I seem to remember a spectacular season not too long ago, where a red shirt freshman (we call them Sophomores in South Bend) took an expected to be middling Irish team with a good Defense all the way to 12-0 and a National Championship game. I recognize part of it was luck in a few close games and part of it was a smart coaching staff that had been in the situation before (see Kelly's history at using a second string sophomore QB at Cinncinatti that took him to a BCS bowl). But it happened.
So, with respects to Malik and prayers of a quick and complete return next season, lets forget about what we've lost for a moment and look at what we have.
The Irish have the talent on defense to rival that of the 2012 team. the secondary certainly will need to play better than they did on Saturday. But the Front 7 are as good as any in the country. As for the DB's their athleticism isn't to be denied and im sure they wont look as bad as they did against Virginia anytime soon.
Our Offensive Line is the best we've had in a generation. Our Receiving corp while mostly young are elite. There is a bit of a question at running back, although Procise seems to be off to a good start and the potential of super stardom lies in wait for Adams.
Tight End. honestly that's my biggest concern at the moment. While the guys we have will likely turn into studs in a year or two, i'm a little worried about leaning on them too much at the moment. And unfortunately we may have to as we need our running game to be dominant for the first couple weeks as Kizer developes.
The schedule...why we might not like media describing it this way...lets face it...we have a lot of great programs on it this year that aren't there typical selves. Stanford is way down and I think we all can agree Ga. Tech, Clemson, and USC are the ones were most worried about.
Well Ga Tech doesn't throw the ball. Which actually should play into our hands as our secondary is coming off a horrendous game in coverage. if our Front 7 does its job Saturday Ga Tech is gonna find the Irish a bit more imposing to run through than Tulane. The Irish can definitely win this game
Clemson. Yeah I know the media says there the dominant east coast team this year. I'd be alarmed accept I've heard that 6 out of the last 8 years and I don't think they've made it to a BCS bowl in that time. They have some speed but they aren't physical. We can match their speed (this year) and will smack them pretty good. The only thing that alarms me about this game is its at night in Death Valley...but I think FSU pretty much showed the world it doesn't take a championship caliber team to overcome that last year. As for the media hype, let it ride as it would actually make a possible Irish win a bigger one than they deserve it to be.
And finally USC. The Trojans are on the come talent wise and will be competitive. But their coaching staff, I have every confidence Sarkisian and company could somehow be the difference along with the Irish playing in front of a insane crowd at home. also...by than Kizer should be experienced enough to handle the offense.
Let's face it the Pittsburghs', Umass' , Wake's, B.C's, etc aren't gonna be challenges for a team with ND's talent.
Stanford, and Navy are the only 2 other opponants I can even imagine could beat the Irish...and those should be long shots at best.
The floor of this team may have gone down now that Malik is out. 7 wins would be a disaster, but it is possible.
But 12-0 is still possible too. Everette Golson taught me that. and who knows, Kizer may be better than him.
So, with respects to Malik and prayers of a quick and complete return next season, lets forget about what we've lost for a moment and look at what we have.
The Irish have the talent on defense to rival that of the 2012 team. the secondary certainly will need to play better than they did on Saturday. But the Front 7 are as good as any in the country. As for the DB's their athleticism isn't to be denied and im sure they wont look as bad as they did against Virginia anytime soon.
Our Offensive Line is the best we've had in a generation. Our Receiving corp while mostly young are elite. There is a bit of a question at running back, although Procise seems to be off to a good start and the potential of super stardom lies in wait for Adams.
Tight End. honestly that's my biggest concern at the moment. While the guys we have will likely turn into studs in a year or two, i'm a little worried about leaning on them too much at the moment. And unfortunately we may have to as we need our running game to be dominant for the first couple weeks as Kizer developes.
The schedule...why we might not like media describing it this way...lets face it...we have a lot of great programs on it this year that aren't there typical selves. Stanford is way down and I think we all can agree Ga. Tech, Clemson, and USC are the ones were most worried about.
Well Ga Tech doesn't throw the ball. Which actually should play into our hands as our secondary is coming off a horrendous game in coverage. if our Front 7 does its job Saturday Ga Tech is gonna find the Irish a bit more imposing to run through than Tulane. The Irish can definitely win this game
Clemson. Yeah I know the media says there the dominant east coast team this year. I'd be alarmed accept I've heard that 6 out of the last 8 years and I don't think they've made it to a BCS bowl in that time. They have some speed but they aren't physical. We can match their speed (this year) and will smack them pretty good. The only thing that alarms me about this game is its at night in Death Valley...but I think FSU pretty much showed the world it doesn't take a championship caliber team to overcome that last year. As for the media hype, let it ride as it would actually make a possible Irish win a bigger one than they deserve it to be.
And finally USC. The Trojans are on the come talent wise and will be competitive. But their coaching staff, I have every confidence Sarkisian and company could somehow be the difference along with the Irish playing in front of a insane crowd at home. also...by than Kizer should be experienced enough to handle the offense.
Let's face it the Pittsburghs', Umass' , Wake's, B.C's, etc aren't gonna be challenges for a team with ND's talent.
Stanford, and Navy are the only 2 other opponants I can even imagine could beat the Irish...and those should be long shots at best.
The floor of this team may have gone down now that Malik is out. 7 wins would be a disaster, but it is possible.
But 12-0 is still possible too. Everette Golson taught me that. and who knows, Kizer may be better than him.
