The IE Thunderdome (Debate Thread)

[BeauBenken]

My wife would love to retire to that area. I went to the ND game at Knoxville back in 2001 and when they came up here. Both schools with great fan bases that mix well, support their teams and aren't jerks.

My soon-to-be in-laws have a great lake house down there, but I have always dreamed about tailgating on the river outside of Neyland as I was told my mother's parents used to do. I have also heard great things about the fans as you mentioned.


So it sounds like the top votes so far are UT or UT. grin:

 

[PANDFAN]

psu it is-because i am tired of hearing their fans for my 40 years of living....we recruit often against them (winning most of them) but mostly just to be the end of speculation that they could have beaten ND any given year

south carolina-sec and more recruiting for the carolina's

 

[NDohio]

I would like to see a SEC team. One that is decent but not the big boys:

Tennessee
South Carolina

would be my preference for recruiting and game day atmosphere.

Kentucky
Missouri
Mississippi State
Ole Miss

would be good too but not quite as good as the other two.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Which current rivalry would y'all want to retire, if you had to choose. I'm guessing most of y'all say Navy, but I think I'd have to go with Stanford. Though it's possible that they're down for the count (mostly). Oh and to get this out of the way, I 100% support never playing Michigan again. I was against these past two games to begin with.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Which current rivalry would y'all want to retire, if you had to choose. I'm guessing most of y'all say Navy, but I think I'd have to go with Stanford. Though it's possible that they're down for the count (mostly). Oh and to get this out of the way, I 100% support never playing Michigan again. I was against these past two games to begin with.

I would say Michigan too, but I guess they're technically not "current' since we won't see them for another 10+ years.

I wanted to say Pitt and/or BC because we don't get much cache for beating them but both tend to play us annoyingly tough, but given the ACC contract we have no choice but to continue with them.

To that end, I will hold up your prediction and say Navy. Key guys always get hurt, we are a laughing stock if we lose to them or win ugly, and get nothing out of beating the living snot out of them.

At least with Stanford, I still think they have a little prestige and name recognition leftover, even if I agree that they seemingly nosediving as a program.

 

[Irish du Nord]

I would like to see a SEC team. One that is decent but not the big boys:

Tennessee
South Carolina

would be my preference for recruiting and game day atmosphere.

Kentucky
Missouri
Mississippi State
Ole Miss

would be good too but not quite as good as the other two.

I'd be happy with one of the big boys, except Bama. LSU would be a really fun series and I think over the last 10 years we'd probably split with them.

 

[Irish#1]

I would like to see a SEC team. One that is decent but not the big boys:

Tennessee
South Carolina

would be my preference for recruiting and game day atmosphere.

Kentucky
Missouri
Mississippi State
Ole Miss

would be good too but not quite as good as the other two.

I could go for the Miss schools, but UK and Mizzou don't move the needle for me. When you hear SEC, your mind doesn't automatically think of either of those two schools. OK St might not be a bad one.

 

[GATTACA!]

I would say Michigan too, but I guess they're technically not "current' since we won't see them for another 10+ years.

I wanted to say Pitt and/or BC because we don't get much cache for beating them but both tend to play us annoyingly tough, but given the ACC contract we have no choice but to continue with them.

To that end, I will hold up your prediction and say Navy. Key guys always get hurt, we are a laughing stock if we lose to them or win ugly, and get nothing out of beating the living snot out of them.

At least with Stanford, I still think they have a little prestige and name recognition leftover, even if I agree that they seemingly nosediving as a program.

The Pac12 is bad enough too that they can look like they're in contention even when they suck. That's a nice bonus perception wise as well.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Should the staff drop Buchner?

I'm kidding. What team in another league is most like ND?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Should the staff drop Buchner?

I'm kidding. What team in another league is most like ND?

In the NFL, I would probably say Green Bay as far as tradition, and that's not a homer selection; there is a LOT of history between the two squads. Curly Lambeau played for Rockne at ND, but left school early and eventually founded the Packers, Frank Leahy coached Vince Lombardi at Fordham as an assistant and you obviously have Paul Hornung who was the main focal point of the famed Packers Sweep, & whose #5 is unofficially retired. He was arguably Vince's favorite player. (Oh, not to mention the great Deshone Kizer)

I think you can also make an argument for Dallas in regards to brand/fan base (America's team, if you will, but pains me to say it).

Baseball, I think you have to say the Yankees. You wither love them or you hate them, huge following and tradition rich program/franchise.

Don't know you can compare the ND cache to NHL or NBA teams, but maybe the Lakers or Celtics?

 

[GowerND11]

Should the staff drop Buchner?

I'm kidding. What team in another league is most like ND?

Liverpool has similar qualities with the whole Catholic population there, title drought, passionate but impatient fanbase, etc. etc.

I feel now as an Arsenal fan we are picking up that slack from Liverpool now sans the Catholic city.

 

[TorontoGold]

Should the staff drop Buchner?

I'm kidding. What team in another league is most like ND?

Probably the Leafs in the NHL, or maybe the Habs? Both teams are absolutely hated around the league, and have huge followings.

 

[NDRock]

Should the staff drop Buchner?

I'm kidding. What team in another league is most like ND?

That’s interesting. Almost seems like it has to be a soccer or baseball team. In salary cap leagues (NFL, NBA), most teams are trying to win (and capable) but a combination of luck and incompetence gets in the way. Notre Dame is like a mid table team in the EPL who just doesn’t have the resources or desire to compete with the big boys.

That being said, I’ll go with Leicester City just for the hope we can shock everyone and pull it off, like they did in 2016. I know the historical similarities aren’t there.

 

[greyhammer90]

Ripping one from /r/cfb:

If you could pick one team to return to their prime (that isn't ND), who would it be and why?

Mine would be Nebraska. I have a weird soft spot for that program, and I would appreciate more talent going midwest (and it not all going to OSU). Also, frankly if Nebraska can be "back" it would bode well for ND, because Nebraska is in the worst shape of any blueblood IMO. Nebraska returning to form would be a good sign that ND could do the same even with different (but comparable in severity) limitations.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Ripping one from /r/cfb:

If you could pick one team to return to their prime (that isn't ND), who would it be and why?

Mine would be Nebraska. I have a weird soft spot for that program, and I would appreciate more talent going midwest (and it not all going to OSU). Also, frankly if Nebraska can be "back" it would bode well for ND, because Nebraska is in the worst shape of any blueblood IMO. Nebraska returning to form would be a good sign that ND could do the same even with different (but comparable in severity) limitations.

I would have to go Tennessee. Just seems like the SEC is better when their rivalry with UF and Bama are actually competitive, and Neyland Stadium is a pretty special place to watch a game when they are rolling.

 

[greyhammer90]

I would have to go Tennessee. Just seems like the SEC is better when their rivalry with UF and Bama are actually competitive, and Neyland Stadium is a pretty special place to watch a game when they are rolling.

 

[Legacy]

Ripping one from /r/cfb:

If you could pick one team to return to their prime (that isn't ND), who would it be and why?

Mine would be Nebraska. I have a weird soft spot for that program, and I would appreciate more talent going midwest (and it not all going to OSU). Also, frankly if Nebraska can be "back" it would bode well for ND, because Nebraska is in the worst shape of any blueblood IMO. Nebraska returning to form would be a good sign that ND could do the same even with different (but comparable in severity) limitations.

I'd go with Purdue. The Jack Mollenkopf era ('56-'69), especially in the late 60s with Griese, Phipps, Leroy Keys, Purdue was a force in the B10 and dominated their in-state rivals with an 11-2-1 record v Indiana, and 10-4 v ND. They went to their first Rose Bowl in '67 beating USC. In that '66 season, Purdue only lost to #1 ND and #2 MSU. Once called the Cradle of Quarterbacks (also including Len Dawson, Drew Brees and Mark Hermann), Purdue would not have as many hurdles in the B10 West to claim the division title. Some conference dominance would disrupt current powers. ND may renew the rivalry (and cancel all the Michigan future games to accomodate).

Nebraska should really return to the B12 if they return to their prime.

Washington was my second pick.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Ripping one from /r/cfb:

If you could pick one team to return to their prime (that isn't ND), who would it be and why?

Mine would be Nebraska. I have a weird soft spot for that program, and I would appreciate more talent going midwest (and it not all going to OSU). Also, frankly if Nebraska can be "back" it would bode well for ND, because Nebraska is in the worst shape of any blueblood IMO. Nebraska returning to form would be a good sign that ND could do the same even with different (but comparable in severity) limitations.

The Chicago Maroons of the early 1900's. Many reasons...

1) I admire that they made nearly everyone come play on the road. Power move playing all but one game at home during many different seasons.

2) They had some great defenses. Take that 1904 team, which gave up 5 points all year and managed to beat Michigan 2-0. Pure muscle flex.

3) They named the team after the color because their original color soiled too easily. Shame Michigan has realized the same.

4) Fresh blood at the top of the big ten.

5) If Phil the Phoenix doesn't get your going, you don't have a pulse.

6) Probably the most important reason, but Northwestern could no longer use their lame ass "Chicago's Big Ten Team" bullshit.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Who can forget that first half played by RB Mysterious Walker in the 2-0 win? Still vividly in memory ... and ending Fielding Yost's unbeaten streak. (preventing one of Michigan's claimed 126 national titles.)

 

[zelezo vlk]

Let's start another topic in order to keep our mind off the impending cancellation of the CFB season.

Scenario: The Eagles don't hire Chip Kelly in 2013, but instead Brian Kelly. You run into Savvy Jack at the Linebacker, throwing back Bud Lights keeping pace with you and your buddies. Now's your chance to tell him who to hire. Who's your guy?

Be realistic, Urban ain't leaving Ohio State in 2013 to come to South Bend and neither is Saban leaving Bama.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm bringing back Lou for one last hurrah!

 

[NDdomer2]

Paul Chryst?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Paul Chryst?

Just an FYI but he was coming off a 6-7 season at Pitt. His records didn't actually get good until he got to Sconny in 2015. In fact, I think people were worried that he was a bit of a risk for Wisconsin at the time even though he was an alum and had coached in Madison for about 8 years.

 

[snoopdog]

Dabo fo sho

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I can't believe I'm actually saying this but it has to be James Franklin. He was coming off of back to back 9 win seasons at Vandy (!) and that was the year he got hired at PSU.

 

[Free Manera]

Probably would have pitched Kirby Smart or Kevin Sumlin. They were hot at the time. Smart is a tireless recruiter, would have been interesting to see what he could do (yeah yeah shopping down a different aisle, traits, RKGs, etc.).

 

[NDdomer2]

Just an FYI but he was coming off a 6-7 season at Pitt. His records didn't actually get good until he got to Sconny in 2015. In fact, I think people were worried that he was a bit of a risk for Wisconsin at the time even though he was an alum and had coached in Madison for about 8 years.

Are we not to use hind sight?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Are we not to use hind sight?

I wasn't in my selection of Franklin, I figured for the exercise we were putting ourselves back to present day 2013 to make the decision.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Are we not to use hind sight?

I wasn't in my selection of Franklin, I figured for the exercise we were putting ourselves back to present day 2013 to make the decision.

Yeah I'm with Some Irish Bloke. Use hindsight not to choose a colossal flop, but it's a bit unfair to say, for instance, that Urban Meyer should have been the successor to Lou Holtz or Bob Davie because we saw that he turned out great. I don't think that Chryst had the resume after the 2012 season to take over the ND job, which would have looked pretty decent considering BK got to the title game in year 3.

FYI, I didn't think of James Franklin, but he wouldn't have been a bad choice. Assuming he still gets Joe Moorhead and works his ass off recruiting, I don't think it's out of the question that he could've replicated BK's success post-2012.

 

[Ndaccountant]

It's Chris Peterson.

At that point, you would still have the people going for the major blue blood coach (Stoops, Sumlin, etc) but when push comes to shove, Peterson is probably the most likely given his approach, success and standing (as of 2012).