Sep 4 | Texas

[BobbyMac]

Then what does it say when a large part of the media, who watch more ND film than most of the coaches who won't play us this year do, picks us to lose to an unranked Texas team?

Get out of here. Media guys are guys who flunked out of youth soccer. They don't know sh!t except the group think click bait trends. I've talked to Mark May enough to know the value of talking head opinions on the infotainment channels.

ND will be the only team in Austin that can beat ND this Sunday.

 

[wizards8507]

ND will be the only team in Austin that can beat ND this Sunday.

Yeah? We do that all the time.

 

[gkIrish]

I worry that this game is similar to ND/Oklahoma part II. We beat the hell out of them in game 1 but regressed a bit since then. Texas played better after we beat the hell out of them and now they are seeking revenge. Most people thought we would beat Oklahoma again, using the "we beat them last year" reasoning that I don't think holds that much weight in college football.

My brain says ND should win by 10+ but my gut is not feeling well right now.

 

[IrishBroker]

Over the last 6 yrs, of those teams ranked preseason #10...4 finished the year at 10, one at 14, and one at 7.

So based on history, we're looking at finishing around #10. If you truly buy into the preseason polls. Hope that's you're expectation. LOL

And I actually agree with you that Texas is the "I told you so" pick for sportswriters and experts.

Look, I'm not saying Texas is going to win.

 

[arrowryan]

I worry that this game is similar to ND/Oklahoma part II. We beat the hell out of them in game 1 but regressed a bit since then. Texas played better after we beat the hell out of them and now they are seeking revenge. Most people thought we would beat Oklahoma again, using the "we beat them last year" reasoning that I don't think holds that much weight in college football.

My brain says ND should win by 10+ but my gut is not feeling well right now.

I did not feel confident in the second Oklahoma game. The 2012 Irish team did not have the depth in order to make the 2013 season a relatively easy transition for the new starters. The 2016 team is way more talented than the 2013 team. We have done so much debating, I'm just ready for the debate to be settled on the field in 3 days.

 

[IrishLax]

I worry that this game is similar to ND/Oklahoma part II. We beat the hell out of them in game 1 but regressed a bit since then. Texas played better after we beat the hell out of them and now they are seeking revenge. Most people thought we would beat Oklahoma again, using the "we beat them last year" reasoning that I don't think holds that much weight in college football.

My brain says ND should win by 10+ but my gut is not feeling well right now.

Pretty much where I'm at. My gut says expect disappointment and an overall poor year from this relatively inexperienced squad that lost a LOT on defense.

But on paper, the -3.5 line seems almost too easy.

 

[Luckylucci]

I did not feel confident in the second Oklahoma game. The 2012 Irish team did not have the depth in order to make the 2013 season a relatively easy transition for the new starters. The 2016 team is way more talented than the 2013 team. We have done so much debating, I'm just ready for the debate to be settled on the field in 3 days.

This. Plus, the QB position in college football can really win or lose games for teams. We went from having a mobile QB that we were able to move the pocket with and push the ball downfield in Golson. Who made some huge plays in that Oklahoma game in 2012. To a statue who couldn't be them deep in Rees. That dynamic changed the 2013 game, very early on.

 

[Irish Insanity]

You are putting way too much emphasis on starting. It's all about minutes played. Folston and Adams may not have started any games last year but Folston has a ton of playing time (and from all accounts looks great) and Adams had 117 attempts, which doesn't include non-rush snaps.

So, tell me, how's Folston look in real game action since his major injury?
I'm not trying to be an ass, and honestly I believe our offense and most of the team will have a successful year, but I understand others who aren't homers not drinking the kool-aid.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

This. Plus, the QB position in college football can really win or lose games for teams. We went from having a mobile QB that we were able to move the pocket with and push the ball downfield in Golson. Who made some huge plays in that Oklahoma game in 2012. To a statue who couldn't be them deep in Rees. That dynamic changed the 2013 game, very early on.

This is one of the great qualifiers for those early disappointing seasons. We had a QB who wouldn't have started for the top 35-45 programs in the country. I'm grateful for Rees because he was still our best option but we were limited in weapons, our OL was still a work in progress and Rees couldn't reliably throw further than 30 yds downfield and he definitely wasn't throwing across the field to the other hash.

Rees was smart and he had good placement on short to intermediate routes. But if that's all you do, then your offense is limited and teh defense can make it that much more difficult.

I'm starting to believe again the more I think about this team's talent level.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

So, tell me, how's Folston look in real game action since his major injury?
I'm not trying to be an ass, and honestly I believe our offense and most of the team will have a successful year, but I understand others who aren't homers not drinking the kool-aid.

I'd say that question could be construed as ass-ish. If the coaches say Folston has returned to pre-injuriy form, and we have a starting RB who as a true frosh, had over 800 yds on limited touches and we have another sophomore RB who looks like the most explosive option, it's hard not to be excited about the RB group.

Our OL, I'm slightly more reserved. Our WRs are wide open. Lots of young talent but we need to see production and consistency in games.

Our QBs are still kind of a question mark because we don't know how they'll respond to this new team. Each year is different and each game is a microcosm of randomness, preparation and match-ups.

I seriously can't wait until Sunday but I'll feed the beast starting tonight.

 

[irishff1014]

I think we are ok. I don't think we can call ourselves a "good" team just yet.

Playoffs would be amazing given our projected D issues and inexperience at WR and TE. I agree there.

ND is a good football team. We are not a great team. We struggle against teams that ND shouldn't struggle against. Some of the injuries just suck and you can't do anything about but we also don't put teams away so they can get others in the game late. I think that Kelly is the best coach ND can get hands down but i am not sure that we will get into the 4 playoff system. With the hate for ND the team needs to be damn near perfect for that to happen. And until we can beat Stanford constantly that wont happen.

 

[arrowryan]

This is one of the great qualifiers for those early disappointing seasons. We had a QB who wouldn't have started for the top 35-45 programs in the country. I'm grateful for Rees because he was still our best option but we were limited in weapons, our OL was still a work in progress and Rees couldn't reliably throw further than 30 yds downfield and he definitely wasn't throwing across the field to the other hash.

Rees was smart and he had good placement on short to intermediate routes. But if that's all you do, then your offense is limited and teh defense can make it that much more difficult.

I'm starting to believe again the more I think about this team's talent level.

Everyone should believe. We bring in a lot of new starters but this is when the 3-4 years of really good recruiting is gonna pay off. Every team loses starters and the playoff caliber teams don't skip a beat. Its time for BK and the team show that they are a true playoff caliber team. And honestly, a lot of the new starters aren't really "new"; they've all gotten legit snaps (except Crawford) before.

 

[BobbyMac]

Yeah? We do that all the time.

Has this core of this ND team ever beat itself? I'll be interested to see you make a Stanford argument.

Who cares what the '14 and prior teams did. They're gone.

You can't ascribe failures in performance of ones' predecessor on unrelated individuals in the present. Collective guilt through expectation & association is pretty progressive thinking. Coming out of the closet are we?

 

[wizards8507]

Has this core of this ND team ever beat itself? I'll be interested to see you make a Stanford argument.

Who cares what the '14 and prior teams did. They're gone.

You can't ascribe failures in performance of ones' predecessor on unrelated individuals in the present. Collective guilt through expectation & association is pretty progressive thinking. Coming out of the closet are we?

 

[greyhammer90]

I worry that this game is similar to ND/Oklahoma part II. We beat the hell out of them in game 1 but regressed a bit since then. Texas played better after we beat the hell out of them and now they are seeking revenge. Most people thought we would beat Oklahoma again, using the "we beat them last year" reasoning that I don't think holds that much weight in college football.

My brain says ND should win by 10+ but my gut is not feeling well right now.

If it makes you feel any better, I was pretty sure we were going to lose to OK in year 2 and I'm pretty sure we're going to beat TX this year. It's a totally different dynamic. Unless TX has suddenly put it together this year I don't really see how they can run on us/stop our run. They were ranked 99th in the country against FBS schools on defending the run. I just don't see it.

 

[gkIrish]

In other news I just got a face value ticket

 

[BobbyMac]

What did he do last year to lose a game? What was the last game he lost where he had competent leadership on the field?

The last thing CBK did to cause ND to beat itself (which caused a 4 game slide) was not yanking Golson in the 2nd Q against ASU and throwing away the keys.

 

[greyhammer90]

In other news I just got a face value ticket

Congrats. Wish I could have made it.

 

[NDgradstudent]

I worry that this game is similar to ND/Oklahoma part II. We beat the hell out of them in game 1 but regressed a bit since then. Texas played better after we beat the hell out of them and now they are seeking revenge. Most people thought we would beat Oklahoma again, using the "we beat them last year" reasoning that I don't think holds that much weight in college football.

My brain says ND should win by 10+ but my gut is not feeling well right now.

Were people picking us against OU in 2013? If I recall correctly we were 3 point underdogs at home in that game. We're 3 point favorites on the road here.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I'd say that question could be construed as ass-ish. If the coaches say Folston has returned to pre-injuriy form, and we have a starting RB who as a true frosh, had over 800 yds on limited touches and we have another sophomore RB who looks like the most explosive option, it's hard not to be excited about the RB group.

What else do you think the coaches are going to say. That he looks bad? I have all the faith, and hope, but he hasn't seen real game speed and real game hits in a long time. And coming fresh off a major injury. I hope he picks up where he left of and then some. But I don't expect it from the 1st snap.

Man the season can't start soon enough.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Man the season can't start soon enough.

Would probably go faster if you stopped trying to convince other Irish fans of how terrible our team is.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Would probably go faster if you stopped trying to convince other Irish fans of how terrible our team is.

Lulz. Not once. This all started with me staying why I can understand others picking UT.

 

[Irish2155]

In other news I just got a face value ticket

Great news!! Now who is next in the pecking order since you had first dibs?

 

[IrishLax]

I just listened to Power Hour and I think we lose by 10+. Just the vibe I get from their pessimistic insider. Reminds me of a Notre Dame fan before we pull one out of our butts.

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

Here's something the Longhorns beat writer on 247 said in a Q&A
"Notre Dame’s experience advantage isn’t being talked about enough (17 junior and senior starters from what I can tell). I don’t think this Texas team is quite ready for prime time and while it will be a different game than last year’s in terms of it actually being a game, I think the Longhorns fall short."

 

[wizards8507]

Would probably go faster if you stopped trying to convince other Irish fans of how terrible our team is.

Don't worry, you won't need any convincing after Sunday night.

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

I might add only 9 of 22 Texas starters are upperclassmen Quite a few underclass men are freshmen.

 

[ACamp1900]

I just listened to Power Hour and I think we lose by 10+. Just the vibe I get from their pessimistic insider. Reminds me of a Notre Dame fan before we pull one out of our butts.

Can you elaborate a bit LAX? What exactly was said? Or was it just the overall tone?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Don't worry, you won't need any convincing after Sunday night.

Am I being ridiculous here? I see it as being realistic. Not that we're bad, but that I haven't seen enough to say we're great either.

 

[arrowryan]

I just listened to Power Hour and I think we lose by 10+. Just the vibe I get from their pessimistic insider. Reminds me of a Notre Dame fan before we pull one out of our butts.

Can you elaborate a bit LAX? What exactly was said? Or was it just the overall tone?

Yes, please elaborate