No deep analysis from me, but I'm guessing the ACC crew will have reflexive bias vs the SEC. Even newcomers and upstart Texas.



I also think Ohio State is actually a team that stands out from any other pack. Didn't think so before the playoffs. But I see Day learned his lesson vs MI and has them playing to considerable potential.

The Buckeyes sure look like the nth evolution of a college football team. It's been but 2 games, but they looked better than any team I've ever seen. Better than Carroll's Trojans or Saban's Alabama. We will see if they can maintain it consistently, starting with Texas.

I fancy ND being built to be the 1 team that can upset the Buckeyes if our Irish get past PSU. Defense can win championships. ND would have a reasonable underdog shot to stymie the Ohio State offense.

ND has a history of big game wins against more favored opponents...long ago...but perhaps the once and future champion of college football is awakening the echoes.

🔥

Fingers crossed.

🙏

Do we know which day Notre Dame will travel to Florida? I know this is a playoff and not the typical Bowl Game reward of sunshine and warm weather but if it was up to me I would travel earlier than normal and practice at least once on grass similar to what the stadium has. Perhaps even at St. Thomas Aquinas.....can't hurt recruiting

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savvyandsassier said:

There's nothing normal about ND's fan-hate for BK. It ebbs and flows, depending on whatever's at hand with which to bash him, and just how jacked up the mob gets in a given instance, and you personally are all articulate and fussy about all your various criticisms. But as far as his love for ND, supposedly he was building his 'forever house' in SB, and his sudden departure came not long after that. My pet theory is somewhere the bubble burst for him, maybe when he passed Knute Rockne, and there wasn't respect and admiration forthcoming from the ND community, there was resentment and grumbling, and maybe this wasn't actually the place for him to settle down and retire after all, and he read the room wrong. He's certainly persona non grata now at ND, though not officially of course.

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Like I said, it varies. But my anecdotal observations reading social media is that he simply wasn't likable, if we want to reduce it to a core denominator. Hopefully you remember what I've been writing and not continue to accuse me of being a basher...but even I was put off by BK's attitude and style and I maintained support for him.

He reached his ceiling as we keep discussing. It was time to move on. For himself and ND. I 99% believe BK did it because he genuinely believed he could win a NC at LSU and not at ND...like I keep saying, he wasn't wrong on that at the time...albeit college football has massively changed the past 3 years, opening up opportunity that MF is leveraging to the nth degree.

I don't know BK is persona non grata now at ND. Clearly he had a long tenure and could have stayed. Maybe he did leave in a way that turned some off...but I am skeptical he won't be welcomed back in a good way once he's done at LSU, which puts limits on engagement right now.

savvyandsassier said:

How the heck are the being in the Cotton Bowl? Why not put them in the other bowl, our bowl, and we'll switch. More SEC bias...

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It’s Texas historic bowl tie in. Them being the higher seed means they get it. The orange bowl is historically tied with the B1G and ND.

Irish_inPSU said:

Good question and my answer there is no, but their QB is better than what we faced at USC IMO. I also argue that PSU's offense has better backs and of course their freak TE. I think as a whole, PSU's offense is better than USC. Time will tell...

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I know the transitive property doesn't apply in sports, but USC does offer some insights as a common opponent.

USC's talented offense can score against any defense. Did it against ND, PSU, and SEC teams. USC seemed to get progressively better as their season went on...and they never lost by more than 1 TD except to ND.

What it suggests to me is ND can adjust and adapt a bit more than PSU. I'm thinking the ND D is a bit better. And that RL offers a bit of an x-factor with running that PSU doesn't have?

Otherwise 2 very similarly matched teams. PSU did look good these 2 playoff games. Weaker opponents, but they routinely won, not needing to get into the higher gears. I'm not taking them for granted...it will be a slight fest.

NDinNJ said:

FBS Independents are undefeated at 3-0 this bowl season.

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Just imagine if Army and Navy were still independent. The best football in America would be in the Independent group of schools.

sjb75 said:

Georgia hammered ACC champion Clemson as well.

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Take it to the Clemson forums. Last I checked this is a Notre Dame forum.

banmate6 said:

I think BK did embrace ND. He lasted so long, so how could he not?

I just think he threw in the towel at some point. He probably really believed ND could not win a NC, something that probably was true before this NIL and transfer sea change. I respect BK but don't like his persona...again, he hit his ceiling.

It's normal to discuss this. Sports Fandom 101. But some people get riled up over it.

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There's nothing normal about ND's fan-hate for BK. It ebbs and flows, depending on whatever's at hand with which to bash him, and just how jacked up the mob gets in a given instance, and you personally are all articulate and fussy about all your various criticisms. But as far as his love for ND, supposedly he was building his 'forever house' in SB, and his sudden departure came not long after that. My pet theory is somewhere the bubble burst for him, maybe when he passed Knute Rockne, and there wasn't respect and admiration forthcoming from the ND community, there was resentment and grumbling, and maybe this wasn't actually the place for him to settle down and retire after all, and he read the room wrong. He's certainly persona non grata now at ND, though not officially of course.

sjb75 said:

Georgia hammered ACC champion Clemson as well.

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FBS Independents are undefeated at 3-0 this bowl season.

FightingIrish44 said:

He probably didn’t believe that ND could win the title. Unfortunately, I think he bought into the hype and probably wasn’t looking at himself enough. 2018 Clemson and 2020 Alabama went on to win their title games by even more than they beat ND. ND wasn’t that far off — even in those particular games.

I’m glad he left though. I don’t want anyone here who doesn’t believe they can win the title.

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Again, not to be combative, but I think he eventually didn't believe. And that he genuinely believed he could win a NC at LSU, hence the jump.

I agree with you that he didn't self assess enough. He did evolve, yielding most play calling. He did more smash mouth, suitable for a school and tradition like ND...although he never got away from some gimmick football.

That last point is where he turned me off. I recall him a few times doubling down on pass happy spread type football...even arrogantly saying people better get used to it. Couple that with his inability to inspire, getting angry with players, he'd run his course...and I also was glad he finally decided to leave.

I never supported firing him. I appreciate what he did. His voluntarily leaving led to an improbably MF appointment...leading to this improbable achievement by MF. I'll take it!



Lastly: I definitely think by now BK realizes maybe it is him. I still listen to some of his interviews and press conferences. You can see it in his tone, choice of words, and attitude...he knows it's his last stand of sorts at LSU...again, I wish him the best...obviously not vs ND!

THUNDERSTRUCK111 said:

Would you say Penn st wide receivers are better than USC wide receivers?

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Good question and my answer there is no, but their QB is better than what we faced at USC IMO. I also argue that PSU's offense has better backs and of course their freak TE. I think as a whole, PSU's offense is better than USC. Time will tell...

tkirish said:

Totally agree with this. A one dimensional ND team will not win this game. They will have be somewhat successful throwing the ball. I think even more than the GEORGIA game, ND will need to win in all 3 phases. Nothing more than a hunch, but I have a feeling the Irish will throw a few plays downfield and I think run quite a few RPO’s with RL. But no doubt the offense will have to put up some points to win this game. It’s gonna be a real battle.

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Yep, i sure hope to see more Riley Leonard runs early. This will really open up the middle of the field. I think ND has to assume PSU can score 20, I don't think our staff thought Indiana or Georgia could score 20 on our D.

Dumb thread. Pay Freeman . He’s a keeper

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"

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Once again, you prove you are a damned fool. 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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BGI User 756 said:

Did you know that Clemson was 0-3 against the SEC?

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Don't forget that Brian Kelly is making $100 million too........and that money is all good

There that sums up pretty much 90% of his posts with the meaningless ACC post thrown in

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Kelly will not win a title anywhere. Doesn't really matter to me. He is laughing all the way to the bank.I really don't care about him enough to hate him. Good for him.

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banmate6 said:

Again, I get what some say about BK. Especially on social media, which tends to attract the lowest common denominator. Obviously there are extreme opinions, which I don't share...withstanding you insisting I do.

Anyway, I find an institutional and social mob driven conspiracy against BK a stretch. The mob wants ND to allow athletes academic standards, but that isn't happening. Why would it for demonizing BK?

Come on.

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Please pause for a minute and understand you're trying to reason with a lunatic that is completely obsessed with Brian Kelly. A person that actually believes Brian Kelly was reading these forums, which forced him to leave Notre Dame and head to LSU. This is who you are trying to reason with.