ND 8th, UNC 10th

[mokpra37]

I wonder if this is a function of the BIG people on the committee keeping UNC low enough that a win by UNC over Clemson knocks Clemson out of the playoff but keeps UNC far enough away that it is easy to put both the winner of Iowa/MSU and Ohio St. in the playoff.

Then again, UNC did have a pretty poor strength of schedule this year.

 

[Toby Smart]

UNC is the media darling for crying out loud. They can't stop talking about them. Same for Oklahoma last week. I would love an Irish vs Ohio State match up in perhaps the Peach or Fiesta. I'm not digging the Houston possibility unless BVG and his posse get things worked out big time. Truth be told, Clemson or Iowa hasn't impressed most of the season. MSU and Okies are coming on at just the right time.

 

[TimTerrific]

I think the BIG is very strong yet maligned. Let's see what happens, but UNC will not jump into the top four if they defeat Clemson. I think they will.

It is nice to see that ND gets respect for the schedule they play. I think they will play the loser of Iowa/MSU. A great match up in the Feista Bowl.

 

[Toby Smart]

Man, if BVG can just tweak the defense within reason, this Irish team, with all the injuries, could play with anyone. Manufacture a pass rush and simplify the defense so Jaylon doesn't have to do his job and everybody else's at the same time.

 

[nsp29640]

Who says Clemson falls out of the top 4 with a lost.

 

[perseverare]

8 is a fair positioning and reflects that 2015 was a very successful season
Bring in a good recruiting class with some good defenders and the upward trend will continue.

 

[hoopsstar12]

Keep drinking the Kool aid. Sheldon Day and Jaylon are 1st round picks and no one we have coming up will replace them. Between turnovers, delay of game penalties, constant injuries, and poor decision making we will be status quo next year. Kelly is a technician but ND was built on spirit and fundamentals. Aside from Jerry Tillery and maybe throw in Daniel Cage or Tranquil no one else on that D impresses me.

 

[Toby Smart]

Sheldon Day is the one that is going to be the most difficult to replace IMHO.

 

[Bumpdaddy]

Keep drinking the Kool aid. Sheldon Day and Jaylon are 1st round picks and no one we have coming up will replace them. Between turnovers, delay of game penalties, constant injuries, and poor decision making we will be status quo next year. Kelly is a technician but ND was built on spirit and fundamentals. Aside from Jerry Tillery and maybe throw in Daniel Cage or Tranquil no one else on that D impresses me.

Rochell is pretty impressive and Jarron Jones has played at a higher level than either Tillery or Cage.

 

[hoopsstar12]

I forgot Jones is coming back and give me a few weeks to calm down and I will acknowledge Rochelle again who actually did do a nice job this year. I am hoping Redfield keeps improving too. Thanks.

 

[DieHard_Irish]

#8 is correct. I see Iowa losing to MSU, and us facing Iowa in the Fiesta bowl.

 

[irishnumberone1]

ND need help with Clemson beat UNC.

 

[Irishjohn68]

I think the BIG is very strong yet maligned. Let's see what happens, but UNC will not jump into the top four if they defeat Clemson. I think they will.

It is nice to see that ND gets respect for the schedule they play. I think they will play the loser of Iowa/MSU. A great match up in the Feista Bowl.

Won't the loser of MSU/Iowa go to the Rose Bowl?

 

[jmmcgr02]

Won't the loser of MSU/Iowa go to the Rose Bowl?

Not likely. Iowa would drop past tOSU in final rankings if they lost. Not sure about MSU, i would think they would stay ahead of tOSU, but it would be close.

 

[irishnumberone1]

Magic for ND will happen again like 2012.

 

[echowaker]

I forgot Jones is coming back and give me a few weeks to calm down and I will acknowledge Rochelle again who actually did do a nice job this year. I am hoping Redfield keeps improving too. Thanks.

when has he improved ? i see the same mistakes week in and week out. todd lyght has not made any impact this season it appears.

 

[echowaker]

Keep drinking the Kool aid. Sheldon Day and Jaylon are 1st round picks and no one we have coming up will replace them. Between turnovers, delay of game penalties, constant injuries, and poor decision making we will be status quo next year. Kelly is a technician but ND was built on spirit and fundamentals. Aside from Jerry Tillery and maybe throw in Daniel Cage or Tranquil no one else on that D impresses me.

i love sheldon day but it's highly unlikely he's a first rounder.

 

[echowaker]

Who says Clemson falls out of the top 4 with a lost.

who would they be ahead of ? not UNC.

 

[Roady]

The Big Ten has a guaranteed in...with Iowa #4 and Michigan State #5, the winner is in.

The ACC is iffy...Clemson is in with win and they remain #1,,Tigers lose and the conference is out of play off

The Big 12 is set...Oklahoma has no more risk of loss, they will be 11-1

 

[Irish Grandeur]

i love sheldon day but it's highly unlikely he's a first rounder.

Agree. Could see him possibly going somewhere in the middle/low 1st if he 'wows' at the combine but more likely the second.

 

[schadenfreude]

Won't the loser of MSU/Iowa go to the Rose Bowl?

Also possibly Ohio State to the Rose; especially if Iowa manages to win.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Also possibly Ohio State to the Rose; especially if Iowa manages to win.

OSU is positioned to jump the loser of the B1G title game and will play in the Rose Bowl, IMO. Doubt Stanford or ND jumps the loser unless the loss is in blowout fashion.

 

[perseverare]

I think the committee does believe tOSU 'should be in' but needs some help to really justify it.
For clarity, elimination of MSU is a must; Clemson, Bama, and Iowa could make the choice Ok. or tOSU.
If MSU wins then who has the better resume: Ok. or tOSU ?
The sexiest 4 for the committee: Bama, Ok., tOSU, Clemson cannot happen.
Bama, Ok., MSU, tOSU is possible if Clemson loses.

 

[twalsh]

i love sheldon day but it's highly unlikely he's a first rounder.

At 6'5" he'd be a top 10 lock, at 6'2", maybe even shorter, he's more a late first early second pick IMHO.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

At 6'5" he'd be a top 10 lock, at 6'2", maybe even shorter, he's more a late first early second pick IMHO.

My thought process was his measurables keeping him out of the first tier as well. He has a fantastic motor and that may bump him into the low first with a great showing at the combine but, IMO, he goes in the second round. Some NFL team will get a bargain taking him in the second.

 

[Telx1]

Perse, you may be right, but I can't see Ohio State jumping Oklahoma under any scenario. Both are done playing until their bowl games, and there's no logic to an idle Ohio State jumping an idle Oklahoma, logic being the operative word, and thus a disclaimer where the committee is involved.

Expect MSU to beat Iowa, Ohio State to jump Iowa and go to the Rose Bowl, and ND to play Iowa in their bowl game.

 

[South Bender]

#8 is a good position considering our resume. We certainly pass the "eye test"
of the committee members.
- Some key wins against teams ranked in the top 20
- Played seven teams, SEVEN, who were ranked when we played them.
- Four of them, will be playing for a Conference Championship this weekend.
- Two losses, by a total of four points, to the #1 and #6 ranked teams.
- Both losses on the road.
- Both losses on the last play of the game.

 

[nsp29640]

who would they be ahead of ? not UNC.

If Clemson loses then it would be Bama, OU, winner of MSU and Iowa, then Clemson. UNC's body of work is too weak to jump them into the top 4.

 

[echowaker]

If Clemson loses then it would be Bama, OU, winner of MSU and Iowa, then Clemson. UNC's body of work is too weak to jump them into the top 4.

if clemson loses they are out. ohio st would jump them as would stanford if they win.

 

[DieHard_Irish]

if clemson loses they are out. ohio st would jump them as would stanford if they win.

Agreed. Most likely OSU though. Committee will do all it can to get OSU in there to defend. Though I don't feel they deserve it at all

 

[mbd11]

if clemson loses they are out. ohio st would jump them as would stanford if they win.

Clemson would still have more quality (ranked) wins than Ohio State. They beat ND and FSU. Ohio State has only beaten Michigan. But I agree that the committee would probably slide Ohio State in there, since Clemson would've lost their last game.