Can we just win Saturday first?

[WhoDeyIrish]

I know the National Championship game is right there and we can all taste it. It just appears that every thread that I see is about the National Championship game but we still have a game on Saturday. I know everyone is excited and you all have a reason to be but we still have to win one more game. I'm just trying not to get ahead of myself. As much as I think we will win Saturday I know anything can happen. I know Barkley is out and USC is down but we can lose this game pretty easily.

I don't know about all of you but I do look forward to this game more than any in a given year. Michigan is close but I seem to hate USC just a tad more. That being said I'm a nervous wreck. I'm kind of glad this is Thanksgiving week because that will distract me but right now I can't even seem to think about anything else other than Saturday.

I just wanted to state a few of my concerns and try to reiterate that this can all be taken away on Saturday and to just enjoy the 11-0 and not worry about who we are going to play in the National Championship but rather worry about USC and beating those guys.

Everyone realizes we have beaten them 1 time in 10 years right? This isn't going to be an easy task and if you are just automatically handing us the National Championship birth you should rethink that. Now, I think we are going to make a statement Saturday. I really think we blast USC but I'm not counting on anything until that clock hits 0 and we are 12-0 then we can worry about who we will play for the National Championship. Until then let's cool it with the title talk and worry about USC. Everyone should be jacked for this game.

I must say 11-0 feels pretty damn good!

Go Irish!

 

[ACamp1900]

Yeah, this is just screaming for a meltdown... For any fan base, way too many chickens being counted

 

[JughedJones]

Totally agree.

I know there are many on the board who say 'I'm not on the team, I can look forward as much as I want!'

This is always true except for right now. These guys are too talented and too despised to warrant us looking past anything. I think we need all our energy focused like a laser on this thing.

 

[mgriff]

Our fan base is reacting like a starved fan base...you can't expect anything else. All we can do now is trust in the guys who put on the uniform to react like big-time players and not our fan base. We are quick to see the NCG but I trust them to stay focused. SC will be a tough game but we can beat them. I'm petrified with the way we are acting, but at the end of the day it comes down to the team. I sincerely hope they don't let it get to them and I think Kelly will make it very clear. I trust our coaching staff and players.

 

[clashmore_jon]

Birth lol. Paints a funny mental image of say a crystal football and a pregnant lady

 

[fitz_bu47]

I'm with you guys, if the game was being played by the fans, I would definitely be scared the way everyone is talking.

Kelly won't let these guys look ahead too much. It's human nature to do so a little bit and they will, but only in the sense that a great opportunity is available to them IF they take care of USC first.

I have faith in this team and this staff.

Go Irish, go get what you want, kick USC's a$$.

 

[Emcee77]

Totally agree.

I know there are many on the board who say 'I'm not on the team, I can look forward as much as I want!'

This is always true except for right now. These guys are too talented and too despised to warrant us looking past anything. I think we need all our energy focused like a laser on this thing.

What impact could our energy have on the outcome, no matter where we focus it, considering that we are not on the team?

No question that a victory in Saturday's game is not a given; I don't think anyone thinks it is. But I don't see any harm in hypothetically assuming we win and talking about NCG possibilities. It's just a hypothetical. In my line of work we talk about hypotheticals all the time ... if the insurer wins its lawsuit, what will we advise the client to do next? It doesn't have anything to do with anything except that by having that discussion you know how you'd react if a certain situation occurs. I can't see the harm.

Didn't Irish Houstonian have a thread about this recently?

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I remain consistent with the idea that it doesn't matter what I look ahead to, as a fan.

The players have already said the right things and the coaches have been preparing them to be champions the past three years.

Asking people to "cool it" with the title talk is a little pompous, don't you think?

Where was this request when people were stating their pre-season game predicitions?

I respectfully deny your request and will continue to not only worry about the USC game but the NC opponent as well.. Multi tasking!

 

[clashmore_jon]

i guarantee our team is not overlooking this. even BK admits they've had it circled on the calendar all year. I think our guys will play their best football yet out in LA. They love these high stakes night games on the road, and they hate the Trojans of USC.

that said, as a fan, i'm extremely comfortable talking about any of the 10 consecutive national championships we're about to win.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Just my own superstitious habits. I guess that I'm in the minority here but I'm looking more forward to the ND vs USC game over the National Championship because I'm not sure we are playing in that game. For the record I would love to play Bama and that's who I want to play as well. I just don't get why we aren't all pumped for this game. This team has pretty much made me lose sleep at night for several years. Payback time I guess, I'm the only one that thinks that way.

 

[JughedJones]

What impact could our energy have on the outcome, no matter where we focus it, considering that we are not on the team?

No question that a victory in Saturday's game is not a given; I don't think anyone thinks it is. But I don't see any harm in hypothetically assuming we win and talking about NCG possibilities. It's just a hypothetical. In my line of work we talk about hypotheticals all the time ... if the insurer wins its lawsuit, what will we advise the client to do next? It doesn't have anything to do with anything except that by having that discussion you know how you'd react if a certain situation occurs. I can't see the harm.

Didn't Irish Houstonian have a thread about this recently?

That's exactly what I was referencing.

I'm not a religious man, but the one thing I get down with is the power of focused energy. (kind of like prayer for my church going brothers and sisters.)

We are ND. The players, students, faculty, and fans. I'm standing by it.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I remain consistent with the idea that it doesn't matter what I look ahead to, as a fan.

The players have already said the right things and the coaches have been preparing them to be champions the past three years.

Asking people to "cool it" with the title talk is a little pompous, don't you think?

Where was this request when people were stating their pre-season game predicitions?

I respectfully deny your request and will continue to not only worry about the USC game but the NC opponent as well.. Multi tasking!

Preseason predictions are a little different imo. Oh well carry on.

 

[Emcee77]

That's exactly what I was referencing.

I'm not a religious man, but the one thing I get down with is the power of focused energy. (kind of like prayer for my church going brothers and sisters.)

We are ND. The players, students, faculty, and fans. I'm standing by it.

Ah, I see where you are coming from now. I can dig it.

 

[clashmore_jon]

Just my own superstitious habits. I guess that I'm in the minority here but I'm looking more forward to the ND vs USC game over the National Championship because I'm not sure we are playing in that game. For the record I would love to play Bama and that's who I want to play as well. I just don't get why we aren't all pumped for this game. This team has pretty much made me lose sleep at night for several years. Payback time I guess, I'm the only one that thinks that way.

Don't sell yourself short. I think everyone sees your point and we all know that feeling of being let down after overconfidence....(BCS 05, 06 anyone). Plus nobody wants to jinx us. so yeah, it's not like you're way off base or talking crazy talk. It's just....this team is different, and superstition is baseless.

I personally am really REALLY looking forward to saturday night. I think it's going to be a great game and really showcase what a powerhouse our team has become. The focus of the forum is probably on the NC because, well, for the first time since the internet it can be.

 

[JughedJones]

Don't sell yourself short. I think everyone sees your point and we all know that feeling of being let down after overconfidence....(BCS 05, 06 anyone). Plus nobody wants to jinx us. so yeah, it's not like you're way off base or talking crazy talk. It's just....this team is different, and superstition is baseless.

I personally am really REALLY looking forward to saturday night. I think it's going to be a great game and really showcase what a powerhouse our team has become. The focus of the forum is probably on the NC because, well, for the first time since the internet it can be.

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[Who'saWildManNow]

Preseason predictions are a little different imo. Oh well carry on.

I understand your point and superstitions. I also understand Jughed talking about energy and the spiritual side to it all. But I still don't think my converasation on who we could face in the NC will sway the teams performance in any way.

Now on a grander scale I can see the team being affected by the whole fan-base patting them on the back and yelling about the NC.. But again, I believe the coaches prepare for that and the kids are mature enough to handle the situation.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Don't sell yourself short. I think everyone sees your point and we all know that feeling of being let down after overconfidence....(BCS 05, 06 anyone). Plus nobody wants to jinx us. so yeah, it's not like you're way off base or talking crazy talk. It's just....this team is different, and superstition is baseless.

I personally am really REALLY looking forward to saturday night. I think it's going to be a great game and really showcase what a powerhouse our team has become. The focus of the forum is probably on the NC because, well, for the first time since the internet it can be.

Trust me I know how special this team is. I know we are really good and still very under appreciated. I've been talking highly of this team. I guess my main point, which it sounds like I didn't state well, was that I can't believe more people aren't more excited for Saturday. I really wish Barkley was playing because I'd rather beat them at full strength but oh well.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Manti Te'o@MTeo_5

All that matters to me is this Saturday! No distractions!

.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Trust me I know how special this team is. I know we are really good and still very under appreciated. I've been talking highly of this team. I guess my main point, which it sounds like I didn't state well, was that I can't believe more people aren't more excited for Saturday. I really wish Barkley was playing because I'd rather beat them at full strength but oh well.

Oh I am fueled up for Saturday.. I also wish Barkley was healhty.. Now we'll have never beaten him.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

.

That's expected out of that guy. I'm more worried about everyone else. I definitely think Kelly keeps this team focused on Saturday but one can't seem to steer in the direction of BCS Championship. I know my main focus would be USC and I wouldn't be thinking about anything other than that.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Trust me I know how special this team is. I know we are really good and still very under appreciated. I've been talking highly of this team. I guess my main point, which it sounds like I didn't state well, was that I can't believe more people aren't more excited for Saturday. I really wish Barkley was playing because I'd rather beat them at full strength but oh well.

Love the thread. I always am willing to look ahead for this team and look at the big picture. But I can't do it this week. I've been texting buddies all week sounding like a self-righteous prick, but we gotta get a win Saturday. Got to. Everyone in the country is rooting against us (as usual), but with what's at stake, I can't look past Saturday night. No looking at plane tickets to Miami for me until Saturday night.

 

[woolybug25]

There is a thread literally focused primarily on the USC game. I don't understand why people feel that every thread on this site has to be focused on this week's game. Or deem it necessary to make several threads regarding the topic of focusing on USC.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

There is a thread literally focused primarily on the USC game. I don't understand why people feel that every thread on this site has to be focused on this week's game. Or deem it necessary to make several threads regarding the topic of focusing on USC.

I'm not just talking about the website man. I don't understand why you feel the need to talk down to people constantly?

Again, I'm talking more in general terms. I know there is a thread dedicated to just the USC game but I'm not just talking about Irishenvy.com.

It's all good though. I'm just going to go back to not posting anymore because people like you make it undesirable for others.

 

[JughedJones]

There is a thread literally focused primarily on the USC game. I don't understand why people feel that every thread on this site has to be focused on this week's game. Or deem it necessary to make several threads regarding the topic of focusing on USC.

Because it's USC?

Because this is it?

83 years of beautiful history, from Knute Rockne to Brian Kelly.... You're goddamn right I'm focusing on USC!

 

[kmoose]

What impact could our energy have on the outcome, no matter where we focus it, considering that we are not on the team?

Have you seen some of the catastrophic meltdowns on this board, after losses to teams that we have no business losing to?

THAT'S what is can "hurt"! Get too high, and it's one he!! of a long fall back to earth. If people were more capable of NOT typing until they had calmed down, then it wouldn't be a big deal. But they're not, so it is.

 

[gkIrish]

If you're scared go to Church. I believe we will win. And if we don't it won't be because I thought so

 

[pumpdog20]

Yeah, let's wait until we win on Saturday,

(Slowly, walks away to buy tickets to Miami before everyone else does.)

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Yeah, let's wait until we will on Saturday,

(Slowly, walks away to buy tickets to Miami before everyone else does.

I already have my room, flight booked, and 2 tickets!!

 

[gkIrish]

I already have my room, flight booked, and 2 tickets!!

I actually do have my ticket already haha. Oh well I can always resell if we lose

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Nothing I do will impact the game. I do believe that. That said, I do wear the same shirt and hat, sit in the same place in the living room, and drink similar beer.

I just don't want to have a huge buildup and have things go badly. That's just killer.