I'm worried about ND in the playoff
I guess, I'm a bit apprehensive about how we would stack up against the other playoff teams. I think what may make those other teams better - perhaps even two touchdowns better - are gamebreakers at wide receiver. Watching Ohio State obliterate Michigan put this thought in my mind. Urban Meyer always seems to load up his teams with these speedy receivers who can turn a short or intermediate pass and catch into an 60-yard touchdown. That's so deflating for a defense and can turn the direction of a game on a dime. I imagine, Bama, Clemson, Oklahoma, and Georgia, all have guys like that too. It seems ND just doesn't have that caliber of player at the receiver position. So, I feel like we could compete maybe for two or three quarters with those other teams but they'd ultimately blow the game open with some big plays that we just wouldn't be able to match. Now, if we had Rocket, Golden Tate, and Will Fuller, on our current roster, I'd think we could hang with anyone.
Feel free to talk me out of this nonsense! Please.
Replies to: I'm worried about ND in the playoff
Michigan Defense overrated
We beat MU with Wimbush running and a couple good passes. Then UM went through the OCC and Big10 without facing an even decent passer. Brown's mam-to-man defense worked well against these guys until Indiana, a passing team, showed OSU that crossing routes beat UM's pass defense. That's what OSU did and Michigan had no answer. Look at all the good QB's we faced over the past two years.
Get a grip. It's much more fun when you fake courage.
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I thought it was Zahm House. “A hall is something to walk through” was your saying as I recall.
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That Zahm poster is a self-acknowledged Michigan fan, so take him with a grain of salt.
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Zahmbies
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This is so.
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We have red on our ledger.
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Alohi's gonna rip your balls out just for doubting.
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Wrong we can play with anybody. Our defense makes a difference and Book is way too
cool under pressure to think we don't have a chance against any of the other playoff teams. That said Alabama is a one out ofr 5 chance for us and Clemson is about 1 out of 2. Nothing will be easy but it can be achieved.
defense travels, holtz always said when u travel bring your defense and kicking game, we'll be fine
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ND’s raw talent and depth is better than Pudue’s. The Boilers made tOSU look slow. By the transitive
property......
Seriously, I think ND can be competive with Clemson, OU, and Georgia. Alabama has looked like they are way better than anyone else.
uh oh.."transitive" and college football..
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Pride is one of the fastest college players in the country. He has world class speed.
That's a fact and not hyperbole. So if he gets burned, it won't be for lack of speed. Love and Gilman will both be starting in the NFL so I'm not concerned with their ability against high caliber speedy receivers. If they execute well, we will be fine back there.
Anyone who thinks ND has more talent than Bama, Clemson, OSU, and UGA is lying to themselves
So it's justified to think ND will have their hands full. (Outside of Bama, which playoff team won't?)
Does that mean ND isn't a better team? No.
Does it mean they'll lose? No.
But if we are looking purely at talent, ND will be at the short end of the stick.
We're right there with Clemson, behind Bama and an Ohio state school.
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I'm not saying you are wrong (or right), but what are you basing this on? High school star ratings?
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I watch too much football
Alabama is in a class of their own.
The other three are fairly close with ND.
And again, this doesn't mean they are better teams than ND, just more talented.
I really like the make up of ND's team, specifically the defense. I'd love to be in a bunker with Tranquil, Gilman, Coney, and Love.
That's pretty spot on.
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Yep. That's how I feel.
It seems like given recruiting restrictions -which we're all aware of - ND is always one or two position groups away from truly being one of the elite. Every year we're lacking in depth and quality of talent in one group or another. Obviously, Kelly is a great enough coach to put us in competition for 10 wins most years, but it just seems like their are certain self-imposed "institutional barriers" that keep us from being able to hang with the likes of Bama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State. I hope I can eat these words soon.
You speak nonsense!! USC had 3 speedy receivers that will all get an NFL paycheck. ND held USC to
10 points for the first 59 minutes of the game.
Think about that.
This is correct.
The WRs are pawns in this. Can we run the ball, can they run the ball. Those are the questions that will matter, IMO.
Re: Are those guys that good?
If so, that actually does make me feel somewhat better. Thanks!
Yes, they all have NFL speed, that's why we played them so soft for most of the game. Super fast.
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