UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

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We should, as fans, be welcoming the opportunity to knock off Alabama and play Clemson again.

We should be celebrating the fact that the CFP committee thinks we're one of the best 4 teams in CFP.

And above all else, we should be happy we beat Clemson the first time, a huge accomplishment for the program, the team and the coach.

So what if on paper BAMA is a lot better, we have a fighting chance, because we're in the game, grow some balls people.

Michigan, Miami, BCS Bama game, Clemson play-off game, Clemson ACC title game. That's right. I said it. BK has turned into the Jerry Quarry of big game coaching. Excuse the fans for being a little squeamish. They have seen this movie before. It's not so much the losses. It's the blowouts and cheerleading from the recliner won't help. ND Nation will always support the team but BK, his staff, and players are the ones who actually have to perform. Taking 2 OTs to beat Clemson's JV team was a moment, but, deep down we all knew that there would be a day of reckoning playing all their top guys.

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ND needs to keep getting to these games until they can consistently compete / win. They are much better than the 2012 team that got spanked by 'Bama. Yes, this year they would need to play their best and Alabama would need to make a few mistakes - but in 2012; ND could have played their best and 'Bama could have been bad and the Irish still would have lost. That's not the case today. In 2012, they didn't even have a punchers chance. Do I think they are going to win - no, but I do think they have a punchers chance- yes. They are bringing in better players, they are more physical, they are much deeper, and they are getting better every year. Today, there is Clemson, Alabama; then a group of Ohio State, ND, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, and LSU; and then a group of everyone else. A couple years ago, the Irish were in the "everyone else" group. Today, I'd put them close to the top of that second tier group. It's a big leap from the top of that second tier to the Clemson, Alabama tier - but they are as close to that jump as anyone else. They finally have speed at ruining back, and this recruiting class is bringing in a lot speed and talent at a position they haven't had before - wide receiver. They are getting closer every day. Soon, in these games - it'll be a lot closer than a punchers chance.

only have to beat 2.

We are closer yes but the game on Saturday showed us we have the following weaknesses:
1. Our offensive coordinator got worked. We should have a top flight OC - Rees may be that some day, but he should not be learning on the job
2. Our mentality from the top down was "it worked before lets just keep doing it" was just dumb. If you thought Venable was going to allow Book to run again you are dumb. We should have anticipated that they would do everything they could to take away Book's feet and countered that. How? I dont know but I am not a coach at a Tier 1 program. Secondly, anyone with a pulse knew Lawrence was a difference maker running the ball - how did we still let that happen? Lea was asleep at the switch on that one.
3. Kelly is a CEO, which is fine, but there are times he still needs to show fire - he had zero.
4. We wont ever be in the top 4 legitimately without a top tier QB and if we dont get a transfer in for next year it could look closer to 2016 and be a big backward step. Book is good - not great - and that is the biggest glaring difference between us and them. Clemson did not respect his arm strength and had 11 guys within ten yards of the line of scrimmage

athlete them and need to mix where we are strong, power, with a little finesse but time it and execute it better. Book played well enough but few players helped him against Clemson. We have to make a catch even if it is a tough catch at critical times. I want them badly after we upset Alabama. Any team can make any other team look bad if they get them on their heels by throwing their timing off.

1. Our offensive coordinator got worked. We should have a top flight OC - Rees may be that some day, but he should not be learning on the job - What was your comment on Tommy after the first game? I agree, he had a bad day, but he's had a great year.

2. Our mentality from the top down was "it worked before lets just keep doing it" was just dumb. If you thought Venable was going to allow Book to run again you are dumb. We should have anticipated that they would do everything they could to take away Book's feet and countered that. How? I don't know but I am not a coach at a Tier 1 program. Secondly, anyone with a pulse knew Lawrence was a difference maker running the ball - how did we still let that happen? Lea was asleep at the switch on that one. - Everyone has tried to take Book's running away all year and hasn't done it. Going in thinking Clemson would not be successful either wasn't dumb. Getting DL and DE to contain isn't as easy as you think. Yes - they did a great job. Lawrence is the best player in the country - having issues trying to contain him isn't as shocking to me as it is you.

3. Kelly is a CEO, which is fine, but there are times he still needs to show fire - he had zero. - before when he would yell and scream on the sideline - he was crucified. Now its the opposite - ha!!

4. We wont ever be in the top 4 legitimately without a top tier QB and if we don't get a transfer in for next year it could look closer to 2016 and be a big backward step. Book is good - not great - and that is the biggest glaring difference between us and them. Clemson did not respect his arm strength and had 11 guys within ten yards of the line of scrimmage - The program may be down next year. It's hard to replace a 3 year starter, but Buchner may be the real deal. I'm hoping he starts as a freshman, and they are bringing in other QB's that look good.

team this year? Wow, tuff crowd.

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now Wisconsin on a bigger stage: win all the games you should win and get plastered by elite teams with elite skill running modern offenses.

every fiscal year your company is performing around the second tier level. Enough to hold the stock price but few investors have any belief you will grow to surpass your better competitors.

Now assume you had money to invest in a certain industry. Which to choose? The usual 5-6 high fliers constantly innovating and growing their reputations for success. Or do you take the also ran’s. You know that company has a hard time finding the best workers and managers. They want to work for the best with a better future likely. But they do just enough to maintain revenues but never enough to threaten the big boys.

Which stock do you buy after sitting and researching 10 years of performance. And if you choose one of the also ran’s. How long before you start building positions in the industry leaders?

bright, who is going to be the more successful company. Management is doing a superb job getting there and still can beat them occasionally. Thnk Jack Nicklaus versus anyone. When Jack was in contention he knew he was going to win and the other players knew he was going to win but that did not prevent Tom Watson, Lee Trevino or Johnny Miller from competing and they won their share.

It’s being a fan of the team not owning a company.

Kelly is the best coach ND has had since Holtz...and I'll leave it at that.

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