We have the survey on the front page and I felt it warranted some discussion. Like many things, I guess the answer to this question depends on how you look at it. IMO its a toss-up betweent the Michigan St. game and USC.

 

The case for MSU: For whatever reason this team has basically had our number for a while. Sure we have sprinkled in some wins here and there but we should be winning more. Anyway, here are my points. We are building up some hype for a great season and no matter how bad we beat Nevada and Michigan, nobody will care. Nevada is Nevada(even though the have a serious offense), and Michigan is rebuilding. A solid home victory against Michigan St. would really get the excitement going in the fanbase, the media, and most importantly the players. After this we have two games that should be locks before the big day against USC.

 

The case for USC:......ITS USC!!! Not much else needs to be said. A win against them puts us back on the map and can't be ignored. The ND bashers will have to take the next week off. If we would make it past USC undefeated, there is absolutely no reason we could not go 12-0.

 

Runner-Ups:

Pittsburgh and Boston College - Payback Time.

I don't care about Michigan. I don't care about Michigan St. To hell with BC, Pitt, Stanford or whomever else we play this year. I'm sick and tired of the primadonna's from Hollywood handing us our ass every single year. It's been seven years since we've beaten them; a lot of the the younger members of the ND fan base have yet to see an Irish victory over the Condoms, including almost every recruit. How sad is that. It's time we put the seven game losing streak behind us and beat the crap out of Pete Carroll and his band of NFL busts. I can't take another straight year hearing the Condom Fight Song being played over and over and over again. I can't take Lendale White standing on the sidelines again, throwing up gang signs and yellin "Notre Dame Sucks." I can't take ESPN crowning USC the national champions, or giving one of their players the Heisman after beating us by 35. Anyone who thinks another game is more important this year is out of their mind, or completely lying to themselves. There is only one team on schedule ranked in the top 10. There is only one team on the schedule that out-recruits us nationally. There is only one team on the schedule that a victory would potentially buy Charlie Weis time and get the media off of our backs. There is only one team on the schedule that a home victory would attract the best recruits from around the nation to Notre Dame. There is only one team that has absolutely kicked are ass for seven straight years, and enjoyed every second of it. (Yes BC is close, but screw them they cant even sell out home games). There is only one team on the schedule that a victory would clearly show that Notre Dame is back. USC is the game folks. The rest are just details.

Edited May 3, 200915 yr by PJackson'sDred15

I don't think our players believe that they can win against USC. That is why a win against MSU and going in 5-0 is so important. The confidence and the hype will be there. If we go in 4-1 they will be nervous staring 4-2 in the face. They will be worried about losing instead of excited about winning. This game is 50% physical and 60% mental.

 

No question USC is more important in the big scheme of things.

most important game of the year may very well be Nevada. They won't be a push over and a loss would be disaterous in many aspects. Once we get past them I think its obvious it would be USC. If we want to be considered one of the top dogs again we have to beat USC. We are playing them at home and they will have a qb who only has 5 or 6 starts regardless of who it might be. I think that this seasons schedule along with all the new faces at QB for our opponents gives us a great shot at getting to the NC game, but we must first get past the wolfpack.

For some reason, Michigan and their run-spread option makes me nervous

I think the U$C game may be the most important game in our storied history. I predict

victory. USC lost 8 starters on defense to the NFL. Sanchez bolted. We are loaded.

We are extremely hungry. This game reminds me of Fla. State and ND in 93. We will

be chomping at the bit. We KNOW we are capable of beating them. This is a fist fight

that we can't wait to begin. I can NOT WAIT for this game. Michigan State is important

but we shall prevail.

most important game of the year may very well be Nevada. They won't be a push over and a loss would be disaterous in many aspects. Once we get past them I think its obvious it would be USC. If we want to be considered one of the top dogs again we have to beat USC. We are playing them at home and they will have a qb who only has 5 or 6 starts regardless of who it might be. I think that this seasons schedule along with all the new faces at QB for our opponents gives us a great shot at getting to the NC game, but we must first get past the wolfpack.

 

+1. i think nevada sets the tone. for good or ill...

i don't want to look past nevada, but we need to get that bitch called BC off our back. the fact that we haven't been competitive with them since the early nineties speaks volumes................they literally laughed us off the field this year with a mediocre team. i was completely embarrassed.............can we finally shut them up?????????

Guys and Gals--- There is only ONE important game for a school like ours---only ONE truly important game for the Fighting Irish of NOTRE DAME--- it will be played in january for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP against an opponent yet to be named!!!!!!!!!!!----- my guess---- ND VS TEXAS

Guys and Gals--- There is only ONE important game for a school like ours---only ONE truly important game for the Fighting Irish of NOTRE DAME--- it will be played in january for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP against an opponent yet to be named!!!!!!!!!!!----- my guess---- ND VS TEXAS

 

ummmmmmmmm, ok...............

Guys and Gals--- There is only ONE important game for a school like ours---only ONE truly important game for the Fighting Irish of NOTRE DAME--- it will be played in january for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP against an opponent yet to be named!!!!!!!!!!!----- my guess---- ND VS TEXAS

 

 

Hahah good one.... On a serious note, i don't want to sound like coach talk but it is Nevada, we hammer them it builds confidence, we somehow lose the season is another failure..

USC is defiantly the best, most fun, and adrenaline pumping game of the year. It is a tight one because Sanchez is now in the NFL. Bad luck for USC. They lose 8 defensive players. This means they start all over on defense, which in turn means the Irish run and throw against USC. They lose their main guy on offense, which in turn means they will have a tough season in scoring points. It will still be a tough game because USC always seems to be pumped up to play ND, even though they think we "suck".

i CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THESE POSTS.

As is I do think we can defeat USC. The problem there is we then play Frodo, Boston College, and they always give us fits. The possibility for a letdown if we beat USC is there.

The danger is always getting so pumped up for one game, there is no gas in the tank for the next opponent.

Welcome to DomerDomain ndjohn. Make yourself at home.

I agree with Sir John. The way we always seem to have trouble with some teams are just frustrating. I don't know what it is, but playing BC always puts me on the edge of my seat.

+1. i think nevada sets the tone. for good or ill...

 

+1.........the most important game is the next one, and our next one is Nevada - if we lost to them, the rest of them probably won't mean a dam thing because our program will get overhauled again....