Bowl Predictions 2019

[Irish2155]

It'd be pretty fun to watch ND on conference championship weekend. I like ND football, I like big games, and I dont think losing one of these games automatically puts you out of the top 8 if/when it goes to 8.

Give me a conference.

Nope. I don't disagree with your points but there is something special about holding your ground. There is something special about being different, especially in a world now where the path of least resistance is the norm.

We just need to field the best team in the country. Simple. When we do that the conference teams will want to be independents, you're points flip. They'll say why do we have to play a championship game when ND doesn't...the answer is because ND chose to have big shoulders and not give in. And, when it becomes and 8 team playoff, our Independence will be a huge advantage.

We're close, not there yet, but it's coming.

 

[NDRock]

Nope. I don't disagree with your points but there is something special about holding your ground. There is something special about being different, especially in a world now where the path of least resistance is the norm.

We just need to field the best team in the country. Simple. When we do that the conference teams will want to be independents, you're points flip. They'll say why do we have to play a championship game when ND doesn't...the answer is because ND chose to have big shoulders and not give in. And, when it becomes and 8 team playoff, our Independence will be a huge advantage.

We're close, not there yet, but it's coming.

The best part of being an Independent is getting to play different schools. We are kind of in a conference now with the 5 ACC games plus USC, Navy, Stanford. That leaves 4 OOC games. If we joined a conference full time we would probably keep USC and Navy and have the same basic schedule every year. Would be less fun.

 

[Dizzyphil]

The best part of being an Independent is getting to play different schools. We are kind of in a conference now with the 5 ACC games plus USC, Navy, Stanford. That leaves 4 OOC games. If we joined a conference full time we would probably keep USC and Navy and have the same basic schedule every year. Would be less fun.

I don't know man... ACC - Clemson, F$U (once they get their $hit back together), Boston College we play anyway, Pitt, VaTech, Virginia and Miami...


You add ND into the group, and you have a fairly decent match to what the Big10 has. Then playing U$C, 1 SEC team, Navy and Stanford/Big 12/Pac10...



Then a championship game


Not saying I want the Irish in a conference but, that last ingredient makes the ACC sound fairly tough.

 

[Dizzyphil]

In no 'really' certain order from best to worst but - based on my post, the conferences would be close


<table width="192" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><colgroup><col style="width:48pt" width="64" span="3"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore: colspan;width:96pt" width="128" height="19">Ohio State </td> <td class="xl63" style="width:48pt" width="64">Clemson</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore:colspan" height="19">Penn State </td> <td class="xl63">
Notre Dame

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Michigan </td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">

Florida State

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore:colspan" height="19">Michigan State </td> <td class="xl63">Miami
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">
Nebraska </td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">
Pittsburgh</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore:colspan" height="19">
Wisconsin</td> <td class="xl63">
Boston College</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Purdue </td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">
Virginia Tech</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Iowa </td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">
Georgia Tech

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Rutgers</td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">Syracuse

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore:colspan" height="19">Northwestern </td> <td class="xl63">
Virginia

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Maryland</td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">
NC State

</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="height:14.4pt;mso-ignore:colspan" height="19">Minnesota

</td> <td class="xl63">Wake Forest</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">Illinois </td> <td>

</td> <td class="xl63">
North Carolina</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td class="xl63" style="height:14.4pt" height="19">
Indiana </td> <td>
</td> <td class="xl63">
Louisville</td> </tr> <tr style="height:14.4pt" height="19"> <td style="height:14.4pt" height="19">
</td> <td>

</td> <td class="xl63">Duke</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

 

[dad4aa]

I don't know man... ACC - Clemson, F$U (once they get their $hit back together), Boston College we play anyway, Pitt, VaTech, Virginia and Miami...


You add ND into the group, and you have a fairly decent match to what the Big10 has. Then playing U$C, 1 SEC team, Navy and Stanford/Big 12/Pac10...



Then a championship game


Not saying I want the Irish in a conference but, that last ingredient makes the ACC sound fairly tough.

Would be very difficult to go undefeated with that schedule. Most P5 conference teams do not schedule USC, SEC, Big 12 as their three OOC games.

 

[stlnd01]

Would be very difficult to go undefeated with that schedule. Most P5 conference teams do not schedule USC, SEC, Big 12 as their three OOC games.

We'd not play all the good teams in the ACC every year. If we were in the Coastal, we'd draw Clemson about as often as we do now. Same with FSU. And rarely if ever both in the same year.

And no we'd be insane to play Navy, USC and two other P5s out of conference. No one does that. If we joined the ACC full time our schedule would probably be easier than it is now, and yet it'd also be much easier for us to make the playoff with a loss.

But I'm with Rock and 2155. We're (still) better off independent. Play who we want, where we want, instead of mucking around with a bunch of middleweights from Virginia and North Carolina.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Would be very difficult to go undefeated with that schedule. Most P5 conference teams do not schedule USC, SEC, Big 12 as their three OOC games.

We'd not play all the good teams in the ACC every year. If we were in the Coastal, we'd draw Clemson about as often as we do now. Same with FSU. And rarely if ever both in the same year.

And no we'd be insane to play Navy, USC and two other P5s out of conference. No one does that. If we joined the ACC full time our schedule would probably be easier than it is now, and yet it'd also be much easier for us to make the playoff with a loss.

But I'm with Rock and 2155. We're (still) better off independent. Play who we want, where we want, instead of mucking around with a bunch of middleweights from Virginia and North Carolina.

ND can't stay Independent much longer. The committee is going to use the Conference Championship Game as a measuring stick for the playoff. If ND comes in 11-1 and if you have all P5 coming in undefeated, what we think will not matter to the committee - regardless of who the Irish defeat or their one loss is.



And my post was not a scenario that we play each of those conference games each year... ND has always played top-tiered teams. It is not ND's fault that in 2018 a team was ranked top 10 and the next year out of the top 25. Nor is it ND's fault that the last 5 teams they play, 3 are ranked in the top 25 when they played them and then they lose the last two or three games of their last 5 and get tossed out of the top 25.


And being Independent - those stats hurt you worse than that of being in a conference when you can end the year top in your conference (East, West, South, North) or all-out Champion.

 

[dad4aa]

ND can't stay Independent much longer. The committee is going to use the Conference Championship Game as a measuring stick for the playoff. If ND comes in 11-1 and if you have all P5 coming in undefeated, what we think will not matter to the committee - regardless of who the Irish defeat or their one loss is.



And my post was not a scenario that we play each of those conference games each year... ND has always played top-tiered teams. It is not ND's fault that in 2018 a team was ranked top 10 and the next year out of the top 25. Nor is it ND's fault that the last 5 teams they play, 3 are ranked in the top 25 when they played them and then they lose the last two or three games of their last 5 and get tossed out of the top 25.


And being Independent - those stats hurt you worse than that of being in a conference when you can end the year top in your conference (East, West, South, North) or all-out Champion.

They said that when the CFP started and the first one is the only one where all four teams were CC.

2016 - Oklahoma - Big 12 did not have a CC yet
2017 - OSU - did not win their division
2018 - Ala - did not win their division
2019 - ND - is not in a conference

 

[ARALOU]

Another point made by a friend of mine regarding the Irish joining a conference, who happens to be a sports editor and sports talk show host, is that the kids can be recruited with the possibility of conference championships, all conference recognition etc. I have always liked the independent status of ND. The scheduling flexibility it offers, the prestige, and TV contract. The prestige factor is fading. The TV contract may or may not be void if a conference is joined. I don't have any idea about that. He made a good point about the recruiting aspects of conference play. Like it or not, kids want to play for championships. At Notre Dame it is either National Championship and All-American or other individual awards. No conference hardware to offer recruits.

 

[ND88]

ND can't stay Independent much longer. The committee is going to use the Conference Championship Game as a measuring stick for the playoff. If ND comes in 11-1 and if you have all P5 coming in undefeated, what we think will not matter to the committee - regardless of who the Irish defeat or their one loss is.



And my post was not a scenario that we play each of those conference games each year... ND has always played top-tiered teams. It is not ND's fault that in 2018 a team was ranked top 10 and the next year out of the top 25. Nor is it ND's fault that the last 5 teams they play, 3 are ranked in the top 25 when they played them and then they lose the last two or three games of their last 5 and get tossed out of the top 25.


And being Independent - those stats hurt you worse than that of being in a conference when you can end the year top in your conference (East, West, South, North) or all-out Champion.

Independent bowl. Play BYU every year.

 

[stlnd01]

ND can't stay Independent much longer. The committee is going to use the Conference Championship Game as a measuring stick for the playoff. If ND comes in 11-1 and if you have all P5 coming in undefeated, what we think will not matter to the committee - regardless of who the Irish defeat or their one loss is.

As they should if it's a quality win. And Notre Dame is at a disadvantage in not having that chance for a high-profile quality win in our last game. It's a big reason why it'd be easier for us to make the playoff with a loss if we're in a conference than if we're not.

But I don't think being a conference champion, in and of itself, is all that important to the playoff decision.
If Wisconsin beats Ohio State tonight, do you think Wisconsin's makes the playoff? (Ohio State though, probably still does). Same with Virginia and Clemson. To make the playoffs, you just need to be really good. And if we're undefeated it won't matter if we're in a conference or independent, just like it didn't last year. We'll be in.

 

[dad4aa]

As they should if it's a quality win. And Notre Dame is at a disadvantage in not having that chance for a high-profile quality win in our last game. It's a big reason why it'd be easier for us to make the playoff with a loss if we're in a conference than if we're not.

But I don't think being a conference champion, in and of itself, is all that important to the playoff decision.
If Wisconsin beats Ohio State tonight, do you think Wisconsin's makes the playoff? (Ohio State though, probably still does). Same with Virginia and Clemson. To make the playoffs, you just need to be really good. And if we're undefeated it won't matter if we're in a conference or independent, just like it didn't last year. We'll be in.

And this is another reason why the committee cannot say the CC is a factor. If this CC game is really important, how can you lose your last game and still advance to the playoffs?

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

ND can't stay Independent much longer.

Lol, wut? That’s a ridiculous statement. I GUARANTEE you that in December 2029, ND will still be independent and no worse off than they are now. Let’s come back to this thread then.

 

[IrishinSyria]

As they should if it's a quality win. And Notre Dame is at a disadvantage in not having that chance for a high-profile quality win in our last game. It's a big reason why it'd be easier for us to make the playoff with a loss if we're in a conference than if we're not.

But I don't think being a conference champion, in and of itself, is all that important to the playoff decision.
If Wisconsin beats Ohio State tonight, do you think Wisconsin's makes the playoff? (Ohio State though, probably still does). Same with Virginia and Clemson. To make the playoffs, you just need to be really good. And if we're undefeated it won't matter if we're in a conference or independent, just like it didn't last year. We'll be in.

Honestly have no idea who gets the 4th spot if Wisconsin wins tonight but it might be them.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Honestly have no idea who gets the 4th spot if Wisconsin wins tonight but it might be them.

I was just going to ask y’all what you think if Wisconsin wins tonight by a TD or more do they get the 4th spot considering Oklahoma has to go into OT to beat Baylor who had their backup QB in?


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[Dizzyphil]

Another point made by a friend of mine regarding the Irish joining a conference, who happens to be a sports editor and sports talk show host, is that the kids can be recruited with the possibility of conference championships, all conference recognition etc. I have always liked the independent status of ND. The scheduling flexibility it offers, the prestige, and TV contract. The prestige factor is fading. The TV contract may or may not be void if a conference is joined. I don't have any idea about that. He made a good point about the recruiting aspects of conference play. Like it or not, kids want to play for championships. At Notre Dame it is either National Championship and All-American or other individual awards. No conference hardware to offer recruits.

I'm with your buddy - give the recruits a chance at a conference chance if not NC.....

Independent bowl. Play BYU every year.

LOL, That's enticing.... may be the only chance ND has at a championship....

As they should if it's a quality win. And Notre Dame is at a disadvantage in not having that chance for a high-profile quality win in our last game. It's a big reason why it'd be easier for us to make the playoff with a loss if we're in a conference than if we're not.

But I don't think being a conference champion, in and of itself, is all that important to the playoff decision.
If Wisconsin beats Ohio State tonight, do you think Wisconsin's makes the playoff? (Ohio State though, probably still does). Same with Virginia and Clemson. To make the playoffs, you just need to be really good. And if we're undefeated it won't matter if we're in a conference or independent, just like it didn't last year. We'll be in.

good point(s) brother

Lol, wut? That’s a ridiculous statement. I GUARANTEE you that in December 2029, ND will still be independent and no worse off than they are now. Let’s come back to this thread then.

No its not... it is talked about on about every ESPN/NBC/CBS/247 sports talk station, every one of them is stating that it better be soon that ND joins a conference.... you must be living in a cave down by the river......

 

[MacIrish75]

Independent bowl. Play BYU every year.

I’ve had this thought quite a bit recently, regarding a way we could obtain that 13th “data point.” Is there any reason that ND/BYU couldn’t play this game? I’m sure there’s something in NCAA bylaw? But the thought is exciting. BYU is annually a top 20/25 team. That could, in some years, provide us with a quality win. You could also conceivably use that contest as your “Shamrock Series” game and move the location around the country.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I’ve had this thought quite a bit recently, regarding a way we could obtain that 13th “data point.” Is there any reason that ND/BYU couldn’t play this game? I’m sure there’s something in NCAA bylaw? But the thought is exciting. BYU is annually a top 20/25 team. That could, in some years, provide us with a quality win. You could also conceivably use that contest as your “Shamrock Series” game and move the location around the country.

No - because then you are contradicting Shamrock on Helmet's forecast that ND will never be in a conference.................




I don't see the big deal of being in a conference personally..... unless Catholic Colleges just want to hoard all the money to themselves like Christians do....

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I was just going to ask y’all what you think if Wisconsin wins tonight by a TD or more do they get the 4th spot considering Oklahoma has to go into OT to beat Baylor who had their backup QB in?


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I still think Oklahoma gets in over Wisconsin. If Wisky wins tonight its 1) LSU, 2) Clemson, 3) Ohio St, 4) Oklahoma. I would be shocked if it was anything different.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

The committee has already set this precedent. A 2 loss team is a long shot even with a conference title. I think Ohio St knows they are in regardless of tonight's outcome. The Committee wont take a 2 loss conference champ over a 1 loss conference champ.

 

[Dizzyphil]

The committee has already set this precedent. A 2 loss team is a long shot even with a conference title. I think Ohio St knows they are in regardless of tonight's outcome. The Committee wont take a 2 loss conference champ over a 1 loss conference champ.

My post wasn't based on a 2-loss team but a 1-loss ND team. You may not be speaking specifically about my post but, if the NCAA stays at a 4 team playoff system, it is going to be extremely tough for ND to get in with 1 loss as an Independent in the upcoming years... if the 10-2 record and ranking this year is not enough to prove that since the Irish haven't moved -basically- in 5 weeks......... I don't know what is.

 

[NorthDakota]

I feel like the committee intentionally set it up so that Ohio State was in no matter what.

 

[NorthDakota]

ND should play BYU every year. That'd be fun. Would probably help BYU with recruiting as well, football is better when the mormons are relevant.

 

[T-Boone]

ND should play BYU every year. That'd be fun. Would probably help BYU with recruiting as well, football is better when the mormons are relevant.

I wish there was a scientology university that ND could play. That would be a cool crowd.

 

[NorthDakota]

I wish there was a scientology university that ND could play. That would be a cool crowd.

Hell yeah that tailgate would be something to see.

 

[ACamp1900]

Agree on BYU, they should better.

 

[dad4aa]

They should just have the top two FBS Independents play for an Independent Championship. It will almost always be BYU and ND.

 

[Circa]

Hell yeah that tailgate would be something to see.

Really?
Please,... Let's help Tom get back into a good role like
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For everyone that don't know. It's called the <iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/yAH5GmFmsuzcY" width="480" height="209" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/tom-cruise-ken-watanabe-the-last-samurai-yAH5GmFmsuzcY">via GIPHY</a></p>

 

[greyhammer90]

They should just have the top two FBS Independents play for an Independent Championship. It will almost always be BYU and ND.

And then we could set it up so the independent schools all play each other to help determine who should be in the championship, and maybe we could get a good tv deal on those games, and then...

Oh whoops lol.

 

[T-Boone]

They should just have the top two FBS Independents play for an Independent Championship. It will almost always be BYU and ND.

Good call, then ND could start inducing other schools to go independent to start shutting up the 'ND to a conference' crowd.