This team will be a force in 2015

[Axl Rose]

Im not giving up on this year at all, in fact I think this team will run the table and make the playoffs this year. But honestly I think ND has a great shot at winning it all next year with everyone coming back, the schedule, and the depth returning. As long as there are no suspensions or critical injuries, we return the best ND team in decades.

This is IMO next years starting line up.
QB-Golson
RB-Folston/Bryant
WR-Fuller
WR-Robinson
WR-Hunter
TE-Smythe
LT-Stanley
LG-Martin
OC-Hegarty
RG-Elmer
RT-McGlinchey

DE-Rochell
DT-Day
DT-Jones
DE-Okwara
OLB-Smith
MLB-Schmidt
OLB-Morgan
CB-Russell
SS-Shumate
FS-Redfield
CB-Luke

 

[IrishLax]

We'll be -- at worst -- one of the top 2-3 teams in terms of pure talent.

 

[irishff1014]

I am not trying to be negative or anything Else, but i think last night showed the rest of the 2014 schedule that when it's time to play ND you better be ready for a fight. And this this team will be a force the rest of this year.

 

[Irish2155]

Pre-season #1, defending champs...

 

[Booslum31]

I am not trying to be negative or anything Else, but i think last night showed the rest of the 2014 schedule that when it's time to play ND you better be ready for a fight. And this this team will be a force the rest of this year.

Why do you think that statement would be taken negatively?

 

[irishff1014]

Why do you think that statement would be taken negatively?

Might seem like i am taking away from that 2015 team.

 

[RyCo1983]

I was thinking the same thing last night...how many returning starters?

 

[notredomer23]

I was thinking the same thing last night...how many returning starters?

Everyone besides Koyack and Riggs?

 

[clashmore_mike]

Lombard is done after this season.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I just hope BK sticks around long enough to see it through. I know it has become fashionable to predict he will take his ball and go home after this year because ND can be a tough place to coach. But the thing is, he is REALLY good at it. I think he is perfect for us so I really hope he has another 4 or 5 years left in him. He could compete for a championship every year as long as his QBs develop and he has a lot of talent to work with and a track record of doing a lot with far less talent.

 

[enrico514]

Hopefully BK and most of the coaching staff also returns next year.

ND will be a top 10 team as long as BK is around.

Im not giving up on this year at all, in fact I think this team will run the table and make the playoffs this year. But honestly I think ND has a great shot at winning it all next year with everyone coming back, the schedule, and the depth returning. As long as there are no suspensions or critical injuries, we return the best ND team in decades.

This is IMO next years starting line up.
QB-Golson
RB-Folston/Bryant
WR-Fuller
WR-Robinson
WR-Hunter
TE-Smythe
LT-Stanley
LG-Martin
OC-Hegarty
RG-Elmer
RT-McGlinchey

DE-Rochell
DT-Day
DT-Jones
DE-Okwara
OLB-Smith
MLB-Schmidt
OLB-Morgan
CB-Russell
SS-Shumate
FS-Redfield
CB-Luke

 

[irishff1014]

however though i think we need to lock up Tony Alford. He is the recruiting heart beat of this team.

 

[Grahambo]

Lombard is done after this season.

I saw a quote the other day, I forget where, but it sounded like Lombard is only starting over McGlinchey because Lombard is a senior. In essence, it sounds like we don't lose any ground there.

 

[RyCo1983]

Everyone besides Koyack and Riggs?

Plus we get 2, maybe 3 depending on what DD does, of the Frozen 5 back next year. Hardy this year.

 

[Irish Insanity]

There's always next year......

 

[chicago51]

This is IMO next years starting line up.
QB-Golson
RB-Folston/Bryant
WR-Fuller
WR-Robinson
WR-Hunter
TE-Smythe
LT-Stanley
LG-Martin
OC-Hegarty
RG-Elmer
RT-McGlinchey

DE-Rochell
DT-Day
DT-Jones
DE-Okwara
OLB-Smith
MLB-Schmidt
OLB-Morgan
CB-Russell
SS-Shumate
FS-Redfield
CB-Luke

Who would take Farley's spot at nickel next year or can he come back? ND has been in a 4-2-5 look more than a traditional 4-3 so I think nickel guy is a starter for all intents and purposes.

 

[GoldenDomer]

Scary good...

 

[ARALOU]

I was not aware that Golson on has another year of eligibility. That is huge. He would have to be a Heisman frontrunner.

 

[PerthDomer]

We lose Lombard and Koyack on offense, Riggs on D. Farley has a fifth. With Russell and Ishaq we return 13 starters on D...

Plus all the freshmen edge rushers will have a year to become complete players.

O line will be awesome. Left 4 back and McGlinchy right tackle. He should be as good or better than Lombard. I could even see Quenten Nelso stealing a guard spot.

Easy schedule too...

 

[enrico514]

We lose Lombard and Koyack on offense, Riggs on D. Farley has a fifth. With Russell and Ishaq we return 13 starters on D...

Plus all the freshmen edge rushers will have a year to become complete players.

O line will be awesome. Left 4 back and McGlinchy right tackle. He should be as good or better than Lombard. I could even see Quenten Nelso stealing a guard spot.

Easy schedule too...

Doesn't look that easy to me!

 

[yankeeND]

We will be a force next year no doubt, and we should still be this year as well. 10 wins is a must, but I want 11 or 12 at least to finish this year out. We are too good to not make the time right now!

 

[RyCo1983]

We will be a force next year no doubt, and we should still be this year as well. 10 wins is a must, but I want 11 or 12 at least to finish this year out. We are too good to not make the time right now!

This!
THIS THIS THIS

The boys are a force now. I think last night woke them up. I believe we'll finally see some domination.

 

[Irish2155]

]I was not aware that Golson on has another year of eligibility. [/B]That is huge. He would have to be a Heisman frontrunner.

Yup, he is the best player in the country now. let alone next year.

 

[Axl Rose]

Who would take Farley's spot at nickel next year or can he come back? ND has been in a 4-2-5 look more than a traditional 4-3 so I think nickel guy is a starter for all intents and purposes.

Im not sure Farley is brought back. I think Tranquill would take his spot, IMO he has more of an upside.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Im not sure Farley is brought back. I think Tranquill would take his spot, IMO he has more of an upside.

The guy has started for three years...you don't send a guy like that packing.

 

[Grahambo]

The guy has started for three years...you don't send a guy like that packing.

I agree.

The 5th year seniors are gonna be tight though, especially if the recruiting game shakes out like it possibly could. Somebody might get squeezed out that you wouldn't expect. I don't think Farley would be one of those. He's honestly not that bad.

 

[PerthDomer]

We Play Texas at home. Will they have 40 players on roster to start the year?

Clemson on the road. They lose their DL and should have no D. So basically Clemson.

USC loses its best defensive guys and probably has some guys go pro early. End the year at Stanford who could be solid.

Easier road, better ND team. I skrong if you skrong.

 

[clashmore_mike]

I think Farley has to be brought back without question. As much as he's played and as good of a leader he is it'd make no sense not to. There will always be room on the 85 anyway.

 

[Axl Rose]

There's always next year......

Im not giving up on this season whats so ever. IMO this team is still alive and I expect them to make playoffs.

But as good as this seasons team is, imagine next year when the suspensions are over, all the underclassmen on the two deep get experience, and a much more manageable schedule.

 

[Irish2155]

Im not giving up on this season whats so ever. IMO this team is still alive and I expect them to make playoffs.

But as good as this seasons team is, imagine next year when the suspensions are over, all the underclassmen on the two deep get experience, and a much more manageable schedule.

Yeah, imagine...then something will happen, EG picks his nose wrong in class...that booger costs him the season. It's always something.