Prediction time

[lattedatte]

Well we now have a good feel for what all the pundits are saying, how practice is going and how our opponents look. What is everyone's prediction on the season? If you pick us to lose any games please name the team. And what bowl do you think we will be in. I think it will be fun to see how close we all get.

My prediction:

11-1, lose to Michigan. BCS title game vs. Florida St.

 

[nayers]

FSU??? umm maybe im the only one here, but there is no way i can see FSU in the title ga,e

 

[Dannyboy Ayers]

I think if we do lose any games it might be a team like UCLA in a close one. 11-1, playing in the national title game against Auburn or West Virginia.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

It'll be a lot easier to make this prediction after we've played our first game.

But, in the spirit of the thread, I'm going to say we go undefeated and beat West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

But I also think everyone is making a mistake in automatically assuming that the two teams playing in Tempe will be undefeated.

13-0

 

[solo]

10-2. I feel that Michigan is going to beat us this year. After that, the other loss will either be Sparty, USC, or Penn St.

 

[A2McGowan]

One of these first four games is going to be decided by the kicking game.......that is what scares me here. Backup QB and the kicking game are the glaring weaknesses. As for Michigan, they gave no effort last year. This year, with new coaches and attitude........loooook out. It's gonna be an epic battle.

 

[marv81s]

I hate to say it, but I think we'll be 10-3, losses to Michigan, USC and the bowl losing streak continues with a loss in the Sugar Bowl to, ready for this one, Louisville.

 

[lattedatte]

One of these first four games is going to be decided by the kicking game.......that is what scares me here. Backup QB and the kicking game are the glaring weaknesses. As for Michigan, they gave no effort last year. This year, with new coaches and attitude........loooook out. It's gonna be an epic battle.

Couldn't agree more with the kicking game aspect and Michigan comment, they will be hungry!!!

 

[ND Lifer]

With our unknown quantity and quality at linebacker and kicker, it's a crapshoot what our record will be. The best is obviously "0" losses and the worst I see is 3 losses. My guess is 1 loss and it will be to either Michigan, Penn State or USC. However, we will NOT lose to MSU this year. This is the year we bury them and, even though Weis doesn't run up scores, he will make an exception for this game. He will remember the "flag planting escapade" and MSU will pay dearly for that. I see ND in the NC game against either Ohio State, Auburn or Florida. Hope it's Florida and we hang a big loss on old Urbie!!!

 

[scooper]

I know we have questions. Big ones, but every team in the top 10 either has major questions for has to replace some seriously key ingredients to last year's success. It's way too up in the air this year.

I could see 10-3. I can honestly make a case for 13-0. I suspect some of the 2 and 3 loss predictions are people trying not to get their hopes up.

I know this, with a first year staff, the difference in play between 04 and 05 was greater than night and day. We now have a senior laden team, with double digit future pros. They will have had another offseason under this staff and this offseason was no longer a getting to know you/installation year. It was a get better and gear up for a title run year. I think we'll see more improvement. Anything close to last year's improvement would make for a great team.

The experience and leadership will be the highest of any Irish team since the early 90's. So will be the expectations.

I look at this schedule and I see 5 or 6 teams that COULD beat the Irish. But I also see nobody that the Irish CAN'T beat. We'll face some better defenses and some explosive offenses. But we hold a few key advantages over every team we play:
-No team on our schedule has a better QB. It's not even close.
-No team will have a better or more experienced offensive line.
-The top two 05 offenses among the opponents replace some very important parts (USC & UCLA)
-Llllloyd still coaches Michigan
-Only two tough road games.
-I wouldn't trade our staff en masse for any on the schedule. Nobody on the schedule calls a better offensive game than Charlie.

I'll go out on a limb and say I expect to go 13-0. I don't know and don't care which team becomes that 13th notch.

 

[jiggafini19]

You're setting yourself up to be fickle if you think this team will go 13-0. That September schedule doesn't have any I-AA or MAC teams on it.

 

[rontdtarchala]

Undefeated....period! Don't care who we play

 

[scooper]

You're setting yourself up to be fickle if you think this team will go 13-0. That September schedule doesn't have any I-AA or MAC teams on it.

There are no guarantees, of course. And yes, the schedule is tough. But I don't see any games that taken one at a time can't be won. Take a look at the final rankings from 1988. Look at the teams that the Irish beat. These are the final rankings:

2. Miami
4. Michigan
5. WVU
7. USC
Granted, of the rest of the schedule, only Michigan St. had a winning record, with Pitt going .500, but three top 5 teams with another top 10 is no easy task.

And I'm not being fickle. 12-1 or 11-2 would still be a fun season. But this is no time to be timid. This is probably the best chance for a title for a few years. And the schedule will always be tough for ND.

 

[lattedatte]

Let's not criticize anybody's picks. It's just for fun and to see at the end of the year who is the "master" prognosticator.

 

[Domer95]

Barring injuries and a flukey play (see Leinart's fumble) AND provided we get past scUM, 12-0 and in the NC game vs.....tOSU.

CW is downright GIDDY over the D and if CW is giddy, I'm not betting against him.

 

[jiggafini19]

Barring injuries and a flukey play (see Leinart's fumble) AND provided we get past scUM

Luck plays a huge part of all of this. Expecting this team to go 13-0 is on the backburner of my football brain. If they go 12-1 or 10-2, do the fireweis.com's start to go up?

There isn't a team in America I see going unbeaten this year, Notre Dame included. Too many unknowns for everyone. Pretty even field compared to what we've seen in recent years. In fact, there could be a handful of teams with 1 loss all deserving of the title game and only two can go. I actually hope for this so that the BCS will finally explode and shit all over itself.

I agree with Oglaigh. The first game should give us a lot more information. Without having played a game this year, it is hard for me to pick Notre Dame to go 13-0.

 

[lattedatte]

Luck plays a huge part of all of this.
There isn't a team in America I see going unbeaten this year, Notre Dame included. Too many unknowns for everyone. Pretty even field compared to what we've seen in recent years.

I agree with Oglaigh. The first game should give us a lot more information. Without having played a game this year, it is hard for me to pick Notre Dame to go 13-0.

you must be in risk management jigga, you could just take a guess..... I promise I won't make you sign your house away if you are wrong, it's all just for fun bud. However, if you feel it is unlucky to predict and you will jinx us if you do, please do not pick, I'm superstitious and don't want to be the reason we don't go to the nc.

 

[CharlotteND]

Did anyone else hear that Beano Cook predicted an ND win vs. Auburn in the title game. That's good news because he's apparently correctly picked 1 of the title teams during the preseason for 5 straight years. (picked Texas over Michigan last year) I know he's pro-ND but it was cool to hear.

anyway, I say we lose 1 in September and go 12-1.

 

[jiggafini19]

you must be in risk management jigga, you could just take a guess..... I promise I won't make you sign your house away if you wrong, it's all just for fun bud. However, if you feel it is unlucky to predict and you will jinx us if you do, please do not pick, I'm superstitious and don't want to the reason we don't go to the nc.

No, preseason predictions just don't interest me. I'm patient enough to see what actually happens. Last year they were supposed to start 0-6 according to some people. This year, it could be 6-0.

Crapshoot.

Vegas is usually pretty good with preseason odds. ND is right there. I think that is a good sign.

I have no doubt they'll compete in every game.

 

[scooper]

If they go 12-1 or 10-2, do the fireweis.com's start to go up?

If they do, we hunt those people down and pull out their fingernails with rusty pliers.

 

[jiggafini19]

If they do, we hunt those people down and pull out their fingernails with rusty pliers.

Agreed.

That's why I'm staying level headed on all of this. I like that these publications and individuals are thinking highly of ND. Now all they have to do is make it happen on the field. They will compete and have an opportunity to win in every game they play. I hardly see any blowout losses and embarrassing defeats.

I'll always wear the colors and fly the flag, but I'm not getting too chesty when I haven't seen a bowl game victory since I was in high school.

This team, should win at least 10 games as I see it now. Should they defeat all of September, they should be on cruise control until Los Angeles.

 

[Irish Legend]

13 - 0, National Championship game against Ohio State or Texas.

 

[Dannyboy Ayers]

like i said if they do lose any i think it will only be one and by a feild goal or less the kicking game is scary. Last year I was at the Stanford game and when Fitzpatrick got hurt we couldn't make a PAT. they even went for two one time becuase of the lack of confidence in the kicking game. I hope the offseason and training have changed that. watch out for UCLA they are a team that is on the move and can be underestimated. they have a chance at doing some good things this year.

 

[guff]

I love making predictions. Last year I predicted an 10-1 season and a BCS berth. That son of bitch Sparty ruined it on me.

This year I say they will be 12-0 and in the national title game. Here it is game by game.

Ga Tech: ND is 10 points better than them maybe even 14. This one isn't even close - think last year's Pitt game.

PSU: Much hyped, can't get a hotel room without selling your soul can't get a ticket without selling you kid's soul. ND is 10 points better than them too. PSU has a new O Line and D Line they won't be ready for ND.

Michigan: The Michigan game scares only because it follows the PSU game. There is the possibility of a mental collapse. Thankfully it's Michigan and the rivalry aspect of that game will keep ND players heads screwed on straight. Michigan will be ND's closest game.

MSU: It's payback time Sparty. How many times do you think the ND players will have to watch the "flag planting"? John L. better start filling out McDonald's applications because after the ass beating ND lays on his team in E. Lansing he will be looking for another line of work.

Purdue: Brock Spack is still hasn't figured out what happened last year. He won't figure out what happens this year either.

Stanford: Not nearly as close as last year. I hope I can get tickets to this one. (Note: If I'm in the stands that's bad. I'm a harbinger of losses.)

UCLA: The other LA team loses as CW uses the two week layoff to rest and scheme.

Navy, Air Force, Army: I respect these guys a ton. They are all great men but they are only average football players. They lose the game but they aren't losers.

North Carolina: This ain't basketball.

USC: It late in the season so USC will have time to gel but it still isn't enough. This team can't recover from the losses of Leinart and Bush. John David Booty doesn't scare me - no one with two first names does. You're either John or David pick one. You can't be John David and play football. Fashion designer, interior decorator, Broadway producer, maybe. Football player no way.

Coaching and seniors win college football games. This team has both. In February after signing day has past we will be debating whether or not this was ND's best single season.

 

[jiggafini19]

Awesome post, Guff.

Sanchez will be SC's starter by the time ND rolls into town.

 

[lattedatte]

well done guff, rep point...

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

good post guff,
I'm saying 13-0,but also know that is a tall order...but it can also be a reality this year.

I don't feel any of the coaching staff is bluffinf by saying we are going to see a different defense then last year.

What ever happens,I'm not going to even think or talk about michigan until that saturday evening AFTER the game.I will be focusing on notre dame and a win...

 

[scooper]

I'm renaming my son, guff. Good post.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I'm changing my name to Guff. j/k.

ND goes 13-0 and beats West Virginia in a blow out. Gotta stay positive right?

 

[A2McGowan]

" John or David pick one" Great post......I'm still laughing.