This team will be a force in 2015

[West Coast Domer]

Is Ronnie high enough on draft boards to leave early? He has played great this year. I thought he looked real good last night.

 

[IrishLax]

Unless Watson and Clemson take a meteoric leap such that their lack of defense won't matter, there's no way to look at the schedule next year and not feel good.

Texas should be at least another year away from being good. It's hard to see them having an offense, although their defense should improve.

6 ACC teams, of which only Clemson is going to be very dangerous, although BC/Virginia/Pitt/Georgia Tech could all be "decent" depending on how their rosters shake out.

Not afraid of Stanford at all, only moderately afraid of USC who should be worse on D and better on O.

Navy, UMASS, Temple. All wins.

10-2 should be the floor for next season ASSUMING WE STAY HEALTHY AND NO EARLY NFL ENTRANTS.

 

[Irishman77]

Wa are a force now...we are as good if not better than any team in the nation!

 

[Irish2155]

Unless Watson and Clemson take a meteoric leap such that their lack of defense won't matter, there's no way to look at the schedule next year and not feel good.

Texas should be at least another year away from being good. It's hard to see them having an offense, although their defense should improve.

6 ACC teams, of which only Clemson is going to be very dangerous, although BC/Virginia/Pitt/Georgia Tech could all be "decent" depending on how their rosters shake out.

Not afraid of Stanford at all, only moderately afraid of USC who should be worse on D and better on O.

Navy, UMASS, Temple. All wins.

10-2 should be the floor for next season ASSUMING WE STAY HEALTHY AND NO EARLY NFL ENTRANTS.

All this doesn't matter, although I get what you're saying. We'll be the best team on the field EVERY Saturday. We might even be the better team on some Sundays.

BK, damn, he is that good...

 

[magogian]

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.

Watkins? Tranquill?

 

[Buster Bluth]

vs Texas
at Virginia
vs Georgia Tech
vs Massachusetts
at Clemson
vs Navy
vs Southern Cal
BYE
vs* Temple (Lincoln Financial Field)
at Pittsburgh
vs Wake Forest
vs* Boston College (Fenway Park)
at Stanford

If there were a better season to expect 12-0, I'd like to see it.

 

[NDWorld247]

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.

This sentiment is driving me nuts. It's been said numerous times on this site and I fail to see how it's applicable to 2015. I understand where it's coming from (years and years of less than 85 on the roster), but I don't know how people can look at the numbers for 2015 and think we will have less than 85 after signing day and decisions on 5Y are made.

With that said, I agree with you 100% on bringing Farley back. His experience, leadership and lack of depth at the position make him one of the 5Y "locks", IMO.

Watkins? Tranquill?

Butler?

 

[PerthDomer]

Because 2-3 guys transfer every year. It's a lock. Expect a medical or 2 as well. Hell, expect a weird decision to go pro too.

 

[Irish2155]

vs Texas
at Virginia
vs Georgia Tech
vs Massachusetts
at Clemson
vs Navy
vs Southern Cal
BYE
vs* Temple (Lincoln Financial Field)
at Pittsburgh
vs Wake Forest
vs* Boston College (Fenway Park)
at Stanford

If there were a better season to expect 12-0, I'd like to see it.

Pre-season top 1 as well...maybe 3, maybe. Regardless, EG and company runs that.

 

[Buster Bluth]

This is how I think it plays out. Returning starters in bold.

DE: Rochell
DT: Jones
DT: Day
DE: Trumbetti
SM: Morgan
MK: Schmidt
WL: Smith
CB: Luke
CB: Russell
FS: Redfield
SS: Shumate
NB: Farley/Butler

I think Morgan good enough that they find a place for him on the field, at SAM. Sucks for Onwualu though.

Butler plays NB during passing situations.

QB: Golson
RB: Folston
WR: Fuller
WR: Robinson/Brown
WR: Carlisle
TE: Smythe
LT: Stanley
LG: Nelson
C: Martin
RG: Elmer
RT: McGlinchey

If Hegarty doesn't continue to develop, I think he loses his spot.

 

[NDWorld247]

Because 2-3 guys transfer every year. It's a lock. Expect a medical or 2 as well. Hell, expect a weird decision to go pro too.

We will have 85 after signing day, medical, NFL and 5Y decisions are made. We have too many 5Y options to choose from for that not to be the case in 2015.

Now, whether we have 85 after spring ball or in August is a different discussion. I don't disagree with the opinion that we'll have less than 85 when ND takes the field vs. Texas next fall.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Another interesting point about 2015 is that while Notre Dame returns a ton and should be verrrry good, I think 2015 in general will have more good teams than in 2014. 2014 is a down year.

 

[HoosierMP33]

Unless Watson and Clemson take a meteoric leap such that their lack of defense won't matter, there's no way to look at the schedule next year and not feel good.

Texas should be at least another year away from being good. It's hard to see them having an offense, although their defense should improve.

6 ACC teams, of which only Clemson is going to be very dangerous, although BC/Virginia/Pitt/Georgia Tech could all be "decent" depending on how their rosters shake out.

Not afraid of Stanford at all, only moderately afraid of USC who should be worse on D and better on O.

Navy, UMASS, Temple. All wins.

10-2 should be the floor for next season ASSUMING WE STAY HEALTHY AND NO EARLY NFL ENTRANTS.

100% agree....but then again, I always feel like 10-2 should be our worst record possible; no matter our schedule/roster

2015 team should be jacked and stacked...we'll have studs and depth all over the field, something we've been lacking since the Holtz Era....I would say that if there is ever a chance to run the table and start a new dynasty in South Bend, this year is the dawning of it....2015 would be its birth and will set us up for the long term.....

Our schedule is beyond favorable....4 games that are prominent....USC, Stanford, Texas, and Clemson...but those teams have clear and exposable flaws that can not and will not be fixed overnight/by next season...Texas will be improved, but will lack offense....USC will lack defense...Clemson will have some huge holes to fill on both sides of the ball and will lack explosive playmakers like they've had in the recent past....and I feel like Stanford is slowly turning into a bigger question mark (and not in a good way) the further they get from the Harbaugh Era...GA Tech could be tough, but our defense will be ready for the triple option and experienced against it....2015 expectations shld be playoff's or nothing....

As for this year....keep doing it on the field and they'll get in....a different point that I don't think anyone on here has made and is worthy of keeping in mind, is that ND is $$$$....we draw and travel better then any other school....we get TV ratings.....you want to fill the the Rose Bowl semi-final? You want ppl to spend $$ at and around the stadium?? Put ND in it....I don't think anyone on here has mentioned that, but is a valid point worth making.

 

[Brooklyn]

Anyone else worried one or more of Day/Jarron/Stanley will declare?

Especially Day. He looks very good. Stanley and Jarron still need some work but are impressive physically and might get a good grade. Overall, I still really like the position we are in next year also. Lots of fast, talented guys, who've played together.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Another interesting point about 2015 is that while Notre Dame returns a ton and should be verrrry good, I think 2015 in general will have more good teams than in 2014. 2014 is a down year.

I'm seriously asking: Who is returning who is going to make some teams scary? A lot of the top teams (FSU, Sparty, Oregon, potentially Mississippi State) are losing their QBs and more weapons like Amari Cooper and Todd Gurley will be gone too. Who are the returning players that make you think next year will be better? IMO, this year has a bunch of great teams.

 

[HoosierMP33]

I'm seriously asking: Who is returning who is going to make some teams scary? A lot of the top teams (FSU, Sparty, Oregon, potentially Mississippi State) are losing their QBs and more weapons like Amari Cooper and Todd Gurley will be gone too. Who are the returning players that make you think next year will be better? IMO, this year has a bunch of great teams.

I think your point is right....it's not like 2014 is a down year, per se...but I don't think there are "great" teams this year either...When I think "great", I think dominant....Prescott & Miss St. has impressed....FSU gets the benfit of the doubt...Oregon has been riddled with injuries, but is getting back to its usual self....ND is in the discussion of the Top 4 teams this year...but there are truly no "great" teams; just more parity, which has led to some crazy upsets....a lot of good teams...more than usual....but far from a down year...but fewer "great" teams....

As for next year....I think ND, 'Bama, USC, FSU, and Oklahoma start out the year in the top 5....Kessler will be looked at as the next big thing at USC....Same with Knight at Oklahoma....who knows if Winston will play next year, but he has to be considered....

 

[Irishnuke]

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

I'm all for homerism, but this just isn't true.

 

[BobbyMac]

I know this thread is about the 2015 season but let's stretch this out to also include 2016 and 2017.

I was talking about the maturing of this young roster last night with Malik's dad. If you look at next year's 2 deep, only 11-12 of the 44 will be players who are on their last year of eligibility. This depends on how what they do with Hegarty and Hanratty and if guys like Biven, Montelus or Nelson can pass them up. That is still a very young roster... a roster that most of us expect to be top 4 in the first polls. Now to be fair, it will most likely be the last year for the group of Golson, Staley, Day and Smith but if the pipeline of LB's can play up to 50% of Smith and Malik can be 75% of Golson, the maturation of the rest of the roster should be more than enough to take the Irish to a next level (if they aren't there already)

I'd lay a large future on ND having the best record in Power 5 football between '15 and '17 probably even '18 with what is here and will be redshirted and committed in the class of '15.

Everything is in place if a run is made this year, along with some help from other teams and the selection committee. Next year will be met with the highest expectations not just by the ND faithful but by the haters and the media alike (if Golson comes back as expected)

Good times are here, hopefully CBK can pass up the $$$ that will come knocking until '19 or later.

.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm all for homerism, but this just isn't true.

When I saw this, I had to go back to who he was talking about. My first thought was it had to be Jaylon Smith. I'd say Jameis is the best right now but I wouldn't bet against Jaylon being the best player 5 to 10 years from now who's currently playing in college. We might be looking at football's defensive version of Michael Jordan at UNC as a freshman and sophomore.

.

 

[blackirish]

When I saw this, I had to go back to who he was talking about. My first thought was it had to be Jaylon Smith. I'd say Jameis is the best right now but I wouldn't bet against Jaylon being the best player 5 to 10 years from now who's currently playing in college. We might be looking at football's defensive version of Michael Jordan at UNC as a freshman and sophomore.

.

I don't know about the MJ impact but if he stays healthy he would be one of the best ND has had in awhile.

 

[NDdomer2]

FSU still top 5 next year? New qb and a ton of draft entrants needing replaced. I don't know enough about the backups to project them out.

 

[GATTACA!]

As for this year....keep doing it on the field and they'll get in....a different point that I don't think anyone on here has made and is worthy of keeping in mind, is that ND is $$$$....we draw and travel better then any other school....we get TV ratings.....you want to fill the the Rose Bowl semi-final? You want ppl to spend $$ at and around the stadium?? Put ND in it....I don't think anyone on here has mentioned that, but is a valid point worth making.

Also to be considered is the match ups they are setting. Is there a game that would turn on more TVs than an ND FSU rematch?

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

FSU still top 5 next year? New qb and a ton of draft entrants needing replaced. I don't know enough about the backups to project them out.

Maguire is no good at all and if he's their QB next year, they're screwed.

 

[GBdomer]

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

I see what you typed but just one more time for me please.

 

[GBdomer]

I'm all for homerism, but this just isn't true.

I am glad I am not the only one who picked up on this lol.

 

[PerthDomer]

FSU will go back to their pre Winston days. An uber talented under achieving team that manages to lose to 1 or two ACC cream puffs yearly.

 

[Riddickulous]

When I saw this, I had to go back to who he was talking about. My first thought was it had to be Jaylon Smith. I'd say Jameis is the best right now but I wouldn't bet against Jaylon being the best player 5 to 10 years from now who's currently playing in college. We might be looking at football's defensive version of Michael Jordan at UNC as a freshman and sophomore.

.

This is an absolutely ludicrous statement.

 

[Ignats]

True, there aren't any dominating teams this year but assuming Mariota and Winston are gone I would say that Golson and Dak Prescott are the best returning QB's with significant experience in CFB. A lot of teams will be ushering in new QB's and while you're almost guaranteed to get a couple who come out of nowhere and light it up Golson will be a guy who has started a National Championship Game, whatever big bowl/playoff this year, and 2 full years of playing meaningful games with BCS and playoff implications. I'll take a QB with that kind of experience going into our schedule any day.

 

[BobbyMac]

This is an absolutely ludicrous statement.

The use of might, purposely makes it non-ludicrous.

Your response on the other hand is 100% Riddickulous.

.

 

[irishroo]

TON of talent in that lineup, but teams don't win championships with guys 1-22 on the roster, they win with guys 23-85. There will be injuries, there will be attrition, there will be unexpected issues that come up. If you want to win it all, depth is the key, which is why I'm really optimistic when it comes to this team next year. Look at the potential backups we'll have in 2015 (in parentheses).

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 (Zaire)
RB-Folston/Bryant (Folston/Bryant)
WR-Fuller (Brown, Daniels??)
WR-Robinson (Brent)
WR-Hunter (Carlisle, Prosise)
TE-Smythe (Luatua)
LT-Stanley (Nelson, Bars)
LG-Martin (Hanratty, Montelus)
OC-Hegarty (Harrell, Bivin)
RG-Elmer (Hanratty, Montelus)
RT-McGlinchey (Nelson, Bars)

DE-Rochell (Trumbetti, Blankenship)
DT-Day (?? - maybe Hayes)
DT-Jones (Cage)
DE-Okwara (Trumbetti, Blankenship)
OLB-Smith (Hill)
MLB-Schmidt (Martini, Grace??)
OLB-Morgan (Onwualu)
CB-Russell (Farley, Butler)
SS-Shumate (Tranquill)
FS-Redfield (Hardy)
CB-Luke (Farley, Butler)

I don't want to come across as overly optimistic or hyperbolic as there are clearly some areas of concern there (interior DL being the main one in my eye), but I don't think it's ridiculous to argue that that 2nd string unit would by and large be competitive in the ACC, Big Ten, and, perhaps to a lesser extent, the Big 12. The offense in particular is absolutely loaded across the board.