This is the opportunity the program has needed for 5 years (or more).
I have my Kelly issues, but you have to agree they were barely a top 20 program when he took over and now they are a perennial top 10 team. He deserves credit for that. Actually, they are probably right behind that second tier group of teams - Clemson and Alabama; then Oklahoma, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU - and then the Irish. At least by college football perceptions. I'd put them in the tail end of that second group, but your average BIG10/SEC idiot would put ND behind that second group.
The only way, in college football circles, does ND get put in that second tier - is by beating an SEC team, especially on the road - and I am glad its Georgia. I think Georgia is a little over hyped and the SEC is down - so Georgia will still go 9-3/8-4 if the Irish beat them - so people can't say "Georgia wasn't that good".
There are some of you that would never play this game "because they have no shot" - They have to play this game. I'm not saying ND is going to win - but I am saying this is a huge opportunity for the program. Now they just need to find a way to get it done. If not, they need to schedule another one until they win this type of game or they will never be "back".
I think they are a lot closer than most think. Saturday night will tell.
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If we lose, it was expected. If Georgia loses they are disgraced. Hopefully our lads are relaxed and theirs are uptight.
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There's no point in running scared.
Without this game on our schedule, we might not have a shot at the playoff. You want that shot...
That’s what always made ND special. Play anyone everywhere.
Times have changed a bit but we need to have a game or two like that every year.
I can buy into that logic....we have to prove ourselves and PROVE we belong at #7
We played in the CFP last year and proved we DIDNT belong and shit the bed against Clemson
Clearly the first tier is better but we embarrassed the program with that game
Let's PROVE we belong Saturday night; that is all I ask and you said that very well
That is all us naysayers are asking for.....PROVE we belong
Opportunity is what is important. We are way better than we used to be and that's why it is a great opportunity to move up in the national picture. Yes I would say talent wise Clemson and Alabama but maybe Ohio State, Oklahoma and Georgia too. We are almost there and I would rate us solidly as a top 10 team maybe even number 6 or 7. There is nothing wrong with that except you want the opportunity to finish at the top. Nobody remembers who finished 3-5.
I think the difference between Clemson and Alabama versus the aforementioned is the superb QBs. The others have very good QBs and now Hurts puts Oklahoma in that category. Oklahoma's weakness is their defense. We are on the edge of finishing at the top but our talent needs to be supplemented by getting the breaks. Book is very good but I don't think he can win us a championship by himself. Tua, Sunshine and Hurts all can. Fromm is probably somewhere in between.