Aug 31 | Texas A&M

[ulukinatme]

We don’t play many “premium” games this year. It might be Gameday’s only chance at the Irish.

Yeah, looking at the schedule the only other real opportunity might be against Florida State, but I doubt they come to South Bend in November. Plus there's going to be Alabama vs. LSU or Georgia vs. Ole Miss that same week. Not much else going on. There's Washington vs. Penn State, but I expect it'll come down to one of those two SEC matchups because the weather will likely be better.

 

[Irish#1]

Only other opportunity would be week 11 vs FSU, Other big games that week are Bama@LSU, Wash@PSU, UGA@Ole Piss, BYU@Utah. Outside of the SEC games we have a good shot to get Game Day, especially if we’re both undefeated and Bama and UGA have a loss to two. Their schedules are way more difficult this year so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Kudos for the bolded.

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

Im feeling we lose this one, tear off a long winning streak, lose a random one, and squeak into the playoffs. We then win our first playoff game and coach marcus hype levels reach heretofore unseen levels. Next, we get blown out by Georgia in round two. We finish 11-3 with sky high hopes for next year.

Yeah, sounds like Notre Dame football to me.

 

[Hautian Domer]

Georgia and Clemson are old rivals. They used to meet annually until the late 80's.

Since then, they've met on and off around every few years. They did home-and-homes in '94 and '95, then again in '02 and '03, and then again in '13 and '14.

I honestly didn't realize that. It makes sense. Looking at a map, the two schools are only about 75 miles apart.

 

[Hautian Domer]

I'm just worried about this game due to the fact if they somehow lose, all the hot takes of "notre dame is overrated again" will be unbearable. The media and fans today everywhere are so reactionary with off the wall comments/opinions for likes and views that I haven't watched much espn or anything like that in years. But I guess I'm just like this now:

Freeman's got to win this game. Really no excuses at this point. We're not tired and coming off of multiple premier night games in a row, we've got a ton of talent on both sides of the ball coming back, we've got the better, more experienced Quarterback, we've got elite coordinators...this game is simply a must win in my opinion.

 

[Hautian Domer]

Im feeling we lose this one, tear off a long winning streak, lose a random one, and squeak into the playoffs. We then win our first playoff game and coach marcus hype levels reach heretofore unseen levels. Next, we get blown out by Georgia in round two. We finish 11-3 with sky high hopes for next year.

Yeah, sounds like Notre Dame football to me.

I'd have to do some serious soul searching if that's the way it played out.

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

I'd have to do some serious soul searching if that's the way it played out.

It would be the closest we’ve gotten to Peak Kelly since he left

 

[MrNimbus]

Freeman's got to win this game. Really no excuses at this point. We're not tired and coming off of multiple premier night games in a row, we've got a ton of talent on both sides of the ball coming back, we've got the better, more experienced Quarterback, we've got elite coordinators...this game is simply a must win in my opinion.

Well I was at Marshall two years ago. That was as shocking a performance I've ever seen. Anything can happen. But, I do believe ND wins this game.

 

[Huntr]

So, this is the kind of off-season shit I like.

ND put out this graphic:




And aTm fans are not pleased, largely because that landscape looks more like west Texas, instead of wooded central Texas, where College Station is located. Which, they're right. But also, wgaf.


That said, if we can chap an opponents ass over something so minor 3 - 4 months ahead of the game, I'm all for it.

 

[dublinirish]

Fuck em


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[stlnd01]

So, this is the kind of off-season shit I like.

ND put out this graphic:




And aTm fans are not pleased, largely because that landscape looks more like west Texas, instead of wooded central Texas, where College Station is located. Which, they're right. But also, wgaf.


That said, if we can chap an opponents ass over something so minor 3 - 4 months ahead of the game, I'm all for it.

WGAF indeed. I've only been to Texas a couple of times. I assume the whole state looks like that and the only reason where I was didn't is because Dallas is just endless pavement. Can only imagine what they think northern Indiana looks like.

 

[HouseofPain]

I'm just worried about this game due to the fact if they somehow lose, all the hot takes of "notre dame is overrated again" will be unbearable. The media and fans today everywhere are so reactionary with off the wall comments/opinions for likes and views that I haven't watched much espn or anything like that in years. But I guess I'm just like this now:View attachment 3055702I seem to be getting old really fast these days.

If ND loses, they WILL be overrated. No excuse. Texas A+M isnt a worldbeater team. If you cant beat the middle teams, you are overrated.

 

[Fbolt]

The Irish will not lose this game.

 

[Ndaccountant]

WGAF indeed. I've only been to Texas a couple of times. I assume the whole state looks like that and the only reason where I was didn't is because Dallas is just endless pavement. Can only imagine what they think northern Indiana looks like.

As a fellow Texan, can confirm pavement in Dallas. But to be fair, going from Houston to Odessa (west texas, but certainly not the westernmost portion of the state) is the same driving distance as Indianapolis to Atlanta. There is apretty big difference in topography and in climates.

 

[Crazy Balki]

The cactus graphic isn't real Aggies. It can't hurt you.

 

[NDPhilly]

Actually hilarious how mad they are in the comments. Some wild little brother syndrome goin on down there. The eternal struggle for respect.

 

[stlnd01]

Actually hilarious how mad they are in the comments. Some wild little brother syndrome goin on down there. The eternal struggle for respect.

Don’t tell them they have fewer 10-win seasons this century than Arkansas.

 

[IA4irish]

Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records, Polls, Bowls and More College Football Stats at Sports-Reference.com

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Whole lot of angst from a remarkably mediocre program. For those traveling to the game, I wouldn’t expect a warm welcome. It’s a bizarre fan group

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

Don’t tell them they have fewer 10-win seasons this century than Arkansas.

Crazy stat

 

[OKCDomer23]

Don’t tell them they have fewer 10-win seasons this century than Arkansas.

Wow. I would not have guessed that. This is the perfect opening game for ND to make a statement. Fully expect victory assuming our oline is ok going into this one. Still not sold on the tackles currently. Environment is going to be electric.

 

[stlnd01]

Wow. I would not have guessed that. This is the perfect opening game for ND to make a statement. Fully expect victory assuming our oline is ok going into this one. Still not sold on the tackles currently. Environment is going to be electric.

To be fair, in 2020 they probably would've won 10 games if they'd played a couple more.
But yeah for all the hype around them, A&M is rarely actually good. Which is not to say we should take this game at all lightly.

Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records, Polls, Bowls and More College Football Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

 

[OKCDomer23]

To be fair, in 2020 they probably would've won 10 games if they'd played a couple more.
But yeah for all the hype around them, A&M is rarely actually good. Which is not to say we should take this game at all lightly.

Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records, Polls, Bowls and More College Football Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

It took guts and an obscene amount of money to get rid of Fisher for Elko. Not sure if Elko is the man for the job, but I do feel he's an upgrade over Fisher. He did well at Duke. Cannot fault the effort from TAM to strive for greatness. Need to win this game.

 

[Irish#1]

Wow. I would not have guessed that. This is the perfect opening game for ND to make a statement. Fully expect victory assuming our oline is ok going into this one. Still not sold on the tackles currently. Environment is going to be electric.

It is. The media and fanbase still think they are rolling out teams equivalent to the Johnny Football team, so winning that opener should help big time in the polls.

 

[NDFAN2008]

We should win this game easily. Our offense should be better and our Defense should be right there with theirs.

 

[Hautian Domer]

In familiarizing myself with them, just taking a look at their schedule last year, and I must admit, it does complement the strength of the SEC well. And I’m no SEC fan. What I mean is, we know this is a tough game. It’s early, but A&M is the early favorite. They finished 4th in the SEC West last year and had a 4-4 Conference record. They were impressive at home (6-1) and poor on the road (0-4). 3/4 of their conference losses were to the best SEC teams and they were respectable in those games (Alabama 20-26, Tennessee 13-20, Ole Miss 35-38). LSU is the only conference opponent to beat them by double digits. Basically, I think we’s all feel more comfortable or confident playing at a middle of the road Big Ten (Minnesota, Purdue, Maryland, Nebraska, Rutgers) or Big 12 (BYU, Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech, TCU) than here.

It’ll be tough. Elko will have them physical and prepared. That said, we must win. No excuses. We have better talent on both sides of the ball, better coordinators, the better team. Freeman will have the boys ready to go. Here come the Irish!

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Yeah, they know that ND’s starting QB hasn’t worked with his receivers enough yet, that home field is worth 3 points, that ND is gonna struggle with heat-related issues at an inopportune time, and that Elko’s defensive chops have the chance to be an equalizer in a game that could be a low-scoring battle.

In Denbrock I trust, though.

At least it's at night, I know the night atmospheres tend to be more chaotic but it helps a bit to take the sun out of the equation. Take the good with the bad.

 

[KMac151993]

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

We should win this game easily. Our offense should be better and our Defense should be right there with theirs.

It's hard to predict these things in May, but I agree that defense and run games tend to travel. If they gel the right 5 guys up front in August, ND will win comfortably.

Also helps that Leonard can use his legs to hurt defenses, should help relieve the pressure on him to produce in the passing game. I just don't see ND giving up too many points to many teams this year.

RTDB, stop the run, profit.

 

[Blazers46]

If Leonard is what most felt Sam would be last year and the WRs are indeed an upgrade then we roll… my expectations for the defense are sky high. I had high expectations for the offense last year but I have higher expectations this year.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

If Leonard is what most felt Sam would be last year and the WRs are indeed an upgrade then we roll… my expectations for the defense are sky high. I had high expectations for the offense last year but I have higher expectations this year.

Leonard will have better WRs, RBs, TEs and, fingers crossed, OL than he ever had at Duke. That “should” elevate his game notably and enable the ND offense to cook the A&M defense in the Texas heat.