Why does it seem like "hosting a playoff game" is the ultimate goal at ND these days?

[echowaker]

True. An underdog on a neutral field to Oregon, Texas, Ohio St., Georgia, etc., yes, but not a significant one.

Texas ? Their best win is against Vandy. The others I would agree would be slight favorites.

 

[echowaker]

The 2012 BSCG, the 2018 CFP Semi Final, and the 2020 CFP Semi Final were not competitive games. Although I will say that each game was more competive than the last game. 2012 the game was over at the half and was a disaster from the kickoff. 2018 ND was hanging around at 9-3, then Julian Love went out and 2 TD's in the last 2 minutes of the half made it 23-3. Then in 2020, it was 21-7, and ND was outclassed, but not embarrassed like 2012. And the 2020 Alabama team was a juggernaut.

The next step is to get in this post season and not get embarrassed or outclassed. Put yourself in a position to win these games and execute down the stretch.

ND has a great defense, but they brought really good defenses into the College post season in 2012, 2018 and 2020. They were not able to score points in any of those games. Fell behind and just floundered around.

They were never going to have a chance in 2012 unless Bama had a boatload of turnovers. Completely outcoached and the talent disparity was significant. That's not the case now. The gap has been narrowed dramatically.

 

[sjb75]

They were never going to have a chance in 2012 unless Bama had a boatload of turnovers. Completely outcoached and the talent disparity was significant. That's not the case now. The gap has been narrowed dramatically.

2012 Alabama-Notre Dame is the only game I have ever posted a predicted score for Notre Dame to lose. They had no shot. Zero.

And frankly, 2020 was the same. Alabama was that good. I have always believed Nick Saban held back in 2020.