National Title Hopes?

[irishfan]

The way i see it, we need to be 10-1 and ranked #4 going into the USC game, and have USC ranked either #2 or #3 for us to have a chance. Obviously we need to win that game too.

1. Ohio State
Remaining Tough Games: at Michigan State (October 14) vs. #6 Michigan (Nov. 11)
Prediction: Ranked #1 and 11-0 going into the Michigan game.
2. Auburn
Remaining Tough Games: vs. Arkansas (October 7) vs. #5 Florida (October 14) vs. #10 Georgia (November 11) at Alabama (November 18) and possible SEC Championship Game
Prediction: It will be nearly impossible for Auburn to get through the season unbeaten, but if they lose a close game, then they might not drop below us. Prediction 10-2
3. USC
Remaining Tough Games: vs. #11 Oregon (Nov 11) vs. #16 California (Nov 18) vs. #12Notre Dame (Nov 25) at UCLA (Dec 2)
Prediction: 10-0 and ranked #2 coming into the Notre Dame game
4. West Virginia
Remaining Tough Games: at #8 Louisville (Nov 2) vs. #23 Rutgers (Dec 2)
Prediction: They barely beat Louisville last year, but i dont think they will be able to again. 11-1
5. Florida
Remaining Tough Games: vs. #9 LSU (Oct 7) at #2 Auburn (Oct 14) vs. #10 Georgia (Oct 28) at #17 Florida State (Nov 25)
Prediction: There's no way that Florida can get by LSU, Auburn, and Georgia all in a row. Preidiction: 10-2
6. Michigan
Remaining Tough Games: at Penn State (Oct 14) vs. #19 Iowa (Oct 21) at #1 Ohio State (Nov 18)
7. Texas
Remaining Tough Games: at #14 Oklahoma (October 7) at #22 Nebraska (October 21)
8. Louisville
Remaining Tough Games: vs. #4 West Virginia (Nov 2) at #23 Rutgers (Nov 9)
Prediction: West Virginia should be a close game, but Rutgers might be able to surprise them the week after. Prediction: 11-1
9. LSU
Remaining Tough Games: at #5 Florida (Oct 7) at #13 Tennessee (Nov 4)
Prediction: Florida seems to be rolling right now, and i cant see them losing at home. Predicton: 10-2
10. Georgia
Remaining Tough Games: vs #13 Tennessee (Oct 7) at #5 Florida (Oct 28) at #2 Auburn (Nov 11) vs #18 Georgia Tech (Nov 25)
Prediction: Georgia hasnt looked as good as past years, and the best i can see them going in these games is 2-2. Prediction: 8-4
11. Oregon
Remaining Tough Games: at #3 USC (Nov 11)
Prediction: No way anyone in the PAC-10 will beat USC this year. Prediction: 11-1


Many things will have to go right for us to be able to play in the National Championship, but i think its possible. I would put us at having a 5% chance right now. What do you think?

 

[Dannyboy Ayers]

with the way the top ten teams played this last week i would say that are chances are better that 5% the number 2 team struggled and so did the number 10. i think that there will be some major changes in the top 10 coming up soon

 

[punishment]

The easiset way is to wait until 2009. Maybe 2008 if our Class of 07 developers quickly.

I know, I'm being quite the pessimist. But this math has higher probability than irishfan's math. My math has a lower error and variance also, with minimal to no white noise.

 

[Mattmags]

Does anyone know the strength of schedule ranks? I really think OSU will go on to beat Michigan, therefore going undefeated. Let's assume 2-4 teams, including notre dame have 1 loss. Are we favored simply by pre-season strength? I understand strength changes throughout the course of the season. I guess I'm just rooting for GT, Mich, USC in particular

 

[domerfor life]

Right now it looks like OSU will be playing for the National Title. I would enjoy a rematch, but it looks like it would be another version of what we saw last year. I think that OSU and Michigan are the two best teams in the country, but they will cancel each other out. I think SC's defense is great, but is Booty ready for real competition? Georgia will move down. You can't go through the SEC with an inexperienced QB and their RBs are overrated.

 

[maison bleu]

The easiset way is to wait until 2009. Maybe 2008 if our Class of 07 developers quickly.

I know, I'm being quite the pessimist. But this math has higher probability than irishfan's math. My math has a lower error and variance also, with minimal to no white noise.

You are most wise, a veritable prophet. Study math, for it shall help you see the world clearly.

Maison's Law says that a football team's chances of victory are inversely proportional to the square of delta L, where delta L is the line of scrimage talent deficiency. For this year, ND's delta L is too large to contend for an NC. But, because the limit as delta L goes to zero of V sub c (victory chance) is infinity, the path to victory is clear.

Or, as Peter Griffin might put it, "Recruit some freakin' lineman."

 

[guff]

Somewhere between Slim and none and Slim just walk out the door.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

You are most wise, a veritable prophet. Study math, for it shall help you see the world clearly.

Maison's Law says that a football team's chances of victory are inversely proportional to the square of delta L, where delta L is the line of scrimage talent deficiency. For this year, ND's delta L is too large to contend for an NC. But, because the limit as delta L goes to zero of V sub c (victory chance) is infinity, the path to victory is clear.

Or, as Peter Griffin might put it, "Recruit some freakin' lineman."

yeah and when that happens are we gonna see a new member out of the new orleans area named maison grean?
we all know you are just waiting for that time when you can become a faithful bandwagoner on a winning team.

 

[marv81s]

National Title this year, not going to happen. I think we'll end up in some other BCS bowl, still thinking Sugar Bowl, still thinking ND vs Louisville, or ND vs Florida. If we lose to UCLA by some chance, Gator Bowl. ND vs LSU maybe.

 

[mirertobrooks]

The only chance would be if the SEC teams can knock each other off, the Big East teams can knock each other off, USC in unbeaten, ND beats them handily, and Mich beats OSU handily, and hopefully everyone will forget how bad Mich whipped us. Also teams like Auburn, Texas and Florida might need to lose twice. Plus if Oklahoma beats Texas, and finishes 12-1 they might have a case if there are no other unbeatens.

It sounds perposterous but I will remain an optimist.
odds 40-1
If Mich beats OSU and ND beats USC, I would say BQ will probably win the Heisman.
Isn't speculation fun, it will probably be WV vs Auburn, in a game no one cares about.

 

[punishment]

You are most wise, a veritable prophet. Study math, for it shall help you see the world clearly.

Maison's Law says that a football team's chances of victory are inversely proportional to the square of delta L, where delta L is the line of scrimage talent deficiency. For this year, ND's delta L is too large to contend for an NC. But, because the limit as delta L goes to zero of V sub c (victory chance) is infinity, the path to victory is clear.

Or, as Peter Griffin might put it, "Recruit some freakin' lineman."

It's been nine years since I finished calculus. But that makes total sense.

 

[ShivaIrish]

The easiset way is to wait until 2009. Maybe 2008 if our Class of 07 developers quickly.

I know, I'm being quite the pessimist. But this math has higher probability than irishfan's math. My math has a lower error and variance also, with minimal to no white noise.

In that case, why not say the best chance ND has for a national title is within the next 50 years, or 20, or whatever number you want to pick. We're in the here and the now, and this is the only team we can cheer for. There will be shake ups; ND will move up unless they shoot themselves in the foot. The only reason why ND would not have destiny in their own hands is because of the brainlocked BCS format. Even with that, there is still a chance. Hope springs forth eternal...and it makes college football great.

 

[BGIF]

As a Little Leaguer I read a book on hitting. There was a quote by Ted Williams, "I go into each game thinking I'm going to go 5 for 5, if I make an out the first time, I think 4 for 4, and so on. If I make start out 0 for 4, stepping into the batter's box that last time, I know I'm going 1 for 1." He made the Hall of Fame.

I don't think I ever had a 5-5 game but every time I stepped into the batter's I knew I could go 1 for 1.

I like Charlie's philosophy, one game at a time.

ND wins out and ND's a contender.

In '77 it was good enough for an NC shot and a win. The problem is with the BCS #2 can't duck #1 like used to happen. So a #3 ('73) or #5 ('77) ranked ND team can't get into the the Title Game to have a shot. We've got to win them all and still hope for some help. Hey, it's why they play them all!

ND's already played the toughest part of the schedule. The remaining tough games are spaced out. Yes, we need better performance for 60 minutes but that's what the braintrust gets paid for.


What tho' the odds!

 

[jiggafini19]

I like Charlie's philosophy, one game at a time.

ND wins out and ND's a contender.

Bookstore T-shirt coming soon.

You and I would each have one, while everyone else would be wearing ones that say

"#12? Screw the Polls!"

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Bookstore T-shirt coming soon.

You and I would each have one, while everyone else would be wearing ones that say

"#12? Screw the Polls!"

jigga,I might get one of those shirts for the upcoming week.

if georgia moves out,tennessee moves in
if texas moves out,oklahoma moves in
if oregon moves out,cal moves in
if lsu moves out,clemson somehow moves over the irish for beating a undeafeted,but unranked wake forest

 

[jiggafini19]

There are two full months of football to get it sorted out. I'm sure all of the BCS suits are wringing their fingers together ala C. Montgomery Burns in the hopes that these teams all start bumping each other off fast. I am hoping for a handful of unbeatens or several one loss teams and no unbeatens.

Notre Dame needs to win the rest of their games, let the dust settle and then figure out where they'll be flying for New Year's.

Oh, and FYI. Craig James voted ND 18th in his poll. Behind Georgia Tech and Rutgers.

Yep. And I'm supposed to pay attention to this crap and get fired up about it? That's worse than Spurrier's coaching ballot last year.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Craig James voted ND 18th in his poll.

what do you expect by someone who sits next to john saunders every saturday night.

 

[ShivaIrish]

There are two full months of football to get it sorted out. I'm sure all of the BCS suits are wringing their fingers together ala C. Montgomery Burns in the hopes that these teams all start bumping each other off fast. I am hoping for a handful of unbeatens or several one loss teams and no unbeatens.

Oh, and FYI. Craig James voted ND 18th in his poll. Behind Georgia Tech and Rutgers.

First part about all the unbeatens and one loss teams--totally agree. I think it is the only way the BCS system will finally change and decide to settle it on the field like everybody else does.

Craig James--at least Rutgers is undefeated, although they stuggled with an S. Florida squad last week. How does he justify putting GT ahead of ND? That's outrageous. It's not like the Irish have gone to the tank.

 

[jiggafini19]

UCLA lost their offensive firepower from last season, but their defense is very good.

Navy and Air Force can run the ball, keeping Weis off the field and Minter on it.

UNC has an athletic enough defense to cause some problems. Stanford and Army are the easy wins here. The others will be wins, but maybe not easy ones.

Blow Stanford away, use the bye to get healthy and come back ready for a tough UCLA team.

 

[notdam4]

My opinion, as it has been since before the season, is that we are simply not a good enough team to win the NC. After watching the first 5 games of the season, I don't think we are good enough to be in a BCS game either. I would be happy with any type of bowl win this season and I wouldn't mind if we did not get a BCS bid (due to our remaining schedule, there is a high probability we will be in a big bowl anyway). I think we need to get this bowl monkey off our back and we need to do it soon. With that being said, I don't think it's entirely our fault that we haven't won a bowl in 13 years. I believe it is more the fault of the various bowl selection committes who choose Notre Dame because of the national exposure rather than on-field success. As a result of this, we have been in a number of bowl games we weren't qualified for. Even before the last bowl win, people made the argument that we did not have the record to be in the game we were in. Thankfully, we proved those people wrong (a.k.a Spurrier) and here's hoping we are able to prove the doubters wrong again this year.

 

[ant80]

This year, no way ND even gets a whiff of the NC title game. OSU/Michigan winner goes to the NC. Other than that, Texas has to lose (best 1-loss team), and both WV and Louisville have to lose for ND to get in, which is not going to happen. Even if OSU and Michigan lose 1 each (doubtful), they would get the look in after successful trashings of Texas and ND respectively.

Second, if ND gets to a BCS game, it is a loss for ND.

 

[lattedatte]

To win the NC: 2%
To play for the nc: 5%

We just need too many things to happen and even if we end up with one loss, why should we go ahead of say a one loss michigan or ohio st??? Can't wait until 2008!!

 

[irish9331]

Right now it looks like OSU will be playing for the National Title. I would enjoy a rematch, but it looks like it would be another version of what we saw last year. I think that OSU and Michigan are the two best teams in the country, but they will cancel each other out. I think SC's defense is great, but is Booty ready for real competition? Georgia will move down. You can't go through the SEC with an inexperienced QB and their RBs are overrated.

I have got to admit, if ND and tOSU met again I think that the outcome would probably be the same. Our defensive speed just isn't enough. Just look what Manningham did alone with tOSU you have Gonzolez and Ginn to deal with.

 

[SIUIrish]

I dont really think ND will play in the NC game. I think there is a good chance for us to win the rest of our games up to USC and I think we can win that one too. We should make it into a BCS game.

I just wanna say that if things work out and WVU gets into the NC game, it would be a travisty. I go to SIUC and our football team could probably earn a berth to a bowl game against that schedule and we're IAA. That is possibly the worst schedule ever and nobody is talking about it.

 

[DeeRock]

Nd's Remaining Schedule Is A Cupcake As Well- Win Out & Still Shouldn't Be In The Nc Game This Year- A Tougher Schedule Needed To Be Created From The Outset

 

[BGIF]

I have got to admit, if ND and tOSU met again I think that the outcome would probably be the same. Our defensive speed just isn't enough. Just look what Manningham did alone with tOSU you have Gonzolez and Ginn to deal with.

Manningham alone?

Damn I thought Michigan had Breaston, Arrington, Ecker, Massey, and a guy named Hart on the field as well as Manningham. Turn's out Manningham was the only offensive weapon on the field. What was Minter thinking defending against a multifacted attack when Manningham was alone?

 

[scooper]

Nd's Remaining Schedule Is A Cupcake As Well- Win Out & Still Shouldn't Be In The Nc Game This Year- A Tougher Schedule Needed To Be Created From The Outset

?????

Granted, the middle is one giant cream puff, but nobody played a tougher September and closing with USC isn't exactly browsing the bakery rack.

I don't think we have much chance at a title shot, but that has more to do with being blown out at home on national TV than the schedule.

IF we win out, that will include wins over GT, Penn St, Purdue, USC and possibly Navy as bowl teams. It's not that the schedule is soft. It's just that the tough games are book ended.

 

[irish4ever]

11. Oregon
Remaining Tough Games: at #3 USC (Nov 11)
Prediction: No way anyone in the PAC-10 will beat USC this year. Prediction: 11-1

Not that it's a big deal overall, but Oregon plays AT #16 Cal this weekend. I think that they'll lose that game, plus the USC game. I predict Oregon will go 10-2!

 

[irish9331]

Manningham alone?

Damn I thought Michigan had Breaston, Arrington, Ecker, Massey, and a guy named Hart on the field as well as Manningham. Turn's out Manningham was the only offensive weapon on the field. What was Minter thinking defending against a multifacted attack when Manningham was alone?

I was just talking about how open he was. I know he didn't do it all by himself.

 

[tmacirish]

Texas the best 1-loss team? I dont agree with that, Texas is extremely overrated and if they played a schedule that was challenging at all theyd have 2-3 losses. OU, in my opinion will beat them this weekend. LSU is the best 1 loss team, i also think theyll take it to florida tommorow. ND would handle texas. the offensive speed of there recievers is negated by the inexpierence of a freshmen QB.

bowl teams i think we'll play.
IF we beat usc
1. michigan (if they lose to tOSU)
2.tOSU (is they lose to michigan)
3. Florida (they cant possibly run the table. there schedule is ridiculous)
4. Georgia (theyll lose a few games. the sec is too tough to win with no offense)
5. USC (if we beat usc, well both have 1 loss. If thats works out, that game will be bigger media wise then the title, especially is the title is wvu vs. auburn or something. 2 teams noone cares about)