97domer

I'm leaning towards out. My feeling all along was that they needed 2 wins in the ACC tourney and then a close game against Duke. Duke easily handled them in the 2nd half and that keeps them out. My biggest issue is that there are just so many bubble teams out there right now.

It has been fun to read the comments about the game after the fact as long as Notre Dame plays Duke close, I think they are in. There are so many bubble teams that Notre Dame is at least even with now but has a legitimate excuse of Colson being out most the season.

I’ve been reading that Notre Dame is part of the first four out after their close lost to Virginia. I feel like three wins in the ACC tournament guarantees them in and two wins gives them a coin flip of making the dance.

Personally, I feel that it is a much bigger issue in basketball because: - so many more hands are in the pot and can be influenced (AAU, in particular) - 1 player can make a much bigger difference in a basketball program - 1 and done in NCAA basketball I agree that it might have an impact on football, but I sense that football is, comparatively, much cleaner. To me, the biggest issue in football has more to do with over-signing, grey-shirting, etc.

Colson returns on Thursday night against a terrible Pitt team. It should be a good warm-up game for him. The committee takes into account players coming back to a team or leaving due to injuries. I assume we beat Pitt Thursday and lose to Virginia on Saturday. If we win 2 games in the ACC tournament and Colson shows to make a big difference during the remainder of the season, I feel we make it to the dance. What does everyone else think?

Sounds like Demetrius was much to do about nothing. Demetrius didn't even know the guy, the guy had falsified his expense reports, and worst-case, his family just had dinner with him. Just like Bridges from MSU, they just need to donate $40 to a charity to clear their name from a violation.

I wonder how his defenses have done on teams he’s left the next two years. Does he build something that is repeatable once he’s gone or do the defenses fall off the face of the earth once he leaves? Unfortunately, I am too lazy to look it up

It sucks to lose Elko but I might be the only one on this board that feels there is a limit to how much you pay. Even though Notre Dame has a huge endowment, paying $2 million for an assistant coach handcuffs us in what we can pay Kelly and other assistants or even Kelly’s replacement in the future. Think of what happened when we overpaid Charlie Weis after his good beginning. Notre Dame made an incredibly good offer to Elko of $1.5MM and he decided to stay with ND. Texas A&M countered and blew their nut in our face – hats off to them. What did you expect ND to do – offer the same money that LSU did of $2.5MM for their DC? It sucks and I hate losing Elko but I don’t think he is worth the $2.2-2.5MM we likely would have needed to pay for him to stay. Good luck to him and I will be rooting for his success as a head coach in 2019. Now, let’s go find a great replacement to keep the momentum going. Go Irish!

I agree with all of the above. Defense was amazing, oh that catch!, and yooooooonnnnn.... I think Brian Kelly should get some hidden-hero credit also. Personally, I thought it was pretty ballsy that Kelly switched to Book. If he doesn’t make that change, we lose. Book had a remarkable second-half with 165 yds and 2 TDs. The announcers didn’t seem to agree with the change nor did I at first – but it was the right one and paid off. What a fun season especially when comparing to last season. So much fun to have 10 wins and a major bowl victory

ND - 31 LSU - 17 Little Ditka - 248

I believe Dantonio played for the Gamecocks.

Navy vs. Notre Dame is one of the most unique rivalries in college football. I absolutely love the respect the two schools have for each other. It's truly special to have a rival that is based on respect instead of contempt. Also, as an ND/ROTC grad (Army), I was able to experience the respect and comradery first-hand between Notre Dame and the service academies both when they visit ND and when we go to their campus. Notre Dame also has one of the larger / better ROTC programs in the country which makes the match up even more compelling from my perspective. Just as I wouldn't want to stop scheduling USC, I don't want to stop scheduling Navy. It is one of my favorite rivals (minus the cut-blocking.) Maybe schedule Navy before our bye week so we have an extra week for the linemen to heal. Why I love the Navy rivalry: - We've been playing each other since 1927 - it's the longest uninterrupted rivalry in college football. - Notre Dame might not even be around if it weren't for Navy making it a training facility during WW2 - When we beat them 43 straight times, they never suggested ending tradition. - I've been to more Navy/ND games with my dad than any other game because he just loves the tradition, the fly-overs, the drill team, etc. It carries great memories personally to me. - I love that both teams participate in both alma maters Each is allowed their own opinion, but it would be a sad day for me if they ever ended this rivalry.

All of my inlaws went to Florida so I follow them somewhat closely. I was talking to my brother in law and he was unhappy with the Mullen hiring. He pointed to his record against ranked teams as the worst record since rankings started coming out. With all of our complaints of Kelly crapping the bed in big games, I wonder if Mullen would have brought us more of the same. It will be interesting to watch from afar. McIlwain was a hot mess. I, for one, am glad we aren't searching for a coach this year. There are way too many big programs also looking. Whenever I feel bad about our situation – I just look over to Tennessee

There is a certain joy in not caring about how other games effect ND. Go Virginia!!!

That link is freaking hilarious. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard.

Honestly, I don't feel like it was a letdown game. We were up 34–10 at one point and were never in real jeopardy of losing our lead. We played without our Heisman candidate running back for the entire game and put in back ups for most of the fourth quarter, including our QB. Yes, the defense got a little lackadaisical in the last third of the game but we also got out of our defensive scheme, playing way too conservatively. Unfortunately, the convincing win didn't translate to the scoreboard. Fortunately, we had the perfect game to work on our pass offense and our defense will be motivated to make improvements.

I agree with everything said. In fact, I was coming to the board to post just this. The jumbotron is amazing - not distracting (I only looked at it for replays) but incredibly high-quality. I couldn't think of 1 advertisement (other than advertising mass times, which was cool.) The USC game was my first in the new stadium and it's awesome to have their band in the upper corner. Every time they played their stupid jingle when they would do the smallest thing right, our band would start playing and drown them out. The stadium was louder than I've ever experienced - just a lot of great energy. There was also so much space in the walkways, concession areas, etc. Getting in and out of the stadium was so much easier than before. Also, during half-time, every vendor had only 3 or 4 people you had in front of you. My only request is that ND find some more creative/fun food vendors. They did a 10/10 job on the renovations. It was an incredibly positive experience with competitive advantages.

When I was at school there, I did. And it should.

For those of you that don't follow Notre Dame hockey closely – they beat cups in Minnesota night for the first round coming from behind 2-0. Bjork is a stud! http://www.und.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/032517aab.html

I think this is a good match up for Notre Dame – our really good guards should be able to handle the press. Our big man can move down the floor quickly. I think Notre Dame wins handily. Well at least those are my thoughts before watching the first round game

I will admit that I'm a little disappointed that there hasn't been as much excitement this year - but I'm also part of the problem. Usually I participate more during this day, but I've been SWAMPED with work. I, for one, am excited about this class. Kelly could easily be described, by opposing coaches, as a lame-duck coach. We've had incredible turnover in the assistant ranks. Yet we've held together an impressive class with some signing-day surprises. I call today a great success, all things considered. I'm excited about what 2017 brings. We should certainly have clarity on our program as a result (at least one would hope.)

Is anyone else worried that we would need to compete with Texas and LSU for a coach. I feel like we would be 3rd choice considering the fertile recruiting grounds for those 2 schools. Would we be better off waiting another year?

I'm thinking he is injured.

Wait – this is a Notre Dame football forum? I thought we all just came to look at speedsters gif in his signature.

Ha - never read the closed thread until seeing this apology. That was epic and hilarious! Perfect entertainment while I was sitting on a work call that was putting me to sleep. Thank you!!!