Week 13: Who to root for?

[longliveautrydenson]

Week 9 wish list for me:

Miami over Clemson
Texas Tech over Oklahoma
GT over FSU
Pitt over Syracuse
Temple over ECU
Tennessee over Bama
Kansas over KSU
Indiana over MSU
Ole Miss over Texas AM
USC over Utah
Stanford over Washington

Bolded the ones that really matter.

I know this isn't remotely the most important game on this list, but I badly want Temple to win tonight. If they do, it gives us the opportunity to absolutely demolish a Top 20 team on the road, on Saturday night, with Gameday potentially in tow. It's a dream scenario for us.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I didn't add the WSU LSU game because I didnt realize WKU was 6-1. Probably get rolled, but there's reason to dream.

WKU win is very unlikely but this is a team that could have beaten IU and been 7-0. Has some top 25 votes and for the second year in a row is one of the highest scoring teams in the nation. Have dropped over 40 points in a half. Their QB Doughty is very experienced and can sling it. Could be a more interesting game than it would appear.

 

[woolybug25]

I know this isn't remotely the most important game on this list, but I badly want Temple to win tonight. If they do, it gives us the opportunity to absolutely demolish a Top 20 team on the road, on Saturday night, with Gameday potentially in tow. It's a dream scenario for us.

That's a really good point. We need a game like that right now too.

 

[koonja]

Why wouldn't USC over Utah be bolded? That's as big as any right now.

Because Utah's schedule is tough and I honestly think they'll drop 1-2 games if not against USC. But you're right, it would be good to guarantee that game this weekend.

 

[phork]

I want Clemson to win out. I want FSU to lose however.

 

[koonja]

I think we want Clemson and FSU to lose 2 games. And Oklahoma to drop a random one then go HAM in their last few weeks against TCU/Baylor.

 

[woolybug25]

I want Clemson to win out. I want FSU to lose however.

I keep seeing people say this. Why would that help Notre Dame? Wouldn't it be better for us if the ACC champ had 2 losses? So we get their slot?

 

[irishfan]

I keep seeing people say this. Why would that help Notre Dame? Wouldn't it be better for us if the ACC champ had 2 losses? So we get their slot?

It's just not realistic with their schedules. We can probably jump a 12-1 ACC Champ FSU. I don't think they'll put Clemson below us even if they go 11-1 and don't win their division. I don't see 2 losses on Clemson's schedule. I guess they could lose this week to Miami and then lose to FSU....and then we'd need FSU to drop one along the way as well. But the rest of Clemson's schedule (NC State, Syracuse, Wake, South Carolina) is a joke.

IMO it's more realistic that no one in the Big-12 goes undefeated than it is no one in the ACC goes undefeated.

 

[wizards8507]

Wouldn't it be better for us if the ACC champ had 2 losses? So we get their slot?

Yes, IF the ACC champion has two losses, we could get their spot.

I keep seeing people say this. Why would that help Notre Dame?

If you don't think the ACC champion will have two losses, the next best option is an undefeated Clemson. We ain't getting their slot anyways, so it might as well be the team that maximizes our SOS.

Worst case scenario: Clemson starts losing a bunch and FSU goes undefeated.

 

[woolybug25]

It's just not realistic with their schedules. We can probably jump a 12-1 ACC Champ FSU. I don't think they'll put Clemson below us even if they go 11-1 and don't win their division. I don't see 2 losses on Clemson's schedule. I guess they could lose this week to Miami and then lose to FSU....and then we'd need FSU to drop one along the way as well. But the rest of Clemson's schedule (NC State, Syracuse, Wake, South Carolina) is a joke.

IMO it's more realistic that no one in the Big-12 goes undefeated than it is no one in the ACC goes undefeated.

Yes, IF the ACC champion has two losses, we could get their spot.


If you don't think the ACC champion will have two losses, the next best option is an undefeated Clemson. We ain't getting their slot anyways, so it might as well be the team that maximizes our SOS.

Worst case scenario: Clemson starts losing a bunch and FSU goes undefeated.

With that many variables, it makes more sense to me to not root for anything in the ACC and simply put all of my mental efforts into Pac12/Big12 choas.

amirite?

 

[IrishLion]

With that many variables, it makes more sense to me to not root for anything in the ACC and simply put all of my mental efforts into Pac12/Big12 choas.

amirite?

Baylor is playing well and their defense looks a bit improved. Of course, all of their biggest games are still to come, but I fear that they will finish unbeaten based on their offensive weapons and the fact that their defense has to be simply serviceable at best for them to win.

 

[irishfan]

With that many variables, it makes more sense to me to not root for anything in the ACC and simply put all of my mental efforts into Pac12/Big12 choas.

amirite?

That is kind of where I am at.

I am thinking Clemson, SEC Champ, B1G Champ, ND is really our most realistic chance at making playoffs.

With Stanford winning the PAC (or at least Utah not finishing 12-1 or 13-0).
And no one finishing 12-0 from the Big-12.

 

[koonja]

Don't underestimate Big Game Bob. Just pray they get a 2nd loss before he terrorizes the BIG 12's playoff chances.

They will easily jump us if they go undefeated.

 

[wizards8507]

With that many variables, it makes more sense to me to not root for anything in the ACC and simply put all of my mental efforts into Pac12/Big12 choas.

amirite?

We're pro-Pitt 100%. Pitt and Stanford could clear the field for us without much other chaos necessary.

 

[wizards8507]

Don't underestimate Big Game Bob. Just pray they get a 2nd loss before he terrorizes the BIG 12's playoff chances.

They will easily jump us if they go undefeated.

Well they already lost, so...

 

[koonja]

Well they already lost, so...

Yeah, once. When I say 'pray for a 2nd loss', what I mean is pray for a 2nd loss.

 

[woolybug25]

Well they already lost, so...

haha

Yeah, once. When I say 'pray for a 2nd loss', what I mean is pray for a 2nd loss.

Sure you did...

 

[koonja]

haha

.

 

[wizards8507]

Yeah, once. When I say 'pray for a 2nd loss', what I mean is pray for a 2nd loss.

Then the correct syntax would be "...if they run the table," not "...if they go undefeated."

And yeah, they totally should jump us if they run the table. Wins over Baylor, TCU, and OK State back-to-back-to-back? That'll do it.

 

[koonja]

Then the correct syntax would be "...if they run the table," not "...if they go undefeated."

And yeah, they totally should jump us if they run the table. Wins over Baylor, TCU, and OK State back-to-back-to-back? That'll do it.

Don't become a nit picker, there's too many of them on here already. You know what I meant. Pray OK loses one more, then goes HAM the final 3 weeks (or undefeated from the 2nd loss on out).

 

[woolybug25]

Don't become a nit picker, there's too many of them on here already. You know what I meant. Pray OK loses one more, then goes HAM the final 3 weeks (or undefeated from the 2nd loss on out).

Alas... we didn't know what you meant...


I sense... some anger festering in you, Koon...

 

[phork]

Yes, IF the ACC champion has two losses, we could get their spot.


If you don't think the ACC champion will have two losses, the next best option is an undefeated Clemson. We ain't getting their slot anyways, so it might as well be the team that maximizes our SOS.

Worst case scenario: Clemson starts losing a bunch and FSU goes undefeated.

This. Also I know we can beat Clemson on a Neutral field.

 

[wizards8507]

Alas... we didn't know what you meant...

I sense... some anger festering in you, Koon...

 

[irishfan]

Then the correct syntax would be "...if they run the table," not "...if they go undefeated."

And yeah, they totally should jump us if they run the table. Wins over Baylor, TCU, and OK State back-to-back-to-back? That'll do it.

If they run the table and finish 11-1, there is a good chance that there would be 1 or 2 other teams also 11-1. In which case the Committee might say screw it once again and not stick a Big-12 team in. All ND bias aside, I don't know if I could put 11-1 OU over 11-1 ND considering how our respective Texas games went.

 

[koonja]

Pretty dull slate of games unless there are some major upsets.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=college+football+week+10

- We want Georgia to beat Florida.
- WVU to get off of their 3 game skip @ TCU (not happening)
- Pittsburgh to beat NC
- Maryland over Iowa? I don't see it.
- Texas Tech over OK ST.
- Syracuse over FSU? Also don't see it although Syracuse is a weird team. They played LSU and Pitt reasonably tough, but are on a 4 game skid of their own.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Yeah really not much to look forward to outside of the ND game. UGA over Florida is realistic and would be nice but thats about it.

 

[wizards8507]

Pretty dull slate of games unless there are some major upsets.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=college+football+week+10

- We want Georgia to beat Florida.
- WVU to get off of their 3 game skip @ TCU (not happening)
- Pittsburgh to beat NC
- Maryland over Iowa? I don't see it.
- Texas Tech over OK ST.
- Syracuse over FSU? Also don't see it although Syracuse is a weird team. They played LSU and Pitt reasonably tough, but are on a 4 game skid of their own.

TTU could beat OK State. 3:30, ESPN.

 

[irishfan]

TTU could beat OK State. 3:30, ESPN.

Just a 3-pt underdog as well. TT is definitely more battle-tested right now.

 

[IrishLion]

WVU over TCU.

Later, Baylor/Stidham lose to TCU, though I really like Baylor and think Stidham will be a boss. But ND's playoff hopes are more important.

Eliminate the Big XII.

 

[koonja]

So who do we root for between Oklahoma and Baylor?