Kelly is a very good coach!

[Zorich 88]

The best three years of ND football since 1988 championship.

All the complainers need to jump ship and find a new team.

Man, I’m just sitting back enjoying this run.

Look at the condition of other schools.

Miami
FSU
SC
Stanford
Sparty

ND rivals that are a shell of what they used to be.

Kelly has this team headed in the right direction.

No one, can deny that!

 

[IrishInOntario]

The best three years of ND football since 1988 championship.

All the complainers need to jump ship and find a new team.

Man, I’m just sitting back enjoying this run.

Look at the condition of other schools.

Miami
FSU
SC
Stanford
Sparty

ND rivals that are a shell of what they used to be.

Kelly has this team headed in the right direction.

No one, can deny that!

Very good coach. Good enough to ever get ND over the top? I doubt it, but he still has time to prove me wrong.

Regardless, 2 undefeated regular seasons, a trip to the championship and a trip to the playoffs is the best run ND's had since Holtz.

The program will be in an infinitely better place when Brian Kelly leaves than it was when he got there. If he falls short of a championship, (as I expect he will) his tenure at ND will still be a significant net positive in my mind. He's an excellent builder and has done an excellent job of building back to a place of contention... Not everyone (in fact very few) are finishers.

 

[Golson5]

Very good coach no doubt

 

[Shulkswagen]

Very good coach. Good enough to ever get ND over the top? I doubt it, but he still has time to prove me wrong.

Regardless, 2 undefeated regular seasons, a trip to the championship and a trip to the playoffs is the best run ND's had since Holtz.

The program will be in an infinitely better place when Brian Kelly leaves than it was when he got there. If he falls short of a championship, (as I expect he will) his tenure at ND will still be a significant net positive in my mind. He's an excellent builder and has done an excellent job of building back to a place of contention... Not everyone (in fact very few) are finishers.

Well said. It’s hard to imagine Kelly coached offense being effective against superior athletic defenses ... it would take some big defensive or ST plays to stay competitive in those games (like UGa) ... if he solves that in the same season we put a top defense and great kicker on the field (like this year and last year) we’d be elite.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. With that said, I'll look at the last 3 years, as 2017 was a rebirth of the Kelly era. 33-6, .846 winning percentage, two bowl wins and a playoff appearance is very respectable. What's missing is that national title. I know I've said this a million times on here but ND is so close to being serious contenders. Superior QB play, and 2-3 additional major recruits on a yearly basis is what's needed, imo. With exception if OL, I think the player development and strength and conditioning has been very good.

 

[Irishjohn68]

Healthiest this program has been in a long, long time. But it is now time to put it all together and win some NC's. Kelly can and should get it done.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Academics and the 85 player scholly limit (1992) has taken a toll on ND. ND has not sniffed a NC since the 1993 team outside of Kelly's several chances. He's not as far off as people make out. I agree with the OP - enjoy the ride.

33 wins in 3 years - been a while since that happened.

 

[NotreDame du Lac]

Huge turnaround from the Michigan debacle. Two programs going in opposite directions in my opinion. I think Bama will do what Ohio State and Wisconsin did to them. I hope Bama hammers them so hard they’re never the same.

 

[DublinND]

Very good coach no doubt

Program builder

 

[BGI User 1596]

Huge turnaround from the Michigan debacle. Two programs going in opposite directions in my opinion. I think Bama will do what Ohio State and Wisconsin did to them. I hope Bama hammers them so hard they’re never the same.

Bama won’t be very interested in this game.

 

[McCallen ND NYC]

This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. With that said, I'll look at the last 3 years, as 2017 was a rebirth of the Kelly era. 33-6, .846 winning percentage, two bowl wins and a playoff appearance is very respectable. What's missing is that national title. I know I've said this a million times on here but ND is so close to being serious contenders. Superior QB play, and 2-3 additional major recruits on a yearly basis is what's needed, imo. With exception if OL, I think the player development and strength and conditioning has been very good.

Totally agree. A few more elite players, superior QB play, some luck of the Irish and ND could win national title in the next few years.

 

[theskibro]

Very good coach. Good enough to ever get ND over the top? I doubt it, but he still has time to prove me wrong.

Regardless, 2 undefeated regular seasons, a trip to the championship and a trip to the playoffs is the best run ND's had since Holtz.

The program will be in an infinitely better place when Brian Kelly leaves than it was when he got there. If he falls short of a championship, (as I expect he will) his tenure at ND will still be a significant net positive in my mind. He's an excellent builder and has done an excellent job of building back to a place of contention... Not everyone (in fact very few) are finishers.

This. Well said.

 

[hoopsstar12]

Idiots.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Totally agree. A few more elite players, superior QB play, some luck of the Irish and ND could win national title in the next few years.

A few more per class... As in about another 12-15 over 4 cycles and one of them has to be a QB that develops into the type of player you watched at QB for Clemson and Ohio State tonight. Add that and ND will be in the discussion. Until then, we'll be one of teams fighting for that 4th playoff spot, who falls into the second tier.

It starts in 2021 and 2022 following up on another 11 win season...

Can you overachieve in recruiting and land something like this in 2021?

QB: Tyler Buchner
RB: Will Shipley
WR: Deion Colzie
WR: Lorenzo Styles Jr.
WR: Cristian Dixon or Andrel Anthony
TE: Cane Berrong
OL: Blake Fisher
OL: Landon Tengwall
OL: Rocco Spindler
OL: Garrett Dellinger or Wyatt Millum
DE: Elliot Donald
DT: Aaron Armitage
DT: Gabriel Rubio
DE: Keanu Koht or Brock Bowers
LB: Barrett Carter
LB: Zavier Carter
CB: Tony Grimes
CB: Ceyair Wright
S: Justin Walters
S: Daylan Carnell

Then can they follow that class up with this caliber of start in 2022?...

RB: Gavin Sawchuck or George Pettaway
WR: Tyler Morris
WR: Kevin Coleman
WR: Kaleb Brown
OL: Hunter Wisnack

DE: jaishawn Barham or KJ Miles
DE: Joe Strickland
CB: Jaeden Gould
S: Braelon Allen

 

[Irishjohn68]

Need to keep getting the best DL players they can get. The one thing LSU, Bama, Clemson and OSU does better then anyone else is to get after the QB.

 

[Zorich 88]

Each season there is maybe, 3 teams that have a legitimate shot at Winning a championship.

This season:
Clemson
OSU
LSU

What do each of these teams have in common?

Each have an elite unicorn QB.

Then what separates them?

Playmakers at either WR or RB.

A defense that wins 3rd down and creates big plays.

Oline/Dline that has 2-3 NFL linemen.

And yes, Coaching. Which I believe every starts with coaching.

So what boxes can ND check off going into next season?

Coaching: Say what you want about Kelly. However, numbers don’t lie.

2 12-0 seasons
3 straight 10 win seasons
Beating rivals like a drum
Assembled a really good staff

Playmakers at WR/RB: Claypool fit that bill. Kmet definitely a playmaker if he returns.
Lenzy is definitely a game changer.

RB? Jones played really good in the bowl. However he is not a playmaker. Good but not next level.

Defense: Outstanding!

Oline/Dline: Another question mark for me.
Tagovailoa Is really good.

QB: If Book can continue to play the way he did in 2018 and the last 7 games, ND will be really good.

Book is not an elite QB. However, he can play at an elite level.

Question marks????
Oline, DE
RB
Can Book continue to get better? Or has he reached his ceiling?

 

[d1042]

the OP thread title, if it is that obvious, why the constant affirmation threads?
After 10 seasons, why the persuasion attempts?

 

[Zorich 88]

the OP thread title, if it is that obvious, why the constant affirmation threads?
After 10 seasons, why the persuasion attempts?

Because I want to.

 

[d1042]

aha, life is all about the ‘want to’.

 

[Zorich 88]

aha, life is all about the ‘want to’.

Yes

 

[Golson5]

Each season there is maybe, 3 teams that have a legitimate shot at Winning a championship.

This season:
Clemson
OSU
LSU

What do each of these teams have in common?

Each have an elite unicorn QB.

Then what separates them?

Playmakers at either WR or RB.

A defense that wins 3rd down and creates big plays.

Oline/Dline that has 2-3 NFL linemen.

And yes, Coaching. Which I believe every starts with coaching.

So what boxes can ND check off going into next season?

Coaching: Say what you want about Kelly. However, numbers don’t lie.

2 12-0 seasons
3 straight 10 win seasons
Beating rivals like a drum
Assembled a really good staff

Playmakers at WR/RB: Claypool fit that bill. Kmet definitely a playmaker if he returns.
Lenzy is definitely a game changer.

RB? Jones played really good in the bowl. However he is not a playmaker. Good but not next level.

Defense: Outstanding!

Oline/Dline: Another question mark for me.
Tagovailoa Is really good.

QB: If Book can continue to play the way he did in 2018 and the last 7 games, ND will be really good.

Book is not an elite QB. However, he can play at an elite level.

Question marks????
Oline, DE
RB
Can Book continue to get better? Or has he reached his ceiling?

Claypool is not back next year.

DE is not a question mark next year. We're deep and talented there

 

[Zorich 88]

Claypool is not back next year.

DE is not a question mark next year. We're deep and talented there

I realize Chase is not back.

DE is definitely a question next season.

Who is the most dominant DE Notre Dame has coming back next season?

 

[Golson5]

I realize Chase is not back.

DE is definitely a question next season.

Who is the most dominant DE Notre Dame has coming back next season?

You put him in the group coming back on your post

Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogendeji will be here. Two 5th year seniors with a ton of experience and a lot of production. Great way to start. Backing them up are 3 guys who are talented, have some experience, and have flashed. Foskey, Ovi, and Ju Ademidola. Then we have talented players behind them too and another highly rated kid coming in

We'll be very deep at defensive end and its a strong point next year. Not a question mark imo at all. We are very good here

 

[Zorich 88]

You put him in the group coming back on your post

Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogendeji will be here. Two 5th year seniors with a ton of experience and a lot of production. Great way to start. Backing them up are 3 guys who are talented, have some experience, and have flashed. Foskey, Ovi, and Ju Ademidola. Then we have talented players behind them too and another highly rated kid coming in

We'll be very deep at defensive end and its a strong point next year. Not a question mark imo at all. We are very good here

You just named two not great but good players.

I said ND lacks NFL oline/dline talent.

Guys that offenses will have to game plan around.

While these to DEs are good, they are not game changers.

As far as the young guys, we have not seen them enough to make that call.

 

[Golson5]

You just named two not great but good players.

I said ND lacks NFL oline/dline talent.

Guys that offenses will have to game plan around.

While these to DEs are good, they are not game changers.

As far as the young guys, we have not seen them enough to make that call.

I think all 6 of our returning offensive lineman have a good chance to get drafted when their time comes. We dont lack NFL talent at OL.

DL our depth will win us games. I mentioned 5 guys at DE. Really good rotation there. Then at DT, we played 7 guys during the season. Every single one of those 7 will be back and a year older. More NFL guys there too. Thats 12 guys coming back with experience. Not even counting some young guys who could play but we wont need.

We have a lot of talent and depth on the lines of scrimmages. A lot of NFL players with a mix of older and younger guys. Depth is great. Talent very good. NFL players all over the place.

Line play is not a concern next year. We are loaded there

 

[deadirishpoet]

The best three years of ND football since 1988 championship.

All the complainers need to jump ship and find a new team.

Man, I’m just sitting back enjoying this run.

Look at the condition of other schools.

Miami
FSU
SC
Stanford
Sparty

ND rivals that are a shell of what they used to be.

Kelly has this team headed in the right direction.

No one, can deny that!

Agree

 

[Ara64]

The best three years of ND football since 1988 championship.

All the complainers need to jump ship and find a new team.

Man, I’m just sitting back enjoying this run.

Look at the condition of other schools.

Miami
FSU
SC
Stanford
Sparty

ND rivals that are a shell of what they used to be.

Kelly has this team headed in the right direction.

No one, can deny that!

I would add Nebraska and Boston College to that list.

 

[deadirishpoet]

I would add Nebraska and Boston College to that list.

More so Nebraska with their history and fanbase

 

[tbonesays]

This appears to be the most predictable era in ND history. Kelly 2.0's teams have taken care of business against cupcakes, beat all the T2's convincingly [hard to accomplish] and cannot hold a candle to the elites.

 

[Zorich 88]

I think all 6 of our returning offensive lineman have a good chance to get drafted when their time comes. We dont lack NFL talent at OL.

DL our depth will win us games. I mentioned 5 guys at DE. Really good rotation there. Then at DT, we played 7 guys during the season. Every single one of those 7 will be back and a year older. More NFL guys there too. Thats 12 guys coming back with experience. Not even counting some young guys who could play but we wont need.

We have a lot of talent and depth on the lines of scrimmages. A lot of NFL players with a mix of older and younger guys. Depth is great. Talent very good. NFL players all over the place.

Line play is not a concern next year. We are loaded there

Notre Dame has good not great DEs.
Hayes only had 5.5 sacks this season. He has mare than anyone returning.

That is not great.

Compare the ND dline to the top 5 teams this season. ND has some catching up to do.

 

[Golson5]

Notre Dame has good not great DEs.
Hayes only had 5.5 sacks this season. He has mare than anyone returning.

That is not great.

Compare the ND dline to the top 5 teams this season. ND has some catching up to do.

We have a lot of talent and depth coming back on both sides of the ball

 

[Zorich 88]

We have a lot of talent and depth coming back on both sides of the ball

I agree

 

[deadirishpoet]

We have a lot of talent and depth coming back on both sides of the ball

I hope so.
I'm already on record saying the Irish will go 12-0 next season

 

[IrishInOntario]

ND definitely has a lot of talent and depth coming back. They're also hoping a bunch of players take a big step forward. They still have some obvious roster holes, but man are they in a much better place than they were a few years ago. Their 2-deep on the defensive line of....

DE: Hayes
2. Oghoufo

DT: MTA
2. Ademilola

NG: Hinish
2. Lacey

SDE: Ogundeji
2. Foskey

Will be a top 20 unit nationally. With guys like Justin Ademilola and Jamion Franklin, Nana-Osafo Mensah, whonare wildcards.

 

[Golson5]

ND definitely has a lot of talent and depth coming back. They're also hoping a bunch of players take a big step forward. They still have some obvious roster holes, but man are they in a much better place than they were a few years ago. Their 2-deep on the defensive line of....

DE: Hayes
2. Oghoufo

DT: MTA
2. Ademilola

NG: Hinish
2. Lacey

SDE: Ogundeji
2. Foskey

Will be a top 20 unit nationally. With guys like Justin Ademilola and Jamion Franklin, Nana-Osafo Mensah, whonare wildcards.

Cross, Spears, Botelho and Mills are also wildcards. Lot of good players. That Dline is a top 10 unit next year, not top 20

 

[IrishInOntario]

Cross, Spears, Botelho and Mills are also wildcards. Lot of good players. That Dline is a top 10 unit next year, not top 20

We'll see... Top 10 is pretty elite. I'm not sure they were top 10 this year and they had Kareem and Okwara (who they lost to injury) as bookend seniors, who are both expected to be top 60 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.

That said, if Hayes remains healthy (that's a huge ask out of Daelin) and Ogundeji can replicate his impact over a 12 game schedule the starters are going to be really good. Neither MTA or Hinish are dominant Sheldon Day or Louis Nix types, but both are tough, experienced, football players and rising seniors.

To me it comes down to 3 players...

1. Ovie Oghoufo. Will he be ready to handle regular snaps and give ND similar production in the run a pass game to what Jamir Jones provided this year? Or is he going to be a pass rush specialist and force Justin Ademilola to be the #2 option on running downs?

2. Isaiah Foskey. Can he be AT LEAST as good as Ade Ogundeji was in his relief role this year? Can he get double digit tackles for loss and and 5-6 sacks off the bench, while holding up against the run?

3. Justin Ademilola. He's the best interior defensive lineman on the roster. That opinion is supported by his numbers relative to snaps. While he gets less snaps than the two starters on most nights, he's the most productive of the trio when he plays. He should finally be up over 290lbs and hopefully he can stay healthy. He has the potential to be a Sheldon Day type, excellent interior penetrator that can be a difference maker in both the running and passing game.

If all of those above things happen, I agree with you. ND could have a top 10 defensive line unit. I'll remain optimistic that will be the case.

 

[WhySeperateKnob]

The best three years of ND football since 1988 championship.

All the complainers need to jump ship and find a new team.

Man, I’m just sitting back enjoying this run.

Look at the condition of other schools.

Miami
FSU
SC
Stanford
Sparty

ND rivals that are a shell of what they used to be.

Kelly has this team headed in the right direction.

No one, can deny that!

Except he ran the score up on Navy...

 

[NDgreatestofalltime!]

Over the past 3 seasons only Clemson (41), Bama (37), OSU (38), OU (36), and UGA (34), have more wins than ND (33).