Game Thread Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20 (final)

[Buckeye86]

It would get you the same BCS spot, right........but I think you'd be more deserving of it, dont you? Winnin the big 10 to get that spot is definitely no cakewalk. ND usually plays a pretty tough schedule, and I will admit to that, but there would be MUCH more challenge to come in and win the big 10 to get that bid, hence more deserving.

I think it depends on the year, and I am in no way defending Notre Dame. Their schedule was a joke this year with the way Tennessee and Pittsburgh, some of their "quality" wins, fell apart. So winning the Big Ten this year was hands down a more impressive feat than going 9-2 on Notre Dame's schedule. However, in past or future years that arguement may be a little tougher to make. Of course, Notre Dame hasn't gone 9-2 in past years when that arguement would be tougher to make, thus all the whining from Notre Dame fans about strength of schedule in the past.

Now that I wrote that, it is pretty lame (I edited my language for our guests haha) that Notre Dame gets in just because they usually play a tough schedule; even in years when their schedule it a joke, like this year.

Oregon's schedule is a joke this year too though.

Haha, I'm confusing myself now about how I feel about this.

Oh well, can't wait for the game.

 

[Clashmore Mike]

It would get you the same BCS spot, right........but I think you'd be more deserving of it, dont you? Winnin the big 10 to get that spot is definitely no cakewalk. ND usually plays a pretty tough schedule, and I will admit to that, but there would be MUCH more challenge to come in and win the big 10 to get that bid, hence more deserving.

I certainly agree that the Big Ten champ this year gets to go.....and most years. But like I asked upthread, what happened in 2000? Certainly VT deserved to go in-lieu-of Purdue.

If there wasn't the conference tie-in, then what would we have? Both PSU and OSU would be going. But both Oregon and Auburn or Miami would also be going in-lieu-of undeserving Fla. St. & WVa.

BTW, of all the teams left out, Auburn is the best IMO.

 

[texasfight06]

CONGRATS

That's freaking awesome that you guys made it into the Fiesta, count me among the people who could give two craps about watching Oregon play. I hope that you guys expose ND.

Good luck in the game, congratulations, I will enjoy watching your game and see your Srs. go out in style by stomping some Irish ass.

 

[Buckeye86]

That's freaking awesome that you guys made it into the Fiesta, count me among the people who could give two craps about watching Oregon play. I hope that you guys expose ND.

Good luck in the game, congratulations, I will enjoy watching your game and see your Srs. go out in style by stomping some Irish ass.

Haha, it's refreshing to see someone who doesn't have to be nice to our guests tonight.

 

[Clashmore Mike]

PSU, Miami sure struggled a lot more once they joined a real conference.

clashmore, you didn't address any of my points when you asked us to show you evidence. Why was ND never questioned in terms of deserving the at-large bid? I'm not here to argue OSU vs. ND, I'm merely stating you were a lock despite an imperfect season. Oregon vs. OSU were the only teams that could be questioned.um, if we're going on rankings, OSU & Oregon would go as atlarge teams.[/quote]

Sorry. I'm responding too much to too many posters......not sure which post I was supposed to respond to.

ND has been eligible four times, and invited twice......making what you call a "lock" at 50/50 proposition.

If you're going on rankings....then go on rankings. Don't sit back and collect $$$ on your guaranteed bid then pretend that there is some kind of integrity when it comes to the at-larges, but the at-larges only.

Don't get me wrong, Oregon has a right to bitch, but they signed the deal. I didn't heare the Pac 10 crying about "fair" when they offered us an 8-3 "champion" Stanford team to the BCS. They collected their guaranteed check and then kept their mouths shut.

One other thing......and I don't mean to be condescending, but IMO, this is just plain obvious:

With what happened to Cal last year, when ND wasn't close to thinking about the BCS, why is it now so glaring to everyone that Oregon got "screwed" when ND is a part of the BCS?

 

[BrutusMaximus]

But see there are differences about teams getting into BCS games because of technicalities and flaws in the system, and ND getting in this year because they are ND. Answer my one question if you can. Why has ND been a lock in the Fiesta for 2 weeks, and the question was, "who is going to play against ND"?

 

[Clashmore Mike]

I think it depends on the year, and I am in no way defending Notre Dame. Their schedule was a joke this year with the way Tennessee and Pittsburgh, some of their "quality" wins, fell apart. So winning the Big Ten this year was hands down a more impressive feat than going 9-2 on Notre Dame's schedule. However, in past or future years that arguement may be a little tougher to make. Of course, Notre Dame hasn't gone 9-2 in past years when that arguement would be tougher to make, thus all the whining from Notre Dame fans about strength of schedule in the past.

Now that I wrote that, it is pretty lame (I edited my language for our guests haha) that Notre Dame gets in just because they usually play a tough schedule; even in years when their schedule it a joke, like this year.

Oregon's schedule is a joke this year too though.

Haha, I'm confusing myself now about how I feel about this.

Oh well, can't wait for the game.

Thank you for a true football post. Yes, our schedule was mediocre at best.....after looking like a ridiculous "rookie coach killer" back in August. When it comes to comparing at-large candidates, OSU wins this one hands down. Oregon.....not at all.

I understand that Ohio State law compels you guys to play one other Ohio school per year.....hence the Miami (Oh) / Cincy / Bowling Green games. That's fine. We keep Navy on our schedule anually as well.

But Oregon scheduled AA Montana. The hell with that.......I think anyone in a BCS conference who does that should be penalized.

 

[Clashmore Mike]

But see there are differences about teams getting into BCS games because of technicalities and flaws in the system, and ND getting in this year because they are ND. Answer my one question if you can. Why has ND been a lock in the Fiesta for 2 weeks, and the question was, "who is going to play against ND"?

With all due respect, I'd just as soon see you produce the cite/source that said ND is an "automatic" with nine wins. That is an unmitigated pile of bullshit.


As far as us being a "lock" for two weeks......that was all media. Stanford damn near made that crap blow up in their faces (much like their predictions of ND starting out 0-6). The ND hype is off the radar right now......and the press is cashing in.

 

[jwinslow]

lemme say I've enjoyed the influx of visiting domers, yourself included crash. I was merely explaining the reasons ND is viewed as overrated and loved by the media. They definitely should get in before Oregon IMO.

 

[osugrad21]

Mike, which member of ND's defense would you recommend if they choose to employ a "spy" on Smith? Also, how would you rate the ND OL vs. the tOSU DL?

 

[Clashmore Mike]

lemme say I've enjoyed the influx of visiting domers, yourself included crash. I was merely explaining the reasons ND is viewed as overrated and loved by the media. They definitely should get in before Oregon IMO.

Thanks.....this is a great site you guys got. I'm really looking forward to this game. Barring a total blowout, this season will be a success win or lose.

......and this team isn't getting blown out.......hell, a twelve year bowl losing streak is about as embarrassing as an eleven year bowl losing streak anyway.

 

[wells]

With what happened to Cal last year, when ND wasn't close to thinking about the BCS, why is it now so glaring to everyone that Oregon got "screwed" when ND is a part of the BCS?

To be fair i think Texas got more of a backlash than what you guys are getting.

Clashmore, do you think the ND offensive line can handle the OSU pass rush without carpenter? I think this is the biggest battle to be won to determine the winner of the OSU Defense vs ND offense struggle. I dont think OSU will shy away from blitzing, i fully expect them to try and make Quinn stick with the short passing game. However if the ND offensive line holds under pressure Quinn can still put up the long ball, and get the 1v1 matchups like they did against stanford and exploit us in a manner similar to Minnesota.

Secondly, ND seems to like the screen pass almost as much as Michigan does. Do you think it'll be effective vs OSU's athletic defense?

 

[BrutusMaximus]

I would much rather play ND than Oregon, wasnt defending Oregon at all. Just burns my ass that ND is so loved, and the media spends most of the year blowing Weis, just like they did Willingham. You seem like you know your stuff though Clash - I tend to have more of a problem with some of their "fans" who dont know shit about football and basically ignore the fact that football exists unless ND is having a great year, then they all of a sudden "reappear" Though I realize that not all of em are like that. I am lookin forward to the game. 2 great traditions. I still watch the games from 95-96 every so often. Although I know they dont have happy memories for ND fans in them

 

[Clashmore Mike]

Mike, which member of ND's defense would you recommend if they choose to employ a "spy" on Smith? Also, how would you rate the ND OL vs. the tOSU DL?

I would have #39 Brandon Hoyte on Smith. He's got decent lateral speed, and is our surest/best tackler. I've never seen him lose contain.


Our OL is good, but not at the caliber of your DL. I think we have an advantage in preparation via having faced Tennessee's defensive front which is among the better in the country. I don't see ND coming out with a dominant running game, but they'll have to open holes enough to at least threaten with the rush. The only game we were really one-dimensional with was BYU, and that's because they were sending 8 guys on every play. Obviously OSU won't have to do that.

 

[Clashmore Mike]

To be fair i think Texas got more of a backlash than what you guys are getting.

Clashmore, do you think the ND offensive line can handle the OSU pass rush without carpenter? I think this is the biggest battle to be won to determine the winner of the OSU Defense vs ND offense struggle. I dont think OSU will shy away from blitzing, i fully expect them to try and make Quinn stick with the short passing game. However if the ND offensive line holds under pressure Quinn can still put up the long ball, and get the 1v1 matchups like they did against stanford and exploit us in a manner similar to Minnesota.

Secondly, ND seems to like the screen pass almost as much as Michigan does. Do you think it'll be effective vs OSU's athletic defense?

Will Carpenter be back? The ND boards are freaking out with speculation.

I think ND will stick with short passes if they are available to us. IMO, for ND to win we will need to control TOP. Keep Smith from getting hot and/or into a groove.......also, your defense will be less and less athletic if we can keep them on the field.

Turnovers in this game will kill Notre Dame.