Week 1: ND vs South Florida Predictions

[Old Man Mike]

Unless Big Mike goes for seventy yards on the wideout reverse Kelly is going to call on the first play, the early part of the game will be the unresolved brawl part. Then Kelly's speed offense and Longo's conditioning, and the Raw Eruption of certain D-Line second stringers will begin ruining the game for USF. We will win by three touchdowns: a score held down by us turning it over three times. Kelly will have both his win, AND something to yell at them about --- a perfect game.

Of course if Mike goes for seventy ... uh oh.

 

[notredomer23]

ND 35 USF 13. Cierre wood rushes for two TDs including the longest rush from scrimmage since God knows when of 63 yards. Michael floyd catches a touchdown as does riddick and riddick also returns a punt for a td.

 

[BGIF]

36-16 ND

Ruffer with 12 FG's.

That's one way to take the extra points pressure off him.

 

[Riddickulous]

Notre Dame and South Florida play a tough, competitive game...for the first half. ND pulls away and wins by a few scores. Say 27-17.

 

[IrishandColts]

38-24

 

[JayRock]

31-28 USF

 

[koonja]

Brian Bennet, ESPN

"Projecting which bowl game Notre Dame will play in requires you to make a definitive statement about the Irish season.

Unlike other teams, Notre Dame doesn't have the luxury of finishing 6-6 and getting a bowl tie-in from a conference. The only tie-ins the Irish have as an independent are a BCS at-large clause and once-in-every-four-years agreement with the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla. (Notre Dame can also replace the Big 12 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl if that league doesn't qualify enough teams.)

So you have to decide whether the Irish are bound for: a great, BCS-worthy season; a 7-to-9 win, Champs Sports type of year; a 6-6 campaign that leaves them searching but not guaranteed a postseason slot; or a losing year.

This Notre Dame team looks too strong to have a losing record. A BCS berth is a realistic goal, given the returning talent from last year and the lack of any real titans on the schedule. But as I've written before, the schedule has very few breaks, and it's likely to cause the Irish to lose more than two games.

With all that in mind, I'm projecting Notre Dame to finish 9-3 and go to the Champs Sports Bowl, where it will face an ACC team. That would represent solid progress by the program in Year 2 under Brian Kelly but fall just short of fans' high expectations for this year's team."

 

[mick2]

Funny right here!

Funny right here!

Irish win 108-3

-Dayne Crist 32-34 for 578 yards and 6 TD's, no INT
-Everett Golson (in garbage time) 3-3, 56 yards passing, 67 yards rushing on 4 attempts
-Floyd 24 Rec 370 yards, 3 TD, 40 rush yards on a reverse
-Wood 389 yds on 41 carries, 4 TD (1 fumble)
-Riddick 135 return yards (on 2 kick returns. Only 2 b/c USF only scores once.)

Defense gives up -2 pass yds and -29 rush yards (mostly due to Lynch's 6 sacks) and 0 first downs.

USF scores a garbage FG after Cierre Wood drops the ball out of exhaustion (from running for 389 yards) at the ND 3, defense holds USF to 3 and out, giving up -15 yards (sacks by Te'o and Nix. Nix's hit sends Daniels to the ER). On the FG attempt, Nix blocks the kick, but the ricochet hits the kicker so hard in the helmet it bounces and flies ~30 yards for a FG.

We are immediately crowned National Champions, and Lou Holtz is cured of his lisp.

The Heisman trophy is simply awarded to "Notre Dame"

Tom Hammond's flight home from Korea crashes over that freaky LOST island. Luckily for him, his makeup protected his face, and he survived the crash. Luckily for us, he never returns. Gus Johnson receives a phone call from Brian Kelly, who convinces him to do play-by-play for NBC. I can imagine it now:

"Crist with the paASSSSSSS!!! TAACHDDOWWWNNN! OH MY GOOOOODNESS!"

Notre Dame fans rejoice. Mark May has an intense conversion, and he and Holtz pick Notre Dame in every game for eternity. Oddly enough, they will always be right.

Touchdown Jesus, after a few years, becomes National Championship Jesus, in which he is holding the National Championship trophy with an ND t-shirt on.

Adidas creates Tech-Fit v2, which makes the wearer invisible. This gives Notre Dame even more of an advantage.

South Bend is named the capital of the World, and Brian Kelly its king.

God I can't wait til September 3rd. 13 MORE DAYS !!!1!1!!1!

Am I the only one who appreciated this post!

well done sir, made my morning!

 

[nlroma1o]

I'm praying we will see a repeat of the 2009 opener against Nevada. Something tells me that this USF team is better coached and they wont just fold like the Wolfpack did... Not really sure what to expect. Part of me really wants to beleive that year 2 in Kellys system, the offense is gonna roll people. But i just dont know how i feel about that yet... I want to say that we are going to go in there and score 21 in the first quarter. I know that we have the skill and coaching to do that. But i just dont know if we are there yet. I feel great on D. For once i truly think our D is going to be lights out and destroy people. The DL has the potential to do something truly special this year.

My prediction that i think is going to be closest to the actual results... ND goes up early 21-7 at half time and win 35-17

The score predition for a game were the offense stalls (which is a horrible thought that is sitting in the back of my head)... ND either is up by 3 or down by 3 at half. Probably 13 - 10 or vice versa. The second half the Defence is entirely responsible for bailing out the offense and they get a pick 6. Then they D causes a fumble and gives the offense a chance to get a late touch down to win 24 - 13...

I dont think my second prediction will happen... but boy do i have fears and scars from seasons before...

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

I'll predict 30-17 ND. First offensive play of the game for ND is a play-action pass to Eifert for 15 yards.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm praying we will see a repeat of the 2009 opener against Nevada. Something tells me that this USF team is better coachedand they wont just fold like the Wolfpack did... Not really sure what to expect. Part of me really wants to beleive that year 2 in Kellys system, the offense is gonna roll people. But i just dont know how i feel about that yet... I want to say that we are going to go in there and score 21 in the first quarter. I know that we have the skill and coaching to do that. But i just dont know if we are there yet. I feel great on D. For once i truly think our D is going to be lights out and destroy people. The DL has the potential to do something truly special this year.

My prediction that i think is going to be closest to the actual results... ND goes up early 21-7 at half time and win 35-17

The score predition for a game were the offense stalls (which is a horrible thought that is sitting in the back of my head)... ND either is up by 3 or down by 3 at half. Probably 13 - 10 or vice versa. The second half the Defence is entirely responsible for bailing out the offense and they get a pick 6. Then they D causes a fumble and gives the offense a chance to get a late touch down to win 24 - 13...

I dont think my second prediction will happen... but boy do i have fears and scars from seasons before...

I like Skip as much as the next guy, but you are kidding, right? Chris Ault is one of the three active coaches who have been inducted into the college football hall of fame. The guy has a record of 219-97-1 at NEVADA.

Skip has to have many, many more years of improved coaching to even start to sniff Ault's jock.

 

[Mr. Larson]

I'll predict 30-17 ND. First offensive play of the game for ND is a play-action pass to Eifert for 15 yards.

"Not just a pass, pass right."
Chuck Weis

 

[arrowryan]

I still think this could be another Notre Dame vs Nevada game. Notre Dame will definately be ready to play, no doubt about it.

 

[adsnorri]

I think we will pound the ball with cierre having 150 yds. Also a mirage of small 5-10 yard passes in order to alleviate their athletic dl. This is the strategy for the first half. Half time score, 17- 7. We open it up in the second half and start
hitting the 15+ passes with a vicious outside running game. Final 38- 14.

Btw, defense/st is nasty with 2 ints, 6 sacks and 1 kickoff return for a td. Mark it down!

 

[nlroma1o]

I like Skip as much as the next guy, but you are kidding, right? Chris Ault is one of the three active coaches who have been inducted into the college football hall of fame. The guy has a record of 219-97-1 at NEVADA.

Skip has to have many, many more years of improved coaching to even start to sniff Ault's jock.

Touche. I know he has a great record. I guess I was simply basing that off of how Nevada failed to make adjustments to us when we played them. Also based on what i have seen out of Skips USF team...

FWIW, why has Ault stayed at Nevada for so long? If hes such a good coach why did he never go try and coach with the big boys?

 

[EddytoNow]

Realistic Prediction:

With two defenses that are expected to be very good this year, I doubt either team reaches 30 points. Notre Dame wins 24 to 10, with the ND defense accounting for at least one score. Ruffer scores first with a 36 yard field goal after a stalled Notre Dame drive. On the next possession by South Florida Robert Blanton intercepts a pass and returns it for a pick six. After that the defenses dominate and the offenses struggle to consistently move the ball. Cierre Wood carries 12-15 times for 80 yards and one touchdown. The third Notre Dame touchdown is scored by Michael Floyd who out jumps the defense for a 12-yard touchdown reception from Crist late in the 4th quarter. Crist goes 15 for 27 and 175 yards with 1 TD and 1 Interception.

The Dream:

The defense is dominant and South Florida is held to a single field goal. Meanwhile, Crist gets off to an quick start taking the opening drive for a touchdown going 4 of 6 culminating with a 17 yard TD toss to Tyler Eifert. The Irish offense continues to click and the Irish lead 21-3 at the half. Second TD is scored by Cierre Wood on a 32-yard run. Third TD is scored by Robert Blanton on a pick six.

Cam McDaniel returns second half kick-off for a TD putting the Irish up 28 to 3. Irish emphasize ground attack with Jonas Gray and Cierre Wood pounding away. Wood finishes with 133 yards on 17 carries. Gray finishes with 85 yards on 12 carries. Final Irish touchdown is scored by Aaron Lynch who picks up a loose fumble late in the game and runs the ball into the endzone for his first Irish score. Irish win 35 to 3. Crist finishes with 225 yards, going 17 for 25 with the single touchdown pass to Eifert and no interceptions.

 

[irish1958]

42-0
On the first defensive play Nix intercepts a screen pass and scores ND's first TD.

 

[the great 8]

ND vs. USF

ND vs. USF

I can appreciate that ND fans think they're going to be dropping 30+ on USF but that simply isn't going to happen. They were one of the few teams in college football last year to be top 25 in EVERY major statistical defensive category (rushing/passing/total/scoring). No other school in FL accomplished that.

The only way ND drops 30+ is if USF's offense makes catastrophic mistakes early in the game and is forced to play from behind...which leads to more mistakes. If there's no pick sixes or fumbles returned, etc the game will be tightly contested. Book it. That's not to say USF's offense is beyond imploding, against Florida last year Daniels had 4 interceptions I believe. Yet, he's thought to be improved.

The risk for the offense imploding is there for USF but not so much for Notre Dame. Simply because of that ND has to be favored. If neither offense implodes, be nervous, because USF has a knack for pulling off upsets in OOC play (ask Auburn, UNC, FSU, Clemson, Miami, Kansas, etc). This isn't a lousy OOC Pitt team you're playing.

 

[woolybug25]

Touche. I know he has a great record. I guess I was simply basing that off of how Nevada failed to make adjustments to us when we played them. Also based on what i have seen out of Skips USF team...

FWIW, why has Ault stayed at Nevada for so long? If hes such a good coach why did he never go try and coach with the big boys?

He went to school there (both undergrad and masters) and started coaching there at the age of 29. For all intensive purposes, he created their program. Some may even say, he is Nevada Football. He was even the athletic director for a period of time. He has always stated that he loves the university and would never coach anywhere else, so I dont think schools waste their time trying to pursue him.

Amazingly, he even took a pay cut in his recent extension. Kinda crazy considering their recent success with Kaepernick at the helm. Kinda refreshing compared to the Sabans of the world.

 

[IrishP]

Realistic Prediction:

With two defenses that are expected to be very good this year, I doubt either team reaches 30 points. Notre Dame wins 24 to 10, with the ND defense accounting for at least one score. Ruffer scores first with a 36 yard field goal after a stalled Notre Dame drive. On the next possession by South Florida Robert Blanton intercepts a pass and returns it for a pick six. After that the defenses dominate and the offenses struggle to consistently move the ball. Cierre Wood carries 12-15 times for 80 yards and one touchdown. The third Notre Dame touchdown is scored by Michael Floyd who out jumps the defense for a 12-yard touchdown reception from Crist late in the 4th quarter. Crist goes 15 for 27 and 175 yards with 1 TD and 1 Interception.

The Dream:

The defense is dominant and South Florida is held to a single field goal. Meanwhile, Crist gets off to an quick start taking the opening drive for a touchdown going 4 of 6 culminating with a 17 yard TD toss to Tyler Eifert. The Irish offense continues to click and the Irish lead 21-3 at the half. Second TD is scored by Cierre Wood on a 32-yard run. Third TD is scored by Robert Blanton on a pick six.

Cam McDaniel returns second half kick-off for a TD putting the Irish up 28 to 3. Irish emphasize ground attack with Jonas Gray and Cierre Wood pounding away. Wood finishes with 133 yards on 17 carries. Gray finishes with 85 yards on 12 carries. Final Irish touchdown is scored by Aaron Lynch who picks up a loose fumble late in the game and runs the ball into the endzone for his first Irish score. Irish win 35 to 3. Crist finishes with 225 yards, going 17 for 25 with the single touchdown pass to Eifert and no interceptions.

Is Cam on the kickoff return team? I wasn't aware of that.

 

[GoldenDomer87]

Am I the only one who appreciated this post!

well done sir, made my morning!

I just read it and loved it as well.

Great job BurningRiver.

On a more serious note: 24-17 ND.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I can appreciate that ND fans think they're going to be dropping 30+ on USF but that simply isn't going to happen. They were one of the few teams in college football last year to be top 25 in EVERY major statistical defensive category (rushing/passing/total/scoring). No other school in FL accomplished that.

USF's defensive stats look a lot different once you account for the quality of the offenses they faced: 45th overall; 36th Rush Defense, 51st Pass Defense, 20th on Standard Downs, and 105th on Passing Downs. Factor in efficiency and USF's defense finished an impressive 27th overall, but they weren't the monolith that the NCAA's vanilla stats make them out to be.

Notre Dame's stats in the same categories: 4th overall; 13th Rush Defense, 5th Pass Defense, 5th on Standard Downs, and 17th on Passing Downs. Factor in efficiency and ND drops to 9th overall.

The only way ND drops 30+ is if USF's offense makes catastrophic mistakes early in the game and is forced to play from behind...which leads to more mistakes. If there's no pick sixes or fumbles returned, etc the game will be tightly contested. Book it. That's not to say USF's offense is beyond imploding, against Florida last year Daniels had 4 interceptions I believe. Yet, he's thought to be improved.

Why are you so confident that USF's defense will continue to play at the same level when you only return 6 starters on that side of the ball?

The risk for the offense imploding is there for USF but not so much for Notre Dame. Simply because of that ND has to be favored. If neither offense implodes, be nervous, because USF has a knack for pulling off upsets in OOC play (ask Auburn, UNC, FSU, Clemson, Miami, Kansas, etc). This isn't a lousy OOC Pitt team you're playing.

To be fair, I think USF's defense will be good, so ND won't hang 30+ on you. You should be worried about your offense, though. Only four returning starters against a defensive unit that was statistically the best in the nation over the last four games of 2010.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is Cam on the kickoff return team? I wasn't aware of that.

He's an option for KR and will likely continue seeing practice reps at the position, but Riddick and Jackson are the top two at the moment.

 

[johnnyoooo]

Lived near Yankee Stadium during the WW11 years so remember quite well the excitment of Notre Dame playing Army. Was not part of the Subway Alumni because the Stadium was five blocks away. But the Stadium was a play ground for us kids and we knew every which way to sneak in. I was a vendor i Yankee Stadium and Polo Grounds and worked over three hundred Yankee and Giants plus three World Series and the great boxing championship bouts and Giant football. The football Yankess could not practice in the Stadium because the Black Yankees played there when the Yankees were on the road. So they practiced on baseball field areas across the street and I met and spoke with all their great players including Buddy Young. But regards Notre Dame football this time of year I am all keyed up like you guys. I am always too optimistic this time in August but sense they are loaded especially on offense. But I believe we won't have a clear idea how good they are until after the Michigan State Game. If we are undefeated after that game baby we are going to roll. Wow look at their defensive line as heavy as offensive linemen so I expect them to kick ***.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Skip Holtz Talks Notre Dame.

 

[the great 8]

Why are you so confident that USF's defense will continue to play at the same level when you only return 6 starters on that side of the ball?

Mostly because:

a.) We've been a perpetually top 25-ish defense. The defense was a bit of a question mark at the start of last season after losing 4 starters to the NFL draft. Yet, we produced the aforementioned defensive stats when the year was through. Our DC is the gem of our coaching staff, maybe even over Holtz imo. He was DC at Ohio State when they won't their NC in 2002 (?).

b.) We return several players who got many reps last year. For instance, the CB filling in for last years starting CB has started 10 games over the past 2 years and was the starter in the 3-3-5 scheme. In many places these guys were more talented but simply didn't have game experience. Now they do. They could be better than their starting counterparts last year.

c.) Last years defense was young as an overall. Lots of young guys got reps last year. For instance, the LB corps started a freshman, a sophomore, and a senior (drafted). The underclassmen last year figure to be improved with a year under their belt in a new system. Another year of young players under a new system is the exact same reason ND is confident about this year. We have similar feelings.

To be fair, I think USF's defense will be good, so ND won't hang 30+ on you. You should be worried about your offense, though. Only four returning starters against a defensive unit that was statistically the best in the nation over the last four games of 2010.

I am worried about our offense, ha! That said, returning 4 starters from an atrocious offense isn't a terrible thing per se. We lost 2 starting WR's before the season even began last year and they're back which should help our numbers. We have a tank 240-lb, former top RB recruit in the country, just become eligible after transferring in. WR and RB figure to be improved talent wise, QB should be improved with a year under the system.

All in all, "returning starters" is an overrated quality for an early game. We may not have the depth if more than a couple OL or DT's go down, but that doesn't figure to be an issue in the first game. In conference play, sure. In reality, that's a reason USF has such a knack for pulling off the upset in early OOC play: their #1's can matchup with anyone in the country. #2's...not nearly as well (though this is improving with better recruiting).

 

[johnnyoooo]

Notre Dame Fervor.

Notre Dame Fervor.

How much excitment living near Yankee Stadium before the Notre Dame-Army Game. Well our first grade Irish Ursline nun asked us boys what the latin term Notre Dame meant. We didn't know and she said it meant Our Mother. Then she added lads you not only have to root for the Fighting Irish but the Blessed Mother too. So St. Angelia Merici turned into a spiritual Notre Dame tailgate rally.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

How much excitment living near Yankee Stadium before the Notre Dame-Army Game. Well our first grade Irish Ursline nun asked us boys what the latin term Notre Dame meant. We didn't know and she said it meant Our Mother. Then she added lads you not only have to root for the Fighting Irish but the Blessed Mother too. So St. Angelia Merici turned into a spiritual Notre Dame tailgate rally.

"Notre Dame" is French, not Latin; but props to her for repping the home team.

 

[johnnyoooo]

French Not Latin

French Not Latin

Stand corrected Notre Dame is French and I should know better having had both three years of French and Latin. Also I meant to write the Notre Dame defense is loaded but wrote the offense which may be thin at halfback if Wood goes down. So Gray has to step up. I suspect Notre Dame does well when they have enough talent and their main opposition have off seasons. I don't look for Michigan, Michigan State, S.Cal and Stanford to have great season but rather just good seasons at best. Hey I say all this but many of you guys here are more up on Notre Dame then me. Plus I commend many of you for your great sense of humor and wit.

 

[johnnyoooo]

Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium

Might add I was assigned to Yankee Stadium for baseball and Giant Footall Games at times as a South Bronx cop. Then as Pope John's personal body guard as a detective in the late 1970's By 1966 the Stadium crowd had gone ghetto and many big fights in the lower right field stands.