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!

what scares me is a scenario where there are multiple one-loss teams for the last spot. Let's say SOS are close but one of the teams got a 12th win in a conference championship, does that keep ND out?

Local guys on the radio stations down here very high on ND despite the loss. Think that the call shouldn't have been called but don't disagree with the call itself. Think if we go 11-1 we will be a legit contender for the playoff.

what scares me is a scenario where there are multiple one-loss teams for the last spot. Let's say SOS are close but one of the teams got a 12th win in a conference championship, does that keep ND out?

 

I think a two loss team won't be in, just because of the number of 1 loss teams out there.

 

the issue will be power-5 one loss teams. The answer will be how many 1 loss power-5's make it. So for example, if OSU is a 1 loss team, beating MSU, will they be in? probably. Or MSU, beating OSU, they will most likely be in.

 

So if we have one SEC with one loss, one B10 with one loss, FSU no loss, and us we're ok. The issue will be Oregon, can they hold at one loss, or another SEC at one loss, then we could be out.

 

The real issue will be a 0 loss and a 1 loss SEC getting in, and Oregon at 1 loss. Either of those two scenarios could knock us out.

The real issue will be a 0 loss and a 1 loss SEC getting in, and Oregon at 1 loss. Either of those two scenarios could knock us out.

 

right, and the tipping point could be 11-1 (ND) against 12-1 (conference champ)

 

does the extra win negate the difference in losses or slight difference in SOS? So many questions....how heavily will preseason ranking come into play?

 

As it stands, the polls have it about right by having ND above MSU/OSU and K St. Let's hope that holds.

 

Another thing that makes me nervous is the thought of playing for style points, not just wins.

Local guys on the radio stations down here very high on ND despite the loss.

 

For what it's worth, Stephen A. Smith just said on 1st Take that we are still in his top 4.

Watched ESPN's First Take.. Steven A Smith said ND shouldn't have dropped in the polls... And that he has ND in his final 4 ... The FSU game stung... But that game got the nations respect... That game got our swag back...that game gave us the biggest chip on our shoulders and will catapult us the rest of our season! As long as we don't turn the ball over, I thinkND rolls!

Watched ESPN's First Take.. Steven A Smith said ND shouldn't have dropped in the polls... And that he has ND in his final 4 ... The FSU game stung... But that game got the nations respect... That game got our swag back...that game gave us the biggest chip on our shoulders and will catapult us the rest of our season! As long as we don't turn the ball over, I thinkND rolls!

 

Cowherd has the Irish at 5 in his power rankings.... FSU 7.

Watched ESPN's First Take.. Steven A Smith said ND shouldn't have dropped in the polls... And that he has ND in his final 4 ... The FSU game stung... But that game got the nations respect... That game got our swag back...that game gave us the biggest chip on our shoulders and will catapult us the rest of our season! As long as we don't turn the ball over, I thinkND rolls!

 

cant be true ....ESPN HATES US!!!!1

Cowherd has the Irish at 5 in his power rankings.... FSU 7.

 

OH Colin, you never cease to amaze me.

OH Colin, you never cease to amaze me.

 

This always gets back to record vs. eye test.

 

Obviously FSU has no losses and ND has 1. But I don't think it is crazy to suggest that ND was the better team Saturday, given the game was played at FSU and ND outplayed them.

 

Now, I don't use that argument and I think FSU should be ahead of ND, as hard as that is to say, but that isn't the only way to look at rankings.

This always gets back to record vs. eye test.

 

Obviously FSU has no losses and ND has 1. But I don't think it is crazy to suggest that ND was the better team Saturday, given the game was played at FSU and ND outplayed them.

 

Now, I don't use that argument and I think FSU should be ahead of ND, as hard as that is to say, but that isn't the only way to look at rankings.

 

Exactly what he said on his show... better team did not win.