My hopes for this fall

[rontdtarchala]

:ridinghorse:So for post 1000 I thought I should probably do better than my usual one liners... so instead I'll give my hopes for this fall and through the season...I think we have as much talent as any of the top schools out there...the difference right now is that most of those schools have more experienced 2 and 3 deep players...Still I think we can beat the condumbs...after last year you have to be nervous but I still think it was an abortion...most folks hate that word...that's why I used it the season was truly that bad...the worst of it was the absolute lack of emotion from the players...again for many reasons there was a lack of upper class leadership...we must have some one stand up and take charge if we have a chance...getting a good start especially due to being young is imperative...nowhere else is emotions more of a factor than college football...screw ebb and flow...grab em by the throat and choke em till the gun sounds...that's why I loved Louuuuuu...his teams always...ALWAYS expected to win...and if they didn't Lord help the next team they played...that's the way it should always be...I don't expect to win the championship every year (although...I could live with it!) but I do expect us to be in the top 5 most years with a top 10 on a down year...We have the talent to beat every team on our schedule...they have to believe it to make it happen...I also think we will have 10 freshmen make a contribution this fall... :ridinghorse:I say we go 10/2 maybe 11/1 if we beat the condumbs...let the laughs begin................

[5th Horseman]

Spanking San Diego State will set the tone for the season. I agree that last years team lacked emotion also. The addition of Tenuta and a new look in play-calling, along with most of the guys returning more experienced *should* result in at least 9-3. If we win the first 3, including against the skunkbears....look out.

[brownkj002]

I will be a little more reserved and go with a 7-5/8-4 record with a win in a bowl game.

[Flyin_Irish]

Gotta like the optimism from ron. Agree with 5th Horseman. If we struggle to beat SDSU, which is a possibility, then I imagine we'll win 6 games. If we lose to SDSU, we win 4 games. If we murder SDSU, we win 8 games.

[NotreDameNate]

I would like to see nothing more than to come out and have Hughes, Aldridge, and Allen drop a 100yds. (each) against SDSU. Ground and pound, ground and pound! By setting that type of tone could be a great boost to our OL right out of the gates. I am really hoping that we can setup the play action by running the ball all year, I think that will make us a more versatile offense, and will allow Jimmy to get in a groove earlier and often.

[daytonirish]

Great 1000 post. I didn't think we would be as bad as we were last yr. So I am agian pretty optomistic this yr. Just like most everyone else I believe the success of this season depends on whether we can run the ball. If we are able to do that it will open up the passing game and lead us to a successful season. I'm going 9-3. With a win in a bowl game.

[IrishGrizz]

Nice #1000, ron.

I think we have the chance to win 8-9, with the talent helping the improvement and giving us the hope of winning more. Just see the inexperiance costing us some wins. Early Success will breed more success. I think early mistakes in games before killed the spirit often.

[Sureal]

Gotta like the optimism from ron. Agree with 5th Horseman. If we struggle to beat SDSU, which is a possibility, then I imagine we'll win 6 games. If we lose to SDSU, we win 4 games. If we murder SDSU, we win 8 games.

Agreed. GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!!!

[sonomairishfan]

i'm not going to go crazy and say that the irish will win 10 or 11. the first 4 games will make or break this team. if the irish can some how find a way to beat SDSU bad and UM by any amount, it could be a very special year in South Bend.

the thing i fear the most is a return of the utter lack of confidence shown by the o-line and eventually the offense of last year. the wr's have to block and run decent routes. the o-line should be able to open some run lanes and pass protect better this year. the rb's will be fine. but they all must start quick to put last year's memories behind them.

it is of the upmost importance that this team takes the first drive into the endzone against SDSU. it would be great to see the irish score 40+ points in week one.

our defense has to prove that the loss of laws will not open up huge running lanes for opposing offenses. our LB's have to play "nasty" as all get out. those two units must play very physical and intimidate the opposition. a consistant pass rush would help. i think with the addition of the new defensive coach we will be blitz happy. i think that the secondary should be fine this year. i like our corners and safeties, good foot work and speed.

if the irish win the first two, they could go on a roll. if they lose either of the first two, it will be another long year.

[domerdude]

I think its great that ND finally has a "tune up" game. The past 2 seasons have been us struggling to beat/ or struggling to breath against Georgia Tech. We never really got steam rolling with these games, but give us SanDyState and with a solid win get some of that MO going and roll into that skunkbear game with a chip on our shoulder and a little bit of confidence. I cant freaking wait.

[KamaraPolice]

National Champs 2008

[irishlaw77]

I think its great that ND finally has a "tune up" game. The past 2 seasons have been us struggling to beat/ or struggling to breath against Georgia Tech. We never really got steam rolling with these games, but give us SanDyState and with a solid win get some of that MO going and roll into that skunkbear game with a chip on our shoulder and a little bit of confidence. I cant freaking wait.

Great post! So often we're opening up against a contender like a Michigan or Nebraska who has already played a warmup game or two by the time our first game rolls around.

[5th Horseman]

National Champs 2008

:jawdrop::alcoholic:

[irish_bobcat]

good post ron. I think we will win at least 8 games this year. This team will be vastly improved.

[Fishin'_Irish]

National Champs 2008

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/948/55087230.JPG

Just sayin'. :nanana:

[grantland]

I think the last time we had a "tune up" game we lost it. However, it was effective since we beat scUM the following weekend. (BYU)

[rontdtarchala]

thanks guys some of you seriously need to consider comedy writting...lol

[scooper]

If they win the first two, they will win 8.

[Sureal]

Man, I'm ready for next season right now. Man makes me want to strap them up and hit someone just thinking about it...

[rontdtarchala]

couldn't agree more sureal I will have a very large flat screen before the season starts

[NDgrandson]

couldn't agree more sureal I will have a very large flat screen before the season starts


Congrats on 1000. I may have a very large, flat woman before the season starts.

[RI Domer]

This should be a season to regain respect. The young guys are no longer freshman and have some nice experience. If this year goes badly it could take a toll on years of future recruting. Weis will be squished by the media. Personally 8 wins would be fun. A sc upset would be icing. I would cry with a SDSU loss.

[mlcspinner]

This should be a season to regain respect. The young guys are no longer freshman and have some nice experience. If this year goes badly it could take a toll on years of future recruting. Weis will be squished by the media. Personally 8 wins would be fun. A sc upset would be icing. I would cry with a SDSU loss.


We shall crush SDSU :football: so no crying :verysad:RI Domer :nanana:

[rontdtarchala]

grand you are a sick man...I like it...but you are sick....lol

[KamaraPolice]

In all honestly, here are my hopes for the fall. First off, I hope this team is both physical and brutal (I can do without the cheap shots, like Brian Smith punching the Air Force quarterback in groin after tackling him - frustration was undestandable though). I want teams to know they played Notre Dame after the game. I wont be upset this if Notre Dame doesn't win every game. With that said, they better be competitive in every game. I have 12 Saturdays this Fall where I should be able to sit down, and for a full 3 hours, cheer my team to victory or atleast have faith they can win the game. No more of this 30 minutes after kick-off hoping this wont be the worse loss in school history.

That's my hope. 12-1 would be great, but i'll take 8-5 as long as number 8 is a bowl win finally. Anything worse than 8-5 this year and I'd have to say 2009 is the "take the team to the next level or leave" season. Though, I am 99.5% confident Charlie wont see the hot seat.

[KamaraPolice]

Actually, I think it was Kerry Neal who punched the guy in the balls. But I saw a cheap shot from Brian Smith too that I didnt like. Those reflect poorly on Charlie Weis and on Notre Dame.

The personal foul and ejection on John Brown against Georgia Tech was completely bogus though. What a terrible call. I hope we get some better offiating in 2008 as well.

[11/20/93]

10 wins is a bit high, me thinks.
it gets slippery between stanford and navy.
pitt, @bc, @unc and @TW...
it would be nice to pull all of those out and go to USC on a roll...

[11/20/93]

off the field:
1) not cringing when I see ND on the list on PTI
2) not having to answer the " are you a masochist, or what?" after I tell my buddies that yes, I watched the whole thing.
3) not having to defend my ND hat/hoodie/jersey out in public....although I almost feel that it means a little more to wear ND stuff when we're down...
4) not being in ESPN's bottom 10

on the field:
1) clean, white #7 jerseys
2) clean, blue #7 jerseys
3) #5 or #23 with the ball and one man to beat
4) a few games where Crist in is b/c the game is out of hand...in our advantage

[rontdtarchala]

agree with everything except crist...need to see sharpley in that means we are kicking tail and taking names

[11/20/93]

yeah, i meant clausen, then Evan puts a couple on em, too...THEN crist

[IrishGrizz]

I think Ideally, Crist could not see any time on the field, therefore keeps the possibility of playing in his 5th year, meaning he would have 2 full years as a starter. (This would assume JC starts the next 3 yrs)

[11/20/93]

I think Ideally, Crist could not see any time on the field, therefore keeps the possibility of playing in his 5th year, meaning he would have 2 full years as a starter. (This would assume JC starts the next 3 yrs)

you're right...i was getting ahead of myself.

[IrishGrizz]

11, no worries. That is another thing great about this sight. You can state your opinion and not get automatically flamed for it. A question might come, or a request for clarification or whatever.

The heart wants what the heart wants- there is no wrong or right- just is.