deadirishpoet said:

Stams, Bolcar, Pritchett, and Stonebreaker.......This is the best group no offence to the current group

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graceh90 said:

I’ve hesitated to go there because Stams, Bolcar, Pritchett, and Stonebreaker in 88 were a force week after week against a brutal schedule. I’ve been impressed by this groups speed all year but wondered if they might get bludgeoned by better competition.

They are the real deal. I am convinced

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deadirishpoet said:

With the game coming up this Thurday, and the Sugar Bowl delayed by a day, and it being played in late afternoon, and the late travel does this hurt the Irish?
I was hoping the committee would switch the game days but I understand the complications to the ticket purchaser's of that.

In closing I understand the reasons for the delay and meant to disrespect to their memory

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NDinNJ said:

He was commenting how lucky ND was on a few plays, my retort was how lucky UGA was with all the ND penalties.

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IrishExpert2288 said:

I have been a ND fan since 12/31/1973 the 24-23 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, The last big wins ND had were the 31-24 win over FSU on 11/13/1993 and then the win over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl on 1/1/1994. The program hit the skids. Brian Kelly cleaned it up, organized it, modernized it and teased the fan base in 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2021. Won 44 out 50 going out the door. But, on the big postseason stage 2012 BSCG, 2015 Fiesta Bowl, 2018 CFP, 2020 ACCCG, 2020 CFP ND got beat like a drum and looked like they had no business being there,

I have concluded that ND (2017 to 2021) was the perfect job for Brian Kelly, but Brian Kelly was not the perfect coach for ND. Marcus Freeman lost his first 3 games, Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State and Marshall, then a flameout vs Stanford, then 10 on the field, 2 road flameouts vs Louisville & Clemson, then N Illinois. Marcus Freeman was sitting at 20-9. However, the man turned it around, and yesterday was the very first time in 31 years ND looked like they belong on the big stage, ND won the game by 13, Marcus & Staff beat Kirby Smart & Staff on the headsets.

So, here we are in the Semi Finals, but it feels different. Now, I know eveyone is annointing Ohio State the champs, but this ND is special, they are the most violent team since the 1988 Championship team. Penn State or Ohio State have not been hit in the jaw, like ND can hit you in the jaw. Oregon, Tennessee, SMU and Boise State are finesse teams. Regardless of what happens Marcus Freeman has shattered the ND glass ceiling of being a Top 5-10 team, and are now legit national title contenders and hopefully this run, looks like Lou's 1988 to 1993, Which if the polls were honest would have produced 3 national titles.

Go Irish beat Penn State!!

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Drinking The Green Koolaid said:

I loved this quote from Golden after the game (talking about his D):

“They’re incredible kids. They are the best of the best,” said defensive coordinator Al Golden. “I think they choose Notre Dame for all the right reasons. It’s not me, me, me. Any of those guys to come here and submit to the program and put your ego aside and go for team glory? That’s rare. Rare. Rare. Rare.”

The culture that Freeman and his staff have built on this team is just remarkable. I've been following ND football for 6 decades, and what Freeman has done with this team and this program is nothing short of extraordinary. I am not sure I have seen anything quite like it. They are not as talented or as dominant as some of the Ara and Holtz teams, but man, they just ball. They play for their brothers. And it has been a thing to behold.

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