Preseason predictions

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CoachB

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CoachB said:
Lets get the ball rolling to see what we think. I will start with week 1 vs. Texas A&M. The moment the over/under comes out, I suggest taking the under on this one. We all know how tough ND's defense is supposed to be. Morrison being healthy is crucial. I will be watching to see how ND's LB's hold up because their DL and secondary should be outstanding.

On the other side, Texas A&M could potentially have one of the best D lines that ND has played over the past three years. The ND tackle duo is going to be crucial if the Irish want to put some points on the board. With the crowd noise and the pressure, it will be tough for Denbrock to push the ball down the field like he wants to do. I wonder if the ND interior O will have success. The Aggie DL is more Ferrari than tank this season, so sometimes the best course of action is to run right at speed players. If ND can win the interior matchup, it would be huge, because the matchup on the edges, at this point, seems like a massive Aggie edge.
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This aged decently.
 
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CoachB

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CoachB said:
Week 1 (0-0) @ Texas A&M - Elko is a great coach. I have a lot of respect for him. I think this is going to be a tough game. ND punches one in midway through the 4th to pull away a bit. W 27-17

Week 2 (1-0) vs. Northern Illinois - Irish have a bit of a let down after their big week 1 win. Luckily NIU isn't good enough to take advantage. Irish are only up 13-7 at half. Pull away some in the second half. W 34-13

Week 3 (2-0) @ Purdue - This is going to be a bit trickier than people think. Ross-Ade Stadium has been famous for upsets from the home team. The Irish prove too good as JD Price runs for three scores. W 30-14

Week 4 (3-0) vs. Miami (OH) - Coach Martin has himself a nice team again. I think this game will be closer than people think also. ND is too talented in the long run. W 31-20

Week 5 (4-0) vs. Louisville - Obviously the Irish will have their minds on revenge. However, Coach Brohm has good things going down there in Cardinal country. I think Louisville makes it close, but the Irish kick a field goal late to ice it. W 20-10

Week 6 - The Irish go into their first bye week sitting at #6 in the country with a 5-0 record.

Week 7 (5-0) vs. Stanford - I do think Stanford is trending the right direction, but it will take a couple of years to get them to the level of beating ND. Always a game that makes me nervous. W 38-13

Week 8 (6-0) @ Georgia Tech - Many people look to this game as a game that might trip up the Irish. Not this time. W 34-13.

Week 9 (7-0) vs. Navy @ Metlife Stadium - The Irish will just look to make it out of the cut blocking game healthy. Successful in that regard. W 42-17.

Week 10 - The Irish go into their 2nd bye week sitting at 8-0 and #4 in the country. Huge game on the horizon, but have two weeks to prepare.

Week 11 (8-0) vs. Florida State. Game of the Century again? Not quite, but FSU rolls into South Bend unbeaten. They will be ranked #5, one spot behind the Irish. This game will receive a lot of hype, but it is a game that ND shows up big time in. They roll and send a statement. W 34-14

Week 12 (9-0) vs. Virginia. The Irish again start a little slow after a big win. However, they are too much for Virginia W 27-13.

Week 13 (10-0) vs. Army @ Yankee Stadium. Army plays a little keep away, but the Irish win fairly comfortably. 31-14.

Week 14 (11-0) @ USC. Some are calling this game as a W for USC. I think ND matches up well. W 35-24.

ND makes it through the regular season 12-0 with all games being decided by double digits. They stay at home to watch the conference championship games knowing they are locked in to the #5 seed in the playoffs.

Playoff week #1 (12-0) vs. #12 Seed Liberty. The Flames make the playoffs as the highest group of five. Their reward is to travel to South Bend in December against a rested and ready ND team. ND rolls W 49-13.

Playoff week 2 (13-0) vs. #4 seed Utah. There are a number of teams that could win the Big 12. However, it is likely they will be the #4 seed. Whittingham is a heck of a coach and Utah always plays tough in the postseason. This game will be a great game, but the Irish put one in late to hang on. W 28-17

Semi-finals (14-0) vs. #1 seed Georgia. ND comes in as a 6.5 point underdog to Georgia. ND shows up and battles the Bulldogs step for step. The game is tied 10-10 at half. Georgia gets a third quarter field goal to lead 13-10 going into the fourth. The Irish drive down and run some clock, scoring on a corner fade to Beaux Collins to lead 17-13 with 5:48 left. The Bulldogs start to put together a nice drive. They reach the ND 21 with 1:42 to go on the clock. 1st and 10. Everyone is on the edge of their seats. A quick out pass for seven yards and it is 2nd and 3 from the ND 14 with 1:36 left. Georgia needs a TD. They run off left tackle for a one yard gain. Clock is running. 3rd and 2 from the ND 13 with 1:05 left. Beck drops back, the WR runs a stop route at the front pylon. Beck fires for the winning score, but Ben Mo jumps the route. He picks it off at the goal line with a head of steam. Instead of hitting the ground, he sees green grass. He returns it 100 yards for the Irish as ND nation goes bananas. W 24-13.

Championship (15-0) vs. #2 seed Ohio State. The Irish move the ball on the ground pretty well all game long. Ohio State hangs around, but the offense isn't as good as it was last year. The OSU defense keeps it tight all game. OSU leads 14-10 with 2:30 left. ND has the ball on their own 37. The Irish hit a huge 28 yard gain over the middle to Mitchell Evans. They are able to drive down to the OSU 3 with 13 seconds left. It is 4th and Goal from the 3. They spread it out with Love in the slot and Price in the backfield with Riley. They run zone read...OSU's DE chases Price and Riley pulls to run off left tackle. He dives for the end zone on the season's last play. Extends the ball and six inches short of the goal line, fully extended...the ball is knocked from his hands. There is a wild scrum in the end zone for the fumble. The refs sort out the pile of bodies. Whoever recovers is the national champ. 30 excruciating seconds go by as bodies are pulled off the pile. At the bottom of the pile, clutching the ball with all of his might...#79! The ref raises both hands to the blue-gray sky. Touchdown, Tosh Baker!! No time left on the clock. Irish 16 OSU 14. The crowd floods the field as the Irish erupt in celebration. Unbeaten National Champs!!
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1 for 1. Let's go!!!
 
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