Comments on: IBG: Dry Heat Edition

By: rockne

rockne — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:46:53 +0000

Notre Dame was just thumped in the desert and the outcry of criticism is sure to come, particulalry with 5 TOs. If there is solace, remember what was said previously-if at the beginning of the season, we were told that by game 9, Schmidt, Ishaq Williams, Riggs, Schmidt, Russell, Daniels, and Collinngsworth would all be out, what would we have thought? Take a look at the number of non-seniors playing on both offense and defense!!

By: Coach C

Coach C — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 14:11:28 +0000

Agree that ND needs help to make it. That “help” can come in a variety of ways.
While most people complained (justifiably) about an Arizona State team jumping them in the polls, it proves to help ND. A win today, and ND can point to a “signature” win on the road against a top 10 team.
Also, I love what Joe Schmidt brought to the table intellectually, but he is not as gifted as Nyles Morgan. You could always count on Joe Schmidt filling his gap and getting people lines up properly, but his speed/instincts were lacking. Again, I love the kid, but our defense has the potential to take a big step forward with Nyles Morgan being thrown into the fire.
Take care of your house and see where the chips fall. Good test coming today and some more tests remain on the schedule. WE can get help with ASU making the Pac-12 championship, with USC winning out, perhaps N’western pulling another upset, and L’ville winning out as well. As our competition becomes bowl eligible (both those played already and those we’ve yet to play), ND should develop some more justification to be a 1-loss member of the playoff.

By: pc

pc — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 13:53:45 +0000

Wow I might be wrong but I think the toughest thing will be for us to win these last 4. If we do we only need a couple of key losses so I don’t see why everyone thinks we have a small shot or no shot. A 2 loss SEC team will not go over us nor will Mich St with one loss. The only way an 11-1 Irish squad is left out is to SEC Champ, FSU, Oregon, and TCU and I’m believing like most years upsets and the pressures of late season football catch up to these teams.

By: Dick

Dick — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:50:47 +0000

This year, we just have to win out and see where the chips fall. It will take a good dose of Luck of the
Irish for us to finish in the top 4. The bias with the committee is toward the super conferences, so for
ND to get in as an independent now and in the future, we have to win more and win against quality
opponents. It is too soon to know what happens next year. We started this year with what looked like the most difficult schedule but some of our opponents imploded. Same thing in reverse could happen next year. It will be difficult for us to stay out of a conference and get chances at a national title.

By: Ted Kazmar

Ted Kazmar — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:49:28 +0000

There is a very small chance ND can make it to the playoffs. A lot of teams would have to lose for this to happen. Two years ago ND made it to the championship game largely with the computers. Putting people 100% into the picture brings biases into the picture. There is a heavy bias against ND. Next year is really going to be rough on ND. Even if ND wins all their games next year, their schedule will be so weak that they will not make the playoffs next year either.

By: mark

mark — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:01:06 +0000

Dont see how nd survives conference championship weekend. Even if they are sitting 4 at the time those games are played. No way they dont get jumped.

Also, the noose is tightening and the margin of error is getting smaller. If TCU wins this weekend….they are almost gaurnteed to win out and take one of the spots. Sec winner already has one spot, TCU after this weekend could have the other, leaving two left for FSU, Pac 12 winner – (Oregon), the Big 10 winner (Mich State), and ND. For us to get in there we will need two of the following three things to happen –

1. FSU loses 2 games.
2. Pac 12 winner loses 2 games
3. Big 10 winner loses two games.

I see one of those happening, MAYBE, but even that is unlikely.

Reality….I dont see Oregon losing from here on out, nor MSU…and defnitely dont see FSU losing 2. One maybe.

By: Bill Walsh

Bill Walsh — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:33:30 +0000

Absolutely. Despite the Alabama debacle, no one draws higher ratings then the Irish. The “can’t read” SEC will damage themselves. As an aside, I am looking forward to watching Oregon play in this competition.