# 4 in Scoring Defense!

 

# 3 in recruiting on Scout!

 

#4 in recruiting on Rivals!

 

# 10 National Ranking!

 

There are four games down and 9 to go---

 

These are the RATINGS OF A TEAM THATS "BACK" NOT A TEAM STRUGGLING TO GET BACK__

 

Can we hold this altitude for 9 more games?

 

Can we go 6-3 and win 10 games?

 

Can we close out this year with a national ranking in BOTH the Polls & Recruiting!

 

If we do---WE ARE BACK!----

 

We are SOOOOOO CLOSE!---

 

Winning brings recruiting & recruiting brings more winning its an itch scratch itch cycle and we are ALMOST ON IT!

 

Do we end the year with a BOWL WIN , A TEN WIN SEASON & A TOP 5 RECRUITING CLASS?--

 

or --Do we fade at the end and finish with a REES at the helm , A confused offense, Multiple Losses to USC , our bowl opponent & a couple others---plus decomits that damage the class---

 

We are Soooooo Close---

 

Go 6-3 or god help me 7-2 and we likely will have momentum that will keep going for the next several years---WE WILL BE BACK!

 

Hold on --its going to be exciting & stressful thats a GUARANTEEEE!

 

aloha's go irish!

If Golson can come on like we think he can, I will not be happy with only 10 wins. This is an Alabama defense, now let's go get us a Notre Dame offense.

This year's defense is FINALLY living up to the recruiting hype of the players on it - even with Ishaq not yet hitting his full stride on the field. Led by Tuitt and T'eo, with great contributions from Day and KLM and Shembo, this is the best front 7 I have seen at Notre Dame in the last 20 years. They can be special in the annals of Notre Dame if they get only competent QB play and offensive support.

 

The blueprint for how to win championships with this kind of team - dominant defense with a suspect offense - by both the '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. IN both cases, those teams rode the strength of their defense AND a solid running game to historic seasons. I am FAR less concerned with the QB position (though I would like Kelly to pick his man and ride with him one ay or the other, which he has proven he will NOT do), and far MORE concerned with the run game.

 

The Navy game gave me hope that we would see more North-South running from the Irish this year and the last 3 games that has all but disappeared. We need the OL to step up because I believe Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick are talented enough to lead a two-headed monster attack (with GA3 getting 4-5 touches) that could have us really becoming a complete team.

 

Miami is next. And I STILL hate them. Not dislike, not a fan of their opponent, but literal, visceral HATRED of everything they stand for and represent. I do not want a close win against these bastards, I want to see our defense eat their hearts in the second half of a rout. I want to see the game get so far out of hand that Hendrix is on the field in the 4th. I want to see 2 RBs over 100 yards and a solid 3-4 TD win that sends their sorry asses back to South Beach with welts.

 

Go Irish!

Go 6-3 or god help me 7-2 and we likely will have momentum that will keep going for the next several years---WE WILL BE BACK!

 

 

I want 7-2 or better. That would give us fewer than 3 losses in a season for the first time since 1993.

Well said Hawaii!!!!!

Being "back" carries the stigma of consistency. We're 4-0 with a decent recruiting class and you're gonna say we are back? Every year you and others wet your pants over meaningless recruiting rankings this early, only to watch in disbelief as we get vaulted out of the top 10 once the elite schools roll in pledges on NSD.

 

Like I said in another thread earlier last week, we aren't "back" until we post back to back 10+ win seasons and manage to hang with elite teams in BCS games. A little early for your assertion, given our obvious problems on offense this year. At this rate, our record may get us onto the big stage, but I have no doubt it wouldn't be a pretty showing.

If you read the post echo it ways we are SO CLOSE---and the only one wetting their pants seems to be you who "doubts we can win ten games"--who "doubts we can close out on a top recruiting class" & who " doesn't think it means anything anyhow because its just one year---

 

That my friend is a BOATLOAD OF PESSIMISM bubbling out over the simple concept that we are CLOSE!

 

I entertain in this post, the grim but real possibility that both our won/ loss record and our recruiting class could go south with losses & decomitts---however echo unlike you i DO NOT FIND IT AN ENTERTAINING POSSIBLILTY__

 

On recruiting--still with a few more schollies to go---your point that the "elite schools will all pass us on NSD " is just silly.

 

THE ONLY WAY WE DROP IS IF OUR CLASS STARTS TO COME APART DUE TO OUR OWN FAILURES____NOT BECAUSE YOUR "ELITE" TEAMS PASS US BY WITH LOADS OF 5 STARS!

 

Simple math shows us to be too high to fall too far without losing already verballed commits----filling the class simply solidifies are high ranking!

 

IF WE HOLD THESE COMMITS AND FILL THE CLASS WE WILL BE A TOP CLASS---And Kelly would have proved himself as an " elite" recruiter with the two of the last three classes SKY HIGH IN THE RANKINGS!

 

If we can win ten games THIS SEASON---& couple that with a close out of a top 7 class or better---WE WILL BE BACK!

 

I realize thats a bit of a disturbing prospect for you---but don't panic ECHO---there is still a very reasonable chance that the season and the recruiting class will blow up under the pressure of our schedule----

 

But every win from this point out brings us closer to that promised land---

 

WE ARE SOOO CLOSE---but close doesn't count outside of horseshoes and hand grenades---thus the SOOOOO aspect---

 

You can set the bar at back to back 10 win seasons--or at a NC--or at undefeated for two seasons straight----whatever you like----but its all just an echo of what is happening right now---IN THIS SEASON!

 

WIN TEN GAMES---CLOSEOUT A TOP 5 CLASS---AND THE CONSISTENCY WILL SIMPLY FLOW FROM THE TALENT WE KEEP ADDING___

 

WE WILL INDEED BE BACK!!__---AND IT WILL BE CLEAR AS A BELL FROM BOTH POLLS & PUNDITS ROLLING ALL THE WAY INTO 2013! __

 

So keep hoping for and expecting the worse echo---there is a good chance that we will collapse and fall backward forced to start over again next season, ---BUT BE CLEAR MY FRIEND___WE ARE SOOOO CLOSE---AND THAT IS A FACT!

 

ALOHA's GO IRISH!

If you read the post echo it ways we are SO CLOSE---and the only one wetting their pants seems to be you who "doubts we can win ten games"--who "doubts we can close out on a top recruiting class" & who " doesn't think it means anything anyhow because its just one year---

 

That my friend is a BOATLOAD OF PESSIMISM bubbling out over the simple concept that we are CLOSE!

 

I entertain in this post, the grim but real possibility that both our won/ loss record and our recruiting class could go south with losses & decomitts---however echo unlike you i DO NOT FIND IT AN ENTERTAINING POSSIBLILTY__

 

On recruiting--still with a few more schollies to go---your point that the "elite schools will all pass us on NSD " is just silly.

 

THE ONLY WAY WE DROP IS IF OUR CLASS STARTS TO COME APART DUE TO OUR OWN FAILURES____NOT BECAUSE YOUR "ELITE" TEAMS PASS US BY WITH LOADS OF 5 STARS!

 

Simple math shows us to be too high to fall too far without losing already verballed commits----filling the class simply solidifies are high ranking!

 

IF WE HOLD THESE COMMITS AND FILL THE CLASS WE WILL BE A TOP CLASS---And Kelly would have proved himself as an " elite" recruiter with the two of the last three classes SKY HIGH IN THE RANKINGS!

 

If we can win ten games THIS SEASON---& couple that with a close out of a top 7 class or better---WE WILL BE BACK!

 

I realize thats a bit of a disturbing prospect for you---but don't panic ECHO---there is still a very reasonable chance that the season and the recruiting class will blow up under the pressure of our schedule----

 

But every win from this point out brings us closer to that promised land---

 

WE ARE SOOO CLOSE---but close doesn't count outside of horseshoes and hand grenades---thus the SOOOOO aspect---

 

You can set the bar at back to back 10 win seasons--or at a NC--or at undefeated for two seasons straight----whatever you like----but its all just an echo of what is happening right now---IN THIS SEASON!

 

WIN TEN GAMES---CLOSEOUT A TOP 5 CLASS---AND THE CONSISTENCY WILL SIMPLY FLOW FROM THE TALENT WE KEEP ADDING___

 

WE WILL INDEED BE BACK!!__---AND IT WILL BE CLEAR AS A BELL FROM BOTH POLLS & PUNDITS ROLLING ALL THE WAY INTO 2013! __

 

So keep hoping for and expecting the worse echo---there is a good chance that we will collapse and fall backward forced to start over again next season, ---BUT BE CLEAR MY FRIEND___WE ARE SOOOO CLOSE---AND THAT IS A FACT!

 

ALOHA's GO IRISH!

 

Check line #6 of your incoherent drivel. You said we are back. I respectfully disagree.

Drivel on Hawaii!!! I love it!!!

Check line #6 of your incoherent drivel. You said we are back. I respectfully disagree.

 

there at it again. Facts are for this week and at least next, when you read the AP top Ten, you'll see ND. Facts are right now ND is sporting the best statistical defense they have in years. Noone knows what the coming weeks will bring but it is nice to see ND Back in the Top 10. There is no factual inaccuracy to using the word back here, unless you load it with undo significance as we tend to do.

Being "back" carries the stigma of consistency. We're 4-0 with a decent recruiting class and you're gonna say we are back? Every year you and others wet your pants over meaningless recruiting rankings...

we aren't "back" until we post back to back 10+ win seasons and manage to hang with elite teams in BCS games. A little early for your assertion, given our obvious problems on offense this year. At this rate, our record may get us onto the big stage, but I have no doubt it wouldn't be a pretty showing.

 

exactly - the recent years should have all taught us this

but it's quickly thrown out the window every time a recruiting service ranks us and/or we win a couple of games

how is it, that in his 3rd year, this offense continues to look so atrocious?

it's becoming possible that bk still has no stable, defendable starting quarterback. i say this only by judging through the 4 games this year, but to say golson has been "impressive" is a stretch expecially if you're considering he's at a major program with supposedly BCS aspirations.

how is it, that in his 3rd year, this offense continues to look so atrocious?

it's becoming possible that bk still has no stable, defendable starting quarterback. i say this only by judging through the 4 games this year, but to say golson has been "impressive" is a stretch expecially if you're considering he's at a major program with supposedly BCS aspirations.

 

Who said Golson has been impressive?

i would say nothing has been "impressive" on the offense...

and to put the season in perspective:

navy forgot how to play football, only win is vs virginia military institute

purdue's 2 wins are against east kentucky and east michigan

the jury is out on michigan st. and michigan but those wins look less impressive by the minute.

so how good IS notre dame?

we know the defense LOOKS good to this point but again it's all subjective

4-0 is only impressive because of just how bad nd has been,

the road ahead will be the test to whether or not nd is legit

In a BCS Bowl, saying it won't be pretty if we do.

 

I guess my question is, who the heck is out there that is so gosh-darned terrific you'd literally be afraid to play for fear of being embarassed?

 

Frankly, I'm not scared of anyone whupping up an down on us AT ALL.

 

I understand we have a freshman QB going through freshman issues, but when I look at the speed and size and athletic ability and technique and coaching of this defense I don't fear anyone just kicking our backside up one side and down the other.

 

I'll concede losses to a handful of teams, no doubt if our offense continues to struggle, but no way would I predict any sort of "not pretty" blowout.

 

We are too good defensively for all that.

 

Furthermore, I anticipate our offense getting better and evolving as the year progresses.

 

Anyway, aside from Alabama and Oregon, who are the teams out there any of you guys are truly afraid of playing?

how is it, that in his 3rd year, this offense continues to look so atrocious?

it's becoming possible that bk still has no stable, defendable starting quarterback. i say this only by judging through the 4 games this year, but to say golson has been "impressive" is a stretch expecially if you're considering he's at a major program with supposedly BCS aspirations.

 

It's truly ironic to me, and also a bit disingenious, that so many people were saying they'd be OK with this season being a struggle - even relative to wins - in order to get EG up to speed.

 

Everyone was so laughably and embarassingly assumtive this schedule would kick our butts they were literally pre-conceding games in order to get EG up and running.

 

Yet now that we've blown a complete hole in the utter nonsense that this year would be some sort of processual concession, some people are COMPLAINING about the very reason they were OK with playing the kid quarterback to begin with.

 

What is so hard about enjoying the fact we are winning and achieving the goal of developing a potentially terrific QB?

 

Things are wayyyyyyyyy better than some of you guys thought possible, yet you choose this moment to spit on the fact we are experiencing the QB growing pains we all knew would happen?

 

It doesn't make sense.

it's shouldn't be acceptable to be mediocre no matter who's on the schedule, inexperience at quarterback, or any other kind of EXCUSE.

again, this is bk's third year so these results are to be expected against the opponents they've played thus far.

when the day comes when fans tolerate a bad year to get experience in, nd will truly be irrelevant.

It's truly ironic to me, and also a bit disingenious, that so many people were saying they'd be OK with this season being a struggle - even relative to wins - in order to get EG up to speed.

 

Everyone was so laughably and embarassingly assumtive this schedule would kick our butts they were literally pre-conceding games in order to get EG up and running.

 

Yet now that we've blown a complete hole in the utter nonsense that this year would be some sort of processual concession, some people are COMPLAINING about the very reason they were OK with playing the kid quarterback to begin with.

 

What is so hard about enjoying the fact we are winning and achieving the goal of developing a potentially terrific QB?

 

Things are wayyyyyyyyy better than some of you guys thought possible, yet you choose this moment to spit on the fact we are experiencing the QB growing pains we all knew would happen?

 

It doesn't make sense.

 

100% agree with you sir, could not have said it better myself. We're sitting pretty at 4-0 and the offense can't go anywhere but up. Golson will get better, even though I expected a little more progress by now. He'll develop better chemistry with receivers which will let our offense open up. Teams are completely taking away Eifert right now so we need Golson and Daniels to get their game in sync.

 

Even with how well the defense has performed, I think they will only get better as well.... which is scary. Tuitt, who seems to be one of the most dominant lineman in CFB is only a TRUE SOPHMORE! He's getting better every game! Nix is slowly becoming one of the top nose guards in the nation. Te'o will be Te'o, I love that he lost 10 lbs and looks much quicker and dominant. The secondary has made leaps this season.

 

I know some of you might put up stats or other crap to say they are still weak. But I like to ignore most stats and judge by the eye test, and from what I've seen, everyone has improved from week 1 to 4. Bennet is becoming more reliable, KR has grown comfortable in the new spot, Shumate is an incredible athlete capable of making plays all over the field, and Baratti showed great discipline while not going for the runner on the reverse and staying in coverage. That was a veteran move, and to top it off he made the play. That gets us the ball on the 20 instead of Michigan kicking a chip shot fg and putting points up.

 

If we win 10 games and keep this class together, I'll start to truly feel we are on the verge of being BACK.

when the day comes when fans tolerate a bad year to get experience in, nd will truly be irrelevant.

 

I didn't think it was going to be a bad year brother.

 

I felt coming in we'd win 9 to 10 games.

 

I'm saying other people were OK with it potentially being subpar in order to develop the kid QB.

 

On top of the people who just assumed we'd get our heads handed to us because our secondary was "terrible" (their words not mine).

 

This is what I will say.

 

We are not yet in the position where we can plug in "the next guy" at QB and not expect severe growing pain issues. We just aren't.

 

I think we will be soon, probably by next year, and I think you will see this offense explode.

 

In fact I think you will see it evolve dramatically this season.

 

The important thing to keep in mind is that all the other factors that held us back all these years - kick-butt defense speed athletic ability playmakers pass rushers sideline-to-side-line linebackers recruiting - has all been taken care of.

 

BK has laid a foundation. And it's strong sna d sturdy and will serve us well.

 

And we're gonna have a fabulous season THIS YEAR even with a kid QB growing up before our very eyes.

 

Enjoy the process!!!!!!!!!

 

How can you not be ecstatic right now??????????????????????

In a BCS Bowl, saying it won't be pretty if we do.

 

I guess my question is, who the heck is out there that is so gosh-darned terrific you'd literally be afraid to play for fear of being embarassed?

 

Frankly, I'm not scared of anyone whupping up an down on us AT ALL.

 

I understand we have a freshman QB going through freshman issues, but when I look at the speed and size and athletic ability and technique and coaching of this defense I don't fear anyone just kicking our backside up one side and down the other.

 

I'll concede losses to a handful of teams, no doubt if our offense continues to struggle, but no way would I predict any sort of "not pretty" blowout.

 

We are too good defensively for all that.

 

Furthermore, I anticipate our offense getting better and evolving as the year progresses.

 

Anyway, aside from Alabama and Oregon, who are the teams out there any of you guys are truly afraid of playing?

 

FSU, Clemson, KSU, LSU, SCar (w/ QB back), etc....

 

I think after we play OK and USC we will have a better idea of how we will fare.

100% agree with you sir, could not have said it better myself. We're sitting pretty at 4-0 and the offense can't go anywhere but up. Golson will get better, even though I expected a little more progress by now. He'll develop better chemistry with receivers which will let our offense open up. Teams are completely taking away Eifert right now so we need Golson and Daniels to get their game in sync.

 

Even with how well the defense has performed, I think they will only get better as well.... which is scary. Tuitt, who seems to be one of the most dominant lineman in CFB is only a TRUE SOPHMORE! He's getting better every game! Nix is slowly becoming one of the top nose guards in the nation. Te'o will be Te'o, I love that he lost 10 lbs and looks much quicker and dominant. The secondary has made leaps this season.

 

I know some of you might put up stats or other crap to say they are still weak. But I like to ignore most stats and judge by the eye test, and from what I've seen, everyone has improved from week 1 to 4. Bennet is becoming more reliable, KR has grown comfortable in the new spot, Shumate is an incredible athlete capable of making plays all over the field, and Baratti showed great discipline while not going for the runner on the reverse and staying in coverage. That was a veteran move, and to top it off he made the play. That gets us the ball on the 20 instead of Michigan kicking a chip shot fg and putting points up.

 

If we win 10 games and keep this class together, I'll start to truly feel we are on the verge of being BACK.

 

Agreed 100 percent