Not Sure I Buy the Narratives

[NewEnglandGuy]

An endearing quality for a person to possess is passion.

We’ve likely all experienced examples of someone not trying or caring. It is hardly inspirational. Now some passions are misguided, but priorities are subjective and a different ball of wax.

I appreciate balanced passion. While even some altruistic goals such as curing cancer sound noble, a footnote would be present if there was a fatherless/motherless child while attaining said goal.

Not to homer our own Lou Holtz, as many idioms would suffice, but life is happier with something to do, someone to love, something to believe in, and something to look forward to.

In regards to other fans views and activity on this board, if done in good taste, they should be welcomed. An inactive board would be boring. Contributions of time by posting a thought or opinion is a good thing even if not universally accepted. Let’s remain respectful while recognizing differences. A conversation is more enjoyable with someone who at least is passionate about something. Like depression, it too can be infectious.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Isn't this how we got Colzie allegedly?

Every year some mom gets pissed on signing day when her kid goes with the "other" school and it cracks me up

IIRC, mom was won over early and stuck to her guns even when Colzie reopened his recruitment. And if that’s correct, good for her. It’s hard to defend off the leaches sometimes but if anybody is going to do it it’s mom. A bit different than Landon Collin’s mom though. While she had her interests first, it appears Colzie’s mom has his.

 

[Irishize]

I support Bishop. He and Tommy have contributed and supported this board for years. We're not dealing with TomHaverford here, come on.

I agree. Not having rational voices of reason from different programs is healthy. The only reason some are now pushing back on Bishop is b/c ND got exposed last week and we all expect an even worse beat down in a few days. The defense mechanism for ND fans is “ND does it the right way” in regards to true student-athletes. But every school has its warts and bad actors.

Saban is an other-worldly dude. Bama was very fortunate to get him and they knew they had to put a full court press on him...it worked. ND will never be that school which is frustrating. I’m even ok w/ the academics being rigid compared to other P5 programs if ND would at least dip into that huge endowment & allow their assistants to fly private on recruiting trips...just like the other powerhouses, like Wake Forest, allow for their coaches.

Clemson came to visit a few years ago to exchange ideas w/ ND and learn from each other. The Clemson staff was amazed that ND was able to earn a CFP berth despite not having all the advantages that programs like Clemson take for granted. And this was nothing to do w/ academic requirements. It was overall facilities & other legal advantages allowable by the NCAA that ND has yet to adopt.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I like Bishop and Tommy... they are actually much better than some of the 'fans' here on IE....


I got blasted and called numerous names because I ended every thing I posted with GO IRISH and was told I was an idiot..... by ND fans..... hence, I don't put GO IRISH in my posts anymore....


now that I think of it, I just might put Roll Tide after each post... hmmmmmm




ROLL TIDE!

 

[BruinDomer]

This is why the narrative exists. This is why we don't get the benefit of the doubt.

Notre Dame in BCS/NY6/CFP games last 25 years ...

'01 Fiesta: L 41-9 to Oregon State.
'06 Fiesta: L 34-20 to Ohio State.
'07 Sugar: L 41-14 to LSU.
'13 BCS title game: L 42-14 to Bama.
'16 Fiesta: L 44-28 to Ohio State.
'18 CFP: L 30-3 to Clemson.

That's all that needs to be said.

First time posting but to add to this, since 2017 we've had 4 games that ended our chances of a championship (National or ACC):

2017 Miami: 41-8
2018 Clemson: 30-3
2019 Michigan: 45-14
2020 Clemson (ACC Championship): 34-10

We haven't scored more than twice in any of those games. That's also why this narrative exists. Oklahoma loses important games too but they at least score more than twice.

The two Georgia games didn't end our playoff chances but even in those we scored 19 and 17. We just don't score enough in big games.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Here's an article that just came over my phone...


https://bamahammer.com/2020/12/27/alabama-football-irish-wrong-thinking-slowing-tide-offense/

 

[Old Man Mike]

Want to publicly stand up for Bishop. We disagree on politics but he is a good poster (and gentlemanly) on this board.

I wonder a lot about one seeming serious problem that ND has getting recruits: The Second Language HS requirement. Do other schools have this? Do we get around it somehow? If the answer to the first question is "no", and the second question "no" also, then I can imagine a huge percentage of possible scholarships being non-starters day one. Did not we lose Markese Stepp for at least partly this reason? (for instance)

 

[irishtrooper]

I just can’t wait until Alabama finally goes back to what they were in the 80s/90s. I’m sick of them winning all the time. I’m not saying they’re cheating, BUT they definitely aren’t ND and never will be with the whole school/pigskin mix. Their fans (not the ones on this board) have gotten pretty big for their britches, as though this will never end. It will. It always does. One bad hire and it could go fast (see Fla post Spurrier or ND post Holtz).

As far as the Bama (or any other “opposition” fans), I appreciate the perspective from an outsider view. Sometimes fans need to hear what others think. I find myself disagreeing with Bishop quite a bit on most issues, however he does seem like a decent guy and is generally respectful of others. I enjoy T Town and usually find myself agreeing with him more.

I will also say that we all seem to be on edge after getting back to the “not showing up for the big game” narrative. I suppose we couldn’t ask for a better chance to reverse that narrative against a very good Alabama team. I don’t know that it’ll happen, but I’m really sick of “experts” essentially laughing at ND against teams like this, and ND proving them right. I REALLY want them to eat some humble pie...... We’ve had enough of that particular pie

 

[T-Boone]

My question is are we closer to winning a championship? The answer seems to be no.

In a sense we are because the great opponents we have are more dependent on 1 player than they use to be (due to system). What I mean is if the Clemson QB gets injured we are a big chance. Likewise if the Bama QB gets injured we (I hope) are a big chance.
Was that the case in 2012? They could have plugged anyone into QB or any other position and still proceeded to merrily drag skull.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I just can’t wait until Alabama finally goes back to what they were in the 80s/90s. I’m sick of them winning all the time. I’m not saying they’re cheating, BUT they definitely aren’t ND and never will be with the whole school/pigskin mix. Their fans (not the ones on this board) have gotten pretty big for their britches, as though this will never end. It will. It always does. One bad hire and it could go fast (see Fla post Spurrier or ND post Holtz).

Most of us are very much aware that this won't last forever. It never does. That Saban has kept this going for 13 years is amazing, but we know that all good things eventually come to an end. We might get lucky and get the next great coach when Saban finally retires, but history says it's unlikely. We're just enjoying the ride while it lasts.

 

[T-Boone]

Blocking is a requirement for WR's. If you can't or won't block, you won't see much playing time.

If Devontae Smith was not very good at blocking would it impact on his playing time?
Surely being a good blocker is a requirement at college level for average/good WRs but not a requirement for elite WRs.

 

[irishtrain]

There is absolutely no way to criticize the on field product of say Ala/Clem/Ohio State/Okla soon to be A&M/even Fla/Ga-they are just better and really should be BUT they can beat Notre Dame to a bloody stub in this era of college football and will NEVER BE NOTRE DAME in the lore and appeal of college football. Everyone understands why they win with todays standards/recruiting etc-its a given but to repeat myself they will never be Notre Dame. So I will watch this upcoming game and take my beating but they will never get the attention/respect and adoration of the masses that Notre Dame does. The hate/distain etc comes with the territory when you do it right and people love and respect you.

 

[Chicago Domer]

I can hope for Mac Jones and Devonta Smith having a very mild case of Covid hitting tomorrow, but still out for the game. ND squeaking out a win.

Then half of Clemson getting Covid the next week. Again squeaking out a victory and a Natty. Well we can all dream!!!!

 

[Crazy Balki]

Here's an article that just came over my phone...


https://bamahammer.com/2020/12/27/alabama-football-irish-wrong-thinking-slowing-tide-offense/

Not really in a position to talk about weak defenses bolstering their ranking, when the SEC is stacked with abysmal defenses.

 

[Irish#1]

Not really in a position to talk about weak defenses bolstering their ranking, when the SEC is stacked with abysmal defenses.

But it's the SEC!

Bama's defense is going to be better than most we faced, but I'm not sure it's as good as Clemson's. I'm really curious to see how Tommy calls the first series.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I can hope for Mac Jones and Devonta Smith having a very mild case of Covid hitting tomorrow, but still out for the game. ND squeaking out a win.

Then half of Clemson getting Covid the next week. Again squeaking out a victory and a Natty. Well we can all dream!!!!

First test results post Christmas for Bama are one coach (not a coordinator) and zero players.

 

[IrishLax]

First test results post Christmas for Bama are one coach (not a coordinator) and zero players.

Can this coach go hug a bunch of people real quick?

 

[T Town Tommy]

But it's the SEC!

Bama's defense is going to be better than most we faced, but I'm not sure it's as good as Clemson's. I'm really curious to see how Tommy calls the first series.

I think the Irish can move the ball on Bama. The big question is whether they can have TD success in the red zone. Bama gets stingy once you’re inside their 20 and the Irish have struggled a bit cashing in on TDS when they get there. To me, that may be the defining factor for the Irish offense. If you come away with three instead of seven more times than not, I am afraid it could be a long afternoon for the Irish.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Can this coach go hug a bunch of people real quick?

Ha. I believe that both teams will be staying in the same hotel so I will send him over to the Irish wing when everyone gets there.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

First test results post Christmas for Bama are one coach (not a coordinator) and zero players.

How’s your Covid bagman doing? Keeping them results negative?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Ha. I believe that both teams will be staying in the same hotel so I will send him over to the Irish wing when everyone gets there.

I can't even imagine the volume of the CFB Conspiracy crowd if Alabama had a COVID outbreak at that hotel and ND did not.

 

[NDohio]

I do wish they would get creative and hire a full-time recruiting coordinator under the guise of another role. There’s 300+ 4* prospects in a given year. I would think they would need at least one person who dissected all those players from high 4* to low 4* to find the best fits. Then you have thousands of 3* prospect to cull through to find the best fits & the diamonds in the rough.

Maybe they already have that covered or Polian does that but that’s a lot of in-depth research when you have a more narrow window to recruit through. We need a modern version of Vinny Cerrato driving around in a gold Corvette.

Isn't this basically what Bill Rees (AKA Tommy's dad) does?

 

[T Town Tommy]

How’s your Covid bagman doing? Keeping them results negative?

The cost of a negative test is starting to get out of hand. At some point I have to tell the “donors” they will need to wait till tv revenues come in to be paid further. I expect a little fallout but some have communicated they will increase their daily donation in remembrance of Bear Bryant... and an adjusted percentage of said revenues obviously.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I can't even imagine the volume of the CFB Conspiracy crowd if Alabama had a COVID outbreak at that hotel and ND did not.

That’s a 30 for 30 right there.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

The cost of a negative test is starting to get out of hand. At some point I have to tell the “donors” they will need to wait till tv revenues come in to be paid further. I expect a little fallout but some have communicated they will increase their daily donation in remembrance of Bear Bryant... and an adjusted percentage of said revenues obviously.

2020 is a bitch

 

[Old Man Mike]

Cost
Of
Victory
Is
Disease

 

[Bishop2b5]

Hasn't the CFP Committee said they'd postpone & reschedule a playoff game if one or both teams got hit pretty hard by Covid?

 

[IrishLax]

Hasn't the CFP Committee said they'd postpone & reschedule a playoff game if one or both teams got hit pretty hard by Covid?

Only one way to find out...

 

[Old Man Mike]

"Only if it is Notre Dame" would have been the narrative pre-1980s. Now the narrative would be "only if it is Ohio State."

 

[Irish#1]

I think the Irish can move the ball on Bama. The big question is whether they can have TD success in the red zone. Bama gets stingy once you’re inside their 20 and the Irish have struggled a bit cashing in on TDS when they get there. To me, that may be the defining factor for the Irish offense. If you come away with three instead of seven more times than not, I am afraid it could be a long afternoon for the Irish.

Just score from the 20 on out and problem solved!