scared we'd trip up at Oklahoma.

Same feeling here. I had an inkling we COULD do it after the MSU game. Elite defenses always give you a chance. After Stanford I wanted to believe we would, but couldn't let myself until after we beat Oklahoma.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

The OU game when Cierre went 62 yards. At that moment, I knew, for once in a long time, we had the athletes to compete against the big time programs.

I never would've picked us to go undefeated this season (I picked 8-4)....this has been the greatest season I've ever watched. It's also taken 10 years off my life.

I think this was it for me...we proved very quickly that we finally had the speed to compete on an elite level.

That said, I didn't really let myself say it out loud until after the USC game. At least, I tried not to get ahead of myself.

 

[irishpat183]

I think this was it for me...we proved very quickly that we finally had the speed to compete on an elite level.

That said, I didn't really let myself say it out loud until after the USC game. At least, I tried not to get ahead of myself.

Exactly. I have a nice big schedule at work and after the OU game I was like "Holy ****, we could run the table". Took it week by week.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Much like everyone else so far. I would have to say after the OU game.

 

[Grahambo]

After the Pitt game.

 

[IrishLax]

The Manti pick in the Oklahoma game was the exact moment. I was on the phone with a friend, and I just started yelling "we're going to play for the [expetive deleted] national championship!" As it turned out, more still had to happen (obviously), but that is the moment I first let myself entertain the idea. I didn't know for sure until the goal line stand against Southern Cal.

For me it was the 50 yard bomb to Chris Brown after Oklahoma tied it up. That's when I realized this was definitely not the same team of the past that folds under pressure.

 

[IrishInFl]

Oklahoma game. We just seemed like such underdogs, even from people on this site. Then we beat them, pretty convincingly too. At that point, I would be shocked if we did not go undefeated.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

I knew we COULD when Golson was announced as the starter. I KNEW we WOULD when we demolished OU.

 

[rtrn2glory]

could - after beating ou in norman

would - goal line stand at usc

 

[Riddickulous]

After we beat USC.

 

[NDohio]

Definitely after Cierre broke the long run for a touchdown against OU. The look on the sideline after that run said it all. There was just a look on everyone's face: quiet confidence and not a bit of surprise. You could tell then that this team believed in themselves.

 

[Irish#1]

This post got me thinking about the OU game and tonights game. They had an outstanding home record and it's always been a tough place to win. "They were ready because they are considered one of the elite programs from years ago thru today and they owed ND for losses going back to the 50's while also having a losing record against the Irish", yet the Irish came aways with the win.

While not technically an away game for the Irish, I believe tonights opponents fits the OU mold and wears red as well! Get my drift?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

After the Michigan win for me. There was a different feel on campus. It was electric and the fans started to believe in a team that already believed in themselves.

 

[chicago51]

This post got me thinking about the OU game and tonights game. They had an outstanding home record and it's always been a tough place to win. "They were ready because they are considered one of the elite programs from years ago thru today and they owed ND for losses going back to the 50's while also having a losing record against the Irish", yet the Irish came aways with the win.

While not technically an away game for the Irish, I believe tonights opponents fits the OU mold and wears red as well! Get my drift?[/QUOTE]

It does have a simular feel to the OU game.

I'll be more likely to get your drift though if Alabama takes a 3-0 nothing and Notre Dame answers with a 62 yard TD run from Cierre Wood.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

For me it was the 50 yard bomb to Chris Brown after Oklahoma tied it up. That's when I realized this was definitely not the same team of the past that folds under pressure.

Great point! I was very nervous after Belldozer scored that TD. Norman was rocking, we had a frosh QB, backed up in our own side of the field...then bam-all that was gone in one great route/throw/ and spectacular catch! Luckily we had the "BullGolzer" on our side-erased all doubts of winning that game very quickly! Great call by Kelly also.

 

[Irish YJ]

I started thinking it was possible after the Michigan State game. We won 20-3, and I believe both USC and OK lost that weekend. At that point in time, I still thought Stanford was overated with the loss of Luck and Coach Captain Comeback. That thought was later turned up a notch when the Tree lost to Washington.

After the OK game, I was very confident we'd go undefeated.... until the next game when Pitt almost spoiled things. That game knocked me back down to earth and I started to worry a bit about USC.

 

[GBdomer]

Oklahoma game.

 

[NDhoosier]

Chris Brown catch in the Oklahoma game was the moment for both.

 

[GBdomer]

Robert Blanton blocked punt