Final thoughts...

[Bugzly21]

#fuckusc

If I knew how to give reps I would. Living on the West Coast I hate fU$C more than any rival because I'm surrounded by these dicks.

 

[ARALOU]

I think we may have forgotten how good and clutch EG was. If he is better, look out. I also think Robinson has a break out year and could be a legend by the time he is done. Let us not forget #9 in the middle of the defense. A true stud that "everybody" wanted. Go Irish!

 

[MNIrishman]

I want Michigan's QB to be crying after the game like the last time Michigan visited the Bend.

 

[irishfan]

Offense: want to see a fast-paced offense. Not one with mass subs that give away the play call or one where the QB is staring at the sideline for about 20 seconds before getting the call.

Defense: just not being so bland will be fun to watch.

ST: hope our coverage units are flying around for once and that we can get a kick return TD. None the last 2 years?

 

[Buster Bluth]

I would sell my soul for 9-3.

I think it's crucial to get to the first BYE week 3-0. If that doesn't happen they could be looking at 6-6.

vs Rice: W
vs Michigan W
vs Purdue W
BYE
at Syracuse W
vs Stanford L
vs North Carolina W
at Florida State L
BYE
at Navy W
at Arizona State L
vs Northwestern W
vs Louisville W
at Southern Cal W

The offense really needs to explode this season; I think the defense could be downright bad.

DE: Rochell
DT: Jones
DT: Day
DE: Trumbetti
OLB: Smith
MLB: Schmidt
OLB: Onwualu

That's not exactly a front seven to write home about. A true freshmen on the DL, a former walk-on on MLB, and a converted WR at OLB? I have full confidence in the staff to coach 'em up, but I have no expectation for Schmidt and Onwualu to be formidable this season.

An injury to Day would be catastrophic. Considering he hasn't had a fully healthy season yet, look out. I don't care what team you are, when this many freshmen are on your two-deep, you're in trouble. When the "next man in" against the last six teams on the schedule is a true freshmen, pray.

DE: SO | FR
DT: JR | FR
DT: JR | SR/FR
DE: FR | JR
OLB: SO | FR
MLB: SR | FR
OLB: SO | JR

I think it's certainly possible BVG's chaotic defense can mitigate the inexperience problems...but then again do we really expect first-year players (in the system), and true freshmen, to fully grasp his system? I'm all in for 2015 being pretty fantastic overall, but 2014 could be a bumpy ride. Or, truly glorious should the Irish surprise people.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm hoping we have double digit wins this season again, but honestly...if we beat Michigan and USC and lose the rest, I'd be okay with that too.

Fuck Michigan, and FUSC.

 

[stlnd01]

Re: receivers. Let's not get carried away with how great Daniels is. Obvs I'd rather have him than not, but the guy has disappeared for games at a time, and he never once has shown the ability to take over a game the way, say, Michael Floyd could. Given the other talent at the position, WR is pretty low on the list of concerns.

Higher on that list: DL depth. Linebackers not named Jaylon. QB (i.e. has Golson evolved into the player we all hope he can be?) Tight end. Safeties. And a brutal schedule that really doesn't let up.

I have no idea how many games we win. Probably somewhere between 6 and 10 and I'd bet on the high end of that because I prefer optimism when it comes to Notre Dame football. I agree we can beat (almost) anyone we play. I also could see ways we lose to nearly as many. That's college football.

And, yeah, the Michigan game is really important because it sets the tone for the rest of the year. If we lose that and don't have much to play for, it's going to be a lot easier for Louisville and ASU and North Carolina to make sure we have a shitty year. So beat Michigan.

 

[NCND]

Totally agree on Daniels.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Re: receivers. Let's not get carried away with how great Daniels is. Obvs I'd rather have him than not, but the guy has disappeared for games at a time, and he never once has shown the ability to take over a game the way, say, Michael Floyd could.

I think the Purdue game last year would qualify.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I would be happy to finish 9-3 as long as it includes wins over Michigan, Stanford and USC.

I'd settle for just beating Michigan and USC. I have no real beef with Stanford, though it would be great to be the top amongst the braniacs again.

 

[phgreek]

Receiver is honestly the position where experience is needed the least. Despite the fact that Daniels was the most experienced, I think that guys like Robinson, Brown, Fuller, Brent all have the potential to be better. Especially Robinson and Brown this year.

I would mostly agree re: experience as long as slot stays out of the conversation...

Against Rutgers I was way more confident brown was going to make the plays than Daniels...I still feel the same way. I think Robinson will win his match ups most of the time. I like Daniels but I honestly think the young guys will have passed him this year regardless...I think Brown will prove to be more explosive, and more reliable, and Robinson ...the guy's size, desire, brains and athleticism scream possession receiver...as long as brown and robinson stay healthy, I think we'll be great out there. Fuller showed the ability to take the top off a little bit...anxious to see some more of him.

 

[BobD]

Let do this! I'm pumped and ready for the season.

I've become numb to all the drama. This off season seems like the longest ever.

You couldn't make up the shit we've been through the last two years.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Let do this! I'm pumped and ready for the season.

I've become numb to all the drama. This off season seems like the longest ever.

You couldn't make up the shit we've been through the last two years.

Some of it was made up........

 

[T Town Tommy]

Pretty simple for me.

Tee it up and let's get it on.

 

[kmoose]

Jeez Moose, who pissed in your Cheerios today? Would I like to have an experienced returning receiver? Sure, but that advantage diminishes if a new QB is throwing the ball. The fact is that this WR corp, green as they maybe, is full of insane talent and they're diverse.

My post must have come across much more harshly than was intended. It's not like this "new" QB is a true freshman. He's a guy who was the starter, just two seasons ago. And I'm not saying that the receiver corps won't be good. I'm merely saying that people are acting like there is absolutely nothing to worry about, there. And I think that's jumping the gun.

 

[irishog77]

I'm worried about the receivers (particularly if DD is gone). I've always believed having a couple really good receivers is better than having 5 or 6 merely good receivers. I think Golson is pretty much a total unknown at this point. Comparing ND's situation with QB's to Oregon and Stanford is a bit silly-- Oregon's success is predicated on the speed that they can execute their snaps. They have a small playbook with limited formations...and true dual threat QB's. Is Golson a true dual threat QB like Dixon, Marriota, etc? While we all expect ND's offense to run at a faster pace, will it be at the warp speed of Oregon's? I doubt it. And a huge reason Luck put up Heisman-like numbers with mediocre receivers is because Luck was the best QB prospect since Manning. So yeah, when you have a once-in-a-generation talent as your QB, it becomes much easier to have success on offense. While we expect good to great things from Golson...Andrew Luck he is not.

I think the OL has some questions too. I think they will be good, but not great, especially early in the season. By week 8 or 9 could they be great? Yeah, the potential is there. We'll just have to wait and see.

The entire front 7 scares the hell out of me. Sure, I think Jaylon and SD will be very good. But I don't think they can carry their entire units. The talent, depth, and experience among every other player in the front 7 is a MAJOR concern.

I feel good about TE's, the entire secondary, and the RB's though.

 

[arrowryan]

I agree with T Town. To hell with all the predictions and "expert" analysis. Strap em' up and go hit somebody

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm worried about the receivers (particularly if DD is gone). I've always believed having a couple really good receivers is better than having 5 or 6 merely good receivers. I think Golson is pretty much a total unknown at this point. Comparing ND's situation with QB's to Oregon and Stanford is a bit silly-- Oregon's success is predicated on the speed that they can execute their snaps. They have a small playbook with limited formations...and true dual threat QB's. Is Golson a true dual threat QB like Dixon, Marriota, etc? While we all expect ND's offense to run at a faster pace, will it be at the warp speed of Oregon's? I doubt it. And a huge reason Luck put up Heisman-like numbers with mediocre receivers is because Luck was the best QB prospect since Manning. So yeah, when you have a once-in-a-generation talent as your QB, it becomes much easier to have success on offense. While we expect good to great things from Golson...Andrew Luck he is not.

I think the OL has some questions too. I think they will be good, but not great, especially early in the season. By week 8 or 9 could they be great? Yeah, the potential is there. We'll just have to wait and see.

The entire front 7 scares the hell out of me. Sure, I think Jaylon and SD will be very good. But I don't think they can carry their entire units. The talent, depth, and experience among every other player in the front 7 is a MAJOR concern.

I feel good about TE's, the entire secondary, and the RB's though.

We're almost the same:

I have faith in the TEs, RBs and WRs

Secondary has proved nothing to me.

DL: it's put up or shut-up. We either coached our freshmen up and they are ready to contribute or we will have some big time problems stopping the run.

Our LBs? We have an AA on one side, a walk-on in the middle and a former WR, turned safety turned SAM on the other side. Let's see it.

QB: I feel much better than any year before. We have two QBs who are capable, now let's see them do it.

AKA - put up or shut up Irish. Do or do not, there is no try.