does anyone feel... solid

[Irish YJ]

Out of the country the last few weeks, so just now catching up on all things ND. While in BZ, met a guy from Cinci that went to U of Florida. Of course we talked football, UF, ND, Charlie, BK, etc.. I caught myself getting caugh up in emotion and realized this is the first time since the Lou days that I actually feel solid about this team in every aspect. Coaching, O, D, recruiting, mentality, depth, conditioning, politics, you name it. There's not a major component to ND football that I'm not optimistic about. Now I know we have questions at QB, depth concerns at DB and RB, but I'm talking more about how and where this team is headed. I'm certainly not saying we're BCS this year, but I am certain in a year or two, we will be in that conversation just about every year if BK stays on the path, and stays at ND. BK can put numbers up once he has the right kids, and can use his full playbook, no doubt. Diaco is not an experienced guru, but all indications from last year, and just the shear talent he has, and will have along the DL and DB, is incredible. I have to think Diaco is poised and ready, and likely has a pretty high ceiling. I think two games will be pivotal in recruiting this year, UM and USC. If we can take those two, recruiting will get EVEN better. I'm OK with dropping Stanford, but think we have a much better shot this year, and would venture to bet it will be competitive into the 4Q with the hogs we will on the DL at that point in the season. Barring injury to DB and RB, I haven't felt this good since big Lou was slurring on the sideline. I't good to be IRISH.

 

[NankerPhelge]

Yes to everything you said, except I think we can take Stanford, too.

 

[D-BOE34]

Yes to everything you said, except I think we can take Stanford, too.

Im with you on that. I am taking them as the Utah of last year. A good team but one that is within our ability to beat. Im hoping we can just rattle Luck in the first quarter and he has to sit out the game because of a minor concussion or something. Not a serious injury just a nice clean rattle to remove him for the week only. I think our QB problem is going to work in our favor. I think Dayne will start and will shine. With Rees seeing significant time without skipping a beat. DL is going to just destroy smaller OL. PERIOD!

 

[BeauBenken]

Does anyone feel...solid

Does anyone feel...solid

Well thanks to the fiber...


In all seriousness, though, I think every year we have the ability to beat every team on our schedule. I just don't usually expect it. Or rather, this year I feel like with a touch of luck (not as much as needed in the past) we could go undefeated. I'm not trying to sip on the Kool Aid, but I really don't think it's completely out of this world.

I also think we could drop 4 disappointing games though, thanks to what I've learned through past seasons.

 

[Jozodog1201]

I hope your right about Stanford, although I have my doubts. Michigan scares me as well. I think we beat Michigan State and USC. Is anyone else worried about Airforce??? Escpecially after what Navy did to us last year. I hear that this years Airforce team is better then last years Navy.

 

[NDOM]

I hope your right about Stanford, although I have my doubts. Michigan scares me as well. I think we beat Michigan State and USC. Is anyone else worried about Airforce??? Escpecially after what Navy did to us last year. I hear that this years Airforce team is better then last years Navy.

I am. I have one of our losses to Air Force.

 

[ACamp1900]

Not arguing with anyone here... just answering the question from my perspective.

No, I do not feel solid about any aspect of this team yet... except MAYBE the staff... QB and RB are both huge question marks for me and four good games does not make me forget how bad the D has been for years now... and who the hell steps up if Floyd gets hurt??

I still see nothing more than another nerve racking 8-5ish type season...

just being honest... and as much as some friends here have tried to make me feel otherwise I am needing to see it... only strong wins against USF, Michigan and MSU can make me feel 'solid' about this current edition.

 

[GreatGolson]

i just realized that if we drop one game early (MSU maybe) but if we go 11-1 that would put us in the NC because no SEC team is running the table and no team is undefeated, i feel like the BCS would put us at the 2 spot

 

[ACamp1900]

i just realized that if we drop one game early (MSU maybe) but if we go 11-1 that would put us in the NC because no SEC team is running the table and no team is undefeated, i feel like the BCS would put us at the 2 spot

I flippin hate bama... but idk how one can say that 'can't' go undefeated... that ceratinly is possible

 

[no.1IrishFan]

i just realized that if we drop one game early (MSU maybe) but if we go 11-1 that would put us in the NC because no SEC team is running the table and no team is undefeated, i feel like the BCS would put us at the 2 spot

That would certainly be the most desirable scenario considering we have only 1 loss(I have a feeling there will be a couple more).
To be honest I would just love to finish in the top 10, I believe our agreement with the BCS is that we are guaranteed a BCS game if we finish at 8 or higher.

 

[ACamp1900]

To be honest I would just love to finish in the top 10...

this is the season I am hoping to see... no 'bad' losses to teams we are clearly better than... and lay some beatings on a few teams that we are about on par with (USC, Stanford, MSU, those teams, just smash one or two of them)...

and just grow... until the end of last season I had not witnessed ND really 'grow' into a better team across to the board from start to finish in many years... maybe even a couple decades to be honest... that's all I want... play 'well' in every single game... and just show unquestionable growth towards becoming an elite program again.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

this is the season I am hoping to see... no 'bad' losses to teams we are clearly better than... and lay some beatings on a few teams that we are about on par with (USC, Stanford, MSU, those teams, just smash one or two of them)...

and just grow... until the end of last season I had not witnessed ND really 'grow' into a better team across to the board from start to finish in many years... maybe even a couple decades to be honest... that's all I want... play 'well' in every single game... and just show unquestionable growth towards becoming an elite program again.

<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/usc toilet paper/alonsoyque/Miscellaneous/uscTOILETpaper.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff299/alonsoyque/Miscellaneous/uscTOILETpaper.jpg" border="0"></a>

 

[ACamp1900]

That's an interesting red "X" you have there Southie...

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

That's an interesting red "X" you have there Southie...

glad you like...

 

[tadman95]

Well dern- Saw the title, had my wife feel and was ready to report that she felt I was very solid. LOL

The first two games will tell me how solid we are. Everyone knows the quote from Mike Tyson about having a plan until you get hit in the mouth. Beating USF soundly, and just as importantly beating UM at night at their place sends a message out about the ability and the maturity of this year's club to be a factor in the BCS. I think we're much better but we have to go beyond the positive attitude and smack some people.

"WINNING"

 

[anarin]

I'm OK with dropping Stanford

I am NOT!!!

 

[eNDzone]

Just listen to the players and coaches. No doubt we are headed in the right direction. Wins will come with confidence and confidence will come with wins. I can not look at a game this year and say it is a loss. Remember the Stanford game is the last game of the season and we played them early last season. There are actually 20 games or almost two seasons worth of games for ND to improve under the new staff and systems.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

QB is the major question in my mind.

- BK has done it before. He took a 2-3* program to a BCS level. He can do it at ND.

- Defense looked dominating for the last quarter of the season and only looks to be better.

- IMO, RB is excellent in the 2-deep. We have to hope it doesn't get much past that.

Overall, I don't feel like my dogs will be as angry at me each Saturday this year. It has been a rough couple of years.

 

[IrishLax]

Good thread. I'm very torn personally because I see realistic potential for ND to go 12-0 for the first time since '06. If we stay healthy, our starting 22 + Ruffer is good enough to play with any team in the country.

At the same time, it's hard for me to overlook the fact that if Gray or Blanton or both of those guys goes down with injury we are really in a world of trouble. There is no way you can expect inexperienced Lo Wood, converted WR Bennett Jackson and two non-EE true freshmen to play BCS level defense at this point in their careers. With just two injuries CB goes from a strength to a very big weakness. And that is kinda terrifying.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

If we stay healthy, our starting 22 + Ruffer is good enough to play with any team in the country.

Agree. But, I'm still nervous at QB.

 

[ohara831]

My biggest concern is if Wood goes down with an injury. I see where Lache Seastrunk was granted his unconditional release and right to transfer from Oregon. I know on Rivals he was the #3 RB in Class of 2010 and a 5* on some and 4* on others, but did not see where you guys had a Profile on him. Not sure if it was academics or if he had zero interest in ND. But he reshirted last season and I dont know that he would have to sit out if Oregon is giving him an unconditional release. It wold not upset me at all if BK sought to fill our RB spot with Seastrunk. Think he would be a terrific backup to Wood this season.

Just realized he is the RB whose recruitiment is being questioned in the scandal at Oregon. Think it might not be too wise to bring him in unless you have clearance by the NCAA. And I saw where if he did transfer, he would still have to sit out a year. Would not be of any help to us this year.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

QB Pros:
- We have many options, with 2 solid experienced guys.
QB Cons:
- Reps spread too thin for our starter?

RB Pros:
- Two solid backs that bring a different look.
RB Neutral:
- If one of our above go down who will get that #2 spot and are they ready?

WR Pros:
- A lot of potential in this group, experience, size and speed.
WR Neutral:
- Who will emerge as that #2 behind Floyd? Riddick? Toma? TJ? We need another WR to step up and be that man.

OLINE - I don’t see issues here....we have the depth and the Skill.

DL/Linebackers - I don’t see issues here....we have the depth and the Skill.

DB Pros:
I think our DBs success starts with Coach Martin. Gray, RJ, Motta, and Harrison bring tons of experience and swagger.
DB Cons:
Our #2s. Especially at Corner. Corner is the most difficult position in football-- hands down. Will Lo be the man? Or Bennett? How about our incoming frosh?

 

[BIGIRISHMAN]

I truelly believe that with enough momentum if we take the first 4 we'll have that much swagger barring injuries we will be unstoppable if we can just build up those 4 and get the hype train rolling i think this could be the year of the irish

 

[Irish YJ]

All very SOLID points. At the end of the day, only the end of the season will tell. But I will say..... I never, ever had this type of optimism with the last 3 coaches. Just didn't feeeeeel like things were tight. BK has changed that, at least to me. Yep, depth at RB and CB is scary, lack of a system QB makes my stomach turn, but thinking with a little luck, and assuming BK and company are coaching these guys up, I LIKE IT. Stanford,,,,,, Mr. Luck, meet Irish Chocolate. Then say hello to Mr. Lynch and Mr. Tuit. Now say Hello to Mr. Lynch again. For the first time in many years, I think our DL can carry us through a bad QB day.... Is it Sept-3 yet? Please hurry.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Well thanks to the fiber...


In all seriousness, though, I think every year we have the ability to beat every team on our schedule. I just don't usually expect it. Or rather, this year I feel like with a touch of luck (not as much as needed in the past) we could go undefeated. I'm not trying to sip on the Kool Aid, but I really don't think it's completely out of this world.

I also think we could drop 4 disappointing games though, thanks to what I've learned through past seasons.

^This.

After the last few years, there is a pit in my stomach for most of the games on our schedule. However, the difference going into this year is our defense...if it plays to expectations, especially on the road early, this could be a special season.

 

[BostonND]

i just realized that if we drop one game early (MSU maybe) but if we go 11-1 that would put us in the NC because no SEC team is running the table and no team is undefeated, i feel like the BCS would put us at the 2 spot

11-1 puts you in the NC if you start the season ranked in the top 5 or 10.... we're not there yet.

Let's not jump on the NC game bandwagon yet..... a BCS bowl would be fantastic progress for this program.