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banmate6 · Sunday at 12:48 PM

IrishMike409 said:
It's about to be December, and all you want to talk about is a shitty game that was clearly a fluke, played in early September.

A lot has happened since then. If I could sum it up: we've kicked everyone's ass. Dominated everyone. The D and the run game are both elite. Leonard gets better every Saturday too. Freeman has this team absolutely rolling.

There's 6 maybe 8 teams that can go and win this thing, and we're right in the middle of it all.

You're mad over it.

I agree the NIU has gotten less damaging as this season unfolds. Again, much as I am an ND fan, it still has some weight...particularly in lieu of the schedule. It is easier to recover, roll, and get stronger with this schedule.

ND deserves its ranking. For me the question remains: can ND hang with and beat the top 4? Hard to tell given the greater context.

I am sold on the ND defense. But will Denbrock play calling be a liability against a much better team? Will RL still having deep issues be a concern against a much better team? Will the OL be consistent, especially in power situations against a much better team?

We will find out. Starting next week...with, God willing, a victory to face better teams in the playoffs.

My final verdict for this week: ND is in that middle you describe, but not in that front 4...and yes, evenly matched with Penn State, although strictly speaking I rank them 1 spot ahead of the Irish because of the loss and schedule thing...on a technically...as it'd be 50:50 right now for me between them.

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:47 PM

THUNDERSTRUCK111 said:
Even Nolan Ryan got yanked. Players have bad games sometimes. Smart coaches find ways to create a spark. Heck saban benched Milroe

I may be in the minority here but I believe if angelli got a series or two vs NIU we’d be unbeaten right now. Jmo.

Yeah I agree. I think he got injured early.

If he gets injured, they should play Angeli. If not, no

Chitown11 · Sunday at 12:47 PM

Golson5 said:
Yes it was! And it still counts. Just like NIU still counts or else we would be ranked number 2 in the country

USC is better than LSU

I didn't say it didnt.

Tyler James · Sunday at 12:47 PM

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Golson5 · Sunday at 12:46 PM

echowaker said:
Agreed. USC is not significantly better than anyone ND has throttled in the last 6 games. No reason to think their dominance won't continue.

I expect a tough game. They have had a lead in every 4th quarter this season (crazy stat for a 5 loss team). Their biggest margin of defeat is 7 points

They play everyone tough

Telx1 · Sunday at 12:46 PM

Patrish said:
TelX,

I understand, but while his focus may be next week, next week isn’t the topic for discussion in this thread.

So I don’t care about what he cares about, I only care about the topic for discussion on this thread, and that’s what appears to be a very difficult opening schedule.

I agree that NIL and the transfer portal have made prognosticating a fluid and difficult task

Fluid is right! Hell, I thought Texas A&M, Florida St., U.S.C., and Louisville made this years schedule really difficult! But, …..

mbd11 · Sunday at 12:44 PM

FightingIrish44 said:
True about A&M but it will be close for ND to jump Penn State. ND can help their cause by stomping USC whereas PSU really escaped.

If we beat USC substantially worse than PSU did, then I could see it happening. But not if/until then IMO. And the reason for that is we have the worse loss, obviously.

THUNDERSTRUCK111 · Sunday at 12:44 PM

Golson5 said:
If he is injured like he was against NIU, then yes

If he isn't injured, hell no

Not even a debate. Very dumb question

Even Nolan Ryan got yanked. Players have bad games sometimes. Smart coaches find ways to create a spark. Heck saban benched Milroe

I may be in the minority here but I believe if angelli got a series or two vs NIU we’d be unbeaten right now. Jmo.

Chitown11 · Sunday at 12:44 PM

sjb75 said:
10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

No shit! We fricking know it was an awfull loss. How many f...king times are you going to say it? You obviously havent watched any Penn St games, ND is clearly better. One $hit game doesn't define a season. Give it a break. Why don't you hang out on some sorry usc forum?

echowaker · Sunday at 12:44 PM

hvillebill said:
It's normally a tough game, but I see ND winning by 17 or more.

ND 38
SC 17

Agreed. USC is not significantly better than anyone ND has throttled in the last 6 games. No reason to think their dominance won't continue.

Telx1 · Sunday at 12:41 PM

sjb75 said:
10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

It was that egregiously bad, and EVERYBODY acknowledges this! But it is one game of 11 played by ND, and ND has not only won the other 10, but has increasingly looked very good doing so. My stated concern coming into this season was the play of the OL; and frankly, that is still my concern when we go up against better competition. As for whether we should be ranked ahead or behind Penn St., I have no opinion as I’ve only seen Penn St play once. But you’ve watched every ND game, and you refuse to marginalize their one shitty second game of a highly successful season to date.

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:41 PM

THUNDERSTRUCK111 said:
The NIU game answered that question. It’s NO NO and NO.
Not ONE series for angelli when Leonard was struggling drive after drive.

Should he. YES.
Will he. NO.

If he is injured like he was against NIU, then yes

If he isn't injured, hell no

Not even a debate. Very dumb question

Patrish · Sunday at 12:40 PM

Telx1 said:
Pat, I think he did pay attention to the title and is saying he doesn’t care about next year! At first glance, a tough first six games for sure with Miami and Texas A&M AND Arkansas and Boise St and USC, etc…. At this point, we have no idea who our QB will be, who makes up the starting OL, who leaves via portal, who comes via portal, who is injured, etc… and that’s just our team. The same goes for these teams. So, can’t even begin to guess other than to say we have the talent and potential to project a 6-0 record. That said, this is the kind of schedule I live and hope ND plays annually!

TelX,

I understand, but while his focus may be next week, next week isn’t the topic for discussion in this thread.

So I don’t care about what he cares about, I only care about the topic for discussion on this thread, and that’s what appears to be a very difficult opening schedule.

I agree that NIL and the transfer portal have made prognosticating a fluid and difficult task

echowaker · Sunday at 12:39 PM

Leonard is clearly the best choice unless injured. It's laughable to think otherwise. ND has solid balance in the running and passing game. It's a formula that works well. Dance with who brung ya.

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:39 PM

Chitown11 said:
ND beats Penn St 7 out of 10x. You obviously havent watched many of their games

Good point Mel! However it was the first game of the year.

Yes it was! And it still counts. Just like NIU still counts or else we would be ranked number 2 in the country

USC is better than LSU

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:38 PM

sjb75 said:
10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

There is no excuse for losing to NIU. Evwr. Bad loss.

But you act like they are an FCS team.

Again no excuse. Brutal performance. But they aren't a 1 win fcs team you make them out to be

And twe have played 11 games this year. You compare all 11 games. When watching the teams, we are a better team than psu

THUNDERSTRUCK111 · Sunday at 12:37 PM

88ND said:
We haven't had one game this year where we've been in a high scoring shootout. Sometimes they just happen no matter how good the defense is.
Odds are we can't go the entire season and playoffs(if we get in) without being in a shootout.

It's possible...yes. Is it likely?

If we find ourselves in that situation and just struggling to get points...

Would Freeman put Angelli in to perhaps spark the passing game?

Should he...put Angelli in to try and get some offense going?

Should he and would he are very different ! ! !

Or...do we die on the hill with Riley no matter what....

The NIU game answered that question. It’s NO NO and NO.
Not ONE series for angelli when Leonard was struggling drive after drive.

Should he. YES.
Will he. NO.

Chitown11 · Sunday at 12:36 PM

banmate6 said:
I rate Penn State higher than ND on a better schedule and losing to Ohio State rather than NIU.

But I now think it's 50:50 between the Irish and Nittany Lions in a playoff game.

Only the top 4 I mentioned give me some pause...but I am hoping ND shows upside obfuscated by this schedule.

ND beats Penn St 7 out of 10x. You obviously havent watched many of their games

Golson5 said:
Uhhhh.....USC beat LSU head to head

But of course, much better

No bias here at all

Good point Mel! However it was the first game of the year.

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:34 PM

Telx1 said:
Pat, I think he did pay attention to the title and is saying he doesn’t care about next year! At first glance, a tough first six games for sure with Miami and Texas A&M AND Arkansas and Boise St and USC, etc…. At this point, we have no idea who our QB will be, who makes up the starting OL, who leaves via portal, who comes via portal, who is injured, etc… and that’s just our team. The same goes for these teams. So, can’t even begin to guess other than to say we have the talent and potential to project a 6-0 record. That said, this is the kind of schedule I live and hope ND plays annually!

The 2nd game isn't determined yet. Hopefully it will be an easier type game.

Golson5 · Sunday at 12:33 PM

88ND said:
We haven't had one game this year where we've been in a high scoring shootout. Sometimes they just happen no matter how good the defense is.
Odds are we can't go the entire season and playoffs(if we get in) without being in a shootout.

It's possible...yes. Is it likely?

If we find ourselves in that situation and just struggling to get points...

Would Freeman put Angelli in to perhaps spark the passing game?

Should he...put Angelli in to try and get some offense going?

Should he and would he are very different ! ! !

Or...do we die on the hill with Riley no matter what....

LOL

88ND · Sunday at 12:32 PM

We haven't had one game this year where we've been in a high scoring shootout. Sometimes they just happen no matter how good the defense is.
Odds are we can't go the entire season and playoffs(if we get in) without being in a shootout.

It's possible...yes. Is it likely?

If we find ourselves in that situation and just struggling to get points...

Would Freeman put Angelli in to perhaps spark the passing game?

Should he...put Angelli in to try and get some offense going?

Should he and would he are very different ! ! !

Or...do we die on the hill with Riley no matter what....

Patrish · Sunday at 12:29 PM

Next Saturday should bring clarity to this argument !

Telx1 · Sunday at 12:28 PM

Patrish said:
Pay attention to the title of the thread, it’s not about next week

Pat, I think he did pay attention to the title and is saying he doesn’t care about next year! At first glance, a tough first six games for sure with Miami and Texas A&M AND Arkansas and Boise St and USC, etc…. At this point, we have no idea who our QB will be, who makes up the starting OL, who leaves via portal, who comes via portal, who is injured, etc… and that’s just our team. The same goes for these teams. So, can’t even begin to guess other than to say we have the talent and potential to project a 6-0 record. That said, this is the kind of schedule I live and hope ND plays annually!

IrishMike409 · Sunday at 12:26 PM

sjb75 said:
Agree. There’s something about playing a soft schedule, losing at home to crappy Northern Illinois, and then saying a top 4 ranking is deserved that does not add up correctly.

It's about to be December, and all you want to talk about is a shitty game that was clearly a fluke, played in early September.

A lot has happened since then. If I could sum it up: we've kicked everyone's ass. Dominated everyone. The D and the run game are both elite. Leonard gets better every Saturday too. Freeman has this team absolutely rolling.

There's 6 maybe 8 teams that can go and win this thing, and we're right in the middle of it all.

You're mad over it.

BGI User 756 · Sunday at 12:26 PM

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