Here We Go, Yeah!

I was thinking about retiring from my blogs this year but the Colonel has inspired me to get back at it so let me get going with a full season prediction right now.

The general feeling on campus is very positive.  The Irish have a lot of talent and a lot of depth and a decent amount of experience with so many returning starters.  The defense will be beastly, the offensive line looks rock solid and the skill players are formidable.  As always, the QB play will probably tell the tale on whether the Irish are a good team or a great team and whether we exceed 10 wins or not.  Zaire has the potential to be very good.  If he stays healthy and plays well, look out.

So a quick fly by of the season with my brief predictions.

Game 1 Texas - mark the opener against Texas next year on your calendar.  The Longhorns will be older and wiser and looking for revenge because we are going to beat them tomorrow, possibly by a wide margin.  We have too many horses for the young steers so I predict a comfortable win. 1-0.

Game 2 at Virginia - another comfortable win.  2-0

Game 3 Georgia Tech - First game to worry about.  GT brings a well run option offense (which seems to bewilder us) and an attitude to ND stadium.  We will have our hands full in this one but I am going with a tight win hoping that home field advantage makes the difference. 3-0

Game 4 UMass -  uh we win big. 4-0

Game 5 at Clemson - Trouble, trouble.  The entire state of South Carolina and others will be at this game.  My buddies in the ticket office tell me this was the toughest ticket for ND fans due to the interest and our visitor allotment.  I am calling a loss here as we get knocked down a peg. 4-1

Game 6 Navy - brutal sequence here with Clemson, Navy and USC in a row but we bounce back against the Middies.  Just pray the blocking does not knock out half our defense with injuries like it often does.  5-1

Game 7 USC - The Trojans played us when we were in the dumper last year and enjoyed it a bit too much.  We use the payback mentality to beat them on our turf though it will be a challenge.  We win and go to 6-1.

Game 8 at Temple.  We win big.  Go to 7-1.

Game 9 at Pitt.  These suckers have had our number in the past few years, particularly in Pittsburgh.  Could be a trap game as I expect we will be much higher ranked than the Panthers.  But figure we will hold on to the ball and win this time.  8-1.

Game 10 Wake Forest.  We win and send the Seniors off on a high note from their last home game. 9-1.

Game 11 Shamrock Series vs. BC.  This will be a unique venue with crazy ticket prices.  We win.  10-1.

Game 12 at Stanford.  After the last couple wins over the Cardinal here at ND I think our number is up and they are always solid.  We lose the last game and fall out of contention for the playoffs.  If by some chance we go into this game undefeated, I reserve my right to call it the other way later.

Well there you have it.  Adds up to 10-2 and we get a major bowl on New Year's Day but watch the playoffs on TV.  I am most interested in that mid-season sequence of Clemson-Navy-USC.  That could knock us off our game or get us on a roll.  Trap games are GT and Pitt probably but Clemson, USC and Stanford are top notch regardless of records.  If we run the gauntlet or are 11-1 we will be in the playoff in my view.  Let's Do It.

GO IRISH!

The Godfather