How ND '12 Opponents Fared - Week 1

[BGIF]

All Times Eastern

ND -14.4 @ Navy, Dublin 9 am CBS
PU (0-0) nl v EKU 3:30 Big Ten Network
MSU (1-0) WON BSU 17-13
UM (0-0) +14 @ ALA, Arlington, TX 8 pm ABC
MIA -(0-0) 2.5 @ BC 3:30 ABC
SU (1-0) WON SJS 20-17
BYU (1-0) WON v WSU 30-6
OU (0-0) -30 @ UTEP FSN, DTV 692, 695
PIT (0-0) nl v YSU 6 pm
BC (0-0) +2.5 v MIA (0-0) 3:30 ABC
WF (0-0) nl v LIB 6:30 pm
USC (0-0) -39 v UHI 7:30 pm Fox

 

[Veer option]

I know this is the wrong manner to ask BG, but in your amazing compilation of knowledge, how does this 2012 schedule rank amongst NDs toughest all time?

 

[Bluto]

Man Stanford and Michigan St. looked horrible. Maybe our schedule isn't as tough as people thougt.

 

[BGIF]

I know this is the wrong manner to ask BG, but in your amazing compilation of knowledge, how does this 2012 schedule rank amongst NDs toughest all time?

I don't have a list of toughest schedules but I think Lou Somogyi wrote an article on ND schedules a year or two ago. A google search didn't show it.

Anytime you're ranked with the #1 toughest schedule, among the toughest All-Time.

The toughest schedule was probably '43 #2 Michigan, #3 Navy, #3 (the next week) Army, #8 Northwestern, #2 Iowa Pre-Flight, and lost to Great Lakes in the last 33 seconds of the game. The Navy through Great Lakes games (all ranked opponents) were played in a row with no open date.

In the '43 Final AP Poll:
1 ND
2 Iowa PF
3 Michigan
4 Navy
6 Great Lakes
9 NW
11 Army
13 Georgia Tech

That's 7 ranked teams in the Top 13 in a 10 game schedule! (ND didn't go to bowls back then by school policy)

ND shutout Army, and unranked Pit, Wis, and ILL.

ND started the season with 3 returning starters (60 minute men). Bertelli was called into the service after the Navy game so soph Lujack took over at QB. Because it was wartime many players (from all schools) ended up training at another school and playing for the new school. ND played against a number of players from ND. The margin of victory (ND Loss) in the Great Lakes game was due to a TD by an ND man playing for Great Lakes.

 

[BGIF]

Man Stanford and Michigan St. looked horrible. Maybe our schedule isn't as tough as people thougt.

They both struggled in openers but MSU was playing the 24th poll ranked team while SU was playing Steele's 98th ranked team.

Nunes was 16-26, 125 with no TD or INTs. He couldn't keep the offense moving despite Stephan Taylor's typical game, 116 yds, 4.5 ypa. SU started 2 new DBs (sound familiar) and it showed. SJS outgained SU 288 to 280 as SU only converted 2 of 13 third downs.

MSU had a more formidble opponent but it wasn't a Kellen Moore BSU. MSU more than doubled BSU's offense, 461 yds to 206. Bell had a career night with 210 yds, 4.8 ypa. Campbell isn't Cousins which surprised no one. He threw 3 picks, one for a INT TD but also hit 22 of 38 for 248 yds. Not bad. One of the picks was a carom off a Spartan receiver's outstretched hand. The ball was thrown behind the downfield receiver but it would not have been an INT without the deflection. MSU had 10 penatlites for 90 yds.

Campbell should have an easier time next week against CMU, Steele's #100 team.

 

[Bluto]

They both struggled in openers but MSU was playing the 24th poll ranked team while SU was playing Steele's 98th ranked team.

Nunes was 16-26, 125 with no TD or INTs. He couldn't keep the offense moving despite Stephan Taylor's typical game, 116 yds, 4.5 ypa. SU started 2 new DBs (sound familiar) and it showed. SJS outgained SU 288 to 280 as SU only converted 2 of 13 third downs.

MSU had a more formidble opponent but it wasn't a Kellen Moore BSU. MSU more than doubled BSU's offense, 461 yds to 206. Bell had a career night with 210 yds, 4.8 ypa. Campbell isn't Cousins which surprised no one. He threw 3 picks, one for a INT TD but also hit 22 of 38 for 248 yds. Not bad. One of the picks was a carom off a Spartan receiver's outstretched hand. The ball was thrown behind the downfield receiver but it would not have been an INT without the deflection. MSU had 10 penatlites for 90 yds.

Campbell should have an easier time next week against CMU, Steele's #100 team.

It looked like MSU just wore Boise down there at the end of the game. Boise blew it with a couple missed deep balls for TD's. They were able to put some heat on Campbell, MSU was all about Bell and their tight end.

San Jose State gave Stanford all they could handle and stuffed their run game a couple times at critical moments. They totally blew it.

 

[BGIF]

All Times Eastern

ND (1-0) -14.4 WON @ Navy, Dublin 50-10
PU (0-0) nl v EKU 3:30 Big Ten Network
MSU (1-0) WON BSU 17-13
UM (0-0) +14 @ ALA, Arlington, TX 8 pm ABC
MIA -(0-0) 2.5 @ BC 3:30 ABC
SU (1-0) WON SJS 20-17
BYU (1-0) WON v WSU 30-6
OU (0-0) -30 @ UTEP FSN, DTV 692, 695
PIT (0-0) nl v YSU 6 pm
BC (0-0) +2.5 v MIA (0-0) 3:30 ABC
WF (0-0) nl v LIB 6:30 pm
USC (0-0) -39 v UHI 7:30 pm Fox

 

[Black Irish]

I didn't see much of the BYU game. I know they crushed their opponent. Were they taking candy from a baby or did they look pretty sharp?

 

[BGIF]

I didn't see much of the BYU game. I know they crushed their opponent. Were they taking candy from a baby or did they look pretty sharp?

I didn't see much of the game. Bits here and there. BYU looked better than expected but The Pirate doesn't have very much to work with.

 

[NDhoosier]

Washington State is simply not a very good team, Stanford was much worse than I thought against SJS.

 

[Bluto]

I didn't see much of the BYU game. I know they crushed their opponent. Were they taking candy from a baby or did they look pretty sharp?

The Washington State QB had all day to throw on most occasions with BYU only rushing three. All three of BUY's td's came off blown coverages and wide open recievers in the first half. Washington State did a decent job keeping them out of the endzone the rest of the game.

General conclusions:

BYU's O is suspect. There defense looked good and is there strength.

Washinton States D played well in second half. There O looked terrible.

 

[EifertPower]

I don't know how you all approach things, but for me I am rooting for both Michigan State and Michigan to be undefeated when we play them. The last thing in the world i want is either of those teams to have 1 or 2 losses at that point and viewing ND as a backs-against-the-wall must-win game. Besides, if ND can beat Purdue chances are they will be around #20 and the Michigan St and Michigan games will be especially hyped by the media.

 

[STLDomer]

“@BFeldmanCBS: Miami looking brutal early. BC up 14-0 and has had little trouble moving thru a Canes D that seems completely lost.”

 

[Riddickulous]

Well, then.

 

[bjohnmwc]

Teams that can air it out will worry me a bit....

 

[NDTH91]

Teams that can air it out will worry me a bit....

Oh, you mean our two toughest opponents? Agreed. Let's hope we get something figured out.

And didn't expect that from Miami... Is BC supposed to be any good at all this year?

 

[Anchorman]

BC's Rettig and their air game looks like it made a big jump this year. Miami is down, I know, but he's almost at 400 yards so far.

 

[GUknights75]

Miami Won 41-32

 

[elboricua]

I think Miami and BC both looked better than I expected. Particularly BC in the passing game. Miami has some explosive playmakers including an absolute stud freshman rb. They have speed which will likely still be a problem for ND although they are faster than in recent years for sure.

 

[BGIF]

All Times Eastern

ND (1-0) -14.4 WON @ Navy, Dublin 50-10
PU (1-0) WON v EKU 48-6
MSU (1-0) WON BSU 17-13
UM (0-0) +14 @ ALA, Arlington, TX 8 pm ABC
MIA -(1-0) 2.5 WON @ BC 41-32
SU (1-0) WON SJS 20-17
BYU (1-0) WON v WSU 30-6
OU (0-0) -30 @ UTEP 10:30 PM FSN, DTV 692, 695
PIT (0-0) -18.5 Losing v YSU 10-14 2Q
BC (0-1) +2.5 LOST v MIA (0-0) 32-41
WF (0-0) -25 Tied v LIB 7-7 2Q
USC (0-0) -39 v UHI 7:30 pm Fox

 

[BGIF]

All Times Eastern

ND (1-0) -14.4 WON @ Navy, Dublin 50-10
PU (1-0) WON v EKU 48-6
MSU (1-0) WON BSU 17-13
UM (0-0) +14 TIED @ ALA, Arlington, TX ABC 0-0 1Q
MIA -(1-0) 2.5 WON @ BC 41-32
SU (1-0) WON SJS 20-17
BYU (1-0) WON v WSU 30-6
OU (0-0) -30 @ UTEP 10:30 PM FSN, DTV 692, 695
PIT (0-0) -18.5 Losing v YSU 10-21 3Q
BC (0-1) +2.5 LOST v MIA (0-0) 32-41
WF (0-0) -25 Tied v LIB 7-7 H
USC (0-0) -39 Winning v UHI Fox 14-0 1Q

 

[BGIF]

All Times Eastern

Navy (0-1) +14.5 LOST v ND (1-0) @ Dublin 10-50
PU (1-0) WON v EKU 48-6
MSU (1-0) WON v BSU 17-13
UM (0-1) +14 LOST@ ALA, Arlington, TX 41-14
MIA (1-0) -2.5 WON @ BC 41-32
SU (1-0) WON SJS 20-17
BYU (1-0) WON v WSU 30-6
OU (0-0) -30 WON @ UTEP 24-7
PIT (0-1) -18.5 LOSTv YSU 17-31
BC (0-1) +2.5 LOST v MIA (0-0) 32-41
WF (1-0) -25 WON v LIB 20-17
USC (1-0) -39 WONv UHI 49-10

Opponents 8-4

ND's schedule lsot some of the luster as UM got whipped, Navy got whipped (by ND), BC lost to MIA, and PIT was shocked by Div 1AA Youngstown St.

Wake did win but barely over Div 1AA Liberty, Stanford struggled with a not very good SJS. OU struggled with UTEP until the 4Q and barely covered half the spread.

BYU was a plus, looking better than expected. MSU beat a Top 25 team. USC won with a push on the spread.

 

[Bluto]

All things considered Notre Dame looked way more polished than a bunch of the teams we play.

 

[FLDomer]

It will interesting to see how ND makes adjustments in the secondary against Purdue. With improvements made to the secondary, in pure fundamentals will help, otherwise some of these game on our schedule could be brutal! Hell Denard could look like Barkley unless we make some corrections.

 

[Mulepadre]

Concerned about Purdue

Concerned about Purdue

It will interesting to see how ND makes adjustments in the secondary against Purdue. With improvements made to the secondary, in pure fundamentals will help, otherwise some of these game on our schedule could be brutal! Hell Denard could look like Barkley unless we make some corrections.

I am not a little worried about Saturday's game with Purdue. Their #2 QB Robert Marve threw for 295 yards as TerBush was suspended.
On a side not, Marve is a sleaze bag who went afoul with the likes of Cam Newton, both who were with Urban in 2008 when they had all those Shapiro booster infractions, see: Allegations: Robert Marve - Investigations - Yahoo! Sports

Plain and simple Marve could tear up our secondary. Expect him to see some playing time.
Regarding our secondary, like commentators have said about the Navy game, we were not prepared for pass coverage and were essentially ready to sacrifice the pass to contain the run.
Lets hope that this week we get the freshmen cornerbacks more needed coaching!

 

[BroMontana]

Not impressed by Michigan or State, Pitt, Miami, Oklahoma, or Stanford. Intrigued by BYU. ND could roll into Norman undefeated. This could be a 1-2 loss team if they are as efficient on the ground as they were this weekend, and can pass just enough to keep the defenses honest.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Not impressed by Michigan or State, Pitt, Miami, Oklahoma, or Stanford. Intrigued by BYU. ND could roll into Norman undefeated. This could be a 1-2 loss team if they are as efficient on the ground as they were this weekend, and can pass just enough to keep the defenses honest.

You need to remember this game:

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i7r5VTmh21g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Touchdowns on five of the first six possessions, and a defense that looked remarkable and yet was admittedly untested. Sounds familiar.

I think I'm one of the biggest Brian Kelly supports on this site, but you'd be kidding yourself if you took anything away from that game other than Notre Dame is big and powerful. The offense was totally vanilla and the defense saw absolutely nothing that they will see all season.

Opposing OC's will find ways to pick on Russell and Motta. This team has glaring weaknesses and we should remain cognizant of that because we embarrass ourselves again.

 

[BroMontana]

You need to remember this game:

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i7r5VTmh21g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Touchdowns on five of the first six possessions, and a defense that looked remarkable and yet was admittedly untested. Sounds familiar.

I think I'm one of the biggest Brian Kelly supports on this site, but you'd be kidding yourself if you took anything away from that game other than Notre Dame is big and powerful. The offense was totally vanilla and the defense saw absolutely nothing that they will see all season.

Opposing OC's will find ways to pick on Russell and Motta. This team has glaring weaknesses and we should remain cognizant of that because we embarrass ourselves again.

I was more so looking at the competition. That analysis was far too early to say with any confidence, but quite a few of our opponents weren't very impressive this week and we were. We didn't play UTEP, San Jose State, Youngstown State, or Eastern Kentucky. I think that's an indictment of the level of talent on our opponents teams. There will be no easy games by any means, but aside from USC, I dont see any giants on the schedule. I may be being naive and drinking a heavy amount of green kool-aid but we're better shape than I thought.

 

[Black Irish]

I was heartened to see how much OU struggled against UTEP.

 

[me9rob]

I am not a little worried about Saturday's game with Purdue. Their #2 QB Robert Marve threw for 295 yards as TerBush was suspended.
On a side not, Marve is a sleaze bag who went afoul with the likes of Cam Newton, both who were with Urban in 2008 when they had all those Shapiro booster infractions, see: Allegations: Robert Marve - Investigations - Yahoo! Sports

Plain and simple Marve could tear up our secondary. Expect him to see some playing time.
Regarding our secondary, like commentators have said about the Navy game, we were not prepared for pass coverage and were essentially ready to sacrifice the pass to contain the run.
Lets hope that this week we get the freshmen cornerbacks more needed coaching!

What? Marve never went to Florida with Urban Meyer and the Shapiro scandal involves Miami, not the Gators.