Expectations for 2012?

[IrishFBfanatic]

I never said anything about basing it off of recruiting rankings. I said that they are replacing them with blue chip players with experience in their program. We are replacing most of our losses with guys with little time in the program, guys switching positions, and in some positions (safety/CB) low ranked prospects.

Again, twist it any way you want. But I have read this story before and I am not getting fooled again. When Barry Sanders, Jr is running for 1,000 yards and Noor Davis is an All American, I hope I remember this thread. Stanford is going to be good for a while, but that doesn't mean we can't be better.

Stanford secondary 2-deep:

SS1- Jordan Richards *** ranked 60th at S
SS2- Ed Reynolds *** not ranked

CB1- Terrence Brown ** not ranked
CB2- Wayne Lyons **** 6th CB

CB1- Barry Browning *** not ranked
CB2- Herold Bernard *** ranked 81st CB

FS1- Kyle Olugbode NR
FS2- Devon Carrington *** ranked 39th at S

So they have 2 new guys stepping in to start in the defensive backfield without much (if any) experience, and so do we. I see one blue chip player in the 2-deep of their entire secondary. I'm using this as the resource: 2DEEP so if it's wrong I apologize. I don't know their actual 2-deep.
You ragged on our secondary and say Stanford is reloading with Blue Chips...I see one blue chip up there and he's still a second string player.

Jamoris and Zeke are both blue chippers, Josh Atkinson and Lo Wood were higher ranked than all of their CBs coming out of HS besides Wayne. Jalen was a 3* just like their guys...and Bennett was a WR. Dan McCarthy 4*, Collinsworth 3*

I highly doubt Barry Sanders Jr will have a 1,000 yd season this year with Stefan Taylor still starting, and I also doubt Noor Davis will be an All-American as a true freshman....so please do remember this thread on October 13th.

 

[Rudy89]

realisticly I think we go 7-5 or 8-4 at best. We will only win one against the Michigan teams but we could lose both. I dont see any way we can beat OU or USC unless the injury bug hits both teams and even then itll be very close. I also think there will be one team that upsets us its happened every year since 08 and I dont think this year will be any different. But who knows really I dont like to have super high expectations because the last year I did have high expectations before the season was 2009.

 

[woolybug25]

Stanford secondary 2-deep:

SS1- Jordan Richards *** ranked 60th at S
SS2- Ed Reynolds *** not ranked

Richards has been in the system for two years and started part of the season last year. He made 31 tackles and has proven that he is up to the task. This isn't his first rodeo.

CB1- Terrence Brown ** not ranked
CB2- Wayne Lyons **** 6th CB

Terrence Brown started nine games last year and had 43 tackles. He also broke up 5 passes and had a pick. He is the most experienced of them all. Lyons (who was an EXCELLENT prospect) can play on either side and come in to give two experienced corners in a VERY mature offense a breather.

CB1- Barry Browning *** not ranked
CB2- Herold Bernard *** ranked 81st CB

Again, Browning started games last year. He started three games last year making 21 stops and had a pick. Both Barry and Brown's stats are pretty good considering there were upperclassmen playing ahead of them.

This is a far cry from what we have with Bjack, Lwood and Atkinson. The latter two, whom have less combined game experience than any of Stanfords first string corners.

FS1- Kyle Olugbode NR
FS2- Devon Carrington *** ranked 39th at S

Olugbode might not be the first stringer in this situation, but if he is, then he earned over a guy that had 30 tackles a couple of fumble recoveries a year ago. Both know the system very well.

So they have 2 new guys stepping in to start in the defensive backfield without much (if any) experience, and so do we. I see one blue chip player in the 2-deep of their entire secondary. I'm using this as the resource: 2DEEP so if it's wrong I apologize. I don't know their actual 2-deep.
You ragged on our secondary and say Stanford is reloading with Blue Chips...I see one blue chip up there and he's still a second string player.

These aren't "new" guys like you are portraying. They are new to being the 1st string, but they all have experience in big games. They have all been in the system, and they are all in competitive battles for positions where ND is pulling at strings trying to find someone to start.

When I talked about "blue chips", it wasn't pertaining just to secondary. They have blue chips coming in at QB, RB, OL, LB and DL. Any lack of blue chip power in their secondary is made up for the blue chip power at the other positions and the experience they have in the secondary. You are simply trying to pick one small hole you found, but in reality, are just proving my point about Stanford further. They are not a team filled with losses with nobody to fill them. They will reload just like they did after Gerhart.

Jamoris and Zeke are both blue chippers, Josh Atkinson and Lo Wood were higher ranked than all of their CBs coming out of HS besides Wayne. Jalen was a 3* just like their guys...and Bennett was a WR. Dan McCarthy 4*, Collinsworth 3*

Zeke might have been a blue chip recruit, but he sure hasn't played like it. Stanfords safeties this year both have shown more than Zeke has. Twist any way you want, but that's the truth.

I highly doubt Barry Sanders Jr will have a 1,000 yd season this year with Stefan Taylor still starting, and I also doubt Noor Davis will be an All-American as a true freshman....so please do remember this thread on October 13th.

I said "I hope I remember this thread when they do", I never said to expect it next season. But I will remember this thread in October, I hope you do to.

I will bet a million of my vcash to your entire peasant holdings that Stanford goes to a bowl game.

 

[Patulski]

Sadly, I think we're in for at least a 4 loss year. Instead of speeding up towards greatness, I think we're treading water. Not a good sign for Kelly.

 

[NDhoosier]

I will bet a million of my vcash to your entire peasant holdings that Stanford goes to a bowl game.

They have a pretty easy schedule, it is pretty safe to say they make it to a bowl game. They should win 8 games, but I still think they are overrated. Luck made a lot of people look good last year.

 

[woolybug25]

They have a pretty easy schedule, it is pretty safe to say they make it to a bowl game. They should win 8 games, but I still think they are overrated. Luck made a lot of people look good last year.

I wouldn't call it easy...

., Aug. 31 vs. San Jose State Stanford, CA 7:00 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 8 vs. Duke Stanford, CA 7:30 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 15 vs. USC * Stanford, CA 4:30 PM PT
Thu., Sep. 27 at Washington * Seattle, WA 6:00 PM PT
Sat., Oct. 6 vs. Arizona * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 13 at Notre Dame South Bend, IN TBA
Sat., Oct. 20 at California * Berkeley, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 27 vs. Washington State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 3 at Colorado * Boulder, CO TBA
Sat., Nov. 10 vs. Oregon State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 17 at Oregon * Eugene, OR TBA
Sat., Nov. 24 at UCLA * Pasadena, CA TBA
Fri., Nov. 30 Pac-12 Championship Game * TBA TBA
Next Event
vs.
San Jose State
Day: Friday
Date: Aug. 31, 2012
Location: Stanford, CA
Time: 7:00 PM PT

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Richards has been in the system for two years and started part of the season last year. He made 31 tackles and has proven that he is up to the task. This isn't his first rodeo.


Terrence Brown started nine games last year and had 43 tackles. He also broke up 5 passes and had a pick. He is the most experienced of them all. Lyons (who was an EXCELLENT prospect) can play on either side and come in to give two experienced corners in a VERY mature offense a breather.


Again, Browning started games last year. He started three games last year making 21 stops and had a pick. Both Barry and Brown's stats are pretty good considering there were upperclassmen playing ahead of them.

This is a far cry from what we have with Bjack, Lwood and Atkinson. The latter two, whom have less combined game experience than any of Stanfords first string corners.


Olugbode might not be the first stringer in this situation, but if he is, then he earned over a guy that had 30 tackles a couple of fumble recoveries a year ago. Both know the system very well.



These aren't "new" guys like you are portraying. They are new to being the 1st string, but they all have experience in big games. They have all been in the system, and they are all in competitive battles for positions where ND is pulling at strings trying to find someone to start.

When I talked about "blue chips", it wasn't pertaining just to secondary. They have blue chips coming in at QB, RB, OL, LB and DL. Any lack of blue chip power in their secondary is made up for the blue chip power at the other positions and the experience they have in the secondary. You are simply trying to pick one small hole you found, but in reality, are just proving my point about Stanford further. They are not a team filled with losses with nobody to fill them. They will reload just like they did after Gerhart.



Zeke might have been a blue chip recruit, but he sure hasn't played like it. Stanfords safeties this year both have shown more than Zeke has. Twist any way you want, but that's the truth.


I said "I hope I remember this thread when they do", I never said to expect it next season. But I will remember this thread in October, I hope you do to.

I will bet a million of my vcash to your entire peasant holdings that Stanford goes to a bowl game.

Like I said, they have 2 new starters in their secondary. Bennett, Lo, and Josh have all played for ND and you can skew stats to sound good for those guys too...My point is that Stanford is not in a better situation than we are. You make it sound like they're fielding a who's who of college football greatness...they have guys who have been productive and started, they also have guys who are fresh and still question marks. Just like ND

I understand that you are saying they have blue chip players coming in at other positions. I'm saying that Stanford is not in a better situation than ND, though. I'd take our experienced O-Line over their blue chip fill-ins. I'd take our All-American TE over their blue chip TE. I'll take our All-American LB over their blue chip LB. Why? Because I don't care how talented you were in high school...college is a different animal!

When did I say Stanford won't make a bowl game this season? You can throw that fake money around all day like it makes you look like an expert or something...I never said they won't be a good team. My point is that Stanford is NOT better than Notre Dame. ND is the better team, and I stand by that. There are only two teams that could be considered better than ND this year on our schedule. Stanford is not one of them.

 

[woolybug25]

Like I said, they have 2 new starters in their secondary. Bennett, Lo, and Josh have all played for ND and you can skew stats to sound good for those guys too...My point is that Stanford is not in a better situation than we are. You make it sound like they're fielding a who's who of college football greatness...they have guys who have been productive and started, they also have guys who are fresh and still question marks. Just like ND

I understand that you are saying they have blue chip players coming in at other positions. I'm saying that Stanford is not in a better situation than ND, though. I'd take our experienced O-Line over their blue chip fill-ins. I'd take our All-American TE over their blue chip TE. I'll take our All-American LB over their blue chip LB. Why? Because I don't care how talented you were in high school...college is a different animal!

When did I say Stanford won't make a bowl game this season? You can throw that fake money around all day like it makes you look like an expert or something...I never said they won't be a good team. My point is that Stanford is NOT better than Notre Dame. ND is the better team, and I stand by that. There are only two teams that could be considered better than ND this year on our schedule. Stanford is not one of them.

Are you going to change your story every single time you post? What is your point, because I never said that I don't think we can beat them or that I like their team better than ours. I said they are a reloading team that is filling their holes just as good as we are filling ours. I said that I have heard the "Stanford is losing everybody" story before, and now more than ever, it's simply not true. I don't think they are going to take a huge step back like you initially inferred. Those have been my points all along.

Reread your posts.

edit - that last part was mean.

 

[stlnd01]

I wouldn't call it easy...

., Aug. 31 vs. San Jose State Stanford, CA 7:00 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 8 vs. Duke Stanford, CA 7:30 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 15 vs. USC * Stanford, CA 4:30 PM PT
Thu., Sep. 27 at Washington * Seattle, WA 6:00 PM PT
Sat., Oct. 6 vs. Arizona * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 13 at Notre Dame South Bend, IN TBA
Sat., Oct. 20 at California * Berkeley, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 27 vs. Washington State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 3 at Colorado * Boulder, CO TBA
Sat., Nov. 10 vs. Oregon State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 17 at Oregon * Eugene, OR TBA
Sat., Nov. 24 at UCLA * Pasadena, CA TBA
Fri., Nov. 30 Pac-12 Championship Game * TBA TBA
Next Event
vs.
San Jose State
Day: Friday
Date: Aug. 31, 2012
Location: Stanford, CA
Time: 7:00 PM PT

It's not easy, but it's not especially hard, either. It's a Pac-10 schedule with us as their one serious nonconference opponent. Host USC, go to Oregon. Trip to Washington might be tough and who knows with UCLA. But they've certainly got a good shot to win 9 or 10 games. "Better team" or no, I'd bet they win at least as many as we do.

By the way, when did they stop ending the season with Cal? Is that new? For that matter, USC and UCLA don't play at the end of the season, either?

 

[woolybug25]

It's not easy, but it's not especially hard, either. It's a Pac-10 schedule with us as their one serious nonconference opponent. Host USC, go to Oregon. Trip to Washington might be tough and who knows with UCLA. But they've certainly got a good shot to win 9 or 10 games. "Better team" or no, I'd bet they win at least as many as we do.

By the way, when did they stop ending the season with Cal? Is that new? For that matter, USC and UCLA don't play at the end of the season, either?

I'm interested to see if WSU gives anybody a game. Not a lot of talent there, but Leach is a legit coach. We'll see I suppose.

 

[BobD]

I wouldn't call it easy...

., Aug. 31 vs. San Jose State Stanford, CA 7:00 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 8 vs. Duke Stanford, CA 7:30 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 15 vs. USC * Stanford, CA 4:30 PM PT
Thu., Sep. 27 at Washington * Seattle, WA 6:00 PM PT
Sat., Oct. 6 vs. Arizona * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 13 at Notre Dame South Bend, IN TBA
Sat., Oct. 20 at California * Berkeley, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 27 vs. Washington State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 3 at Colorado * Boulder, CO TBA
Sat., Nov. 10 vs. Oregon State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 17 at Oregon * Eugene, OR TBA
Sat., Nov. 24 at UCLA * Pasadena, CA TBA
Fri., Nov. 30 Pac-12 Championship Game * TBA TBA
Next Event
vs.
San Jose State
Day: Friday
Date: Aug. 31, 2012
Location: Stanford, CA
Time: 7:00 PM PT

You gonna go to that Colorado vs Stanford game wooly?

 

[woolybug25]

You gonna go to that Colorado vs Stanford game wooly?

I would like to. We'll see how the work schedule treats me. I might be traveling a lot in November. Football games in Boulder are a real good time.

 

[D-BOE34]

Keep all recruits and add another ELITE corner, EG starts and plays very well for his first go at it, we minimize TO's from last year, we win the games we should, play USC and OU close, CB's step up and show a night and day difference from game 1 to game 12, Neal and GAIII put fear in our opponents in 2013. We win our bowl and finish with at least 8 wins. Success...

 

[Fbolt]

ND needs to win the games, that on paper, they should. If Kelly can bring that to this team I would smile.

Of course, I want more.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Are you going to change your story every single time you post? What is your point, because I never said that I don't think we can beat them or that I like their team better than ours. I said they are a reloading team that is filling their holes just as good as we are filling ours. I said that I have heard the "Stanford is losing everybody" story before, and now more than ever, it's simply not true. I don't think they are going to take a huge step back like you initially inferred. Those have been my points all along.

Reread your posts.

edit - that last part was mean.

This whole argument started when we started comparing ND's situation to Stanford and MSU. My argument all along has been that ND is not in a worse situation. My question has been, why is it an issue at ND, but these other schools are still considered better? ND has a QB "issue" but Stanford and MSU don't? ND has to replace their "go-to" guy, but MSU and Stanford don't? ND has questions in their secondary, but Stanford doesn't? I'm wondering why the sky is falling and we are expected to only win 7 games because of our schedule and roster issues, when realistically we have a better team than all of our opponents except for USC and OU.

My arguments may have sounded a bit strayed off because I had to get to your level of thinking with blue chips, experience, and talent at Stanford, but I've stayed true to my original point: ND is better than Navy, Purdue, MSU, UM, Miami, Stanford, BYU, Pitt, BC, and Wake so my EXPECTATION (because that's the title of the thread) is that we beat any and all lesser teams on our schedule.

I also now realize that you are talking about Stanford in the future and not just this season. So your points about the FUTURE make sense, but this thread is talking about 2012 so I've been concentrated on this season only. Maybe that's where some of the confusion has been.

 

[NDhoosier]

., Aug. 31 vs. San Jose State Stanford, CA 7:00 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 8 vs. Duke Stanford, CA 7:30 PM PT
Sat., Sep. 15 vs. USC * Stanford, CA 4:30 PM PT
Thu., Sep. 27 at Washington * Seattle, WA 6:00 PM PT
Sat., Oct. 6 vs. Arizona * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 13 at Notre Dame South Bend, IN TBA
Sat., Oct. 20 at California * Berkeley, CA TBA
Sat., Oct. 27 vs. Washington State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 3 at Colorado * Boulder, CO TBA
Sat., Nov. 10 vs. Oregon State * Stanford, CA TBA
Sat., Nov. 17 at Oregon * Eugene, OR TBA
Sat., Nov. 24 at UCLA * Pasadena, CA TBA
Fri., Nov. 30 Pac-12 Championship Game * TBA TBA

Bold game - Pretty much guaranteed losses (hehehe, like what I did there? )
underlines game - Toss up...

That is at most 5 losses, who knows though, maybe they surprise people and beat USC or win both their toss up games.

 

[chipride131]

I am not thinking about the record so much, as i am the fact that we need to take a huge step forward and beat both michigan teams this year. i understand they are both very good teams, and michigan beating alabama would only make it that much worse. we haven't beaten both teams in the same year since 2004, that needs to change NOW

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am not thinking about the record so much, as i am the fact that we need to take a huge step forward and beat both michigan teams this year. i understand they are both very good teams, and michigan beating alabama would only make it that much worse. we haven't beaten both teams in the same year since 2004, that needs to change NOW

I agree that we need to beat both Mechegun teams this year. I mean Michigan.

I do not believe that both are very good teams (proven).

Michigan State lost a ton last year, their productive offense, what was left of their experienced offensive line, and for the second year in a row, key defensive players.

Michigan, Brady Hoke, you cannot convince me is any different than ND under Charley Weis. What is their signature win? Charley never had one. Two good seasons, one dinomite class a year after he started, then a contract extension. We will see with Michigan, their decay wasn't as bad at the time Hoke took over as when Charley began, but I am not seeing anything that indicates Michigan's return to the pre RichRod days.

 

[nlroma1o]

I agree that we need to beat both Mechegun teams this year. I mean Michigan.

I do not believe that both are very good teams (proven).

Michigan State lost a ton last year, their productive offense, what was left of their experienced offensive line, and for the second year in a row, key defensive players.

Michigan, Brady Hoke, you cannot convince me is any different than ND under Charley Weis. What is their signature win? Charley never had one. Two good seasons, one dinomite class a year after he started, then a contract extension. We will see with Michigan, their decay wasn't as bad at the time Hoke took over as when Charley began, but I am not seeing anything that indicates Michigan's return to the pre RichRod days.

This is exactly what I told my friends after last season who went to scUM. The similarities are undeniable.

We cannot forget that the 2011 skunk bears were the luckiest football program in the history of the sport. I mean c'mon. They shyte they cam up with defied physics! And for that reason, scUM should be scared this year.

GO IRISH!!!

 

[Redbar]

I think we are a much improved team. I think we play very aggressive on defense and offensively we play more consistently without the tremendous turnover rate. I think we win 8 games but surprise a lot of people with our intensity and competitiveness. I think this is the year we turn the corner, but the schedule keeps us in the 8 or 9 win range. I think we show and prove in a bowl game and watch out 2013. BCS here we come.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Fukk the schedule! I love you man, Redbar; no disrespect to you, you are one of the finest posters, but if I hear the schecule one more time . . . .

 

[In Lou I Trust]

BCS bound, baby!!!! I can smell it.

 

[johnnykillz]

BCS bound, baby!!!! I can smell it.

I want to believe but i've been hurt too many times.

Lol.

I'm a firm 9-3 guy.

 

[In Lou I Trust]

I want to believe but i've been hurt too many times.

Lol.

I'm a firm 9-3 guy.

I hear ya, Johnny. This happens to me every year. I feel it in my gut each year that we're gonna kick some @$$! Maybe I should learn to not trust my gut...

 

[notredomer23]

I hear ya, Johnny. This happens to me every year. I feel it in my gut each year that we're gonna kick some @$$! Maybe I should learn to not trust my gut...

It's just gas brotha...

Really don't know for us. I have never not been able to make a prediction on wins but there are just too many unseen factors with this team, mainly QB. Anywhere between 7-5 and 11-1 IMO most likely going 9-3. I hope.

 

[NDPhilly]

I'm thinking 8-4. Losses to OU, USC, MSU, and one other random one that we should win like Stanford. If we go 9-4 I'd be very happy.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

If Gholson learns to burn Rice in his tank,

And the supportive cast on the d-line plays up to ability.

And defensive strategy does not put too much pressure to start on the dbacks.

AND, the o-line knocks some people down,

WE will have a schematic advantage, no just kidding!

We could have a very special season this year.

If this group plays together like a team, unlike last year, there is no game on the schedule we are incapable of winning, and there is only two teams on the schedule that really look better than us on paper.

 

[dshans]

BCS bound, baby!!!! I can smell it.

Nope. Can't smell it. It's a seasonal allergy – off season and early season. It usually clears up in early to late November when I can detect the sweet smell of success or the acrid stench of another season of dashed hopes.

Maybe if I start snorting Jameson and Guinness from now till September 1st I'll agree with you ...

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

I'm thinking 8-4. Losses to OU, USC, MSU, and one other random one that we should win like Stanford. If we go 9-4 I'd be very happy.

Why are we so afraid of MSU? I see that as an easy win, bar any crazy turnovers. Yes I know I know it's always a close game, it's one of the two teams in the state of MICH that we struggle with. But correct me if I'm wrong, we beat them pretty handedly last year with Reese behind center, and they had Cousins, which their backup QB Andrew Maxwell is nowhere near the skill set of Cousins. With that, their going to be forced to run the ball a little bit more than usual this season for the QB to get a custom to throwing the ball against an actual solid defense. Maxwell has one career TD pass against CENTRAL MICHIGAN, and the only other two times he saw the field was against Florida Atlantic and Youngstown State. Golson may not have any field time, but I'd take a duel threat QB with no game time experience, against a 3 year backup who has only thrown 1 TD pass and only 19 total passes. We didn't dramatically get worse from last year, we may have actually got a little better on Defense, and they didn't get that much better either if not worse with losing Cousins. We beat them 31-13, with their running game only coming up with a total of like 57 yards. I think ya'll are thinking to highly of MSU this year, this is definitely a rebuilding year for them, predict an easy win here.

 

[BurningRiver]

I don't even know where to begin with this team. The more I watch highlights of last year and think about this upcoming year the better I think we can be.

If a QB steps up (and I know, this is a huge if), this team has the potential to be BCS-caliber. When I look at this team objectively, I see a potentially dominant O-Line and running game, the best tight end in the country, a front-7 not far off from being SEC caliber, and a young but talented secondary. If they can limit turnovers this year, or at least keep them from being of the back-breaking variety, this team could very well go into Southern Cal in late november with a BCS birth on the line.

Of course, however, this all hinges on Tommy Rees carrying a clipboard and wearing a red hat on the sideline. He may have a pretty nice record as a starter and (correct me if I'm wrong) owns the record for career completion % as an ND quarterback, but he holds the team back via his questionable decision-making and lack of arm strength. Golson, Hendrix, and dare I say Kiel all give this team more potential than Rees does.

I say 9-3, 10-3 with a bowl win.