Expectations for 2006?

[Fighting_Irish9]

Not what do you hope, or what do you want to happen, but what kind of season do you expect ND to have? (Lets try to be realistic and not 13-0 NC or bust homers)

I expect ND to go 11-2 give or take a game, I know its a big swing between 12-1 and 10-3 but I think both 10-3 and 12-1 are just slightly less likely than a 11-2 season.

If we go 10-3 it will be somewhat disapointing but I wouldn't say the season was a complete failure, and if we go 12-1 I wouldn't say we had a magical run, because this team can in in many ways should go 12-1

If we go 13-0 and win a NC, that would be a magical season and would exceed any expectations I have for this team and would imo mean we raised above our abilities and if we go 9-4 that would be a major disapointment and IMO would mean we played well under our abilities.

So I come up with 11-2 give or take a game as my expectations.

Also I expect

A top 10 recruiting class, would be surprised if we had a top 3, last I saw we don't have 25 scholarships to give thus a top 3 is unlikely unless we can have 25 or more scholarships

Brady Quinn's numbers to drop (not rating), I think we will control the ball more resting the D and marching down field instead of quick strikes.

Quinn to be invited to New York

Wooden to step up
Lambert to win playing time
Bruton to become a name we know, maybe beat out Ndukwe

Travis Thomas to make a bigger impact at RB

A Bowl win if we aren't in a BCS, if in a BCS its a crap shoot, two top teams play anything can happen

 

[iloveirish_12]

I don't know about everyone else but my expectations are to win the NC. I don't care what anyone says they can win the NC if they play like they can.

 

[jiggafini19]

Win every game at home, though I honestly think Michigan will beat ND.

Win a bowl game.

Be efficient defensively against third down.

Stop giving up big plays.

10-2 plus a bowl win.

 

[Irish Legend]

I still think that this is the year. 13 - 0.

 

[punishment]

I'm still sticking with 9-3.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

to start with I've said this before and "I'm going to let the team focus on one game at a time and I'm going to enjoy this all the way to the fiesta bowl"

now with that being said again I am still skeptical of a few things.
I don't know why I'm thinking of a possible loss to michigan and I also may joke around about USC,but they aren't going to be a pushover like most think.
Notre Dame will not lose to usc five years in a row.It's happened only once before and will not happen again...that's all I have to say about that for now.

The kicking game worries me some and I hope it doesn't become a factor in any game.

I also have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff to keep the players focused and not become a bunch of premadonas(sp?) like holtz had for so many years and produced a few losses every year eluding the players,school,fans,and himself of any more national championships.Also a lot of you really weren't around or were too young to remember a lot of holtz's players.They were some of the most talented players in the ncaa thanks to vinny cerrato.I just don't want to see any more of that this year and dump some easy game along the line.

 

[KMac151993]

I will agree with Jigga...bottom line is defense wins championships and our's isn't up to par yet....I don't believe, but maybe they will prove me wrong.

 

[leppycole]

I'm still sticking with 9-3.

Who do you think the 3 "L's" are going to be?

 

[punishment]

Who do you think the 3 "L's" are going to be?

USC, at least one, possibly two of the first 3 games. There are too many issues that need to be resolved. The defense will need a couple of games to come together, and the kicking game will need about 8 games to come together.

If we lost to GT in the first game, it could set off a roller coaster of losses in the begining.

I know people keep saying our defense is getting better and what not. But, our new linebackers have not received too much positive press. Tthe D-line is good, but unfortunately has no depth, so it will cause them to tire out soon. And the more minutes you play, and the more tired you are, the more prone to injury.

I think our secondary will be very much improved, but it will not show because most QBs will have 7 seconds to get rid of the ball.

Like I said before, I hope I'm proven wrong. But ND fans tend to get over excited, and usually expect large things to grow out of something so small. I think it's still imporant to keep in mind that last years records was a bit of a mirage, as most of the teams we played did not turn out to be as good as we thought. What, Michigan with 5 losses, Tennesse with 6 or 7?

I'm always quite the pessimist though.

 

[ZIBBY49]

The schedule is managable. There will be some first game jitters at Georgia tech, but that should be a win. The next two games will be quite tough with Penn state and Michigan coming to town.Penn state is rebuilding and will be playing a lot of freshman, Michigan will be very togh to beat, but the offense will come through late and secure the third straight win for the season. Next its off to East lansing were the Irish have recently had better luck beating the Spartans,so I dont see a problem winning there. Back home for a three game stand with probable wins against Purdue,and Stanford, And unless we see improvement in both the Irish and the Bruin defense we are looking and a shootout on october 21 against UCLA.After that it should be 4 wins against Navy, North Carolina, Air force, and finally army, with the toughest game in that stretch coming against airforce and there speed and abillity to run the option. Finally its the rematch weve all been waiting fo when the Irish storm out to Las angeles to play the trojans. This will be a tough gam no doupt, and it will probably be just as close and emotional as last year, but with an improved defense and the new faces for the trojans i believe that this too will be a win, and close out the regular season perfect. My prediction for there next game is another rematch against Ohio state , this time for all the marbles.

 

[weisguys_9]

I expect us to get to the NC. If we win it I will be ecstatic. If not, I can deal with it. But i expect us to get there. I truly believe we have the best team in the Nation. The only game that I will be very nervous about is the Michigan game. We beat them two years in a row and they will be hungry for revenge, but it's in South Bend so I think we can pull it out. I am 100% confident against USC. A loss there is unacceptable. I know we will beat them.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

USC, at least one, possibly two of the first 3 games. There are too many issues that need to be resolved. The defense will need a couple of games to come together, and the kicking game will need about 8 games to come together.

We could lose 3. USC won't be one of them.

We will beat USC by 17.

Mark my words.

 

[mirertobrooks]

If we lose an early game it won't be a disaster. I really don't think there will be an undefeated NC this year. There is to much parity and to many key players for the juggernauts to replace. We have to beat USC and we would still have a shot at the NC even if we lose an early one. Which the only team I see able to do that being Mich St. Our schedule is pretty soft after Mich St until USC. Why's everybody so scared of Michigan. We always beat Michigan, we should just call them Northern Purdue.

 

[Vince Young]

If Why's everybody so scared of Michigan. We always beat Michigan...

No we don't. That's why we're so scared of Michigan. Even under Llllloyd those boys are capable of taking anyone down on any given Saturday. I NEVER take that game for granted.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I'm expecting the Irish to go undefeated, but have a lot of trouble in the title game (assuming they make it and I think they will). Teams like Texas have a pretty solid defense and their offense is good enough to pose some problems.

I think a lot of Irish fans were over-confident heading into the O$U game (myself included), but a lot more have been suffering from an inferiority complex afterward. The offense is going to be absolutely loaded and the defense will have a good blend of young talent and experience.

But I think it is of the utmost importance to understand that ND won't face a defense half as good as O$U's was last season.

It'll also be very interesting to see whether Ndukwe's speed improves much (as I expect it will) from his recently reported weight loss. The presence of a second fast, physical safety can work wonders on the secondary.

I think everyone is going to elevate their game to meet the hype and make this thing happen.