Beyond the screw job-- looking forward we are in a TERRIFIC SPOT!

 

We have answered the question about how good we are!!

 

We are STILL sitting just off the pace at #7 & #8!

 

The most likely team to finish undefeated is FSU!

 

We get a very needed break after that draining game and then get NAVY to slowly get back up to speed for the stretch drive

 

ASU/LOUISVILLE/ USC are our friends---good teams we need to beat and can beat

 

Our team has SHOWN we can play on the road and play strong

 

 

BOTTOM LINE----our chance for the playoffs is still SPARKLING----

 

WE WERE NEVER GETTING IN LOSING THE FINAL GAME TO USC AS OUR ONLY LOSS----NEVER---these last big games were always needed wins even if we got the call at FSU.

 

That's just football 101---the two or three one loss teams that get into the playoffs have to lose early to a quality team in a close game and then finish strong---

 

THAT IS THE SCENARIO JUST SITTING THERE FOR US___WE ARE THAT TEAM!

 

Getting in the playoffs is the TICKET----12-0 or 11-1 is irrelevant after that

 

OUR ODDS ARE SO HIGH OF GETTING IN AT 11-1 WE ARE NOT IN THAT MUCH DIFFERENT A SPOT AS WE WERE BEFORE THE ROBBERY.....

 

 

LOSE at the end to USC we were always DOOMED for a playoff spot---

 

LOSE to ASU or LOUISVILLE and we would have been hanging by a dubious thread with a late season loss---TOO MANY ONE LOSS TEAMS WOULD BECOME OBSTACLES

 

BUT NOW---IMHO it all seems crystal clear---WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THE EXACT SAME THINGS AS WE WOULD HAVE WITHOUT THE FLAG----

 

WE NEED TO WIN OUT!

 

This is the best thing about the playoff system if it was still the BCS formula--we are OUT SCOUT

 

But PLAYOFF formula--- all we need to do is win out and odds are STRONGLY in our favor----and even if we beat FSU we needed to win out---a close loss to the #1 team was always our ONLY STRONG SHOT TO get in with one loss and that's exactly where we sit!

 

USC IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO PUT OUR NAME IN THE PLAYOFFS

 

All we need to do is get to USC at 10-1 and I ABSOLUTELY GAURANTEE a strong performance against a high profile program like the trojans will make it all right.

 

BE HAPPY WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM!

BE HAPPY WE CAN BE THE FIRST TEAM TO PROFIT FROM THE NEW SYSTEM!!

BE HAPPY OUR FATE IS STILL, AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, IN OUR OWN HANDS!!!

BE HAPPY THERE IS LOTS OF FOOTBALL LEFT !!!!

AND BE HAPPY IF ITS OUR DESTINY WE HAVE A LEGIT CHANCE FOR A REMATCH!!!!!

 

We have a wonderful team---AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET!!!!!!

 

aloha's go irish!

At 7, we are in great shape. All of the SEC teams ahead of us all have to play each other.

(5)Auburn plays Ole Miss, Georgia, and Bama.

(1)Mississippi St still plays Bama and Ole Miss

(3)Ole Miss still plays LSU, Mississippi St, and Auburn

Then they still have the SEC championship game. The possibilities of ND after the SEC finishes kicking the crap out of each other are very good.

Oregon's best opportunity for a loss is against Stanford. They also have the Ute's.

ND takes care of business we will be in. I would like to take another swing at FSU in the Championship.

#7 ND (@Navy,@ASU,NW,Louisville,@USC)

#6 Oregon (@CAL,Stanford,@Utah,Colorado,@OregonState)

#5 Auburn (South Carolina,@OleMiss,A&M,@UGA,Samford,@Bama)

#4 Alabama (@UT,@LSU,MissState,WCarolina,Auburn)

#3 Ole Miss (@LSU,Auburn,Presbyterian,@Arkansas,MissState)

#2 FSU (@Louisville,Virginia,@Miami,BC,UF)

#1 MissState (@UK,Arkansas,UTMartin,@Bama,Vandy,@OleMiss)

 

We're in if we win out....unless they argue the SEC is better with 2 losses than us with 1...I'm not worried about MSU I think we would win in a head to head choice

All that matters is how we are ranked in the Voters poll. I like that we are getting respect because it will most likely carry over. This team is definitely in good shape.

Is it really playoff or bust?

I think we can all agree that a 2-loss ND is out of all playoff contention - and I am 100% fine with that as long as the logic extends to ALL 2-loss teams....if ND were to get bounced out of the playoffs in favor of a 2-loss SEC team, I think there would be real hell to pay and the playoff would be off to a very inauspicious debut...

 

#7 ND (@Navy,@ASU,NW,Louisville,@USC)

The @ASU game looms very large, as does senior day against Louisville and the bi-annual trip to L.A. The team needs to refocus and play well down the stretch, but they clearly have the talent and ability to win these 5 and get to 11-1...

 

#6 Oregon (@CAL,Stanford,@Utah,Colorado,@OregonState, Pac-12 Championship)

Our best scenario here is to have USC or ASU win the south with losses to us and Stanford to give Oregon another scare. A loss in the Pac-12 championship to either ASU or USC would then eliminate the Ducks...

 

#5 Auburn (South Carolina,@OleMiss,A&M,@UGA,Samford,@Bama)

Auburn is not finishing with only 1-loss out of that...more likely 3. It would be nice for them to knock off Alabama, but in the irony of ironies, Auburn is going to beat Ole Miss, thus saving the SEC for Bama...then turn around and lose to UGa and Bama..

 

#4 Alabama (@UT,@LSU,MissState,WCarolina,Auburn, SEC championship)

Alabama is going to roll this slate and finish as the SEC champion...they are the real deal and despite a loss and a hang over escape, they are hands down the best team in the nation and its really not that close. I fear running into Bama in the title game - though I know we would stay closer than 42-14 this time around...

 

#3 Ole Miss (@LSU,Auburn,Presbyterian,@Arkansas,MissState)

Midnight for Magnolia state is nigh...Ole Miss is going to drop games @ a sub-par but still hostile Baton Rouge and to Auburn, the second of which is going to really screw them but should help us in the long run...an Ole Miss with nothing to play for EXCEPT to ruin Miss State's dream season in the Egg Bowl would be a great gift to us...

 

#2 FSU (@Louisville,Virginia,@Miami,BC,UF, ACC title game)

They will win out unless Winston actually has to face justice for his behavior before the end of the season (don't hold your breath...) These scumbags are the equivalent of the 80's Miami and OU teams - fast, talented, dumb as hell and crooked as a dog's hind leg. I hate them, but sadly the temperature of my hatred does not fuel their opponent's abilities...

 

#1 MissState (@UK,Arkansas,UTMartin,@Bama,Vandy,@OleMiss)

The first loss for Miss State is @ Bama and here is where we could take it in the ***...a 1-loss Miss. State, with their only defeat being at Bama would **** us hard and ugly...we need Ole Miss to briefly implode at LSU and Auburn and then recover in time to eliminate Miss. St.

 

We're in if we win out, out in any other scenario (Orange Bowl versus Clemson):

 

Playoff scenarios:

1)ACC - FSU

2)SEC - Bama

3)IND - ND

4)??? - could be loads of teams...

 

Oregon (if they go 12-1 as Pac-12 champs only)

Michigan State (if THEY go 12-1 as B1G champs AND Oregon finishes with 2 L's)

SEC West runner-up (if both Pac-12 AND B1G champs have 2 losses AND Big-12 champ is OU...)

 

There would be an outside chance of getting the #3 seed and a semi-final against Bama, but I would be we would get #4 and a rematch with FSU in the Rose Bowl

This is why I say we are in great shape--"considering"

 

Nothing is certain but with all the football left if we make the BIG ASSUMPTION we win the next 5----this new playoff system could pay off for us BIG TIME!

 

We may need a small amount of help but its not a great amount---many scenarios an 11-1 ND team gets in--a very few scenarios we get squeezed out.

 

Given the bitter loss we have had to swallow--instead of a season ruined and stolen---WE HAVE A 80% CHANCE TO CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY STILL WITH FIVE WINS!

 

It gives us plenty to hope for with realistic hopes----

 

THE DIFFICULT PART

 

will not be getting in at 11 -1--I think that's a VERY HIGH % BET

 

the difficult part will be getting to 11-1 and that's how it should be

 

one pretty good team and two good teams stand in our way---together they ADD UP to as BIG A MOUNTAIN AS FSU WAS and we came up a penalty flag short on that....

 

BUT IT IS UP TO US----if this team does not want to lose again it very likely will get a chance to finish 13-1 and NC!

 

Can't ask for much more then a good shot after a specious loss like we had..

 

5 MORE GAMES WE CAN MAKE IT RIGHT!

 

aloha's

I have been going over and over the future schedule and it is absolutely clear. Win out and we are in. USC can really help us if they beat Oregon in the playoff. Maybe Oregon loses before that to Utah or Stanford, but Stanford is not playing well.

 

I'm still struggling with how the ref could throw that flag and all that I can see is that it was deliberate. Struggling to get over this loss but so looking forward to playing Navy. BVG against Navy is going to be a thing of beauty. I've always thought you have to attack that option to get them out of rhythm. One negative play and it becomes so difficult to make a first down. That game can't get here soon enough. Had 25 Domers at my house and it was so loud and so fun until that final flag.

I, also, think if we run out we have a good chance of getting in. Noticed I said good not great. Here is my logic. FSU is in barring anything real crazy. I also think Oregon is in a great position to get in. Just doubt they don't get by both Stanford and Utah. Stanford did get them last year though but doubt they do this year. My bigger fear is 2 SEC teams getting in. Considering 4 of the 5 are SEC teams now especially. Yes they have to play each other a lot going forward but I can just see a scenario where they want 2 SEC teams in. Let's just run out though and think we'll be ok.

 

Also, the ENTIRE college football world saw last night. You can't have a more impressive defeat than that. Winning at ASU and USC is going to be real tough though. This team sure deserves to get in the Final 4 if they run out. Love this team though. Tons of heart and great kids.

 

GO IRISH!!

Remember---Oregon also has to play in its championship game so they have several tests yet

 

As far as TWO SEC TEAMS getting in--I see that as highly unlikely if WE are 11-1---

 

A second place SEC team--one that was UNABLE TO EVEN GET INTO THEIR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP would have a tough go making a case that even though they didn't QUALIFY for their conference championship they SHOULD QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS over an 11-1 ND team coming off a USC WIN and the only loss a controversial end against the #1 team

 

THATS A TOUGH CASE to make----

 

We will most likely get in with 11 wins

 

THE CHALLENGE IS WINNING THE NEXT FIVE AND WE CAN PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO PUT THIS RIGHT

 

IF FSU is #1

 

AND WE ARE 11-1

 

Our last second loss will get us in----just win and it will work out

 

aloha's

Remember---Oregon also has to play in its championship game so they have several tests yet

 

As far as TWO SEC TEAMS getting in--I see that as highly unlikely if WE are 11-1---

 

A second place SEC team--one that was UNABLE TO EVEN GET INTO THEIR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP would have a tough go making a case that even though they didn't QUALIFY for their conference championship they SHOULD QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS over an 11-1 ND team coming off a USC WIN and the only loss a controversial end against the #1 team

 

THATS A TOUGH CASE to make----

 

We will most likely get in with 11 wins

 

THE CHALLENGE IS WINNING THE NEXT FIVE AND WE CAN PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO PUT THIS RIGHT

 

IF FSU is #1

 

AND WE ARE 11-1

 

Our last second loss will get us in----just win and it will work out

 

aloha's

 

what scares me is we seem to play to the level of our competition way too often. We are a much better offensive team after our opponent scores, (Starting my off topic rant now) we need to start beating some of our lesser opponents worse. We need to be able to get malik some meaningful snaps. I've already expressed my concerns with him, I hope the bye we is an opportunity to get him out there with the starters for a while.

FSU won't be #1...watch, Alabama beats the snot out of Mississippi State and FSU stays right where they are @ #2.

 

I want to see them again in the national semi-final in the Rose Bowl, whatever it takes to make that happen...ND-FSU and Oregon-Alabama in the semis....rematch of '12 in the title game...we will need to be perfect, but imagine the storyline...Everett Golson and Notre Dame will a chance in back to back games to avenge the two most painful losses of the last 3 years....

At 7, we are in great shape. All of the SEC teams ahead of us all have to play each other.

(5)Auburn plays Ole Miss, Georgia, and Bama.

(1)Mississippi St still plays Bama and Ole Miss

(3)Ole Miss still plays LSU, Mississippi St, and Auburn

Then they still have the SEC championship game. The possibilities of ND after the SEC finishes kicking the crap out of each other are very good.

Oregon's best opportunity for a loss is against Stanford. They also have the Ute's.

ND takes care of business we will be in. I would like to take another swing at FSU in the Championship.

Oh hell yeah. I want FSU again with no ACC referees or home cooking.

ND-FSU and Oregon-Alabama in the semis....rematch of '12 in the title game...we will need to be perfect, but imagine the storyline...Everett Golson and Notre Dame will a chance in back to back games to avenge the two most painful losses of the last 3 years....

This would be unbelievablely awesome. Man, that would be sweet. I still don't think FSU loses, at least, until the playoff. If Clemson and ND can't go in there win (despite how both games went down), I doubt any other team on their schedule can. As tough as it is, we need to root for them going forward.

We have answered the question about how good we are!!

we did answer that question and not only are we in good shape for the playoff, ND is in great shape in the years to come. ND is back for good. very happy with where ND is playoff birth or not.

Everyone is acting like the playoffs fix all that was wrong with the BCS....and I am just not convinced.

 

The playoffs are still tied to "The Power 5" and there is going to be a lot of focus on that aspect of it. The selection committee has already stated that whether or not a team is a conference champion will play into their selections process. I just don't like the math here....5 conferences and 4 spots.

 

I hate feeling like 1 loss ends all hope for ND, but I do believe ND will need a LOT of help (probably seeing at least a couple conference champions end up with 2+ losses).

 

Maybe if this wasn't the first year if the playoffs....but I just have this feeling that the goal this year is to have "The Power 5" fill the spots.