Notre Dame ranked 25 in ESPN Pre-season Poll

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
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<p>ESPN</a> - Bulldogs back at No. 1 in updated Top 25 - College Football</p>

<p>Comical in my opinion.</p>

<p>Im thinking at best an 8 win season. That is including a bowl victory.</p>

<p>2008 SCHEDULE
( Click on an event for complete event information )</p>

<p>Date Opponent / Event Location Time</p>

<p>09/06/08 vs. San Diego State WIN
09/13/08 vs. Michigan LOSS
09/20/08 at Michigan State TOSS UP - L
09/27/08 vs. Purdue TOSS UP- W
10/04/08 vs. Stanford WIN
10/11/08 at North Carolina WIN
10/25/08 at Washington TOSS UP - L
11/01/08 vs. Pittsburgh WIN
11/08/08 at Boston College TOSS UP- L
11/15/08 vs. Navy WIN
11/22/08 vs. Syracuse WIN
11/29/08 at USC LOSS----</p>

<p>Bowl- win</p>

<p>So, I foresee 6 legit wins. There are a number of toss up games that I am giving to the home team. So a 7-5 record would be VERY reasonable. I think we can still beat Michigan. Washington, BC, and MSU will be tough because they are away.</p>

<p>USC... no chance. :)</p>

<p>Not sure how I feel about the number 25 ranking.</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

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<p>I'm surprised! I've never followed ND football before (my dad is a hard core OSU Buckeye), and all I've heard this year is that ND football sucks. I'm pretty excited by this ranking!</p>

<p>But you know what, I think ND has an AWESOME chance against USC... you're not just biased toward your school are you, Tim??? :D</p>

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<p>ND has no chance against USC. Or, as little chance as any team can have against another, in the supremely chaotic world of college football. I suppose there is always the possibility that their entire offensive line collapses simultaneously (preferably on top of their entire backfield).</p>

<p>I like the ranking. Because, as a preseason ranking, it ranks what we're capable of, not what we've done. And we did NOT play to our skill level last year, considering how much talent there was on that team. And they now have another year of experience under their belts, and a stable (for now) quarterback situation which will lend a little cohesion to a team that definitely lacked it early last season.</p>

<p>Plus, it's nice to finally not have one of the most difficult schedules in the country. All the other teams have to play the crappy teams in their conferences, and never get any grief about it. Why do we always have to play 9 ranked teams a season?</p>

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<p>Go Irish!!!!</p>

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<p>I was kidding lol. I may be optimistic about ND's chances this fall, but I'm not crazy. But anything can happen...</p>

<p>GO IRISH!</p>

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<p>I agree with you for the most part, Tim, although the away team has dominated the ND vs. MSU series recently, so having that game be at Mich. St. may be better than having it at home. </p>

<p>I see this year as extremely unpredictable. We should win 6-8 games, and it would be very nice to end our bowl-win drought, even if it is in an obscure mid-December bowl. On the other hand, it is possible that the team will come out completely flat again this year and not even break .500.</p>

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<p>Or they could come out an win 8 in a row lol..... but I would say this, I believe they should win against Washington and if anything have a better chance against them than a decent pittsburg team that ended last year on a high note. Boston College lost Matt Ryan (which picked us apart last season) so we will see how good of a team they have this year. They are still a very young team, but should be way better than last years team. Yes they could come out flat but I am hoping for a 8-9 win season if they play decent enough.</p>

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<p>We.... wait Notre Dame ....dont know if I should you 1st person plural or not
haha umm... Ill just refer to it as Notre Dame... and the We will be for USC</p>

<p>The Notre Dame- USC game will most likely be a pretty easy game. For me, I think one of the most valuable tangibles in college football is experience. Now, if you look it on paper, Notre dame seems to have experience. They will be returning I believe 17 starters. But, what type of experience do these 17 players actually have? Exactly, they haven't experienced winning. The offensive production last year was comical and at times embarrassing. Everyone knows that USC will be good. We may have less returning players, but this team KNOWS how to win. That is the difference. I like to take out teams records when rivalry games come around. But, in this case... pretty easy game for the trojans.</p>

<p>At least the irish start of easy against the aztecs.
San Diego State- THis should be an easy win. First of all it is at home. SDSU I think will be in to awe of its surroundings to pull of this upset. SDSU coach Chuck Long will likely be fired after this year... I think he has only won 7 games in 2 years. SDSU's best players are on defense... which isn't great for ND.... but the ND 4 and 5 star prospects should take care of the young SDSU aztec team</p>

<p>Now, a few people have raised the question about winning on the road. The reason I gave those toss ups to the home team is experience. This team needs to prove that they can win in hostile environments. </p>

<p>Michigan State is a tough place to play. If Notre Dame comes out of there with a win... not only will I be impressed but would change my mind on the rest of the away games. And mdspand, I wouldn't call the Irish's 16 point comeback with 8 minutes left in 2006 a "dominating" win. :/ But, you are right, the away team has one the matchup the past few years.</p>

<p>Washington is a very very tough place to play. Most likely it will be raining which will put on damper the ND's offensive "attack". The huskies will be accustomed to the environment and should be a problem for them.</p>

<p>One team that I hope the Irish do not overlook is North Carolina. They have had top 3 recruiting classes out of the ACC for the past two years. haha of course recruiting classes dont mean much... haha But, they will be talented.</p>

<p>CCG, great point about Pittsburgh. Coming of the win against West Virginia... they sure do have a lot of momentum. This was a game that I toyed with, but NDs 5 star recruits will have played 7 games before this. That experience will hopefully bring a sense of comfortability and confidence at home and Pitt shouldn't be a problem. Pitt doesn't have a qb right now... with three guys battling for the job. Wannstedt is a very DEFENSIVE minded coach. I see this as a very low scoring game that comes down the wire. These close games make home field even more important... its in South Bend.</p>

<p>BC should be a great game... its in Chestnut HIll, but I can see the Irish winning the game. </p>

<p>DancingFeet, my pick comes from my head not my heart. haha</p>

<p>I mean, they have a chance for a 9 win season but that means beating teams like Michigan and Boston College and not losing to any teams that they shouldn't.</p>

<p>I can see them beating BC or UM but then again I can see mental breakdown against teams like UNC or Pitt or even a rebuilding Syracuse program.</p>

<p>Itll be a great season and luckily Ill be able to watch the games from Watts thanks to NBC</p>

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<p>Very detailed post Tim, but I want to add something about what you said on home games. I remember Weis first year he told ESPN that he thought road games were actually better for his team because they did not have the distractions that they otherwise would have during homegames. Instead on the road they can just concetrate on football. Now does his theory work in reality... I do not know....</p>

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<p>CCG, great point!</p>

<p>I think I remember him saying that. There is some logic behind it though. There is a certain mystique in Notre Dame stadium that can make the player think instead of simply reacting. But, you would think that a solid football player, both mentally and physically, could learn to play with the distractions. But, definitely worth thinking about.</p>

<p>I mean, lets remember that our poor Irish rolled into the Rose Bowl last year with an 0-5 record and beat a solid UCLA team (although they were devastated with injuries) That could have been the result of a nothing-to-lose attitude. But, we CAN win on the road. But we can also lose the cookie cutter games at home.</p>

<p>After the USC game, if the Irish have 7+ wins, ND nation should be ecstatic. Hell, maybe even a 6-6 season would warrant a slow clap. A 6 win season will get us a bowl game. No committee will pass on the Irish if they are eligible.</p>

<p>We will end our bowl losing streak this year. My head say 6-6 record... my heart says 7-5... maybe 8-4</p>

<p>Itll be a great season though.</p>

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<p>I understand your point Tim, about a solid football player can play with the distractions and stuff, but IMO most of these players are still KIDS, and not the most mentally strong people ever. I mean its college not the NFL. Think how many bright and smart students out there drank and had a party during finals week? We are all young, and young people sometimes act impulsivly.</p>

<p>I also agree with you on the record. My heart says 8 or 9 wins, but everybody knows the difference between a 6-6 record compared to a 9-3 record is not that big of a difference. That deviation is hard to understand because 6 losses is more than 3 obviously, but what if all 6 losses are close (in a 6-6 record) while the 3 losses (in the 9-3 record) are blowouts? How can we judge that... I find it very hard to differentiate between the two.</p>

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<p>Totally agree. I think we'll find out how mentally tough the kids are the second game of the year. There's a lot of hatred in the Michigan-ND games. It is a huge game. When ND went into penn state... we actually had the lead in the 1st quarter.... i believe.. may be wrong. Im thinking interception returned for a TD? Penn State, with its 100 thou ^ screaming fans, is about as hard as it gets. So,,, we will see.</p>

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<p>What a ****ing joke.</p>

<p>A losing season and a ranking?</p>

<p>Doesn't a pre-season poll evaluate a team's outlook on the upcoming season based on the previous season?</p>

<p>Returning a lot of starters doesn't mean anything if those starters couldn't win. </p>

<p>South Florida? Cincinnati? Even Michigan would've been a better choice at 25.</p>

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<p>Doesn't a pre-season poll evaluate a team's outlook on the upcoming season based on the previous season?</p>

<p>No, not really. I mean, on paper, Notre Dame looks impressive. They have had the number 1 and number 2 recruiting classes the past two years. They return 17 starters. Their schedule is actually quite easy. ITS NOTRE DAME. </p>

<p>ND always gets a few extra spots than a team with similar quality. Why, because everyone knows them and everyone can watch them (NBC). At first I thought it was comical and very silly. But, I can see the logic behind it. Not to mention the number of Notre Dame alum, supporters, and former coaches that currently work for ESPN. (The rankings that I listed are from ESPN)</p>

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<p>That's what I don't like. I hate favoritism. Notre Dame only seems to remain somewhat relevant because of biased rankings fueled by the popular stature it gained during bygone years of glory and the people you mentioned. And I feel like that makes the fans delusional. </p>

<p>You're right though. On paper, we sound good. However, I just can't understand the point because it doesn't mean **** until these players get on the field. I lament the modern recruiting process because we now seem to look for the quality of the player as the utmost factor in recruiting. I want players who ****ing love the school. I want players who are honored to represent the university and grateful of the privilege they have earned. Humble yet hungry. Talent means nothing without heart. </p>

<p>I personally want Weis out, so I hope Washington and USC spank us really bad. </p>

<p>I'm going to watch soccer now.</p>

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<p>Well its not completely biased man.</p>

<p>This is isnt negative... but I just want to get something clear.</p>

<p>You want the recruited players to love the school and be honored to wear the blue and gold, but you personally hope they get "spanked" by Dub and SC so that you can get a new coach???</p>

<p>That doesnt seem right.</p>

<p>You wont find a more talented football mind than Charlie Wies. The problem is... he is used to having his talent already developed with the basic skills. He doesnt have the experience of teaching these skills to an 18 or 19 year old kid.... yet. But have faith!</p>

<p>This season will be much much much better than last</p>

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<p>I feel like Weis exudes arrogance.</p>

<p>It seems like he knows he's the **** because he did so well with the Patriots. That's great, but you can't ride on your past success forever. Furthermore, his credibility as a college coach was solidified by a loss to USC. That lifeline is now gone after the past season's debacle. </p>

<p>I'm being impatient with success, and that's not good. I agree with you on the fact that we can only go up. I just need to be convinced that Weis can do his job.</p>

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<p>Well thats why I believe he personal stepped up and said hey I cant be the man by myself, and what did he do? He gave up the play calling, focused more on his players everyday actions, became a friend, mentor and a coach.... He is a great recruiter, got in some top coaches, and I expect this season to be better but the best to come after this season when its all players that he has recruited playing. We all know tyrone willingham did not recruit crap his final two seasons, and thats why he was ousted. READ MY LIPS, NOTRE DAME IS ON THE UPSIDE!</p>

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<p>"I feel like Weis exudes arrogance."</p>

<p>Is that necessary a bad thing man? I mean, I would much rather have an arrogant coach than a passive, pessimistic coach. Players feed of their coach. If the players are uncertain or wary of their ability and you couple that with a wavering coach.... thats trouble. Also is he arrogant of confident? Hopefully a little bit of both. I can understand what you're saying though. Its tough to lose 9 game one year... and still have optimistic opinions for the next year. </p>

<p>"Furthermore, his credibility as a college coach was solidified by a loss to USC."</p>

<p>Bro, I dont think Jesus could have lead the Irish against my Trojans last year. They were just way overmatched. </p>

<p>CCG, I like the way you think! </p>

<p>Im sooo excited for this season. Weird, since I won't even be going to the school.... but this is the team that I was hoping to cheer for with all my heart my first year at ND. There is NOTHING like Notre Dame football. The history, presence, mystique-ness ,,,,,, goosebumps.</p>

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<p>YEA it wont be the same without you, TIM..... but you know what at least you get to be there to watch, the best rivalary in football, every other year! and ALSO, who says you only can go for one team? You can be both a Notre Dame and USC fan, the only hard part is which team to rout for when they face eachother, my guess is though you will turn into a pure Trojan on game day!</p>