nd-usc rematch

[irishfan]

what if usc loses this week against ucla? (unlikely but what if)

michigan would jump usc for #2 and move into the NC game.
usc would remain in the lead for the PAC-10 so they would go to the Rose Bowl.
i don't know how well we would do, but if it werent for so many dropped balls and failed fourth down we atleast could have turned the game into a shootout. Just thought I would toss this idea out there, because everyone seems to be thinking that we will play either Michigan/Arkansas/Florida.

 

[lattedatte]

We are in the Rose, unless they take LSU over us.... Then we'll go to the sugar and play Florida or Arkansas. So it has been said so it shall be done.

 

[marv81s]

Me personally don't want a rematch with usc, I WANT THE GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Irish Envy]

I want no rematch with either Michigan or USC. Do you really want either fanbase to have the opportunity to brag about beating not once, but TWICE in one year?

 

[lattedatte]

Let's not even bring SC into the discussion, they will not lose, period. They, unlike us will be able to block their DE's. That was a horrendous matchup for us. If olsen plays he'll need a half to get caught up to game speed.

I have no problem with playing scUM again. I really don't think they are that much better than us, but they will think they are. So we might catch them overlooking us a bit. Assuming we don't lose the turnover margin 5-1 and give them 21 points off those TO's we'll be in it until the end. Also our rush defense is much better now then when we played. Finally, everyone is expecting us to lose, so if we lose it will not be a suprise but if we win it will be a huge upset. Bring on the Wolverines.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

Either rematch is a no win situation. If we lose, well....If we win then haters will just say we got lucky or something. Better off to just wait until next year. Beating a mighty SEC Champion on the other hand would cause a complete meltdown in the world of college football analysis. Imagine the mighty SEC Champion losing 2 straight BCS games to lowly WVU and even lowlyer Notre Dame. How could they ever claim dominance again?

 

[jiggafini19]

Had their chance at both and got creamed. Wait til next year.

The BCS will go out of their way to avoid rematches, so look for ND to get the Sugar invite and play the SEC Champion.

 

[lattedatte]

Either rematch is a no win situation. If we lose, well....If we win then haters will just say we got lucky or something. Better off to just wait until next year. Beating a mighty SEC Champion on the other hand would cause a complete meltdown in the world of college football analysis. Imagine the mighty SEC Champion losing 2 straight BCS games to lowly WVU and even lowlyer Notre Dame. How could they ever claim dominance again?

it's funny how we view the scUM game completely different, yet posted at the exact same time.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I want no rematch with either Michigan or USC. Do you really want either fanbase to have the opportunity to brag about beating not once, but TWICE in one year?

We could beat USC in a rematch...they are no Michigan.

However, I do not want a rematch...I too want the Gators.

 

[FleaFlicker]

Let's play a game that we have a good shot of winning. Against USC again, we are maybe a 20% chance of winning. I'd say about a 30% chance agaunst UM.

Florida, I'd say we have a 50-60% chance. Same with Arkansas.

 

[lattedatte]

We could beat USC in a rematch...they are no Michigan.

However, I do not want a rematch...I too want the Gators.

Wow I cannot believe you think Mich is better than USC. We are not even in the same class from a talent and depth perspective. I believe we are much closer with scUM.

Imagine us disagreeing on something....:swordfigh

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Wow I cannot believe you think Mich is better than USC. We are not even in the same class from a talent and depth perspective. I believe we are much closer with scUM.

Imagine us disagreeing on something....:swordfigh

After seeing the two teams play, it's clear to me that Michigan is much more balanced and dominant on both sides of the ball. Their Defense was FAR better than USC's and their offense, while less explosive was more powerful and steady.

Michigan's D pressured us and got to BQ a ton of times...USC's line was not as good.

I agree that USC might have better talent overall, however, they are more green. In 2 years they will be better.

But as it stands now, USC would get crushed by tOSU...and Michigan was able to hang with them.

When I look at how we performed in the two games it becomes more clear. Basically, USC in the first 10 minutes jumped out to a 10 point lead...and from then on we matched up with them. In fact, after their 3rd TD our Defense jumped all over them...and our Defense is not comparable to UM's.

UM would beat USC soundly, no doubt and they would crush us again. USC would beat us more often than not, but I think the team could make some adjustments to be able to beat them. I would say USC wins 6 or 7 times out of 10. UM wins 9.

 

[lattedatte]

After seeing the two teams play, it's clear to me that Michigan is much more balanced and dominant on both sides of the ball. Their Defense was FAR better than USC's and their offense, while less explosive was more powerful and steady.

Michigan's D pressured us and got to BQ a ton of times...USC's line was not as good.

I agree that USC might have better talent overall, however, they are more green. In 2 years they will be better.

But as it stands now, USC would get crushed by tOSU...and Michigan was able to hang with them.

When I look at how we performed in the two games it becomes more clear. Basically, USC in the first 10 minutes jumped out to a 10 point lead...and from then on we matched up with them. In fact, after their 3rd TD our Defense jumped all over them...and our Defense is not comparable to UM's.

UM would beat USC soundly, no doubt and they would crush us again. USC would beat us more often than not, but I think the team could make some adjustments to be able to beat them. I would say USC wins 6 or 7 times out of 10. UM wins 9.

Man, I just think that USC defense was unreal... we were even in th TO margin and they still beat us by 20. They even gave us two short fields and we could do shit with it, althogh if only rhema, ahhhh forget that... Who knows I hope I'm right if we face scUM and you are right if we face SC.

 

[jiggafini19]

Ohio State will beat them both.

Therein will be the barometer.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Man, I just think that USC defense was unreal... we were even in th TO margin and they still beat us by 20. They even gave us two short fields and we could do shit with it, althogh if only rhema, ahhhh forget that... Who knows I hope I'm right if we face scUM and you are right if we face SC.

They looked good...but then they gave up 404 yards (274 passing and 130 rushing) and 24 points.

UM looked better. They gave us 4 yards rushing and 245 through the air and 21 points. They dominated us completely. 3INTs and 2 fumbles. How many sacks did they register? A TON...lol

USC has a good D...but not as good as UM.

 

[lattedatte]

They looked good...but then they gave up 404 yards (274 passing and 130 rushing) and 24 points.

UM looked better. They gave us 4 yards rushing and 245 through the air and 21 points. They dominated us completely. 3INTs and 2 fumbles. How many sacks did they register? A TON...lol

USC has a good D...but not as good as UM.

It was earlier in the year S. Young and the line was trying to gel, I wouldn't call them a great o-line now but we are definitely better. 21 points off turnovers. Take those away it is a lot closer. The rose bowl is USC's back yard. Their talent at the skill positions are much better, which is a worse matchup for us. Give me scUM anyday.

Agree to disagree, as usual...

 

[tedwick]

There's a remote chance of a rematch with UM, just because the game was so early in the year. However, there's no chance of a rematch with USC. The game is too recent and the score was too disparate. We ALL know who would win that game. In all reality, we would probably lose to UM too, but that's somewhat less certain. We're just not there yet.

USC and UM are both good teams. UM is probably more balanced on offense and has a better defense, but I'll be darned if any team in the land can shut down SC's passing game. (And with that, I may have sold my soul to the sweater-vested one.)

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

It was earlier in the year S. Young and the line was trying to gel, I wouldn't call them a great o-line now but we are definitely better. 21 points off turnovers. Take those away it is a lot closer. The rose bowl is USC's back yard. Their talent at the skill positions are much better, which is a worse matchup for us. Give me scUM anyday.

Agree to disagree, as usual...

21 points off turnovers is true...but its not a fluke.

UM has a 1.25 TO margin. 3rd best in the country. They have gotten 25 and given up 10.

USC on the other hand has gotten 19 and given up 16.

UM's D is for real. USC's is very good, but they are not as solid as UMs

 

[BigIrish]

UM's D is for real. USC's is very good, but they are not as solid as UMs

this is the UM D that gave up forty odd points to OSU, right?

perhaps UM has better scheming that SC. maybe that's the difference. but SC has flat out athletes all over the field on defense. they've got motors, and they came hard the ENTIRE game. when you can consistently pressure a QB with a three-man rush and make the leading receiver on the opposing team drop balls because he heard footsteps, most teams are going to get out-talented.

personally, despite the score, i think the irish played a hard fought game against SC. i also think that it's the type of game they'd play against UM if they were to run into them in a bowl game, possibly to a similar outcome as well. the difference in how we handled the SC defense vs the UM defense is more likely a result of having an an offensive line with only couple games under its belt versus a season's worth of games under its belt.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

this is the UM D that gave up forty odd points to OSU, right?

perhaps UM has better scheming that SC. maybe that's the difference. but SC has flat out athletes all over the field on defense. they've got motors, and they came hard the ENTIRE game. when you can consistently pressure a QB with a three-man rush and make the leading receiver on the opposing team drop balls because he heard footsteps, most teams are going to get out-talented.

personally, despite the score, i think the irish played a hard fought game against SC. i also think that it's the type of game they'd play against UM if they were to run into them in a bowl game, possibly to a similar outcome as well. the difference in how we handled the SC defense vs the UM defense is more likely a result of having an an offensive line with only couple games under its belt versus a season's worth of games under its belt.

Yup...same people. However, when you look at UM over time they were powerful and solid...one game does not change that.

OSU was powerful and solid and yet they gave up a ton to UM as well. Go figure.

 

[SillyIrish]

I don't want no part in a rematch with either team, however it does look like it will be the Rose Bowl with a second date against Mich. I would rather the Gators in the Sugar.

 

[sonomairishfan]

what if usc loses this week against ucla? (unlikely but what if)

michigan would jump usc for #2 and move into the NC game.
usc would remain in the lead for the PAC-10 so they would go to the Rose Bowl.
i don't know how well we would do, but if it werent for so many dropped balls and failed fourth down we atleast could have turned the game into a shootout. Just thought I would toss this idea out there, because everyone seems to be thinking that we will play either Michigan/Arkansas/Florida.

if for some reason that would happen, i would want no part of SC. i think the game would turn out the same way.

i also think that the UM rematch would be ugly.

i do think that we can take Florida. they are very much a suspect offense/that our d matches up with.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

It was earlier in the year S. Young and the line was trying to gel, I wouldn't call them a great o-line now but we are definitely better. 21 points off turnovers. Take those away it is a lot closer. The rose bowl is USC's back yard. Their talent at the skill positions are much better, which is a worse matchup for us. Give me scUM anyday.

Agree to disagree, as usual...

You can't take the turnovers away. They happened. It's silly to say, "If we didn't have the turnovers we would have won" Why not say, "If we didn't lose, we would have won".

Turnovers count and if we played again, we'd probably have just as many turnovers against scUM.

 

[jiggafini19]

This guy, he once said "you are what you are."

Three turnovers would fall under the "you did what you did" category.

 

[NDOM]

I'm not so sure that we are going to the Rose Bowl or not. My mind tells me that we will be playing in the Sugar Bowl Againts the Sec Champion. More or less Florida. I wouldnt want to see ND get torched again by Michigan or Southern Cal.