Things to enjoy for this year:

[IrishBlooded]

Before all the negative. Enjoy these things:

1. Jaylon Smith, have said it since he stepped on the field. This is the best athlete overall on defense for ND in a generation. He is simply amazing at what he does. And you don't get to see guys like him suit up for your team often. This may well be his last season in S. Bend. So enjoy every play of it.
2. K. Russell, someone that when everything happened had every chance to go JUCO and find an easier path to the field somewhere else. However he did what he had to do to get back, and he improved his athletic ability while gone. Remember this is a guy that was brought in on offense, and started every game since he has arrived as a CB. Loud, good leadership, and knows how to handle being in the big games.
3. This many starters with this many stars. This roster overall has talent coming out the ears. Everyone likes to complain about star ranking. However ND in their present reality will never commit year in and out with the football factories. ND has the potential to put together teams like this once every 5 or so years. And this year it lines up well for talent. The only knock I have here, is starting a QB that hasn't had as much experience on the field as you would prefer.

Enjoy this season.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

Before all the negative. Enjoy these things:

1. Jaylon Smith, have said it since he stepped on the field. This is the best athlete overall on defense for ND in a generation. He is simply amazing at what he does. And you don't get to see guys like him suit up for your team often. This may well be his last season in S. Bend. So enjoy every play of it.
2. K. Russell, someone that when everything happened had every chance to go JUCO and find an easier path to the field somewhere else. However he did what he had to do to get back, and he improved his athletic ability while gone. Remember this is a guy that was brought in on offense, and started every game since he has arrived as a CB. Loud, good leadership, and knows how to handle being in the big games.
3. This many starters with this many stars. This roster overall has talent coming out the ears. Everyone likes to complain about star ranking. However ND in their present reality will never commit year in and out with the football factories. ND has the potential to put together teams like this once every 5 or so years. And this year it lines up well for talent. The only knock I have here, is starting a QB that hasn't had as much experience on the field as you would prefer.

Enjoy this season.

Your last sentence is exactly what the loser of a head coach will be using as his excuse when his poor coaching decisions lock ND into a 9-3 season (Something Swarbrick would deem legendary).

The sad part is there is an almost yearly exodus of talent going pro from the football roster yet there are a bunch of poor win-loss records. Something doesn't add up. Put up or shut up Kelly.

 

[HDK]

Watching ND football for another year as those gold helmets glisten on the field. This really is the put up or shut up year for Coach Kelly. I gave him a pass two years ago because of the bonehead move of Golson (9-4). Last year because of the frozen five, Golson's ungodly 22 turnovers, and a decimated defensive unit due to injury (8-5).

Honest question for you Ara: What happens if we have the same kind of problems this year that we had last year? Say Zaire throws a ton of interceptions, a bunch of guys get hurt, a few key players get suspended for failing to keep up their grades. Is it still put up or shut up time? Or does Kelly get another pass?

To me, Kelly is a good coach, but not a great one. Plus, I think Notre Dame is a much different animal than it was when Holtz was here or when Ara was here. I just think we are always going to be a bit thin and worrying about guys being able to keep up in the classroom, no matter who is the coach.

 

[Bodizephax]

I am going to SUPER ENJOY this season !!

I enjoyed the 6 and 6 seasons with Golden Tate and Mike Floyd ! Win lose or draw I love ND football ! It will be all wins this year !