How many wins should the Irish get this year for your satisfaction?!!!

[Bodizephax]

If the Irish win less than 12 games this year I will be very disappointed !!! This team is LOADED with talent and Experience ! And they finally have a GREAT defensive coach (Elko)and the Rain Maker Brian Polian !! If the Irish win less than 10 and are not in the playoff hunt for real I will call for the firing of our Head Coach ! I don't think that will happen though--I think Brian Kelly has a GREAT offensive mind !! But I will be keeping an EYE on Minnesota this year and their up and coming Young Energetic coach PJ Fleck !! Howard Hall is right when he talks about him !! Pennick is right in thinking Kelly is the MAN for now ! But this season will be the deciding factor for me !! No more excuses !! Alabama can't win forever !! Thomas Edison gave us light !! Things can be changed for the better !! Go Irish !! 12 and 0 in 17 ! In Elko and Ballis I trust !!!

 

[perseverare]

 

[perseverare]

1 Win will secure Kelly's return. (-0- wins would be an embarrassment)

 

[twalsh]

Just beat Temple, then we'll worry about Georgia.

 

[Bodizephax]

Just beat Temple, then we'll worry about Georgia.

Just one game at a time. Just like 2012. Oklahoma was the Georgia back then.

 

[Bodizephax]

View embedded media

I prefer Game of Thrones to Seinfeld.https://giphy.com/gifs/game-of-thrones-season-6-episode-3oD3YiT9ZlDOQ21KzShttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA81ewnPEFg

 

[Telx1]

Realistically, a nine win regular season followed by a major bowl win would be a very good year given the strength of our schedule, lack of quality depth on the DL, and having a new OC and DC, etc... That would be a very acceptable season for me. That said, I expect this team to surprise to the upside, and give us a double digit win season if Wimbush is healthy throughout.

 

[57Patrick]

On the positive side: Talent at all positions on the offensive side of the ball. Talent on special teams. New coaching staff which couldn't be less effective than last year's staff. Question marks: Offense - QB ability to perform; ability to consistently establish a ground attack; Can the Irish establish a deep threat? Special teams: Can the Irish FINALLY be consistently effective (years of inconsistency makes you wonder); Defense - Consistent ability to stop the run (Mich St. last year was embarrassing); What is the real talent level on defense at almost all positions and AT ALL positions from a depth standpoint; Oh and New coaching staff - Yes I mentioned that as a positive but that was because last year's effort was so painful. Many appear to have anointed this staff and they haven't coached a game yet. I hope they are awesome. I am very familiar with the OC. But we don't know the chemistry between the coaches and I remember many people anointing Van Gorder as THE MAN after the MI game several years ago. I always want to go 14-0, but with all of these question marks, I think 9-3 would be a positive stretch. One thing is for sure, I'll be watching! Go Irish!!

 

[scubastevefl]

Fan base would want a New Years 6 Bowl at least-10-2.
Administration 8-4 Belk Bowl
5-7 or worse and the overachures for Bob Stoops will begin.

There is a disconnect between the fan base and the administration.

 

[Telx1]

57Patrick, you're absolutely correct about the initial BVG support, and I was one of the fans here excited over the attacking defense we showed under BVG during the first few games of his first year. Once teams had a few game films to analyze, they were able to exploit the weaknesses that our chaotic aggression masked, and it was mostly downhill from there. Elko comes with a proven track record of recent success at the college level, and we should have high expectations for this to translate to ND. The one caveat in my mind is that players' size and skills and abilities need to align with the scheme, and this is the first full year of recruiting by Elko, so it will be another season or two before we see the full extent of his impact. That said, I think we are lucky that so many current players seem a very good fit for his scheme, especially the back seven and Tranquil at Rover. Timing can be everything.

 

[rgc7]

Bodi,
I am with you on this ! This is the year we win it all ! Go Irish !

 

[TOMMY_23]

Bodi,
I am with you on this ! This is the year we win it all ! Go Irish !

There is no D-Line my man.

I don't see anything better than 8-4 with that schedule. Next off season is truly where the final decision will be made by the administration in regards to the football team and its future.

Do they really want to win big or just stand pat at being an easy, sentimental, cash grab eight-win program?

 

[perseverare]

There is no D-Line my man.

I don't see anything better than 8-4 with that schedule. Next off season is truly where the final decision will be made by the administration in regards to the football team and its future.

Do they really want to win big or just stand pat at being an easy, sentimental, cash grab eight-win program?

Yikes! how many times do they have to answer that question? that is the classic dead horse issue!
Occam's razor.

 

[Toby Smart]

What I want and what is realistic are two different things. Will BW develop is the ten thousand dollar question right now. Who will be the legit and consistent pass rush? Injuries. It's only mid June so we still have off season problems looming as a possibility. I look at the "neutral site" home game against Georgia, at MSU/NC/Miami/Stanford, and home games with USC and pain in the neck Navy. 12-0 sure seems like a stretch.

 

[rgc7]

There is no D-Line my man.

I don't see anything better than 8-4 with that schedule. Next off season is truly where the final decision will be made by the administration in regards to the football team and its future.

Do they really want to win big or just stand pat at being an easy, sentimental, cash grab eight-win program?

" Oh Ye of little faith ! "
Only kidding , Tommy ! I always start off every season with high hopes. I emphasize the word HOPE.
I am usually very cautious in all my life decisions, and try never to let HOPE enter into major decisions.
However, football is about fun and rooting for your team, so I drink the CoolAide until we actually lose
Our first game !
At that point, I start becoming a critic and realist. Right now, Logic tells me 8 - 4, Hope tells me NC !Right now , I am with Bodi and I am enjoying the cool aide ! Go Irish !

Go Irish !

 

[perseverare]

What I want and what is realistic are two different things. Will BW develop is the ten thousand dollar question right now. Who will be the legit and consistent pass rush? Injuries. It's only mid June so we still have off season problems looming as a possibility. I look at the "neutral site" home game against Georgia, at MSU/NC/Miami/Stanford, and home games with USC and pain in the neck Navy. 12-0 sure seems like a stretch.

I think Wim is the key to 'surviving the season'. He is v good passer and can run well enough to be a threat.
He can make those around him better. No Wim= "fugetaboutit"

 

[rgc7]

On the positive side: Talent at all positions on the offensive side of the ball. Talent on special teams. New coaching staff which couldn't be less effective than last year's staff. Question marks: Offense - QB ability to perform; ability to consistently establish a ground attack; Can the Irish establish a deep threat? Special teams: Can the Irish FINALLY be consistently effective (years of inconsistency makes you wonder); Defense - Consistent ability to stop the run (Mich St. last year was embarrassing); What is the real talent level on defense at almost all positions and AT ALL positions from a depth standpoint; Oh and New coaching staff - Yes I mentioned that as a positive but that was because last year's effort was so painful. Many appear to have anointed this staff and they haven't coached a game yet. I hope they are awesome. I am very familiar with the OC. But we don't know the chemistry between the coaches and I remember many people anointing Van Gorder as THE MAN after the MI game several years ago. I always want to go 14-0, but with all of these question marks, I think 9-3 would be a positive stretch. One thing is for sure, I'll be watching! Go Irish!!

I think Wim is the key to 'surviving the season'. He is v good passer and can run well enough to be a threat.
He can make those around him better. No Wim= "fugetaboutit"

 

[rgc7]

Pers,
I agree with you on Wim. A Jersey kid from St. Peter's , who can pass and run. He is definitely the key.
Go Irish !

 

[NDAFArly]

Satisfied is a tricky word when I don't know much about the 2017 Irish with all the new changes.
I will be very happy with 9 regular season wins, then the 10th in a bowl, spring boarding ND into a top 10 next year.
If that happens I will probably be more than satisfied.

 

[Bodizephax]

I think Wim is the key to 'surviving the season'. He is v good passer and can run well enough to be a threat.
He can make those around him better. No Wim= "fugetaboutit"[/QUOTE]

Ian Book is a stud ! He will keep the victories coming if Wimbush can't play ! 2012 all over again except we will be able to run on Alabama ! Josh Adams ! Dexter Williams and Tony Jones JR and a NFL Oline !!

 

[ivan brunetti]

Vegas says 8-4 or 7-5 is the most likely regular season result.

http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...ge-football-win-totals-for-all-130-fbs-teams/

 

[Legendsteve]

Anything more than 8 wins would be a fantasic season. It will be very tough given all the circumstances. 7-5 seems about right.

 

[echowaker]

Realistically, a nine win regular season followed by a major bowl win would be a very good year given the strength of our schedule, lack of quality depth on the DL, and having a new OC and DC, etc... That would be a very acceptable season for me. That said, I expect this team to surprise to the upside, and give us a double digit win season if Wimbush is healthy throughout.

I agree except for the bowl game statement. If you don't t make the playoff all other bowls are pretty much meaningless. The extra practice time is the biggest benefit.

 

[NDAFArly]

I agree except for the bowl game statement. If you don't t make the playoff all other bowls are pretty much meaningless. The extra practice time is the biggest benefit.

Winning a bowl & having say 10 wins is big because it can spring you into the top 10 the following preseason.
We want to continuously compete for the CFP, every year, correct? Including years with 1 loss even?
The only way a 1 loss team gets in is if they were highly ranked before suffering a loss. If you go back & look you will see teams with a loss, with similar SOS, equal strength of wins & losses, but one team was top 3 when they loss, the other outside top 15. The first team still has a chance, no way the other does.

That is why teams like Bama, OSU, etc.. can still lose a game (at home even) & still make the CFP.

We all want ND to be at that level again. To be there you need to be preseason top 5 each year for the most part. And to get that you need 10 wins & bowl wins the prior year.

If ND rolls off 12-1, 11-2 seasons they will start to get the benefit of the doubt with the CFP committee.

It shouldn't be that way because each season is supposed to be independent from each other, but we all know that isn't the case.

 

[Telx1]

I agree except for the bowl game statement. If you don't t make the playoff all other bowls are pretty much meaningless. The extra practice time is the biggest benefit.

Echo...I think most agree with you, but I see value in post season bowls beyond the added practice, which is significant. It largely depends on the venue and the opposing team. For example, our bowl game against Ohio State had major bowl implications for ND, and I think everyone would have seen a ND win as a huge success and a statement as to the state of the program. The loss surely made the statement that we had not arrived!

 

[deadirishpoet]

I agree except for the bowl game statement. If you don't t make the playoff all other bowls are pretty much meaningless. The extra practice time is the biggest benefit.

That would be true for Bama/OSU, but a major bowl appearance would be big.

There will come a point when "Playoffs or Nothing" will be the mantra , but the Irish aren't there yet

 

[francade]

I would like to think we can win 10 games but then I look at the schedule and think it'll be 8 or 9 regular season wins and who knows what happens in a bowl game. Don't know why but I usually look at a schedule in thirds. IMO and this is just off the top of my head because there's not a huge gap from temple to navy, but the bottom four this year would be:

Miami of Ohio
Temple
Wake
BC

Middle four:
NC state
Navy
Miami
UNC

Top four:
MSU
GA
USC
Stanford

Sweep the bottom four, take three out of the middle four & split the top four. I'm going w/ 9 wins. That's a five game improvement, not an easy feat, but I'm going w/ 9 regular season wins and who knows about a bowl game.

 

[57Patrick]

I think you can add NC St and Navy (I know, I know) to first group. ND must win those 6 games to have chance at a good year. UNC's offense scares me and Miami will be better this year. I believe the most difficult games in order of toughest to least tough are as follows: USC, GA, Stanford, Miami, UNC, MSU... If the Irish can win the easiest 6 and split the most difficult 6, it will be a good year. Only two of these teams match or exceed NDs overall talent level, USC and GA.

 

[theskibro]

1 Win will secure Kelly's return. (-0- wins would be an embarrassment)

Perse

You neglect to say that 2 wins will Get Kelly an extension

 

[Ara64]

I hope you're right Bodi! My confidence (in ND Football) is at an all time low right now.

 

[perseverare]

frankly, considering the lack of outstanding QB's on the opposing schedule, it would appear that barring catastrophic injuries, 7 wins are a gimme; less than 7 wins and the enthusiasm will wane, and new staff will start to resemble the previous ones. De ja vu all over again.

 

[echowaker]

My point was that the quality of the opponent means more to me than the location or date of the game.

 

[HuddleBurger]

I was recently discussing this with several dignitaries from the administration over dinner while on vacation at Martha's Vineyard. As we enjoyed our Lobster Etuvee with a sublime Sauvignon Blanc, we agreed that indeed 8 wins would be more than enough to maintain our new legacy of excellence.

Cheers!
- Jack

 

[Irishjohn68]

Notre Dame is not winning 12 games this year. Unless ND wins 10 games, then it is time to move on from BK. I'm a Kelly supporter, I want him to win a NC within the next 3 seasons but he is running out of time for me. And ND needs to be in every game this season.

 

[ivan brunetti]

I would like to think we can win 10 games but then I look at the schedule and think it'll be 8 or 9 regular season wins and who knows what happens in a bowl game. Don't know why but I usually look at a schedule in thirds. IMO and this is just off the top of my head because there's not a huge gap from temple to navy, but the bottom four this year would be:

Miami of Ohio
Temple
Wake
BC

Middle four:
NC state
Navy
Miami
UNC

Top four:
MSU
GA
USC
Stanford

Sweep the bottom four, take three out of the middle four & split the top four. I'm going w/ 9 wins. That's a five game improvement, not an easy feat, but I'm going w/ 9 regular season wins and who knows about a bowl game.

Sparty does not belong in your top four. 5-7 or 6-6 type bounce back year for MSU.

 

[Pennick44]

I need 16 wins! I threw in a couple of scrimmages. Elko will get assistant coach of the year!

 

[francade]

Ivan, I can't really argue your point against the MSU ranking based on last year. It was an awful one for Sparty, but I was giving them the benefit of the doubt based on them being pretty darn good lately. I think they'll bounce back but if you wanna put a couple of the middlers in front of them, I won't argue.

 

[francade]

I get echo's point about meaningless bowls, but I do think there are times when a bowl game against a blue blood a la OSU two years ago has some extra juice. Some will say the win against LSU the year before catapulted us to the '15 season we had & the OSU loss contributed to the '16 debacle. I guess we could go back & forth w/ examples of both but the point is I get the idea of not getting too up (or down) for a meaningless bowl but also think it matters what bowl & who we play. Extra practice time is a huge plus too.

 

[deadirishpoet]

I get echo's point about meaningless bowls, but I do think there are times when a bowl game against a blue blood a la OSU two years ago has some extra juice. Some will say the win against LSU the year before catapulted us to the '15 season we had & the OSU loss contributed to the '16 debacle. I guess we could go back & forth w/ examples of both but the point is I get the idea of not getting too up (or down) for a meaningless bowl but also think it matters what bowl & who we play. Extra practice time is a huge plus too.

In a time where Basketball, and Hockey seasons are so long, and many undeserving teams make their respected Playoffs I will take some meaningless bowl games.

 

[deadirishpoet]

Ivan, I can't really argue your point against the MSU ranking based on last year. It was an awful one for Sparty, but I was giving them the benefit of the doubt based on them being pretty darn good lately. I think they'll bounce back but if you wanna put a couple of the middlers in front of them, I won't argue.

MSU has been pretty damn good, and their HC IMO doesn't get nowhere the credit that more undeserving coaches do