Our Advantage

[Irish Jacky]

We've been criticized this year by some talking head fools for winning ugly and winning narrowly. Ironically, I think our close wins (Purdue, UM, BYU, Stanford, Pitt) will prove one of our biggest strengths against 'Bama. They had only two close games they won: LSU and GA. In fact, they didn't win them as much as the other team lost. In that regard they were like our Pitt game (and we only had one Pitt game; they had two).

Winning as we have in overtime and with goal line stands has built a confidence and a brotherhood on this ND team that few teams ever develop. I don't think 'Bama has developed this quality this year: winning has been relatively easy for them. This important intangible doesn't get built in the process of demolishing the likes of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Florida Atlantic Owls or Western Carolina Catamounts (who were beaten more like catamites 49-0 by the mighty 'Bama).

In short, I think we have more "character" than the Tide does. We will be the best defensive team they've played all year. We also have a much, much better offense now than we did during the first half of the year. Everett has developed and improved more than any of us could have imagined. I think he is a much better QB than their guy and he will prove one of the measures of our strength in this game.

I'm usually more cynical than optimistic, but not about this team and not about this game. We're going to be the 2012 CFB National Champions. It's '73 all over again!

It'll be close, but that's to our advantage.

GO IRISH! BEAT 'BAMA!

 

[TheChosen1]

Advantate? Is that Golden's cousin?

 

[Irish Jacky]

Thank you to whoever fixed my title typo! Bless you!

Thank you to whoever fixed my title typo! Bless you!

Whiskeyjack, you're a mensch!

 

[chicago51]

They say that ND doesn't have the experience in big games like Bama. I have to say I disagree and would actually say that Bama doesn't have the same experience in tight games.

Sure their QB and most their O and D-Line played big games over the past few years. That most of their skill players though did not start on last year's team. A. Cooper, and TJ Yeldon two key players where not even on the team last year. I would give ND the edge in the "clutch factor" because the battles they went through during the season.

 

[connor_in]

To pile onto IrishJacky's excellent post...

One item I think helps our team is that we have had to play hard into the fourth quarter of our games this year and often to the final gun and beyond. Alabama, with playing many of the teams on their schedule have gotten to coast in the fourth quarter and starters finish on the bench. While at the end of a season this can mean being more tired, the fact that the bowls are a month plus out wipes that out. Even if we are down going into the final quarter, our boys know that if we are close they have been there and done that and have the energy, strength, ability, and the confidence to play focused with all their might/heart and know they can go for the kill to win it all.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Bama came back on a last second play in a night game in Death Valley.

They also came back in the SEC championship on a last drive to win.

This isn't last year's Bama team. They have had to fight their way back in big games. Maybe not as many as we have, but they have.

 

[Junkhead]

I am ashamed, but my gut feeling is that we lose the NC game. Call it being a long term ND fan, but I am fighting through it. It comes from years of underperforming. Please, let me find the NC game Koolaid. I will, no doubt, be all in on ND, but even after this year, I still am waiting for reality to set it. Nevermind, I digress. And also, cheese is awesone. Especially if it is smoked cheese.

 

[Kak7304]

They say that ND doesn't have the experience in big games like Bama. I have to say I disagree and would actually say that Bama doesn't have the same experience in tight games.

Who needs tight game experience when they're going to beat us by 70?

 

[ACamp1900]

Who needs tight game experience when they're going to beat us by 70?

only accounting for when the starter's are in the game I see...

 

[Silverback]

Who needs tight game experience when they're going to beat us by 70?

Any BAMA fan that thinks that is a fool! This will be a hard fought game by the two highest rated teams in the NCAA. I said highest rated because I don't think they are the two best teams.

 

[Black Irish]

Any BAMA fan that thinks that is a fool! This will be a hard fought game by the two highest rated teams in the NCAA. I said highest rated because I don't think they are the two best teams.

That's right, Notre Dame's scout team is the second best team out there.

 

[BMT]

Let golson run pass option sprinkled with a little run, no turnovers, then I like NDs chances

 

[Irish#1]

I am ashamed, but my gut feeling is that we lose the NC game. Call it being a long term ND fan, but I am fighting through it. It comes from years of underperforming. Please, let me find the NC game Koolaid. I will, no doubt, be all in on ND, but even after this year, I still am waiting for reality to set it. Nevermind, I digress. And also, cheese is awesone. Especially if it is smoked cheese.

I wouldn't worry. I've said it many times on this forum and I'll say it again. This team has the "It" factor. Whatever it is that makes up the "It" factor, whether it be hard work, luck, unfailing determination or a special bond, this team has proven it has "It" over and over.

It takes an awful lot to beat a team when they have "It".