Path to the CFP?

[InKellyWeTrust]

Even of we win out there won't be a single top 25 win on the resume. That doesn't get 2021 ND in the playoffs. We basically have a mid major schedule this year.

 

[tko]

The powers that be will do everything to keep ND out this year because of how we're winning and the "eye test." We need to worry about UNC. I don't like the line being so low.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

2015 ND's team had a shot at getting in based on their "best win" being a close loss to Clemson. It became irrelevant when they lost to Stanford. But the path seems similar here. Win out and let the chips fall. I wouldn't slam the door on an 11-1 ND team and the CFP, but I do think it's highly unlikely. A lot has to happen.

I'd gladly take another appearance in the playoffs, but this team needs to make some significant strides on both sides of the ball to be considered a contender and not just a filler. Realistically, I think this team can get a solid NY6 bowl game matchup, and as long as it's not OSU, they have a solid chance of winning (which is something that hasn't happened in a long long time).

 

[ab2cmiller]

2015 ND's team had a shot at getting in based on their "best win" being a close loss to Clemson. It became irrelevant when they lost to Stanford. But the path seems similar here. Win out and let the chips fall. I wouldn't slam the door on an 11-1 ND team and the CFP, but I do think it's highly unlikely. A lot has to happen.

I'd gladly take another appearance in the playoffs, but this team needs to make some significant strides on both sides of the ball to be considered a contender and not just a filler. Realistically, I think this team can get a solid NY6 bowl game matchup, and as long as it's not OSU, they have a solid chance of winning (which is something that hasn't happened in a long long time).

2015 had a shot, because they were playing #9 Stanford on the road in the last game of the season. Win that game against a top 10 team combined with the close loss to #1 Clemson, you give yourself a fighting shot. There is no similar opportunity this year.

Edit:

We also beat Navy which was ranked 15th going into Stanford and Temple which was #25. Again, no similar items this year.

 

[Ndaccountant]

2015 ND's team had a shot at getting in based on their "best win" being a close loss to Clemson. It became irrelevant when they lost to Stanford. But the path seems similar here. Win out and let the chips fall. I wouldn't slam the door on an 11-1 ND team and the CFP, but I do think it's highly unlikely. A lot has to happen.

I'd gladly take another appearance in the playoffs, but this team needs to make some significant strides on both sides of the ball to be considered a contender and not just a filler. Realistically, I think this team can get a solid NY6 bowl game matchup, and as long as it's not OSU, they have a solid chance of winning (which is something that hasn't happened in a long long time).

My dream right now is to meet PITT in a NY6 game. It would literally make Narduzzi's head explode. It would be the sign that all the craziness in the world will start to subside in 2022. Perfect omen.

 

[NDohio]

It's an easy path and highly likely...

OSU loses to Penn State.
Michigan State loses to Ohio State and Michigan
Michigan loses to Ohio State and Penn State

They all have 2 losses...

Georgia loses to Florida and Alabama
Alabama loses to LSU in Ed O's last hurrah

Both have 2 losses...

Oklahoma loses to Iowa State and Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State loses in the Big 12 Championship Game

Both have 2 losses...

Oregon loses to Oregon State

Oregon has 2 losses...

ND is in!

 

[NDdomer2]

I believe I saw two bowl game projections: vs Pitt in Fiesta and vs Baylor in Cheez-It, formallly Camping Sports World

 

[Irishnuke]

You guys want to see us play Georgia? It would look a lot worse than the last playoff game. Is a 38-3 (or worse) loss better than a Fiesta bowl win?

 

[Rogue219]

OU might lose before Bedlam, but to say OSU beats OU "100%" is pretty bold. I'm not putting a mortgage payment on Oklahoma State beating anyone.

 

[IrishLax]

There is virtually no chance of ND making the playoffs because the schedule does not have any marquee games on it this year. A 2-loss conference champ will likely get in over ND, as will Cincinnati.

Basically, what we're headed towards is either:
1. Georgia or SEC Champ Bama
2. Whoever wins the Big Ten
3. Oklahoma
4. SEC Runner Up Georgia OR ACC Champ OR PAC12 Champ OR Cinci

A 1 loss ND is at best going to be ~8th in the pecking order. With total chaos, maybe 5th or 6th. But they have no ability to leapfrog Cinci.

 

[Irishize]

One loss trumps 2 losses on the resume. Bottom line. 11-1 and we are in. As ling as we keep winning this thread lives on! Gotta have something to live for right?

Question: if we lose another game so we abandon Coan and get Buchner the extra experience while also seeing what me missed out on by not starting him all along?

fan is short for fanatic. It’s natural to get caught up in the hype of a 6-1 team that just handled their rival in prime time. Problem is that most ND beat writers even have ND as a 10-2 team b/c they’re so unpredictable in every phase of the game. Granted, I heard Sampson & Fortuna agree that 11-1 is now more likely than 9-3 but they still land on 10-2 as the likely outcome.

There is yet to be an impressive win on this schedule and it looks like there won’t be even if ND wins out. It’s also likely they won’t even have a win over a team that finishes the season ranked. We all knew this would be a transition year but not to the extent it has been once it was clear the OL would have to really improve to reach average status. What saved ND’s season is their entire schedule sans Cincy also ended up worse than expected. FSU, Wisconsin, USC, UNC, Stanford & even Toledo were supposed to be more competitive than they are to date

 

[Irishize]

OU might lose before Bedlam, but to say OSU beats OU "100%" is pretty bold. I'm not putting a mortgage payment on Oklahoma State beating anyone.

I give ISU a better shot at beating Okie St. Clones have been a thorn in the side to OU since Campbell has been there.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

2015 had a shot, because they were playing #9 Stanford on the road in the last game of the season. Win that game against a top 10 team combined with the close loss to #1 Clemson, you give yourself a fighting shot. There is no similar opportunity this year.

Edit:

We also beat Navy which was ranked 15th going into Stanford and Temple which was #25. Again, no similar items this year.

Fair point. I was going off memory and didn't realize Stanford or Navy were ranked that year.

ND against anyone but OSU in a bowl game this year will okay with me. Win and carry momentum into 2022.

 

[IrishLax]

Fair point. I was going off memory and didn't realize Stanford or Navy were ranked that year.

ND against anyone but OSU in a bowl game this year will okay with me. Win and carry momentum into 2022.

Basically where I'm at. Would love to get an ACC champ or a Big 12/Big Ten team in a bowl game. The #1 thing I don't want is a 2-loss Bama in a bowl game.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Basically where I'm at. Would love to get an ACC champ or a Big 12/Big Ten team in a bowl game. The #1 thing I don't want is a 2-loss Bama in a bowl game.

Correct.

Random question: What will be the status of some of the hurt players and their bowl eligibility? Marist, for example.

I think this ND looks a lot different 8 weeks from now if they continue progressing on the OL, the QB situation gets sorted out, and we get some guys back. We're already seeing some freshmen contributors make an impact and they should only get better as the season goes on. I don't want Bama either, but this team, if it continues to get better offensively should be able to run with any other non-Bama/non-CFP team come January. Yes?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Correct.

Random question: What will be the status of some of the hurt players and their bowl eligibility? Marist, for example (I don't think I've read how long he'd be out besides "the season" He was injured this summer, he'd be what, 6 months out? Was his time table much longer?).

I think this ND looks a lot different 8 weeks from now if they continue progressing on the OL, the QB situation gets sorted out, and we get some guys back. We're already seeing some freshmen contributors make an impact and they should only get better as the season goes on. I don't want Bama either, but this team, if it continues to get better offensively should be able to run with any other non-Bama/non-CFP team come January. Yes?

 

[GowerND11]

I really wouldn't mind playing the Fiesta Bowl/Peach Bowl against Wake or Pitt...

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

If we get Bama in a new year's 6 I will lose my mind.

 

[ND88]

Gimme a CFP appearance no matter the result over a NY6 win 24/7, 365.

ND won’t get in this year due to a poor schedule, but you are 100% right.

 

[ND88]

You guys want to see us play Georgia? It would look a lot worse than the last playoff game. Is a 38-3 (or worse) loss better than a Fiesta bowl win?

I think it’s more about the opportunity to compete on the highest stage. If the opportunity arises, it’s still valuable experience for the program. I understand your perspective though. Like another poster said, I’d like to see us play Cincy again as a 2/4, but this is not likely to happen. We aren’t making the playoffs this year.

 

[ND88]

There is virtually no chance of ND making the playoffs because the schedule does not have any marquee games on it this year. A 2-loss conference champ will likely get in over ND, as will Cincinnati.

Basically, what we're headed towards is either:
1. Georgia or SEC Champ Bama
2. Whoever wins the Big Ten
3. Oklahoma
4. SEC Runner Up Georgia OR ACC Champ OR PAC12 Champ OR Cinci

A 1 loss ND is at best going to be ~8th in the pecking order. With total chaos, maybe 5th or 6th. But they have no ability to leapfrog Cinci.

Oregon is fraudulent. Oklahoma is fraudulent. It will be Alabama, Cinci, Ohio State, Georgia.

 

[Irish4life]

Oregon is fraudulent. Oklahoma is fraudulent. It will be Alabama, Cinci, Ohio State, Georgia.

Best thing ND can do is dominate the competition the rest of the way, and let the chips fall where they may. And hey, if both Bama and UGA have a loss going into the SECCG (and/or Ole Miss to the SECCG) you never know right?

 

[Dale]

Oregon is fraudulent. Oklahoma is fraudulent. It will be Alabama, Cinci, Ohio State, Georgia.

Eh. UC is fraudulent. OSU is fraudulent. At some point everyone has shown significant weaknesses besides Georgia so far.

 

[GATTACA!]

Oregon is fraudulent. Oklahoma is fraudulent. It will be Alabama, Cinci, Ohio State, Georgia.

UC are frauds. If we played them 10 times we win 7-8/10.

We played the worst game of our season. Had how many unforced errors? Had an oline that had no idea what they were doing. Yet still made a game of it.

The team that beat SC Saturday beats Cincy easily. As do the rest of the top 10.

 

[BeatSC]

Eh. UC is fraudulent. OSU is fraudulent. At some point everyone has shown significant weaknesses besides Georgia so far.

GA beat a shitty Clemson team with an even shittier offense so not sure how awesome Georgia is.

 

[Dale]

GA beat a shitty Clemson team with an even shittier offense so not sure how awesome Georgia is.

They’re pretty awesome haha

 

[GATTACA!]

GA beat a shitty Clemson team with an even shittier offense so not sure how awesome Georgia is.

Georgia is the only team in the country that hasn't given up 100 points against yet. So far they've given up 47.

They're legit.

 

[GowerND11]

GA beat a shitty Clemson team with an even shittier offense so not sure how awesome Georgia is.

Only team in the nation to not give up 100 points for the ENTIRE season... and the have given up 46. They are averaging over 38 ppg. I'd say they are pretty freaking good.

 

[Rogue219]

Clemson
UAB
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Auburn
Kentucky

That's Georgia's slate so far.

Florida
Missouri
Tennessee
Charleston Southern
Georgia Tech

That's who they have left.

This is not an inspiring schedule but they're dominating it as they should.

 

[dublinirish]

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf...&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=BrettMcMurphy

Peach Bowl versus Pitt lol