Bye Week Random Thoughts:
1.) Charlie Weis - He is not perfect by any stretch, but if not him then who is the answer. I find it funny how many of those HOT coaches tend to be a flash in the pan and then fizzle. Look at Tedford at Cal, Schianno at Rutgers or Holtz at ECU. Further, some coaches do well when they are the hunter, not the hunted. Trust me, at ND you are every opponents circle game of the year. We get the best shot from every single opponent. For instance, Kelly is doing great job at UC, but how would he handle a true weekly pressure cooker?
2.) ND Offense - When Floyd is healthy, is there a more potent trio than Floyd, Tate and Rudolph in college football? Think not. How nice is it to be able to run when the defense knows we will be running. ND is forming a USC like stable in the backfield.
3.) Injury Bug - This has been the most injury riddled season I can remember. Look at the big names. Bradford/OK, Tebow/UF, Floyd/ND, Barkley/USC, Taylor/USC, Clausen/ND.
4.) Defense - It cracks me up how the Tenuta love has become hatred. Truth is we are a youthful defense, especially in the front seven. I took the time this week to look at the defenses most of us would agree are the elite in college football, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, OSU, USC, Iowa. These are the ones that are most feared. Here is a common FACT among all of them. They start a minimum of 8 upper classmen. In two cases, they start 11 upper classmen. At ND we start 6 upper classmen.
5.) Depth/Competition - We are finally at a point that we have players fearful for their jobs in many positions. This will only get better as time goes on. This is what creates a sustainable program and prevents cycles. This is how USC reloads, not rebuilds.
6.) Schedules - ND got bashed in the preseason because our schedule looked so soft. Well, I believe when we finish the season and look back, it looks pretty solid. UM is definitely better than most thought. UW has already beaten USC. Stanford is playing solid. BC is winning more than expected. Pitt is solid. MSU will end up winning 7-8 games. Further, look at some other schedules of those in the Top 25 and you will laugh. PSU has played the ultimate patsies.
7.) NFL Draft - You may ask, what is he talking about the Draft for here? Well, with great players, comes painful losses after the Junior season. I fully expect Rudolph and Floyd to leave after next season. They will both be 1st round picks and make a ton of $$. If I were their parents, I would direct them to the NFL. They will still get their degrees, but they cannot afford to pass up the $$. We may even loss Jimmy after this season. If so, I wish him well. I believe these kids will make the decision that is best for them and their families.
8.) College Football - Is there a better sport on the planet?? NO WAY!!!!
1.) Charlie Weis - He is not perfect by any stretch, but if not him then who is the answer. I find it funny how many of those HOT coaches tend to be a flash in the pan and then fizzle. Look at Tedford at Cal, Schianno at Rutgers or Holtz at ECU. Further, some coaches do well when they are the hunter, not the hunted. Trust me, at ND you are every opponents circle game of the year. We get the best shot from every single opponent. For instance, Kelly is doing great job at UC, but how would he handle a true weekly pressure cooker?
2.) ND Offense - When Floyd is healthy, is there a more potent trio than Floyd, Tate and Rudolph in college football? Think not. How nice is it to be able to run when the defense knows we will be running. ND is forming a USC like stable in the backfield.
3.) Injury Bug - This has been the most injury riddled season I can remember. Look at the big names. Bradford/OK, Tebow/UF, Floyd/ND, Barkley/USC, Taylor/USC, Clausen/ND.
4.) Defense - It cracks me up how the Tenuta love has become hatred. Truth is we are a youthful defense, especially in the front seven. I took the time this week to look at the defenses most of us would agree are the elite in college football, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, OSU, USC, Iowa. These are the ones that are most feared. Here is a common FACT among all of them. They start a minimum of 8 upper classmen. In two cases, they start 11 upper classmen. At ND we start 6 upper classmen.
5.) Depth/Competition - We are finally at a point that we have players fearful for their jobs in many positions. This will only get better as time goes on. This is what creates a sustainable program and prevents cycles. This is how USC reloads, not rebuilds.
6.) Schedules - ND got bashed in the preseason because our schedule looked so soft. Well, I believe when we finish the season and look back, it looks pretty solid. UM is definitely better than most thought. UW has already beaten USC. Stanford is playing solid. BC is winning more than expected. Pitt is solid. MSU will end up winning 7-8 games. Further, look at some other schedules of those in the Top 25 and you will laugh. PSU has played the ultimate patsies.
7.) NFL Draft - You may ask, what is he talking about the Draft for here? Well, with great players, comes painful losses after the Junior season. I fully expect Rudolph and Floyd to leave after next season. They will both be 1st round picks and make a ton of $$. If I were their parents, I would direct them to the NFL. They will still get their degrees, but they cannot afford to pass up the $$. We may even loss Jimmy after this season. If so, I wish him well. I believe these kids will make the decision that is best for them and their families.
8.) College Football - Is there a better sport on the planet?? NO WAY!!!!
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