ND 2012 vs 2018

[Junkhead]

Not much insight to ad personally, but wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this team compared to 2012. (The undefeated until Bama team, Manti Teo era) Would ND have a chance against Bama or Clemson? Discuss...

 

[Irish YJ]

BK said just recently that 2012 had talented individuals. 2018 is more than the sum of its parts.

 

[loomis41973]

2012 seemed more smoke and mirrors with a good dose of luck.

 

[Irish YJ]

2012 seemed more smoke and mirrors with a good dose of luck.

huge dose
this team does have some luck, but not near 2012 level.

 

[Junkhead]

2012 seemed more smoke and mirrors with a good dose of luck.

I agree with that. I thought ND took the easy way out replacing Elko, as I didn't know if Lea was a home run hire. Well, whatever happens the rest of the way, Lea has been a homerun hire. I love watching the D, near constant pressure on the QB, and the best secondary I remember for quite awhile. I've said before I fear going to the Natty and getting rolled again, but it's been a fun ride.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

Not much insight to ad personally, but wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this team compared to 2012. (The undefeated until Bama team, Manti Teo era) Would ND have a chance against Bama or Clemson? Discuss...

Absolutely have a shot against Clemson.

 

[Junkhead]

Absolutely have a shot against Clemson.

I really wouldn't want to play the Skunkbears again, but I don't fear them either. Book and Dexter weren't a factor in week 1.

 

[loomis41973]

Clemson doesn't scare me.

I think UCF and Georgia might be better than the Tigers.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Clemson doesn't scare me.

I think UCF and Georgia might be better than the Tigers.

Clemson would beat UCF by 3 tds and georgia 7 times out of 10. ND made a case today to be considered as part of the next tier under Bama along with Clemson. I think a Clemson - ND semifinal would be one hell of a game.

 

[IrishLax]

When you go position by position and look at talent the 2012 team was better at TE with Eifert and possibly OL (the right side wasn’t great, but left side was elite). On defense, the front 7 was elite.

But the 2012 team had big holes and this team really doesn’t besides the inconsistent OL. 2012 had a secondary that wasn’t nearly as good as this one (remember, Farley was recently converted to play S and KVR was in his first year playing CB) but that deficiency was masked by the scheme and elite front 7 most of the year. QB was way worse than what we have with Book right now. The second ILB spot was exposed by Bama in the championship game.

The only unit or players that can get “exposed” on this team is the OL. So many false starts, missed assignments, etc. If ND can’t compete with Bama or Clemson that unit will be why. The rest of this team is much deeper and much more well-rounded than the 2012 squad.

 

[OhioIrish31]

I think the QB play is the biggest difference...by far.

 

[Irish YJ]

When you go position by position and look at talent the 2012 team was better at TE with Eifert and possibly OL (the right side wasn’t great, but left side was elite). On defense, the front 7 was elite.

But the 2012 team had big holes and this team really doesn’t besides the inconsistent OL. 2012 had a secondary that wasn’t nearly as good as this one (remember, Farley was recently converted to play S and KVR was in his first year playing CB) but that deficiency was masked by the scheme and elite front 7 most of the year. QB was way worse than what we have with Book right now. The second ILB spot was exposed by Bama in the championship game.

The only unit or players that can get “exposed” on this team is the OL. So many false starts, missed assignments, etc. If ND can’t compete with Bama or Clemson that unit will be why. The rest of this team is much deeper and much more well-rounded than the 2012 squad.

agree, but you could argue if Mack was played like Eifert....

 

[stlnd01]

We're better now.
On offense, no question. We have so many weapons and a QB who's able to use them.
On defense, the 2012 team had more star power - Teo, Tuitt, Nix - but we didn't have a pass rush like this, or a secondary that covers like this group can. 2012 didn't give up quite as many points, but top to bottom I think this is actually better defense.
Not to say we might not get thumped by Alabama. But this may be the best team we've had since the 88-93 peak Holtz years.

 

[Junkhead]

But this may be the best team we've had since the 88-93 peak Holtz years.

Sounds crazy, but thinking about it, probably true. Enjoy it while it lasts, hopefully past USC at least.

 

[Irishize]

I agree w/ Kelly in that 2012 had more stars but 2018 is a more complete team. That being said, ND is not winning a NC behind that OL...they’re average at best. Additionally, the ST is a deficit.

What ND has going for them is that there’s a ton of parity in CFB this year. Bama & Clemson are the only complete teams that seem to be a tier above ND.

The goal is to get to the CFP & ND has a great chance to accomplish that. What they do beyond that is anyone’s guess.

 

[Bluto]

Top to bottom the 2018 team is better. What also sets this team apart is that there seems to be a bunch of younger players who appear to be 100% bought in. That was definitely not the case is 2012. It appears that ND is a legit program again.

 

[Circa]

Not much insight to ad personally, but wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this team compared to 2012. (The undefeated until Bama team, Manti Teo era) Would ND have a chance against Bama or Clemson? Discuss...

As long as we don't get 4 fantom calls within the first 10 minutes. I'll take us against anyone.

 

[Irishman77]

I think the QB play is the biggest difference...by far.

THIS!

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

18 would beat 12 by at least two scores, probably more.
The halftime adjustments would be too much for 12 to handle.

 

[Circa]

18 would beat 12 by at least two scores, probably more.
The halftime adjustments would be too much for 12 to handle.

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[ThePiombino]

18 for sure. We have the better head coach 🙈

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Redbar]

Coach Kelly is right on in his assessment, and it’s also the reason most people even sports media have not given us our do. Everyone gets so caught up in the individual performers (who are important) but at the end of the day football is a team sport. This is a really good team.

 

[notredomer23]

Thought 2012's defensive line was more dominant, mainly because Tuitt, KLM, and Nix with Shembo at OLB, but stats don't back that up. 2012's team had 34 sacks and 70 tackles for a loss through 13 games. 2018's has 29 sacks and 71 tackles for a loss through 11 games. Rush defense was probably a little stronger on the 2012 team, but I will take the sacks and TFL of the 2018 team.

 

[drayer54]

That 12 team had some studs. They seemed to skip by in luck and looked spooked when the tide showed up.

18 team can ball. First secondary I’ve seen yet under BK to look solid. I might argue weakest OL though.

 

[ACamp1900]

The D Line was beastly in 12,... special unit even compared to this one. Aside from that this team is far more compete imo

 

[ARALOU]

As far as the 2012 season goes, there was some straight out lucky wins. I did really enjoy that season though. This season I don't recall being in the "we are beat" mode during a game. I do recall that in 2012.

 

[ickythump1225]

2012 was a lot of luck, though our front 7 was pretty special. This the more complete team and if they could meet on the field I would take 2018 by 10 points or more. The coaching staff is better, the offense is miles better, the defense is more dangerous, and this team plays with a belief they belong on the field with the best. The 2012 team kind of came off like they were happy to be there.

 

[ickythump1225]

I was born in Feb. of 1988 so I can't say this is the best ND team of my lifetime but it's the best ND team since the early 90s and the best team of my fanhood (2005).

 

[Drugstore cowboy]

The 2018 offense is far better than the 2012 offense. Except for Tyler Eifert and Zack Martin.

 

[pumpdog20]

Gilman would confuse the hell out of Golsen, and when he got pulled, Love would have about 3 pick sixes on Rees.

Plus the 2018 won't have a massive fake girlfriend bombshell to worry about. I think the 2018 team would roll 2012.