POLL: first 8 game. How do we do

[notredomer23]

I say we go 5-3, but possibly 6-2 . Dont call me a homer. I see potential in this team.

 

[NDfan70]

Ok, I'll bite. I hate to say this, with the current experience, I think we only go 4-4.
Tech - We win, close, but we win.
PSU - Revenge factor and returning exp in HV - PSU win
UM - Returning talent in the BH - another tough loss
MSU - We got them at home and they are down - ND all the way.
PU - 'nough said - ND
UCLA - unless a coaching meltdown by the 'Bruins, I think the up and comer get us in CA
BC - New coach / new system - ND again.
USC - To much talent to over come - USC

 

[GoshenGipper]

I went with 4-4 but I could see 5-3 as well.

 

[johnnd05]

4-4. We win one of GT/PSU, then MSU, PU, and BC. If we win out from there and put up decent games in those four predicted losses, I'll be happy.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

GT - Win
PSU -Win
UM - Lose
MSU - Win
PU - Win
UCLA -Win
BC -Win
USC Lose

6 & 2 is possible. I think ND will beat and upset a few teams with a much improved defensive scheme & a potent running game. Aldridge & Allen will be phenemonal. Mix in Hughes too.

 

[thinkirish]

I think a 7-1 start is quite possible. Yes, I am an optimist. I see good things happening.
A top coaching staff, talent sprinkled on both sides of the ball. Freshmen and limited playing time guys step up all the time. Call me a Gomer, but Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

 

[notredomer23]

thats the spirit

 

[IrishRamMan10]

i feel guilty at my 4-4.... this poll should be made after the GT game saying how we will do on games 2-8.... Becsuase right now it is hard to gauge anything.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I say we go 5-3, but possibly 6-2 . Dont call me a homer. I see potential in this team.

3-5, then 4-0.

 

[Weisnheimer]

Faith...

Faith...

I read the first pg of posts, and still went with 6-2. I'm not expecting it, but I'm going to be pleasantly surprised by it. I expect our losses to be from UM and UCLA. Yes, we beat sc, and I'll go with 30-29 as sc will be arrogant going for 4th downs in the first half (being a 21 point favorite) then playing from behind all game and going for 2's. We will get a score from our D and a score from Special Teams and 3 FG's.

HaHaHa Yea baby.

 

[big daddy]

Sounds good. I hope you're right. The Poodle must burn this year.

 

[goirish#1]

I think a 7-1 start is quite possible. Yes, I am an optimist. I see good things happening.
A top coaching staff, talent sprinkled on both sides of the ball. Freshmen and limited playing time guys step up all the time. Call me a Gomer, but Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

I think that you are right! The Irish will be better than most people think, but 6-2 is very possible if not 7-1.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think that you are right! The Irish will be better than most people think, but 6-2 is very possible if not 7-1.

I hope to God you are right...but I would not lay money on it.

 

[Bubba]

I went with 6-2. We win a couple we shouldn't. BC gives us a scare. The bandwagoners are out in force as we hit the easy part of our schedule and Mark May picks apart our easy schedule at the end of the year, forgetting that he said we had one of the toughest schedules before the season started.

 

[portlaNDgal]

I say NC or bust, since that is the goal of every season.

Realistically, probably 5-3.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I drink that Kool-Aid baby, 13-0!!!

I hope we don't come out flat vs. GT as we have in openers of recent memory...I want to kick off my lifetime season ticket package with some fireworks from our RB Wrecking Crew!

 

[johnnd05]

I drink that Kool-Aid baby, 13-0!!!

I hope we don't come out flat vs. GT as we have in openers of recent memory...I want to kick off my lifetime season ticket package with some fireworks from our RB Wrecking Crew!

You my friend are the luckiest man alive.

 

[Irishknight1023]

If we start anything lower than 4-4 I will be pissed off. 4-4 is the limit, anything better than that I will be doing backflips.

 

[MeanGreen]

I really think some teams might be "licking their chops" to much about getting revenge on us. GT, PSU, and UCLA might regret feeling the game is theirs. We go no worse then 2-1 on these three. Obviously Mich and USC scare me, but I think overconfidence could also kill Mich. Still I think 0-2 here. After that it's all wins. So I would have to say 5-3, but would not be surprised at 6-2. This team reminds of 87 and I think this is the foundation for at least 4 years of us just dominating the sport. Just as from 88 thur 93 we had the coaches and the players, I think we are starting to see a sequel to that, finally!!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I really think some teams might be "licking their chops" to much about getting revenge on us. GT, PSU, and UCLA might regret feeling the game is theirs. We go no worse then 2-1 on these three. Obviously Mich and USC scare me, but I think overconfidence could also kill Mich. Still I think 0-2 here. After that it's all wins. So I would have to say 5-3, but would not be surprised at 6-2. This team reminds of 87 and I think this is the foundation for at least 4 years of us just dominating the sport. Just as from 88 thur 93 we had the coaches and the players, I think we are starting to see a sequel to that, finally!!

PSU and UCLA will be better than last year...do not underestimate them.

Michigan will be overconfident...and pretty damn powerful too.

 

[MeanGreen]

PSU has lost some on the O-line and Def., but I agree they might be better than last year and I am not sure what UCLA lost. However, I think the coaches for these teams have to do a great job of keeping their players focused, because the players might view us as in a down year and an automatic win for them because they have us at home. More work for Dorrell then for JoePa, who should be able to avoid this. Only problem JoePa might have is the PSU students and fans pumping the players up too much. Living in PA, many of these people are counting on them giving us an butt kicking.
Michigan is going to be tough regardless of their talent level because they are the second road game in a row, game three of a rough opening month and as last year between PSU and MSU.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
I love everyone's optimism, but let's hope it does not turn into Charlie bashing when we do not achieve these 6-2 or 7-1 records you are talking about. REALITY, we will be 4-4 and possible 3-5 if we catch a couple bad breaks. Here are some facts. We have less returning starters than any of our opponents. We play way too many tough road games. We have lots of underclassmen playing in key roles. I will still enjoy watching these kids mature and grow. Further, 08 and 09 will be great seasons. Finally, I think Mark May is plane jealous of the ND tradition!!!! He can kiss my a%#

 

[johnnd05]

Guys,
I love everyone's optimism, but let's hope it does not turn into Charlie bashing when we do not achieve these 6-2 or 7-1 records you are talking about. REALITY, we will be 4-4 and possible 3-5 if we catch a couple bad breaks. Here are some facts. We have less returning starters than any of our opponents. We play way too many tough road games. We have lots of underclassmen playing in key roles. I will still enjoy watching these kids mature and grow. Further, 08 and 09 will be great seasons. Finally, I think Mark May is plane jealous of the ND tradition!!!! He can kiss my a%#

Everything you say is right except that we "WILL BE" 4-4 or 3-5, and that only if we "catch a couple bad breaks". Either of those records would be darn good considering our schedule and our youth. Do I think we'll win 3 or 4 of our first eight? Quite possibly. But will I regard the season as a failure if we don't? Not a chance. Anything that gets us in a bowl, however lowly, is a success by my lights, though to be honest I'll be mad if we can't friggin' WIN a bowl game this year.

 

[Easton Pa ND Fan]

6-2 at best...

6-2 at best...

Pencil USC and Michigan in the loss column. IF Penn St's
Morelli has a smooth game in their cupcake first opponent
it may be a long night for the Irish when they go to
happy valley.

If Notre Dame wins the opener, but Georgia Tech proves
mettlesome, expect the Irish to go 5-3 (with the Penn
St lions being the 3rd loss)...Tom

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Pencil USC and Michigan in the loss column. IF Penn St's
Morelli has a smooth game in their cupcake first opponent
it may be a long night for the Irish when they go to
happy valley.

If Notre Dame wins the opener, but Georgia Tech proves
mettlesome, expect the Irish to go 5-3 (with the Penn
St lions being the 3rd loss)...Tom

Not sure I understand the rationale on this one...last year Morelli had a smooth game against a cupcake opponent in the opener and Georgia Tech proved mettlesome to ND in Atlanta, and the outcome was a 24 point blowout over the Piddly Lions. Different team, yes, but same scenario.