Over the last 30 years, I've always been able to rely upon ND fans to delude themselves into thinking ND can win game X, Y or Z. That is not the case this weekend. ND fans on campus seem almost universally resigned to the fact that we're going to lose. This defeat is imminent approach may be clear-eyed, but it's disappointing that we've gotten to a point that even the biggest homers don't see a path through.
To quote Lloyd Christmas, "So you're telling me there's a chance!" Let's not give up yet.
Georgias first 2 games were glorified scrimmages. I believe one of those wins was a team outside of 1A football. Those games provide little in the way of usable film. We really can't say how good they are based upon their first 2 games. We do know they'll give us their best. The game will come down to our ability to stop the run and how well we tackle. Our short yardage packages are of course a huge concern and I believe could very well decide the outcome.
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been phenomenal and ours has been very good. I think we will see some of our game breakers come to the front this Saturday. They have tons of game breakers too.
is that everyone knows we aren't that good.
During any given season in which we claw and scratch our way to victory and get more than a few lucky bounces, I know ND will end up soiling themselves when the stakes get REALLY high against an elite opponent. The program has an elite heritage but no longer has an elite mindset. So when push comes to shove, they probably have doubts about their ability to compete against the best, and this ends up manifesting in their performance. The subsequent beatdown merely affirms everyone's doubts, completing the feedback loop and reinforcing the vicious cycle for the next failed return to glory.
However, in this case the season has just started and the stakes aren't that high in this game, i.e., everyone knows we are not that good, hence expectations are low. That's the only thing I'm hanging my hat on. The much lighter weight on our shoulders and the possibility that everyone will just relax and play. Not much, I know, but it's something.
The TV stations are hyping it and their crowd will be pumped, so someone thinks we are good to very good. Are we as talented as Georgia? Maybe close on the top 22 but depth wise, no. Fortunately you can only field 22 at a time so like I said that is a 40% chance in my eyes. Armstrong for us was a big loss because he was explosive and a great receiver not only out of the backfield but downfield too.
A puncher’s chance.
The fact that we have Kelly who almost never wins a big game or one he shouldn’t win also mitigates against it.
Ten years doesn’t lie. It would be a blind squirrel kind of thing or UGA just shits the bed which Kirby is capable of doing.
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And I think we have a 3 in 10 chance...
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Lloyd Christmas was a moron. And he didn't get the girl.
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I at least count that as a moral victory.
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Six losses by Weis and four by Kelly.
Note: prior to that Willingham and Davie went 1-9 against Top 5...with Davie winning against #5 Michigan in 1998.
(So ND is 2 and 19 in the last 21 games versus Top 5 competition.)
Holtz went 12-8 against Top 5 (After losing his first 4) - Which is just ridiculous.
Faust went 1-4 against Top 5
Devine went 3-6 against Top 5.
Ara went 5-5-3 against Top 5
recruiting classes had a lot to do with it. Ara's recruiting and Devine's recruiting were next best. Faust supposedly had pretty good recruiting too, especially early but Blair Kiel was an absolutely horrible QB.
Ten years of Kelly, following Chuckles, Ty Willie, and Boob have killed that type of expectation.
Hope it happens, but I never expect it against an elite foe.
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But I didn’t expect ND to win each week in ‘86. I figured that would come later.
Lou was 0-4 in his first four top 5 games (according to the above poster). Kelly is currently 0-4 against top 5 opponents.
Holtz got better players, and won. Kelly has hopefully done the same, albeit a longer time frame, and hopefully by the grace of God gets his first of many Saturday.
team. Fact. Facts drive expectations. Fact: Holtz was an elite coach. Fact: Kelly's a mediocre one.
Just hoping we can make it close, and not be embarrassed. They are likely better at 90% of the starting 22 positions. Their 3rd best RB would be our best....
Only beating #8 Oklahoma in 2012 during that stretch
0-3 versus top 5 there. Stanford in 2011, Bama in 2012, FSU in 2014.
RIP, George.
It's since been recreated.
RIP George.
Link: ND Database
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That's the only chance.
Even "great" teams can stumble.
Not that I've ever seen.
It can happen to anyone.
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Young team getting better game by game.
feel that running the ball is important
I lived in Alabama for a few years when Alabama was really bad. While it was extremely annoying for me to listen too, their fans still had a cockiness to them. And they never waivered that they'd be great again.
ND is 24-4 in their last 28 and fans don't even have hope. It has to be hard for players, coaches, and specifically recruits to see this stuff.
And I'd love to say a win Saturday would change that, but I just suspect the fans will blame the loss on UGA and move the target to Clemson/Alabama.
They had more reason for optimism.
The talent pool in their region is also the best, they have few recruiting restrictions, and football is a top priority for the university.
They were bad. ND as much as you think they suck, are 24-4. Not good enough, but the program is in very solid footing. While Football will never be on the mantle like Bama, ND is investing more money than ever into the program and facilities.
ND fans shouldn't be shriveled cowards right now.
They haven’t been elite since 93. Fact. Also fact, look at who those 24 wins are over and the four losses.
If that makes you happy great. I accept it for what it is, but don’t make more of it than that.
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even some of the most fanatic can’t get there based on the first two games.
Upsets and even miracles do happen, so I will be cheering for one.
Just finished watching the game last night, Book's ability to make throws on the run, the zip on his passes and his overall athleticism far exceed the limitations that Rees had.
The only apt comparison would be leadership and football IQ.
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You've made multiple disparaging comments against Book, my post was in the correct spot.
I don’t recall making any such comparison and Jimmy’s post below makes that comparison.
Perhaps you can link my post comparing the two.
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From my post - "...Book it appears to be more Tommy Rees than last years Ian Book."
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gives a solid analysis of why ND isn't given more cred vs a team like Georgia. Most people have seen ND's latest performances
and it is quite obvious ND hasn't shown they have a ground game and that they cannot stop an effective ground game
two things Georgia has shown it is more than capable of. Also the ND OL cannot stop the lesser talent from pouring into
the backfield and Book it appears to be more Tommy Rees than last years Ian Book.
You decide for yourself
This is also a good listen - these guys are darn good at analyzing teams and they pay attention to ND all year round.
Link: https://www.uhnd.com/football/2019/09/16/notre-dame-football-mexico-postgame-report-card-offense/
I'm just saying we've lost the delusional quality that was a hallmark of prior ND fans.
have to play the game.
But not today.
Which as you point out is why the games get played.
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