notre damn 7-4 ranked 41??

[BuckeyeSoldier]

I just noticed this on cfn's team reports..

41. Notre Dame (projected record: 7-4)

now check out this schedule.

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>9/4</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at BYU (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/11</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Michigan (loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/18</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at Michigan St (probable loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/25</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Washington (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/2</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Purdue (probable loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/9</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Stanford</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/16</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Navy</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/23</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Boston College (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/8</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at Tennessee (loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/13</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Pittsburgh (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/27</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at USC (loss)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


picking this mediocre team to go 7-4 is ridiculous, they will be lucky if they get 6 losses, and who in their right mind thinks that if they DID go 7-4 with that schedule that they wouldnt be ranked in the top 25 if not the top 15(not saying they'd deserve it, but they'd get it).. let alone #41...

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

i see it more like this:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>9/4</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at BYU </TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/11</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Michigan (loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/18</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at Michigan St </TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>9/25</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Washington (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/2</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Purdue (potential loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/9</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Stanford</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/16</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Navy</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>10/23</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Boston College</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/8</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at Tennessee (loss)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/13</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>Pittsburgh </TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>11/27</TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff>at USC (loss)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

but they still suck.

 

[gbearbuck]

I just hope they lose most of the first few games... maybe that would take them off Sanchez's list ...

 

[RugbyBuck]

That's a hell of a schedule. At BYU, TN, and USC and scUM at home? Sounds like the Irish are doing pennance for Catholics' sins worldwide. At least after playing TN and USC in the same month, they won't have to worry about scraping together a bowl squad.

 

[gbearbuck]

rugby,

one more reason why they should join a conference...

 

[ashlandbuck]

I'd have to agree. If they come out of that schedule 7-4 they should be somewhere between 10th and 15th. Certainly not 41.

 

[stxbuck]

Ashland is right. That schedule is a meat grinder. That said, I think the ranking is based on talent,etc.-not the schedule. I would say 41 is about right for the Domers. Tennessee,USC, scUM, and maybe Purdue are the only games where they are clearly outgunned on pure talent. I think they will go 6-5,7-4 this year.

 

[Bucklion]

They'll beat Navy and Stanford, and maybe squeak by a couple of others. I refuse to believe this team will have a winning record, just because the press likes their coach. 4-7, maybe 5-6 if they get a few breaks...they just don't have the talent to compete in this schedule, though they may be better than some teams with moderate records (6-5) from major conferences.

Edit: I agree if they go 7-4 they should be in the top 20, and 8-3 should get them near or in the top 10...it just won't happen.

 

[gbearbuck]

Each year there are several teams with one loss and several more with two losses... even with that schedule if they lose three or more games I doubt the would be in the top ten... with that said, they will more than likely lose about half the games

 

[BuckeyeRob]

Each year there are several teams with one loss and several more with two losses... even with that schedule if they lose three or more games I doubt the would be in the top ten... with that said, they will more than likely lose about half the games

The notre Dame defense is what is going to kill them. The D-line has Tuck who is a great pass rusher but they are going to be undersized, which will hurt them if teams try to pound on them. They replace both DT's and are moving Goolsby in the Middle. Inexperience up the middle of the irish defense will spell lots of running yards between the tackles. Teams that will benefit from this weekness are Michigan, MSU, Washington and Purdue. IMO the Irish drop all these games because they are early in the schedule. BC and Tennessee will pound on the Irish as well. USC will end the Irish season as one of abysmal failure. I can easily see 7 losses. Dont be suprised if Navy or Pitt both upset ND the last two years Navy has taken the Irish DEEP into the 4th quarter.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Let's look at just how tough this schedule is by looking at the past-season records and final rankings (AP/coaches) of each team:

at BYU (4-8, NR/NR)
Michigan (10-3, 6/7)
at Michigan St (8-5, NR/NR)
Washington (6-6, NR/NR)
Purdue (9-4, 18/19)
Stanford (4-7, NR/NR)
Navy (8-5, NR/NR)
Boston College (8-5, NR/NR)
at Tennessee (10-3, 15/16)
Pittsburgh (8-5, NR/NR)
at USC (12-1, 1/2)

They play only four teams that were ranked at season's end last year. They also play five straight home games, with four of those against unranked teams. While the overall schedule is not bad (nine teams with winning records, and most making some bowl game), it's not the brutal schedule that the media and ND fans usually harp on. If they were to go 8-3 against this schedule, no way should they be in the top 10, even if one of those wins came against a top team like Michigan, Tennessee, or USC.

 

[Clarity]

Navy almost took them down last year. If not for the loss of Candeto, I'd be hopeful going into that game again.

 

[Bucklion]

Navy has been close frequently, a ND bounce here and there, etc., and one has to figure they're going to break through soon....and this may be a good year to do it.

 

[Clarity]

That's what's funny about Notre Dame to me. They're only relevant in terms of my being a Navy fan. From an Ohio State perspective, I see them like I do a UVA. A team that will throw together a decent season now and again, but just isn't really on the national radar, and one that has absolutely no impact on us whatseover. That's where the comparisons end though, have to like UVA quite a bit more on an academic front, and clearly Notre Dame kills them in terms of tradition and history on the gridiron. But as far as football relevance goes, I think they're on pretty even ground.

Although I think UVA is going to have a good year. Is Schaub gone or not? Even without him, I wouldn't be surprised to see them end the season in the top 25. I would be surprised if Notre Dame did.

--edit--
Schaub gone, Anthony Martinez likely in. Maybe top 25 is a reach.

 

[Bucklion]

Funny you mention UVA Clarity, I have family in Charlottesville...remember under Welch they set some sort of mark for consecutive 7 win seasons? And then you look, and they were like 7-5 almost every year of that. Al Groh breathed some life in, but they have yet to realize any significant potential, and since they have to play a tougher schedule now, I don't see them any better than 6-5. But you're right, in terms of relevance, they are pretty much equivalent these days. I think Schaub is gone, but I'm not sure either.