General team info

[stlnd01]

Michigan’s got a large stadium but how is it a “tough atmosphere?” It’s basically Notre Dame Stadium with another 20,000 people. Hardly LSU (or Georgia).

Anyway, I think we lose to Georgia, Michigan’s a tossup, Stanford looks down so we should beat them unless we’re banged up and/or have nothing left to play for.
If we can maintain the mental edge we’ve had the last couple seasons, 10-2 is my bet.

 

[snoopdog]

I feel pretty certain that if the team stays healthy in the key spots, this team runs the table and finishes 12-0.

But a loss of Book or Pride or two interior D lineman than all bets are off.

 

[greyhammer90]

10 wins. I think (and pray) that we kick the shit out of Michigan. We'll see how the spread works out, but it smells like desperation.

 

[ulukinatme]

5-7

 

[Whiskeyjack]

10 wins. I think (and pray) that we kick the shit out of Michigan. We'll see how the spread works out, but it smells like desperation.

Agreed. According to S&P+, we're strongly favored (73% or greater chance of winning) in all but three games: Georgia (-14, 21% chance to win), Michigan (-5, 39% chance to win), and Stanford (6.6, 65% chance to win). I think we'll upset one of the first two (probably Michigan) and drop one to either USC or Stanford. Cautiously optimistic that the days of "at least one WTF loss" are behind us.

 

[Irish#1]

Notre Dame is 1-7 in the Big House in the post-Holtz era. Harbaugh is 24-4 at home, and two of those losses are Ohio State. It's an insanely tough atmosphere. And how does the narrative that Kelly had overcome the problem with big away games last year look after VT collapsed and the Clemson game?

It's a winnable game, but at absolute BEST it's a coin flip.

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

 

[GowerND11]

Michigan’s got a large stadium but how is it a “tough atmosphere?” It’s basically Notre Dame Stadium with another 20,000 people. Hardly LSU (or Georgia).

Anyway, I think we lose to Georgia, Michigan’s a tossup, Stanford looks down so we should beat them unless we’re banged up and/or have nothing left to play for.
If we can maintain the mental edge we’ve had the last couple seasons, 10-2 is my bet.

Yeah 20,000 people don't make a stadium louder. Also, forget the fact that they don't have those blue hairs taking up valuable seating to be yelling and chanting.

 

[gkIrish]

Michigan’s got a large stadium but how is it a “tough atmosphere?” It’s basically Notre Dame Stadium with another 20,000 people. Hardly LSU (or Georgia).

Anyway, I think we lose to Georgia, Michigan’s a tossup, Stanford looks down so we should beat them unless we’re banged up and/or have nothing left to play for.
If we can maintain the mental edge we’ve had the last couple seasons, 10-2 is my bet.

I was at Michigan in 2011 (the largest crowd in college football history at the time) and I have never been in a more crazy environment. Been to Texas, Clemson, and Ohio State for ND or other big games as well and didn't think they came close. I have been to probably 30 ND home games and not one has come close to that.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Agreed. According to S&P+, we're strongly favored (73% or greater chance of winning) in all but three games: Georgia (-14, 21% chance to win), Michigan (-5, 39% chance to win), and Stanford (6.6, 65% chance to win). I think we'll upset one of the first two (probably Michigan) and drop one to either USC or Stanford. Cautiously optimistic that the days of "at least one WTF loss" are behind us.

A low turnover offense and good safety play should be a big help in avoiding the WTF losses.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I was at Michigan in 2011 (the largest crowd in college football history at the time) and I have never been in a more crazy environment. Been to Texas, Clemson, and Ohio State for ND or other big games as well and didn't think they came close. I have been to probably 30 ND home games and not one has come close to that.

A guy I know through work was an FBS kicker. He said once that Michigan was by far the loudest stadium he ever played in.

 

[GowerND11]

A guy I know through work was an FBS kicker. He said once that Michigan was by far the loudest stadium he ever played in.

But it's only 20,000 more than ND Stadium!

 

[rtrn2glory]

Agreed. According to S&P+, we're strongly favored (73% or greater chance of winning) in all but three games: Georgia (-14, 21% chance to win), Michigan (-5, 39% chance to win), and Stanford (6.6, 65% chance to win). I think we'll upset one of the first two (probably Michigan) and drop one to either USC or Stanford. Cautiously optimistic that the days of "at least one WTF loss" are behind us.

this is the sentiment I share.

If I had to choose. Let's beat michigan and USC.

 

[BobbyMac]

But it's only 20,000 more than ND Stadium!

Actually 29,979 but who's counting?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I was at Michigan in 2011 (the largest crowd in college football history at the time) and I have never been in a more crazy environment. Been to Texas, Clemson, and Ohio State for ND or other big games as well and didn't think they came close. I have been to probably 30 ND home games and not one has come close to that.

This isn't an entirely fair statement as it was an outlier for them: it was their first night game in the history of that stadium. Not to mention College Gameday was there that morning.

I've been to several ND/scUM games and can say with confidence that Sparty has a more intimidating game atmosphere on an "average" Saturday.

It will be a toss up, 50/50 game, and probably our second toughest game on our schedule. But I think your experience is propping it up a bit given the circumstances. Neyland Stadium > Big House from my experience, and that's based on two years ago with UT being garbage.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm not worried in the same way about Michigan like I am about Georgia. I think this year's team is still better than Michigan's, and BK finally understands how truly important the matchup vs the Skunkbears is (especially since he had to spend most of the 2nd half of last season why scUM deserved to be higher in the Playoff rankings).

But BK needs to get the monkey off his back that he can win in Ann Arbor and Palo Alto. He beat a good Sparty team back in 2017 on the road, and took care of business against the Hokies last year (even if they weren't a good team, it's still a tough place to play). Beat Michigan and beat Stanford, those are the 2 most important games of the year.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I'm not worried in the same way about Michigan like I am about Georgia. I think this year's team is still better than Michigan's, and BK finally understands how truly important the matchup vs the Skunkbears is (especially since he had to spend most of the 2nd half of last season why scUM deserved to be higher in the Playoff rankings).

But BK needs to get the monkey off his back that he can win in Ann Arbor and Palo Alto. He beat a good Sparty team back in 2017 on the road, and took care of business against the Hokies last year (even if they weren't a good team, it's still a tough place to play). Beat Michigan and beat Stanford, those are the 2 most important games of the year.

Agree 100% in the bold. UGA is the only true game we won't be even close to the favorite to win. We can take a competitive L in Athens and still have a very strong case for the playoff if we knock off scUM and Stanford as vistors.

I'm sick of losing in Palo Alto, it makes no sense and BK needs to take care of business there. It's not a tough game environment, which has been well documented here on this forum. Time to take care of business.

If we lose all three of those games, this season will be a major disappointment.

 

[BobbyMac]

Beating Georgia is the most important game of the year.

Losing to Georgia respectfully is #3 or #4.

Getting destroyed at Georgia potentially becomes the #2 most important game of the year

 

[ACamp1900]

Beating Georgia is the most important game of the year.

Losing to Georgia respectfully is #3 or #4.

Getting destroyed at Georgia potentially becomes the #2 most important game of the year

So then what will ultimately be our most important game, just ahead of getting pumped by UGA???

 

[Irish#1]

Our most important game will be Louisville, then New Mexico, then UGA........

 

[gkIrish]

This isn't an entirely fair statement as it was an outlier for them: it was their first night game in the history of that stadium. Not to mention College Gameday was there that morning.

I've been to several ND/scUM games and can say with confidence that Sparty has a more intimidating game atmosphere on an "average" Saturday.

It will be a toss up, 50/50 game, and probably our second toughest game on our schedule. But I think your experience is propping it up a bit given the circumstances. Neyland Stadium > Big House from my experience, and that's based on two years ago with UT being garbage.

I was at the night game at MSU in 2012? and that atmosphere was laughable compared to the Big House. We aren't talking about an "average" Saturday. We are talking about a likely night game on national television with 100,000+ fans and two highly ranked teams.

 

[Irish#1]

I was at the night game at MSU in 2012? and that atmosphere was laughable compared to the Big House. We aren't talking about an "average" Saturday. We are talking about a likely night game on national television with 100,000+ fans and two highly ranked teams.

Just the scenario where the Irish will rise to the occasion.

 

[NDdomer2]

Actually 29,979 but who's counting?

Just depends if u get free tickets for buying a liter of cola

 

[PANDFAN]

man finally got around to listening to the irish illustrated podcast from 5/20.......they mentioned that crawford was looking around at other schools to see about playing time...suprised i hadn't seen anyone mention this

 

[zelezo vlk]

man finally got around to listening to the irish illustrated podcast from 5/20.......they mentioned that crawford was looking around at other schools to see about playing time...suprised i hadn't seen anyone mention this

I think somebody had before. Who's the alternative at nickel? Avery Davis? Kyle Hamilton?

 

[PANDFAN]

I think somebody had before. Who's the alternative at nickel? Avery Davis? Kyle Hamilton?

i would imagine davis unless hamilton comes in guns blazzing

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I just don't how a healthy Crawford doesn't get plenty of snaps he was desruptive two years ago causing tons of turnovers

 

[condoms SUCk]

I just don't how a healthy Crawford doesn't get plenty of snaps he was desruptive two years ago causing tons of turnovers

My thoughts exactly, unless the coaches are not confident that they can rely on him to be health all year and are making plans w/o him in the mix.

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Some roster news from Kelly:

1. Crawford will be back
2. McKinley had a good semester academically, but still work to do
3. On rumors Kevin Austin will be available for Louisville, he said he needs to do the right things everyday, and they're not at that point yet. Personally, I didn't know there was a question mark as to whether he'll be available for the first game.
4. Ruhland still having shoulder problems

https://notredame.forums.rivals.com/threads/updates-from-brian-kelly-on-roster.140548/

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Some roster news from Kelly:

1. Crawford will be back
2. McKinley had a good semester academically, but still work to do
3. On rumors Kevin Austin will be available for Louisville, he said he needs to do the right things everyday, and they're not at that point yet. Personally, I didn't know there was a question mark as to whether he'll be available for the first game.
4. Ruhland still having shoulder problems

https://notredame.forums.rivals.com/threads/updates-from-brian-kelly-on-roster.140548/

Did Kelly have a summer presser?

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Did Kelly have a summer presser?

He spoke to reporters after a charity golf outing event.