All Things Notre Dame - The Clashmore Mike Memorial Thread

[hack]

Hate to say it, but of course I'm rooting for ND in that game if it happens. It's been too long since an ND loss really screwed us over for me to cheer for the SEC.

[iam416]

A couple quick comments:

1. To be clear, I really don't have a good sense if ND is "back" or not. What I do know is that being "back" for ND is a higher standard than for most schools. If you asked me whether ND was back to being a perennial top 20 program, I think the answer is far more likely yes. But that isn't being "back" for ND.

2. ND doesn't have to apologize for who they scheduled. But, as it turned out, it wasn't such a great schedule. Those are the breaks.

3. The 2002 Buckeyes were fantastic defensively. They plastered a standard Mike Leach Texas Tech team, holding them 7 until garbage time. They plastered the P10 Champs -- Wazzu and Jason Gesser's high powered offense -- holding them to 7. They held Ken Dorsey and the unbeatable Hurricanes to 17 in regulation. Aside from the two garbage time TDs scored by Tech, no team scored more than 19 in regulation against them. In their final 6 games, they played 5 bowl teams. They gave up 39 points in those 5 games. Will Smith, Kenny Peterson, Chris Gamble were headliners.

They also had they defense on the field with the game on the line and the opponent in scoring position 3 times at the end of the game. And that doesn't include an improbable win at Purdue in a "first touchdown wins" game.

ND reminds me of that team. They play great defense. They dominate the LoS on that side of the ball. People discount them because their offense can look like poop and in the age of offense, that's a big ding. So people will continually sell them short. OSU also had a great punter and placekicker (the central tenets of Tresselball) -- I'm not sure about ND. ND's biggest problem, IMO, is that the "invincible" team in their way plays basically the SAME style, just better. Miami was ridiculous on defense in 2002 -- honestly, check the names on the defense if you ever get a chance -- but offensively they didn't have that punch you in the mouth OL. So OSU could split the LoS game and win it playing more conservatively on offense. ND, I think, would push or possibly even score a small win against the Bama offensive line, which is really, really good -- but the ND OL would get destroyed and, barring turnovers, The Nick would slowly and methodically enforce is net advantage into a two score lead and then it would be on Golson. JMO.

[iam416]

"quick" -- lol

[lineygoblue]

3. The 2002 Buckeyes were fantastic defensively.

Michigan went into Columbus and pushed that defense all over the field, winning the TOP stats and pretty much winning the game, .. except for the friggin' refs .....

Talent: Clarett

[Sanders Fan]

Notre Dame vs. Alabama ain't happenin'. :-D

[Paul L]

I can see a 1-loss Bama squeaking in ahead of possibly 1 or 2 unbeatens.

It's an unfortunate requirement that an SEC team is in the NCG.

[Sanders Fan]

11-0 for the first time since 1989.

[Sanders Fan]

Notre Dame vs. Alabama?

[Sanders Fan]

With Klein's average performance tonight, does Te'o become the Heismann favorite?

[Paul L]

or Georgia; can't imagine any other scenario (assuming ND takes care of SC)

[entropy]

And if ND loses...

[Paul L]

then Michigan looks as good as anyone

[lineygoblue]

Perfect scenario is that Jawja beats Alabama, and USC beats ND.

Then, the "choosers" would have to try and pick out the two prettiest bridesmaids....

[Sanders Fan]

There's always been controversy. The only way to avoid it is to have a 24 team playoff. Even then, the #25 team would complain about being left out.

[entropy]

And that would turn CF into the NFL..