Let's Get Fired Up!!!

[GO IRISH!!!]

Is anyone else like me? I am more excited about this season than any season in recent memory. I live in Orange County, CA which is Trojan territory and I can't wait for this season so I can shut all the loud mouthed SC fans the HELL UP!!!

My question is this: What is your biggest hope for this season? Not just wins and losses, but overall goals for the team or indivdual accomplishments. Is there a win you want to see more than others?

What do you want to see most of all this season?

GO IRISH!!!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

This one always gets me fired up...
YouTube - Here Comes The Irish

Biggest Hope: I want to see the O-Line gel and the running game firmly establish itself

Biggest Win: USC

Most Want to See: 9 wins...good wins...strong wins

 

[Bubba]

Biggest Hope: I want to see the O-Line gel and the running game firmly establish itself

Biggest Win: USC

Most Want to See: 9 wins...good wins...strong wins

My sentiments exactly.

 

[ACamp1900]

Just being honest... this is by far the least fired up I have ever been for cfb... I too live in SC country and I'm drianed by all the blow hards who know nothing about the sport... ND is no where on SC's level and it's mostly due to the NCAA's complete lack of enforcement... knowing they get all the positive press and great moments while cheating and we get beat up and hated on pretty much nation wide while doing it the right way is really starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth.... again, just me being honest...


my hope for the season is this...

The Offense does a 180... we compete in every game, even those we lose... win at least six games and win a bowl game

the bowl game is the key. Also, I don't know if it's at all possible this year but beating SC would be a GIANT bonus

 

[Golden Domer93]

I am excited about this season because I expect 9-3 with a springboard to 2009 when we can compete for National Title again.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Just being honest... this is by far the least fired up I have ever been for cfb... I too live in SC country and I'm drianed by all the blow hards who know nothing about the sport... ND is no where on SC's level and it's mostly due to the NCAA's complete lack of enforcement... knowing they get all the positive press and great moments while cheating and we get beat up and hated on pretty much nation wide while doing it the right way is really starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth.... again, just me being honest...


my hope for the season is this...

The Offense does a 180... we compete in every game, even those we lose... win at least six games and win a bowl game

the bowl game is the key. Also, I don't know if it's at all possible this year but beating SC would be a GIANT bonus

I completely understand what you are saying. SC fans and alums are all around me and constantly boasting about their team despite the negative evidence about their program, players, and recruiting. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am not the best Catholic and I am in no way a theological expert, but I do seem to recall a passage about when you are on the right path, many people will try to knock you off - or something to that effect. Therefore, the more crap we have heaped on us by ESPN, SC fans, et. al., the more I am secure we are doing things the right way. All that animosity just brings ND fans closer together. I love the fact that when I see someone else walking down the street with an ND shirt and I can smile and give the mandatory "Go Irish!" and you just feel as though you are instantly bonded to that stranger through the adversity we all have had to endure.

Now, if we can just get a bunch of wins - and a bowl win - to go along with that, I will be be elated!

I can't explain it, but I think this is going to be a special year. I can feel it - this is going to be a season that we will remember. I am not out at practice and I don't have friends "in the know", but it appears to me this freshman class has helped push the bar up to another level. I think everyone has stepped up their game and we are going to see some results. Maybe that feeling is wishful thinking. And if it is, I will take my lumps like I have many times before. Our day is coming! And I think this year is going to be one for the books!!!

GO IRISH!!!

 

[kmoose]

I'm always fired up for ND football, but I have to be honest. I just watched video from the Blue/Gold game here: CSTV (MediaType)&media=72556 This is not the "highlight reel", which only shows all of the great runs, throws, tackles, etc. We are going to be lucky to finish 6-6 this year, if things don't drastically improve. I like Robert Hughes, I will root for him, I hope he has a monster year...........but I can't think of a single Top 20 team in the last 5 years that he would be a starter on. He looks like he has the heart of a lion, but he is just not the kind of back you need, to play with the big boys. If he is your 2nd or 3rd tailback, then you have good depth. But if he is your starter, then you really have nothing special at TB. He is slow in and out of his cuts, he runs too straight up (allowing defenders to get a solid hit on him), and he doesn't appear to have that extra gear, to pull away from people. And, keep in mind........this was against ND's 1st team defense; not exactly a great defense. Armando Allen is only going to be a threat if you can get him the ball in space. And, even then, he's not much of one. He goes down way too easy. Clausen looked mediocre, in my opinion. That pick-6 he threw was not only a bad pass, but a horrible decision. He stared down the TE the whole time, and threw it knowing that there was press coverage on his receiver. (For those who didn't see the play, it was about a 2 yard TE "out" pattern. The OLB is jamming him before he can even get off of the line, basically, and Clausen tossed it out there like there was no one within 50 yards of the receiver) I'm excited to see them play, but they better come out of locker room a MUCH better team than they were in the Spring Game, on Sept. 6th.

This is NOT me coming down on the Irish. These guys are all smarter, faster, stronger, etc. than I am. But I have been watching football for 30+ years, and "studying" it, for most of that time. I know a good team when I see one. And the team that played the Spring Game was NOT a good team. Hopefully, they will be ready after fall practices.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I've been fired up since we hired 'Downhill' Tenuta. Let's rumble already.

 

[We_Are_ND]

I'm always fired up for ND football, but I have to be honest. I just watched video from the Blue/Gold game here: CSTV (MediaType)&media=72556 This is not the "highlight reel", which only shows all of the great runs, throws, tackles, etc. We are going to be lucky to finish 6-6 this year, if things don't drastically improve. I like Robert Hughes, I will root for him, I hope he has a monster year...........but I can't think of a single Top 20 team in the last 5 years that he would be a starter on. He looks like he has the heart of a lion, but he is just not the kind of back you need, to play with the big boys. If he is your 2nd or 3rd tailback, then you have good depth. But if he is your starter, then you really have nothing special at TB. He is slow in and out of his cuts, he runs too straight up (allowing defenders to get a solid hit on him), and he doesn't appear to have that extra gear, to pull away from people. And, keep in mind........this was against ND's 1st team defense; not exactly a great defense. Armando Allen is only going to be a threat if you can get him the ball in space. And, even then, he's not much of one. He goes down way too easy. Clausen looked mediocre, in my opinion. That pick-6 he threw was not only a bad pass, but a horrible decision. He stared down the TE the whole time, and threw it knowing that there was press coverage on his receiver. (For those who didn't see the play, it was about a 2 yard TE "out" pattern. The OLB is jamming him before he can even get off of the line, basically, and Clausen tossed it out there like there was no one within 50 yards of the receiver) I'm excited to see them play, but they better come out of locker room a MUCH better team than they were in the Spring Game, on Sept. 6th.

This is NOT me coming down on the Irish. These guys are all smarter, faster, stronger, etc. than I am. But I have been watching football for 30+ years, and "studying" it, for most of that time. I know a good team when I see one. And the team that played the Spring Game was NOT a good team. Hopefully, they will be ready after fall practices.

Could not have said it better myself. You took every word out of my mouth. I am just as excited as everyone else, but come on people......this team is not much better than last years. We dont have that star player that can win us again.....its gunna be a better year, but still an ugly one.

 

[Golden Domer93]

Go Irish!!! 9-3

 

[NDOM]

Im expectig 7 MAYBE 8 wins. Biggest win: Michigan State. Worse loss: Michigan. Win a GodDamn bowlgame this year too for crap sake.

 

[Golden Domer93]

I think Michigan will be easier then people think this season.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Let's not be realists until we have to. If anyone can tell from watching practice footage on und.com that this is a 6-6 football team, you need to apply for one of those gigs in South Bend. We talk about the great job Charlie has done in the recruiting game, applaud the CB and Tenuta hires, and then lack faith that something special is building.

If we lose an early game or two, fire off an 'I told you so,' and let the doomsday talk commence. But until then, WE ARE ND, and hope springs eternal.

Go Irish.

 

[NDOM]

I think Michigan will be easier then people think this season.

Its hard to say what Michigan will bring this year. They could have a very pathetic season like we did last year OR they could be pretty good. Michigan ALWAYS has talent and Rich Rod will find a way to use it the best he can. Michigan will be deadly in a few years. I hate to say it but its true.

 

[Golden Domer93]

I think playing them early will benefit us especially after we beat SDSU big.

 

[NDOM]

I think playing them early will benefit us especially after we beat SDSU big.

It may but Michigan plays 2 games before us, so they will have that advantage.

 

[Bubba]

Its hard to say what Michigan will bring this year. They could have a very pathetic season like we did last year OR they could be pretty good. Michigan ALWAYS has talent and Rich Rod will find a way to use it the best he can. Michigan will be deadly in a few years. I hate to say it but its true.

I'm not really all that knowledgeable about Michigan, but it's my understanding that their starting QB this year will be a freshman. They have 4 competing and none have taken command as of yet. This doesn't bode well for them, but I odn't think they'll be near as bad as we were last year. I think it's very possible they could still hang with us this year. I think we win, but I think it's close.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Kmoose brings up some honest and very real points. I'll disagree with him however, when it comes to Hughes. In fact, IMO I think he is dead wrong. Hughes is a stud and the nation is going to learn about him. He was only a freshman last year, and he dealt with tragedy and still turned it on towards the end. He's going to have a break-out year. But I agree, the rest of the offense seemed remedial in the spring game. Let's hope the beefed up line, the extra coaching, the committment to fundamentals and more physicality in practice, the year of experience for Clausen, and the addition of Tenuta will lead us to a much better year than the 'experts' think.

My biggest win will be Michigan, only because I'll be there for the game! But actually, their biggest win for me will be the bowl game that we hopefully will finally win. I'm hoping for 8-4 but anywhere between 6-6 and 9-3 wouldn't surprise me.

Any loss will be horrible because I honestly think we can play with anybody on the schedule besides the USC Thugs. (BTW, I work across the street from USC, and the stories I could tell you about Ray Malauga (sp???) and his drunken escapades would blow your mind).

I agree with the original poster, I'm beyond hyped for the year! Go Irish!!!

 

[notredomer23]

SDSU-W
UM-W
MSU-L
Purdue-W
Stanford-W
UNC-W
UW-W
Pitt-Toss up, ill say loss
BC-W
Navy-W
Syracuse-W
USC-L, but it will be within 10 points

Finsh the season ranked 11th after beating the Criminoles in the Gator.

 

[Golden Domer93]

notredomer23, I like yout thinking.

 

[the-mick]

at least 8-4

at least 8-4

Maybe i'm just seeing something completely different than the rest of some of you guys but, I've been watching all of the practices i could get video on and this team looks fired up, the entire o-line has bulked up to 300+ lbs, hughes is a horse, allen has tremendous speed and just needs to learn to turn that corner, plus i don't know if everyone else has forgotten but aldridge is still on the team and i think he is right there with hughes as a back. Jimmys bulked up and has got laser accuracy, and the tight ends and recievers are all very talented. it wont take 3 games to get our first offensive touchdown this year. the defense is stocke full of guys that are looking to make a name for themselves and with tenuta and brown they should have no problem doing that.

this team is not a 6-6 team, they have the talent and direction to be 8-4 with a very realistic chance for a double digit win column.

SDSU - W
Mich - W
MSU - toss up
purd - toss up
Stanford - W
NC - W (could be a trap game)
UW - W (must win)
Pitt - toss up
BC - W
Navy - W
Syracuse - W
USC - L

the only team we play with a greater abundance of talent this year is USC, which is the only game we will probably not be favored in, we are right there talent wise with the rest of those teams on the schedule therefore we will have a fighting chance to win all of those games. to beat usc we will really have to play totally flawless football.

 

[Golden Domer93]

That is a very good assessment Mick but on the tossup games how do you think we will do?

 

[the-mick]

probably lose to msu and pitt because they have excellent running backs, but beat purdue. and really i should have put UW as a toss up as well but we just have to win that game no matter what, that jake locker is quite a ballplayer though.

 

[Golden Domer93]

I think MSU and Washington are more winnable games then Purdue. The Boilers are better then they get credit for.

 

[the-mick]

i just think our pass defense will be much better than our run defense, thats what i based those predictions on. lets just win em all!

 

[Golden Domer93]

the-mick are you one of the regular posters here? You seem pretty knowledgable about the Irish and their opponents.

 

[the-mick]

i've been a member for a lil while i hibernate during the offseason and come out right before opening day, but i have really become addicted to notre dame football in the last few years, its almost unhealthy.

 

[Golden Domer93]

I admit I have the same addiction.

 

[KC4ND]

I agree I want to see a Bowl game victory AND a win over USC!!

GO IRISH!

 

[Golden Domer93]

KC4ND, good to see ya posting here, I hope you become a regular.