SI Predictions for 2013 season

[VCDomer 75]

Wow.... Took this with a bit of a slap. Projected bowl matchups, winners, and teams to flop. Yes.... we are tops in one category. I am sure you won't be surprised what list ND tops. Do the experts really believe that we lose so much with EG going out?

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130828/preseason-crystal-ball/

Edited August 28, 2013 by VCDomer

[corysold 0]

Wow.... Took this with a bit of a slap. Projected bowl matchups, winners, and teams to flop. Yes.... we are tops in one category. I am sure you won't be surprised what list ND tops. Do the experts really believe that we loose so much with EG going out?

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130828/preseason-crystal-ball/

 

I really don't get all the Stanford love. Great team, but aren't they basically ND? Great front 7, lost their RB, lost a few key pieces on D, lost their elite TE, return some good/great players.

 

They have a little better QB, but ND is probably better on the Oline and at WR. Defenses are both really good. ND has a better freshmen class by far.

 

Yet half pick Stanford in the title game and everyone picks ND as flop team. What am I missing?

[stdntDrvr 12]

it's carry-over from the Nat'l Championship beat-down.

[roarcity269 0]

Pretty much every analyst is saying we will be 7-5 and that the fan-base has unrealistic expectations due to last year.

 

The consensus is that last year came way too early in BKs cycle and that a lot of our success in the tight games were due to EG's mobility in extending a play. They think Reese does not have that mobility and that will be our downfall in tight games.

 

Food for thought...

[SDIrishFan 607]

Apparently last season was a MASSIVE stroke of luck and the only reason we were in the NC game.

 

While we did get some bounces to go our way last year, let's not pretend like it wasn't a good team.

 

And, how were we lucky in the Stanford game? We BEAT Stanford straight up. Pitt, I'll give them as we got a couple breaks there. But, what team that makes it to a BCS game doesn't get a few breaks. It's the nature of the game.

 

Oh well, I hope people keep picking against ND. That way we can pee in their Cheerios again at the end of the year.

[SDIrishFan 607]

Also, someone please tell me why "Michigan should be good"???? Cuz they have an AA LT and a WR playing QB? Was it because they gave USC east a semi-decent game in their bowl game?

 

How about their defense that was completely gutted? How about 3 OL playing their first real time in the center of their line? How about their 2 best defensive players being out with injury?

 

Same goes for Stanford. Will they be good. Yes. But like others have said, they are a ND clone.

 

I just don't get it.

[BlackIrish42 0]

Two things: pundits are over-rating how much "luck" we had last year. When you consistently win close games it means you're MENTALLY TOUGH. Period. That is what I went on and on about last year as a sign that BK had turned the corner with this program. We were tough as hell. Secondly, people are over-rating Golson's year last year and under-rating our depth and offensive weaponry this year.

[irishmike 0]

i LOVE being the underdog...bring on the FLOP comments, only adds fuel to the fire.

 

I think the media forgets we were top in the nation for our Defense which will carry over to this year.

[JTennant 290]

I really don't get all the Stanford love. Great team, but aren't they basically ND? Great front 7, lost their RB, lost a few key pieces on D, lost their elite TE, return some good/great players.

 

They have a little better QB, but ND is probably better on the Oline and at WR. Defenses are both really good. ND has a better freshmen class by far.

 

Yet half pick Stanford in the title game and everyone picks ND as flop team. What am I missing?

 

I was wondering the same thing about Stanford. I'm a closet Stanford fan actually. I love Harbaugh, and now they found a way to keep it going, but Stepfan Taylor was a huge part of their offense. That guy never seemed to get knocked backwards(sans our miraculous goal line stand). He always finished out runs falling forward.

 

Ever since Harbaugh left, I've been waiting for Stanford to fall off. If they don't fall off this year, I'll stop waiting...

[NDsection23 0]

We know infinitely more about ND than any of these dopes. I guess it's easier to buy into the story that we will fall off big time because we got a lot of breaks last year, we don't have Golson this year, and we are still recovering emotionally from the championship game, than it is to actually do any research.

 

7-5, are you freaking kidding me?

[MyFightingIrish 0]

Great thread to bookmark for revisiting at the end of the season. This year is the year BK proves his worth. Was 2011 the result of bad bounces? Was 2012 the result of luck? This season will be the determining factor for pundits and Irish fans alike.

 

If ND sustains success and finishes with double-digit wins, then ND will have clearly demonstrated improvement and a return to prominence. The talking heads will simply not have an argument anymore. The talent and depth up-tick will have bore its fruits and everyone will believe in BK.

 

If ND finishes with 7 or 8 wins and the record reflects mediocrity again, then 2011 will have proven to be the norm and 2012 an anomaly. Predictions like this SI article will remain valid and ND will lose any gained respect outside South Bend.

 

I honestly think ND wins 10 in 2013, BK is validated and the pundits swallow their words.

 

ND will be respected AND feared again. BK has them on the rise.

 

Go Irish

Edited August 28, 2013 by MyFightingIrish

[NDFAN77 0]

Great thread to bookmark for revisiting at the end of the season. This year is the year BK proves his worth. Was 2011 the result of bad bounces? Was 2012 the result of luck? This season will be the determining factor for pundits and Irish fans alike.

 

If ND sustains success and finishes with double-digit wins, then ND will have clearly demonstrated improvement and a return to prominence. The talking heads will simply not have an argument anymore. The talent and depth up-tick will have bore its fruits and everyone will believe in BK.

 

If ND finishes with 7 or 8 wins and the record reflects mediocrity again, then 2011 will have proven to be the norm and 2012 an anomaly. Predictions like this SI article will remain valid and ND will lose any gained respect outside South Bend.

 

I honestly think ND wins 10 in 2013, BK is validated and the pundits swallow their words.

 

ND will be respected AND feared again. BK has them on the rise.

 

Go Irish

 

your dead on dude.

i think this is the show me year for BK and company.

it's either hey were back, or yea go back to your fantasy world.

[hawaiiirish 62]

Most all the predictions of a disappointing season flow from a single event IMO-- NOT the BAMA LOSS--but the forced "switch" from Golson who most saw as a breakout star for 2013 to Tommy who most see as an 8-5 QB.

 

If you have faith in Rees then you can dismiss those predictions. If not, then there will be plenty to be concerned about until mid -season clarifies things.

 

aloha's

[S.B.IRISH 0]

your dead on dude.

i think this is the show me year for BK and company.

it's either hey were back, or yea go back to your fantasy world.

 

I think that all depends on the QB play, most would agree that if Golson were back then anything less then 11 or 12 wins would be a bad season. This should be the last year the BK has to use a QB he didn't recruit so I think that BK will get all of the credit if we win double digit games this year but if not Rees will get all of the blame. It's kind of a bad situation for Tommy to be in actually, on one hand if we win 10 or more games they will say BK did a marvelous job managing the QB position but if we don't they will say the QB position held this team back from being elite.

[hawaiiirish 62]

Yep--its a tough spot for Tommy and a somewhat insulated spot for coach---a little unfair in that regard---

 

NONETHELESS--I had a post on Tommy as HERO OR GOAT---and I think that applies full on---Tommy will be the likely goat if we struggle---but he WILL GET a big share of credit and become a bit of a legend at the QB spot if he can turn the skepticism into a BCS appearance.

 

Tommy should be thrilled to at least have this incredible opportunity---he's a cool customer if nothing else---his makeup is suited for the uncomfortable spot he's in----now if he can make the MOST out of his skills, and catch a few breaks he has a shot at a special year.

 

aloha's

[S.B.IRISH 0]

Your completely right, I was just looking at it from the aspect that he's the only question mark on this team.

[Scotty88 0]

so the thought is we'll be what they thought we'd be last year.

 

Reilly needs to write something negative, and fast lol