While We are...

[Irish Grandeur]

bickering among ourselves, ND football is getting the job done.Some of us are 'half-full' and some are 'half-empty' - I say my cup is over flowing.

I love this team's grit and their willingness to be coached. ND is reloading and the future is NOW. It's been a long time since a fan, such as me, can say 'Go Irish' and mean it.

 

[Telx1]

You captured my emotions precisely.

 

[NIN Irish]

Take care of USC and I'm getting there, but still on the ledge.

 

[TOMMY_23]

Take care of USC and I'm getting there, but still on the ledge.

I'm in that same boat. I know this team is much improved, but the wins are against bad teams.

USC, Miami, NC State, and Stanford are the teams I can't wait to watch ND play.

 

[irishsportsfan]

@NIN Irish

Not to hijack the thread, but are you a Nine Inch Nails fan? Ever since I started “really” posting here, I’ve been hoping that you are lol.

I saw them 2 weeks ago at RiotFest, and am going to see them again at Aftershock in Sacramento

 

[Toby Smart]

Beware of Navy. I'm just saying. BTW: targeting just called on Arkansas State in their game against Georgia Southern tonight. TV announcers just went on this long detailed explanation of the rule and the penalty. They know the rule better that some of these officials and replay guys.

 

[deadirishpoet]

bickering among ourselves, ND football is getting the job done.Some of us are 'half-full' and some are 'half-empty' - I say my cup is over flowing.

I love this team's grit and their willingness to be coached. ND is reloading and the future is NOW. It's been a long time since a fan, such as me, can say 'Go Irish' and mean it.

I won't go as far as to say my cup is running over but I will say there's at least something in my cup now and I like it

 

[faviles15]

Agree with some earlier posters--the bartender gave me a tasting but I can't say that I'm buying just yet. If we get by these next 2 opponents than I can start thinking ahead to a run but I was on the 8-4 prediction wagon at the start of the year and still have a foot on it. While D has been much improved I can't say we've faced an offensive juggernaut in those first games but the lack of passing game (as most have pointed out) is the real concern. Sure we can be a run heavy offense but without the credible pass threat than those teams with a good front 7 can at least slow us down a bit.

 

[Bodizephax]

The 2017 Irish are a GREAT team. The doubting Thomases will come around after they witness ND blowing out USC.

 

[Irish2684]

I'm in that same boat. I know this team is much improved, but the wins are against bad teams.

USC, Miami, NC State, and Stanford are the teams I can't wait to watch ND play.

I'm with Tommy on this one. While I do love watching a team that seems to be tough and is playing well on defense(I couldn't watch another defensive year like last year) I'm still a bit reserved based on the teams they have BEAT.

If this team losses to USC, Miami, and either NC State or Stanford and finishes 8-4, what will be the mood of ND fans?? I'm not saying that will happen but I'm taking a wait and see approach until they are a few games into this back loaded schedule. Go Irish!!!

 

[irish4life888]

I'm with Tommy on this one. While I do love watching a team that seems to be tough and is playing well on defense(I couldn't watch another defensive year like last year) I'm still a bit reserved based on the teams they have BEAT.

If this team losses to USC, Miami, and either NC State or Stanford and finishes 8-4, what will be the mood of ND fans?? I'm not saying that will happen but I'm taking a wait and see approach until they are a few games into this back loaded schedule. Go Irish!!!

I won't even come here because there are so many flip flop fans here. One minute we suck and we won't win another game, now were going to the playoffs. I'm guessing we lose two more games. If that's the case that's a heck of a turn around from last year. Our defense, while improved, you can tell has holes. The offense, while improved, is one dimensional up until this point. Good teams will expose those weaknesses. I think our offense was better and more balanced last yeat, but we were constantly playing from behind because of the horrible defense.

 

[shooter1977]

This team is more enjoyable than the 2015 team. Not as talented, but more physical and fundamentally sound. Along with the '05 and '12 teams, this may be one of my favorite post-Holtz squads.

 

[NIN Irish]

@NIN Irish

Not to hijack the thread, but are you a Nine Inch Nails fan? Ever since I started “really” posting here, I’ve been hoping that you are lol.

I saw them 2 weeks ago at RiotFest, and am going to see them again at Aftershock in Sacramento

Nice.
Yes I'm a big fan of nine inch nails. I saw them 3 times in early 90s, think 93, on the downward spiral tour in Little Rock, Louisville, and Memphis. The music is wonderful to the ears. And saw them in Columbus, Ohio in 2000 or so.

 

[SiberianKnightmare]

How quickly we forget the days of losing to bad teams or barely squeaking by bad teams.

We've ROLLED every damn one of them this year. We haven't done that in a LOOOOONG time.

 

[zonairish]

I'm with Tommy on this one. While I do love watching a team that seems to be tough and is playing well on defense(I couldn't watch another defensive year like last year) I'm still a bit reserved based on the teams they have BEAT.

If this team losses to USC, Miami, and either NC State or Stanford and finishes 8-4, what will be the mood of ND fans?? I'm not saying that will happen but I'm taking a wait and see approach until they are a few games into this back loaded schedule. Go Irish!!!

If we lose to USC I will have to talk Bodi in off the ledge

 

[tkirish]

Never want to overlook anyone , so gotta beat NC. With that said, the second half of the schedule will be far more challenging. I love the run game. I'm thrilled they can run the ball. They need to become better at passing. Not lights out, just better. Miami, SC , Stanford and even Navy will be tough to beat if all they can do is run. If they can become efficient passing, that will allow the run game to be more productive. If not, then teams will sell out to stop the run and dare them to throw. I do think with Stephenson back, the passing game will pick up and if so, I like their chances to win out. Go Irish!!

 

[irishsportsfan]

Nice.
Yes I'm a big fan of nine inch nails. I saw them 3 times in early 90s, think 93, on the downward spiral tour in Little Rock, Louisville, and Memphis. The music is wonderful to the ears.

Awesome, I knew it had to be Nails related. I think I was born about 10 years too late. I would’ve been going to shows left and right if I was old enough / had this job in the 90s.

On a deeper note - I’m pretty sure Trents music has saved my life at one point or another.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

I'm with Tommy on this one. While I do love watching a team that seems to be tough and is playing well on defense(I couldn't watch another defensive year like last year) I'm still a bit reserved based on the teams they have BEAT.

If this team losses to USC, Miami, and either NC State or Stanford and finishes 8-4, what will be the mood of ND fans?? I'm not saying that will happen but I'm taking a wait and see approach until they are a few games into this back loaded schedule. Go Irish!!!

My statement includes this year but it mainly refers to the direction of the program in general. If we can keep this staff together and continue to upgrade recruit rankings then I see ND having a nice four or five year stretch that puts ND on the next level.

 

[NotreDame du Lac]

This team is more enjoyable than the 2015 team. Not as talented, but more physical and fundamentally sound. Along with the '05 and '12 teams, this may be one of my favorite post-Holtz squads.

I like this team too. Tough. They like to tackle and go after the ball. The whole team seems like they're more focused and listen well. They're well coached. There aren't any selfish looking players. I like them because they're pretty basic and play good football. That's what makes a solid team. I'd be worried about ND if I were any team in the country. They're beatable, but they're going to be hard to beat and come after you for 4 quarters. If this coaching staff stays intact, They'll win a lot of games and will be respectable every year. In today's climate, that's fantastic. I think these coaches can make ND a perennial top 10. There are too many well coached teams with lots of talent to expect ND to win multiple national championships. One in the next 3-5 years and a couple playoff runs would be wonderful imo. To be top 10 year after year means you're elite. ND can be that with these guys. They've done wonders in the past several months. It's showing.

 

[Johnnie82]

Feels good to approach a football Saturday and not be worried about every upcoming game.

 

[HRC08]

Back to back games of easily discarding an overmatched opponent would be a huge step forward. With the exception of the 1st half against BC, the Irish have not reverted to their past behavior of playing down in talent level.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Back to back games of easily discarding an overmatched opponent would be a huge step forward. With the exception of the 1st half against BC, the Irish have not reverted to their past behavior of playing down in talent level.

Playing down to an opponent is not in the fabric of this team. A week ago ND went into a hostile Spartan Stadium and controlled the game from start to finish - I have never seen Dantonio so pizzed. MSU is now the nr. 21 team according to the AP and whooped the nr. 8 team last night in the Big House.