Playoff Picture

[NDRock]

why is it that OSU, Bama, and Clemson's WRs are sooooo wide open.

i know FL's D isn't great, but Bama and Florida WRs seem to be running open at times.

They’re not big, tall, white transfers from Northwestern. Also, their QBs are all 6’3”+ that actually throw the ball.

 

[Riddickulous]

why is it that OSU, Bama, and Clemson's WRs are sooooo wide open.

i know FL's D isn't great, but Bama and Florida WRs seem to be running open at times.

They all have lightning fast 1st-2nd round NFL talents and we have a corps of UDFAs.

 

[irishff1014]

Need Alabama to boat race Florida...a close game and Texas A&M for sure gets in...but call me crazy, mac Jones isn't a threat with his legs so the option game that gashed us today isn't an issue. We lose to Bama but I don't think it would be by any more than what happened today.

Alabama’s WR would smoke our Db’s like no tomorrow.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

My word...some of you guys are so scared.
ND vs Texas A&M should come down to three things.
1. Best Wins which are ND with Clemson and UNC.
2. How you lost... Both teams got beat soundly by playoffs teams.
3. Texas A&M already played Alabama and was beat soundly. Therefore, nobody needs to see a repeat of that matchup.
What is the point of all of us spending a good amount of our personal time following this program if we do not want to see how they stack up vs the best of the best on a neutral field. Some of you would rather see them play a meaningless bowl game vs Florida or insert (random top 10 team here). Come on guys. Have some fu$king guts.
Alabama is a great team, I’d like to see our boys try to take down Goliath rather then play in some worthless bowl game.

 

[phork]

Due to IowaSts loss we are in because our loss was better than A&Ms loss.

We should sincerely not take a playoff invite.

 

[phork]

My word...some of you guys are so scared.
ND vs Texas A&M should come down to three things.
1. Best Wins which are ND with Clemson and UNC.
2. How you lost... Both teams got beat soundly by playoffs teams.
3. Texas A&M already played Alabama and was beat soundly. Therefore, nobody needs to see a repeat of that matchup.
What is the point of all of us spending a good amount of our personal time following this program if we do not want to see how they stack up vs the best of the best on a neutral field. Some of you would rather see them play a meaningless bowl game vs Florida or insert (random top 10 team here). Come on guys. Have some fu$king guts.
Alabama is a great team, I’d like to see our boys try to take down Goliath rather then play in some worthless bowl game.

Lol. The only way the score is close with Bama is a 28-0 2nd quarter lead that let's Saban empty the bench while resting for the championship. Playing and beating Florida in the Orange bowl is a much better outcome.

 

[NDRock]

They all have lightning fast 1st-2nd round NFL talents and we have a corps of UDFAs.

In truth, we’ll never have that and that’s ok. Our offense needs to be built around physicality and the elite talent we do get OL, TE, running game. We do need very good to elite QB play to compete and we just haven’t had that.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

At this point, I don’t want in.

Unfortunately I still don’t see the committee leaving us out, which means a potential all time beat down against Bama. ND and A&M both will have the bad loss vs a top 2 team, except we also have a win against them too. Reasonably, recency bias is the only argument they will have on us.

If we don’t make it, what are we looking at? Orange Bowl against Florida?

This is the worst part of today. ND at 4, getting slaughtered by Bama, ending the season with 2 bad losses, and the whole country looks at ND the way they do Michigan.

 

[NDRock]

My word...some of you guys are so scared.
ND vs Texas A&M should come down to three things.
1. Best Wins which are ND with Clemson and UNC.
2. How you lost... Both teams got beat soundly by playoffs teams.
3. Texas A&M already played Alabama and was beat soundly. Therefore, nobody needs to see a repeat of that matchup.
What is the point of all of us spending a good amount of our personal time following this program if we do not want to see how they stack up vs the best of the best on a neutral field. Some of you would rather see them play a meaningless bowl game vs Florida or insert (random top 10 team here). Come on guys. Have some fu$king guts.
Alabama is a great team, I’d like to see our boys try to take down Goliath rather then play in some worthless bowl game.

That all sounds good but ND competes in college football where recruiting is vital. We are also some elite players away from having a chance to compete against “Goliath”. It’s a lot easier to sell kids on your program when you actually win a major bowl than when you get embarrassed in the playoffs. We have an almost zero percent chan e of beating Bama right now. I’d rather end with a win over an SEC team in the Orange bowl. I think it’s better for the long term health of the program. I may be wrong.

 

[notredomer23]

I just can’t fathom how expanding the playoff is even up for debate. It’s Alabama, Clemson, and then everybody else. OSU, ND, and a few other teams will constantly lurk in the top 4 with one of them occasionally having an all world player that can take them over the top (think Burrow last year). 4 is more than enough as long as Bama and Clemson reign

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Lol. The only way the score is close with Bama is a 28-0 2nd quarter lead that let's Saban empty the bench while resting for the championship. Playing and beating Florida in the Orange bowl is a much better outcome.

Must be fun to live life like this....
Playing in a meaningless bowl game is never the better outcome.
The more experience our kids can get on the big stage, the better our program will be for fit.
Lastly, it is not easy for our Program to make the playoffs because of our independent nature. The idea that some of our fans want to just throw the towel in on the season when we could possibly be two wins away from a National title is just absurd. We may never get this chance again for a decade, none of us know what the future holds for this program.

Any time we have a chance to play for the big one, we need to try and take it.

 

[NDRock]

I just can’t fathom how expanding the playoff is even up for debate. It’s Alabama, Clemson, and then everybody else. OSU, ND, and a few other teams will constantly lurk in the top 4 with one of them occasionally having an all world player that can take them over the top (think Burrow last year). 4 is more than enough as long as Bama and Clemson reign

For me it’s the whole committee thing. In my perfect world the Power 5 goes on it’s own (not like the other teams ever get in anyway). Something like four 16 team conferences with two divisions. Play everyone in your own division. Winners of each division play in the conference championship game. That’s your final four. Everything decided on the field and I don’t ever have to hear the phrase “eye test” again.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

That all sounds good but ND competes in college football where recruiting is vital. We are also some elite players away from having a chance to compete against “Goliath”. It’s a lot easier to sell kids on your program when you actually win a major bowl than when you get embarrassed in the playoffs. We have an almost zero percent chan e of beating Bama right now. I’d rather end with a win over an SEC team in the Orange bowl. I think it’s better for the long term health of the program. I may be wrong.

We just beat Clemson this season!
Seriously, this is bordering on insane.

Can you please tell me who played in the New Years six bowl games two years ago, or even last season? Those games have become meaningless. Anytime this program has a chance to play in the playoff we need to take it!
Do you think Oklahoma's recruiting has been negatively effected by getting blown out in the college football playoff the last few years?

Come on guys...this team could be two games away from a National title. I'd rather take that chance 100 times out a of 100 rather then playing Oklahoma in a meaningless bowl game. Have some heart.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I just can’t fathom how expanding the playoff is even up for debate. It’s Alabama, Clemson, and then everybody else. OSU, ND, and a few other teams will constantly lurk in the top 4 with one of them occasionally having an all world player that can take them over the top (think Burrow last year). 4 is more than enough as long as Bama and Clemson reign

People who cry for an 8 team playoff are crybaby socialists. Most of the semifinal games in the top 4 have been blowouts, which tells us we don't need 8 teams. It tells us some years we don't even need 4. Trust your eyes, fellas.

They also fail to realize that if you expand to 8, 9-12 will then be crying "no fair" when they get excluded. And there will be no reason for a regular season, which is the best part of college football.

Friggin jackasses...college football has never been better, ratings have never been higher, and they think a first round game featuring Bama vs Coastal Carolina will make the product better. Absolutely moronic.

 

[NDRock]

We just beat Clemson this season!
Seriously, this is bordering on insane.

Can you please tell me who played in the New Years six bowl games two years ago, or even last season? Those games have become meaningless. Anytime this program has a chance to play in the playoff we need to take it!
Do you think Oklahoma's recruiting has been negatively effected by getting blown out in the college football playoff the last few years?

Come on guys...this team could be two games away from a National title. I'd rather take that chance 100 times out a of 100 rather then playing Oklahoma in a meaningless bowl game. Have some heart.

Oklahoma lost by 6 to Georgia and 11 to Bama. Then last year got beat badly by LSU. I wouldn’t be surprised if their defensive recruiting wasn’t affected somewhat. I do know that they keep getting stud QBs to come there because they have proven they can make you a star. So, results matter.

I understand your point just don’t think we have any chance to keep it close against Bama so finishing with a win is better than getting crushed.

 

[NDRock]

People who cry for an 8 team playoff are crybaby socialists. Most of the semifinal games in the top 4 have been blowouts, which tells us we don't need 8 teams. It tells us some years we don't even need 4. Trust your eyes, fellas.

They also fail to realize that if you expand to 8, 9-12 will then be crying "no fair" when they get excluded. And there will be no reason for a regular season, which is the best part of college football.

Friggin jackasses...college football has never been better, ratings have never been higher, and they think a first round game featuring Bama vs Coastal Carolina will make the product better. Absolutely moronic.

That’s why you make it decided on the field like a true capitalist and not leave it to “the courts” (committee) like some crybaby politician who lost an election. #America

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I hope they don't drop lower than three and we get a third Clemson game.

They have to get Lenzy and one of the younger speed guys on the field to stop Clemson from crashing the box. We can beat them again.

 

[NCND]

My word...some of you guys are so scared.
ND vs Texas A&M should come down to three things.
1. Best Wins which are ND with Clemson and UNC.
2. How you lost... Both teams got beat soundly by playoffs teams.
3. Texas A&M already played Alabama and was beat soundly. Therefore, nobody needs to see a repeat of that matchup.
What is the point of all of us spending a good amount of our personal time following this program if we do not want to see how they stack up vs the best of the best on a neutral field. Some of you would rather see them play a meaningless bowl game vs Florida or insert (random top 10 team here). Come on guys. Have some fu$king guts.
Alabama is a great team, I’d like to see our boys try to take down Goliath rather then play in some worthless bowl game.

I’ve never understood the “meaningless bowl game” bullshit. If you line up and play, it’s meaningful.

 

[notredomer23]

I’ve never understood the “meaningless bowl game” bullshit. If you line up and play, it’s meaningful.

I’d rather go to the playoff, very well knowing they may get blown out, than go to NY6 Bowl and win. The goal is a national title. Even if highly unlikely, you always go for the NC.

 

[NCND]

I’d rather go to the playoff, very well knowing they may get blown out, than go to NY6 Bowl and win. The goal is a national title. Even if highly unlikely, you always go for the NC.

Of course you go for a National Championship. Duh. Doesn’t make any other bowl you go to meaningless though.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Oklahoma lost by 6 to Georgia and 11 to Bama. Then last year got beat badly by LSU. I wouldn’t be surprised if their defensive recruiting wasn’t affected somewhat. I do know that they keep getting stud QBs to come there because they have proven they can make you a star. So, results matter.

I understand your point just don’t think we have any chance to keep it close against Bama so finishing with a win is better than getting crushed.

They lost to Alabama by 11 after being down 21 in the first quarter, and everyone knowing the game was over after 15 mins. Also, they had the (247 rated) 12th class last year in recruiting , and 9th class this year. Therefore, I think it is safe to say the blowout loss to LSU did not negatively effect them all that much. I think kids like playing for a perennial top ten program which is on national television multiple times a year. Being in the playoffs twice in three years can only be seen as a positive in my opinion.

Lastly, in a year like this...Alabama could be missing 5+ starters because of COVID (I.E. OSU today vs NW)... so once again I'd rather take my chances vs a great team in the playoffs then play a meaningless game vs (insert top 10 2-3 loss Power five conf team here).

 

[Irishman77]

Average 40 time for McKinley and Bennett? 4.7 on pro day?

They are never going to be wide open against good teams. Gotta give them a chance with 50/50 balls and let their physicality win or a draw PI’s!

Book sucked again

 

[notredomer23]

Of course you go for a National Championship. Duh. Doesn’t make any other bowl you go to meaningless though.

You say duh, and maybe most ND fans by noon tomorrow will feel the same. But a more than common sentiment has been hoping they go to the NY6.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I’ve never understood the “meaningless bowl game” bullshit. If you line up and play, it’s meaningful.

Sorry to break this to you man....but the college football playoffs has made all other "major" bowl games meaningless.

Just look at the Georgia vs Baylor Sugar Bowl last year for proof. Georgia had like five plus starters opt out for the NFL draft.

I could care less if we beat Oklahoma this year in the Fiesta Bowl. I follow Notre Dame football to watch them compete for National championships, regardless of how unlikely that feels after a loss like today.

 

[Irishnuke]

Bama is going to curb stomp the shit out of us.

 

[SaltyND24]

You're crazy.

I know it's crazy, but all I was getting at was the chunk plays/scores they got as a result of the read option play...our secondary against any of the top 3 teams is an issue, but you at least don't have to scheme against the read option which opened up everything tonight...The plays Lawrence made to escape sacks and get 3-4yds would likely not be an issue against Mac Jones...Of course if we can't get to Jones, we'd get lit up...

 

[Bluto]

Jebus. Bama is going to crush every team they play in the playoffs.

 

[Bluto]

Bama is going to curb stomp the shit out of everyone.

Fixed it.

 

[NDRock]

Jebus. Bama is going to crush every team they play in the playoffs.

Yeah, scored a TD every drive. UF picked off Jones and then fumbled it back to them on the return.

 

[NCND]

Sorry to break this to you man....but the college football playoffs has made all other "major" bowl games meaningless.

Just look at the Georgia vs Baylor Sugar Bowl last year for proof. Georgia had like five plus starters opt out for the NFL draft.

I could care less if we beat Oklahoma this year in the Fiesta Bowl. I follow Notre Dame football to watch them compete for National championships, regardless of how unlikely that feels after a loss like today.

Explain for me, meaningless to who?