Marcus Freeman Has This Team Playing Hard

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

There is no question that the NIU loss was a bad one and should have never happened, but since that game Freeman has had the team focused and prepared every week. Games against option teams like Navy and Army used to always leave me feeling uneasy going into the game, but this year we destroyed Navy and Army in both of those games. Yesterday's game against Army was a clinic in how to defend the option. Before the game the sideline reporter asked Marcus Freeman what he wanted to see in the game and he gave a one-word answer: "Violence." That is exactly what we saw. The D hit hard and often last night. It was fun to watch. I expect Bryson Daily will be feeling the lumps from the beating he took all week.

I feel like we are starting to see Marcus Freeman really hit his stride. After the NIU game there were calls to fire him by some on this board. Those wild arguments haven't aged very well.

There were also many on this board who thought ND made a big mistake hiring MF over Luke Fickell. ND now sits at 10-1 and Wisky is at 5-6. I was confident then we hired the right coach, and feel even stronger about that opinion now.

Let's keep the train rolling next week against USC.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

There is no question that the NIU loss was a bad one and should have never happened, but since that game Freeman has had the team focused and prepared every week. Games against option teams like Navy and Army used to always leave me feeling uneasy going into the game, but this year we destroyed Navy and Army in both of those games. Yesterday's game against Army was a clinic in how to defend the option. Before the game the sideline reporter asked Marcus Freeman what he wanted to see in the game and he gave a one-word answer: "Violence." That is exactly what we saw. The D hit hard and often last night. It was fun to watch. I expect Bryson Daily will be feeling the lumps from the beating he took all week.

I feel like we are starting to see Marcus Freeman really hit his stride. After the NIU game there were calls to fire him by some on this board. Those wild arguments haven't aged very well.

There were also many on this board who thought ND made a big mistake hiring MF over Luke Fickell. ND now sits at 10-1 and Wisky is at 5-6. I was confident then we hired the right coach, and feel even stronger about that opinion now.

Let's keep the train rolling next week against USC.

When ND lost to NIU, I was dumbfounded. Thought Freeman had learned from the Marshall loss. But it appears he's really learned from the loss and both he and the team have matured as a result. Excited to see them crush SC and see what they do in the playoffs.

 

[THUNDERSTRUCK111]

I said that to myself last night.
Especially the defense. They just come out and destroy.

 

[echowaker]

Nothing comes easy to the opponent. Few if any big plays and having to drive the length of the field against this defense is not a recipe for success. The rehashing of NIU is just noise. It happened. Can't change it. They've been as impressive as any team in the country since then regardless of schedule. It's wide open this year and ND has as good a chance as any to win it all.

 

[christophero]

This team seems laser focused since the loss. I think we beat USC and win at least one playoff game, maybe more.

 

[savvyandsassier]

Nothing comes easy to the opponent. Few if any big plays and having to drive the length of the field against this defense is not a recipe for success. The rehashing of NIU is just noise. It happened. Can't change it. They've been as impressive as any team in the country since then regardless of schedule. It's wide open this year and ND has as good a chance as any to win it all.

Agreed about rehashing NIU. Jesus, let it go, people! I guess I do it too, but mainly to emphasize how insignificant and ancient history it is. Or to fuss over how it affects our ranking, which is irrelevant to anything substantive and just idle talk. And maybe a blessing in disguise if it totally galvanized the team and staff for the rest of the season, which it seemingly has. We absolutely have been dominant, pretty much is the word for it, since then, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoff. I'll go so far as to say we can win it. With this team, the way we're playing right now. And we don't need to do anything different or better, just keep rolling.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

Nothing comes easy to the opponent. Few if any big plays and having to drive the length of the field against this defense is not a recipe for success. The rehashing of NIU is just noise. It happened. Can't change it. They've been as impressive as any team in the country since then regardless of schedule. It's wide open this year and ND has as good a chance as any to win it all.

In the nine-game win streak after the loss to NIU, ND has beaten its opponents by a combined score of 392-99. That is an average victory margin of 32.6 points. In my life as an ND fan, I don't remember seeing that kind of sustained dominance before. You'd probably have to go back to the Rockne or Leahy days to find a similar string of a blowouts. Yes, I know, the schedule hasn't included the most formidable opponents, but the schedule is what it is. You still have to go out and win. Our defense has been taking no prisoners. And I agree, I think ND has a puncher's chance to win it all this year. I don't see anyone like Bama out there during the heydays of the Saban years.

But first we need to take care of business in the Coliseum this Saturday.

 

[Fightingirish595]

Georgia struggled with umass yesterday for a solid 2.5 quarters. Umass is significantly worse than army

 

[Get Nasty]

Agree that freeman has this team playing hard/physical. It was not that way his first two years or honestly earlier this season, and I hope it becomes the culture here.

His teams have had moments, but right now since gtech we’ve been very physical.

 

[BGI User 756]

Georgia struggled with umass yesterday for a solid 2.5 quarters. Umass is significantly worse than army

Don’t talk about UGA that way. You have no right since MF list to NIU at home!!

Signed,
SJB

 

[sjb75]

Georgia struggled with umass yesterday for a solid 2.5 quarters. Umass is significantly worse than army

The score was 59-21. And Georgia also kicked the crap out of Clemson, won at Texas, and beat Tennessee.

Losses are at Alabama, and at Mississippi:

Their resume is strong.

 

[McCallen ND NYC]

In the nine-game win streak after the loss to NIU, ND has beaten its opponents by a combined score of 392-99. That is an average victory margin of 32.6 points. In my life as an ND fan, I don't remember seeing that kind of sustained dominance before. You'd probably have to go back to the Rockne or Leahy days to find a similar string of a blowouts. Yes, I know, the schedule hasn't included the most formidable opponents, but the schedule is what it is. You still have to go out and win. Our defense has been taking no prisoners. And I agree, I think ND has a puncher's chance to win it all this year. I don't see anyone like Bama out there during the heydays of the Saban years.

But first we need to take care of business in the Colosseum this Saturday.

MF is a players coach. He genuinely cares about the kids, unlike some previous coaches, so they have usually played hard for him. Now they’re playing smart, sound and consistent too. He reminds me of a young Dabo.

I hope he has hit his stride. Consistency was my biggest concern with MF coming into 2024. He had bad losses to Marshall, Stanford, and NIU but this 9 game stretch is as impressive as I’ve seen as well. I expected 10-2 this year.

He’s improved the program every year since he started. Hopefully the positive trend continues and we don’t stallout in LA or playoffs…

 

[murphjd]

There is no question that the NIU loss was a bad one and should have never happened, but since that game Freeman has had the team focused and prepared every week. Games against option teams like Navy and Army used to always leave me feeling uneasy going into the game, but this year we destroyed Navy and Army in both of those games. Yesterday's game against Army was a clinic in how to defend the option. Before the game the sideline reporter asked Marcus Freeman what he wanted to see in the game and he gave a one-word answer: "Violence." That is exactly what we saw. The D hit hard and often last night. It was fun to watch. I expect Bryson Daily will be feeling the lumps from the beating he took all week.

I feel like we are starting to see Marcus Freeman really hit his stride. After the NIU game there were calls to fire him by some on this board. Those wild arguments haven't aged very well.

There were also many on this board who thought ND made a big mistake hiring MF over Luke Fickell. ND now sits at 10-1 and Wisky is at 5-6. I was confident then we hired the right coach, and feel even stronger about that opinion now.

Let's keep the train rolling next week against USC.

I'm still very confused how his teams manage to lose these cupcake games at home, but you're right; he has gotten his team really dialed in and he has the strongest coaching staff supporting him that I can remember. Both coordinators are experienced, level-headed professionals who are navigating the various problems they've encountered brilliantly. It's amazing this team can continue to function at a high level with all the crucial injuries they've suffered (plus one defection).

 

[sjb75]

MF is a players coach. He genuinely cares about the kids, unlike some previous coaches, so they have usually played hard for him. Now they’re playing smart, sound and consistent too. He reminds me of a young Dabo.

I hope he has hit his stride. Consistency was my biggest concern with MF coming into 2024. He had bad losses to Marshall, Stanford, and NIU but this 9 game stretch is as impressive as I’ve seen as well. I expected 10-2 this year.

He’s improved the program every year since he started. Hopefully the positive trend continues and we don’t stallout in LA or playoffs…

I’m a fan of Marcus Freeman. I respect what he brings. I have never been a fan of a players head coach.

 

[HDK]

I’m a fan of Marcus Freeman. I respect what he brings. I have never been a fan of a players head coach.

So you didn't like Pete Carroll?

 

[HDK]

In the nine-game win streak after the loss to NIU, ND has beaten its opponents by a combined score of 392-99. That is an average victory margin of 32.6 points. In my life as an ND fan, I don't remember seeing that kind of sustained dominance before. You'd probably have to go back to the Rockne or Leahy days to find a similar string of a blowouts. Yes, I know, the schedule hasn't included the most formidable opponents, but the schedule is what it is. You still have to go out and win. Our defense has been taking no prisoners. And I agree, I think ND has a puncher's chance to win it all this year. I don't see anyone like Bama out there during the heydays of the Saban years.

But first we need to take care of business in the Colosseum this Saturday.

Your post made me wonder about how the 1966 team stacked up in point differential. That team scored 362 points, while giving up 38. So this team is keeping some pretty good company.

 

[sjb75]

So you didn't like Pete Carroll?

Pete Carroll led USC into serious NCAA sanctions. The program under his watch was corrupt. Corrupt as hell. That’s why they won.

So no, I wasn’t.

 

[banmate6]

I’m a fan of Marcus Freeman. I respect what he brings. I have never been a fan of a players head coach.

A player's coach is the best kind, all things being equal. Such coaches are an X factor. Mostly how they mentor, inspire, and, literally, coach.

MF has the intangibles. I think we all agree he's been learning the intangibles on the job. The losses these past 3 years speak loudest.

But in year 3, through the course of a season, including the NIU loss where I lost faith in him...he now is in an enviable position. He's gotten better. Again, if he keeps developing as program manager, recruiter, optimizer of transfers, selective disciplinarian, and game plan adjuster with his staff...perfect storm with how the kids seem to really want to win for him. Hell, imagine he gets a GREAT QB?



I've not lost my sense of realism. God knows I've jumped the gun since 1988. But MF has got me believing in possibilities.

Win next week and a NC could be the outcome. I know, ND has to prove itself against good competition. Probably against an elite like Ohio State.

But ND and MF just might do that. Maybe I'm drinking that Shamrock kool-aid again. I admit I am, I fell off the bandwagon.

😉

 

[banmate6]

Pete Carroll led USC into serious NCAA sanctions. The program under his watch was corrupt. Corrupt as hell. That’s why they won.

So no, I wasn’t.

I won't go deep into this. But Carroll and USC got punished for what SEC teams not only routinely did, but institutionalized. Yeah, they got USC out to pave the way for subsequent SEC dominion.

PAC-10 failed to stand up for its own. Small wonder key members bailed. BIG and SEC would never allow that to their marquee teams.

Jim Harbaugh is laughing about it.

 

[sjb75]

A player's coach is the best kind, all things being equal. Such coaches are an X factor. Mostly how they mentor, inspire, and, literally, coach.

MF has the intangibles. I think we all agree he's been learning the intangibles on the job. The losses these past 3 years speak loudest.

But in year 3, through the course of a season, including the NIU loss where I lost faith in him...he now is in an enviable position. He's gotten better. Again, if he keeps developing as program manager, recruiter, optimizer of transfers, selective disciplinarian, and game plan adjuster with his staff...perfect storm with how the kids seem to really want to win for him. Hell, imagine he gets a GREAT QB?



I've not lost my sense of realism. God knows I've jumped the gun since 1988. But MF has got me believing in possibilities.

Win next week and a NC could be the outcome. I know, ND has to prove itself against good competition. Probably against an elite like Ohio State.

But ND and MF just might do that. Maybe I'm drinking that Shamrock kool-aid again. I admit I am, I fell off the bandwagon.

😉

There are numerous ways to win in CFB. And again, I am pro Marcus Freemsn.

 

[HDK]

I'm still very confused how his teams manage to lose these cupcake games at home, but you're right; he has gotten his team really dialed in and he has the strongest coaching staff supporting him that I can remember. Both coordinators are experienced, level-headed professionals who are navigating the various problems they've encountered brilliantly. It's amazing this team can continue to function at a high level with all the crucial injuries they've suffered (plus one defection).

People have to remember that Marcus Freeman was a first-time head coach in 2022. Not a new head coach at Notre Dame, but a first-time head coach. We opened the season against Ohio State, his alma mater. Not unreasonable to think that we would have a let down against Marshall the following week. We also came damned close to losing to Cal the following week. Besides the Stanford loss, we had a number of fairly close games that had many of our resident experts complaining that Golden was a lousy choice as defensive coordinator.

I just think people have to realize that Freeman was incredibly young and inexperienced when given the reins at ND. I remember being hyped up about his hiring for all of about 15 minutes before I started thinking he was a lamb being led to the slaughter. But as you say, he has surrounded himself with good staff members and I get the impression he doesn't think he's the smartest guy in the room. I, for one, think he's doing as well as anyone could hope for.

 

[sjb75]

I won't go deep into this. But Carroll and USC got punished for what SEC teams not only routinely did, but institutionalized. Yeah, they got USC out to pave the way for subsequent SEC dominion.

PAC-10 failed to stand up for its own. Small wonder key members bailed. BIG and SEC would never allow that to their marquee teams.

Jim Harbaugh is laughing about it.

I won’t go deep as well. USC under Pete Carroll’s watch was corrupt.

Players coach? You bet he was.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

Your post made me wonder about how the 1966 team stacked up in point differential. That team scored 362 points, while giving up 38. So this team is keeping some pretty good company.

You are absolutely right, HDK, I had forgotten how dominant the 1966 team was. Good to have old timers on the board keeping us on our toes about ND history!

What I remember about the 1966 season was the game with MSU, dubbed the "Game of the Century". My father had purchased our first color TV about a month before the game, and I remember it was the first sporting event I ever watched that was broadcast in color. The TV screen couldn't have been more than 20 inches, but I was spellbound. Now we have 100+ inch TVs broadcasting in HD or even UHD. My, how times have changed!

So many great players in that game, though ND was pretty banged up injury wise. ND had Terry Hanratty and Nick Eddy. I remember MSU had Clint Jones, George Webster and Bubba Smith. Bubba Smith was this Goliath-like defensive lineman who terrorized opposing QBs, and as I recall his sack took Hanratty out of the game pretty early on. Bubba was considered a menacing giant then, but today he would be an averaged-sized D-lineman.

Some good memories.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

A player's coach is the best kind, all things being equal. Such coaches are an X factor. Mostly how they mentor, inspire, and, literally, coach.

MF has the intangibles. I think we all agree he's been learning the intangibles on the job. The losses these past 3 years speak loudest.

But in year 3, through the course of a season, including the NIU loss where I lost faith in him...he now is in an enviable position. He's gotten better. Again, if he keeps developing as program manager, recruiter, optimizer of transfers, selective disciplinarian, and game plan adjuster with his staff...perfect storm with how the kids seem to really want to win for him. Hell, imagine he gets a GREAT QB?



I've not lost my sense of realism. God knows I've jumped the gun since 1988. But MF has got me believing in possibilities.

Win next week and a NC could be the outcome. I know, ND has to prove itself against good competition. Probably against an elite like Ohio State.

But ND and MF just might do that. Maybe I'm drinking that Shamrock kool-aid again. I admit I am, I fell off the bandwagon.

😉

There is no drink finer than Green Kool-Aid, banmate6.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

MF is a players coach. He genuinely cares about the kids, unlike some previous coaches, so they have usually played hard for him. Now they’re playing smart, sound and consistent too. He reminds me of a young Dabo.

I hope he has hit his stride. Consistency was my biggest concern with MF coming into 2024. He had bad losses to Marshall, Stanford, and NIU but this 9 game stretch is as impressive as I’ve seen as well. I expected 10-2 this year.

He’s improved the program every year since he started. Hopefully the positive trend continues and we don’t stallout in LA or playoffs…

As to your point about MF being a players coach and how the kids play hard for him, I loved this video from the Army game, and seeing Coach Washington and MF trying to fire up the troops. It is some pretty good stuff:



And oh, by the way: Jeremiyah Love is a helluva good RB.

 

[PHJIndy]

Just listen to Coach Freeman's pressers on Mondays! He answers all questions succinctly and never tries to BS or dodge any questions! He was, and is, a good choice as Coach of Notre Dame Football. I don't think he'll be slinking out of South Bend anytime soon.

 

[HDK]

You are absolutely right, HDK, I had forgotten how dominant the 1966 team was. Good to have old timers on the board keeping us on our toes about ND history!

What I remember about the 1966 season was the game with MSU, dubbed the "Game of the Century". My father had purchased our first color TV about a month before the game, and I remember it was the first sporting event I ever watched that was broadcast in color. The TV screen couldn't have been more than 20 inches, but I was spellbound. Now we have 100+ inch TVs broadcasting in HD or even UHD. My, how times have changed!

So many great players in that game, though ND was pretty banged up injury wise. ND had Terry Hanratty and Nick Eddy. I remember MSU had Clint Jones, George Webster and Bubba Smith. Bubba Smith was this Goliath-like defensive lineman who terrorized opposing QBs, and as I recall his sack took Hanratty out of the game pretty early on. Bubba was considered a menacing giant then, but today he would be an averaged-sized D-lineman.

Some good memories.

The first ND game I clearly remember watching was the 1966 game against Purdue, which introduced us to Hanratty to Seymour. We also had a black and white TV. For the Michigan State game, we went to some friends of my parents and watched it on their color TV. Like you, I was mesmerized. Bubba Smith broke Hanratty's collar bone on a QB run. There's a famous photograph of him bearing down on Hanratty just before the tackle: https://tomshanahan.report/2016/09/terry-hanratty-recalls-duffy-and-the-biggest-game-of-them/

 

[4-4-3]

MF is a players coach. He genuinely cares about the kids, unlike some previous coaches, so they have usually played hard for him. Now they’re playing smart, sound and consistent too. He reminds me of a young Dabo.

I hope he has hit his stride. Consistency was my biggest concern with MF coming into 2024. He had bad losses to Marshall, Stanford, and NIU but this 9 game stretch is as impressive as I’ve seen as well. I expected 10-2 this year.

He’s improved the program every year since he started. Hopefully the positive trend continues and we don’t stallout in LA or playoffs…

You "expected 10-2 this year." That could still happen. USC is no gimme.

Are you expecting a win on Saturday or merely hoping for one?

 

[chaseball]

Agree that freeman has this team playing hard/physical. It was not that way his first two years or honestly earlier this season, and I hope it becomes the culture here.

His teams have had moments, but right now since gtech we’ve been very physical.

ND finished 2023 as the 8th ranked team in F+. i don't know if that is "physical" or not but it was better than any of Brian Kelly's best seasons at ND (despite the losses). He's now improved upon that this season and the team is 5th in F+ through week 13.

These numbers are adjusted for opponent quality (e.g. NDs not getting a free pass for their poor competition/schedule)

Freeman's profile is growing really quickly right now, and NFL teams are coming calling.

We got a good one.

This team is legit.

Lock up MF before his price goes through the roof. Spend the savings on NIL/talent to reinforce NDs position going forward.

 

[chaseball]

You "expected 10-2 this year." That could still happen. USC is no gimme.

Are you expecting a win on Saturday or merely hoping for one?

I know this question wasn't directed at me but yes, ND is a MUCH better team than USC.

You never know how much 'luck' might impact any given game, but ND is the significantly better team. This should be an easy win.

 

[Golson5]

I know this question wasn't directed at me but yes, ND is a MUCH better team than USC.

You never know how much 'luck' might impact any given game, but ND is the significantly better team. This should be an easy win.

You said Ole Miss played a very tough top 35 F+ Florida team and you used that as an excuse for their loss. At Florida really good F+

But now this should be an easy win @ USC and they are 21st in F+

So which is it? Why was that a tough game for them when Florida is a lower ranked f+ team and this should be an easy one when f+ tells you they are better than Fl?

Do you believe in your rankings or not? And why did you give ole miss and pass

 

[PHJIndy]

ND finished 2023 as the 8th ranked team in F+. i don't know if that is "physical" or not but it was better than any of Brian Kelly's best seasons at ND (despite the losses). He's now improved upon that this season and the team is 5th in F+ through week 13.

These numbers are adjusted for opponent quality (e.g. NDs not getting a free pass for their poor competition/schedule)

Freeman's profile is growing really quickly right now, and NFL teams are coming calling.

We got a good one.

This team is legit.

Lock up MF before his price goes through the roof. Spend the savings on NIL/talent to reinforce NDs position going forward.

Just give it up!

 

[chaseball]

You said Ole Miss played a very tough top 35 F+ Florida team and you used that as an excuse for their loss. At Florida really good F+

But now this should be an easy win @ USC and they are 21st in F+

So which is it? Why was that a tough game for them when Florida is a lower ranked f+ team and this should be an easy one when f+ tells you they are better than Fl?

Do you believe in your rankings or not? And why did you give ole miss and pass

Florida was ranked 29th in F+ last week (they are up to 26th now) only pointing this out for accuracy reasons.

People were talking about Florida like they were a scrub team due to their 5-5 record (i was merely mentioning that despite their record this season they were solid competition and much better than their record suggests they are)

I would describe USC in the same way. They are significantly better than their record would indicate.

Ole Miss should have beat Florida last week easily. ND should beat USC this week easily. It shouldn't be close. But if ND loses they are not losing to some mediocre FBS team, they are losing to solid/tough competition (despite USCs 6-5 record).

 

[chaseball]

Looked at in another way:

USC and Florida are good teams in 2024

Ole Miss & Notre Dame are GREAT teams in 2024

 

[4-4-3]

I know this question wasn't directed at me but yes, ND is a MUCH better team than USC.

You never know how much 'luck' might impact any given game, but ND is the significantly better team. This should be an easy win.

The power rating system I've developed and use to rank teams has ND as a 24 to 28 point stronger team than USC against a GIVEN COMMON OPPONENT.

Yet, I'm LOATHE to say the ND is FOUR TD'S BETTER than USC in this game in this series in this year.

USC hasn't lost a game by more than 7 points, including two by 3 and one by 1. Given that they were leading going into the 4th quarter in every game they played save one, they could easily be a 1 or 2 loss team right now or even undefeated.

Point is, it's a competitive team just looking to BREAK OUT.

ND NEEDS TO BE SHARP AND AGGRESSIVE.

 

[McCallen ND NYC]

You "expected 10-2 this year." That could still happen. USC is no gimme.

Are you expecting a win on Saturday or merely hoping for one?

USC at home is definitely not a gimme. They only lost to Penn State at home in overtime.

10-2 was my preseason prediction. I expected one loss to a better team and one loss to inferior opponent. The schedule ended up on the weaker side so ND was better than all opponents.

I expect an ND win on Saturday! Who do you got winning?

 

[banmate6]

The power rating system I've developed and use to rank teams has ND as a 24 to 28 point stronger team than USC against a GIVEN COMMON OPPONENT.

Yet, I'm LOATHE to say the ND is FOUR TD'S BETTER than USC in this game in this series in this year.

USC hasn't lost a game by more than 7 points, including two by 3 and one by 1. Given that they were leading going into the 4th quarter in every game they played save one, they could easily be a 1 or 2 loss team right now or even undefeated.

Point is, it's a competitive team just looking to BREAK OUT.

ND NEEDS TO BE SHARP AND AGGRESSIVE.

Good points about the USC loss differential never being > 1 score. But the USC has given up enough points in some of those games. And the USC O has struggled against Ds weaker than the Irish.

I posted earlier about USC being erratic vs a UCLA that isn't very good. Especially the USC O in the red zone. USC can be explosive, but I think the ND D is a different proposition...might get bent by some plays but not break when it counts.

I'm counting on the ND O to control and score. Like you said, ND overall has to be prepared. It's all on MF for that.

De facto game #1 of the playoffs for the Irish.

 

[chaseball]

After 15 years of ND being a good (but not great) team i understand why there's a lot of caution/trepidation from Notre Dame fans about this game. But ND is a legit great team in relation to the rest of the teams in the country this year and its going to take a great team to pose a real challenge this season. And USC isn't it.

BTW: I'm speaking to odds here.

Yes, USC can technically win this game (good luck/turnovers, the perfect scheme that mitigates NDs defense, etc.), but the odds are heavily stacked against it.

 

[banmate6]

After 15 years of ND being a good (but not great) team i understand why there's a lot of caution/trepidation from Notre Dame fans about this game. But ND is a legit great team in relation to the rest of the teams in the country this year and its going to take a great team to pose a real challenge this season. And USC isn't it.

BTW: I'm speaking to odds here.

Yes, USC can technically win this game (good luck/turnovers, the perfect scheme that mitigates NDs defense, etc.), but the odds are heavily stacked against it.

I agree.

If ND plays to potential, luck shouldn't be enough of a margin for USC to get the upset.

I'm trying not to think of that infamous Boston College loss in 1993.

🤔

 

[sjb75]

The power rating system I've developed and use to rank teams has ND as a 24 to 28 point stronger team than USC against a GIVEN COMMON OPPONENT.

Yet, I'm LOATHE to say the ND is FOUR TD'S BETTER than USC in this game in this series in this year.

USC hasn't lost a game by more than 7 points, including two by 3 and one by 1. Given that they were leading going into the 4th quarter in every game they played save one, they could easily be a 1 or 2 loss team right now or even undefeated.

Point is, it's a competitive team just looking to BREAK OUT.

ND NEEDS TO BE SHARP AND AGGRESSIVE.

Nausea.