DATE - OPPONENT (2007 record)

09/06/2008 - vs. SAN DIEGO STATE ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

09/13/2008 - vs. MICHIGAN (9-4)* - Win

 

09/20/2008 - at Michigan State (7-6)* - Loss

 

09/27/2008 - vs. PURDUE (8-5)* - Loss

 

10/04/2008 - vs. STANFORD ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

10/11/2008 - at UNC ( 4-8 ) - Loss

 

10/25/2008 - at Washington (4-9) - Win

 

11/01/2008 - vs. PITT (5-7) - Win

 

11/08/2008 - at Boston College (11-3)* - Win

 

11/15/2008 - at Navy (8-5)* - Win

 

11/22/2008 - vs. SYRACUSE (2-10) - Win

 

11/29/2008 - at USC (11-2)* - Loss

 

I think we'll go 8-4.

 

Possible Losses - Michigan, MSU, Purdue, and USC

 

I think we'll lose at least 2 maybe 3 of these 4 games.

 

UNC, Washington, Pitt, BC, and Navy

 

I think we'll win at least 3 outa these 5 games

 

Probable wins

 

I think Syracuse, Stanford, and SDSU are more than likely wins

DATE - OPPONENT (2007 record)

09/06/2008 - vs. SAN DIEGO STATE ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

09/13/2008 - vs. MICHIGAN (9-4)* - Win

 

09/20/2008 - at Michigan State (7-6)* - Loss

 

09/27/2008 - vs. PURDUE (8-5)* - Win

 

10/04/2008 - vs. STANFORD ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

10/11/2008 - at UNC ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

10/25/2008 - at Washington (4-9) - Loss

 

11/01/2008 - vs. PITT (5-7) - Loss

 

11/08/2008 - at Boston College (11-3)* - Win

 

11/15/2008 - at Navy (8-5)* - Win

 

11/22/2008 - vs. SYRACUSE (2-10) - Win

 

11/29/2008 - at USC (11-2)* - Loss

 

Man, I had a hard time with this. If we had come off of any other year except for the one we just had, I would call for an 11-1 year. But I just don't see that happening unless our OL takes a HUGE step forward, and I mean HUGE.

 

I think since we still will be reletively young, that we will lose at least 2 games that we should win. I'm just not sure which so I just picked two (Wash and Pitt).

 

We shoudl beat Meatchicken b/c of all the turnover and new coach coming in, but then again it is Meatchicken so who knows.

 

I think we split b/w Purdue and Michigan State. I can't remember if Painter is gone or not, but if he is I think we win easily. If not, that will be a tough game. Still calling for a split there.

 

We beat BC b/c they lose a ton of leadership and their QB. Their defense should still be tough though so thats a tough one.

 

I think USC is probably another loss. We are at least a year away from actually competing with them.

 

So, 8-4 it is for me. But, like I said, how big of a step the OL and other young players take will be the deciding factor.

well, think you got a good thing going , we should get wins over SD state , syracuse, and Stanford and possible a win at Michigan , i think that were going to be luckey to get 7 wins at most, we have some talent but we need to get faster players who can block and tackle, otherwise its going to be a 5-7 season at best. go irish think about it we need some changes in the coaching staff. what say you "? a team like georgia would run all over the irish , even LSU would be much faster and quicker.

6-6 and win a bowl game, thats all I want.

 

Anything else is just icing...

I cant make a prediction until I know if any changes will be made with the OL.

I dont know guys. I think the schedule looks pretty average for next year. Im only convinced of one loss and thats to USC. Most of the rest are a toss up. I think 8-4 is very possible. We'll have to see how well the O-line progresse during spring. They'll all be returning starters next year with good backups pushing them. They'll be much improved. Im not that worried.

They'll be much improved. Im not that worried.

 

That's just it...we have no idea if they will be better. They weren't supposed to be abysmal last year but they were. So that means it is impossible for us to predict a win loss total for next season until we find out if we can block. Honestly, if the line plays the same way next year as they did this past season, we could just as easily be looking at a 4 win year. If that happens, we really need to be concerned about CW's future. Personally, I still wouldn't call for him to be fired, but I would be awefully criticle, especially if he has a littany of questionable gameday decisions as he did this past season.

 

My hope is that the Oline gets its act together and we win 8 games. To me, that would be indicative of a legitimate title run in 09'

They'll be much improved. Im not that worried.

 

That's just it...we have no idea if they will be better. They weren't supposed to be abysmal last year but they were. So that means it is impossible for us to predict a win loss total for next season until we find out if we can block. Honestly, if the line plays the same way next year as they did this past season, we could just as easily be looking at a 4 win year. If that happens, we really need to be concerned about CW's future. Personally, I still wouldn't call for him to be fired, but I would be awefully criticle, especially if he has a littany of questionable gameday decisions as he did this past season.

 

My hope is that the Oline gets its act together and we win 8 games. To me, that would be indicative of a legitimate title run in 09'

DD, I think there gonna be fine. All will have one year of starting experience and extra weight training under their belt. If you think about it our entire offense last year was pretty much "rookies" except Youing, Sullivan, and Carlson. Next year it will be different. Charlie kicked a** his first two years with guys who had game experience. Next year he's gonna have that plus most are 4*and5* talent. I truly believe we are gonna be good enough for a bowl game next year. I wish I had time to show you the reasons why (based on statistics and facts) but my wife wants to get on the computer. I didnt think we were going to be good this year. Next year is a completely different situation. Keep the faith brother and keep your fingers crossed.

DATE - OPPONENT (2007 record)

09/06/2008 - vs. SAN DIEGO STATE ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

09/13/2008 - vs. MICHIGAN (9-4)* - Win

 

09/20/2008 - at Michigan State (7-6)* - Win

 

09/27/2008 - vs. PURDUE (8-5)* - Loss

 

10/04/2008 - vs. STANFORD ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

10/11/2008 - at UNC ( 4-8 ) - Win

 

10/25/2008 - at Washington (4-9) - Win

 

11/01/2008 - vs. PITT (5-7) - Win

 

11/08/2008 - at Boston College (11-3)* - Win

 

11/15/2008 - at Navy (8-5)* - Win

 

11/22/2008 - vs. SYRACUSE (2-10) - Win

 

11/29/2008 - at USC (11-2)* - Loss

 

Things can still change, but I heard Devon Thomas is going into the draft. The guy is a stud WR. They lose their power back Caulcrick, 3 or 4 OL, and Kellen Davis their stud TE. Defensively they lose their entire DL, 1 LB, and I think 2 DB's. I think they will struggle this year, along with BC and Michigan.

Given the talent in our four classes and our SOS, anything less than 9-3 is unacceptable.

come on fellas , lets be real honest, we might get seven wins or more, HOWEVER, this all hinges on the players due in and some changes in the coaching changes. we just aren't ready to burst onto the BCS scene . maybe in 09. go irish

Given the talent in our four classes and our SOS, anything less than 9-3 is unacceptable.

 

ain't that the truth, if Charlie doesnt win 8 or 9 games against that schedule he should resign

Given the talent in our four classes and our SOS, anything less than 9-3 is unacceptable.

 

ain't that the truth, if Charlie doesnt win 8 or 9 games against that schedule he should resign

 

You really want CW to resign if he goes 7-5 ? Not me.

Given the talent in our four classes and our SOS, anything less than 9-3 is unacceptable.

 

ain't that the truth, if Charlie doesnt win 8 or 9 games against that schedule he should resign

 

You really want CW to resign if he goes 7-5 ? Not me.

i think alot has to do with how he is coaching. look, if he is completely outmatched like in let's say the USC game, then so be it. but when he starts this going for a 4th and 23 (riverboat gambler mentality) or refuses to get the kicking game in order, then it starts to become very apparent that the issues go much deeper than a lack of talent. i love charlie, but every now and then his play calling is a little circumspect.

Given the talent in our four classes and our SOS, anything less than 9-3 is unacceptable.

 

ain't that the truth, if Charlie doesnt win 8 or 9 games against that schedule he should resign

 

You really want CW to resign if he goes 7-5 ? Not me.

i think alot has to do with how he is coaching. look, if he is completely outmatched like in let's say the USC game, then so be it. but when he starts this going for a 4th and 23 (riverboat gambler mentality) or refuses to get the kicking game in order, then it starts to become very apparent that the issues go much deeper than a lack of talent. i love charlie, but every now and then his play calling is a little circumspect.

 

Believe me Schell...I agree with what you're saying. Heck, I've been blasted to hell and back on this board for calling him out on some very basic coaching calls. The way I see it though is that he would have to consistently be pigeon holing his team for me to call for his head just yet. The reason, we need the talent that he is bringing in and if he goes, I would be concerned about many things such as...

 

1) how many players will we lose

2) we will lose another year to recruiting in the transition

3) who in the heck would want this job...realistically?

4) what direction do we go now?

5) ND really is desperate and falling from grace

Another thing that no one has mentioned is its not like we went 3-9 by just getting beat on last second plays. We got destroyed in all but one of the 9 losses.

 

So, I temper my expectations for next year. I will be dissapointed with 6-6 or 7-5, but IF we are competitive in each game and a few bounces don't go our way and we lose by 1 point, that is easier to swallow than losing 38-0 to both of your biggest rivals, and losing by 3 scores to everyone else.

 

I will also be frustrated going 10-2 but get destroyed by USC and another team and beating the cupcakes we have on our schedule. Which is basically what we have done the previous two years, but we still didn't belong on the field with LSU, USC, Michigan, OSU.

 

I think the most impressive statistic in all of Poodle Pete's time at USC has been that his largest margin of defeat in 5 years or whatever was 7 points. That shows that they can compete with ANYBODY and they usually win, and if they do lose they never get embarressed. I wish i could say that about ND.