Expectations Rising

[Bubba]

Expectations seem to be increasing. As the college football preview magazines have begun to come out, the love affair with Notre Dame is heating up. Although the Irish finished last season losing 4 of 5 during the regular season and blowing out an unimpressive Hawaii team in the Hawaii Bowl, the magazines are including them in their Top 25s. ESPN has them at 22, with one of their writers, Mark Schlabach, even having them at 17. Athlon has them at 24 and The Sporting News has them checking in at 18. And, as we have all read, Phil Steele has them at #7 (of course his rankings are based on how he believes they will finish).

As far as projections go, Steele has ND facing Clemson in the Gator Bowl, The Sporting News has them facing Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and although Athlon doesn’t have a projection they say that ND has “more ingredients for success than they’ve had since 2006 – Quinn’s final season – when they made their second straight trip to a BCS Bowl.”

In addition, ESPN has made the following comparison to the improvements at Alabama from 2007 to 2008:

Alabama '07
• Started 6-2
• Lost four straight to end season
• Lost a bad one at home (La.-Monroe) on Senior Day
• Won bowl game in convincing fashion (defeated Colorado in Independence Bowl)

Notre Dame '08
• Started 5-2
• Lost four of last five to end season
• Lost a bad one at home (Syracuse) on Senior Day
• Won bowl game in convincing fashion (defeated Hawaii in Hawaii Bowl)

Alabama '08
• Returned nine offensive starters and five defensive starters
• Started year ranked No. 24 in AP poll
• Played in BCS bowl

Notre Dame '09
• Returns 10 offensive starters and six defensive starters
• Starts year ranked No. 22 in our pre-season poll
• ?

As I read all of this information I am a little skeptical/nervous. On the other hand, it does seem as though this season could set up well. We should be favored in all games except for the USC game and all of the away games are fairly easy. I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but I think that anything less than 10 wins is unacceptable. In fact, 11 wins should be the expectation IMHO. Mediocrity has no place at ND. I can’t wait for the season to start!!!

Go Irish!

 

[choo choo]

cool post...just hope there's no probation to follow as well

 

[jason_h537]

Although i agree that the Fighting Irish will right the ship this year and will likely win 9-11 games, Id rather have us fly under the radar to start the season.

 

[BGIF]

cool post...just hope there's no probation to follow as well

cha - ching!

 

[Bubba]

cool post...just hope there's no probation to follow as well

I would assume that most of the kids going to ND who are not on scholarship can afford their own textbooks.

 

[BGIF]

cool post...just hope there's no probation to follow as well

Could we volunteer to vacate the '07 season ...

 

[Bubba]

Although i agree that the Fighting Irish will right the ship this year and will likely win 9-11 games, Id rather have us fly under the radar to start the season.

FWIW, I don't think that ND ever "flys under the radar." We always get the best effort a team has when they play us, even when we aren't ranked.

 

[jason_h537]

Could we volunteer to vacate the '07 season ...

you mean forfiet all the wins from that season

 

[Bubba]

Could we volunteer to vacate the '07 season ...

That's great, I second the motion!! reps.

 

[BGIF]

you mean forfiet all the wins from that season

No, that's where most people including me missed the NCAA whitewash of Alabama.

Yesterday I saw a former Tide player I know. He noted I must be relieved that Syracuse isn't on the schedule this year. I replied that was the basis for the magazines picking ND for a BCS Bowl. Then I ribbed him about the forfeits. And he replied, "Isn't that sweet no probation and we get a bunch of ties."

Vacate doesn't mean forfeit. Bama doesn't get an "L" it essentially gets a "T". Neither a "W" or an "L". The schools that lost still have a lost.

I understand the NCAA's stand that they didn't want to hurt existing players for actions in years before. Curiously if you look at several SEC teams history you'll find several with FORFEITS mandated by the NCAA. MSU I know got hit with that. Alabama has their probation window extended but little else.

IF USC got a similar "penalty" for the '05 season, ND still loses for the Bush Push even if Bush is declared ineligibile. USC would not get a loss the win would be vacated.

 

[NDOM]

Expectations rising?????

Charlie Weis (Career 29-21)
29-21 Straight up
15-11 Home games
12-8 Away games
2-2 Neutral site games
4-1 Vs Independent teams
1-6 Vs top 10
4-10 Vs top 25
21-19 Vs bcs teams
4-4 Off a bye
9-10 Off a loss
*******1 Bowl win in 16 years*******

Until I see the above numbers DRASTICALLY change (by getting better) My expectations will be the same every year. Sorry thats just the way it is.

So as of now I can only say 8-9 wins is what I'm expecting.

 

[notredomer23]

Expectations rising?????

Charlie Weis (Career 29-21)
29-21 Straight up
15-11 Home games
12-8 Away games
2-2 Neutral site games
4-1 Vs Independent teams
1-6 Vs top 10
4-10 Vs top 25
21-19 Vs bcs teams
4-4 Off a bye
9-10 Off a loss
*******1 Bowl win in 16 years*******

Until I see the above numbers DRASTICALLY change (by getting better) My expectations will be the same every year. Sorry thats just the way it is.

So as of now I can only say 8-9 wins is what I'm expecting.

what does the 1 bowl win in 16 years have to do with all the other stats? you should have just put 1-2 in bowl games under Charlie because all other stats were under Charlie. That one win though however is a big difference than the past two clowns.

and to add to the original post. We lost Syracuse. Bama lost to what? Louissiana Lafeyette? I don't know which is worse

 

[ARALOU]

Syracuse has some past football tradition. I would say the Bama loss to the La. team is a little more brow raising.

 

[TDHeysus]

We lost Syracuse. Bama lost to what? Louissiana Lafeyette? I don't know which is worse

Never under estimate those Ragin' Cajuns!!

 

[IrishAddiction]

Expectations rising?????

Charlie Weis (Career 29-21)
29-21 Straight up
15-11 Home games
12-8 Away games
2-2 Neutral site games
4-1 Vs Independent teams
1-6 Vs top 10
4-10 Vs top 25
21-19 Vs bcs teams
4-4 Off a bye
9-10 Off a loss
*******1 Bowl win in 16 years*******

Until I see the above numbers DRASTICALLY change (by getting better) My expectations will be the same every year. Sorry thats just the way it is.

So as of now I can only say 8-9 wins is what I'm expecting.

going to agree with ya on this one, the numbers speak for themselves. We should realistically win every game this year, yes including SC, but with CW at the head of the program i cant see any more than 8-9 wins. Hope im wrong, really do, but i guess we all have to wait till the season to see how it pans out.

 

[jason_h537]

Yeah because what has Wies ever done other than take Notre Dame to two BCS bowls, break our bowl losing streak, and made us relavent on the recruiting trail again. Fuck that guy

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

...Vacate doesn't mean forfeit. Bama doesn't get an "L" it essentially gets a "T". Neither a "W" or an "L". The schools that lost...l have a lost.

Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering "What the hell is vacate?"

jason, I agree. Eff him. I hate getting my hopes up.

Nice post DRI.

 

[Bubba]

Until I see the above numbers DRASTICALLY change (by getting better) My expectations will be the same every year. Sorry thats just the way it is.

So as of now I can only say 8-9 wins is what I'm expecting.

I think one's expectation can be higher than what you think is going to happen. For instance, I can't fully believe that we will win 11 games based on what we have seen in the past. I can, however, raise my expectations of what this team should do based on the information gathered. Returning experience on both sides of the ball, improved recruiting, coaching changes, supposed ease of schedule, etc ... I personally expect at minimum 10 wins out of this team. Anything less and Charlie should resign. JMHO. 9-3 is not good enough, right?

 

[NDOM]

I think one's expectation can be higher than what you think is going to happen. For instance, I can't fully believe that we will win 11 games based on what we have seen in the past. I can, however, raise my expectations of what this team should do based on the information gathered. Returning experience on both sides of the ball, improved recruiting, coaching changes, supposed ease of schedule, etc ... I personally expect at minimum 10 wins out of this team. Anything less and Charlie should resign. JMHO. 9-3 is not good enough, right?

NO! 9-3 IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Its good enough to probly get Weis fired but thats about it.

 

[ARALOU]

I dont think he gets fired for going 9-3. I think he gets fired if USC skull drags the Irish again though. A win over USC is huge for the program.

 

[notredomer23]

NDOM I am bringing this thread up for you at the end of the bowl season and making u eat crow again

 

[Junkhead]

NDOM I am bringing this thread up for you at the end of the bowl season and making u eat crow again

I hope that happens. Not for NDOMs sake, just that fact that the team exceeds expectations. I'm cautiously optimistic. If the OL is improved, things will be fine.

 

[phork]

Yeah because what has Wies ever done other than take Notre Dame to two BCS bowls, break our bowl losing streak, and made us relavent on the recruiting trail again. Fuck that guy

You mean get whitewashed in 2 BCS bowls, beat up an overmatched Hawii team. I will give you the recruiting part. Maybe we can hire him as full time recruiter if he gets fired as HC this year.

 

[NDinL.A.]

You mean get whitewashed in 2 BCS bowls, beat up an overmatched Hawii team. I will give you the recruiting part. Maybe we can hire him as full time recruiter if he gets fired as HC this year.

You can't have it both ways Phork. There were plenty of people on here (I think you were one of them, but I'm not 10% and too lazy to look it up), that were saying that Hawaii was much better than we thought, that they almost beat a very good Cinci team, and that they might even beat us. And then we HAMMER them, and suddenly Hawaii was an overmatched team and the victory not impressive. Bullshit. ND did what many people thought they couldn't, beat Hawaii on the road, and do it in grand fashion. Was it an earth-shattering win? Of course not. But they did what they were supposed to do and more. And they broke the damn streak; can't take that away from them, no matter how much you hate CW.

Still need to win at least 10 games this year IMO to prove he can lead this team...

 

[BGIF]

Expectations rising?????

Charlie Weis (Career 29-21)
29-21 Straight up
15-11 Home games
12-8 Away games
2-2 Neutral site games
4-1 Vs Independent teams
1-6 Vs top 10
4-10 Vs top 25
21-19 Vs bcs teams
4-4 Off a bye
9-10 Off a loss
*******1 Bowl win in 16 years*******

Until I see the above numbers DRASTICALLY change (by getting better) My expectations will be the same every year. Sorry thats just the way it is.

So as of now I can only say 8-9 wins is what I'm expecting.

And which are the 8-9 wins? Just picking a random number or have you given any thought to it.


I'm curious just what were your expectations for a first time college head coach with NO OLs recruited in prior classes and a plethora of Banda-like players?

And what were your expectation in '07 after losing the first pair of 1000 yd of receivers, a 1000 yd rusher (and leading RB pass catcher), a Heisman candidate QB and 4 other offensive starters?

Did I miss your '07 preseason post about the perils of putting a true freshman QB rehabbing from throwing arm surgery behind an OLine that would give him 58 sacks?

 

[BGIF]

Never under estimate those Ragin' Cajuns!!

Nor those Louisiana Monroe Warhawks who actually beat The Tide.

(I know you weren't first to bring up Louisiana Lafayette.)

 

[BGIF]

NO! 9-3 IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Its good enough to probly get Weis fired but thats about it.

Only 6 coaches at ND have averaged (9-3, .750) that and 1/2 of them, Layden, Holtz, and Devine barely made it. Only Holtz had to deal first hand with Malloy and Beauchamp demasculating the program. Weis has had to contend with with effects of a decade of their bungling without the use of JUCO's like Saban, Stoops and others were able to employ to jump start their programs.

Interesting that Weis set the bar HIGHER his first year. He aspires to the level 10-2, (.833 wining percentage) of Rockne, Leahy, and Parshegian.

And of the 6 only one other had no previous college head coaching experience at a time when college football was much more informal that it is today. Think Weis could have a 25 year All-American RB at ND today that made it to class occasionally between card games?

Until Holtz none of them had to deal with 85 max scholarship limits. Joe Montana would not have gotten a scholarship today. He was the 7th ranked QB on the depth chart. How many of Rockne's, Leahy's, or Parshegian's players had to take the math classes today's athletes do? Holtz is also ( I believe) to have to deal with the NCAA 20 hour/week maximum football practice limitation. Leahy could keep them out to midnight.

Despite the restrictions the great one didn't have to face, Weis still aspires to return the program to the level it achieved during the glory days.

He's done it 2 out of 4 seasons and paid the price on his watch in the 2 other seasons for the ineptitude of his inferior predecessors which an inept adminstration so gleefully hired.

Not excuses; reality.

 

[BGIF]

You mean get whitewashed in 2 BCS bowls, beat up an overmatched Hawii team. I will give you the recruiting part. Maybe we can hire him as full time recruiter if he gets fired as HC this year.

Whitewashed? Got beat but never whitewashed. A whitewash is a shutout. ND's never been whitewashed in a bowl game.

Of course you probably would have fired Ara for the most lopsided Bowl loss in ND history 40-6. That a month after Ara got trounced 45-23 in a season ending loss to USC. Wow, a 34 point point blowout following a 3 TD rout by the Trojans.

You complain about a win over an "overmatched" Hawaii team (the bookies didn't have them "overmatched", did they?). Just how many TDs did you predict ND to win by?

 

[jason_h537]

Everyone keeps talking about how Charlie Weis cant win big games. Has it occured to you that maybe Notre Dame just didnt have the talent to win those games. You also forget that he sacrificed the 07 season in order to get the young, talented kids in and get them experience. As for the 09 season, there is no doubt that the team will be better when you consider just how many sophmores and freshman we had contribute last year who will only get better with a year under their belt. Im not saying that Clausen, Floyd, Rudolph, Tate, B Smith, H Smith, Johnson, Williams, Neal, Allen, Hughes, Walls, and Fleming are gonna be All-Americans, but they will be better.

 

[notredomer23]

jason, please stop, you are using common sense LOL