Guaranteed Victor Over Sparty

[ulukinatme]

The only time I talk smack is when fans of tOSU talk smack about OUR schedule.

Seriously....WTF?

Do they not see their own schedule?

I love when some teams start making fun of our schedule and call it full of cupcakes, even this year. Yeah, we had a few years where there were some soft teams, but some had been traditional powerhouses when we scheduled them. Tennessee several years ago is a perfect example. I think they're going to be back on top eventually, but back then people wrote them off.
I have seen some fans of teams like OSU make fun of the service academies that we schedule. For one, I would put any of the service academies this year against the MAC schools that the Big 10 often schedule before conference play, and I bet the service academies come out on top more often than not. On top of that, in recent years OSU played Navy I believe, and the score was pretty close if I recall. I don't care for scheduling Air Force and Army all that much, but we are indebted to Navy for bailing out our University in the 40's and I'm glad we have continued the rivalry despite the Midshipmen getting the better of us the last 4 years.
I'll always be a Buckeye fan having grown up in Ohio all my life, but they'll always be second to my Irish. It really boggles my mind sometimes the hatred that some OSU fans have for the Irish. For one, they rarely, if ever, play each other...and if that wasn't enough, they have most of the same common enemies in Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue.

 

[DCirishfan]

You haters will feel real bad when you see I'm right. When you back a pitbull in a corner you got a problem. Especially if that pit bull is on his home turf, which he id. BK my friends is 100% grade A pit bull if nothing else. We will win this game, in convincing fashion.

DO i feel sort of crazy for such a bold prediction? Yeah sort of, just because I love this board and don't like ant other ND board.

BUT, still I believe that BK will be a great coach here and I don't believe a great coach let's us lose this game. So this is the logic behind the madness. I think that the defense is the key led by # 5, he will cause at least one fumble and maybe an INT as well. When the day is over we will be happy and will have over come adversity again.

I believe that the world hates us. Just as much of the world hates the church. Therefore all though this is just a game we too face similar struggles against those who oppose us for different reasons. I wish I could have not screwed up in school so that I could have been the first in my family to attend ND, I hope one of my little ones can not make the mistakes I have. We are special and we are different, we are a family. A family does not let the wolves into the front door of their house. Ladies and gentlemen the Spartans are the wolves and they are growling. We will defend our homes, our honor, and our Lady.


ERIN GO BRAUGH

 

[irishff1014]

You haters will feel real bad when you see I'm right. When you back a pitbull in a corner you got a problem. Especially if that pit bull is on his home turf, which he id. BK my friends is 100% grade A pit bull if nothing else. We will win this game, in convincing fashion.

DO i feel sort of crazy for such a bold prediction? Yeah sort of, just because I love this board and don't like ant other ND board.

BUT, still I believe that BK will be a great coach here and I don't believe a great coach let's us lose this game. So this is the logic behind the madness. I think that the defense is the key led by # 5, he will cause at least one fumble and maybe an INT as well. When the day is over we will be happy and will have over come adversity again.

I believe that the world hates us. Just as much of the world hates the church. Therefore all though this is just a game we too face similar struggles against those who oppose us for different reasons. I wish I could have not screwed up in school so that I could have been the first in my family to attend ND, I hope one of my little ones can not make the mistakes I have. We are special and we are different, we are a family. A family does not let the wolves into the front door of their house. Ladies and gentlemen the Spartans are the wolves and they are growling. We will defend our homes, our honor, and our Lady.


ERIN GO BRAUGH

DCirishfan Good to see someone be this positive. I know i criticize the team and sometimes seem negative. I think your post is great about the pitbull idea. I think coach Kelly is the right man for the job. Even if the player don't play well he still puts blame on the coaches which is very good to try and keep pressure off the players. I picked Mich State to win however i after watching the press conference yesterday i have a gut felling that this whole team will be like a pitbull backed in a corner and will come out ready to show their coaches how they can play.

 

[Spartan96]

DCirishfan Good to see someone be this positive. I know i criticize the team and sometimes seem negative. I think your post is great about the pitbull idea. I think coach Kelly is the right man for the job. Even if the player don't play well he still puts blame on the coaches which is very good to try and keep pressure off the players. I picked Mich State to win however i after watching the press conference yesterday i have a gut felling that this whole team will be like a pitbull backed in a corner and will come out ready to show their coaches how they can play.

Not saying ND won't be fighting and clawing....but what about MSU and their mentality? 2-0, ranked top 15 and nearly a TD dog to an 0-2 team. People can only talk about our "bad" games last year even though we won 11 games and the conference. I think MSU has lots to prove to and probably feels slighted a bit. Of course I'm not on the team but there are plenty of reasons why the Spartans will have a chip on their shoulders as well.

 

[DCirishfan]

There is no way we can settle this with our knowledge of the force.

Vegas agrees with me. Who has more to lose and more to gain with the win? Who has the best coach and the best talent?

I think MD is a better coach than BK by just a bit. I think the talent is somewhat even with an edge to us maybe? These factors are both close

We are at home, we must win this game.

 

[DCirishfan]

DCirishfan Good to see someone be this positive. I know i criticize the team and sometimes seem negative. I think your post is great about the pitbull idea. I think coach Kelly is the right man for the job. Even if the player don't play well he still puts blame on the coaches which is very good to try and keep pressure off the players. I picked Mich State to win however i after watching the press conference yesterday i have a gut felling that this whole team will be like a pitbull backed in a corner and will come out ready to show their coaches how they can play.

Good, I am glad you see my point. The time for bitching and moaning is over, for us, coaches, and players. Now is the time we have to go out and just ****ing win this ****ing game.

 

[irishff1014]

Not saying ND won't be fighting and clawing....but what about MSU and their mentality? 2-0, ranked top 15 and nearly a TD dog to an 0-2 team. People can only talk about our "bad" games last year even though we won 11 games and the conference. I think MSU has lots to prove to and probably feels slighted a bit. Of course I'm not on the team but there are plenty of reasons why the Spartans will have a chip on their shoulders as well.

Believe it or not ND has more pressure. Preseason ranked 16th. Two horrible games in which we gave up and now this game we are playing at home. Even if Mich state were to lose they would still be ranked and still have a chance to win the division. This might be the biggest game of the season for ND.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Believe it or not ND has more pressure. Preseason ranked 16th. Two horrible games in which we gave up and now this game we are playing at home. Even if Mich state were to lose they would still be ranked and still have a chance to win the division. This might be the biggest game of the season for ND.

Agreed. ND's entire season hinges on this game. Sparty has far less at stake.

Though if we turn the ball over another 5 times, the emotional aspect of the game will probably be irrelevant.

 

[nd1]

Believe it or not ND has more pressure. Preseason ranked 16th. Two horrible games in which we gave up and now this game we are playing at home. Even if Mich state were to lose they would still be ranked and still have a chance to win the division. This might be the biggest game of the season for ND.

could not agree more. This game will decide the whole season. A win could get us going and turn it around but a loss would just be terrible.

 

[phgreek]

Not saying ND won't be fighting and clawing....but what about MSU and their mentality? 2-0, ranked top 15 and nearly a TD dog to an 0-2 team. People can only talk about our "bad" games last year even though we won 11 games and the conference. I think MSU has lots to prove to and probably feels slighted a bit. Of course I'm not on the team but there are plenty of reasons why the Spartans will have a chip on their shoulders as well.

Hadn't really given Sparty's collective head alot of thought...were I so inclined, I'd probably be on his fan site delving into it...

However, now that you bring it up here on the ND fan site...I can see where Sparty would be feeling a little slighted...he shouldn't. Vegas folks are odds makers...after 1000 yards and 10 turnovers over 2 games...yet losing by 3 and 4...knowing ND must win here...odds makers are doing what they do...they don't care whats fair...they don't give nods or the benefit of the doubt to teams because other coaches and media have a perception...they look at factors affecting each game, and try to make money.

In the entire scheme of things, they still gotta play the game, and if Sparty is who you say he is...take the bet. Easy money right?

 

[amazinblue]

Believe it or not ND has more pressure. Preseason ranked 16th. Two horrible games in which we gave up and now this game we are playing at home. Even if Mich state were to lose they would still be ranked and still have a chance to win the division. This might be the biggest game of the season for ND.

A Michigan (not Michigan State) fan here. I'd say there is more pressure on ND. If ND wins this game, they will have defeated a decent / solid MSU team and it can begin the turn around for the season - if ND loses, then it will be several weeks before there's a game of "significant notice" for them to establish themselves this year.

My view of this game is that it's very difficult to predict a winner. If ND can cut down (or eliminate) the turnovers, it could be a 10+ point win. If ND turns it over four times - it will be very interesting.

MSU hasn't played anyone of note - so, the results from their first two games don't give any indication of what kind of a team they really are. Though the results of ND's first two games haven't been good - ND has been able to move the ball on offense, and the D has played six or seven "good" quarters of football.

The challenge for ND (in my opinion) is whether they can play "loose" football. I'd assume all of the players can feel the pressure and importance of this game. IF ND can execute, hold on to the ball, and get an early lead - this should be an ND win. If not - ND won't be able to keep up and will start 0-3.

 

[Irish Green]

I'm in...my liver could use a break...but then again I believe I'm going to keep abusing it...GO IRISH!!!

 

[BeauBenken]

For sake of my (and I'm sure others') health, please stop saying this is the biggest game of the season. lol I know it may well be, but I don't want to think that.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

and if Sparty is who you say he is...take the bet. Easy money right?

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[arndtjc]

I refuse to think ND will win. My heart can't take another late heartbreaker. I will be on a heavy asprin regimen and 911 will be on speed dial, this game has heart attack written all over it. And if the heart attack thing doesn't happen, I will be drinking heavily, and destroying everything in the house. Last week was the free pass, where I could actually think logically and reserve my emotions, but three weeks in a row, and something will need to be broken.

 

[k1ssme1m1r1sh]

No real reason for the pretty font other than to shout LOU HOLTZ WENT 0-3 to start his second season and WON A NATIONAL TITLE IN HIS THIRD. ok I'm done.

 

[TDHeysus]

....ND's entire season hinges on this game. Sparty has far less at stake.

I think ND's season is already shot. even if they run the board (which I dont believe they will) the season is still a mess. Its BCS or bust, I dont see them making a BCS game this year regardless what happens with Sparty. the bad part is, I think the team was good enough to make a BCS game, but all the mental mistakes and turnovers have killed this team even before they got out of the gate.

After starting 0-1, I think ND's season hinged on the Michigan game, which they gave away. As unbelievable as the USF game was, the disappointment from how they gave away that michigan game was worse for me.

 

[Yes]

No real reason for the pretty font other than to shout LOU HOLTZ WENT 0-3 to start his second season and WON A NATIONAL TITLE IN HIS THIRD. ok I'm done.

Lou actually started 3-0 in his 2nd season. He did end the year 0-3 though.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think ND's season is already shot. even if they run the board (which I dont believe they will) the season is still a mess.

Many said the same thing last season after the loss to Tulsa. The season was shot until it wasn't.

Lots of similarities there, actually. We lost due to poor ST play and some bad TOs, despite outgaining them by a significant margin. The team was about the turn the corner then, just as they are now; thankfully much earlier in the season.

Its BCS or bust, I dont see them making a BCS game this year regardless what happens with Sparty. the bad part is, I think the team was good enough to make a BCS game, but all the mental mistakes and turnovers have killed this team even before they got out of the gate.

BCS isn't out of the question. If we beat State, I think we'll be 4-2 heading into the SC game. If we beat SC, we could easily be 9-2 on the flight to Palo Alto with a chance to play our way into a BCS game. Hell, we got invited to the 2005 Fiesta Bowl as a 9-win team, and it could happen again. A 9-3 ND looks a lot better as a bowl participant than some of the programs we'd be vying against.

Don't give up yet. The season hinges on this next game.

 

[military_irish]

Many said the same thing last season after the loss to Tulsa. The season was shot until it wasn't.

Lots of similarities there, actually. We lost due to poor ST play and some bad TOs, despite outgaining them by a significant margin. The team was about the turn the corner then, just as they are now; thankfully much earlier in the season.



BCS isn't out of the question. If we beat State, I think we'll be 4-2 heading into the SC game. If we beat SC, we could easily be 9-2 on the flight to Palo Alto with a chance to play our way into a BCS game. Hell, we got invited to the 2005 Fiesta Bowl as a 9-win team, and it could happen again. A 9-3 ND looks a lot better as a bowl participant than some of the programs we'd be vying against.

Don't give up yet. The season hinges on this next game.

They won 9 games in an 11 game season in 2005, so that looks better than a 9 win team in a 12 game season. Even though it is only one game.

I agree though that ND could easily still make a BCS game, if they win out, not sure if they only have 9 wins though. More of because the other teams that are already in good position in the rankings rather than ND not winning enough.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I agree though that ND could easily still make a BCS game, if they win out, not sure if they only have 9 wins though. More of because the other teams that are already in good position in the rankings rather than ND not winning enough.

The top 10 would have to be a real mess for us to get in with 3 losses, but stranger things have happened.

 

[Spartan96]

Good posts on our OL....they are the key to our entire season, not just Saturday. I do think State is a bit distraught though at the somewhat lack of national respect going into this game. I hope they play with a chip on their shoulders. Also, Cousins will be the best/most accurate QB you guys will face this year and he has a stock pile of receivers to throw them too....may need to pass a bit to setup the run.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Good posts on our OL....they are the key to our entire season, not just Saturday. I do think State is a bit distraught though at the somewhat lack of national respect going into this game. I hope they play with a chip on their shoulders.

I'm sure most MSU fans share your hope, but I have a hard time believing it. You're coming off an 11-2 season, wherein you took a share of the B1G championship, and you're currently ranked 15th nationally. You think the players are really gonna get worked up by a Vegas line and a few analysts putting you on upset watch?

Also, Cousins will be the best/most accurate QB you guys will face this year and he has a stock pile of receivers to throw them too....may need to pass a bit to setup the run.

Andrew Luck is a lot scarier than Cousins. So is Denard Robinson, for that matter, though not for the same reasons.

 

[Spartan96]

I'm sure most MSU fans share your hope, but I have a hard time believing it. You're coming off an 11-1 season, wherein you took a share of the B1G championship, and you're currently ranked 15th nationally. You think the players are really gonna get worked up by a Vegas line a few analysts putting you on upset watch?



Andrew Luck is a lot scarier than Cousins. So is Denard Robinson, for that matter, though not for the same reasons.

Yup my bad...forgot about Andrew Luck! OK #2....and Denard isn't a QB he's a slot back that plays backyard football. He'd be my number 1 pick if I was playing a game of 500 on the sand lot. State totally bottled up Denard last year with a good game plan and handed M their first loss.

Also, I know "history" doesn't have much to do come game day - but State is 10-4 overall against ND and 6-1 @ your house last 14 years.....we obviously know how to play in South Bend.

All for not though.....we'll know about 6:30pm EST Saturday......it's a 2.5 hour drive for me back north so hopefully I'll be in good spirits!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Also, I know "history" doesn't have much to do come game day - but State is 10-4 overall against ND and 6-1 @ your house last 14 years.....we obviously know how to play in South Bend.

No argument there. History isn't on our side in this matchup.

I was simply addressing your argument about State's players feeling slighted or disrespected. It seems forced/ fabricated/ etc. to me. I know coaches will try anything to motivate their teams, but to claim MSU has "something to prove" as the 15th ranked team is silly.

The emotional intangibles should work in favor of the Irish. Whether that will mean anything come Saturday... I don't know. If we can't get up for MSU with our season on the line, we're in deep sh!t.

 

[k1ssme1m1r1sh]

Lou actually started 3-0 in his 2nd season. He did end the year 0-3 though.

Well whatever. I knew 0-3 was in there somewhere. Regardless, don't lose hope!

 

[Spartan96]

No argument there. History isn't on our side in this matchup.

I was simply addressing your argument about State's players feeling slighted or disrespected. It seems forced/ fabricated/ etc. to me. I know coaches will try anything to motivate their teams, but to claim MSU has "something to prove" as the 15th ranked team is silly.

The emotional intangibles should work in favor of the Irish. Whether that will mean anything come Saturday... I don't know. If we can't get up for MSU with our season on the line, we're in deep sh!t.

Yeah I hear ya....IF State needs some external motivation for this game then we are in deep crap. And ND definitely will be riding the emotions high.

 

[phgreek]

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LMAO...you never really can say you "forgot" about this ole Denny's meltdown...I just didn't realize what I wrote...until this little reminder...Thanks!

 

[Irish Insanity]

I refuse to believe ND will lose. Period. Although I do agree ND has more pressure, the assumption nationally that ND will win this game and is favored has added presure to the MSU side. It has been a rough start, but it won't be a rough finish.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I refuse to believe ND will lose. Period. Although I do agree ND has more pressure, the assumption nationally that ND will win this game and is favored has added presure to the MSU side. It has been a rough start, but it won't be a rough finish.

Im with you, i just can not give up on this team