Bowl Projections 2023

[BleedingGold]

Normally, I'd agree, but the optics of a 10-win season can't be overstated.

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I would agree to a point. Something that does help selling the overall product.

 

[OhioIrish]

Gotya. I'd say that the SEC only has one undeniable "blueblood" (Alabama) and an argument can be made for two (Alabama and Tennessee). Obviously, that'll change upon the Oklahoma and Texas additions. Again, it's a pretty subjective topic though.

However, I kind of prefer Steelhead's list and keeping it as limited as possible.

I never really thought about it, but that’s true, Alabama is the only SEC blue blood. I view CFP blue bloods as ND, Alabama, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan.

Maybe Texas, maybe OSU, maybe Georgia?

 

[Huntr]

Don't make me post the chart.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Don't care who, don't care when. Just want to win.

9-4 to 10-3 doesn't seem like much on paper, but with how this tenure has unfolded, I'd rather see them be 10-3 at the end.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Many are keeping the Irish in the Pop Tarts bowl and of 10 analysts, eight have the Irish against Ok St.

 

[irishtrain]

Not to be a downer but if the star type guys aren't participating its not really a very attractive game-only good thing is the practices for the young studs trying to get ready for next year, pass on the game and just petition the NCAA for 15 practices if everybody is opting out.

 

[Reaper97]

Not to be a downer but if the star type guys aren't participating its not really a very attractive game-only good thing is the practices for the young studs trying to get ready for next year, pass on the game and just petition the NCAA for 15 practices if everybody is opting out.

No. Not even close.
You want the 10th win. Period.

 

[irishtrain]

If everybody was going to stay and play I'd like the Sun Bowl against Arizona-always liked that second tier bowl.

 

[jpachuta33]

Unfortunately, a matchup with LSU is almost guaranteed now with both teams finishing 9-3... isn't it? If so, our offensive game plan should mimic Texas A&M's this past weekend to give us a chance. I know the Aggies lost the game, but they controlled the ball for more than 60% of the game to keep it close. We will have to control the ball/line of scrimmage and keep their offense off the field...(easier said than done).

 

[Katzenboyer]

Unfortunately, a matchup with LSU is almost guaranteed now with both teams finishing 9-3... isn't it? If so, our offensive game plan should mimic Texas A&M's this past weekend to give us a chance. I know the Aggies lost the game, but they controlled the ball for more than 60% of the game to keep it close. We will have to control the ball/line of scrimmage and keep their offense off the field...(easier said than done).

Not saying you're wrong, but there's very, very little chance that Jayden Daniels plays in a bowl game.

 

[Jeffwantpoppers]

Unfortunately, a matchup with LSU is almost guaranteed now with both teams finishing 9-3... isn't it? If so, our offensive game plan should mimic Texas A&M's this past weekend to give us a chance. I know the Aggies lost the game, but they controlled the ball for more than 60% of the game to keep it close. We will have to control the ball/line of scrimmage and keep their offense off the field...(easier said than done).

Even if it is LSU, no way Daniels or Nebers play. They should be focused on the draft.

 

[sportallyr]

A matchup vs LSU would be about as good as it gets (obviously outside of a playoff / NY6 bowl). This needs to happen!!!

 

[jpachuta33]

Who do you think would opt out for us?

 

[Sea Turtle]

Everybody seems to be predicting a matchup with Okie St. in the pop tarts bowl.

 

[Armyirish47]

It's almost time to book flights and hotels for those so inclined as we go from projections to invitations shortly! What are our best guesses down the home stretch?

The espn.com Insider is still split
Not the Pac 12 Network

Pop-Tarts Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5:45 p.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN2 and the ESPN App
Schlabach: Notre Dame vs. LSU

CBS Sports Palm Pilot

Dec. 28

Pop-Tarts

Notre Dame

vs. Oklahoma State

ACC vs. Big 12

5:45 p.m.

Orlando, Fla.

Pete Fiutak's Cavalcade of Prognostication

ReliaQuest Bowl​

Monday, January 1, 2024
12:00 pm ET, ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Bowl Ties: ACC or Big Ten or SEC
Bowl Projection: Notre Dame vs Wisconsin


Bryan Driskell's confirms with sources inside Mountain Dew HQ either Pop Tarts or ReliaQuest

 

[IrishSpartan]

why the hell would we play ok state again? My guess that these predictions are from algorithms that are not taking into account how much revenue a game like ND vs LSU would bring.

 

[NDohio]

Unfortunately, a matchup with LSU is almost guaranteed now with both teams finishing 9-3... isn't it? If so, our offensive game plan should mimic Texas A&M's this past weekend to give us a chance. I know the Aggies lost the game, but they controlled the ball for more than 60% of the game to keep it close. We will have to control the ball/line of scrimmage and keep their offense off the field...(easier said than done).

It'll come down to next weekend. According to Pete S:

Notre Dame went into last weekend looking like a good bet for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 1. Getting there requires a Big Ten team to head to the Orange Bowl, which requires the highest-rated Big Ten team that misses the College Football Playoff finish higher than the highest-rated SEC team that misses the CFP. Basically, if Alabama loses to Georgia next weekend, Ohio State should get the Orange Bowl invite. That means Notre Dame to the old Outback Bowl in Tampa against an SEC team (likely Tennessee or LSU).

 

[drayer54]

If everybody was going to stay and play I'd like the Sun Bowl against Arizona-always liked that second tier bowl.

Surprisingly nice setup for a game.

Orlando was a blast for ISU a few years back. Nice, timely getaway and easy flights. LSU would be fun...

 

[stlnd01]

Who do you think would opt out for us?

Probably Alt and Estime. Maybe Hart if he worries about injury. Possibly Fisher or Mills if they declare, I guess. But they shouldn’t (declare, I mean, certainly Fisher shouldn’t).

I wouldn’t think we’d have a lot of opt-outs. We don’t have a lot of high draft picks.

 

[irish4ever]

Even if it is LSU, no way Daniels or NAbers play. They should be focused on the draft.

Yeah, I agree that Daniels and Nabers would opt out. Nabers 80+ catches and 1,500+ yds. this season and more than likely a top 3 WR selection in the '24 NFL draft. He gone!

 

[irish4ever]

Probably Alt and Estime. Maybe Hart if he worries about injury. Possibly Fisher or Mills if they declare, I guess. But they shouldn’t (declare, I mean, certainly Fisher shouldn’t).

I wouldn’t think we’d have a lot of opt-outs. We don’t have a lot of high draft picks.

I dunno, pending which bowl and the named opponent ... I could see Alt opting out and Estime still building that resume after the Joak Walker selection snub!

 

[NDohio]

Probably Alt and Estime. Maybe Hart if he worries about injury. Possibly Fisher or Mills if they declare, I guess. But they shouldn’t (declare, I mean, certainly Fisher shouldn’t).

I wouldn’t think we’d have a lot of opt-outs. We don’t have a lot of high draft picks.

I do think it will make a difference on who opts out based on the opponent. If it ends up being LSU, I think more guys will play.

I agree that Alt, Estime, and Hart do not play no matter who the opponent is.

I also don't think it is just high draft picks that opt out. I think guys who are on the bubble also opt out so they can start their training for the combine immediately. I can see JJB, Bertrand, Fisher(why?), Liafau, Watts(hope not), and Mills all have to make decisions on whether to play or start training.

I hate this part of college football...

 

[Reaper97]

It doesn’t matter who opts out for ND, if Daniels opts out, ND should win.

Has anyone watched LSU?
Their defense can’t stop anyone & Daniels basically won them 9 games.

People will make it Freeman vs BK, but if Daniels played I think LSU wins.
But he won’t play so ND should win.

 

[LifelongFan]

Bright side of playing LSU is that if their defense is able to hold us back at all, it might be what convinces Freeman to fire Parker.

 

[stpeteirish]

Just about everyone who enters the portal in Dec will opt out. And there will be many

 

[zelezo vlk]

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[ThePiombino]

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It truly is end of days

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[forkbeard3777]

I don't care about the opponent as anyone worth a damn will be opting out, but for selfish reasons, please place LSU in the ReliaQuest bowl - Saints play at Tampa on Dec. 31st.

 

[PigtownIrish]

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Gross!

 

[forkbeard3777]

It doesn’t matter who opts out for ND, if Daniels opts out, ND should win.

Has anyone watched LSU?
Their defense can’t stop anyone & Daniels basically won them 9 games.

People will make it Freeman vs BK, but if Daniels played I think LSU wins.
But he won’t play so ND should win.

Daniels absolutely should and will opt out -- see Jordan Travis.

A&M's 3rd stringer and Petrino looked like Brady and Belichik. GP will likely be getting a raise and a contract extension after that game.