jimbo

The offense is great until they play a team with a good defense. That’s when the wheels fall off. I haven’t seen the potential from Parker to overcome this. From my viewpoint, that is the biggest strike against him.

Yeah, I think you’re on to something there. It seems to me that the problem with the O is more on Parker than on MF. I don’t think MF will be constrained from making a move to improve the team because he and Parker are friends. MF has to be frustrated with the offensive production and I trust he will make whatever moves he deems necessary to correct this.

Yes, at least I can say that wasn’t me, I thought Al Golden was pretty good last year and obviously better this year. But it would be a shame to waste Golden’s D with more of the same on offense next season. I think the offense was in better hands with Tommy Rees. How about Sean Lewis for OC? It seems he’s on the outs with Deion. Wasn’t ND looking at him for OC last year?

So glad to see this blow up in A&M’s face, same as Michigan St. Seems pretty clear the $$$ are not an issue with them. Paying someone $75 mil just to go away, unbelievable. I read it will cost them more as many of the assistant coaches have buyouts also. Also, the new HC will probably have a buyout of his own to take care of. Along with Elko, I’ve seen the names Dan Lanning and Lane Kiffin mentioned. Do you think A&M will be throwing stupid money around again?

Yes it is certainly some Slim Pickens this week. Only a handful of games hold any interest for me. It starts with Michigan/Penn St. Been a wild week for Michigan and Harbaugh. Mich is my pick. Utah/Washington should be a good one, agree on the physicality of Utah and how will Washington hold up against it. I think Utah upsets here. Miami/FSU was a pretty big deal not so long ago. FSU wins this. Ole Miss/Georgia also rooting for Ole Miss here, but don't really think they can beat Georgia. Florida/LSU go Florida just cuz. Finally, USC/Oregon I have this feeling USC is going to surprise here.

Yes, for sure, it will be an interesting offseason for managing the roster. The coaching staff will probably look a little different also. I think players entering the transfer portal will put a significant dent in the overall number. I’m thinking guys like C Lewis (does he have any eligibility left?) and Carmody etc.

I just don't buy into the 'recruiting is not good because the team is not winning enough' excuses. For sure, it certainly will have some effect, though I think it's overblown. Look at the class rankings for this year. #3 Florida. 6-7 last season and this year not much better. #7 Oklahoma. Also 6-7 last season and started out good this year but have now lost 2 in a row. #9 Texas A&M. They always recruit well, but Jimbo has been a big big disappointment for them. They were 5-7 last year and currently sit at 5-4.

207 I forgot to put 206 on the previous post and it won’t let me edit it. So now I’m violating another rule by posting consecutively in order to correct my previous breach of the rules.

206. It worked out well for both of them. The unit of measurement for radiation exposure is a Roentgen and he also won the Nobel prize in Physics for this. Tesla went on to start up his eponymous EV car company. 555

204 On this day (Nov8) in 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered x-rays. He used the “X” because it’s the mathematical symbol for the unknown, and he wasn’t sure what he’d discovered at first.

I know MF has talked about what he wants to see from the O as far as being able to run the ball at will, he has also admitted to his lack of experience on that side of the ball. I think the actual offensive design/plan and play calling is more on Parker. MF is an intelligent guy, he knows this is not his forte. Yes, at the end of the day, as the HC he is responsible for everything: O, D, special teams etc. I have a hard time believing he will not make some changes whether its for these last few games or before next season rolls around.

#15 Notre Dame @ Clemson - Irish and it won't be that difficult. #23 Kansas St @ #7 Texas - I'm looking for K State to take it to TX here. Texas A&M @ #10 Ole Miss - Another nail in Jimbo's coffin, picking Ole Miss in this game. #12 Missouri @ #2 Georgia - I think this could be the upset special. #9 Oklahoma @ #22 Oklahoma St - Okie St has turned their season around and take this game also. #11 Penn State @ Maryland - No way Maryland wins this one. #5 Washington @ #20 USC - Will be surprised if USC wins this. #14 LSU @ #8 Alabama - Bama/Tommy Rees over LSU/BK. #16 Oregon St @ Colorado - I've been impressed with what the Oregon St coach has done this season and last. Another loss for Deion. #19 UCLA @ Arizona - This will be a tough game for UCLA, Arizona has quietly put together a pretty good season.

We've all weighed in with our opinions on what ND should do regarding the QB/transfer portal. So the next question is: What do you think ND / Marcus Freeman will actually wind up doing in this regard? My money is on ND will only take a QB out of the portal if he is a top tier guy, a Hartman part 2. If they can't get a top guy, then they will pass and go with Angeli, Minchey and Carr. That's my guess.

I hear ya, Faith. A big advantage for the Irish is the Clemson O is just not very good this season. Couple that with the fantastic year the ND defense is having and I think that spells trouble for Clemson. The Clemson QB situation is puzzling. They had a great run early on in the Dabo era, Tajh Boyd followed by DeShaun Watson and then Trevor L. Then came the next two 5 stars, DJ and now Cade Klubnick. DJ was a disappointment for Clemson fans, though Oregon St seems very happy to have him. Cade hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire either. Has Dabo lost his touch developing QB's? Maybe he's been taking lessons from BK on QB development??? 555

That would make things interesting for sure, although I just can’t see Maryland beating Penn St, they’ve lost to both Illinois and Northwestern just in the last few weeks. It would be a big upset if they did pull it out.

This sounds like a good plan, I think the difficulty arises in finding a decent QB in the portal that is content to ride the bench. My guess is most, if not all, transfer portal QB’s are looking for playing time. It would be the rare exception for a guy to come in primarily to get an ND grad degree. Probably to us, that would be a wise decision, but these guys want to play ball.

Yeah for sure with Hartman we’re seeing more deep balls, especially compared to Pyne last year.

The possibilities seem almost endless. Last year at this time, did any of us think that both Pyne and Buchner would hit the portal? Or that Pyne would leave before the bowl game? At least it keeps the off-season interesting. 555

Yes, I think it comes down to if the staff has confidence in Angeli/Minchey for next season. I hope it's Carr though he's still a freshman. My take is Angeli is a maybe, with Minchey probably having more upside.

I was just playfully observing that you had made a pretty good case for not bringing in a QB from the portal and obviously your last paragraph 'doubles down' on bringing one in. Just a little good-natured ribbing is all.

196

Ok NYGoldenDomer, so which is it? It looks like you're going both ways here...lol At some point, the program has to trust the process and our own talent to develop and learn and play as an underclassman. The staff has strung together a nice streak of landing top talented QBs in the past three classes. That trend will not last if those QBs keep getting passed up for hired guns from the portal. or Actually, let me double down on everything above. I do get a QB from the portal, no matter what.

Yes, Pitt usually plays ND tough. I just don't think that will be the case this time. I'm looking for the D to come up with a few turnovers that the O will turn into some easy scores. And it's all downhill from there...(meant in a positive way!)

Yeah, it's a bit of a catch 22. Bring in a QB from the portal and for sure one of Angeli/Minchey will hit the road. Stand pat and hope someone doesn't leave because they've fallen to 3rd on the QB depth chart after spring ball. Would hate to lose Minchey before we can really see what he's made of.

Pitt is not that good this season, so I’m looking for ND to come off the bye week and kick some butt. With Pitt being down this year, has Narduzzi blown his chance to get the MSU job?