Seems like it is about time to make some uninformed predictions for the season so here goes. The key questions on my mind and my humble answers are listed below. Feel free to chime in with comments or your own predictions!
1. How soon until we really miss Brady Quinn?
The much publicized quarterback derby at ND leads me to think we will not see a superstar jump out of the pack this year. I am betting on Sharpley as the initial starter and a pretty simple offense with more running to minimize risks. The offensive line needs to be a bit better this year, if they are we should be able to mix it up more with run/pass than in recent years.
2. Will the defense be better or just different with the 3-4 scheme?
I think better, not so much because of the scheme but more talented athletes and speed. ND was 65th overall in defense last year and gave up a lot of big plays. This could be a very different season with fans looking forward to the big D and just hoping the offense does not blow it. Expecting better balance and more stops which should keep us in most games.
3. Will the Irish break through with at least one big upset this season?
YES and it is about time. Since we will not be favored in every game, an upset is very likely particularly early when the team is still developing its identity. I don't think the upset will be over USC, though it has to happen someday.
4. Who will step up to be the big stars this year?
I expect a break out year for Zbikowski. He was pretty average last year and the stronger secondary should allow him to shine more. Predicting at least one punt return for touchdown by Zibby this fall. Tight End Carlson and Trevor Laws on the defense should also shine. Perhaps a quarterback will surprise us, but I doubt it.
5. Will I be able to unload extra tickets for the November games?
At this juncture I hope to attend all the home games but I am concerned at how many Navy and Duke tickets are already floating around. If things go south in the early part of the schedule, you may actually see some open seats (though sold) in ND stadium come November. Perhaps a final stretch to get into a bowl game will capture fans attention. If you want to go to a November game, let me know!
6. What will be the win-loss record and what kind of bowl trip (if any) will there be?
The pundits are saying 7 wins would be amazing but I think we will stretch for 8-4. Figuring we will win in one upset and lose to one underdog, I see losses against Michigan and USC pretty certain and a couple others too hard to call. Worried about UCLA out there and Georgia Tech of course. Penn State will be hard (one of my upset ideas) and Purdue and BC are not cake walks. But I see the Irish a bit better than pre-season polls mindful that a lot of Charlie's recruits will be playing. We are also suffering in opinion polls from getting hammered by USC and LSU late in the year.
Medium tier bowl this time around. Early prediction is Gator Bowl.
What do you think?
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1 comment:
Godfather
As usual, I'm impressed. You're on your game (no surprise).
And I'm hung over (again, no surprise). But wait, it’s not a Generic Beer Hangover (Surprise!).
Last season is still haunting me. We should have been better. Much better. What was the freakin' deal?
Great slaughter of Penn State. Great (albeit who knew they would be necessary) comebacks vs. State and UCLA. But the eggs laid vs UofM and Southern Cal were BAD. Really BAD. And the Bowl Streak? Let’s not go there.
The offense should have been superhuman, and it wasn’t. And that superhuman offense should have covered up our somewhat suspect defense (is Mike Richardson gone yet? I hope so).
I’m obviously still mourning the season that should have been. Tough noogies for me, I suppose.
Where DO we go from here? Before reading Don’s entry, I’d already decided that 8-4 would be good this year. We’re 42nd in SI, if I remember correctly, with 6 of our opponents ahead of us and 6 behind. Yikes! As I said in a previous entry, Mark May of ESPN has said Charlie wins Coach of the Year in his book with 7 wins.
Is this what Charlie expected from season 3??
How generational are we in our “It’s Notre Dame, Stupid” recruiting mindset? I entered ND 28 Augusts ago and there has been one national championship since then. Not too impressive, IMHO. No reason to assume season 29 will get us another one. Yes, it gets cold, but seriously?
That being said, I think we’ll win in 10 days. On NDToday.com, I’ve already cast our victory in stone (or silicon). I don’t know the spread. I don’t know who will start at QB. I do know we’ll miss an extra point. We’ll win 16-13.
Hmm. Did I answer any of Don’s questions?
1. I obviously miss Brady already. That being said, if Clausen is out of jail from his arrest earlier in the week, start him. I don’t think last year was Brady’s fault. For some reason, our offensive line was sub-par, and the coaches weren’t confident enough to run the ball. We MUST run the ball.
2. The defense will be better, since Mike Richardson is gone. Are any of our DBs over 5’10”?? Can they beat my mother in a sprint? Did Zorich redshirt?
3. We have 3 “big” upset possibilities on our schedule: Penn State, Michigan and USC. We have 3 “non-big” upset possibilities on our schedule: Georgia Tech, Boston College and UCLA. But guess what? The “big” ones are the only ones that would feel like upsets, really. So, I would guess Penn State (much to my brother’s chagrin).
4. Zibby had better redeem himself. My hopeful breakout is James Aldridge. If so, that means the O-line is clicking and that opens up the passing game for whoever is the starting QB.
5. If anyone has extra Stanford tickets, I need 3. I think the Sacramento Club has one for me as an Alumni Band Member. But I ain’t going without the family.
6. I’m optimistically hoping for 8-4. This is a crime. Did Tyrone know the jig was up going in to his last year? This is not going to be a fun year…
Way too long, but hopefully you’re still with me and I’ve compelled you to respond.
The Godfather and I (at a minimum) would love to hear what you think about our opinions.
The Colonel
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