Dec 28 | Camping World Bowl | Iowa State

[ACamp1900]

We should have landed Bama so you all could quit bitching about bad matchups...

 

[ulukinatme]

Last time I watched Iowa State play, they gave up 34 unanswered points to North Dakota State.

Notre Dame needs to piss pound these guys

That was 5 years ago.

This year Iowa State lost to Oklahoma, Iowa, and Baylor by a combined 4 points. They're scrappy and well coached. We better not come out flat.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

We should have landed Bama so you all could quit bitching about bad matchups...

I would have loved that.

 

[BobbyMac]

Forget the 7-5 record. Forget the excuses. ISU is good and the real reason they are the worst team of the B12 schools to play is they have a loaded passing game and enough of a running game to keep you honest.

Broc Purdy had the best Jr/Sr years of HS in AZ history and he was at 6A state champ. Physically, he's basically Ian Book that can make all the throws in an offense that stresses he do so. Mentally, he's a Quarterback's quarterback.

RB's Breece Hall & Jirehl Brock were on my short list of RB's ND should go after last year. Hall leads te team with 800+ yds. Brock's only recorded stats in 2 games (no idea why)

On one hand, would have rather played the other 3 who rely more on the run which we know Lea shuts down. On the other, you get more credit for beating Texas. But then again, how much credit does ND get for beating LSU twice in the past 5 years?


.

 

[Old Man Mike]

To my knowledge, they have been in pretty good shape as far as few injuries are concerned. We on the other hand have been playing hurt. I think that this extra healing time makes us more dangerous ... and, as I said earlier, Kansas State stopped their run, and their passing couldn't function well on its own.We have Clark Lea looking at that.

Iowa State won't be afraid, however. That team has been so disregarded for so many years that they come into underdog games angry. ... but some trick plays work against that, and Kelly has time to install. Also, to my knowledge, Big12 play doesn't feature too many BIG receivers of the physical Kmet, Claypool, Tremble type. Their DBs might not be ready for power vs speed.

It is my belief that ND winning by more than seven points will result in the commentators saying: ND handled ISU better than the rest of the Big12 did.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

So Iowa St is something along the lines of Navy, Virginia, and USC...I think we will be fine. If we cant beat a 7-5 team, albeit a "good" 7-5 team, it would be a massive disappointment. I think we will see the spread move further in favor of the Irish by game day.

 

[ndbroski]

To add insult to injury, this game is the only game besides the playoff on December 28th, so it will follow gameday and lead into the first playoff. That means it will probably have a huge audience. So if we shit the bed, then the only things the general public will remember about us from this year are getting killed by Michigan and losing to a 7 win team. I really hope this is one of those games where Kelly actually gets the guys to show up so we can have a nice big margin of victory to show everyone tuning in for the playoff game.

The Cotton Bowl happens concurrently also, which will draw more eyes because it's a more compelling matchup.

 

[ACamp1900]

On one hand, would have rather played the other 3 who rely more on the run which we know Lea shuts down. On the other, you get more credit for beating Texas. But then again, how much credit does ND get for beating LSU twice in the past 5 years?


.

The whole credit for this and that needs to stop imo... ND will never get credit for anything until they win a huge bowl/playoff game/ title and none of that was on the table this year after the UM debacle. This is a good matchup against a good team. Let's see how our boys do.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The Cotton Bowl happens concurrently also, which will draw more eyes because it's a more compelling matchup.

Penn State vs. Memphis, right? That one might turn into a laugher pretty quickly seeing as Memphis just lost their HC.

 

[ndbroski]

To my knowledge, they have been in pretty good shape as far as few injuries are concerned. We on the other hand have been playing hurt. I think that this extra healing time makes us more dangerous ... and, as I said earlier, Kansas State stopped their run, and their passing couldn't function well on its own.We have Clark Lea looking at that.

Iowa State won't be afraid, however. That team has been so disregarded for so many years that they come into underdog games angry. ... but some trick plays work against that, and Kelly has time to install. Also, to my knowledge, Big12 play doesn't feature too many BIG receivers of the physical Kmet, Claypool, Tremble type. Their DBs might not be ready for power vs speed.

It is my belief that ND winning by more than seven points will result in the commentators saying: ND handled ISU better than the rest of the Big12 did.

Any idea which ND players specifically will be healed up for this game?

 

[Irish2155]

Penn State vs. Memphis, right? That one might turn into a laugher pretty quickly seeing as Memphis just lost their HC.

I still think they'll get more viewership than ND vs. Iowa State...just a guess. Wouldn't feel that way however if we were paired against Texas obviously.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I still think they'll get more viewership than ND vs. Iowa State...just a guess. Wouldn't feel that way however if we were paired against Texas obviously.

I am with you. Texas would have gotten all the eyeballs. Oh well.

I wonder if Chip Long and Brian Kelly will be coaching in different bowl games on the 28th.

 

[NDBoiler]

Sure the matchup stinks, but you still gotta get up for the last game of the year. The staff needs to be gearing these guys up to prove they are a good team that deserved better.

 

[Irish2155]

for what it's worth I see that Yahoo ranks Memphis/PSU as the 5th most intriguing non-playoff match up. No mention of ND/ISU.

They have Washington/Boise State ranked #1...if anyone needs a good laugh on a Monday morning. Peterson's last game I suppose pushed it ahead of Bama/scUM.

 

[SoIll]

This type of game just seems like another notch under Campbell's belt to propel him for a top gig in a couple years. Terrible match up for Notre Dame

 

[Rogue219]

The whole credit for this and that needs to stop imo... ND will never get credit for anything until they win a huge bowl/playoff game/ title and none of that was on the table this year after the UM debacle. This is a good matchup against a good team. Let's see how our boys do.

I'm going to cosign on this.

No one will have a gun held to their held FORCING them to watch the game. If the matchup doesn't appeal to you, don't watch it.

They have a chance to finish 11-2, so let's do that. The rest is all bullshit anyway.

 

[BobbyMac]

The whole credit for this and that needs to stop imo... ND will never get credit for anything until they win a huge bowl/playoff game/ title and none of that was on the table this year after the UM debacle. This is a good matchup against a good team. Let's see how our boys do.

Not complaining but if you don't think playing Texas means more eyes from recruits vs. playing ISU, you be foolin.

I give 2 f**** what the average football fan says. 99% of them are never-was, video game playin, Prius drivin, non-jet flyin son of a man-bun's.

 

[arndtjc]

Watch there be pouring rain and a crap field in Orlando.

Luckily it’s turf now, but Orlando in late December can be hit or miss weather wise

 

[koonja]

Half of ND fans are delusional enough to think we'd beat UM if we played again (no way), then at the same time are afraid of a 7-5 Big 12 team?

A team who's best recruiting finish in the past 4 years is 46th?

If ND doesn't beat them, ND deserves every bit of shame the CFB nation puts on them, BK included.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Half of ND fans are delusional enough to think we'd beat UM if we played again (no way), then at the same time are afraid of a 7-5 Big 12 team?

A team who's best recruiting finish in the past 4 years is 46th?

If ND doesn't beat them, ND deserves every bit of shame the CFB nation puts on them, BK included.

I'd play Michigan again in a heartbeat. honestly

 

[ulukinatme]

Half of ND fans are delusional enough to think we'd beat UM if we played again (no way), then at the same time are afraid of a 7-5 Big 12 team?

A team who's best recruiting finish in the past 4 years is 46th?

If ND doesn't beat them, ND deserves every bit of shame the CFB nation puts on them, BK included.

Iowa State is 4 points from being 10-2. They had the Big 12 champ and #4 Playoff competitor in Oklahoma on the ropes with a 2 point conversion, and also nearly beat the Big 12 runner up in Baylor. Recruiting is important, but coaching is more important. Right now Iowa State is a well coached team, and this will be their Super Bowl. This is easily their biggest bowl matchup in the last 20+ years.

[EDIT] I went back and double checked. The last big time program Iowa State faced in a bowl game was a 5 loss pre-Saban Alabama team in 2001. Before that? 1978 against Texas A&M. They're gonna come out fired up.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'd play Michigan again in a heartbeat. honestly

Sign me up.

 

[tko]

Luckily it’s turf now, but Orlando in late December can be hit or miss weather wise

Good to know. Wasn't Orlando the location of that game between LSU and Iowa? I remember the field being shredded.

 

[koonja]

Iowa State is 4 points from being 10-2. They had the Big 12 champ and #4 Playoff competitor in Oklahoma on the ropes with a 2 point conversion, and also nearly beat the Big 12 runner up in Baylor. Recruiting is important, but coaching is more important. Right now Iowa State is a well coached team, and this will be their Super Bowl. This is easily their biggest bowl matchup in the last 20+ years.

You can do this with every team.

Iowa State is also 5 points from being 5-7.

 

[Valpodoc85]

hate to say it but I'm with Koon on this one

 

[stlnd01]

How good is Iowa State’s defense?
I keep seeing people talk about their passing game and decent running game, but I tend to trust Clark Lea and our defense a lot more than I trust our ability to move the ball against a quality D. Are they that? Or typical Big 12 garbage?

 

[Rogue219]

If ND doesn't beat them, ND deserves every bit of shame the CFB nation puts on them, BK included.

I don't think many neutrals will care one way of the other what the result of the game is.

ND has a chance to go 11-2. That is the only part of this they can control. Where they wind up ranked and whatever the rest of the world outside of The Gug thinks doesn't matter. Just win the game, stay healthy and go into spring ball 11-2 on a six game wining streak.

People are going to think what they think no matter what.

 

[irishtrooper]

I think this is a really bad way of looking at things. In SP+ they’re 23rd and ND is 18th. ND isn’t magically a more talented team because they found a way to win a squeaker against Virginia Tech, and Iowa State isn’t magically a less talented game because they missed a 2 point conversion against Oklahoma.

So you have teams of comparable talent and one is going to be amped for the game. This is the best possible bowl Iowa State could’ve gotten. I was looking forward to potential matchups against a ranked Oklahoma State team or a Texas team with a brand. There is no upside in playing in this game or against this opponent, makes me wish ND still declined shit bowl invites.

Who says ND is magically more talented? I would posit that except for maybe a spot here and there ND has more talent everywhere. I’m guessing the recruiting rankings are not close (too lazy to look) and the prospects for a future in the NFL aren’t close either. Just because we didn’t get it done against GA and UM doesn’t mean we have talent equal to a Big 12 team that finished 7-5. I’m not arguing that our season is showing we are more talented (although 10-2 = not awful), but the talent gap is there. I think the question is, will ND show up hungry and will the coaching staff have them prepared? This is their biggest game and it’s our “ugh, do we have to” game. That’s my concern, not talent

 

[irishtrooper]

Half of ND fans are delusional enough to think we'd beat UM if we played again (no way), then at the same time are afraid of a 7-5 Big 12 team?

A team who's best recruiting finish in the past 4 years is 46th?

If ND doesn't beat them, ND deserves every bit of shame the CFB nation puts on them, BK included.

I agree with all of this except the no way regarding UM. That was a 17 Miami game. Everything went bad. No way they are that much better than us. It was their night and not ND’s. I’m not saying we’d win, but to assume we would have no chance is foolish

 

[ACamp1900]

We could easily beat Um... just like we could easily beat Miami if we played them again the year they blew our doors off. Not saying it would happen, but it def could.