Top 25, Top 20?

[BeatSC]

Know folks don't like looking ahead but given some losses today things are shaping up for a BCS make or break showdown with Stanford. Stanford needs to run the table but this could be the program defining game going forward for Kelly if the stars are aligned.

Penn State lost today and should lose again and drop out of the top 25 after a loss in one of their 2 last games if not both.

Texas lost

Cincy is out of the equation

Ohio St out of the equation

Baylor going down

TCU will be out of the equation

Georgia or Auburn are out today

UM and/or Kansas St. could be out today if not next week

That should make at least 6 teams we pass this week and I think number 21 is possible and after next weeks beatdown of BC we can advance to around 17-18. This would position us for the big upset and a number 13-14 ranking and a BCS bowl.

Give hope a chance and keep thinking positive.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Not sure if I'd consider a BCS bowl a win at this point, honestly. Right now, I just want to see us take care of business against Maryland and BC and come out ready to take down the Cardinal. If we do that and get a nice game in the Champs Sports Bowl, I'd consider that a perfect end to the season. Though winning in a BCS bowl would be nice...

 

[phork]

No.

 

[BeatSC]

No.

yes

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

We thought the same thing after the Air Force game, but teams who had just lost were kept in the polls anyway. We're not making it back in unless we beat Stanford.

 

[military_irish]

If TCU wins today, which is giving BSU a game so far. Even though it is the still the 1st. That opens up one of the at large bids. That would bode well for ND but still A LOT of work for this team to do to prove themselves worthy of a BCS shot.

I have the confidence in them.

 

[mpkennedy3]

Know folks don't like looking ahead but given some losses today things are shaping up for a BCS make or break showdown with Stanford. Stanford needs to run the table but this could be the program defining game going forward for Kelly if the stars are aligned.

Penn State lost today and should lose again and drop out of the top 25 after a loss in one of their 2 last games if not both.

Texas lost

Cincy is out of the equation

Ohio St out of the equation

Baylor going down

TCU will be out of the equation

Georgia or Auburn are out today

UM and/or Kansas St. could be out today if not next week

That should make at least 6 teams we pass this week and I think number 21 is possible and after next weeks beatdown of BC we can advance to around 17-18. This would position us for the big upset and a number 13-14 ranking and a BCS bowl.

Give hope a chance and keep thinking positive.

I think you are getting a little ahead of things. This defiantly could happen, but not a given. Penn State is defiantly ranked after the loss, but I agree they are primed to drop out based on their schedule. Baylor hasn't lost yet. TCU hasn't lost yet. I don't think Georgia drops out with a loss, but Auburn would. Michigan and Kansas State both are favored to win their games, and i don't think K-state drops out with a loss. I think we have a chance to make the top 25, but we would need almost everything to go our way and then some to make 21 after this week.

I hope it happens, but I am just hoping to be ranked at the end of the year.

 

[DillonHall]

This is not a BCS team.

 

[Anchorman]

Still have AZ State and FSU to deal with. FSU beating Miami does more for them than us over Maryland. Washington jumps us if they beat USC. Still a lot that can happen.

 

[irishfan]

This is not a BCS team.

Yeah, neither is whoever wins the Big East or Big 10. Or probably the ACC considering Clemson could only beat Wake by 3 coming off of a bye. This seems like a pretty weak year outside of the top 6 or 7 teams, and if we do go 9-3 and end up in the top 14, we deserve one of those last BCS spots.

 

[mpkennedy3]

Yeah, neither is whoever wins the Big East or Big 10. Or probably the ACC considering Clemson could only beat Wake by 3 coming off of a bye. This seems like a pretty weak year outside of the top 6 or 7 teams, and if we do go 9-3 and end up in the top 14, we deserve one of those last BCS spots.

Agreed, but it is going to take a lot of things breaking our way to get there. And most of all we need to take care of business, starting tonight!!!

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Yeah, neither is whoever wins the Big East or Big 10. Or probably the ACC considering Clemson could only beat Wake by 3 coming off of a bye. This seems like a pretty weak year outside of the top 6 or 7 teams, and if we do go 9-3 and end up in the top 14, we deserve one of those last BCS spots.

this is an excellent point. agree with the people that do not see BCS this year for us, but this is a really good point.

 

[gspjeb]

I would have to concur that I don't quite think this team is ready for the BCS. Wish they were but I am concerned about play against quality opponents. Minus the MSU game we havent been burning it up. We shall see but I just don't think this will happen.

 

[DillonHall]

Yeah, neither is whoever wins the Big East or Big 10. Or probably the ACC considering Clemson could only beat Wake by 3 coming off of a bye. This seems like a pretty weak year outside of the top 6 or 7 teams, and if we do go 9-3 and end up in the top 14, we deserve one of those last BCS spots.

One pro of being in a conference...

 

[UmphreakDomer]

if we play clean football...we hang in there pretty tight with a lot of those teams. we can beat 2 of the top 5 teams and 17 of the rest. they'd be tight games, but i think we could be competitive.
1 LSU 9-0
2 Oklahoma State 9-0
3 Alabama 8-1
4 Stanford 9-0
5 Boise State 8-0
6 Oklahoma 8-1
7 Oregon 8-1
8 Arkansas 8-1
9 Clemson 8-1
10 Virginia Tech 8-1
11 Houston 9-0
12 Penn State 8-1
13 South Carolina 7-2
14 Kansas State 7-2
15 Georgia 7-2
16 Texas 6-2
17 Michigan State 7-2
18 Wisconsin 7-2
19 Nebraska 7-2
20 Auburn 6-3
21 Georgia Tech 7-2
22 Southern Miss 8-1
23 Cincinnati 7-1
24 Michigan 7-2
25 Baylor 5-3

 

[DillonHall]

3 losses including losses to our two biggest rivals? It's been a disappointing year, and I don't think we deserve a spot in the BCS. We simply are not a top 10 team. We've lost the three most hyped games that we've played this year.

 

[BeatSC]

I think our convincing wins over Mich St, Navy and Air Force were worthy of a BCS caliber team. Turnovers have been the difference in our Wins and losses and by a hair.

 

[NDdomer2]

I think our convincing wins over Mich St, Navy and Air Force were worthy of a BCS caliber team. Turnovers have been the difference in our Wins and losses and by a hair.

Dude, I love your optimism but we still have to beat Maryland. Lets just say mathematically we aren't out of it yet.

 

[BeatSC]

Dude, I love your optimism but we still have to beat Maryland. Lets just say mathematically we aren't out of it yet.

'i'm with ya, Looking forward to ND playing a good all around game.

 

[DillonHall]

I think our convincing wins over Mich St, Navy and Air Force were worthy of a BCS caliber team. Turnovers have been the difference in our Wins and losses and by a hair.

Michigan State can't win on the road, Navy is 3-6, and Air Force is 5-5. And all of these were home games. The computers won't be impressed, and neither should anyone else. In football, you are exactly what your record is. You talk about close losses, but how about the close wins over Wake Forest and Pitt? The fact is, every single time the spotlight has been on the Irish, they've lost.

 

[BeatSC]

Washington is now out and TCU is on their way. Florida St could be a pain but their loss at home to Wake will work in our favor.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Michigan State can't win on the road, Navy is 3-6, and Air Force is 5-5. And all of these were home games. The computers won't be impressed, and neither should anyone else. In football, you are exactly what your record is. You talk about close losses, but how about the close wins over Wake Forest and Pitt? The fact is, every single time the spotlight has been on the Irish, they've lost.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Michigan State can't win on the road, Navy is 3-6, and Air Force is 5-5. And all of these were home games. The computers won't be impressed, and neither should anyone else. In football, you are exactly what your record is. You talk about close losses, but how about the close wins over Wake Forest and Pitt? The fact is, every single time the spotlight has been on the Irish, they've lost.

We have a winner. Hope for 8-4, and beating FSU in the Champs Bowl. That is a Herculean task as it is.

 

[BeatSC]

Michigan State can't win on the road, Navy is 3-6, and Air Force is 5-5. And all of these were home games. The computers won't be impressed, and neither should anyone else. In football, you are exactly what your record is. You talk about close losses, but how about the close wins over Wake Forest and Pitt? The fact is, every single time the spotlight has been on the Irish, they've lost.

At home or on the road other teams are whipping Navy, Air Force and Mich St like we did. Each game we play win or lose we are a few plays here and there from either blowing out the other team or at least winning the game, Yes that can be the difference from a winner and a mediocre team but if we put it all together in one game we should be able to compete with anyone.

First thing first, beat MAryland and Edsell (UConn payback) like a drum otherwise I look liek a dreaming dope again.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

At home or on the road other teams are whipping Navy, Air Force and Mich St like we did. Each game we play win or lose we are a few plays here and there from either blowing out the other team or at least winning the game, Yes that can be the difference from a winner and a mediocre team but if we put it all together in one game we should be able to compete with anyone.

First thing first, beat MAryland and Edsell (UConn payback) like a drum otherwise I look liek a dreaming dope again.

I mean even with Boise out of the picture, you have:

LSU
Okie Light
Bama
Oregon
Stanford
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Nebraska
ACC champ
Big East champ

And Houston lurking like a vulture

that's all 10 spots right there, regardless of what happens.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Dude, I love your optimism but we still have to beat Maryland. Lets just say mathematically we aren't out of it yet.

Thank you! Closing this thread out of respect for our opponent and out of my deepest fear that we jinx our damn team LOL. Will open after the game, win or lose!

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Thank you! Closing this thread out of respect for our opponent and out of my deepest fear that we jinx our damn team LOL. Will open after the game, win or lose!

Good call.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I think we crack the top 25 this week.

 

[Sweetness34]

Yeah ND should be in the top 25 now.

 

[notredomer23]

We will be #24. IMO. Beat BC depending on how everyone around us does get as high as 19. Best Stanford top 14 is achievable. And don't think I am my any means chalking either up as wins. Just doing hypotheticals