Week Four Prediction Poll (ND @ Wake Forest)

[Wild Bill]

I don't see how we score points on either team. Stanford's DBs are reallllllly good. Their front 7 is physical. Virginia Tech hasn't played anyone, but at Blacksburg with them being undefeated is asking to get Miami'd.

I'm not so sure this team can get miami'd with their defense. They're too disciplined, swarm to the ball and are playing opportunistic with their backs are against the wall. A few commentators implied vandy should have won that game but they left points on the field. Truth is, ND defense took those points away with solid red zone play overall, a pick and a strip.

ND could definitely lose two of the next three but based on what we've seen so far, I'd be surprised if anyone on the schedule can blow this team out.

Probably another game where ND gets an early lead, plays conservative and squeaks out a win by a touchdown or less.

 

[irishtrooper]

Accidentally chose WF winning by 9-13. Meant to pick ND by that margin. I still believe this ship gets going the right direction beginning now and I’m not sure Stanford is all that good. VT scares me more than anyone else

 

[ACamp1900]

Has anyone picked Wake who actually intended to?? lo

 

[tko]

The key to beating Stanford and VT is to get really lucky, twice.

Will discuss this next week, but we obviously need to pressure Costello. Is there any defense for getting posted up in the corner by their TE's? Can anyone make a play on the ball and actually knock it down or pick it off since they know it's coming? Obviously need the refs to not accept money from Shaw as well. Back to Wake, ND rolls by 21 on this business trip. I'm happy we're away this week.

 

[GowerND11]

Will discuss this next week, but we obviously need to pressure Costello. Is there any defense for getting posted up in the corner by their TE's? Can anyone make a play on the ball and actually knock it down or pick it off since they know it's coming? Obviously need the refs to not accept money from Shaw as well. Back to Wake, ND rolls by 21 on this business trip. I'm happy we're away this week.

Honestly, I know this sounds far fetched, but I tell my d-backs to do everything you can to hold them in the air after they catch it, and push them OB. It isn't a catch anymore if you get pushed out like it used to be, I'm like 95% sure.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I'm not so sure this team can get miami'd with their defense. They're too disciplined, swarm to the ball and are playing opportunistic with their backs are against the wall. A few commentators implied vandy should have won that game but they left points on the field. Truth is, ND defense took those points away with solid red zone play overall, a pick and a strip.

ND could definitely lose two of the next three but based on what we've seen so far, I'd be surprised if anyone on the schedule can blow this team out.

Probably another game where ND gets an early lead, plays conservative and squeaks out a win by a touchdown or less.

I agree with the strip and the INT. I think the last play was 50/50 and there was a clear TD drop on their part....should have been an easy score. I think all in, both teams walk away with salt in their mouth.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm not so sure this team can get miami'd with their defense.

I tend to agree... I'll leave the possibility of getting "navy'd" in the realm of possible though.

In all honestly to that Miami game... that was just one of those games man. They hit a wave, hyped stadium for the first time in a long time, got a few big plays early and boom... few teams would have weathered that on that given night. I still don't think that was an accurate barometer of either team last year.

 

[Wild Bill]

I agree with the strip and the INT. I think the last play was 50/50 and there was a clear TD drop on their part....should have been an easy score. I think all in, both teams walk away with salt in their mouth.

The was definitely a drop right before the half but a defender, I think it was Bilal, stayed home and did just enough to throw him off his route path. No doubt he should have caught the ball but if Bilal drifted a bit back and towards the side of the field with trips, the receiver would have crossed his face untouched and made an easy catch in the end zone. Instead, Bilal forced him re-route towards the line of scrimmage and make the catch at the two, which made it a more difficult angle to make the catch and forced him to turn up the field to score after he made the catch. It's a game of inches, especially in the red zone.

The fourth down play could have easily ended in a catch but the safety was all over him and made the play he had to make. After Yoon missed that kick, I think most of us thought it was over given they already had the momentum. Gotta give the defense some credit on that drive. They made Vandy work for every yard and eventually got of the field on a nice pass breakup.

I think the offense and vandy may be salty but the defense definitely did what they had to do to win the game.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I hope our offense is ready to play, because I think this is the best offense ND has played to date, and we may need to score more than 24. I'm buckling up for another frustrating performance.

Seriously, their best player is in the slot, and we lost our senior nickel corner before the scUM game. Not sure Coleman has the speed to keep up with Greg Dorch, which might put a freshman in Houston Griffith on him.

I've been wrong in my eternal optimism two weeks in a row now. So I'm changing the script and saying ND wins an absolute nail biter on the road that will have us all on the verge of blackout by 2:53 PM ET on Saturday.

Here's to hopefully being wrong a third week in a row. I REALLY hope we put together a full game and win something to the tune of 45-21, but that would be putting a lot of blind faith in an offense that has been underwhelming, coupled with adjustments by the offensive staff that have been non-existent.

 

[NDinMI]

I hope our offense is ready to play, because I think this is the best offense ND has played to date, and we may need to score more than 24. I'm buckling up for another frustrating performance.

Seriously, their best player is in the slot, and we lost our senior nickel corner before the scUM game. Not sure Coleman has the speed to keep up with Greg Dorch, which might put a freshman in Houston Griffith on him.

I've been wrong in my eternal optimism two weeks in a row now. So I'm changing the script and saying ND loses an absolute nail biter on the road that will have us all on the verge of blackout by 2:53 PM ET on Saturday.

Here's to hopefully being wrong a third week in a row. I REALLY hope we put together a full game and win something to the tune of 45-21, but that would be putting a lot of blind faith in an offense that has been underwhelming, coupled with adjustments by the offensive staff that have been non-existent.

Speed wise I don't think Griffith is going to help there. It's been quoted several times that Coleman is one of the most athletic and fastest players on the team. His thing was just not understanding defense/technique and not have the natural instinct on defense. I'm sure we will see both of them in certain packages and situations. We will definitely need to mix some things up on defense because if we go with the bend not break approach the entire time we'll get shredded just as we did last year. Our pass rush is better so that will help, but we need to make plays an give them long 3rd downs and get of the field then. If not, we better score 35+. Should be and interesting game.

 

[gkIrish]

It scares me that Wake's offense is better than Vandy because Vandy was moving the ball really well in the second half and probably should have scored another 14 points in the game if not for a goal line turnover and a dropped ball.

The issue with our offense is not really how talented we are compared to the opponent. Our issues stem from bad playcalling, bad personnel decisions, and bad decision making by the QB. And just bad red zone play in general.

That's why a game like this scares me because we are probably going to give up 24+ points. The question is whether or not we finish drives, avoid drops, and play smart. I could see a 31-27 loss. But I could also see a 42-21 win.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Wake's starting QB is still suspended right? I'd be scared if he were playing.

Edit: Let's also not forget that Clawson knows this defense pretty well.

 

[matman4593]

theyre playing Sam Hartman. True freshman QB with subpar arm strength. Short passing game going to be prominent here

 

[snoopdog]

Wake's starting QB is still suspended right? I'd be scared if he were playing.

Edit: Let's also not forget that Clawson knows this defense pretty well.

Thought Hinton was back this week. He got suspended first 3 games I thought

 

[zelezo vlk]

I thought it was 4

Thought Hinton was back this week. He got suspended first 3 games I thought

Sheeeeeeit, just checked and it's 3

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Old Man Mike]

A). Wake's offense NOT better than Vandy's in my opinion.
B). Wake's offense (and the returning QB) seem to favor running --- in my opinion send as much of that to our front seven as you want. I'll take us.
C). Wake has not shown ability to stop the run. OK, that too.

 

[Valpodoc85]

think we win by 10. Wake has had mucho ACL problems can't imagine they are going full boot at practice. Running game wins big here

 

[ThePiombino]

This isn't last year's WF -- new QB. ND covers, D does their thing, keeps em under 20. Offense improves because law of averages suggests...

ND 34
WF 17

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Irish YJ]

A). Wake's offense NOT better than Vandy's in my opinion.
B). Wake's offense (and the returning QB) seem to favor running --- in my opinion send as much of that to our front seven as you want. I'll take us.
C). Wake has not shown ability to stop the run. OK, that too.

I agree they are not world beaters, but I do think their O is better than Vandy and best we've seen so far (until Stanford).

Wake's O is top 15 yards per game
Wake's O was respectable in a loss to BC (BC has the #1 sack leader in CFB, and #5 INT yards)
Carney is average 100yrds/game rushing
Dortch is averaging 100+ rcv/game and Surratt is close to 100/game
Hartman is close to BW passing stats, and will throw INTs, but has more rushing yards than BW...

The good thing is Wake gave up 184 yards to BC's AJ Dillon last (#5 in RB in CFB).

We'll be able to judge our D a lot better after this game IMO.

 

[Irish YJ]

ND 23-20

 

[Irish YJ]

I thought it was 4

Sheeeeeeit, just checked and it's 3

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

I read earlier that he probably won't start this week (might be worked in, or come in if Hartman is struggling)

 

[stlnd01]

Wake may well have the best offense we’ve seen yet, but if it’s predicated on the ground game - which it sounds like, though maybe I’m misreading - I’m less worried. No one has been able to run on us.
On offense, obviously some things need to get fixed, and soon. But our o line and running game looked better on Saturday and at some point the QB play will improve - either with Wimbush or Book. Why not Saturday?

Looking ahead, I’ll be pleasantly surprised if we’re still undefeated on Oct. 7, but disappointed if we have two losses. Of the three games, Va Tech. worries me a lot more than the other two. We play Stanford well at home and I think match up OK with them this year.

 

[ACamp1900]

I know I’m most of y’alls hero but you don’t have to pretend to be scared of Wake to kick it...... we got this one.

 

[GATTACA!]

I know I’m most of y’alls hero but you don’t have to pretend to be scared of Wake to kick it...... we got this one.

I've never seen an optimistic ACamp. It's........unsettling.

 

[loomis41973]

I predict early in the day drinking and for ND to cover.

ND42-Woke23

 

[irish4ever]

I predict early in the day drinking and for ND to cover.

ND42-Woke23

The Irish can't score over 24 pts. ND 24 Wake 23. Another nail biter.

 

[Irish YJ]

Put this in the game thread, but will drop it here too


Wake Stats (ND in par)

Total Offense - 16th (85)
Passing - 33rd (80)
Rushing - 13th (74)

Total Defense - 107 (68)
Passing - 119 (96)
Rushing - 70 (35)

 

[loomis41973]

The Irish can't score over 24 pts. ND 24 Wake 23. Another nail biter.

I'd be willing to wager against that.

 

[Irish Insanity]

LOL... yes, I did... I totally saw 21+ and just thought "ND by three plus scores"s

Has anyone picked Wake who actually intended to?? lo

Please see below:

I've never seen an optimistic ACamp. It's........unsettling.

Expect us to lose by 3-4

 

[Crazy Balki]

Put this in the game thread, but will drop it here too


Wake Stats (ND in par)

Total Offense - 16th (85)
Passing - 33rd (80)
Rushing - 13th (74)

Total Defense - 107 (68)
Passing - 119 (96)
Rushing - 70 (35)

I agree they are not world beaters, but I do think their O is better than Vandy and best we've seen so far (until Stanford).

Wake's O is top 15 yards per game
Wake's O was respectable in a loss to BC (BC has the #1 sack leader in CFB, and #5 INT yards)
Carney is average 100yrds/game rushing
Dortch is averaging 100+ rcv/game and Surratt is close to 100/game
Hartman is close to BW passing stats, and will throw INTs, but has more rushing yards than BW...

The good thing is Wake gave up 184 yards to BC's AJ Dillon last (#5 in RB in CFB).

We'll be able to judge our D a lot better after this game IMO.

I think the rankings don't tell the whole story.

WF's ranking is bolstered by playing 3 teams with mediocre to terrible defenses. Tulane surrendered more points to a really REALLY bad UAB team than they did Wake Forest. Towson is an FCS team, so that's pretty much a throwaway game stat-wise. BC's defense just doesn't look good at all so far this year, either.

I think Hartman has been pretty mediocre so far, and ND's defense should feast. This is easily the worst defense they've played so far, and the offense has no excuse to not kick it into high gear. This game shouldn't be close. It better not be close.