The Official Prediction thread...
I'm a huge ND fan and have been for a few decades. I used to live on Angela near Portage and always love my visits back to the campus. So, not a hater.
After reading through the game predictions on the official thread I noticed a lot of predictions for ND to win. Why? Is it just blind fan love, or is there some logical reason?
My biggest concerns; I watched the UL game with my daughter and when the ND team was standing in the tunnel and then coming out, I saw zero energy in the coaches and players. I told my daughter that the team was playing in prime-time, on the road and was yet again not ready to play. It's a good thing the team was playing UL.
The second biggest concern I have is the lack of physicality displayed by both lines during both games. There are other issues with this team and I'm certainly not all gloom and doom, (10 wins), but these two things are reason enough to think ND can't win.
So, my question for anyone predicting an ND win is why?
Replies to: The Official Prediction thread...
American Bulldog 35, Blowhard Kelly 13
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Ok, you've all convinced me with clear facts and data...changing my prediction to a big ND win!
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Psst - this is a Notre Dame fan site
Most of us love the Irish. We are eternally optimistic. We truly believe in 'what tho the odds be great or small'.
What a dumb question.
GO IRISH
Faith, optimism and never, never picking a loss. I guarantee we will be
prepared and perform well.
I predict the PAC12 still sucks...
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Reasons for optimism
Fromm is a pocket passer, which plays better to our strengths along the defensive line. With his lack of a run threat our linebackers should not be spying the qb as much and be able to offer additional run support against the running backs.
Offensively I watched some of the Georgia games and there were plays to be made against their defense that the competition they were playing could not make. We have better players than what they've faced, just the same as their players are better than what we've played this year. But no one mentions that.
We can win this game, we have enough talent. And Kelly and crew usually perform better with these games during the season rather than during bowl season. I'm not expecting to be blown out, but I can see a loss just as easily as a win.
Usually?
He is 3-9 against Top 5.....is that usual?
Although I have predicted a Georgia win, I think the game will be closer than most think. I
compared the two teams and they are not far apart in talent. On offense, I give Georgia the edge at QB and RB. I give ND the edge at WR and TE. The O-lines are about even, but maybe a slight edge to Georgia. On defense, I give Georgia the edge at LB. I give ND the edge at CB, S and DE. I give the edge to Georgia on the interior D-line. This can, and should, be a close game. I think Fromme v. Book will be the difference in the game.
Texas beat Georgia and Texas had four losses this past January
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Ok, everyone is responding with why UG is beatable instead of why ND is better
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Your conclusion to this,
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"Why UG is beatable" is a valid consideration in predicting a game involving Georgia.
And the "better team" doesn't always win.
I still think it's telling that we can't identify those areas where ND is the better team
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Telling about what? Everyone agrees ND is an underdog.
And should be. But the better team on paper doesn't always win. It's college football. Upsets happen.
ND played Clemson tough except for the safety Gilman and a backup corner
ND has a new corner and safety Hamilton plays often. ND replaced a very bad center with phenomenal Patterson
We played Clemson tough
thats a good one!
Tougher than Alabama did.
One point tougher.
Wowzers!
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If UGA isn’t “all everything”, then why is there some atypical need to justify why we can beat them?
They beat us by one freaking point just two years ago. Our records are very similar over the past few years. We were undefeated and in the CFP last year while they had 3 losses. They’ve shit the bed in nearly every big game. Where are their signature wins. We have no need to justify why we can beat them. For fucks sake, you aren’t even playing and you’re crapping your drawers.
No ass-breath...neither of us are playing and I'm not crapping my drawers
There's just no evidence that ND can win a tough game on the road against a top 2-3 SEC team. None
So what, professor. Don't watch the game. Asinine post to begin with...
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Dumbass comment...not capable of rational thought?
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No...it was my rational thought that you're an idiot...
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Because I posted about why I believe ND will lose and asked why people think they will win?
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blah blah blah...Go Irish!!
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You must be a Democrat. Lighten up man. Always expect to win.
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Nope, but way to bring politics into this
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Here was my thinking
First, Georgia with all the talent in about three or four universes still got beat in a quarter of their outings last year. So, contrary to what some feel, they may not actually walk on water.
Second, they have yet to do anything this year on the field that is any more remarkable than what ND has done.
Third, we definitely have absolutely no pressure. The entire world has been saying for weeks that the game itself is just a formality and Georgia already won. That usually does not help the team upon which the love is being lavished. We sometimes surprise in this sitch, like when we pounded Oklahoma.
Fourth, even flat, if you are right ( and I am not sure you are) we beat Louisville on the road at night by a decisive margin.
So, weighing those factors and influenced by my love of the Irish, I decided the experts just may be mistaken. We'll see.
Re: Here was my thinking
ND was listless coming out and they were behind 14-7 against a bad team and you question whether they came out flat? Agreed that they won by 18, (not sure how “decisive” that is given the competition), but ok.
You still basically answered by talking about how suspect UGA is instead of how ND can win. ND is playing on the road at night against a good, (not great), team. ND will have to run the ball against a physical DL and will have stop the run with their DL. Even our vaunted DEs haven’t played great against weak competition so far. Maybe this is the game where they get it all together, I’m just not sure there’s evidence to suggest that.
Great. You asked, I told. Bet as you feel wise.
Not sure what more you want. I will only say, falling behind early on the road in an opener doesn't seem like conclusive evidence of lack of intensity, and Georgia weaknesses, if that team of supermen actually can conceivably have weaknesses, are the things that make me think ND has a chance. But it is academic, we will find out soon. Here is hoping we have luck.