chaseball said:

These programs have been competing for years before the actual game is even played and OSU has a big lead in the war already -- the actual game itself on the field represents only the last leg in the race (which will be reflected in the point spread and the low odds of NDs potential victory)

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NDSMC78 said:

Why don't you wait until the game is played until you declare ND the loser? Seriously, WTF is wrong with you?

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chaseball said:

You do realize that OSU is going to be a big favorite over ND because of their talent advantage right?

Making it to semi means zip.

Being the #2 team in the country when you are a blue blood is not a "win"

Winning a national title is the *only* win.

It takes upside. It takes having the #1 team in the country. ND is yet so close but still so far away at the same time.

The ONLY THING THAT WILL BRIDGE THE GAP IS BY RECRUITING/SIGNING/SECURING BETTER TALENT.

I don't get why this doesn't register with other fans.

Moreover, despite all of the great arrow pointing up feats in the program under Marcus Freeman, the talent level still has yet to improve in any way. ND is still in multiple talent tiers away from the top which makes their chances of beating teams like OSU who are in the tier 1 of talent (who also develop and coach the hell out of their players) *extremely* hard to beat.

THE TALENT HAS GOT TO IMPROVE AT NOTRE DAME THERE'S NO ESCAPING IT

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echowaker said:

The OSU was NEVER as close as the score. Penn St couldn't move the ball much at all.

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Irish_inPSU said:

Call me nervous as all get out if YOU want... lol.. but I don't expect ND to run through PSU. I don't know, I get this way about any big game and I am full aware a lot of this is the PTSD I've aquired watching this team get dismanted in past years.

I feel like this game will be quite a bit like the USC game. ND struggled in that game defensively because of their ability to spread us out and having multiple weapons to go to. Their offense is significantly more dynamic that UGA was. The TE obviously, but also decent recievers and running backs that can run/catch.

Offensively for us, well... it depends on what offense shows up and if Denbrock has a good game plan there. But we'll need to score TD's, not just a couple of field goals.

Pressure pressure pressure. I think its going to be paramount that we set that tone very early and send a message to Allar that we will not let you stand back there. Just like with Stockton in the first half, he got a bit comfortable and was able to throw some nice balls. It wasn't until the second half and that big strip sack did we start imposing our will on that o line and got him off schedule and rattled. That needs to happen in the first quarter this time.

I really don't care about them playing SMU or BSU in the playoffs. They handled them with ease, which is what you'd expect. What I do care about is how they played OSU and Oregon tough. Oregon in particular was thumping them pretty good and was on the brink of sealing that game mulitple times, but PSU fought back and never let that happen. They aren't going to roll over and die in this game...

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IrishMike409 said:

It would say that raw comp at its best if the conditions were the same for PSU. They played 2 shit teams and have had 2 easy unemotional games, and they've got 2 extra days rest . ND has been through a gauntlet, and they're playing on less than a weeks rest. And don't underestimate how the tragedy in New Orleans will affect the team either. Being there while terrible things happened, being locked down in hotel rooms, the schedule being turned upside down.....this all takes a physical and mental and emotional toll on the guys. It will take a heroic effort to beat PSU Thursday.

Folks correctly talk about how emotional the UGA game was. I'll add this- the IU game was emotional too. I was there, and I've never seen Notre Stadium like it was that night. It was absolutely electric on and off the field.

It is so incredibly difficult to have big energy and emotionally draining games back to back to back. It tests your limits. And it's absolutely contributed to the injury challenges that we're having. I'm certain that there is a connection. The boys are putting so much incredible effort into each play and each drive. It's amazing.

I'm concerned that this is all taking a major toll on the guys. I'm the biggest homer on the board, and I do think ND pulls it out Thursday. But we badly, badly need rest. I'm disappointed that the NCAA didn't give us Friday's game in the wake of what happened in NOLA last week. How could they not look at PSU having 2 extra days off, and not want to cut into that gap? An extra day would've done wonders (Cross and Love).

Freeman and the staff need to get 60 minutes out the boys Thursday. I think they can do it. But this ND team is being tested in ways that few college teams ever have before.

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mean15 said:

Lost both games by one score

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Get Nasty said:

running hard and going down easy are two different things

I like price, he has an amazing first cut and good speed, good stiff arm. But his weakness is between the tackles

Im not here to provoke or tick off, but I will always share my opinion. Liked or unliked

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chaseball said:

You do realize that OSU is going to be a big favorite over ND because of their talent advantage right?

Making it to semi means zip.

Being the #2 team in the country when you are a blue blood is not a "win"

Winning a national title is the *only* win.

It takes upside. It takes having the #1 team in the country. ND is yet so close but still so far away at the same time.

The ONLY THING THAT WILL BRIDGE THE GAP IS BY RECRUITING/SIGNING/SECURING BETTER TALENT.

I don't get why this doesn't register with other fans.

Moreover, despite all of the great arrow pointing up feats in the program under Marcus Freeman, the talent level still has yet to improve in any way. ND is still in multiple talent tiers away from the top which makes their chances of beating teams like OSU who are in the tier 1 of talent (who also develop and coach the hell out of their players) *extremely* hard to beat.

THE TALENT HAS GOT TO IMPROVE AT NOTRE DAME THERE'S NO ESCAPING IT

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edub72 said:

Dumb thread. Pay Freeman . He’s a keeper

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